User Reviews

Series 1 of Broadchurch was nothing short of incredible. The performances were great (Olivia Colman is just amazing), it was well written (even if there were lots of red herrings), the score was/is beautiful, and it was gorgeously filmed in a way that added to the story.

Series 2 was good, but was not as engrossing as series 1. It was well filmed, but sometimes the shots were too distracting and didn't serve the story well. Series One's cinematography was beautiful AND meaningful, while series two's cinematography felt like it just wanted to look good. I think that the show was still good, but it was not as compelling.

Series 3 was a return to form. Chibnall handled the storyline with sensitivity, and the performances were once again great. It was beautifully filmed in a more subtle way than series 1 and 2.

I want to talk about Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan. They're both incredibly talented actors and I don't think they got the recognition they deserved for their work on Broadchurch. Their last scene together in this episode is just heartbreaking and is wonderfully acted by both, but they were fantastic throughout all three series.

Great episode. I was satisfied.

Thank God for that.

That might sound like a rather insensitive way to begin a review tackling such a harrowing episode of television, but after Broadchurch's uneven nature this series and its handling of its second series finale two years ago, I think I'm justified to be feeling relief right now. This hasn't been Broadchurch's best series - it never was going to top its very first year, after all - but the show can lay claim to wrapping this one up on a high. Considering this is also the show's final ever episode, I feel confident in saying it's a show that will be remembered fondly. Phew.

Anyway, onto the more serious stuff. Michael Lucas (Deon Lee- Williams) was identified as Trish's rapist, having been groomed into committing the assault by Leo Humphries (Chris Mason). It's a result that confirmed many theories I've seen floating around the internet - more than two people being involved and the rape being filmed, to name a few - but also one that felt surprising without being gimmicky.

After all, Broadchurch already mastered the crazy left field murder back in series one, and series two's resolution of the Sandbrook case essentially just said "Yeah, you know those two guys who have been suspects since episode one? It was them all along! Surprise?". This finale finds a nice balance between the two: it brings a new face into the equation at the last minute while also keeping one of the main suspects involved. The fact that it also locates and establishes a believably sad dynamic between the two of them in just a short series of flashbacks lends even more weight to the reveal.

Watching those flashbacks of Leo essentially grooming Michael and turning him into a kind of rapist protégé was deeply uncomfortable. While it's kind of frustrating that Trish (Julie Hesmondhalgh) herself doesn't actually appear in the episode until we see the assault in a flashback - Broadchurch has worked well to portray the emotional destruction that rape is capable of, almost removing her from the story tonight counters this argument in slightly damaging ways - Michael's internal struggle never surpassed the level of trauma that Trish was shown to endure in the series' earlier episodes.

The emotional balancing is effective throughout. When Clive Lucas (Sebastian Armesto) breaks down in his interview and we start to piece the puzzle together ourselves, the episode manages to find some sympathy within him. Nothing overpowering, we know the guy's a dick, but it locates a human element behind the ego. The same can't be said for Leo Humphries. Mason handles the material well, especially given how dark it was - the words maybe felt a little too on the nose occasionally, as if the scene was trying too hard to act as social commentary when it really should've focused on Leo as a character. Still, Mason handled the scene admirably - it was sickening.

On the other end of the episode, we had the wrapping up of Beth and Mark Latimer (Jodie Whitaker and Andrew Buchan), finally bidding them farewell after three series'. Whitaker and Buchan's performances were beautiful tonight, the scene of them talking through the past to try and find their future was heartbreaking to watch. It makes sense for Mark to leave Broadchurch and try to recover independently, but that didn't make it any less devastating. Series two might have cut these characters short a lot, but tonight's finale gave them a send off worth remembering.

At the end of the day, though, Broadchurch has been the story of two people: Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and Alec Hardy (David Tennant). Talking about the strength of their performances tonight feels redundant - they're exceptional every week - but tonight's finale fixed the one wrong committed by the first series' endgame. Miller and Hardy actually cracked the case. No one gave in and confessed. It's a brilliant payoff after spending so much harrowing time watching them try to do the right thing and help people. The level of tension throughout the police work scenes was astounding too - there were multiple moments in tonight's finale where heart failure seemed like a viable way to end my Monday night.

So yes, Broadchurch is finished for good. Showrunner Chris Chibnall is leaving the sea side in favour of the TARDIS. After an uneven second series, it's deeply satisfying to see the show go out on a high. Broadchurch's first series told a community driven tale more intricately woven than any other, and even if the two stories that followed it didn't quite hold that standard up, the first year was strong enough to do that work for them. Watching a community go through hell for 24 hours of television shouldn't feel rewarding but, series two finale aside, Broadchurch understands how to engineer devastation into beauty. It's been a show unlike any other, and I'm unspeakably pleased that it's closing on a high. This was a powerfully acted, narratively satisfying finale in every way.

Oh, and that final shot of Alec and Ellie walking away while the cliff that started it all looms right behind them? Perfection itself.

Besides the great reveal of the case, which was devastating in itself in the way an innocent teenager was forced to rape, what touched me more was Mark Latimer's departure from Broadchurch. The couch scene where Mark and Beth realize that their marriage is over is heartbreaking to watch.

