Viewers devastated by "heartbreaking" Come Home ending

"But you won?"

"We both lost."

Those were the heartbreaking words between Greg (Christopher Eccleston) and Marie (Paula Malcomson) after their bitter custody battle in the finale episode of Come Home. The three-parter ended up in a bleak courtroom where runaway mum Marie fought for access to her daughters, while Greg faced losing the kids he'd been protecting and raising all on his own.

It was a hard thing to watch – but viewers were impressed by the ending, even if it left them sobbing...

• Come Home writer reveals why he never wanted a series two: "Some stories carry on, but some stories should just end"
• Meet the cast of Christopher Eccleston drama Come Home

That powerful final scene left viewers reeling, as Marie offered an olive branch to Greg.

Despite being awarded custody she recognised his heartache and his relationship with the kids, offering to split Laura and Molly's time with him. It was a moment when they both looked back on their family life together and the wreckage of their marriage.

• For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.

Cursed Child writer Jack Thorne was extremely impressed:

Of course, some people were disappointed in the drama: furious at the characters for the choices they made – and the way they justified their actions.

But, as others pointed out, isn't that actually the point?

In fact, many viewers were left in tears by the "moving" and "heartbreaking" conclusion:

This article was originally published on 11 April 2018