Sean Bean and Stephen Graham takes this Jimmy McGovern series to exceptional heights with their impeccable and nuanced performances It's a common day story that explores the depth of grief, atonement, and making sacrifices. Both men are masterful in their portrayal of two characters who must deal with extremely challenging circumstances. McGovern offers a thought provoking and compelling view into the prison system, as inmates and guards alike are subjugated under its cruel and merciless justice.
Tender in its tone and introspective in its storytelling, the closing scene is a powerful reminder of the prolonged guilt and torment that inmates must carry with them even when they are released from the system. There is no happy ending to be found, and those who did time will continue to do time.
The most powerful scene of the episode is the last one, where Mark is sitting with the victim's family member. It breaks your heart to see what he has written in his letter to them; despite Mark being a teacher, his crimes has reduced him down so low that he literally cannot come up with the words to justify his actions.
He simply wrote:
"I just want to say sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry"
In episode 2, he even said that can't even forgive himself. So if he can't, then how can anyone else?
"I can't forgive you but I promise that I'll keep on trying."
