Thoughts on "Happy Valley" (A Netflix Original Series)

After watching a variety of British police dramas in recent months, I was excited to start watching another.  "Happy Valley" turns out to be the cream of the crop.  It outshines "Broadchurch", "Luther" and "River", all of which are brilliant in their own ways.  What sets "Happy Valley" apart is the psychological depth and complex intelligence of its characters and the way it blurs the line between good and evil.

Sarah Lancashire's performance as the lead character, Sgt. Catherine Cawood is absolutely riveting.  She brings the character to life in a way that makes her sympathetic.  At the same time, you may find discomfort in liking her sometimes:  she does things that are morally questionable and that add extra dimensions to her performance and character.   She has been through so much hell.  The fact that she maintains dignity and strength adds tension and suspense to her character's trajectory.

The line between good and evil is tenuous in this series.  One of the criminals in the show, Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) is reprehensible and cruel in many of his actions.  However, the show does clever things to make the viewer identify and sympathize with him.  All the characters in the first two seasons seem to be connected in some way.  The connections and convoluted relationships add interest and surprise.  Some are related by blood, others by action but all combine to draw the viewer in and keep him or her in a constant state of agitation and anxiety.

The film takes place in Yorkshire, England and the title of the series is ironic.  As Jake Bugg's theme song "Trouble Town" iterates this is a broken, dismal place to live at times.  The cinematography efficiently captures the run-down, gritty feel of many of the city's locations.

This is the best British Police Drama on television.  It is riveting and real, bold and beautiful.  The first two seasons are available on Netflix.