48/19
Essex and Wales collide when Gavin and Stacey fall in love, bringing their friends, family and luggage with them. With the exception of 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’ House (Gavin’s family) is located in Dinas Powys, a village 1 mile northwest of Barry, where the Wests (Stacey’s family) live. In series 3, both Bryn and Gavin’s cars have completely different registration plates than in previous series. Gavin’s Blue Saxo has been changed from T-reg (MY 1999) to X-reg (MY 2000). Bryn’s Green Picasso has been changed from CV02 (MY 2002, registered in Cardiff) to HV54 (MY 2004, registered in Portsmouth). They are clearly different cars. Featured in Gavin & Stacey: Outtakes (2007). RunBy Stephen Fretwell Run by Stephen Fretwell. This was a delightful, short, minimal engagement that took me two or three days to complete. It’s nothing mind-blowing and it doesn’t move mountains or change paradigms. Rather, it’s a character study of two (extended) families who come together — one from Wales, the other from England — after a couple’s connection and marriage. It’s an easy, funny and friendly watch. I wish there were more series like it, where each of the characters is kind-hearted, loving, communicative and thinks about and expresses love for those in their lives, despite their faults. 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 laugh-out-loud comedy that British comedies often are. Rather, it’s character-driven. Highly recommended.