Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Peter Hoar
Leo (to Stephanie): "I think something bigger is coming."
I was dreading watching this episode and for good reason. I knew it was the one where Leo was going to die and I knew that it was going to be Clive's fault and make no mistake here, it's 100% Clive's fault. Not Leo's and not Zee's as I've seen some online say.
Yes, it was a bad idea for Leo to step into Clive's house when tensions were still there and there were inebriated football hooligans in the mix. Zee's heart was in the right place but she shouldn't have pressured Leo to go into that house.
Again, the blame solely should be on Clive and those hooligans, including the absolutely deplorable Roddy. The latter outed George to everyone, outed Saul as a sex worker and even tried to humiliate Clive for the latter helping Regime. Roddy instigated everything and brought out the absolute worst in Clive.
Prior to Leo's death, there was a point exchange between him and Stephanie. The latter pointed out Leo's habit of treating others like they're idiots and she wasn't entirely wrong. Leo overestimated Clive and those hooligans and everything went to shit so badly.
I had to turn away when the actual murder took place itself. I've seen enough depictions like that in movies and television but this was certainly brutal to watch. The hate from Clive, Roddy and those lads. The horror in Leo's final moments. The devastation that Saul, Zee and Stephanie had. Even Marie, George and that neighbour's reaction as well. That moment floored me.
I will say that RTD's angrier political leanings were handled brilliantly with this show. He's not wrong about the growing sentiment of homophobia, transphobia and so on and even that final flashback with Leo and Stephanie reinforced what Melba has said in the first episode.
- Clive and Roddy got life sentences, the other lads got shorter sentences. Marie moved away with Saul and George.
- Saul eventually married and had three kids while George got hooked on drugs. Zee became a teacher and named herself Sarah.
- Curtis sold Spit & Polish, which became a pizzeria while Stephanie travelled and Melba was grief stricken by Leo's death.
- We didn't find out what happened to Mikey, Hanna and Judy and we didn't get to see their reactions to Leo's death.
- Standout music: M83's Solitude.
- Chronology: The day of Leo's death along with the flashback being set two years beforehand.
What an incredible finale. Absolutely devastating piece of television with utterly sublime performances from everyone involved. Give it all the awards.
Rating: 9 out of 10


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