"The gay sex scenes were spot on with good use of suggestion."

"This was the best hour of TV entertainment since Six Feet Under* ended last year. 1980s London was portrayed just as I imagined it to be. The central love relationship was nicely handled, the moment where the two men set eyes on each other was very effective in conveying their mutual attraction.

I really liked the way the Tory family are presented too. They're not as flat or one-dimensional as I expected. The male MP, so far at least, is a likeable character, albeit trapped in his own prejudices and assumptions. He's not totally the bigoted racist I was expecting.

The troubled youngest daughter who dresses to shock and show up Mummy and Daddy whenever possible was the main cliché. However this character is beautifully acted having a stubborn yet brittle fragility.

The gay sex scenes were spot on with good use of suggestion at some points and clear portrayal at others. I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks. I will be curious to see how the HIV/AIDS crisis affects the life and loves of our protagonist."

Fergal Carroll, Ireland

"Instead of warning us about sex and strong language, could you warn us about lack of intellectual content and the presence of pedestrian dialogue. Is it really worth making a drama about such empty-headed cardboard characters?

The re-creation of that world may be accurate but why bother? I have better things to do than watch any more. Thankfully I have Arte, a far more challenging channel."

John Hampson, U.K.

"I regret that in the sex scenes they never emphasise the use of condoms."

"I really liked the first episode. But I regret that in the sex scenes they never emphasise the use of condoms, only the use of lube. It's important to educate the nation about safe sex and show that not all gay people have sex in parks (and also that not all gay men have HIV, AIDS etc). So it should be shown that we do care about ourselves and about the other people around us by practicing safe sex, and not having sex with everyone we bump into.

Anyway the film is great, and I will surely watch the next episode."

Yannick, Burton on Trent

"A fantastic first part, and a fantastic actor to play the main role."

Nicolas Jaunault-Spirckel, London

"I thought the storyline was intriguing. Nick, the main character, is very likeable. However, I found the blatant gay sex rather disturbing and difficult to watch. I suppose it is a reflection of some peoples' reality... but I don't see how doing it in a park is in anyway romantic or loving regardless of the reasons why! It seemed that this is what the film/book was trying to portray, which to me doesn't match real life."

Rachel, Ireland

"I loved this episode. It was so raw and it was great to see a show where there weren't just homosexual undertones but it was the main plotline and was shown.

Dan Stevens and Don Gilet are both amazing actors."

Martin Bailey, Birmingham

"I had been looking forward to this adaptation. In the absorbing, thoughtful book we learn about the characters as they learn about themselves, and are led into a fascinating dialogue on society, morality, and politics.

Contrast this to the first episode of what seemed like Hugh Grant meets Brideshead Revisited. A "cut the character development, let's get to the sex and drugs" approach gave us a shallow, fast moving in a bad way, confused, skittish, immensely disappointing and frankly very boring piece of television.

In my view this is a seriously wasted opportunity."

Anne Bramley, london

"I'm hooked! The characters are already defined, and quite believable. As for the love scenes, they were explicit, but very tasteful. Quite insightful actually."

Avril Douglas, London

"Dan Stevens as Nick is superb."

"I thought this was absolutely fantastic, creating an interesting and exciting drama which will undoubtedly draw viewers in. Dan Stevens as Nick is superb, combining a more gentle romantic nature with a more head-strong, sexually charged side to his personality.

All of the other cast members were strong, with Hayley Atwell's portrayal as the slightly damaged Catherine being particularly good. The plot was engaging and the sex scenes filmed brilliantly, showing the boys' sexual frustration alongside the more romantic aspect of their relationship."

Sara, Kent

"Well cast, and it really managed to retain the undertones and symbolism of the novel."

Mark, London

"One of the most beautifully made and stimulating dramas I have ever seen. Can't wait to see the next episode."

Mike Woodcock, London

"One of the most outstanding pieces of drama I have seen on the TV for years.

Beautifully filmed, sex, humour and great characters - what more could you ask for on a Wednesday night?"

Ian Beever, London

"It brought me back to ground and let me see it as it really would have been."

"I adored this. I kept thinking things were wrong, but I realised that I'd been so captivated by the book that I started to add to it in my imagination, by planting tulip bulbs in country drives and changing the decor.

What I've loved about the show so far is that it brought me back to ground and let me see it as it really would have been."

J. Stopforth, UK

"I browsed past BBC TWO last night not even knowing that The Line of Beauty was being adapted for television, let alone knowing that it was on at that moment.

Within seconds, after just two shots, I realized that those three people standing next to a Range Rover were Nick Guest and Gerald and Rachel Fedden. In my book, this means that the programme makers have really, really been doing something absolutely right."

Maarten, UK

"It was an exciting and amazing night when I watched this. I felt I was with Nick exploring his new world. He is a such charming and elegant dude, with enormous ardor and vigour. I was totally enthralled by the plot and scenes."

Forrest, UK

"The characters and the setting were just as I imagined they would be."

"The characters and the setting were just as I imagined they would be having read the book. Dan Stevens is superb as Nick and he is definitely a talent to look out for in the future. Top marks on what promises to be a great drama on the greed and excesses of Thatcherite Britain."

Fine Buliciri, London

"It was such a beautiful piece letting us into the intimate world of a politician and the even more intimate world of Nick and his sexuality. It grabbed my attention from the second it started and I cannot wait for the next episode."

Gillian Lavery, Ireland

"The most interesting thing was the relationship between Nick and "Cat". It had some funny moments. Dan Stevens played Nick very well. The episode lacked a cliffhanger at the end. Leo dumping Nick is not the sort of moment that will make people tune in next Wednesday. There was no real clue as to any interesting developments within the Fedden family that will provide the basis of episodes 2 and 3."

Paul, Newbury

"Being an admirer of Andrew Davies I was really looking forward to this adaptation, although I have not read the book. We have so little good drama these days that a well produced, thought-provoking and interesting serial is like an oasis in the desert of dross we are served up by the BBC.

I was absolutely shocked at the graphic sexual scenes between the two male characters. This programme was far too sexually explicit and the scenes of homosexual intercourse were gratuitous for the plot of the story. I felt embarrassed watching and am concerned for any young person who may have been seen this.

I will not be watching the next two episodes."

Susie Moloney, Lincolnshire

"Out-Poliakoffs Poliakoff, but period detail? Highly reminiscent of Poliakoff's work in themes and tone, but much better than latter's recent disappointments. I haven't read the novel but this was compelling nevertheless, and well acted and directed. Only one complaint - too little period detail. It needn't be obvious, but other than a few cars and no mobiles, it could have been 1996 or 2006. Hayley Atwell is a great find, though - perfect."

Chris Rogers, London

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