Viewers think they've worked out which direction the gripping story of Sergeant Catherine Cawood and psychopath Tommy Lee Royce is heading after being blown away by dramatic scenes at the end of episode four of the third and final series of Happy Valley. Much to Catherine's despair her grandson Ryan Cawood has been visiting his vile father Tommy in prison with help from her sister Clare Cartwright and her partner Neil Ackroyd.
Catherine, played by Sarah Lancashire, has been trying to keep Ryan away from his evil dad, who raped her daughter Becky before she tragically ended her own life. Tommy was serving time in Sheffield for the brutal murder of police officer Kirsten McAskill and for the abduction of Ann Gallagher in series one.
He was back in court in the latest episode (Sunday January 22) preparing to stand trial for the murder of Gary Gaggowski, whose remains were found washed up in a reservoir in episode one of series three, when Tommy staged a highly dramatic break-out. Suddenly there was pandemonium as a fight broke out, and Tommy seized his chance.
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The twisted character, played by James Norton, pelted out of the court and into a nearby newsagent's shop before taking a bicycle and cycling clothing and riding off in disguise through the centre of Leeds. Jaws dropped as viewers watched him make his escape, saying it was "perfection."
Fans took to Twitter to applaud the high-octane drama including @GemmaWoolfe who said: "Tommy Lee Royce is one of the most terrifying TV characters to have ever existed. James Norton is exceptional."
@K_for_K4r3n praised: "Cracking ending to tonight's #HappyValley Tommy Lee Royce is one of the most frightening, cocksure, loathsome & yet sexy villains I've ever seen on TV. A brilliant mix of suspense, horror & humour. Perfection."
@karldenniss gasped: "Tommy Lee Royce is one of the greatest TV villains of all time oh lord." @waterylanegypsy applauded: "Seeing Tommy just being there freely gives me SHIVERS. Trauma from S1 is back."
@LukeelkinsTV remarked: "I was expecting the News at ten headlines to include the escape Tommy Lee Royce." And @LM_Coups said: "Tommy Lee Royce cycling off in the middle of Leeds...absolutely phenomenal episode."
@SeanWood78 joked: "OMG! The only thing that could have bettered that ending was if Tommy picked up a bottle of Prime in that newsagents, saw the price, then said 'and people think i'm evil.'" @MillieSansoye wrote: "Nah the way Tommy busted his a** out of court was low-key impressive."
Aware that the gritty West Yorkshire-based police drama will be the last, and the show's creator Sally Wainwright will conclude the story of Catherine and her nemesis with these six episodes, fans are now worried for Catherine, who is looking forward to her retirement.
@lewisa95 said: "If Catherine gets killed by Tommy we riot." @EmsInty asked: "Catherine or Tommy are going to die, aren’t they?" and @mikie121752 predicted: "Catherine will take Tommy out, with the perfect Thelma and Louise ending."
@maclikeronald tweeted: "#Happyvalley Calling it now.. That retirement collection pot will be used at her funeral. Her and Tommy both getting killed off in the last episode." And @justnaomiyeh said: "You know another Catherine vs Tommy stand off is coming and someone isn’t getting out alive."
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