Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright's insistence on waiting seven years for Ryan Cawood actor Rhys Connah to grow up was justified tonight as viewers witnessed an emotion-packed 10 minutes with him at the centre. In the penultimate episode of the BBC crime drama the teenage actor broke viewers hearts when he stopped his grandmother in her tracks to say "I love you".
His words of love came after an intense confrontation with Ann Gallagher (Charlie Murphy) who was abducted and raped by Ryan's convict dad Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) in the first series of the drama that has captivated the nation.
With Royce on the run after his dramatic courtroom escape at the end of the last episode, emotions are running high. Our Ryan arrived at Anne's house (because she now lives with his uncle Daniel), because "no-one else wants me".
He offered to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag and promised not to take up too much room, but Anne remains angry that he had been visiting his father in prison. What followed between Anne and Ryan, and then Ryan with his uncle and his grandmother was some of the most emotional scenes on television for years and left our hearts in our mouths.
An upset Anne asked him: "What makes you think you are welcome here if you go choosing to visit that p***?"
Trying to explain his actions, Ryan said: "I get it is complicated, but he is my dad. I get that it was an abusive relationship with my mum, I get all that."
Anne replies: "We are not talking about relationships Ryan. He is a psychopath Ryan. He is incapable of relationships. The only relationship he has got is with himself inside his crippled little head. "
Ryan tells her: "He said he loved her, so he might be more complicated than you think."
Anne retorts: "He is a psychopath. All love means to him is a weakness in people that he can use to exploit them with. He impregnated her to humiliate and terrify her. You weren't wanted, You were very big time not wanted. Do you have any idea what Catherine did for you? They were all telling her to put it in care, put it up for adoption, but she refused. She was the only one big enough and decent enough to take you on.
"Despite what the subhuman, brain-dead moron did to her daughter and now he is using you and you are letting him. He is using you for no other reason than to upset Catherine. He twists the knife because it amuses him. He can't help it but he does not give one shiny f*** about it."
Ryan's response is that he will go and sleep in a ditch, but his uncle who drops him back to Nevison's house where he is hiding out with Clare and Neil while the search for Royce continues and they have another emotional chat.
Ryan says: "I am not surprised everyone hated me"
But Daniel tries to explain: "It was a situation that no-one knew how to deal with, but when it came to you she was adamant, 'It is not his fault, it is not his fault'. I am sorry that you have had to hear all this and I am sorry I was not able to be better and bigger for my mum at the time."
Explaining why he wanted to go and visit his dad, Ryan said: "I went to see him, because I wanted to make up my own mind about him. I didn't tell anyone because I knew it would all kick off. I wanted to work out what I thought about him, without other people's opinions."
When Daniel asked what his conclusion was, the schoolboy replied: "I feel sad for him. He was born like that., needing to be so nasty to people."
After meeting up with his grandmother, Ryan shouts her back saying "I love you." Catherine stops, stunned and then asks, "What has brought that on?" Ryan says "nothing" and they carry on into the house.
Following the powerful scene, viewers shared their thoughts on social media. One wrote: "Omg that scene wi Ryan Ann and Daniel I’ve got goosebumps x" Another wrote: "Ryan's breaking my heart"
"Ryan saying i love you to catherine has just destroyed me." Another added.
The fans were glad Ryan heard the truth but thought Ann maybe went a bit far: "Omg. That scene in #HappyValley. Poor Ryan. So harsh."
Sally Wainwright's writing has been praised, especially the dialogue between the main characters. Fans of the show even called for the 'stew line" between Catherine and Ryan in a previous episode to have its own blue plaque.
Writer James Moran said: "The stew line. The stew line should be taught in schools. It should have a blue plaque. It should be placed in a museum, no, a travelling museum exhibit so the whole world can see the glory of the stew line."
Another said: "The stew line?! I mean. Come on. Come on. Genius. This is beautiful writing. Clever. Exciting. Heartbreaking. Funny. Terrifying. Absolutely earth shattering."
We will have to wait until next week to see if Ryan chooses between his father or grandmother. Happy Valley now has one episode left, airing on Sunday, February 5. Fans already have their predictions how the series will end, while we've made the (extremely strong) case why the Sally Wainwright show is the best UK drama, ever - read that here. For the latest news on the series and from the world of TV and Showbiz, then sign up to WalesOnline's newest newsletter here.
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