Quote: Mark @ August 1 2009, 12:27 AM BSTYeah, as Tim says, why is everyone going so deep! It's a comedy at the end of the day.
True, but when a series seems to promise so much through an online web experience and deliberately or accidentally misleading us, the anticipation is high, and for me, it wasn't met. I did laugh, yes, but not as much as I did in, say, the Rope episode.
Quote: Gluben @ August 1 2009, 12:17 AM BSTAll previous episodes had a lot of logic. The finale only had a bit, in my opinion.
Agreed. But the final episode was obviously not the final episode in terms of the whole story. From a writer's point of view, it's madness to tie-up everything in episode 6 if you're pushing for a second series. This will get a 2nd series and your questions will be answered. (If it hadn't been a big success with fans and critics then no-one would be asking these questions; and so a second series would be a) unlikely and b) a moot point in terms of explaining the story.)
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 1 2009, 12:33 AM BSTAgreed. But the final episode was obviously not the final episode in terms of the whole story. From a writer's point of view, it's madness to tie-up everything in episode 6 if you're pushing for a second series. This will get a 2nd series and your questions will be answered. (If it hadn't been a big success with fans and critics then no-one would be asking these questions; and so a second series would be a) unlikely and b) a moot point in terms of explaining the story.)
And that's the other thing - they seemed to push too hard for a second series. They could easily have ended a lot of the plot but still leave possibilities open without it looking that obvious. It's a difficult thing to do, but they did it with the jump from TLOG series 1 to 2.
Well, seeing as how I didn't see the last episode, I will ask how it was and if it's worth waiting to see someday.
It's funny, it's confusing, it's underwhelming, but I suppose it's worth seeing to stop any theories you had.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ August 1 2009, 12:49 AM BSTWell, seeing as how I didn't see the last episode, I will ask how it was and if it's worth waiting to see someday.
It's great, and satisfying, and very funny. With a little bit extra at the end to keep you excited and make you hope for a second series.
Quote: zooo @ August 1 2009, 12:52 AM BSTIt's great, and satisfying, and very funny. With a little bit extra at the end to keep you excited and make you hope for a second series.
Well, I'll take your word for it. 
I'll just have to wait...forever. 
Quote: Gluben @ August 1 2009, 12:42 AM BSTIt's a difficult thing to do, but they did it with the jump from TLOG series 1 to 2.
But TLOG was essentially a bunch of sketch arcs threaded together, with Character A not much affecting the actions/storyline of Character B. Even then, the set-up with Benjamin escaping and returning to his aunt & uncle's was pushing for an explanation. As was an explanation about the "special stuff". It was a very different show in many respects.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ August 1 2009, 12:54 AM BSTWell, I'll take your word for it.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 1 2009, 1:01 AM BSTBut TLOG was essentially a bunch of sketch arcs threaded together, with Character A not much affecting the actions/storyline of Character B. Even then, the set-up with Benjamin escaping and returning to his aunt & uncle's was pushing for an explanation. As was an explanation about the "special stuff". It was a very different show in many respects.
I think a lot of characters affected a lot of others in TLOG. Les McQueen DJing one night led to the escape of mentally ill people who kill a woman who was escaping from Tubbs and Edward, and are seen in the final episode; the nosebleeds affects Pauline's hostage situation so that nobody comes; and Benjamin eventually leads the nosebleed sufferers to the Local Shop, where Barbara is, albeit mistakenly. I think Benjamin returned partly due to it being the closest place he knew which was away from the Local Shop, and partly due to Val's wishing. I'm thinking too much, clearly.
And there wasn't an explanation for "special stuff", was there? That was a running gag. Or did I miss the point entirely there?
You're thinking too much! 
No, the "special stuff" was never fully explained, but my point is that it was always a point of speculation which was designed to run past Series 1 Episode 6.
Writers very rarely (I can think only of 'Catterick' that does) try and wrap up any show's story in one series. They always have series 2 in mind and where their characters might be going. Most series 1 sitcoms will usually leave at least one unresolved issue at the end of episode 6, whether they ultimately get a recommission or not.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 1 2009, 1:36 AM BSTYou're thinking too much!
