Gavin and Stacey review: Last-ever episode a fitting farewell after 17 years
Dave Coaches (Steffan Rhodri), Smithy (James Corden), Pam (Alison Steadman), Stacey (Joanna Page), Bryn (Rob Brydon), and Jason (Robert Wilfort) during Gavin and Stacey: The Finale. Picture: Tom Jackson/BBC
It’s been 17 years coming and Gavin and Stacey: The Finale delivered comedy, emotion and an almost-fishing trip revelation to satisfy the most long-term of fans.
Five years ago, the last Christmas special ended on a cliffhanger: Nessa proposed to Smithy and the credits rolled before his answer was revealed. Half a decade and one pandemic later, we find the Barry Island residents travelling to Essex for Smithy’s wedding — but not to Nessa. Smithy is instead engaged to Sonia, who we met in the last Christmas special, and the gang reunite for his stag and her hen, where it becomes clear just how ill-suited they are.
Neil the Baby, the result of Nessa and Smithy’s turbulent fling soon after they first met, is nearing adulthood, now 16 and about to move to Essex from Barry to start an apprenticeship with his dad.
Smithy can’t wait for what he describes as the most important day of his life: the stag. Gavin’s parents Pam and Mick host a night-before-the-stag do party, the perfect occasion to catch up with the titular couple and their loved ones. Sonia warns Smithy not to miss his suit fitting the following morning so, naturally, we see the event descend into chaos as a bottle of Swedish vodka is passed among the group like water.
Bryn drinks too much, Gavin and Stacey attempt to spice up their love life with a little role play and stumble into bed only to find recently divorced Dawn and Pete reuniting between the sheets, and the next morning — well, afternoon — sees Smithy passed out in a bathtub having slept through his suit fitting appointment, early stag plans and 48 missed calls from Sonia.
At the hen, Stacey, Nessa, Pam, and Gwen are unimpressed by Sonia’s selfie-snapping friends. A party game to see how well Sonia knows Smithy shows she doesn’t know any answers to deep questions, but Nessa can fill in the blanks correctly. They leave after their surprise stripper goes down like a lead balloon with Sonia.
At home in Wales, Stacey, Jason, Nessa, and Bryn discover Dawn is in a relationship with Nessa’s ex-fiancé, Dave Coaches. When Bryn becomes angry that she was keeping a secret Gwen turns the tables and asks him what happened on his infamous fishing trip with Jason. Bryn says Dave knows the truth and asks him to reveal all. Just as we near a revelation from a horrified-looking Dave, Bryn and Jason are saved by the smoke detector and the fishing trip, thankfully, remains a mystery. Some things are better left to the imagination.
The wedding day dawns and Smithy’s loved ones are concerned he is making a mistake, but afraid to speak up. Nessa, meanwhile, is travelling to Southampton to start a six-month job at sea. The ceremony begins with a song from Neil the Baby, a beautiful rendition of ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles.
Finally, Gavin interrupts to tell Smithy they think he’s making a mistake. The celebrant asks the congregation to stand if they agree with Gavin and most of Smithy’s side of the room rises to their feet. However, Gavin’s dad Mick’s stand decides things for Smithy and he’s swiftly off to Southampton on Dave Coaches’ bus.
They make it in time to stop Nessa and Smithy asks her to propose again. She refuses, saying she only asks a question once. So instead, Smithy asks her to marry him.
The series ends with their wedding — a much more down-to-earth affair that rings true to both the couple and the group of friends and family we’ve all grown to love over almost two decades. The 90-minute finale is a heartwarming conclusion to the beloved comedy and a masterclass in drawing a long-running show to a close.
