All of it is amazing but I can’t remember a piece of television as viscerally intense as episode 3 of Adolescence. Just stop right now and give the Emmys, BAFTAs and everything else to Erin Doherty and Owen Cooper
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My point is that although the acting was excellent he was basically playing an older man. He was too smart, too coherent and too ADULT. He went from being a wee boy who pissed his pants when he was arrested to a cold eyed killer. Unbelievable.
My only gripe with the series as a whole was that I wasn't really convinced by some of the adult/child dynamics, esp. the police/kids. They were supposedly 13yo kids with no prior issues with the police, but just walk out of interviews? (I have 2 teen boys). I don't quite buy that.
Bantering with the psychologist? Having his “fucking” tirades every 20 minutes? Being sly and devious?
I understand that they had to give an explanation for a nice normal boy becoming a murderer. I suppose having him a still confused incoherent 13 year old wouldn’t have achieved that. Anyway 🤷🏻♂️
We never get a glimpse into the at-fault family and how they are also accused and judged and must rebuild. When he threw that paint I said damn this acting is incredible all around!
Throughout ep 4 I found myself evaluating how I would react as a parent when realising I was watching parenting at its best. I'm a mess now. And as for the power of ep 3. S triumph
I know, they did a brilliant job following down thread of how internalized shame is passed down thru generations in ways peo don't see. & the actor played the dad--Stephen Graham--was a writer producer on the show
His breakdown at the end gutted me & I feel he must have personal knowledge of this
It covered so much didn't it. So many of his thoughts and feelings and issues about society and masculinity. I work in healthcare and also had lots of thoughts and questions about how the psychologist acted.
Ask any therapist or social worker that works within public education or within mental health in the U.S. and they will tell you how much they can relate to episode three. Although an extreme case, heartbreakingly all too familiar.
And yet, and yet… we were continuously aware of two fine actors doing their job. But the moment you think how good the acting is, then - paradoxically - it isn’t.
Compare Happy Valley, where for 18 hours I felt I was watching actual people, not actors.
And the writers. And the cameramen. And everyone else involved - give them all the BAFTAs in existence and then close the award down because I can’t see this series ever being bettered.
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A thought provoking show .
I understand that they had to give an explanation for a nice normal boy becoming a murderer. I suppose having him a still confused incoherent 13 year old wouldn’t have achieved that. Anyway 🤷🏻♂️
Ep 4 is a tour-de-force for the dad especially, but the mother and sister are stellar.
This really shook me up.
His breakdown at the end gutted me & I feel he must have personal knowledge of this
Compare Happy Valley, where for 18 hours I felt I was watching actual people, not actors.
But Adolescence was splendid, I agree.
There was a presence in the room.
Outstanding acting 🎭