Y Golau Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

The episode begins with Sharon Roberts (Joanna Scanlan) receiving notification of an oral parole hearing from HM Prison & Probation Service. She imagines seeing Ela sitting on the sofa.

Joe Pritchard (Iwan Rheon) receives a copy of the same letter.

Cat (Alexandra Roach) narrates that only when she became part of the story, did she realize the importance of telling the truth.

Sharon is on the phone when Dai (Morgan Hopkins) asks if she stopped saying goodbye. He describes North Walians as “rude.” She says goodbye while doing a curtsy. He reminds her to get his “pain au chocolate.”

At the oral hearing, the parole officer informs the attendees that Joe started working on day release at Babin House in July. After reminding Joe that he filed a request to prevent Sharon from attending the hearing, Judge Rowe (Anita Reynolds) asks if he read her victim impact statement. He acknowledges reading it while having a flashback of Sharon asking where she’s at. Rowe asks if he has anything to say to Sharon. He shakes his head no.

As Joe exits the meeting, Rowe suggests the parole board consider the murder of a 15-year-old girl, with his good record. The probation officer tells Rowe that he believes Joe has shown remorse. She asks if Joe continues to deny knowledge of how the victim died. After reminding her of Joe’s “referral of dissociative amnesia”, the probation officer says he never denied doing it.

Sharon introduces Ceri-Ann (Shelley Rees) and Alan to Maddie (Llinor ap Gwynedd). She says everyone in attendance lost someone to a violent crime. A Distraught Maddie tells the others that she never got to say goodbye. Sharon says she hasn’t got to say goodbye yet.

Cat tells Steve (Ben Bailey Smith) that she’s interested in writing “stories with substance.” Steve asks what’s holding her back. She admits to contemplating a story about an American cult. Mags (Siwan Morris) suggests she write about Joe. Cat says she doesn’t want to revisit it. Steve asks what about Joe. She says one of her best friends, Ela (Ella Peel) back home in Llanemlyn vanished. Steve tells her that she never mentioned it before. She says Joe was convicted of her murder even though her body was never discovered. Mags reminds her that Joe’s up for probation. Cat suggests there’s no guarantee it will be granted because it was denied the last time.

Bronwen (Andria Doherty) tells Maddie that Sharon hasn’t turned off a hall light off since Ela went missing. Sharon bids her guests goodnight when Greta (Anes Elwy) returns home from work. She asks how was the “murder wang gang.” Sharon pleads with her to not call it that. She tells her that she hosts the group to “wang on about murder.” Sharon sarcastically reminds her of how she wangs on about her upcoming wedding. She says which is normal. Sharon suggests people have the right to discuss murder if they want to. She apologizes and they embrace. Sharon imagines she sees Ela in the kitchen window.

Cat asks Steve what’s up with his wife. He tells her that she’s supposed to move in with the “arsehole.” She apologizes for his loss. He suggests she should be the one to tell Ela’s story.

Sharon becomes upset after a call from Victim Liaison Marie. Dai tells her that they’re going out to eat.

Dai asks why she never mentioned Joe’s parole hearing. She admits to believing he was like everyone else, tired of hearing it. He assures her that he isn’t everyone else. She admits to having a recurring dream in which she wakes up before Joe says where Ela is at. They discuss what it will be like if Joe is paroled.

A man suggests Joe tell the family where Ela is at. Joe tells him that he cannot help them. The man gives him a letter.

Sharon reaches out to Greta about her outfit when DCI Parry (Ioan Hefin) stops by to inform her of Joe’s release. Distraught, she asks where Joe will be staying. He assures her that Joe’s prohibited from coming within five miles of her property.

Joe wads up his parole documents before leaving the facility.

Graham informs Cat of Joe’s release. She asks if it’s possible to find out where he’ll be staying. Mags says, “It’s a bloody story.”

