Gavin & Stacey : Complete BBC Series 2 [2007] - DVD (Ruth Jones, James Corden, Mathew Horne, Joanna Page - Dir: )

The first series of Gavin and Stacey brought the show richly-deserved BAFTA recognition, and left the two title characters married by the time it came to an end. Series two picks things up from there, as they settle into married life, and the challenges that ultimately brings.

Never forgetting its comedic roots, Gavin and Stacey now follows the pair, and the collection of characters around them, as they adjust to married life. It doesn’t take, for instance, for Stacey’s homesickness to kick in, while the programme also takes time to spend time with their friends, Nessa and Smithy, as they too evaluate their relationship (and impending baby!).

In lesser hands, Gavin and Stacey’s ingredients could easily go sour. But thanks to some terrific scripting, and quite exceptional performances, it gels superbly well. Much of the credit should go, of course, to Mathew Home and Joanna Page’s endearing performances in the title roles, as well as James Corden and Ruth Jones for their exceptional writing work (the pair also play the aforementioned Nessa and Smithy in the show).

Eschewing gimmicks and cheap lines in favour of three dimensional characters and genuine laughs, Gavin and Stacey is a television gem, and one that deserves to find a wider audience. Hopefully, this DVD release will help to redress that. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews of Gavin & Stacey : Complete BBC Series 2 [2007]

Peter Davies
Vancouver, Canada
20th October 2008

It's just like home - 30 years ago!
Having left my home and native land some 30 years ago to go and live west of the Rockies I was thrilled to be introduced to this series for a birthday present.
The cars, and certainly the gadgets, may be different now, but the characters, the ups and downs of everyday life and all the absurdities are no different. When I was young, we were the Welsh and they - the English - were them. Related, we knew we had to tolerate one another, but at times it was a challenging truce (perhaps like the relationships in the series?)!
Now looking at England and Wales from the outside many years later, the two have far more in common than differences. However, in North America, Britain is called 'England' and I'm quite often asked if I'm English. "No" I reply, more in an educational tone than anything else, "I'm Welsh or British, but I'm not English!" This television series takes the best from both cultures and highlights the hilariousness of each while respecting both equally. I really hope the two series come to North America in order to show the quality of British comedy, and to show there is more to 'England' than England.

Generally very critical
Barnes, London
5th October 2008

The best thing since Peep show
Infact, this is better than Peep show. It's a funny look at real life, and at no point do you think "that would never happen". Every epsiode practically has me peeing myself with laughter.
Although its called Gavin and Stacey, I actually think the show is all about Smithy, Nessa and Bryn, as well as Gavin's parents, as they are the best characters. I've lent series one to loads of people, and they've all loved it. I can't reccommend it enough.
Comedy genius.

Hunnybee
London
25th June 2008

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEY ALL IS SAID AND DONE!!!
What a fantastic comedy, Britain has been lacking a good heart warming comedy for years and now its here Gavin and Stacey,What a fantastic bunch of characters from Smiffy and Ness to Gav's mum and Dad, I bet everyone knows a family or a character they can relate to,I know i do!!!
Its the type of programme you can watch again and again and you will pick up on a few puns you missed before. Cracking highly reccomended and the 2nd series does not let you down just like the 1st.Watch it...

SeeeTeee

24th June 2008

Loving this show here in America
I'm an American and while I don't get every reference (especially about geographic differences and lesser-known celebs), I'm really enjoying the world that Gavin and Stacey has created.

I don't want to watch the last two episodes because I don't want it to be over. And I had no idea that Nessa was the bartender from Little Britain. That's so cool. I love the words she uses to describe things. It's really smart and funny even though it's basically "a day in the life" type of a show.

The music and tv shows coming out of England make me really sad for my corporate controlled, cookie-cutter entertainment produced here.

Boris the Spider

30th May 2008

Tidy
Great again. The greater emphasis on Nessa and Smiffy in the second series is understandable (given the writers and the natural story-arc) and effective (given the quality of the product). I thoroughly enjoyed this comedy from the first episode of the first series. No weak points, no nastiness (except for the hilarious bickering couple), no wasted screen time.

And Uncle Bryn has inspired me to thank my sat-nav every time it gives me an instruction. What more do we need from a comedy series?