Happy Valley

Calendargirl I think all actors have to accept the type of roles they're suited to right from the start. I imagine that is one of the first things they are taught. You cannot expect leading roles if you look like a criminal or a druggie. Plenty of roles for people like that, they can make a good living out of playing the bad guys or the weaklings. The lucky ones are people like James Norton; if they can act then they can play heroes or villains!

I am on the edge of my seat for most of it and behind the sofa for the rest!

I feel sorry for the actor playing the pharmacist.

Can’t recall his name in real life, but he always seems to get the type of roles where he has the cares of the world on his shoulders.

He was in a ‘Grace’ episode where he and his wife nearly died, and he was also in a comedy as the hapless boyfriend of the main character.

( At least, if I am thinking of the right actor!)

I think the teacher's daughters will be packed off to grandparents or aunties so they don't get in the way of the plot.

What about the drug forensic test, can't wait to see if the chemist will be implicated through that. He was very worried about the wrapping etc.

The teacher may be accused of his wife's murder; he is known to the police as an abuser, the chemist was wearing plastic covers on his shoes and gloves. What will happen to those two poor little girls?
It's an interesting twist and the teacher seemed to be taking more than a pastoral interest in Ryan. 🤔

By 'eck. I didn't expect that to happen.

Will the pharmacist dispose of Jo's body?
Will TLR escape at his court appearance?
Will our Ryan bunk off school to go to court and get caught up in it?
Will TLR take Ryan as a hostage?
Will our Catherine get into trouble for thumping that git she arrested?

Can't wait until the next episode.

Some interesting new twists last night. The teacher will come home and find his wife's body, but will he be accused of her murder? The chemist has turned out to be far more dangerous than he seemed. And will Tommy get loose? He is no danger to anyone inside. He will have to come out somehow to cause mayhem.

I wonder about the partner of Claire who appears to be intimidated by Tommy. Its occurred to me that him meeting Claire might have been part of Tommys plan to get to Ryan.

Wow! Last night’s scene in the café. BAFTA potential?

GrannyHelen I m with you I find Sarah Lancashire very easy to follow she’s loud and clear and I don’t live anywhere near the accent either so I m not used to it but find t very easy to follow
There is certainly no muffling on my TV as clear as a bell

Could it be what device some people are using I ve just got an ordinary Smart TV no sticks or bits

Isn't Jake Bugg's music fabulous?

I am definitely getting more 'sensitive' to people hurting other people. I have no problem with Ripley smashing that alien to pieces but I can never watch Misery again (Kathy Bates with a sledgehammer). Sickening, it makes my toes curl just thinking about it. I'm not able to tolerate throats being slit (Line of Duty) or dental torture (Marathon Man). I've never liked man's inhumanity to man.

I think this getting too violent and bloody for me especially before bed. Perhaps I'm getting softer and more squeamish with age.

lost boys what a great description Oreo.

Glammagran and Oreo, I’m with you on being unable to dismiss genetic influences. Skinner was an American psychologist who was hugely influential in the 20th century. His basic belief was all human action was the direct result of conditioning.

It’s endlessly fascinating to me. I’m still in touch with people I knew as children, through my work. It’s amazing how resilient some people become, despite traumatic childhoods.

I’m a latecomer to Happy Valley. I watched S1 years ago and read the episode synopses on Wiki. Watched 2/3 of S2 before we start S3.

Chestnut I do wonder if there is an element of nature in how people turn out. I used to work with a woman many years ago who was recently divorced as her husband beat her up as she refused to cook him a pudding every night and she was working full time. He had been adopted by 2 doctors as a baby but he could not have been less like them.

Yeah, so many lost boys aren’t there?
I suppose a mix of nature and nurture, but mainly I guess it’s nature and in the genes.
It’s a great series with everything just right, plot, acting and dialogue.
Have to say tho, it doesn’t make me want to visit that region, looks grim and bleak.

I’m worried about Catherine’s ex-husband as well]

Happy Valley - I can’t remember a drama so many of us are gripped by

Oreo - yes to feeling sad for Tommy. The prisons are full of men like him

I love Hebden and surrounding area. I’m planning a visit soon.

Oreo I’m not convinced Tommy is capable of loving anything, total lack of empathy = psychopath as Sgt Catherine says. He’s excited by the idea of a son, it’s something to own. Or, as he planned in series 1, take him with him in a murder suicide.

Having a drug addicted sex worker as your mum is grim - but not all children living in those awful, dangerous circumstances grow up as psychopaths. Chestnut raises one of my constant ponders - nature/nurture/combination of both

Chestnut I know, I imagine that if he had a loving Mum he would have turned out better, I get really into dramas!
He’s a good dramatic character tho, as you are horrified by him but also feel a bit sorry for him at the same time.
I thought about Sarah Lancashire and her lines, cos they aren’t sort of set pieces such as in Shakespeare plays, but are done with an accent and very fast, as the way everyday people speak.I’d be useless as an actress, I have a poor memory.

Ooo! You norty ladies.😲

After me!! I don't need him washed first!

Sarah75

Ooh! If you bump into James Norton, could you give him my number?

If you do get to take him home Sarah75, could you have his hair cut, sort out the gash on his forehead, and then as Cher said 'have him washed and brought to my tent'. Well, my bungalow....

Will our Catherine's ex-husband suffer a sticky end if he investigates the drugs angle too closely?

Oh god lbc I never thought about that. Oh heck. I’ll be on pins now watching Sunday nights. It’s already so tense isn’t it and then they ratchet it up ...

I agree Tommy had a terrible childhood, but would that turn him into a vicious, brutal, psychopathic rapist? Nature or nurture, or both? That is always the question isn't it. If he had been adopted at birth to a kind and loving family what would he be like now?

I suspect actors must have good memories, otherwise how could they remember long passages from Shakespeare?