User Reviews

Though, I was in fact hoping to find a 'secret Sherlock' episode, I was happy with Apple Tree Yard as a whole.

I see some complaints it was TOO SLOW. It only has 4 episodes, give it a chance, lol. Have a bit of patience.

It had intrigue, lust, complicated family and marital relations. Humans that make poor choices and a question as to who is the villain.

I loved the sets from just the Apple Tree Yard SW1 Alley to the chapel of the Commons.

If people wanted Sherlock and didn't get it, they got a good mystery at least. On top of being a thriller and a damn good drama.

You get an insanely intense and mind blowing finale.

Emily Watson was great and the rest of the cast were certainly very good. Creepy ending. I hope for another series of this! 8/10

Scientist Yvonne falls for a mystery man whilst answering questions at a Commons Select committee, the stranger would have a big impact on Yvonne's life.

It's starts off very well, and gets better and better, the fourth episode is brilliant, the best of the four.

It's an interesting story, that goes in the most unusual and unexpected directions, you are taken on Yvonne's rollercoaster ride. You will be curious about Yvonne until the last.

The acting is the show's primary strength, Bonnar and Chaplin are brilliant, however Emily Watson deserved awards for her portrayal of Yvonne, she is one of the best, and this highlights how awesome she is.

I would highly recommend this drama. 8/10.

So yes it's a slow slow burn , but very deliberate Why do people think everything has to be all out action & fast paced drama. This is not meant to be Line of Duty. Overall a strong powerful storyline and Superb performances from the lead actors. Also thought the courtroom scenes were excellent. Maybe a few holes throughout the plot but nothing that took too much away from the end result. Has you riveted from start to finish even if the pace is somewhat pedestrian at times.

Apple Tree Yard (2017): I have no idea about this series or the book it was adapted from prior watching this.I just picked up it randomly as it is just 4-episode long and labeled as thriller.This year I already got a surprise in the form of Cardinal (which I have no idea just like this one but Loved it after watching). SO does always random stuff turns out to be better surprises? Plot: Married with two grown-up children, Yvonne Carmichael (Emily Watson) lives a contented, conventional suburban life. But her world spirals into chaos, when a chance encounter leads to an impulsive and passionate affair with a charismatic stranger (Ben Chaplin). Despite all her careful plans to keep her home life and career safe and separate from her affair, fantasy and reality soon begin to overlap and everything she values is put at risk, as a life-changing act of violence leads to a Crown Court trial.

My Review: To be frank Apple Tree Yard could easily fit into a 2hr+ feature film rather than 4-episode series.It doesn't mean that series is bad but it felt slow paced and with that content and some serious writing,this could become one of the best thrillers in film.

Apple Tree Yard is thought provoking effective drama which is a must watch for everyone and it has lot of scenes with amazing sensibilities.Like the scene in which Yvonne bursts out during dinner and how Gary threatens adviser who insults rape victims,the dialogues are very good.And as for the stunning twist right at the end, did you still have Yvonne down as 'a victim' after that? Apple Tree Yard entirely belongs to Emily Watson's stunning performance.She is exceptional as illustrious scientist Yvonne Carmichael, mastering each scene as the action plummets from steamy mid-life trysts with the mysterious Mark Costley (Ben Chaplin) to "the first honest depiction of rape on television" – and on to a court case that threatens not just her reputation but her entire existence. Mark Bonnar and Ben Chaplin are also very effective in their roles.

So,Apple Tree Yard is one of the rarest drama on TV which gives a sensible message which makes it worth watching.

My Rating 7.25/10

Ms. Emily Watson gives the performance of a lifetime in this raw, jagged story of a middle-aged woman who discovers her fiery sexuality with a stranger and suffers a trauma of incredible profundity. Watson sets the screen on fire with her presence and her smoldering sexual power. Her beauty is mesmerizing and her eyes speak more than a thousand pages of intricate dialog. This a showcase for a truly great actress and all that she brings to the part she plays with such passion. Watson is a treasure and one of the finest actors Britain has ever produced. Apple Tree Yard is a fine piece and what Emily Watson achieves in it will leave you gasping for breath and stunned with wonder.

