As someone who has been a devoted fan of Gavin & Stacey since its inception, I must admit that the latest finale left me feeling a bit underwhelmed, particularly with the character development of Sonia. While I appreciate that James Corden and Ruth Jones were trying to create tension and conflict in Smithy’s love life, I believe they could have done so without making Sonia appear as one-dimensional and unsympathetic as she did.
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Gavin & Stacey finale.*
Many fans are thrilled by the final episode of Gavin & Stacey, as it wraps up beautifully with a heartfelt tale that leaves everyone satisfied – in the end, beloved characters Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) finally get married.
To put it another way, reaching that particular moment was more tumultuous than Dave Coach’s frantic trip to Southampton, as Smithy found himself deeply entangled in a troubled relationship with Sonia (Laura Aikman), which seemed destined for failure throughout the episode.
It’s not really a shock or letdown that the relationship has fallen apart, given that Sonia hasn’t made much of an effort to win over the Wests, the Shipmans, or the home audience since her debut in the 2019 Christmas special.
During the final press conference of Gavin & Stacey, James Corden commended actress Alison Steadman for depicting Sonia as something beyond a mere “caricature” or “cartoon” villain. Yet, I must admit, it’s debatable whether she truly managed to achieve this portrayal.
Instead of being a critique on Aikman’s acting skills, it seems more like the script penned by Corden and Jones is responsible for repeatedly emphasizing that Sonia is an inappropriate match for Smithy, and overall, she isn’t portrayed as a very pleasant character.
In the final episode, her appearance aligns with how she looked in the 2019 special, a time when several large warning signs were obvious to everyone except her smitten partner.
I’m willing to overlook Sonia’s confusion upon receiving a tap as a gift from Nessa (it seems less appealing than a single Celebration chocolate) and her later social blunders related to the notorious fishing excursion.
Nevertheless, her lack of interest in socializing with Smithy’s family members, including his son, her snide comments regarding his weight as well as Nessa’s appearance, and her critical opinions about their living conditions created an extremely unfavorable initial impact.
Reflecting on this, it’s possible that people can grow and evolve, leading me to ponder whether there might be an enhancement in the dynamics between Sonia and her broader community, especially considering Stacey’s noticeable enthusiasm about the upcoming wedding as depicted in the initial sequence.
I’m sorry, but it seems that situation is worsening instead, with no indications of improvement on the horizon. As Sonia expresses her plans to separate Smithy from his family once they get married.
It appears that this choice subtly indicates that Nessa might be Smithy’s one true love, but one may question if there were more engaging ways for Jones and Corden to develop this character?
In the finale, if I had seen Sonia presented with a touch of empathy, it would have beautifully illustrated her transformation from our initial encounters – stirring up a captivating moral dilemma in me as a viewer.
Ponder over the potential emotional impact of the climax, where Smithy finds himself torn between two characters who both resonate with us, albeit one may prove to be a more suitable match for him in the end.
Instead, it feels more like we’re merely following routine, biding our time until things unfold naturally, much like how Dave Coach, who had since been redeemed, played the antagonist in his unsuitable role as Nessa’s husband during the season 3 finale.
As a devoted film critic, I must say that the delightful series “Gavin & Stacey” serves as a warm and reassuring viewing experience for many of its loyal viewers. Consequently, it makes perfect sense for the creators to steer clear of any plot points that might induce significant distress or internal turmoil among its audience.
Instead of portraying Sonia as an overly dramatic ‘bridezilla,’ which oversimplifies her character and undermines the narrative’s depth, it leaves you pondering how this seemingly incompatible duo managed to walk down the aisle at all.
After the excitement settles – which may take some time – I’m curious if the Gavin & Stacey final episode will be seen as a timeless classic, or if maybe it played it a touch too cautiously instead.
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2024-12-26 22:34