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The
third series of the BAFTA Award-winning comedy finds a terrible,
tragic accident bringing a conclusion to the stories of some
of the strange inhabitants of Royston Vasey...
When
the third season of The League of Gentlemen was first
show on television it received very mixed reviews - most bad.
I have to admit that I was not a huge fan of the third series.
I missed a few episodes, something I couldn't do with the
first two series, and wasn't really that bothered. I remember
thinking that it wasn't as subtle, not as well written and
the jokes were too few.
So,
it was with some apprehension that I agreed to review this
video. I was expecting to come out all guns blazing and tear
it to pieces. But time has a funny way of distorting memories.
I watched the first episode and was surprised at how well
it was scripted, how well acted and how funny the jokes were.
The music has been jazzed up and the laughter track has vanished.
Series three is a totally different vehicle from the previous
two series. Gone are the quick, short sketches and in comes
some complex storytelling. Each episode takes one of the familiar
characters from Royston Vasey and puts them at the centre
of a tall tale.
It
was while watching this series again that I realised how brave
the writers had been to take a much loved series and turn
it on its head. But the changes were necessary to keep the
series fresh and at the forefront of comedy. Something that
they have achieved, and better than could have been expected.
It would have been so easy for them to have been lazy and
churn out another collection of gags (ALA The Fast Show)
with the same punchlines time and time again. Tubbs and Edwards:
"Are you local?"; Doctor Chinnery's :"I'm afraid
I have some rather depressing news!"; or Peter Papa Lazarou's:
"Hello Dave!" (Okay there is a little bit of that
last one in season three).
The
first epsiode sees Edward and Tubbs brought back to life.
"A Swizz!" I hear you cry. But worry not. There
is a very legitimate reason for bringing them back, and it
makes for an excellent opening.
The
six episodes bring back familiar characters. There is Pauline
and her new love; Lance, the local one armed joke shop proprietor
and his desire to be perfect; Injection blow moulding engineer
Geoff and his dream to make people laugh; And a three way
love triangle between three of Royston Vasey's familiar residents.
All
six episodes are tried together with the same ending, but
from a different perspective - an ending that in the final
episode neatly wraps everything up. This season also sees
the introduction of some new characters, a few deaths (actually
a lot of deaths), some bizarre sexual revelations and the
truth behind why all the Royston Vasey women have been disappearing.
There
are also excellent cameos by Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen (who
really takes the Mickey out of himself) and Christopher Eccleston.
New characters include teenage street magician Dean Tavalouris;
Doctor Carlton who indulges in strange practices with his
patients; The local dog cinema owner; A crime fighting 20-something
and his talking car - of sorts; and Debt collectors Glen and
Barry.
The
conclusion will have you all misty eyed - although unless
you've got a good memory you will wonder where on earth the
two babies materialised from.
While
it is advisable that you purchase this on DVD for the amount
of quality extras included, the video still represents value
for money of a much under rated third series.
Darren
Rea
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