Breathtaking

I'm binge watching this on ITVX -- the free streaming service associated with UK terrestrial broadcaster ITV. I just got to the end of the first episode and wanted to write an early review because the first episode was just so wonderful.

Joanne Froggatt provides a wonderfully restrained central performance. Despite not having the appropriate PPE -- because the central authorities have deemed it not essential -- she soldiers on.

The use of Boris Johnson -- the Prime Minister at the time -- is also restrained. It would have been easy to have included all his ignorant and ill-judged comments, but a few well-chosen clips are sufficient to damn him.

The only very minor niggle I have with this is that the font used for the onscreen text is very hard to read -- it's quite small and all uppercase.

In much the same vain as Mr Bates vs the Post Office, a blistering representation of the crass incompetence of a dead weight Johnson govt. The problems started several years before when Hunt mainly ignored the results of the pandemic test exercise, downgrading stock piles of PPE kit and reducing the beds per 1000 population to almost the lowest in the EU.

Then followed by the absolute shambles of the govt response given the early warning from the Italian experience. To have failed the public and all health workers all the way through the pandemic, to then shaft all staff in pay negotiations was completely and utterly disgusting.

That people are reviewing this in a negative way depresses me beyond belief. Unless they were working for the NHS on the frontline thier opinion is worthless.

This is possibly the hardest-hitting series I've ever watched. The performances from the entire cast are superb; Joanne Froggatt is phenomenal -I don't think ANYONE could have played this role better than her.

It brought me to tears time and time again. I was SO angry watching it. The lies by Johnson, the contempt by Hancock, the dismissal of the situation in favour of the economy by Sunak... these people should NEVER be forgotten, NEVER be forgiven. Hunt, who ran down the NHS on his watch, was another.

Comfort yourselves with your whacko conspiracies if it makes you feel better, but you couldn't have been there if you believe this is propaganda. I feel sorry for you and pray that you never need the people you are in such contempt of.

I sat down to watch all 3 episodes one after the other. That quickly became an impossibility, with me making an excuse to make a hot beverage between episodes. Just to take a moment to reflect and process it all.

I knew this was based on the book by Dr Rachel Clarke but I hadn't taken the time to read it (at this point but plan to). I also know the realities of how Drama can over-embellish elements. This didn't feel like drama though, it felt far too raw and real for that. It came across as nothing less than a perspective of a reality, most of us hadn't witnessed or been a part of.

Some may squirm at the politics involved. From hospital management to public health England. Of course, the Government would also get its moment in the limelight. Squirm you may, but that's the reality of this. Decisions had to come from somewhere, and ignoring that, and removing that responsibility is only ignorance. I don't think this portrayal had any plans to be ignorant of that reality. Even then, the politics which includes clips of press conferences and interviews was tasteful and presented as to not be the main focal point.

While anger was certainly a prevalent feeling while watching, it was most certainly not the only emotion that bubbled to the surface. A deep sense of respect for the unsung heroes within our healthcare system. Shame at repeated calls for additional resources ignored. Sorrow for those who lost their lives. Pride from seeing those stand up and speak out.

People will make their assessment of the events of COVID. That does not take away from this assessment. I like many am thankful to all our amazing healthcare staff. Grateful for their dedication and proud of everything they do to help others. This was a stark reminder of why.

Highly recommended.

A very important reminder of the trauma and devastation our health workers went through.

This series reflects the experiences that l witnessed friends and colleagues going through.

Excellent acting, harrowing and true to life. This should be for the health workers what the Post Office miniseries was for those failed by Horizon and the PO. The interplay between real clips from Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock and Public Health representatives are very effective matched with what was really happening at the frontline at the time.

Shame that the negative comments seem to be from those who are using the site to deny it happened. They are wrong. It did.

I binge watched the 3.

Well done to all concerned.