Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the new Gavin & Stacey
Christmas special.
We’re happy to say that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas episode was a complete triumph from start to finish.
Writers James Corden and Ruth Jones managed to deliver all of the laughs, all of the heart and all of the surprises that the show became known for during its first three seasons to the new festive special.
And while it was so great to have our beloved Pam Shipman back in our lives and always great to see Rob Brydon as Uncle Bryn, there was just something about seeing Ruth back in character as Nessa that felt... right.
From the moment we first clocked eyes on her, tattooing one of her exes in the arcade, we were smiling, and over the course of the hour-long episode, there was no end of iconic Nessa gags and one-liners.
These are some of our favourites...
1. Taking some artistic licence with her tattoo of Che Guevara...“I made it clear from the get-go that eyes are not my strong point, so I’ve done him wearing shades, alright?”
2. ...and then charging 60 quid for it, even though the sign said 40.“Oh! Darren! Stop messing with my head. Either you wants to give me something or you doesn’t.”
3. Pulling no punches when she found out Gavin and Stacey were giving each other kitchen cabinets for Christmas“I’m not gonna lie, Stace. That’s the worst present I ever heard of. And last year I gave Bryn some Strepsils.”
4. Over-sharing about her sex life, part one“I’ve had to be self-sufficient. Course, there’s been the odd skrag-end tossed my way on the island, but that don’t even touch the sides.”
5. This entire scene“Don’t worry, I takes cards. Though there is a £10 minimum.”
6. Her gravelly performance of Fairytale Of New YorkWe could probably have done without them doing the third verse in full – probably our only critique of the entire episode, actually – but we have to admit that, aside from that, this was a heartwarming moment.
7. Her subtle smile while watching Neil The Baby opening his Christmas presentsRuth Jones does a great job with Nessa’s more ridiculous moments, but she’s brilliant in the more nuanced scenes too.
8. Over-sharing about her sex life, part two“I was doing things I’ve not done since my time in the circus. Back bends, single leg cuts, uprises, the lot.”
9. Revealing she’s doing “Janu-hairy” in 2020“She looked like Craig David!”
10. Her almost-immediate facial reaction to Sonia’s arrival“I don’t think anything’s occuring…”
11. Giving everyone taps for Christmas “so there won’t be no rows” “If you’re unhappy with what you’ve been given, see if someone will swap, hot for cold, cold for hot, you gets the picture...”
12. And of course, that cliffhanger finaleHaving her get down on one knee was an inspired – though incredibly frustrating – choice. Surely, surely we’re going to get at least one more episode?
The Gavin & Stacey Christmas special is now streaming on the
BBC iPlayer.READ MORE... Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special Pays Fitting Tribute To The Late Margaret John Gavin & Stacey Newcomer Laura Aikman Reveals All About Joining TV's Most Dysfunctional Family BBC Defends Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special Including Uncensored Fairytale Of
New York Lyrics