Mr Bates vs The Post Office viewers were left balling their eyes out on Thursday evening as the final episode of the mini series aired on ITV.
In a gripping hour-long episode, viewers watched as Alan Bates (played by Toby Jones) and his army of 555 subpostmasters took the Post Office to court.
The Post Office began to flounder when put in front of a judge, with Angela Van den Bogerd (Katherine Kelly) crumbling under questioning and the company’s lawyers desperately trying to have the judge removed.
Meanwhile, Alan and his fellow subpostmasters – as well as a Fujitsu whistleblower – stood firm and expertly laid out their case for the court to hear.
But the Post Office’s tactic of trying to oust the judge forced Alan and his lawyers to settle as the delays meant the team would run out of funds.
The settlement left several subpostmasters deflated as their share of the compensation package did little to remedy the decades of heartache and pain they’d suffered – but Alan wasn’t done there.
Jo Hamilton had her conviction overturned
ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
The series came to a close with Alan vowing not to stop seeking justice for subpostmasters while a number of those who were criminally convicted had their convictions overturned.
In tearful scenes, the likes of Jo Hamilton (Monica Dolan) and Noel Thomas (Ifan Huw Dafydd) were embraced by their subpostmasters and swarmed by the press as they celebrated clearing their names outside the court.
However, the elation was juxtaposed with Post Office CEO Paula Vennells (Lia Williams) taking no personal responsibility for the scandal as well as the update that “no current or former Post Office manager has faced a criminal charge”.
A public inquiry is currently underway in real life and the actor behind Paula Vennells’ character, Williams, has openly addressed whether or not she feels the businesswoman should “face prison”.
But taking to social media following the finale, it became clear that viewers demanded criminal charges were brought to those found responsible for the miscarriage of justice within the Post Office.
On X, formerly Twitter, one person raged: “Absolutely crying my eyes out. How anyone at the post office who tried to cover this up and blame the postmasters. They need to face criminal charges #MrBatesVsThePostOffice.”
A second added: “I’m crying watching the end of #MrBatesVsThePostOffice. It’s just astonishing that it’s a true story and that this was able to happen.”
And a third echoed: “Not me crying at seeing the convictions of the subpostmasters getting their convictions overturned. It’s terrible how they were treated and I really hope they all get back every penny they rightfully deserve and is THEIRS! #MrBatesVsThePostOffice.”
Alan Bates and Paula Vennells in the Mr Bates vs The Post Office finale
ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Meanwhile a fourth demanded: “Watched the amazing #MrBatesVsThePostOffice – was angry & crying by the end! This scandal is beyond words.
“Bosses at PO & Fujitsu need to be brought to justice. And as for #PaulaVennells that despicable woman needs her CBE removing & CANNOT be a CofE vicar!”
A fifth echoed: “I was in tears tonight watching the final episode, they have to face criminal charges for what they did, Paula Vennells should not just walk away CBE in hand #MrBatesVsThePostOffice.”
“I’m in tears,” a sixth weighed in. “Exhilarating, heartbreaking, brilliant. Everyone should know this story #MrBatesVsThePostOffice.” (sic)
