Writers Ruth Jones and James Corden are fantastic when it comes to giving enough attention to the poignant scenes among the more farcical ones – something I think sets this comedy drama well apart from a lot of silly tat posing as comedy on the BBC. The scene in which Gavin and Stacey drove up to Essex immediately after the appointment was very moving, with the two characters utterly strained and unable to talk, but offering just a glance or a hand-squeeze in support of each other. Hopefully this signals the beginning of the demise of Dave Coaches. He is a continuous irritation for everyone, including his fiancée. He made a right baggage of himself in this episode, by being an obnoxious backstreet driver in Bryn’s car, then by attempting to drag Nessa and Neil the baby away from the renewal before Smithy had managed to spend any quality time with his son. He’s absolutely got to go. As ever, the small and quick-fire details in the writing were the real treasure: Pete and Bryn have apparently become online friends on Facebook and Twitter; Pamela watches the film Doubt but names the star actor as Philip Dustin Hoffman instead of Philip Seymour Hoffman, as we all might well do in an absent-minded moment; Pamela thinks the expression is “ours is not to question while” which Mick decides is incorrect but makes some sort of sense; Dawn asserts “we’re only renewing our vows; we’re not Louise and Jamie Redknapp.” It’s absolutely these small, natural elements peppered into the script that make the world of the show so familiar and charming. Read our review of episode 3 here.