No, the "special stuff" was never fully explained, but my point is that it was always a point of speculation which was designed to run past Series 1 Episode 6.
Writers very rarely (I can think only of 'Catterick' that does) try and wrap up any show's story in one series. They always have series 2 in mind and where their characters might be going. Most series 1 sitcoms will usually leave at least one unresolved issue at the end of episode 6, whether they ultimately get a recommission or not.
Yeah, that's a point, and even Catterick did that with Tony spotted in the pub.
Quote: Gluben @ August 1 2009, 1:43 AM BSTYeah, that's a point, and even Catterick did that with Tony spotted in the pub.
Oh, true. (Pity that show - also directed by Matt Lipsey - never got a second series. I personally think it's some of Vic & Bob's very best work.)
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 31 2009, 2:19 PM BSTAs Dolly has pointed out, some of those 'holes' really weren't holes if you actually watched what was going on!
I mean, this one for instance was very clearly dealt with.
Yes, you can assume it was a dummy. Perhaps a training dummy from a hospital, seeing as how he Jolly was a Doctor. That isn't a plot hole!
Did you watch the episode at all?
You can assume it's a dummy. I'll assume it was Glen Miller. See? None of it makes sense.
As for the dwarves - yes I did watch the episode - the point is they were driving in one direction - was she taking him to the hospital or her Grandma's? no matter - the point is they were driving one way purposefully, then 'ran out of petrol' and decided to walk to their destination which was suddenly in the direction they'd just come from. I hate sloppy things like that.
If Nurse Kenchington was alive all along and wanted her locket, why would she assume it was in her own fake grave? She knew someone must have taken it from her so why would it be there? If she did believe it was there (as fake ID on a fake body? Put there by who???), then why didn't she get it earlier? Why wait for David to randomly, conveniently turn up?
Why did Joy, who has fanatically clung to Freddy all these years, desperate to bring him to life, leave him during the transfusion that she believed would 'save' him? Perhaps she'd gone for a poo?
They just needed her out of the room so that she could then re-enter and assume Lomax's new helper was Freddy. All well and good and funny, but at least give her a reason to be out of the room, don't just skip that bit. They either didn't have time to explain, couldn't think of a reason or just didn't think.
Yes there is a danger of over-analysing what is supposed to be fantasy/ficticious/improbable etc, but call me pedantic (or a pain in the arse) but I like plots to unfold and generally make some sort of sense; for there to be some sort of logic. Comedy can be silly and irreverent and utterly illogical for sure and I can easily go along with that, but this series's whole premise was that it would be clever, convoluted and intriguing. A show that's all about mystery and 'whodunnit' needs to make sense.
There was also no real resolution to this at all. As a 'wrap up' for the series it was utterly non-committal because they even gave the characters a few seconds to escape before the explosion so maybe nobody died. Maybe they all did. What is clear is that the driving force behind this episode was to get it all to a point where Series 2 is needed rather than answer questions. The driving force, from my old-fashioned view point, should actually be the telling of a story and entertaining viewers, not backing the BBC into a corner to recommission it: "Let's mention, for the first time, a locket that nobody has spoken about, that nobody has seen and none of the other characters could give a toss about. Great idea. Also leave it open so we can chose who to use in Series 2 - we don't want another Nighty Night situation..."
They have tried to be too clever and forgotten the basics. If they love Hitchcock so much and have studied his style and his methods so closely, it's ironic that they have ended up closer to producing a Stage Fright than a Rear Window.
But, taking the last episode at face value, the dwarves and the locket are to be the centre of the future plotline. Terrific. The dwarf story was the weakest plot and least involving of all of the threads!
Edited by Aaron.
Bit late on the discussion. Some of it didn't hang together too well (if at all) and the end was so obviously an attempt to get a 2nd series it was ridiculous. However, I still enjoyed it and will look forward to the next series (if there is one). But, Maurice, let it go. There's better targets for your anger such as Iran's treatment of its people or the weather or something.
B-b-but I feel cheated! And used!
