'This is England '86' Episode 4 Response

'This is England '86' Episode 4 Response

Shane Meadows' television spin-off series for his picture 'This is England' has sadly ended. This 4-part mini-series brought audiences back into the nostalgic and wonderful world he created in 2006, and what a return it was.

 Episode 4 continues from the next morning after episode 3's stomach-churning ending. Trev (Danielle Watson) is emotionally and physically scarred from the horrific rape she suffered at the hands of Mick (Johnny Harris), Lol (Vicky McClure) is crushed by her fling ending with Milky (Andrew Shim) and with his help, runs back to Woody (Joe Gilgun). Combo (Stephan Graham) has returned to see his dying mother but he is too late and Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and Smell's (Rosamund Hanson) relationship deepens.

This episode's main talking point will be the confrontation between Lol and Mick. When Trev tells Lol that her father brutally raped her, Lol motives are clear; kill Mick.
The scene when he and she engage in a whirlwind of verbal and psychical violence is some of the best TV acting I've seen in years. It was repulsive and distressing, yet completely engaging and incredibly real. I wasn't surprised that Mick tried to rape Lol as we know from previous episodes that he has sexually abused her, but I was gob-smacked by Combo's intervention in the attack.

 There was a little comedy in this episode too which was good. The banter between Woody and Milky was funny and refreshing, it was a nice break from the relationship they have been having throughout the series.

This was a fantastic ending to a wonderful series and I can't wait until it's out on DVD. Vicky McClure has become one of my favourite actresses of 2010 and I'm sure more great things will come from her.

All in all, 'This is England '86' was utterly brilliant.