it was magic.

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/this-is-england-88

it was the funniest/saddest/life affirming thing on tv all year - i hope theres another series next year, perhaps 1990 right in the middle of acid house culture?

McLure was a star as ever but Woody's confrontation with Milky in Ep3 and his disintegration as he struggled against his new safer life was stunning.

Althou the advice I would have for Shaun is FFS lock the door! When you're up to nefarious sexual practices of any kind its the golden rule

Shows that we can still do intelligent slow burn drama in this country.

Only caught the last episode but it was really good. Filmed in Sheffield with a few factual errors, Market Tavern tinned up when it was the very centre of low life drunkards in '88. New style bus seen in background in same scene. I thought Woody was slightly over-egged but overall acting of a high standard.

Loved it, but she did cry pretty much all the way through the three episodes. Probably more to do with me being her husband than the TV offerings, but who knows.

It's one of the best things I've seen all year. Watched the last episode last night, the scenes in the church were very moving.

I was completely unaware of any of this until I saw the three shows a couple of weeks ago on Channel 4. Agree it was probably the best thing I saw on the TV all year.

I've since watched the film on rental and '86 is on my rental list to hopefully arrive soon, although I was not as impressed with the film as I was with '88. It's going to be interesting to see what '86 is like.

I think I need to go back and watch them all again.

Brilliant TV, certainly the best British thing I've seen all year. The scene between Lol and Combo when she visited him in jail was just one of THE best pieces of acting, and to think of the rubbish they hand out Oscars to!

I am not sure about the chap who plays Woody though, sometimes he overacts and gurns ridiculously over the top, but is also capable of turning it on as in the scene when he confronts Milky in the street.

But overall a really great piece.

was that Combo loves Lol. Lol said she loved Combo. Woody and Lol get back together. Hell to be readily unleashed when Combo gets out. Or have I read it all wrong?

Just thought there might have been more history between Combo and Woody that I'd missed.

the reason that she was drawn towards Combo in prison is that he was the only one who knew what had happened between her, her dad and Combo. As Woody now knows then she has someone else she can talk to about it which might make Combo a little less vital to her.

(trying not to spoil it for people not seen it)