I was really surprised that there are so many terrible reviews of this show, it almost discouraged me from watching it. I decided to give it a go anyway and I'm glad I did!
What you should NOT expect is a mainstream TV that blows you away with it's special effects, filmography, explicit acting or a breathtaking script. It has its few flaws here and there and it's not the type of TV you would watch over and over again.
BUT, it's a valid story definitely worth watching. I would agree for 100 % with another reviewer here who wrote that there's "something intrinsically British about it's approach". It's a story of ordinary folk who just live day by day, struggling to make decent living. Lack of money, lack of jobs, dysfunctional relationships including domestic violence. On the other hand authorities failing to do the justice right after the community is devastated after the project that was supposed to bring them jobs and brighter future causes an unexpected tragedy. The overall impression you might get is that it's "plain", but it's not. Look under the surface and you will find a story that's relevant and touching. Story of people who are brave to carry on. And behind the subtle acting, you sense the inner conflicts and struggling to cope, facing the consequences each of them in their own way. And, to disagree with many of the reviewers, as a huge Sarah Lancashire fan, I must say she is as great as ever.
