Fans of the beloved BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey were left with tears of joy and disbelief after the long-awaited Christmas finale aired on December 25, 2023. This special episode, marking the first appearance of the main characters since the 2019 Christmas special, saw Smithy (James Corden) come to terms with his feelings, culminating in a romantic proposal to Nessa (Ruth Jones).
The 90-minute one-off episode began with Smithy preparing for his stag do as he was set to marry Sonia (Laura Aikman). The storyline, which captivated viewers five years ago with Nessa's cliffhanger proposal, took several unexpected turns. Much to the surprise of the audience, Smithy was at the altar, ready to say 'I do' to Sonia, causing gasps of dismay from the dedicated fanbase.
Viewers had been left hanging since the last episode, and reactions online reflected the blend of excitement and concern as many voiced their disbelief online. Shortly before the vows, Gavin stood up during the ceremony, voicing his concerns about Smithy’s choice. Soon several guests joined him, adding pressure to the situation. It wasn’t until Mick (Larry Lamb), who had become like family to Smithy, stood up against the wedding, prompting Smithy to make his fateful decision.
Feeling torn and inspired by the support of his friends and family, Smithy rushed to declare his love for Nessa. Dropping to one knee, he finally expressed his feelings: “I love you, Nessa and I always have. Well, not always, but most of the time... I love you, will you marry me?” Much to the delight of fans, Nessa joyfully accepted the proposal, and the pair exchanged vows at an impromptu wedding, complete with Nessa clad in black.
Reactions flooded social media platforms following the emotional episode. Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their elation. One user commented, “The whole group slowly standing up and then Smithy asking for Mick’s approval has gave me goosebumps.” Another gushed, “17 years later… FINALLY married and where they should be. Holy moly.” Others echoed sentiments of bittersweet nostalgia, praising the writers, mainly Corden and Jones, for crafting such heartfelt and entertaining storytelling.
Viewers were left with plenty to process after the thrilling episode. There were those who were disheartened by the premature actions of Smithy during the wedding, with one fan lamenting, “I heard the whole UK gasp” upon the reveal of Sonia as Smithy’s bride-to-be. Many fans noted how Sonia’s reappearance detracted from the romantic tension between Smithy and Nessa, with commentary like, “Gotta deal with the insufferable Sonia on Gavin and Stacey AGAIN?!”.
While speculations swirled about plot twists surrounding the characters, Corden had previously discussed wanting to mislead viewers with the finale’s story arc. Together with co-writer Ruth Jones, they teased audiences with years of speculation around the infamous fishing trip story involving Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) and Jason (Robert Wilfort)—yet left fans hanging yet again, diverging from expectations once more.
Following this year’s finale, fans discussed how emotional the wrap-up felt, adding, “Beautiful. Tidy ending. Crying happy tears for Nessa and Smithy but sad it’s the finale.” Social media interactions were filled with expressions of joy and sadness, with people sharing their reactions to the series ending and how much the characters meant to them. One viewer proclaimed, “That episode of Gavin and Stacey was incredible. What a perfect ending to the best show ever.”
Leading up to the finale, anticipation was high for this event as viewers had been longing for closure since the last few cliffhangers. The episode delivered not only emotional closures but also brought back fond memories of classic moments over the years.
Despite the emotional farewells, fans won’t be completely cut off from the world of Gavin and Stacey, as the creators have announced Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell, set to air on New Year’s Day at 7 p.m. on BBC One. This 60-minute documentary will revisit classic moments from the beloved show, celebrating what made the sitcom such a cherished part of British television.
The lengthy tenure of Gavin and Stacey highlighted the importance of relationships and the ups and downs of life, all wrapped up neatly with humor. With its heartfelt acknowledgments and well-worn character dynamics, the legacy of Gavin and Stacey undoubtedly leaves behind laughter and warmth for its millions of fans.
