Happy Valley makes it impossible to get to bed early: Viewers are hooked on the suspenseful episode as Tommy Lee Royce makes a great escape and a dead body turns up in a suitcase
The final series of Happy Valley reached a crescendo in episode four as Catherine Cawood’s premonition played out in gripping scenes.
In the final five minutes of the latest installment of the hit BBC drama, there were big developments in both storylines as Rob Hepworth discovered the body of his wife Joanna and Tommy Lee Royce made his great escape.
One fan explained that the show “makes it impossible to go to bed early” as the episode ended with another cliffhanger and the prospect of a final showdown between Sarah Lancashire’s Cawood and James Norton’s Royce.
Nearing the end: The final series of Happy Valley reached a crescendo in episode four as Catherine Cawood’s foreshadowing played out in gripping scenes
In episode four, Tommy got a haircut and showed off his tattoo dedicated to son Ryan as he went on trial on a gang homicide charge after the victim was discovered by Sergeant Cawood in the series’ opening scene.
Tommy’s son Ryan (Rhys Connah) dropped out of school to serve time in court, only for his grandfather Richard (Derek Riddell) to show up as part of his investigation into the Kneževićs.
After two of Knežević’s men caused a distraction outside, Tommy fought his way out of the courtroom and sped through the streets of Leeds.
Villain: In the final five minutes of the latest installment of the hit BBC drama, there have been major developments across the series’ two storylines as Tommy Lee Royce makes his great escape
Dramatic scenes: After two of Knežević’s men caused a distraction outside, Tommy fought his way out of the courtroom
With a disguise provided for him, the villain was seen cycling into the distance in the final moments of the episode.
Meanwhile, the show’s other major story arc was playing out when Joanna’s disappearance raised suspicions.
In episode three, Faisal Bhatti (Amit Shah) murdered Joanna in a fit of rage after her plan to kill Rob was exposed.
He’s Free: Using a disguise provided to him, the villain was seen pedaling off into the distance in the episode’s closing moments
Poignant: One fan explained that the show “makes it impossible to get an early night” as the episode ended on yet another cliffhanger
What’s in the suitcase? Meanwhile, the show’s other major story arc was playing out when Joanna’s disappearance raised suspicions
Although her husband Rob insisted that it was in her character to disappear, Joanna’s concerned parents were seen arriving at the police station to file a missing persons report with Sgt. Cawood.
After being interrogated at home, Rob noticed a suitcase in the garage and opened it to see the horrifying scene of his wife’s body crammed inside.
Viewers praised the show’s writer, Sally Wainwright, for her ability to pull together two storylines in a matter of minutes.
Sunday Night Screening: Viewers praised the show’s writer, Sally Wainwright, for her ability to pull together two storylines in a matter of minutes
“Building that amount of suspense in one episode takes skill, but building that amount of suspense across two separate storylines within one episode is writing and directing at its finest. #HappyValley,” declared one fan.
Another pointed out that “Happy Valley makes it impossible to go to bed early on Sundays. Each episode leaves you with a heart rate of around 200 BPM.’
‘Jesus Christ. Haven’t breathed for about ten minutes,” agreed another.
Others pointed out that Cawood’s suspicion that Tommy was plotting something during his court hearing was once again proven correct when they asked her colleagues and family to “always listen to Catherine whenever she has a suspicion.”
Tommy’s escape signals that a final showdown is brewing between him and Cawood, but as this marks the final series, some viewers are beginning to worry that Sarah Lancashire’s leadership will not make it into retirement.
“If bad things happen to Catherine at the end of this series, I’m not sure I can forgive Sally Wainwright and company,” tweeted author JoJo Moyes.
Happy Valley continues on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.