Happy Valley ending explained - who will die, Ryan's decision and Tommy's escape
There’s no cliffhanger like a Happy Valley cliffhanger, and fans are clinging on by their fingertips for Sunday’s big finale after which they hope all their questions will of...sorry, will have been answered.
Last time hot villain Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, contacted son Ryan from his grim hideout to plan a new life together in Spain.
But is Ryan having second thoughts about his dad now he knows the truth? Meanwhile, Ryan’s gran, Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) launched a blistering rant at her sister Clare (Siobhan Finneran), while trying to hunt down Tommy and keep Ryan safe.
And pharmacist Faisal appeared to be getting away with Joanna’s murder while abusive husband Rob came under the spotlight.
How will it all be resolved? We have some burning questions and theories of our own...
Happy Valley's Clare's death 'confirmed' after tragic final exchange with sister
Least likely to survive the series
Catherine, Clare, Ryan and Tommy are least likely to survive (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)And the main contenders for a visit from the grim reaper are (drum roll)… Catherine, Clare, Ryan and Tommy.
It just so happens that the actors playing them are also the main contenders for a cabinet full of awards.
Other characters could die in the line of fire, but these four seem to be under the biggest threat.
Tommy wants to kill Catherine, Ryan and Clare could find themselves involved in a showdown, while Tommy has the most enemies.
The hope is that Tommy will die in order to give viewers a satisfying ending. But how? Fans think Ryan could kill his father, with Catherine or Clare taking the blame.
The only certainty is that writer Sally Wainwright is great at surprising twists.
What will happen to Rob and his daughters?
Rob (Mark Stanley) found his wife’s body in a suitcase (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)Abusive PE teacher Rob (Mark Stanley) found his wife’s body in a suitcase and due to his past behaviour everyone thinks he’s responsible.
“She thinks I did it!” he screamed in the direction of Catherine, who knows just the sort of man he is.
One theory is that his youngest daughter Poppy, who never takes her coat off – is it covering bruises? – might land him further in it by telling police what she’s said before: “Daddy doesn’t like Mummy.”
If Rob gets wrongly banged up for murder, that would probably be OK with us. Then his daughters can go and live with a nice auntie somewhere with no padlocks on the fridge.
Happy Valley fans spot hidden detail hinting at Ryan's plot to take Tommy down
Will Faisal get away with murder?
Faisal Bhatti (Amit Shah) is having flashbacks to killing Joanna (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)
Dodgy pharmacist Faisal Bhatti (Amit Shah) is having flashbacks to killing Joanna (Mollie Winnard) while he’s flossing his teeth. How inconvenient.
Next to Joanna’s husband Rob he doesn’t look remotely guilty, so could he get away with it?
But a detective now wants to find out who prescribed her diazepam, so the gig could be up.
It doesn’t help that his wife is wondering why he’s behaving oddly and his daughters are obsessively gossiping about the murder.
Even if Faisal avoids the cops, he’s in trouble with drug lord Darius for treading on his toes, so prison might be the safest place for him.
The killer chemist will probably escape justice but lose his car insurance payout.
You win some, you lose some.
Will Tommy escape to Marbella?
He has everything meticulously planned out (DAILY MIRROR)His great escape from court was a brilliant piece of television, complete with sexy cycling Lycra and a poetic moment atop a Yorkshire mountain.
But will Tommy make it to that there abroad (for the first time)?
The handsome psychopath has everything meticulously planned out, including fake passports to enable him and Ryan to make their way to the Spanish coast.
However, he refuses to leave the country until he’s seen off Catherine – and killing a cop would leave him vulnerable. Even gangster Darius has warned against it. Tommy is naive to trust Darius, who could put him under concrete with a click of his fingers.
He’s also been very open about his escape plans to Ryan, who could screw him over – meaning his future lies in the hands of a confused teenager. So it’s not looking good.
Which is a shame, as there’s endless spin-off potential...A Psycho’s Place In The Sun? Can’t see it happening.
Will Clare and Catherine repair their relationship?
Clare seems determined to be forgiven (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)Quite honestly there’s no coming back from that verbal attack in which Catherine said Clare was the last person she’d go on holiday with. Which sadly puts a stop to the twisted Benidorm sequel that we’d imagined.
Catherine, a single tear rolling down her cheek, said her sister bored her and had an “idiotic dependent personality”, leading her to do something “repugnant”.
However, shamed Clare seems determined to be forgiven. One theory is that she will die trying to save Catherine, leaving her sister guilt-ridden.
Catherine said she was going to find Tommy, not sit around watching telly. Could this inspire Clare to actually do something? Is there a Thelma and Louise scene in her after all? We’re here for it.
Will Ryan turn Tommy in?
Will Ryan do the right thing or will he be led astray by his vile father? (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)This is the biggest question: will Ryan do the right thing, or will he be led astray by his vile father?
Ryan is certainly conflicted and has been visiting Tommy in prison to “make my own mind up”. He also says he feels sad for Tommy, which is worrying. It’s possible he could be sucked into all the lies and, feeling a little isolated and unwanted, jump on the plane.
However, Ann’s brutal rant might have got through to Ryan – he needed to hear what a monster Tommy is. Afterwards, Ryan said he loved his Granny. Could he finally be understanding the truth?
One theory is that Ryan will trick Tommy, luring him to the cops. When Tommy offered him “an adventure”, Ryan was sceptical. Ultimately he will have to choose between Catherine and Tommy. He could even kill Tommy to save his Granny.
How will Tommy get to Ryan & Catherine?
Tommy has already contacted Ryan through a gaming site (DAILY MIRROR)Tommy has already contacted Ryan through a gaming site, but now needs to see him in person.
It seems likely he will emotionally manipulate Ryan to make the decision himself and arrange to meet him.
Tommy is also planning to get a phone from the surly beetroot-chopper at his hideout, who will likely comply.
However, Darius refuses to give him a gun to shoot Catherine, so how will he kill her?
Could he trick Ryan into helping him get close to her?
A trailer for the finale teases a tense game of cat and mouse. We see Tommy silently move through a house with blood on his knuckles. Is it Catherine’s home?
“He’s still out there. He’s going to be angry and he’s going to be even more desperate and dangerous,” says Catherine. Chills.
Will Catherine die?
She has a huge target on her back because Tommy wants his revenge (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)Talk about a busy week. Catherine must pin down crime boss Darius Knezevic (Alec Secareanu), get Tommy back behind bars, solve Joanna’s murder, avoid being shot dead and get the tea on for Ryan (Rhys Connah) before she can retire and go on her epic road trip.
She has a huge target on her back because Tommy wants his revenge, but she’s Catherine Cawood – so, just...no. And anyway she’s got a retirement do to go to, whether she likes it or not.
Fans think the constant references to her retirement are foreshadowing the fact she’ll never make it. Surely we can expect a showdown between her and Tommy – and one or both must die?
But if she’s not in the Himalayas with a well-earned cuppa as the end credits roll we’re going to be fuming.
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