User Reviews

HVF leader Bill can't accept that his son Rick sided with Kieran when stood up for the two untreated PDS sufferers suffers they had captured so instructs his son to kill Kieran. Meanwhile Kieran is having more flashbacks to the time when he was untreated and killed people in a supermarket; here we learn that his sister could have saved the girl but couldn't bring herself to shoot her own brother. The rest of the village continues to be both paranoid and use their fear of PDS to settle scores… a man who was bitten is locked up; officially because people fear he may become infected but really because it became known that he fancied another man's girlfriend. When Rick can't bring himself to kill his friend his father can't deal with it and events soon turn tragic.

This episode was a good conclusion to the series; it wrapped up enough story lines to be a good ending while leaving certain mysteries that leave the possibility of more episodes at a later date; chief amongst these being who is The Prophet and what is he doing; this character has been mentioned several times and Amy left to find him but little clue has been given to who he might be. As one may have expected from this fairly downbeat series this episode contains some tragic moments that left two major characters dead; it isn't all grim though; Kieran's sister Jem manages to come to terms with what her brother is and finally hangs up her gun and his father can tell him how it made him feel when he discovered his body after he'd committed suicide.

It is a shame that the series only contained three episodes; I hope that it is successful enough for further series to be commissioned

Last night saw the final installment of BBC Three's brilliant zombie- drama In the Flesh. In this emotional conclusion, the theme of confrontation rings throughout as characters confront their past and true feelings toward one another.

Following on from last week's events in the forest, Kieran journeys home through Roarton countryside eventually reaching a supermarket, the place in which he attacked his last victim, Lisa. This memory has repeated throughout the series as recurring manifestations of Kieran's guilt. In this episode we are treated to it in its entirety. Whilst Kieran is feasting on Lisa's brains, Jem appears shooting any zombified shopper in her way. She cannot, however, bring it upon herself to pull the trigger on her own brother. The full recount of this memory urges Kieran to confront Jem when he returns home and both have a wonderfully written heart-to-heart. Jem reveals she told the parents of Lisa she ran out of bullets and Kieran confesses his utmost guilt and hatred towards what he had done. Both decide to confront the past and go to Lisa's parents to confess the truth. This emotional journey resolutely brings both characters closer together and it is nice to finally see a vulnerable, 'little sister' side to Jem, contrasting her tough-girl bravado that has reigned throughout.

On their way back from Lisa's parents, in which they showed unexpected gratefulness to Jem and Kierans confessional, Kieran sees Amy waiting at the train station with packed bags. Amy has decided to leave Roarton as she believes PDS sufferers will never be accepted there. This follows an unfriendly encounter with an HVF officer, whom forces cover-up upon Amy, declaring her au-naturel attitude a "slap in the face to the Roarton community". She invites Kieran to go with her, but he decides to stay in an attempt to solve things with Rick. It is a wonderfully written, comedic ("Optimist?! Amy I killed myself"), heart-warming and genuine goodbye. A somewhat enjoyable, bitter-sweet moment lulling us viewers into a false sense of optimism before the drama between Bill and Rick unfolds.

Following Rick's inability to shoot the 'rabid rotters' in the woods, Bill is ashamed of his son. He believes Kieran to be a bad influence and in a totalitarian HVF manner, encourages Rick to kill him. The anger and frustration is so pent up in Bill, surmounted with his continual ignorance of Rick's PDS condition, it is only a matter of time before something tragic occurs. Although, the elephant in the room is confronted, as Rick takes off his make-up and confesses to his father; he will not kill Kieran, his best friend, one of his own.

At first Bill appears understanding and hugs his son, creating a suspicious moment of relief and happiness for us viewers. Phew – everything will turn out fine. Kieran and Rick can now embark on a wonderful relationship with one another right? Wrong. It is not long until Bill retrieves Rick's 'shrine' from the loft and when asked by his wife the whereabouts of their son, replies, "Rick? We haven't seen him for five years". Bill, you bastard. Not only did he murder his own son, but he placed the body outside Kieran's house. Nice. With that sort of behaviour, it is only fitting that Bill eventually gets killed by receiving a few shot-gun shells to the chest. It's a welcomed beacon of retribution amidst the turmoil and heart-break, felt by Kieran upon his discovery of Rick's body. This moment is so wonderfully acted by Luke Newberry, a tear to the eye is unavoidable.

The loss of Rick ultimately leads to a sense of de-ja-vu, Kieran has lost his loved one again. Whilst mourning in their cave hang-out, walls adorned with their adoration for one another, he exclaims to his mum "It's becoming just like before and I don't know how to change it". She responds, "...you live. You don't leave, you stay". This time, Kieran should confront what is happening instead of escaping. It is a chance for him and his family to start over. This touching moment of discourse between Kieran and his mum is another well written and beautifully directed sequence. It is a somewhat resolute ending to all three episodes as, in a way, we have come full circle, only this time a very different path is to be taken by these captivating characters. The episode ends on a bleak yet optimistic paradox at Rick's funeral. Yes, Kieran is burying his loved one but at least audiences are reassured of his future.

Other highlights this week included an emotional sequence in which both Rick and Kieran's mums confront their true feelings of fear and anger toward their PDS suffering sons. The score was also brilliantly handled, orchestral tones of apathy and devastation really underlined the emotional impact of events on screen. Not melodramatic but cleverly understated.

Overall, In the Flesh has been a fantastic drama and a welcomed addition to the zombie genre. It has showcased some new British talent to be very excited about. Particularly Dominic Mitchell, who so cleverly brought every element of the series together by tackling incredibly deep and emotional content in such a confident manner. Also doing so, in a very short space of time. This brings me on to my only complaint about the show - three episodes!? Please BBC, take us back to the perils of Roarton soon.