41/36
Essex and Wales collide when Gavin and Stacey fall in love, bringing their friends, family and luggage with them. Apart from the scenes filmed on location in London in the first episode, the entire series was filmed in Wales, including scenes set in Essex. The house used as Shipman House (Gavin’s family) is 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 numbers than in previous series. Gavin’s blue Saxo has changed from T-reg (my year 1999) to X-reg (my year 2000). Bryn’s green Picasso has changed from CV02 (MY 2002, registered in Cardiff) to HV54 (MY 2004, registered in Portsmouth). They are obviously different cars. Featured in Gavin & Stacey: Outtakes (2007). RunBy Stephen Fretwell Performed by Stephen Fretwell. This was a lovely, short, minimal undertaking that took me two or three days to complete. It’s nothing mind-blowing and it’s not a mountain-moving or paradigm-shifting affair. Instead, 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 a simple, fun, friendly watch. I wish there were more shows like this where each of the characters is kind-hearted, loving, together, thinking about and expressing love for those in their lives, despite their flaws. 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 slapstick comedy that British comedies often are. Instead, it’s character-driven.