Psychos

The posters drew me in and then I watched and just felt overwhelmed. I know it had a lot of criticism - for its title and handling of subject matter - but for those of us who watched utterly transfixed by the nuanced performances and its approach to such difficult material the lack of a second series or its release on video/DVD is a nightmare. How long will my videotapes hold out from replaying!!!

Many of those not already established when this came out have since cropped up in other excellent dramatic works: Douglas Henshall, who for a brief time seemed to be everywhere, surely deserved something for his magnificent performance here (can I confess that I can't hear Talking Heads 'Once in a lifetime' without seeing the image of Henshall as Dr Nash, slumped on his bed with the rabbit... if you saw it you will know what I mean!). Neve McIntosh was just stunning and Alastair Mackenzie was compelling as the steadily unravelling Shug.

If you find it, see it.

An absolute gem. Watched it originally but recently found it again online. I work in mental health and this is spot on. Fantastic.

Since this series has long been and gone, and several other reviewers have described it perfectly, I'll just make a few brief points. Anyone who has ever spent time working in the environment this series is set in will appreciate just how hard it can be to distinguish between Doctors and Patients. Psychos works because it captures the very essence of the subject. At the same time it allows both the story line and characters to develop in a way that pushes the very edges of the boundaries of reality. Are units like this staffed by people like this? No. Does the program portray the essential nature of all those involved? Absolutely.

It's worth pointing out that the series is now available on DVD.

I'm a mental health nurse and this is the only TV programme that's ever got close to how it really is. Brilliant just a pity that there was no second series. Bonus is Douglas Henshall is gorgeous lol 😆

I am a recently qualified hospital-based psychiatrist. I stumbled across this show late one night on a public television network.

It is brilliant. I am eminently aware that it offended many, and that the very conservative Royal College of Psychiatrists condemned it. But I suppose this has to do with its gritty truthfulness. I can relate extremely well to my dedicated, overworked, fragile, and always human colleagues in the show.

Real, disturbing, and extremely enjoyable. Doesn't pretend to whitewash the mentally ill and those who treat them with some politically correct brush intended to placate the easily-offended and all-too-influential consumer-survivor lobby.

If it were available on video or DVD I would by it. Can't say that for too many films or television shows.