Ballykissangel-Peter makes his decision

[5870eric]

The Reckoning is the greatest episode of a television show in history. Its polarizing, but things dont always work out quite the way you want, and sometimes bad things happen. I wish the program would have had a happier ending, but it is always saved for me by the absolutely spectacular acting jobs of everyone involved in these last two episodes, especially Fr Peter, Assumpta and Brendan. The first time I saw this I sat in bewilderment as the credits rolled up the screen - now I love it

[bensdadfrank]

You have to love the way Peter was always able to break the tension with humor, "I know. You could have held out for a bishop", or in The Walk By The Lake, "Apart from that you mean nothing to me", Seems as though that was one of the things that Assumpta loved. He seemed to be able to find humor, in serious, heart wrenching situations. Then there's the acting, One word: Brilliant

[ETrevar]

@sweetamyleigh Stephen and Dervla's lives were extremely impacted by the tabloid/paparazzi attention their off-screen romance attracted. Dervla, particularly, was very determined to move past being identified with the character of Assumpta, to avoid being stereotyped by it in her career. She wanted Assumpta killed in a completely unambiguous way. She also wanted to "kill" the character within her own self, if you know what I mean. Still, I think the writers took the easy and lazy way out.

[nonrealist]

It is my understanding that the actors did not want this series to end the way it did - namely Assumpta's death. However, they're not the writers... shame, it was a poor ending to a wonderful series.

[sweetamyleigh]

@nonrealist Interesting. I'd heard that Dervla Kirwin asked to be written out that way so she wouldn't be tempted to come back, but that Kieran Prendiville regretted writing the episode that way. Either way, it was the biggest shock I have ever gotten watching a series, and the saddest.

[annedianna]

@sweetamyleigh Well if that's true about her asking to treat her character like that so she wouldn't be tempted to come back then...what about the people who watch the show? Do they have to be treated like this? Just look at the replies to all these clips. more than 10 years past, and BallyK is still alive like this. So what about the people? I don't want to suggest that she's selfish but...being tempted to come back! that says a lot, doesn't it! I just feel like the audience have been betrayed.

[ETrevar]

I had no sympathy for Fr. Mac until I saw a later episode and realized that his career in the Church never progressed beyond a parish priest in a small parish in the "back of beyond." He sold out most of his values and admitted that he hadn't really thought much about God in many years, since before he knew Eileen. He's kind of pathetic, actually. He has no feelings for other people, and few people except Kathleen feel much for him. It's actually quite sad. He will die a lonely death later.

[ETrevar]

@bensdadfrank I also had a similar experience in my life, though not nearly as drastic as what happened to Peter and Assumpta. Still, a part of me did die from my experiences. I understand in my soul their feelings, the torment they went through. I'm glad I didn't see the first serial run of Ballyk because I was able to watch the DVDs, one episode right after another, and I got the full brunt of the story in a very emotional way. Since then, I've watched it over and over. Nothing compares.

[bensdadfrank]

@sweetamyleigh I was a married Cathoilc man, in a dead marraige, in a similar relationship, when this was on in America, albeit in reruns. I felt , at the time, as though I were living this and still feel that way. After several years of marraige to" my bartender", seeing this has reminded me of why I fell in love, and was willing to abandon my very established life. Seeing these clips has brought me back ten years, and reminded me of how love can feel. Thank you so much for posting!

[bensdadfrank]

As always, Brendan's look is so telling. 1:15 to 1:23

[MissARoss95]

Smile at 2:55 will keep me grinning for the rest of the day :D

[somethinggnaws]

I love his line: "I won't let you down." So matter-of-fact. So real. I swear he wasn't acting at that point.

Ah! It hurts watching this. I think if they had gotten together they would have made it for the long haul. They would have been one of those adorable old couples that still holds hands and jokes around with each other. Curse you, writers. Curse you.

[97karenlacey]

The look on his face boy he really wanted to sock Father Mack one.

[dalegilreath]

Where's my Assumpta Fitzgerald?! I'm in Ireland for 10 days more in the Swords area.

[landmmama]

They are so light and carefree here...makes you happy, doesn't it? Too bad that she never told him she loved him. I would have loved to hear her say it.

[STEPcoach]

"the country is full of "Assumpta Fitzgeralds." And actually, that's true enough. Ireland has the most beautiful girls in the world, and the most beguiling, too. I think it's the eyes. Or perhaps the smiles. Or the skin. "A little bit of heaven fell to earth and they called it Ireland."

[gurneyer]

I think you might just be right there.

The line ('the country is full of Assumpta Fitzgeralds') was well written. Was it uttered by someone who knew?

