British movie makers and TV show makers love the slow burn. These shows can be off-putting to a lot of American viewers who prefer action-based programming. What keeps them popular is the bang at the end that makes viewer say, "Wow!" I've been finding more often, American programming is going this way. Such as Bridges of Madison County...slow burn, big emotional ending. As apposed to Gran Torino which starts with angst right away and carries through the movie, but then ends with another type of emotional sweetness that really tells us about the character of Walt Kowalsi...a man who was really a sentimental and emotional character on the inside but who's had to mask that from years of hurt.

Another observation with British movies and TV is that the Brits, generically speaking, don't like showing their emotions. They make a lot of suspense and mysteries, but fewer romances or sentimental stories.

I'm an American living in Ireland at the moment so notice a lot of differences like this...