TV Review: Apple Tree Yard, Episode 4 (BBC1)

“Courts aren’t about the truth. They’re about who tells the best story”

The sex in public, the family politics and the vagaries of the legal system have pushed us to this conclusion where the fate of Yvonne Carmichael is in the hands of twelve strangers in the jury rather than the one stranger who led her here.

The court proceedings are wonderfully done and charge forward purposefully with brisk powerful punches of all the information we need. At no stage does it drag or feel like ‘Series Two Broadchurch Syndrome’ (now a recognised television disease).

The more he sits silently in court, the more Mark Costley’s aura of mystique is taken away from him. The flesh of his lies reduced to mere bone. We learn more about his past – the time he was inappropriate with a former work colleague and his previous conviction. There are even two conflicting accounts on whether he has a personality disorder. One doubting Thomas declaring “his pursuit of extramarital sex and a tendency to embroider the facts do not mean he’s mentally unwell .Otherwise half the men in the country would be seeking treatment” Touche! However, a Doctor claims he does suffer from one and Likens his behaviour to acting like a movie star in his own movie. 007 has truly lost his shine.

The knife twists further as Yvonne takes to the stand and has to relive the assault and the the day of the murder. If that wasn’t tormenting enough the big reveal is to follow, the big reveal to Gary at least, when the question “Are you familiar, Doctor Carmichael, with the small alley way called Apple Tree yard?” comes crashing in like a wrecking ball. And no, Miley Cyrus wasn’t called as a witness.

As if emotions haven’t been shredded enough there’s one last twirl of the dramatic blender as the twist kicks in. We get a flashback, yes that devious old trick, but this one is worth it. As they lay together in romantic clinches she jokingly says “I want you to kill him” and perhaps with more serious intent “I want you to smash his face in”. Costley proudly declaring he never told anyone this information is a bit like a cat bringing home a dead mouse wanting some applause. Her steady response of “People can say anything. You really can’t tell the difference can you?” may mask an agenda we’ve never seen before.

It’s a belting end to a show that’s been all about the issues of trust and people living false narratives. As for Costley, on the plus side he now has a confined space all to himself where he can create many filthy stories with that vivid imagination. 9/10

Blind alleys

Full marks for the healthy discussion of mental health issues. Very refreshing to hear.

It’s up for debate if Yvonne knew what she was doing when asking Mark to kill. Was she much less innocent than we thought? Did she know Mark was a bit of a fantasist who would take it literally? Or were they really just throwaway comments?

The look to camera at the end suggests it wasn’t the latter.

He could be out in five years on good behaviour. Which alley would the sequel be set? Answers on a postcard.

We’re all googling for places with rude names now aren’t we?

TV Review: Apple Tree Yard, Episode 3 (BBC1)

“What have I done?”

Give a Monkey a baby and heating element and the results are up for debate but give an intelligent, romantically naive woman enough rope and they could end up hanging themselves. It turns out Mr Costley wasn’t delivering take away food to George Selway but take away life. As they flee from the house Mark says that everything will be ok if she goes along with his story. She is the getaway driver to a crime she doesn’t know exists.

Yvonne now faces trial for murder / manslaughter / aiding and abetting / generally being gullible / you name it. If your heart sank at the realisation that a lot of this episode would involve legal and court based wranglings then there needn’t have been a worry. Nothing dragged as the dramatic beats were placed well throughout. There was the first arrest at a family meal (wise choice, considering take away seems so dangerous these days), Gary’s knife wielding speech to the the smug barrister and then the second arrest for text messaging her accomplice.

The relationship between Yvonne and Gary blossoms for the first time. He has previously been portrayed as a cold, distant man but here he offers hugs and all manner of unflinching support even though it’s clear he knows she had an affair. Essentially, if those things were on the table in the first place then his wife may not have strayed towards a potentially psychopathic murderer. Let that be a lesson to all you chaps out there.

Emily Watson transcends her earlier performances with multi layered aplomb and the direction is at times disorientating to match her panic, confusion and upset. The biggest message being that even the most intelligent, articulate people can fall for the most blatant of lies if their heart lets them. Her blind faith in her imprisoned lover extends so far that she thinks sleeping with her own husband is cheating on him.

The big reveal is what we’ve all suspected but Carmichael herself was to blind to see. Mark Costley does not work for MI5 and for all we know, might just be a glorified janitor. He is a fantasist where Yvonne was just in love with the mystery, and like all good mysteries this has us on the edge of our seats. 8/10

Blind alleys

Will Mark escape murder charges on account of his mental stability?

It’s not looking good for Yvonne. Surely she’ll be sent down for manslaughter at least?

Is her daughter’s pregnancy being signposted as a big part of family life Yvonne will miss due to moments of recklessness?

How much is Gary wishing he’s blown that £100,000 on something else? A new car maybe? Or divorce papers?