This season just flown by, I would have expected to hear the third one confirmed by now, especially after winning two well-deserved BAFTA’s this year. I am hoping that the lateness of the announcement has to do with what’s happening to BBC Three next autumn, and how that would affect the show. I would rather see it move to BBC 2 if possible than become on-line content only, the series deserves to reach a wider audience when it can pull in top awards for Best Writer and Series on TV.
So, on to the episode. Firstly, remember how upset you were during last year's finale? Well, be prepared this time and have your tissues on standby, Dominic Mitchell is going to pull on those heart strings and chances are you may well bawl your eyes out again I’m afraid. Some characters behave exactly as you'd expect, Gary for example is convinced that Kieren is about to unleash a terrorist attack on Roarton. Needing a legitimate excuse to kill him, he forces some Blue Oblivion on our hapless hero and then dumps him at the new graveyard where Simon’s followers are squaring off against the villagers. While other characters make tough choices and may do things we wouldn’t expect, like Jem having to make the difficult decision between protecting her father or taking out her drugged up brother, while Simon watches from his hiding place waiting to see if his job will be done for him.
As for the Undead Prophet and Maxine; well the prophecy about something coming to pass at the twelfth hour of the twelfth day of the twelfth month does indeed happen, and it involves the events and characters in the above paragraph. It becomes intense and pretty emotional, and no, I’m not going to reveal the outcome here as it is worth seeing it play out in the episode itself. We also get to see the MP’s true battle plan when she has a complete meltdown at the annual winter fete, her mask slips entirely and the whole village gets to see her for what she really is. One of the reasons I am really holding out for another season is I would like to see where things go from here, both the Prophet and Maxine’s story lines have opened up much more untapped material that I would love to see explored.
Lastly, a quick word on Roarton’s newest couple. Amy is ecstatic that she is not turning permanently rabid like she has been fearing all season, but is also concerned that no one should discover her newly found status. She’s heard Simon’s horror stories of the torture that goes on in Norfolk and has no desire to become their newest test subject after all. I’m very glad that she has Philip in her ‘life’, they bring out the best in each other, even his mother seems happy for them when he proudly brings her along to the Village Hall as his date. Emily Bevan and Stephen Thompson are both fantastic in this final episode of the season; it’s not often that this non-shipper roots for a TV couple to succeed, but they have such chemistry that I can’t help being behind them all the way!
Episode 6 airs at 10pm on Sunday 8th June on BBC Three and BBC Three HD, and on Saturday June 14th on BBC America at 10pm/9c, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. I'd love to hear what are you hoping to see happen in the finale, feel free to sound off below.
“Disgusting what the council are threatening to do with him, good thing he has you to fight his corner”
“Dad go away, you shouldn't have to see this”
“It’s the most important meal of the day. You’re going to need it, collections never go easy”
“I have a message of hope for all of you”
“It’s about time this village were represented by God fearing folk”
“Gonna go rabid in front of a bunch of kiddies were ya, sick bastard!”
“If you live long enough you’ll see all sorts”
“He’d call the treatment centre and then they’d cart me off to experiment on”
“That way’s the perimeter fence, today’s the Beating of the Bounds March. Best avoid it”
“We’ll be in touch, Tom”
About the Author - Sandi
Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Doctor Who, The Musketeers, Banshee, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows like Sons of Anarchy, Hannibal, Game of Thrones and Elementary.
I have to admit I was very nervous about the episode too, Dominic certainly knows how to play with your emotions! I find it hard to believe that this show is hidden away on BBC Three in many ways, it's such an amazing collection of actors and crew that along with the superb writing really should be reaching a much wider audience than the 350 thousand or so that it does. I'm glad that you have enjoyed the previews, I have really loved finding others to discuss the show with. Fingers crossed for season 3, and hopefully a move upwards on the beeb ladder too!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, this is a very bittersweet show at times, but I'm glad that I have found it, it has a very special place in my heart. It's beautifully written and has a top notch cast in it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the photos are a bit strange in some ways, but I'm afraid that my lips are sealed, except to say that there is always hope in a show like this...