Sharon scrubs the cupboard when she has a flashback of Ela saying she’s going out and her demanding she not be late. Elsa says she loves her while crushing her sandwich before heading out the door. Greta asks what happened. When Sharon says, “Nothing,” Greta reminds her that she left work early. Sharon reluctantly tells her that Joe’s being released on the 12^th. Devastated, Greta says it isn’t right. Sharon agrees as they embrace.

Greta suggests they no longer let Joe destroy her wedding. Sharon promises to not let his parole impact her wedding.

Sharon and Greta are having a good time at the bar.

Cat informs Steve that she’s going back home to write Ela’s story.

Rhydian (Gareth Elis) insists Sharon sing a song with her. Sharon admits she doesn’t want to do it because it’s Ela’s song. Rhydian pulls her up on the stage. As he sings, Sharon imagines seeing Ela when she shoves him backward. She apologizes before rushing to the restroom, with Greta in toll. Greta asks why she did it. After claiming it was an accident, Sharon says it was Ela’s song. Greta reminds her of how Ela told her to stop playing the song before saying she can’t have anything. Sharon imagines seeing Ela standing near the door.

Steve asks if Joe refuses or can’t reveal where Ela is at. Cat tells him that Joe lived in a caravan parked in the woods. He asks if it’s a photo is Ela. She explains that they and Caryl did everything together. As he voices his concern about rumors of his commissioning her, she kisses him.

While getting a haircut, Joe has a flashback of Shelley (Mari Ann Bull) cutting his hair when he was young (Dylan Jones). A man orders her to come out of the room. The hairstylist asks if his family will recognize him with the new haircut. He tells her that he isn’t sure.

Greta admits she thinks of what might have been if Ela hadn’t gone out before saying it feels as if she’s still alive sometimes. Sharon assures her that she’s alive, just not home. When Sharon leaves, Greta removes a dresser drawer to access Ela’s diary.

Joe signs documents before leaving the prison. The conductor asks for his train ticket. He explains that it’s a “travel warrant” from the prison. A female passenger looks over at him. He has a flashback of chasing Shelley through the woods.

Joe arrives at his destination where he receives his parole documents.

Sharon discovers her cat, Sylvester lying motionless in the weeds.

Joe visits the Llwynonn Nursing Home to see his mum, Ellis (Delyth Wyn). When he compliments her hair, she says only Shelley cuts it the way I like it. She asks him where Shelly is before screaming it’s his fault she’s gone when she falls on the floor. A nurse asks what happened to her. Joe promises to come back later.

Ian (Aled Pugh) introduces himself to Joe. After showing him a picture of his daughter, Ian asks how long he was in prison. Joe doesn’t respond.

Sharon informs Dai that Joe got paroled. He tells her that he knows before giving her a hug.

Cat introduces herself to Joe while Ian watches a short distance away. She informs him that she’s writing a story. He tells her that he isn’t interested. After giving him a business card, she says to call her any time. As she walks away, Ian asks if Joe is famous.

Joe is lying on the bed when a siren gets his attention. He looks out the window to see Sharon standing on the street below. He has a flashback of Sharon frantically asking where Ela’s. Sharon stares up at him as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Light In The Hall Review

Let’s start by saying the scenery is breathtaking. The pace is excruciatingly slow, with not a lot really going on. What happened in 45 minutes could’ve easily been told in half the time.

Sharon is a mother who is struggling to keep her daughter’s memory alive. While her friends and family try to move forward, Sharon continues to hold out hope that Joe will disclose Ela’s whereabouts. In the meantime, Joe remains tight-lipped while being released on parole.

The cinematography and editing are subpar. The fluff and repetitive dialogue are distracting as the story seems to be going nowhere. The color looks grainy and dull. It looks like a low-budget Lifetime show.

The plot is interesting enough to draw viewers in. Whether they stay is another question. I’m guessing, Joe is innocent but I could be wrong.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more The Light In The Hall recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.