Apple Tree Yard

So yes it's a slow slow burn , but very deliberate Why do people think everything has to be all out action & fast paced drama. This is not meant to be Line of Duty. Overall a strong powerful storyline and Superb performances from the lead actors. Also thought the courtroom scenes were excellent. Maybe a few holes throughout the plot but nothing that took too much away from the end result. Has you riveted from start to finish even if the pace is somewhat pedestrian at times.

Apple Tree Yard is an engrossing drama that unfolds in unexpected ways, keeping viewers captivated until the very end. The story follows Yvonne, a scientist who becomes entangled with a mysterious stranger while testifying before a Commons Select Committee. What begins as an intriguing encounter spirals into a gripping and emotionally charged journey that takes shocking turns.

The show starts strong and only improves, with the fourth episode standing out as the most compelling. The narrative is deliberately paced, drawing viewers in with its slow-burn tension rather than relying on constant action. Those expecting a high-octane thriller in the vein of Line of Duty may be disappointed, but for those who appreciate thought-provoking drama, this series is a triumph.

The standout element of the show is its exceptional performances. Mark Bonnar and Ben Chaplin deliver excellent work, but it is Emily Watson who truly shines. Her portrayal of Yvonne is raw, deeply nuanced, and utterly captivating. Watson's ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety makes her performance one of the most powerful in recent television. Her presence alone elevates the series, making it an unforgettable viewing experience.

The courtroom scenes are particularly well-executed, adding to the intensity of the story. While there are a few minor inconsistencies in the plot, they do little to diminish the overall impact of the show. The unpredictable twists and deeply human storytelling ensure that viewers remain engaged from start to finish.

Some critics have dismissed certain character choices as unrealistic, but that perspective fails to acknowledge the complexity of human nature. People often make flawed decisions, and this drama embraces those imperfections, making the story feel authentic and relatable. It's a reminder that drama does not need to depict perfect people in perfect situations to be compelling.

Apple Tree Yard is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged series that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. With its strong narrative, stunning performances, and a lead actress at the peak of her craft, this drama is well worth watching.

'Apple Tree Yard' is far from perfect. But Emily Watson as the story's protagonist Yvonne is as close to perfect in that role as one could imagine. And, trust me, she alone is reason enough to watch this four episode drama. Perhaps it is her face, specifically her doleful eyes, but we care about Yvonne. We want the best for her. And we will not stop watching until the series' final moment.

Or final second. Because this film asks that you do just that. Stay with it right up to the final credits.

Yvonne is a brilliant scientist who has an affair with a British Civil Servant (Ben Chaplin). She is married to a seemingly wonderful man but the affair - sex with a stranger, sex in public spaces - is so thrilling, she cannot quit it. But soon enough she is the victim of an event that causes her to re-evaluate her life, in full. Yvonne makes choices that not each of us would make. Even so, we can understand how someone might make those decisions; they are not uncommon.

There is one major problem with the plot. And without giving anything away, that problem is this. Yvonne keeps her affair a secret. From her friends and family. That we understand. But when she keeps it a secret from those whose mission it is to help her, that, for me, was a problem. And a big one.

Ben Chaplin is appropriately creepy as her secret lover. But the film belongs to Ms. Watson. And Ms. Watson delivers.

Ms. Emily Watson gives the performance of a lifetime in this raw, jagged story of a middle-aged woman who discovers her fiery sexuality with a stranger and suffers a trauma of incredible profundity. Watson sets the screen on fire with her presence and her smoldering sexual power. Her beauty is mesmerizing and her eyes speak more than a thousand pages of intricate dialog. This a showcase for a truly great actress and all that she brings to the part she plays with such passion. Watson is a treasure and one of the finest actors Britain has ever produced. Apple Tree Yard is a fine piece and what Emily Watson achieves in it will leave you gasping for breath and stunned with wonder.

I wish one could respond to specific reviews here. Some (many) are so judgmental you'd think we were watching news reports. Yes, sometimes people are illogical and naive. Yes, sometimes people (men AND women) aren't as intelligent as they should be ... People. Soon as someone (a male) talks about intelligent women or naive women ... I just shake my head and generally try to ignore it.

But the criticisms I'm seeing are about some mythical perfect story about perfect people and apparently the reviewers know it all! I find it a good story, keeps me interested. Yes, I'm sorry people make bad choices and get themselves into very sticky, stupid situations. But again ... human. And if the human race didn't act irrationally and out of form and all the rest .. wow, lots of boring shows to watch and we'd all know the end from the beginning (as some reviewers claim they did). I'm really tired of these know-it-all reviews that are so condescending and rude. Gosh, if I enjoy it or like it or can empathize, surely something must be wrong with me. It's drama. It's not the news. We can let people make unwise choices. We can find comfort in our humanity.