After sixth episode of this season where he tried to kill himself and we were led to believe that he succeeded until the next episode came along, this episode's end again made me cry. To me, the way Mark Latimer's story ends is the saddest part of the entire series. May be I am just high on emotions, but that's the way it seems to me.

So this is the end of this series. Of course, we know that Trish's rape case is going to get solved. How the detectives put two and two together is what makes the show. It was good having several viable suspects. It's obvious that there is some serious rottenness in this little town. Because of the harshness of the relationships, the ending scenes seemed a bit too much. Sometimes it's easy to see happiness for everyone. We were constantly pulled away from the true perpetrator, but one thing that happens sometimes is that by trying to hide someone from view, we immediately have some suspicion about that person. I wasn't surprised when we finally got to know who it was. That said, this certainly was a captivating eight episodes with many twists and turns along the way.

A truly evil villain rounds off the show nicely given the first two were reluctant and generally felt like they regretted their actions. Character's stories are topped off a bit briefly, but I am left satisfied and with a feeling of hoping everything works out for them.

Ed has found a suspicious bag, containing incriminating evidence, Leo Humphreys is witnessed dumping the bag. Clive is pulled in after his trophy stash is discovered by his poor wife. After pushing, the truth is finally discovered.

I have to admit but I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending, it felt a little bit like a rabbit out of the hat ending, after all of the build up, to have a somewhat surprise killer. I was pleased that it ended with a happy ending, I've read plenty of articles about hopeful spin offs or a forth series, but it feels like it's run its course, that the series finally has closure.

Superbly acted, interesting plot, with a definite twist, not the ending I'd hoped for, but overall it was well done. 7/10

Taken as a whole (3 series), Broadchurch is a high watermark of television. Riveting, thoughtful, superbly written and acted.

It seems unfair to nitpick its various faults, but it did suffer some inevitable lapses - though mostly confined to S2 and S3.

S2 was never going to hold a candle to S1, which unfolded with nerve wracking precision leading to an unparalleled buildup and discovery.

S2, the aftermath, was still an incredible effort. The bubble had burst and the pace was more measured. The court scenes felt a bit rushed; there was very little rebuttal. There's only so much you can do in under an hour, and it wasn't going to get bogged down in legal arguments, so it's understandable.

I wasn't entirely convinced with the actress from Fleabag as the defense comic relief.

Complaining that S2 dragged or felt wholly unnecessary is a bit unfair. It was still gripping and expertly developed.

The parallel case for Hardy wasn't always clear to follow, but it was still wonderful to watch.

S3 was almost a victim of the shows greatness, as if the template was struck. The familiarity was right there. You were prepared for how the case would unfold.

A few moments seemed a bit cheesy; the old school journalist looking to start a vlog and Trish's ex making nice.

Regardless, it was very well done and produced two standout scenes;

1/ Mark confronting Joe - grateful this scene wasn't a predictable showdown. Mark was no better off for it and Joe Miller remained the despicable, self-serving, manipulative person he always was.

2/ Mark and Beth's conversation on the couch. Very well written and acted without resorting to sentimental or maudlin cliches. Truly heartbreaking seeing Mark's inability to move on and feeling his pain, knowing he's drifting toward sheer solitude and loneliness. You don't really know whether he gets the help he desperately needs (though he acknowledges he has to get himself back together). It's almost cruel thinking Beth never empathized enough with him. Credit to the writers for giving enough space to explore grief and how two people experienced it differently.

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I loved everything about it and was genuinely affected by some of the smaller nuanced moments. Top notch performances all around, intriguing, careful, and unforgettable.

For me it was a bit of a let down that there was no real reason for the rape of Trish or any of the others. I had a scenario in my mind that I was really, really hoping for. That Cath found out who Jim was cheating on her with and she raped all those women with a strap-on or something as a sort of revenge act. But no, it was just a horny dude, who wanted to feel power every once in a while.

This final episode of 'Broadchurch' had a lot to do. Not only did it have to wrap up the rape story line that had been at the centre of the third series, but it also had to bring a close the trilogy that began in 2013.

It to its credit does lots of these things. The reveal in terms of the rapist is suitably dramatic, and the scene between Mark and Beth on the couch accepting that their marriage is over is beautifully written.

However, in trying to wrap so much up in only 45 minutes lots of the characters felt short-changed in terms of their endings. We've grown to know and like them, and then they were over and done with.

I was a little underwhelmed by this final episode. I don't think the show ever really matched the quality of the first series.

A great serie when we come to psychology of people. We have 3 types of men, the ones that are pathetic, helpless, weak like mark, ed and tresh's husband, the ones that are sick, driven by sex want to control anything to become proud which is also pathetic like leo (which is of course an aberration) and joe, and finally the ones who are fighting these bad men, these aberrations like detective hardy. At first i saw the serie as a serie that want to show men as the source of bad things and weakness and the women is the opposite so i thought it is ridiculous but now i see it. It is correct when you think about it men are responsible for most good things throught history such as inventions and most bad thins such as wars, crimes, etc.... . Driven by ego, pride, greedy, and alot of things men driven by without any self control and cause permanent damage to others. We need to watch and learn and to be good to others. Great serie about human psychology and especially in small town and the impact of everything on people. It is great realistic drama. I enjoyed it and learned from it.