Episode #1.3

If we're still talking about this show in 40 years, and like Cathy Come Home I think we will be, then it will be because of this episode. It's urgent, it's essential, it's topical without being hectoring. It rips your soul apart.

I genuinely think Adolescence Episode 3 is the best hour of TV that Britain has ever produced. Maybe the best single episode of any TV show ever.

It's exquisitely written, acted, directed, produced, filmed, sound designed, set designed... I mean literally every part. There's not a foot out of place.

But that acting! Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty should win all the awards, I'd give them a Grammy and a Tony for this as well if I could.

This is the most interesting, captivating, shocking, and frankly scary episode. Owen's performance as Jamie was nothing short of an Oscar- or Emmy-winner. He is so young but he conveys the turmoil, and complex emotions of a psychologically unstable teenager so incredibly well. He did it with such ease that even made I was scared for my life whenever the outburst began.

In conjunction, Erin's performance as the psychologist matches that of Owen. The episode is literally just 2 characters playing a mind game. One is young yet cunning, while the other is older but calm, collected, and experienced yet vulnerable.

If this episode didn't win Owen at least an Emmy nomination, I don't know what deserves more.

Jamie is interviewed by child psychology Briony Ariston, who attempts to get him to open up with hot chocolate and sandwiches, but she finds him reluctant to talk, until he expresses his real views on Kate.

Such is the way this series is going, you never quite know what's coming next, I don't think I was expecting this.

The first two were excellent, this third episode was nothing short of sensational, the level of acting here was off the scale, two powerhouse performances.

In every episode we've been taken down a path, we've seen a seemingly sweet boy, who loves his dad commit a shocking act, we now get an insight into the dark recesses of his mind, even at this age, he is one disturbed boy, the interview clearly had a big impact on poor Briony.

Erin Doherty and Owen Cooper were both sublime in their respective roles, I honestly cannot throw enough superlatives at the pair, unbelievable.

Off the scale!

10/10.

Absolutely phenomenal writing, directing and acting. The dialogue felt very grounded and raw; I enjoyed that the therapist actually stayed professional rather than trying to act as a friend to him, it's so hard but it's the reality. So often shows like this take a maternalistic approach with therapists and teachers (ie. Gifted, Shrinking, Palmer, etc) where they go out of their way to unprofessionally take the client or student under their wing, treating them as their own child. This show did it RIGHT, and it made it all the more emotional and REAL.

Obviously we all know Owen is a star in the making, if he delivered each of those monologues with little to no cuts that's unbelievable; he embodied exactly the emotions an angst filled teenager would portray when faced with such conflicting feelings. Oscar worthy all the way.

50 minutes of conversation-when that's this entertaining, you know they've done an incredible job.

This episode was absolutely phenomenal. The acting was outstanding, and as a behavioral scientist myself, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The episode masterfully tackles the impact of social media, focusing on the need for validation and the pursuit of being liked. But what happens when that validation slips through your fingers?

A big thank you to the actors, director, and writers for their incredible work. And most likely, a nod to the psychologist who contributed to making this so authentic. You've reminded me just how great television can be.