Wales and England unite in cracking comedy (Gavin & Stacey - Series 1 & 2 (DVD))

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Gavin & Stacey - Series 1 & 2 (DVD)
Date:	29/05/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: funny

Disadvantages: the negative bits

Gavin and Stacey has been the 'show of the moment', and now you can get both seasons for £15, which is a real bargain. Bear in mind, this doesn't include the latest Christmas special, but all 6 episodes from series 1, and all 6 from series 2.

When I first heard about this show I was dubious. The show focuses on Welsh Stacey and Essex lad Gavin, who fall in love. A lot of the comedy comes through the Welsh-ness of Stacey and her family and friends, and the Essex-ness of Gavin and co, which is what worried me about the show; it seemed to me that it was trying to hit on the comic strengths of The Royle Family, a comedy based around a Manchester family. As a huge fan of the Royles, I thought this could never match up to it. Still, friends recommended it, so I began watching it anyway.

Like The Royle family, it isn't your standard comedy. There aren't obvious gags or jokes, with most of the laughs coming through the characters themselves. Gavin and Stacey are, ironically, two of the weakest, most one dimensional characters. Of much more interest are Smithy and Nessa, played by James Cordon and Ruth Jones (who wrote the show). These two are where much of the comedy lies. In particular, Nessa is the most hilarious TV character I've come across in years - she's a tough, brash, big girl who's been everywhere and done everything. Upfront and confident, she's the perfect match for equally large Smithy, a jack the lad with a quick tongue. Against all their wishes, the two become romantically entwined.

My favourite character comes in Stacey's uncle Bryn, played by Rob Brydon. Brydon is a veteran of character acting, and creates the perfect role in closet homosexual Bryn (that's my opinion by the way). This guy is just so funny, and between him, Smithy and Nessa, there are many laugh out loud moments.

One thing I struggled with is the occasional negative events in the storyline. I won't give away what they are, but for me and my wife they seemed unnecessary and unwarranted - what's wrong with everything going well? Perhaps this is just the writing naivety of the young creators, but it really upsets the balance of the show, and left me asking why do that?

In conclusion, it's funny, it's young, it's risqué and well acted - give it a go!

Summary: do it