Happy Valley

True Calli maybe he’s just a softie. Putting Ryan in touch with his dad after his own heartache with his own kids.

Anyone else notice how shocked Ryan seemed that his dad remembered his gaming name? Such a throwaway remark probably at the time, yet stored away by Tommy Lee for future reference. I think it made Ryan realise how clever (devious) his dad is.

I've had my suspicions about him all along. I think it might be because the actor usually plays baddies.

I just hope that Ryan survives next Sunday. The poor lad's been through enough. I think there will be at least one major casualty though. Catherine, Claire or Ryan, or possibly his dad.

but what do we really know about Neil?

I know I really dislike him but that doesn't make him a baddie.

Ann was brave going to that front door, even with a butcher’s knife in her hand. I’d have screamed and run upstairs.

Scared me silly knowing Tommy Lee was out there somewhere.

Penny’s dropping for Ryan. How good his granny is, taking him in when no-one wanted him. Anne viciously telling him exactly what’s what will have peeled the scales from his eyes.

“Love you”
“What’s brought that on?”

Down to earth stuff in God’s Own County!

Goodness, didn’t Catherine lash out at Clare? 😱
Seems Majorca’s out then.

So ... Ryan knows it’s destination Marbella on Monday. Will he tell his gran?

NotSpaghetti

I still think it's possible Urmstongran - what do we know of Tommy's father?
I know it's a bit 😱 as an idea, but what do we really know about Neil?

That he’s ‘an empty vessel’ according to Catherine. 🤣🤣
Actually it’d make sense on some level NS as, like you say, what do we really know about Neil.
Catherine doesn’t rate him.
That should be red flags enough!

I can’t see Neil with Tommy Lee’s druggie mother somehow, I just can’t
I thought there was a connection between Neil and Tommy which involved drugs?

I agree Gloryannie, the 16 year old playing Ryan is so good

If next week is the last episode there's a lot to tie up!

Tension so high. Poor Ryan, left with drunken step gran, then hearing all that in such an awful way from drunk Anne
Catherine Seems to have slid into the place she was after Ryan’s mum died, hitting out at Claire

I did enjoy the opening scene with her accused of bullying and racism by the hopeless alien loving pc

I still think it's possible Urmstongran - what do we know of Tommy's father?
I know it's a bit 😱 as an idea, but what do we really know about Neil?

The young actor playing Ryan is just brilliant. He manages scenes with the more experienced actors so well. Definitely should get some award for this.

Poor Ryan.

The last episode next week is going to be jam packed with action to tie everything up!

😱 Neil his father! Oh no. Poor Clare if so. Talk about grooming her to inveigle his way into the family.

No, I’m not buying it.
Didn’t Clare and Neil go to the same school in their teens?
I can’t see Neil with Tommy Lee’s druggie mother somehow, I just can’t.

I like the parallel story of the pharmacist. He got in with the bad boys didn’t he? Started small, made money, got used to the lifestyle - a big fish in a small pond. No he’s a small fish in an ocean of filth. Too late now to back off he’s in the crosshairs of the Knevovich’s (? sp).

I just love Catherine’s deadpan lines.
“What you having for your tea Ryan?”
“Stew”
“Oh it’ll keep”

Stellar.

I thought he was going to turn out to be his father Urmstongran.

I will watch it too Iams - just not with the same level of enthusiasm as I had for the others... I still want to know what transpires!

👋 Iam
Another here just settling down to watch ... 😁
I agree the Great Escape was far fetched but it’s ramped up the tension nicely for tonight’s episode!

I read (somewhere) that some think Neil is tied in with Tommy Lee in some past way. He was too acquiescent with Ryan. Hmm.

It’s good to get a different take NotSpaghetti. I’m already waiting for 9pm. Fire lit, the only problem is I’ve gone soft and let the giant labrador snuggle up next to me. He’s not usually allowed on the sofa but the little spaniel is. He’s taken her place so she’s taken mine - I’m squashed in the middle. I’ll shoo them off at 8.55 pm

I think this show is largely naturalistic so the "great escape" was a step too far Iam. I think in a stage play (if it was not naturalistic) you could get away with it - and more besides to be honest.

But I accept that others are happy with it and expect I'm in the minority here.

Welcome back urmston. It must feel very cold. I’m flying to Malaga early March - just thinking about it helps me manage the cold wet grey north west
Anyway - 4 hours to go.
NotSpaghetti, I can accept the great escape was unlikely but it’s a drama. The cafe scene between the sisters was memorable and psychologically gripping imo. Still, each to our own - I’d watch it for the local scenery 👍🏻

I have found this series not so good as the others.
I thought the café conversation with Clare/Catherine was too long and the court scene was beyond ridiculous.

I know I'm in a minority but there is a lot about the writing letting it down in my opinion.

I’m up to date with it all now I’m back from Málaga and I can’t wait for 9pm tonight!

Are we coming back on here at 10pm to chat about it? I hope so!

An interesting interview with the young actor who plays Ryan.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64413057

No, I reckon she’ll take Alison in case the Landy breaks down in the Himalayas! They’ll have a reight good time!

No - please don’t have Catherine murdered.
I want to see her reluctantly but eventually enjoying a retirement do. Then driving off in her land river with Ryan (he can take his gap year early)
I read today that a number of endings were filmed so no-one knows exactly how it will end