Gavin and Stacey - first time I've watched it! No spoilers please!

[BurntBroccoli]

I'm not sure why I never watched this back in 2007, but have finally started watching this evening!
Up to the one where they just got married.

Smithy is a horrible character but I love, love, love Nessa!

The one bit that makes me shout at the TV is when Gavin says ‘Me grow up? I’m not the one who can’t spend 5 minutes away from family’ I shout ‘YOU HAVEN’T TRIED!’ 😄
Yes there’s no perfect character, they all have their flaws, their quirks. That’s what makes it brilliant

I know. Everyone on this thread is saying how spoiled Stacey is but I don’t think any of us would feel happy starting married life living with our in-laws.

They don’t do much either. She’s stuck bored at his house with his Mum and when she does suggest going out he says no (Dad’s doing his lamb). No wonder she’s miserable.

SPOILER

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Gavin is quite a boring young man in some ways (except for the foam - he loves the foam!) and he turns into a boring older man as well. Eg years later, three kids and he’s proud to be staying in and going to bed at 10pm on NYE. Stacey has to really work on him to rediscover that romantic spark. So true to life!!!

Stacey is spoilt though and constantly wants her own way. She is the most infuriating character at times and only happy when they lived back in wales !

But Gavin gets to have his own way. Stays at home with his mum running around after him but with his wife in his bed. Nothing changes for him.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned how dreadful Ness is. She doesn’t seem much of a friend. Always taking hospitality, money, food.

She's a monster and nobody seems to notice but that's part of the joke.

Absolutely. She’s mostly a comedy grotesque with moments of vulnerability. And the way everyone around her reacts is part of the comedy. You see how the Essex lot find her at first and then they just get used to it.

That’s kind of the point though. She’s objectively awful but no one notices/cares because she’s Nessa!

Amazing to realise just how many people must be re-visiting past seasons right now.

I have over two days - mostly overnight. Dawn’s wedding renewal vows - taken from the lyrics to Michael Jackson’s ‘Ben’, about a rat - were a highlight for me, as I remember being given that album for Christmas in whatever year it came out.

The whole thing is spectacularly well written and acted.

‘I thought she was grounded?’

’It doesn’t apply to horse-based events’.

Just watching now.

Haha I love that scene and cannot understand how they didn’t laugh through it- I could never have kept a straight face!

’if they had a friend……like Pete’

and then the ring 😂

The ring was hideous

Tho he wasn't wearing it in future episodes

I'm really looking forward to the Christmas special. I haven't rewatched series but I always leave it on if I come across it. My DH and I got married around the same time as Gavin and Stacey so watching their wedding recently took me back to mine. We'd picked some of the same things! As others have said, it's just so well observed regarding family life. Underneath it all, there's two really loving families coming together, which is sweet to watch. When alls said and done. At the end of the day. You know what I mean?

Nessa gets away with things because she is Nessa ! It's the whole point. I do love her character though
Stacey is spoilt and self absorbed. She was only happy when Gavin moved to wales
All of them are flawed though! Makes it real I think

Yes but when Stacey is homesick Gavin is basically quite a arsehole to her over it. You really get the sense that this whole living arrangement was something they’d never talked about properly. Neither of them comes out well over it.

Gavin doesn't understand how close she is to her mum. I do get that, but why marry someone who lives and works in Essex when he is the main earner ? She seemed to want her cake and eat it ( all the time )

Ooh, do you think that's why none of the other engagements worked out? She wasn't ready to move out from her mother's house? Never thought of that.

I'm rewatching G&S in preparation for the finale. I never realised Nessa was early forties in the first series . I assumed she was a similar age to the others (mid to late twenties) . Maybe a bit older but not nearly twenty years!!

Her age is a massive mystery. There are a few comments that suggest she is improbably old!

But they should have discussed this properly - he may earn more (we don’t know of course) but the cost of living is a lot cheaper in Barry so the arrangement they end up makes a lot more sense in that way. I think it’s intentionally shown as a consequence of them rushing things - you see the cracks start on their wedding day.

They didn’t discuss it as they’re basically big kids when they get married (in terms of
maturity, independence and adult communication skills). But the loving family rallies around this young couple who may otherwise have divorced and they have a long and happy marriage 😊

Pam, Dawn and Doris are the best characters.

I find Bryn creepy, not a fan of smithy, the teen girl friend when he's 28 hasn't aged well.

Love all the music though

I don't mind Uncle Bryn, but I do feel we are meant to be a bit creeped out by him at times as his so intense about everything!
His a kind of Alan partridge character only a bit more self aware.
Stacey's other ( numerous ) engagements didn't work out because she is just so needy ( me me me) .. can you tell I'm not a fan ! 😆
She probably binned them off because they didn't ring her back once !

And they get married nine weeks after they meet. They're in their mid-20s, so not meant to be seen as particularly young to be getting married.