Before "Apple Tree Yard" premiered, media coverage and promotional materials seemed to be selling it as a drama looking at the (supposedly) under-explored theme of extramarital affairs resulting from the sexual frustrations of middle-aged, middle-class married life.

This topic is, thankfully, only the focus of the first episode of this four-parter; while the theme remains as an undercurrent in subsequent episodes, the main plot thread descends into standard thriller territory. Emily Watson is brilliantly understated as Dr. Yvonne Carmichael, the ordinary woman living a comfortable existence who is unexpectedly seduced by the mysterious Mark Costley. It is harder to evaluate Ben Chaplin's performance as the latter due to the mysterious nature of the character, but that nature is skillfully conveyed; one can understand why Yvonne would be curious about someone so enigmatic. The other actors are convincing in their roles, but the parts they are given are somewhat underwritten (even the vital character of rapist George Selway is denied any motivation other than Yvonne). This flaw is, however, not a major one; the focus of the series is Yvonne, with every scene taking place from her perspective. Yvonne is a character made fascinating by her normality and the questions her actions raise.

The show's makers seem to be asking the viewer "What would you do in this situation?" Some reviewers have dismissed the plot as laughable because it depends on Yvonne doing things that no so-called "rational" person would do. As observers, we are invited to ponder whether we could remain rational in times of extreme stress, fear and uncertainty. While most viewers would probably disagree with at least one of Yvonne's decisions, few of us could state with confidence that we would always act as we would wish to, regardless of circumstances.

In many ways, Yvonne (and, by extension, Watson) is the series saving grace. By focusing on her thoughts, desires, actions and reactions, the viewer is distracted from how generic and predictable the plot is, particularly in the later episodes. From the moment Costley neither affirms nor denies Yvonne's assumption that he is a spy, we know that he will be revealed as a fantasist. As soon as Yvonne decides not to tell the police about her affair with Costley, we know that it will be used as a bombshell revelation in the courtroom. The makers want us to be surprised as the twists and turns the story takes, but there is nothing truly unexpected in the series (with the exception of the rape, which I will come to shortly). Case in point: the final revelation that Costley only killed Selway because he believed Yvonne had told him to. Ending twists (as M. Night Shyamalan would agree) should impact the viewer and make them reassess everything they have just witnessed. This one is more of an "oh" moment; in no way does it subvert viewer expectations and assumptions. Instead, it merely reinforces what we know about Costley: he sees himself as a hero and his manslaughter as a heroic deed.

What is surprising (and revealing) about this series is how little it has to say about adultery. Considering how the BBC chose to promote it as a mature look at the topic, it would be reasonable for one to expect some sort of message. Strangely enough, despite the serious tone and lack of comedy the series presents, that message never comes. One might argue that adultery is implicitly condemned through the consequences of Yvonne's affair, but those consequences also hinge on her being raped and her lover having a personality disorder, while the affair between Yvonne's husband and one of his colleagues is merely a plot device to blind him to the true cause of Yvonne's distress. On the other hand, the series in no way encourages adultery or polygamy, nor does it criticise the institution of marriage. This on-the-fence approach reveals the makers' true intentions: any serious themes are mere window-dressing for a thriller whose purpose is ultimately to provide some escapism for viewers.

If this series will be remembered for anything, it will not be the generic plot, nor will it be Emily Watson's admittedly brilliant but far from unusual performance. What sticks in the mind the most (and prompted the most discussion after the first episode aired) is the depiction of rape. For this scene director Jessica Hobbs is to be commended; she strikes the perfect balance, avoiding the traps most rape scenes fall into. It is shocking without being needlessly explicit, it in no way feels romantic or erotic and it is treated as an earth-shattering event rather than a mere plot device. It feels perverse to talk about great rape scenes, but the one featured in "Apple Tree Yard" certainly falls into that category.

Overall, this series is not an instant classic, nor is it even as original as it would have you believe. However, it is still recommended for viewers looking for an thought-provoking but entertaining thriller.

P.S. On a frustrating note, we never do find out why Costley was rejected by MI5.

P.P.S LEGAL INACCURACY: It is suggested that at one point the police deliberately lied to Yvonne. In the UK, that is illegal. Furthermore, all interviews are recorded, so a policeman who did lie during an interview would be opening themselves up to facing disciplinary action.