Gavin & Stacey – Season 1 DVD

Gavin & Stacey definitely is a gem of British television. This season originally aired in May and June of 2007, and the show has won several British Academy Television Awards and British Comedy Awards. There is also a second series, and the story is (following the Christmas special of 2008) that a third is on the way.

The show starts out with Gavin and Stacey, who have spoken on the phone daily for months by way of their jobs, finally meeting in the flesh. Gavin is in England, and Stacey in Wales, and their meet is something of an adventure. A blind date with a long bus trip attached, the couple bring their best mates along for the ride. But, when things go exceptionally well on the date, the question of where things go now becomes rather tricky. Work awkwardness aside, both Gavin and Stacey seem to have some idea what it would mean for their lives if things didn’t work out, but now what?

After the second episode, the show really hits its stride. With the groundwork laid out, the intense look at these two people dealing with their extremely sudden, thoroughly odd relationship can really swing into high gear. They’re a wild pair, and adding their mates (and that relationship) into the mix really sends things over the edge.

Those mates, Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones), are a wild pair themselves, and counter Gavin and Stacey’s general normalcy by pushing outrageous to new lengths. Smithy is loud, always on, and takes “speaking your mind” to new heights. Nessa manages to take rude and obnoxious to such an artform level that it turns likable. This pair (also the writers of the show) keep things from falling into routine, and serve to let us know right out of the gates what kind of game we’re playing. They are by no means the oddest of characters we’re going to run into, and the long-term brilliance of the show rests largely with the host of odd support that shows up. The show gets much of its speed by way of the people who are forced together as a result of Gavin and Stacey’s relationship.

Picture Shows: (L-R) Gavin (MATHEW HORNE) and Stacey (JOANNA PAGE) BBC THREE, TBC

In the grand tradition of recent, British, couples comedy efforts like Coupling and Cold Feet, Gavin and Stacey builds its charm and devilish comedy simply by “being British” with almost reckless abandon. While the show is remarkably funny, especially in its best moments, it is the sort of comedy that requires a serious investment in its characters. Much like Coupling, you have to connect with, understand, and accept the characters first, or the comedy won’t get anywhere.

It’s instant classic television pushed by great characters, including a brilliantly-written extended cast, piles of charm, and lots of laughs.

The DVD release is an absolute win as well. There are a truly surprising number of very worthwhile special features for a release like this.

“How it Happened” is a 25-minute feature in which the writers and just about all of the actors talk about how the show came together, their favorite scenes, and much more. It includes scenes gone wrong, episodes that were particularly fun to do, and where the inspiration for many aspects of the show came from. It also gives some background on how the actors made it to the show, with some audition clips included.

Picture Shows: (Foreground L-R) Gavin (MATHEW HORNE) and Stacey (JOANNA PAGE). (Background L-R) Nessa (RUTH JONES), Pam (ALISON STEADMAN), Mick (LARRY LAMB and Smithy (JAMES CORDEN) BBC THREE

“Outtakes” is a pretty standard clip reel that runs around five minutes.

“Behind the Scenes in Leicester Square” is just what it sounds like, and is included (along with a clip from the show) below thanks to the people at Warner Bros.

Also included, and it’s really a treat, are commentary tracks for the first three episodes by writers Ruth Jones and James Corden, and director Christine Gernon. These are brilliant commentaries and really make the DVD a great purchase.

Check out the official site