[STEPcoach]

that's what Father Mac (the edjit!) says to Peter to dismiss his love for Assumpta. In other words, she's just another Irish girl. Which, IMHO, is true enough as most all Irish lasses are extremely beguiling!

[gurneyer]

Beguiling would certainly fit. Most Irish lasses seem blessed with a natural spirit.

[Guglya]

For this scene I can forgive anything, even the ending to season 3

[Cobens24]

I only discovered this show about two years ago but it is probably my favorite tv series of all time, well at least the first three seasons. Such a tragic ending, Peter finally decides to follow his heart and then is totally crushed. I hated watching him go through so much torment while he wrestled with his true feelings. If only Steven and Dervla wanted to come back for season 4, it would have been great to watch with a new priest and the two of them together and happy at Fitzgeralds. Great vid

[Lizkakriska]

I was completely heartbroken when assumpta died, and poor peter, and even thinking about it its just one of the saddest episodes on tv ever!

[Kaytais]

She dies?!!! OMG!! When?!! What episode?! Cause I won't watch it!!

[Guglya]

you have to watch it cause it's part of the best episode in the show

[misskitty002]

She dies in 3.11, The Reckoning, a few minutes after the events in this clip. It's heartbreaking and traumatic. It's taken me months to accept the death but it's still tragic to see Peter leave Ballyk a broken man.

It's nice to see them both so relaxed and in love no matter how brief.

[Guglya]

I saw the beginning of the next episode when peter cries and it ruined the Reckoning for me, I new something would go bad. It was too good to be true to begin with :(

[happpeee]

i used to watch this on a sunday , i watch it now on weekdays at 150 itv3 ,what a lovely programme,nice comment minstrel4 i can feel your pain

[minstrel4]

I didn't think I could feel so strongly about anything on film as I did about Assumpta's death. I accidently found out before I had seen the episode, but even then, seeing it was like really losing someone you loved. Watching Peter's grief was the hardest part, knowing all that they went through and that what they wanted was finally in their grasp. It was the best of episodes, it was the worst of episodes. I hated the writers at first. (I do love the polar bear scene though!)

[annagirl1000]

This clip is incredibly meaningful... it shows where Peter leaves one world to enter the world of his heart's passion. It is so dear. And I would also venture a guess that everyone that saw this scene also slightly gasped the same moment Assumpta did when Peter said "I Love You" to Assumpta from the phone booth. I was gutted when Assumpta died at the end of 3rd series. The remainder of the show was most enjoyable and so well done, but Peter and Assumpta brought the magic to our hearts.

[pcaafc]

I'm with LannaSb. Reality (the actors leaving) notwithstanding, I would have loved to have seen the scene where they tell everyone (I'd want to see Brendan's face, for one). Or even if Peter & Assumpta don't-if they leave on a bus a la "The Graduate," the reactions to all that would've been great to watch. With good writers, that could have been just as complicated as the current state of affairs. Killing her was such a terrible end to the lightness and fun that started it all.

[annagirl1000]

I know! I'm still mad at Kieran (writer) for killing her......unrequited love is The worst. And I realize that's the point of good writing. I too, would have loved to see Brendan's face especially when Peter/Assumpta would have announced their life together! Brendan is such a cool character...... really enjoyed his role.

[pineapple1969]

Love it!!!! They are the perfect couple.

[LannaSb]

i think this is about the only tv show that managed to absolutely shatter me. i don't think i was ever more shocked about anything happening in a tv show than i was with assumpta dying here. not a good choice of ending may i add.

[amcarrithers]

What a wonderful phone call....sniff! He is just so sexy and this ended so horribly...

[bookworm2010]

ok thanks :) so whatever happened between this episode and when he says "that. is. it" etc.??? i guess he changed his mind about leaving the church huh

[bookworm2010]

wait isnt assumpta married???

[knightleyemma]

Aw, great to see some vids and clips of this show! I watched it (in US) when these two were on yrs ago AND loved it!!!

[alumba]

One of the most effective scenes in the series, the culmination of a hoped for (almost inevitable) pairing of the unlikeliest of couples. I am saddened at the way this series ended for me (yup, I stopped watching after season 3), but I think they couldn't have ended things more effectively for Peter and Assumpta. Thanks for the clip!

[MiataSteve]

Great filming, story, humor, drama...what TV could be...but if you watched this series..you already know this...thanks for uploading. and Thanks to WGBH for running it here in Boston

[pinkchocolate70]

these are great! have u got any more clips from this episode?? cheers

[thenoseymethod]

VERY good show. I'm sad its not on anymore. It was the only good thing on!

[twa96]

Thank you. I loved ballyk. Can u upload other episodes with peter and assumpta?