TV REVIEW: Gavin & Stacey – Season 3

The final season of Gavin & Stacey kicks off with Gavin (Mathew Horne) starting his new job in Cardiff, having moved to Barry to be closer Stacey (Joanna Page). Nessa (Ruth Jones) is now living with her fiance, Dave (Steffan Rhodri) and Neil, the baby, in Dave’s caravan, while Smithy (James Corden) remains in Essex.

To be honest season 3 of the series has rather an odd mishmash of storylines. With most of the main characters now in Wales, it’s like the writers don’t really know what to do with Essex crew, and even a massive party at Mick and Pam’s doesn’t really work.

Gavin and Stacey decide to try and have a baby but Gavin doesn’t realise that Stacey has been secretly trying anyway, which throws a spanner in the works. It’s kind of amusing but it also makes you wonder a bit her character, especially when you add in her six past engagements.

There’s also the unresolved feelings between Nessa and Smithy, which I have always found hard to buy. I get the idea of them being weirdly sexually attracted to each other but Nessa is a fucking legend. She is one of a kind. Smithy is a giant, annoying man-child who is not worthy of her little toe. I found it impossible to root for them being together and this story line did nothing for me.

I kind of wonder if maybe two seasons of Gavin & Stacey was enough. It started so well but season 3 is very much a damp squib and left me feeling flat. There are funny moments but it doesn’t live up to past seasons and even Nessa arriving at her wedding in a gold dress on some kind of cart, isn’t enough to save it.

Disappointing.

2.5/5