TV critics have characterized the conclusion of Happy Valley after three seasons as “a breathtaking conclusion to a truly outstanding drama” and “a heart-stopping success.”
According to overnight figures, an average audience of 7.5 million watched the finale.
In her five-star review, Lucy Mangan of The Guardian described the finale as “brutal, compassionate, humorous, gripping, and tragic to the very end.”
It was “a conclusion of understated, tragic elegance,” said Anita Singh of the Telegraph.
“Not since Line of Duty has a drama finale been anticipated with such anticipation. Thankfully, it did not conclude as Line of Duty did “Singh remarked, referring to the controversial climax of the latest season of the other police drama.
Instead, show creator Sally Wainwright provided a satisfying conclusion.
The scriptwriter did “push our perspective,” Singh noted, but she eventually concluded that the series finale “was not the most riveting episode.”
“Royce’s escape from the court was the pinnacle of heart-stopping drama,” she concluded. It revealed everything we admired in Catherine Cawood: her strength, her vulnerability, and her wit.
Sarah Lancashire has gotten praise for her portrayal of the no-nonsense Sgt. Cawood and James Norton have received praise for their portrayal of her adversary, the criminal Tommy Lee Royce.
Mangan remarked that the pairing of Wainwright and Lancashire contributed to the greatness of the show. “Individually, they are both outstanding. Collectively, they are unbeatable.”
The critic stated that for the finale of the episode set in West Yorkshire, Wainwright provided “neat but genuine conclusions to every aspect of the plot.” Its blood contained redemption, justice, bitter laughter, and fire.
Neil maybe Tommy’s father.
“Alison will die.”
Tommy evades capture by biking in the Tour de France through Hebden Bridge.
These were three of the entries in a competition to predict the outcome held at the Shoulder of Mutton.
The bar, which is located in the heart of Hebden Bridge and appeared briefly in the show (over Catherine Cawood’s shoulder in the third episode of the second season), hosted a viewing party for the series finale. A large serving of Yorkshire puddings arrived in time for Jake Bugg’s theme, but there was no popcorn.
“This is the most dramatic television since JR was shot in 1980,” said Lesley Wood, referencing Dallas’ classic premise.
Also throughout the episode, there were numerous gasps, I spotted someone physically cowering behind a cushion, and the closing credits were met with cheers.
And most importantly, nobody won the competition to anticipate the finale. Or perhaps came close.
Impeccably written and masterfully executed
Carol Midgley said in The Times that the finale was “impeccably written and masterfully executed” as well as “exquisitely dark and undoubtedly Bafta-worthy.”
Although she too awarded it five stars, Midgley stated: “It was not an ideal episode. Insufficient time was provided to wrap up Faisal the dodgy pharmacist and Rob the irate physical education instructor.”
She finally concluded: “Many thanks, Happy Valley. I doubt we’ll ever see your particular kind of sadness again.”
Rachael Sigee of the I newspaper was also awarded five stars for what she described as “a heartbreaking episode.”
She said, “Sally Wainwright’s outstanding language did not falter for a moment as she completed an almost decade-long story.”
It is anticipated that the finale received high ratings. More than 10.5 million people have now viewed the first episode of the third season. Including those who saw it live on New Year’s Day and iPlayer since.
Sunday’s nail-biting conclusion received much appreciation on social media.
