The final series of Happy Valley reached a crescendo during episode four on Sunday night.
But some eagle-eyed viewers were quick to spot a ‘mad’ moment at the end of the latest instalment.
The episode centred on James Norton‘s character Tommy Lee Royce make a daring escape at his court hearing where he was on trial over a gangland murder charge after the victim was discovered by Sergeant Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) in the opening scene of the series.
Interesting: The final series of Happy Valley reached a crescendo during episode four on Sunday night. But some eagle-eyed viewers were quick to spot a ‘mad’ moment at the end of the latest instalment
Tommy’s son Ryan (Rhys Connah) ditched school to sit in court, only for his granddad Richard (Derek Riddell) to also show up, as part of his investigative work into the Kneževićs.
After two of the Kneževićs men provided a distraction outside, Tommy fought his way out of the courtroom, racing through the streets of Leeds.
As he left the court he ran into a nearby newsagent’s shop before stealing a bicycle and cycling clothing and riding off in disguise through the centre of Leeds.
Nifty: As Tommy left the court he ran into a nearby newsagent’s shop before stealing a bicycle and cycling clothing and riding off in disguise through the centre of Leeds
However, eagle-eyed viewers tuning into the episode were quick to point out that Tommy wasn’t even in Leeds to begin with.
One tweeted: ‘Mad how Tommy escapes from Bolton and ends up in Leeds #HappyValley,’ alongside a screen grab of Tommy running through the streets while a second showed him on the bike he stole in the closing moments of the episode.
Another wrote: ‘Tommy Lee Royce entering a newsagent in Bolton and exiting in Leeds. I’m never going in that newsagent. #HappyValley.’
Oh! However, eagle-eyed viewers tuning into the episode were quick to point out that Tommy wasn’t even in Leeds to begin with
A third said commented: ‘Happy Valley filming continuity amazing. He breaks out of court exterior scenes Bolton. Dives into a newsagent in Bolton town centre but rides his bike away from God knows where?! Definitely not Bolton #HappyValley.’
Someone else joked: ‘The news agents in bolton has a portal to another town. Need to take a visit will save me on train fare #happyvalley.’
Another added: ‘Good old Bolton pretending to be Leeds there (until the final shot). The old Magistrates court gets used for so much filming! #HappyValley.’
Reaction: One tweeted: ‘Mad how Tommy escapes from Bolton and ends up in Leeds #HappyValley,’ alongside a screen grab of Tommy running through the streets while a second showed him on the bike he stole in the closing moments of the episode
The last five minutes of the latest episode of the hit BBC drama saw major developments in the two storylines, as Rob Hepworth discovered his wife Joanna’s body, and Tommy made his great escape.
One fan declared that the show ‘makes it impossible to get an early night’ as the episode ended with yet another cliffhanger and the prospect of a final showdown between Cawood and Royce.
Meanwhile the series’ other major story strand played out as Joanna’s disappearance raised suspicions.
Quick; The episode centred on James Norton’s character Tommy Lee Royce make a daring escape at his court hearing where he was on trial over a gangland murder charge
Escape: After two of the Kneževićs men provided a distraction outside, Tommy fought his way out of the courtroom, racing through the streets of Leeds
Episode three saw Faisal Bhatti (Amit Shah) murder Joanna in a fit of rage after their plan to kill Rob unravelled.
Despite her husband Rob insisting it was in her character to disappear, Joanna’s concerned parents were seen arriving at the police station to file a missing person report with Sgt Cawood.
After being questioned at home, Rob noticed a suitcase in the garage and opened it to the horrifying scene of his wife’s body crammed inside.
Off we go: He managed to escape from the courtroom during the trial leaving viewers in suspense
Viewers hailed the show’s writer Sally Wainwright for her skill in bringing two storylines to a head in a matter of minutes.
‘To build that amount of tension in an episode takes skill, but to build that amount of tension on 2 separate story strands within an episode, is writing & direction of the highest order. #HappyValley,’ declared one fan.
Another pointed out that ‘Happy Valley makes it impossible to get an early night on a Sunday. Every episode leaves you with a heart rate of about 200 BPM.’
‘Jesus christ. Didn’t breathe for about ten minutes,’ agreed another.
Other pointed out that once again Cawood’s hunch that Tommy was planning something during his court hearing proved to be right, as they begged her colleagues and family to ‘always listen to Catherine when she’s got a hunch.’
Tommy’s escape signals that a final showdown between him and Cawood is building, but with it being the final series some viewers are beginning to worry that Sarah Lancashire’s lead won’t make it to retirement.
‘If bad things happen to Catherine at the end of this series I’m not sure I will be able to forgive Sally Wainwright and co.’ tweeted author JoJo Moyes.
Happy Valley continues on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.
Eagle-eyed: A third said commented: ‘Happy Valley filming continuity amazing. He breaks out of court exterior scenes Bolton. Dives into a newsagent in Bolton town centre but rides his bike away from God knows where?! Definitely not Bolton #HappyValley’
Finale: Catherine Cawood’s hatred for Tommy Lee Royce has simmered over three series and as the final episode of Happy Valley draws near, fans have predicted the ultimate showdown
