It's an unconvincing excuse for a reunion, but maybe it was one we all wanted to see. The first half is taken up with the lads reminiscing, scenario setting etc, but there is one mildly entertaining scene set in the Falklands (Probably one of the few dramas involving the Falklands, which doesn't involve the war or soldiers - at least not directly). Things get a whole lot more convincing when Oz turns up about half way through and gives his political lecture on "Fascist intimidation".
There are some good lines dotted about: "Always seemed strange to me, all those seven foot American Negroes playing for Milton Keynes," "What do you expect to find up there? Eh? A striker for Newcastle United?" and "They'll probably be in the Bel and Dragon, drinking penis coladas til dawn." Unusually, there's a good scene with Moxey in the prison - "Didn't have a lot in common with him... except acne." Moxey suffered from weak writing in most of series two, but his character works here. I've always felt a lot more could have been done with the Trev character as well.
In some ways though, this is mostly a TV episode, i.e. for people who hadn't seen the previous series for at least a few months before. If you're watching this these days, you're either seeing it on DVD (with series one) or on some digital channel (in which case they'll probably be showing them back to back.) There's too much set up, too much flashback, too much nostalgia... Watch it to get into series two, but don't bother with repeated viewing.
High Point: Oz on Thatcherism.
Low Point: Bloopers, lots of them. I don't just mean the ones that anoraks pick up, but some really obvious ones. A lot of the outdoor scenes have spectators, and I don't just mean Barry on the intercom.
Look out for: Pippa, played by a little known Sammi Davis; "I want this done by nightfall, even if it takes til tomorrow morning!"
There are some good lines dotted about: "Always seemed strange to me, all those seven foot American Negroes playing for Milton Keynes," "What do you expect to find up there? Eh? A striker for Newcastle United?" and "They'll probably be in the Bel and Dragon, drinking penis coladas til dawn." Unusually, there's a good scene with Moxey in the prison - "Didn't have a lot in common with him... except acne." Moxey suffered from weak writing in most of series two, but his character works here. I've always felt a lot more could have been done with the Trev character as well.
In some ways though, this is mostly a TV episode, i.e. for people who hadn't seen the previous series for at least a few months before. If you're watching this these days, you're either seeing it on DVD (with series one) or on some digital channel (in which case they'll probably be showing them back to back.) There's too much set up, too much flashback, too much nostalgia... Watch it to get into series two, but don't bother with repeated viewing.
High Point: Oz on Thatcherism.
Low Point: Bloopers, lots of them. I don't just mean the ones that anoraks pick up, but some really obvious ones. A lot of the outdoor scenes have spectators, and I don't just mean Barry on the intercom.
Look out for: Pippa, played by a little known Sammi Davis; "I want this done by nightfall, even if it takes til tomorrow morning!"