Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gavin and Stacey isn't funny amymore

371 replies

PheasantPluckers · 27/12/2024 00:37

Is it just me? I don't think it's aged well at all, I thought the finale was rubbish!

OP posts:
CarobyBlobs · 27/12/2024 06:32

Joystir59 · 27/12/2024 01:25

I liked it but thought Bryn, the only gay character should have found love in the finale, rather than Gwyn and Dave getting together. I disliked what they did with Bryn's character, making him dark and pervy

Edited

Bryn was always a bit pervy - calling Gavin and Smithy lovely looking boys, hugging them for a bit too long, trying to kiss them under the mistletoe, getting Gavin to feel his pecs, setting up his bachelor pad, being excited about all the drunk stag party being in his house.

its not a new thing!

Bixterret · 27/12/2024 06:37

It was tired and not funny. Definitely past it's sell by !

IglesiasPiggl · 27/12/2024 06:40

I think we needed to have this final installment and I'm glad we got it. It had a definite flavour of "it all worked out eventually". I loved Neil the baby's song, I think that really crystallised how much older they have all become. Could have done without the tedious drawing out of the fishing trip gag though. It's so tired now.

ImDuranDuran · 27/12/2024 06:46

It's interesting how writing styles change so much over time, it makes me wonder are things being 'forced' to give the people what they want?

Some of the most mundane things from the earlier episodes just wouldn't be used now but at the time were soooo cleverly written and while maybe not laugh-out-loud funny it just made sense!

"Ohhh it was your John! Stepbrother John! You know he's been to Nepal three times?"

GhostOrchid · 27/12/2024 06:47

It’s always been more amiable than particularly funny and I think the strong supporting cast do a lot of heavy lifting. Despite its broad strokes, it does manage to capture something about British ordinariness.

I’ve always been a bit baffled by its juggernaut status though. Mum, which has lots of similarities with G&S, is much better and more sharply written, imho.

Createausername1970 · 27/12/2024 06:48

I enjoyed it and I was happy with how it ended.

It was more emotional than laugh out loud for me, and I did shed a tear when Neil the baby sang his song.

I had unanswered questions, the main one being why wasn't Neil the baby at his parents wedding? I know the final snapshot was all the main characters, which he wasn't, but he could have been the one taking the photo.

ImDuranDuran · 27/12/2024 06:50

Oh and the 'fight' scene from the original Christmas special when G&S announce his promotion and move to Barry is just 5-10 minutes of comedy genius. When you compare that to the latest two episodes I can understand peoples' frustration.

Radishknot · 27/12/2024 06:51

For those who found it funny, which were the bits where you laughed?

The Cossack dancing

Funderthighs · 27/12/2024 06:53

I’m not gonna lie….it was proper lush.

Kashmiri24 · 27/12/2024 06:54

I loved it and I really hope there isn't a spin off series featuring any of the remaining characters.

I loved Pam telling everyone - in front of her husband - how much she was looking forward to her second life when she was widowed and had downsized to a lovely little apartment with a younger gentleman friend.

It was a nice ending although part of me felt a bit sorry for bridezilla Sonia, who just wanted a wedding and wasn't particularly bothered about the groom.

MikeRafone · 27/12/2024 06:57

it was predictable story line,
I got bored 🥱 midway & wanted them to wrap it up quicker
it was mildly entertaining
no laugh out loud moments for me
happy ending, a few smiles

yes, it’s run its course

Radishknot · 27/12/2024 07:00

I loved Pam telling everyone - in front of her husband - how much she was looking forward to her second life when she was widowed and had downsized to a lovely little apartment with a younger gentleman friend.

yeah that made me laugh too, very Pam.

Calmhappyandhealthy · 27/12/2024 07:00

I loved Pam telling everyone - in front of her husband - how much she was looking forward to her second life when she was widowed and had downsized to a lovely little apartment with a younger gentleman friend

Oh yes! And Mick saying that there are a couple of likely ladies at the golf club 🤣

ChessieFL · 27/12/2024 07:03

Createausername1970 · 27/12/2024 06:48

I enjoyed it and I was happy with how it ended.

