Following multiple theories, the finale of Happy Valley delivered the epic ending that we all needed after three series. After we had puzzled how our Robocop Catherine could possibly find escaped psychopath Tommy Lee Royce, stop her grandson moving to Marbella with his evil father, bring down mob boss Darius Knezevic and patch things up with her sister Clare, she did all of that on her retirement day. And, as her colleagues celebrated around her, she only went and did it again as the Yorkshire cop coolly solved the murder of Joanna Hepworth while packing up her belongings, with help from her mate Alison who came good for her.
Detective Superintendent Andy Shepherd didn’t need to say a word, his smile said it all. The police may have been saying farewell to tough cookie Catherine after 30 years of service, but grandson Ryan could also be lined up for a bright future in the force after his beloved granny set him on the right path away from a life of crime.
Despite his curiosity about his dad (as Clare explained, he had wanted to visit him in prison to see for himself that he wasn’t like him) it was a triumphant moment when he admitted to police that he had been in touch with Tommy following his escape. And his intuitive dislike of PE teacher Rob - who may not have killed his wife but turned out to be a predatory groomer - proved correct. A curious child has grown up to become an open-minded teen with integrity thanks to Catherine and his aunt Clare.
