Fake vegetarianism, John Prescott, a fishing trip and a chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan and nine poppadoms.
Created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who also star as Smithy and Nessa, Gavin and Stacey first aired in 2007. The sitcom follows Gavin (Matthew Horne) from Billericay, Essex, and Stacey (Joanna Page) from Barry, South Wales, whose relationship brings their eccentric families together.
Earlier this year it was announced by Corden and Jones that their beloved sitcom would be making one last appearance. They took to social media stating: ‘We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day.’
One of the reasons Gavin and Stacey resonates so deeply with viewers is its portrayal of simple, often mundane moments. Gavin and Stacey are just an ordinary couple who met over the phone through their office jobs, and their families, though quirky, feel incredibly relatable.
Now, by 'normal,' I mean that they are wonderfully dysfunctional. Many of us know people like this, and watching them on screen feels like seeing our own families, with all their flaws and charm.
In many ways the show isn’t about its two title characters. While Gavin and Stacey are central to the plot, it is their families and friends who create the most memorable and hilarious moments. Personally, I think that Gavin and Stacey are my least favourite characters in the show.
Smithy and Nessa's relationship, with its underlying tension and unspoken feelings, is often more intriguing than Gavin and Stacey’s relatively stable romance. Their ongoing dynamic became a central part of the show, particularly with Nessa's surprise proposal to Smithy in the 2019 Christmas Special.
The soundtrack features a great mix of 80s, 90s, and early 2000s tracks, and proves a perfect match for the characters. It is yet another way that the show masters its portrayal of a realistic dysfunctional 2000s family. One of my favorite things about the show is that whenever I hear one of these songs on the radio or on TikTok, I can instantly picture the key moments from the show, because they’re so memorable. The show’s theme tune ‘Run’ by Stephen Fretwell, ‘Last Request’ by Paolo Nutini and ‘You’ve got the Love’ by Florence and the Machine are my personal favourites.
For me, the BBC's Gavin and Stacey has always been synonymous with Christmas. My older cousin introduced me to it on a cold Boxing Day many years ago, and we ended up binge-watching all three seasons in one go. That memory has stayed with me ever since, so now, whenever I think of the show, I’m transported back to that moment. But over the years, it’s become a comfort show, one I turn to no matter the season.
So this year, what can we expect from the 90 minute episode?
The BBC’s synopsis reads:
'The final ever episode of this much-loved comedy classic. It's five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her...
'And a lot has happened in those five years. In Barry, Bryn's packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex, Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their 17-year marriage, and Gwen is behaving most strangely.
'Nessa's started a new business venture and Neil the Baby's about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad...
'Over in Billericay, Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room, and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn's relationship.’
With teasers, photos and a video trailer coming out over the past few weeks, we have been given a taste on what's to come on Christmas day. But, I believe we should expect the unexpected.
The stills and trailer reveal little about the plot, focusing mainly on scenes of partying. As a result, fans have been left to speculate and form their own theories. There’s not much indication that this will be a traditional Christmas special, as there are few decorations and plenty of sunshine. Some fans believe Smithy accepted Nessa's proposal, and we’ll finally see their wedding. Others think the Christmas celebration could take place in the summer, due to them killing off Gwen, with the holiday being celebrated early.
Personally, I think (and kind of hope) we won’t find out what happened on the fishing trip as it would spoil all the fun and mystery. The idea of killing off a cast member doesn’t sit well with me either, though maybe that’s just because I don’t want to be in tears on Christmas Day. Perhaps we won’t even see Smithy say yes to Nessa’s proposal; maybe someone will interrupt the moment just as it’s about to happen, leaving us hanging.
As we eagerly anticipate the final episode of Gavin and Stacey, it’s clear that saying goodbye to these beloved characters won’t be easy. Whatever the outcome, whether it's a wedding, a nasty twist, or a heartfelt farewell, we can be sure that the final chapter will bring closure to the characters we've laughed with, cried over, and come to love like family.