It was more emotional than laugh out loud for me, and I did shed a tear when Neil the baby sang his song.

I had unanswered questions, the main one being why wasn't Neil the baby at his parents wedding? I know the final snapshot was all the main characters, which he wasn't, but he could have been the one taking the photo.

He was at their wedding! Sitting in the front row. And seen in the pub afterwards. He just wasn’t in the final photo.

fuzzychic · 27/12/2024 07:03

The thing is with the last one ever is it's bound to be more sentimental and "for the fans" than rip roaring hilarious. There were definitely moments of humor in it though.

Wherehavetheyallgone · 27/12/2024 07:09

I don't think it was ever funny. Or at least I just didn't get it. In the days I watched TV, I would rapidly turn over whenever it came on. Just too try-hard and 'rough and ready' somehow.

FiveWhatByFiveWhat · 27/12/2024 07:13

Bits I liked -

Stacey in the weird glasses.

Pam and Mick still having fun and being in love in matching robes!

Dawn and Pete still being ridiculous.

Smithy and Mick - really touching moments.

Ness saying goodbye to Neil - the only moment I got properly emotional.

Nobody knowing the friends real names.

The ending.

Bits I really didn't like -

Bryn being over the top - I know he's always been ott but he just came off as a dick in this episode a few times and they seemed to forget that for all his lack of awareness, he used to be kind, warm, protective and in awe of really mundane things. I missed the real Bryn.

Gwen and Dave - just didn't sit right for me. I'm glad Gwen has somebody after putting everyone else first for years and I know they needed the bus... But it just felt odd. And I hated Dave calling her what he used to call Ness, because that's not Gwen I don't think. She should have her own pet name!

I actually enjoyed Sonia's character in the 2019 one because she was an outsider who was understandably baffled by the families antics. You could see her and Smithy didn't fit, but it wasn't too far fetched. Fast forward to 2024, they're getting married after a 5 year engagement and we've no idea what either sees in the other. The actress did a great job, but I think giving even tiny flashes of why they're even together in the first place would have done a lot more for the story.

ColinOfficeTrolley · 27/12/2024 07:14

It was never funny. Or clever. It's for people who need to be spoon fed their humour

Jumell · 27/12/2024 07:15

The best bit about it was Anna Maxwell Martin was it not ?

luckylavender · 27/12/2024 07:17

Yellowcakestand · 27/12/2024 00:46

Hyped up rubbish. Left saying was that it

No one forced you to watch

AsTheLightFades · 27/12/2024 07:18

PheasantPluckers · 27/12/2024 00:37

Is it just me? I don't think it's aged well at all, I thought the finale was rubbish!

You are completely correct!
Tbh I became disinvested during the last series, so unlike the rest of the country (seemingly), wasn't hyper about this episode. Glad I wasn't; it was boring, predictable and out of time.
If I never hear about barry island again, my life will still be worth living!

BerriesCones · 27/12/2024 07:20

I found it jarring when Nessa scammed the elderly couple at the beginning. Also a bit frustrating that Smithy would have just not responded to being proposed to and not mentioned it. Neil could have had years living with both parents instead of only when he was an adult.

RadioCountdown · 27/12/2024 07:21

I loves it I does.

I think if you are Welsh there are aspects of the humour that may escape you. ‘Neil the baby’ for example is poking fun at how lots of Welsh families call their youngest ‘the baby’ way past ‘baby’ stage. It’s lush it is.

buttonousmaximous · 27/12/2024 07:23

The three series were funny. The 2019 episode was ok. This one was better, not all laughs but a few and a bit of nostalgia

Sparkle123r · 27/12/2024 07:24

I loved it. Been watching them all again in the lead up with a teenager that had never watched it, she loved it too. There were so many throw backs jokes, and also outfits that have been worn in past episodes. There are lots of jokes, that probably wouldn't be PC enough to be broadcast now, so that's a challenge in itself making a new episode now.

It's not everyones cup of tea, and that's ok. For me, it gave me an ending that I was satisfied with, made me laugh along the way and gave me good nostalgia vibes. Plus an hour and a half with all my family, as we all wanted to watch it ☺️