If you missed the final episode of BBC drama Happy Valley and are waiting to indulge in the finale on catch up then click away now. For those who watched the nail biting last episode live, then you may be among those praising the show this morning.
As the series, which began in 2014, concluded its third and final series on Sunday, February 5, there was a happy ending for police officer Catherine Cawood, brought to life on screen by Sarah Lancashire. However, not before a dramatic showdown between Catherine and her nemesis Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton. In 'edge of your seat' scenes, the two clashed for their final showdown and Tommy burned to death.
It was her last day in uniform before retirement and there was to be one final confrontation. Tommy, the man responsible for ruining much of her life, broke into Catherine's home after escaping prison and then fleeing from the gang he had been working with. By the time he reached Catherine's house he was bleeding badly and seemed unable to physically attack her as he had done in the past.
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In a gripping scene, millions of viewers have been waiting for, the pair traded insults and emotional home truths for 15 minutes in a tense final meeting. The Mirror reporting the finale for fans, said that Tommy began: "Do you think I'm gonna hurt you, I'm not gonna hurt you".
"Well I might hurt you if you don't do what I say NOW," responded Catherine, making him hand over a knife. She then read him his rights, arresting him for escaping lawful custody, but the pair continued to talk as police back up raced to the scene.
Tommy had hoped his son Ryan would run away with him to Marbella after visiting him in prison, but Ryan instead admitted to police he had spoken to his dad online and told his gran - Catherine - he didn't want to go away with him. With a taser in her hand, Catherine told Tommy: "I'm glad he (Ryan) has been able to make up his own mind.
"He knows you are just a ***ked up, frightened, damaged, deluded, nasty little toddler brain in a big man's body. What I've seen really clearly these last few days is how much he is nothing like you. I have worried for long enough.
"That boy is a prince, for all his ups and downs, he is about as unlike you as it Is possible to be.
"You're not a dad, you wouldn't know how to be a dad, I am sorry to be the bearer of such difficult news."
Despite the insults, Tommy responded by saying: "Know this, I had some options last night. I had a can of petrol and a box of matches. And it did occur to me that I could burn your house down and all the s*** in it. But I decided not to do that. And you know why? Next time you're thinking all this nasty b******* about me.
"I were looking at the pictures of Becky and Ryan. His whole life from when he were a baby...I realised what a nice life he has had. What a nice life you've given him.
"I hated you for not telling me I had a boy. But last night I had a glimpse of what a nice life he has had. And I don't hate you anymore. I forgive you. I'm sorry I didn't treat Becky any better."
The emotion did not move Catherine who replied: "And you forgive me? You delinquent f***."
Before other police had time to arrive, Tommy then doused himself in petrol saying the taser would no longer work and he was going to kill himself. "I've already taken a load of pills anyway, belt and braces me. I'm not going back to prison," he said before lighting a match.
After setting himself on fire, Cawood attempted to put the flames out with a blanket and then was seen leaving the house before breaking into tears hysterically and being confronted by her sister Clare Cartwright, played by Siobhan Finneran.
Referring to the epic scenes with typical understatement of the character, Clare said: "We've had another bit of a tussle. I won, obviously. I think I might have singed one of your crocheted blankets."
Catherine was later seen leaving the police station having tipped off her boss about a pharmacist illegally selling drugs, which meant all her cases would be effectively solved in the town.
The episode then ended with her going to the grave of her daughter, who had been raped by Tommy Lee Royce which led to her having her son Ryan, brought up by Catherine after she committed suicide.
Catherine kissed the headstone and then received a text saying Tommy had died in hospital as she walked back to her van to start her new life.
Amongst the millions watching at home were Rhys Connah, who plays Ryan Cawood. Ahead of episode, the actor said: "I'll be on the edge of my seat along with everybody else. Even I haven't seen the last episode yet, and I can't wait to watch it. Mum really wants to know what happens but not a single word has passed my lips about the final episode."
He also confirmed there was no chance of any kind of comeback for the show or characters, which was also apparent in the ending written by Sally Wainwright.
He said: "Sally always said it would end at the third series, and I really respect that she stood by that. She had a story to tell and didn't want to carry it on beyond this.
"There have been a lot of people saying there should be another series, and it is really nice that people like it so much that they want more, but it ends here."
In the final shots of Catherine, we see her looking happy and breaking into a rare smile as she appears to head off traveling following her retirement from the police force.
Taking to social media, one person wrote: "That was absolutely fantastic, I have loved Happy Valley, what a drama." Another commented: "That is probably the most powerful ending to a programme ever WOW WOW WOW"
A third said: "I am gutted Happy Valley is over but what an ending that was just amazing" While a fourth tweeted: "Amazing ending to Happy Valley. I am sad it is over. What to watch now?" And a fifth penned: "Sarah Lancashire has got to be the best actor. What a performance."
The BBC announced last week that the first episode of the series had now been watched by over 11 million people on TV and streaming service iPlayer.
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