Episode #1.4

Stephen graham. An incredible actor, I love him, good job mate. (Also check out the movie BOILING POINT), that's a great one too. This fourth episode is the best one in the miniseries. Raw naturalistic and engaging. NO complaints from me except the word nonce was a poor choice of words, if the hooligans spray painted 'MURDERERS' then this episode as a piece of work could be isolated from the rest of the miniseries and be a short film. Those words Nonce are only understood as passing remarks and not actual accusations because we've watched the rest of the episodes, as a stand alone project this episode would make you think the dad did something wrong maybe? The word being MURDERERS would have raised questions to first time viewers that would have been answered throughout the episode when the son(who's in custody) reveals he will plead guilty. That would have been the question answered and made this a stand alone episode. Aside from that, perfect 10/10.

I'm sure I've only ever shed a tear at three films: The Green Mile, The Reader and The Whale. I may have also shed a tear or two during the final episodes of After Life and 1883. I have watched hundreds, if not thousands of films and TV shows.

This final powerful episode of Adolescence truly made me sob for several minutes after the closing credits. This felt awfully real and it's hard to fathom that families experience this kind of tragedy on a daily basis.

This is an emotionally raw and devastating final episode, sold with an absolute conviction by writer and star Stephen Graham. This for me was the most difficult of the four episodes to sit through, and not just because of the final 2 mins in the son's bedroom. The ripple effect of Jamie's actions has not only destroyed the lives of the victim's family, but his own family too, as they are left to answer for what he did.

It was utterly heartbreaking to watch Jamie's parents try to make any sense of their son's actions and whether they could have done anything different to prevent their son's descent into insecurity and misguided, misogynistic anger, which ultimately led him on a path to murder a fellow female classmate. Memories the parents discussed about Jamie suggested their son was dead and to an extent that was true. The son they thought they knew was dead.

Narratively speaking, this episode is slightly undercooked and the series as a whole offered no definitive answers. The writers try to say a lot, but the ideas aren't fully realised, limited I think by a runtime of less than 4 hours and the need I think for a fifth episode to explore beyond its own hints. It does leave you with more questions than it does answers.

I can't say I've enjoyed the experience of watching Adolescence and I will likely never be able to bring myself to watch this again. I sat there throughout with a heavy heart and a beating lump in my stomach. What makes this all the more difficult are the show's timely and scarily relevant themes. No doubt this is an important watch, and there are lessons to be taught and conversations to be had, not just about youth knife crime, but misconceptions around sex, the dated principles of masculinity and the power of the internet and its detrimental impact on mental health, self-worth and body image.

This episode, was not quite what I thought it would be, in terms of final episode, but I ultimately I really enjoyed it for what It was, once I realised just what kind of show i was watching!

This was never a murder mystery, since you know exactly what happened from the first episode! In stead this was about how people respond to this kind of thing, and how you as a parent respond!

Stephen Graham proves he is one of yhe most underrated actors! His performance in this episode is soul chrushing and you can feel all the emotions and frustration he is going through! I really hope he gets an award and recognition for this!

The final scene broke me completely! The soundtrack, the acting, realizing it was over.. I was in tears, sobbing!

If episode 3 was the most intense and gripping, then episode 4 is the saddest, most heartbreaking one. The episode deals with the effects of one's actions on their family. It explores how the consequence does not just stay confined to that guilty person but extends and affects everyone they know and love. The acting of the mother makes me cry so much. She has to try to hold the family together while dealing with what happens. She looks broken and she is, and that breaks my heart. I think this series really is sounding the alarm to parents and to young adolescents about what you watch and believe online, about the danger of those toxic masculine individuals who poison the minds of our young people, because the consequence does not stop at just you.

This limited TV show is a masterpiece. It tells the story of a family left behind, trying to return to a normal life, but in reality, no one truly understands what they have been through.

The show challenges viewers to empathize with the fact that the suspect is just a child-not inherently guilty, yet everyone wonders what could have been done differently. The family lost their son in the worst possible way, but the story extends beyond them, reflecting the pain of any family who has lost a loved one.

There's a significant contrast between those who take lives and those who take away opportunities. The death of a young girl is different from a young boy being condemned to a life behind bars. The focus remains on the suspect's family, yet the boy is still alive-unchanged in some ways, yet forever marked.

It leaves everyone questioning... Who is the real victim here?

What shaped the young boy's future?

What should we, as parents, have done differently?

But while the boy remains alive and might one day reintegrate into society, the girl will never return. This reality weighs heavily on those left behind in the living world.

The show's cinematography is exceptional, using seamless one-take shots to present multiple perspectives. Unlike typical crime dramas that focus on law enforcement, lawyers, or victims, this show highlights the people surrounding the suspect-those directly impacted yet often overlooked.

Emotions are what make us human, but how we control them is just as fascinating. The story explores the emotional struggles of psychologists, institutions, detectives, parents, siblings, and even the victim's best friend.

The final episode feels like an acceptance of the boy's guilt-without scapegoats, only the reality that life must continue. This reinforces the idea that those still living are not ghosts; they must carry on.

Recommended for those who have complicated relationships with their parents, have lost children to tragedy, struggle with family distance due to work, feel lonely, or are dealing with the challenges of parenting, trauma, or relationship struggles. It may also resonate with therapists or those planning to become parents.

There is no escape or perfect way to handle these situations. Sin cannot be justified, but we are not them. We can still save ourselves by recognizing our emotions and staying true to our inner selves.

You need to protect yourself.

Detectives, lawyers, nurses, and psychologists all deal with emotions professionally, but they are also human-mothers, fathers, someone's daughter or son. Losing control has consequences that ripple outward, reminding us how to live with the weight of tragedy. Themes and perspectives explored in the show.

Fathers: Regret and self-doubt.

They struggle to hide their true feelings behind daily smiles, yet their pain is undeniable. The importance of allowing time to confront unresolved emotions is deeply explored.

Mothers: A quieter kind of grief.

She may not outwardly struggle as much as the father, but it doesn't mean she suffers less. It's about survival, about holding the family together. A simple question-"Want a cup of tea?"-becomes a powerful moment of moving forward.

The sister: Strength and independence.

Teenagers today are overwhelmed with information, making it crucial to filter and absorb knowledge without being brainwashed. The difference between her and her brother is that she holds onto her core identity without external influence.

Detectives and lawyers: A professional front. A male detective, who is also a father, manages to remain highly professional while coping with emotions. They are human too, but they have learned how to set boundaries. The show demonstrates that emotional control is a skill that can be learned, not an impossibility.

Teachers and grieving friends: Supporting students in crisis is complex, as each child copes differently. Giving up on them means giving up on the core belief of education-to guide and support.

The psychologist and the suspect boy: This dynamic is deeply layered, focusing on boundaries, control, manipulation, skepticism, gender stereotypes, and fear. One entire episode is dedicated solely to their session, without explanation-because the scene itself provides the clearest insight into his motives. They fear each other, struggle to protect their core selves, and are shaped by their families' influence.