Apple Tree Yard - The Complete Mini-Series

Oscar nominee Emily Watson delivers a powerhouse performance in this racy and harrowing psychological drama based on Louise Doughty’s best-selling novel.

When Dr. Yvonne Carmichael (E. Watson), a respected geneticist working at London’s Beaufort institute, gives a presentation at the House of Commons she encounters suave Mark Costley (Ben Chaplin) who seems completely taken by her and offers her a tour of the building’s so-called Secret Chapel. As she soon is about to find out, ‘secret’ shall be the on-going key word! Yvonne, who not only goes through a general mid-life crisis but whose marriage to hubby Gary (Mark Bonnar) has hit rock bottom, equally takes a liking to the stranger who showers her with compliments and the two end up having some steaming hot sex in a broom cupboard. Not expecting to ever see Mark again she begins to fantasize about him in the privacy of her own home but another chance encounter with him, though at that point she doesn’t even know his name, leads to more sex before they both agree to embark on an illicit affair – usually taking place in various locations. Mark, also married, even presents her with a smartphone so they can communicate without being found out. Although he acts secretive and never really reveals what it actually is that he does for a living Yvonne soon gets the impression that he must be a ‘spook’ somehow involved in the Secret Service. Soon she becomes infatuated with the mysterious man and why shouldn’t she be: her home life is a downer what with hubby having his own affair with a younger woman – only difference is that Gary actually admits to the affair. Her grown-up daughter expects a baby and her grown-up son, who has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, isn’t exactly a barrel of laughs either. Her only friend in the world seems to be best pal Susy (Susan Lynch) with whom Yvonne shares her penchant for too much red wine. In fact, outside her work environment Yvonne is rarely seen without a glass of wine in her hand – another fact which will play a part in the unfolding tragedy!

Before Yvonne attends a prestigious bash thrown by the Beaufort Institute she hooks up with Mark for more hot sex, this time in a fairly secluded corner (or so they think) called Apple Tree Yard, SW1Y. Yvonne looks particularly fetching that night and after the sex Mark invites her to a bar where he (literally) charms the knickers of her. Already quite tipsy and rolling on an emotional high, Yvonne finally arrives at the party, mingles with colleagues and enjoys copious amounts of fizz. Outside on the veranda she chats with long-term colleague George (Steven Elder) who somehow happens to know Mark. A little later the two make their way to a deserted office room in the building as George wants to show her some documents. Unbeknownst to Yvonne not only does he secretly harbour feelings for her but claims to know about her affair with Mark… and brutally rapes her. This is without doubt one of the most harrowing depictions of rape since ‘Irreversible’ (2002) and ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2009). Left with deep physical as well as emotional bruises Yvonne spends the next few days in bed pretending to her husband she’s coming down with some sort of flu. For the obvious reasons she decides not to report the rape to the police but confesses in Mark, who offers to help in any way he can. When the obsessed George begins to stalk her, Mark decides to take matters in his own hands and asks Yvonne to drive him to George’s house for ‘a conversation’. Although wondering as to why Mark spends such a long time in the house she is unaware of the fact that he has blood on his shoes when he returns to her car… A few days later, while dining out with her family, Yvonne is arrested on suspicion of the murder of George Selway…
Thus the real nightmare is about to begin for her. Initially still pretending that Mark and her are only good friends in order to protect her family (and possibly Mark as well), Yvonne soon learns that the net of lies will only entangle her further. To her growing horror, she also learns that Mark is not what she thought he is and soon the British legal system shows some serious flaws when the ordeal of her rape is made to look as if it was her own fault… almost every statement that Yvonne makes is turned against her and soon the victim becomes the accused. Watching the outcome of the court case and the subsequent psychological breakdown of a woman who finds herself in a mighty mess simply because she started an affair is seriously thought-provoking.

Why is it that there are no dire consequences for Yvonne’s cheating husband and why is it that if a woman embarks on an affair she ends up being crucified? And why does the legal system let rape victims down time and time again? There are a lot of questions this compelling and gritty drama throws at its viewers though it doesn’t necessarily provide the answers.
Both Watson and Chaplin play their parts utterly believable, with Watson delivering the whole gamut of human emotion! This adaptation by BAFTA-winning screenplay-writer Amanda Coe makes for intelligent viewing and doubtlessly opens some heated debates.