Gavin & Stacey - Christmas Special [DVD]

This Gavin & Stacey special was shown on BBC1 on Christmas Eve 2008. The first two series were on BBC3 and then repeated on BBC1 as it had become so popular. I just the wish BBC had had the courage to screen this on Christmas Day instead of the dismal special of The Royle Family.

This special is based around the Shipmans and the Wests all having Christmas Day in Essex. It's an hour long instead of 30 minutes but doesn't flag at all. All the regulars are here - this is a real ensemble comedy. We get to see Nessa's bath routine, Uncle Bryn enthusing about Mint Baileys, Mick loving his turkey and Pete and Dawn having another row! Oh, and Gavin & Stacey drop a bombshell about their future plans!
For me however the highlight was Smithy and the relationship with his son Neil (and Dave's part in his life). There is a scene that will really tug at your heart strings and is wonderfully underplayed and directed.

The DVD 'extra' is the documentary about the making of the episode, "12 Days of Christmas".

This would make a wonderful Christmas present for yourself and anyone else that appreciates great comedy. Lush!

Christmas specials must be hard to live up to after the runaway success of two brilliant series. However, James Corden and Ruth Jones have pulled it off. Every character gets great lines, with the writers showing a complete lack of vanity and letting everyone shine.

Highlights include Nessa as Santa ("Oh Oh Oh!"), Dave Coaches stopping at an arcade to play a driving game to "have a break from all the driving", Uncle Bryn's astonishment and delight at Mint Baileys, Gavin's Dad asking when Eastenders was on (Larry Lamb is of course, Archie Mitchell in Eastenders at the moment), the whole room breaking into Frank Butcher impressions, Nessa giving everybody a single Cadburys celebration for Christmas, Stacey and Ness asking if Russell Brand gives them a mention in "Booky Wook" (Gavin's face is a picture), Mick's comedy ears whilst in bed with Pamela...the list is endless.

With a total lack of sentimental music or canned laughter, the comedy is actually stronger for its subtlety and we have already watched it four times and found new stuff to laugh at.

However, with all good comedies, there is a heart at the centre of it, and with just a few awkward silences and uncharacteristic speechlessness from Smithy, the pain of watching another man raise his child is all too poignant. Ruth Jones plays Nessa with integrity too, despite her hard edges, and can do more with those expressive black rimmed eyes than pages of a script could in lesser hands. You get the feeling Nessa can see right into Smithy.

All in, every Christmas ingredient is here: the drunkenness, the rows, the turkey recipe, the banter, the silly hats, the family announcements, and damn it, they even end with a song, in a way that makes it heartwarming rather than forced.

A lot of loose ends are thrown up and there's plenty here for a new series. I believe Ruth and James have finally been persuaded and as a fan, I am happy it's in such reliable hands.

The only negative thought I had while watching this was "This may be the last ever" and that is too sad to contemplate.

If you are wondering whether or not to buy this, I advise you to watch a substantial number of previous episodes first so that you become familiar with the characters and get to know the running jokes, otherwise omelettes and fishing trips (for example) will leave you cold.

Beautiful piece of writing, top class acting. Oh please make another!