42/30
Essex and Wales collide when Gavin and Stacey fall in love, bringing their friends, family and baggage with them. Apart from the scenes filmed on location in London in the first episode, the entire series was filmed in Wales, including the scenes set in Essex. The house that was used as the Shipmans' residence. The house (Gavin's family) is located in Dinas Powys, a village 1 mile north-west of Barry, where the Wests (Stacey's family) live. The cars have completely different registration numbers from previous series. Gavin's blue Saxo has changed from a T-reg (MY 1999) to an X-reg (MY 2000). Bryn's green Picasso has changed from a CV02 (MY 2002, registered in Cardiff) to an HV54 (MY 2004, registered in Portsmouth). They are clearly different cars. Featured in Gavin & Stacey: Outtakes (2007). Directed by Stephen Fretwell Performed by Stephen Fretwell. This was a delightful, short, minimal affair that took me two or three days to get through. It’s nothing mind-blowing, and it doesn’t move mountains or shift paradigms. Instead, it’s a character study of two (extended) families who come together—one from Wales, the other from England—after a couple bonds and gets married. It’s an easy, fun, and friendly watch. I wish there were more shows like this, where each of the characters is kind-hearted, loving, community-minded, and thinks about and expresses love for those in their lives, despite their flaws. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s not contrived either. It’s an honest slice of life, and it’s lovely. It’s not the fun slapstick comedy that British comedies tend to be. Instead, it’s character-driven. Highly recommended.