So, after eight weeks of fighting, drinking, scheming, a love triangle and not a lot of actual viaduct-building, series one of Jericho is over.

The ITV drama ended as it began with a band (or two), and threw in a cliffhanger for good measure.

Out of the eight episodes, the best two seem to have been the series opener and the finale — and we've not had confirmation that there will a series two yet...

Here's what we learned from the series finale:

Coates said farewell... and Johnny took the reins

After last week's kangeroo-court drama, Jericho tried to return to normal: Johnny and Annie went up to the moors for a smooch, George could finally sleep soundly, and the mining of the precious sandstone began. Johnny took over Coates' seat in the agent office, and even though some of the men were reluctant to join the mining project, it seemed he had won back their trust.

Coates came to say his goodbyes... and then took a not-at-all suspicious trip into the mine, after complaining loudly to anyone that would listen that the Blackwood brothers hadn't a clue what they were doing.

Rockingstone Quarry: Where Jericho was filmed

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The mine collapsed

And of course, after Coates' ventures into the mine, suddenly Johnny and Dagger find it partially, collapsed and unstable. The second they went to investigate you just knew what would happen — and it did. Last-minute cries of 'get out' did nothing to stop the mine collapsing on top of them, and for a split second, it looked like both of them weren't coming back. Cue Annie ringing the emergency bell (has that always been there?) Davy being called away from his bride-to-be and the whole town racing to the mine.

Clark Peters as Ralph Coates in episode 3 of Jericho.
Clark Peters as Ralph Coates in episode 3 of Jericho.

Coates 'ain't done'

Despite saying his goodbyes, it turned out Coates was in no rush to leave. As he said to Lace Polly, "I ain't done". I wondered how he was going to get out of leaving Jericho, and it seems his scheming even includes destroying a mine to prove he's needed. He says he's working to send money home to his son — but if you ask me, there's more ego than honour in his ambition to run the viaduct project.

Rescue mission

Word of the collapse reached Charles, and of course Easter came along to play the hero yet again. Understandably some of the other men weren't so keen to go wandering into a collapsing mine shaft, so Davy made three. Only their attempts to free Johnny and Dagger resulted in a further collapse, trapping Charles with them.

Coates turned up at exactly the right moment (you'd think he planned, it, wouldn't you...) to offer his expertise — namely saying the mine shaft needed to be blasted. Annie smelled a rat, but Coates was indignant: "Who do you think I am, Mrs Quaintain?" Best not answer that.

Pictured:HANS MATHESON as Johnny and DANIEL RIGBY as Charles.

But schemer or no, Coates' plan worked — Dagger was half-carried out, Charles followed on a stretcher and Johnny staggered out solo, falling into Annie's arms. Meanwhile, Coates got what he wanted — he was important again. "You're a marvel, Mr Coates, you saved them all." Worked out pretty well for him, didn't it?

Charles may not survive

At least Charles and Johhny's temporary imprisonment in the mine gave them chance to sort things out, more or less. Johnny confessed he never loved Isabella, and Charles learned that it was his father who cast out Johnny and made Isabella leave him.

But their reconciliation may be too late, as Charles may not survive. The bones in his legs have shattered, and that head injury looked pretty nasty. He made Johnny swear to continue the viaduct project: "This viaduct must not fail." Despite having almost done exactly that thus far.

Pictured:JEANY SPARK as Isabella.

Isabella 'needs' Johnny

Isabella was due to leave before the mining explosion — and Annie looked less than pleased when she bid farewell to Johnny, then turned up again at the mine. Was she planning to try win Johnny back, now she's free from Charles? Is her determination to stay part of the business more a determination to stay in Johnny's life? "I need you with me," she pleaded. Not entirely sure what she defines as 'with' her — but I don't think it's all business and bank meetings.

Davy was suspicious

Pictured:CLARKE PETERS as Coates.
Pictured:CLARKE PETERS as Coates.

Davy suddenly discovered critical thinking in the finale, after discovering that Coates had a spare key to the powder shed and desperately trying to work out why. Finding Coates snug back in the agent's office, he asked him directly, but Coates just laughed... clearly underestimating his detective skills. But it quickly got uncomfortable when Davy started suggesting the spare key was a part of the pit explosion that killed Jack and Skinny... and by the look on his face, he wasn't going to let it go.

Coates worked out Epiphany's secret

Epiphany's fury at Coates paying Easter wages seemed a bit strange at first, but it all came out when Coates decided to pay her a visit at Blackwood House. Makes you wonder how long he was sat there in the dark. But he reckon's he's got Epiphany's number — Easter is not her brother, but her son! And Coates isn't scared of her, either — despite her threat to keep schtum. He said he'd keep her secret — but what will his silence cost her?

Pictured:JESSICA RAINE as Annie and HANS MATHESON as Johnny.

Annie and Johnny parted

The never ending back-and-forth of Johnny and Annie's relationship ended in a rather lacklustre twist tonight — after weeks of longing looks that progressed to stolen kisses before the pair brought their love out in to the open (to the surprise of no one), Annie decided she wasn't too fussed about saying 'I do'. It's admirable that she's found her independence and self-sufficiency, but would marriage really mean she'd be just a wife in a place like Jericho? "Where does this leave us?" she asked. "I don't know," Johnny replied. Neither do we. I'm not sure I care, to be honest. I bet she reconsiders when she realises he's spending more time with Isabella though...

Pictured:NATALIE GAVIN as Alma Capstick.

Davy was murdered

The series ended with a (second) bang — as Davy strolled along to meet his bride, a gunshot rang out and he collapsed to the ground. Did anyone else jump? Of course, it had to have been Coates. He knew Davy was asking too many questions... and we all know what happens to people Coates' deems a threat. I felt sad for Davy (not so much for Alma, even if she seemingly has repented)... did he really have to die? I'm sure Coates could have fed him a story and got him on side...

So there we have it, Jericho is over.

What did you think of the series? Do you want there to be a second run?

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