This Is England '90

Finally got around to watching all three series of This is England recently, and this is about all of them not just '90: I can't really praise this show enough. Everything about it is just top quality and I find it almost impossible to fault.

It feels totally authentic, it's engrossing, the stories are compelling, it's serious and moving and carries an emotional punch but without being contrived and is also hilarious at times. The performances are brilliant - it's impossible to separate the actors from the characters they play.

I know this probably sounds over the top, but I almost want to shake the hand of everyone involved. This will have to suffice instead ... Thanks to Shane Meadows and everyone else for creating this and putting it on screen. Fantastic.

Watched the movie in school. Then I proceeded to watch all of the series. This was the best one by far. So many questions still to be answered. I've heard there is a This Is England '00 in the works and I cannot wait to see what will occur in it.

No words, just watch. Artistic genius, I cried laughed sobbed cackled gasped. Just incredible

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

The group enter the next decade, with some of their heavy personal baggage from before settled, and some of it still lingering in the air. Lorraine (Vicky McClure) has a devastating revelation to offload to younger sibling Kelly (Chanel Cresswell), and the impending release of Combo (Stephen Graham) from prison, after serving time on her behalf, sets the wheels in motion for a terrifying confrontation with Milky (Andrew Shim), a ghost from his past, which will have devastating consequences.

Some things can linger in the air long enough to just be permanently consigned to the rumour bin, and some do eventually come round. Four years after the antics of the TIE gang were last seen in Christmas 2011, we catch up with them at the start of the new decade, and it is with a mixed feeling of eagerness, but also a sense of aloofness that maybe it's dragged on a little too long, and the characters and their motivations are maybe becoming a bit too laboured now, and that this really ought to be the last part. While this is sort of true, the high quality of the production, and the brilliant delivery of it all manage to overshadow this.

It all manages the rather odd task of being predictable and not predictable at the same time. While it doesn't require that much brain power to work out what is likely to happen, somehow how it's going to happen and in what manner keeps your attention and doesn't let go. The powerful, unflinching writing and superior performances make this a top quality treat. As the most high profile performer in the cast, and playing the character whose return ignites the fireworks in the script, Stephen Graham commands centre attention, playing a reformed character eager to put the terrible mistakes of his past behind him and make amends with those he's wronged, but whose past is on a collision course to snatch it all away from him in the most devastating way.

It really ought to wrap it up here, though as ever it finishes with unresolved issues, and the number one rule is never say never. Hopefully, Shane Meadows will make the right judgement and not allow this fine series to become tainted. ****

Lockdown prompted to watch the whole film and series again. Truly one of the best things on TV. So many outstanding performances and both hilarious and heartbreaking storylines.