Since journalist Shaurya Shaurya relocated to Wales, there were two things that everyone insisted must be done. Firstly, to take in the stunning views at Bannau Brycheiniog, and secondly, to watch the popular BBC series Gavin and Stacey. Without hesitation, Shaurya experienced the breathtaking vistas from Pen-y-Fan, but was reluctant to tune into the TV show.
It seemed inconceivable that an entire nation could be captivated by their televisions every time a Christmas special was released. However, when the finale arrived, Shaurya witnessed first-hand how Cardiff’s St David’s shopping centre transformed in anticipation of the conclusion of Gavin and Stacey.
The palpable excitement and affection for the series finally persuaded Shaurya to give it a chance – and what a delight it turned out to be. But as Wales Online reports, there was one character and some elements that jarred.
From the very first episode, I was engulfed by a wave of nostalgia. While I understand this may not have been the reason many tuned in when it originally aired, I couldn’t help but feel it.
I was aged seven when the series first aired, so whenever Bryn would gawk over the constant marvels in technology, or someone would open their flip phone, I would instantly be taken back to a period when I, as a very little child, would look at these innovations as magic just waiting to unfold. More than that it was the show’s relatability that touched me the most. I am not from Wales, I am not even from the British Isles – the series had no business being as relatable to me as it was and yet it was very relatable.
That goes to show just how perfectly Ruth Jones and James Corden captivated the essence of family dynamics, though sometimes exaggerated for TV. The portrayal of little arguments, family secrets that will never be talked about, dining table conversations that turn chaotic without notice, and family getting together at weddings and festivals was as close as it could be to the real thing. This in particular made the viewing experience special for me.
The characters themselves were a treat to watch but the only thing I disliked about the series also came from a character: Smithy. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that the whole point in him being insufferable through a major part of the series was what made his development by the finale so satisfying to watch.
What I couldn’t and don’t think will ever be able to get my head around is that a man in his 20s was in a relationship with a schoolgirl, Lucy, and all the people around him just seemed to go with it. No matter how much the character developed by the end of the series I can never overlook the fact of that relationship.
Not to mention when Gavin asked Smithy why he liked going to foam parties and the whole conversation basically suggested that Smithy liked them because he could “touch up girls and they don’t know who it is.” Just plain disgusting. It’s not the 2025 “wokeness” that is making me write this – such a relationship or actions should never be normalised, not in seriousness nor in jest.
That said there was a lot to love about the show’s characters as its massive, almost surreal fan base will tell you. Everything from Nessa’s increasingly incredible stories to Gwen’s omelettes, Pam’s overreaction to almost everything, Gavin and Smithy’s bond, Dawn and Pete’s constant bickering, Bryn’s “small talk”, Stacey’s random moments of panic – they all make the series all the more fun to watch.
It was Gavin and Stacey’s storytelling being rooted in relatable real-life experiences that made it into the mammoth it is and one of the most-watched British sitcoms ever to exist. More than that it was the end that made the journey more fulfilling to embark upon. Giving characters their own individual conclusions, making you shed a tear or two when Neil The Baby sings – it was perfect.
I won’t go on a lot about the finale as much brighter minds than mine have already summarised it beautifully. I will say this: it is rare for a finale to give everything its audience wanted and more in the conclusion and Gavin and Stacey did exactly that. My only regret with the series is that I did not watch it sooner and couldn’t be a part of the excitement and anticipation that every episode brought.