Sarah Lancashire
Steve Pemberton
Siobhan Finneran
George Costigan
Joe Armstrong
James Norton
Adam Long
Charlie Murphy

Sally Wainwright

2014-
Crime, Drama
Netflix
TV-MA

“Happy Valley” (available only on Netflix in North America) is anything but. This is a police drama-thriller with character development. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it sure knows how to make that wheel spin. It isn’t for the faint of heart.

The first episode starts by showing the lead character on the job. At the beginning, the dialogue moves at a fairly brisk pace. However, overall, the pace shifts between brisk and deliberate, depending upon the scene and its needs. This introduction is effective at setting up the world of the show. We get to know important parts of the characters’ backstories; we know their dilemmas. This is essential for this kind of show, because it’s about how the past informs the future; it’s about consequences. There aren’t a lot of wasted moments here, but the plot doesn’t move forward briskly; it does advance, though. Toward the end of the first episode, the tension ratchets up and the show catches a bit of a spark; just wait for it.

While “Happy Valley” looks like a typical police procedural, it has enough going for it to appeal to fans of the genre and not seem old-hat. It may not be revolutionary, but it gets the job done. There are professionals at work here. After watching all six episodes, I’ll determine whether this good first episode actually leads to a great series or, at least, a very good one. …

The second episode of “Happy Valley” builds upon the first, and the third episode kicks everything into gear. From the third episode on, this show really works. It’s mostly great during the second half of its first season. It draws you in. If you have patience during the first couple of episodes (maybe even less than that), then “Happy Valley” will reward you in spades. At times, you may even forget that you’re watching actors; you’ll just see people in tense situations. I’m so glad that I kept watching.

Verdict: Very Good Overall

About: (Source: happyvalley)

Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood pursues the man who assaulted her late daughter, unaware he is now part of a secret kidnapping plot.