Vicious: The Finale

Why does it get it's own review?

Well you'd honestly think that this would be the final episode of season 2 but surprisingly, this finale took about 11 months to air after the last episode of season 2. Yeah, that really raw emotional ending was how Vicious ended for 11 months for audiences in Britain. Jesus. So this is half special/half finale, all lovely. It sort of time jumps between the seasons, in Spring we see Freddie and Stuart still very much in the honeymoon phase being very kind, attentive, and content with each other before we head on over to Summer where we see Freddie having a birthday party and we get quite a few nice moments in this series before we get to the heartbreaking part, Autumn comes and Ash breaks the news that he will be moving to the States to attend university and what follows ripped my hearts out and shredded them to pieces. I mean I thought the season 2 ending was sad, this f***ed me up, Vicious broke me in less than 60 seconds and I never really recovered from it throughout the rest of the special. And yes it was like THAT scene, you know the one you've been here long enough to know. Thanks show writers, I'm not depressed at all or anything! And then we come to our final season in Winter where we see this bizzare, sometimes cruel, but always loving family celebrate Christmas together and I'm kind of really upset that Ash didn't come back for Christmas, but the show truly ends on a understated but nevertheless happy ending for Freddie and Stuart. It did kinda catch me off guard when credits rolled, but I wasn't upset or disappointed even a microscopic bit, it ended in a very sweet but very real way. I can't quite remember seeing a time when a show ended and it wasn't made a big deal out of, but this just goes quietly into that good night and I really liked that. Vicious is a special show and one full heartedly worth watching all the way through, the special gets a 10/10, I'm somewhat depressed now and yet simultaneously very happy. It's bittersweet to say the least, and if there's anything I'm weak for it's a bittersweet ending. Thank you so much for joining me, goodnight.

Vicious: Season 2

Damn.

I almost fully recommend watching this season for the last scene. Season 2 is really and truly an improvement over the last and the last season got a 9/10, so think about that for a minute. I actually really appreciate what this season did, it goes from the sitcom format to more of a drama with the comedy still in it, this season put these characters in situations and places they've never been before and it is handled so incredibly well. Freddie and Stuart continue living their lives together but at the end of just the third episode we get kind of an unexpected bombshell, Freddie asks Stuart to marry him. And then the rest of the season is them just getting prepared for it, which is not only funny but I was very shocked at how many little character moments there are when if only for just a few moments these characters can have sweet and touching moments that give them so much more likability and enjoyment from the audience. It still has it's snarky humor and fun dialogue but it really pushes for this to be a much better show. I do feel it makes that full leap from a 9 to a 10/10, and I have to say the wedding was very nice. I kinda like how not a lot is made of it, it's not trying to be this television event of the decade because these two people have been together for 50 years so they don't need anything extravagant or put a lot of worry into how the wedding will turn out. They're just happy to be doing it. I wish more shows did that instead of trying to be ratings gold and make it into something more than it really is. And the final scene of the season is one of the most heartbreaking things I've seen in a predominantly comedic show, it's brutally real and doesn't pull any punches to manipulate your feelings. It's a truly human moment that countless individuals can identify with and is something everyone must one day face. The whole season was excellent, but that simple moment alone gets this to be a 10/10. There is no doubt in my mind that it deserves it, and I'm just so happy to talk about it and share it with others. When you've been doing this for almost 5 years you occasionally think of this as a job, but then there's moments like this where you can really appreciate the material you're talking about and take great pride in sharing it with other people. And I'm just so happy to show my love for this wonderful little show that quite honestly always deserves more recognition in my eyes. But this story has yet to truly end.

Vicious: Season 1

How in the living hell have I not reviewed this?

I would have put my very soul on the line that I reviewed this first season many years ago, but thankfully my soul has been gone for quite some time so no bother. This is a personal favorite of mine, introduced to me as a Christmas present simply because of the acting talent in it. Vicious is an ITV series that quickly got brought to the States through PBS which is very odd because it's not exactly family friendly, but entertaining as all hell. Starring our favorite wizard/mutant Ian McKellen as Freddie and the one Master I desperately want more of Derek Jacobi as Stuart, two aging partners living in a flat in London as they spend time with friends, family, and a newcomer to their area, a young man named Ash. It definitely fits more the sitcom style of comedy, laugh track and all but the biggest selling point is the amazing actors in it. Don't get me wrong the show is hilarious at times and never once gets dull, but it is the performances that bring such life to the dialogue. No doubt you'll recognize another familiar face with Frances de la Tour with you Harry Potter fans out there, who I simultaneously adore and yet beg to please just stop, I mean this woman is the epitome of a hot mess but I honestly wouldn't have her any other way. Ian and Derek have such excellent chemistry together, and it's that special kind of relationship where they say cruel things to each other but never ever mean it once, which in my opinion is the height of a relationship. I can't explain it, I just worship those types of relationships, I aspire to have a relationship like Freddie and Stuart in my years. Oh my God, and you better believe I am on the verge of dancing every single time this theme tune plays. I will however say you have to have a very specific type of humor for this show, otherwise you'd just be shocked at the verbal abuse these two fling back and forth at each other, but I do believe anyone can watch it and enjoy it. It kinda breaks my heart that this show only got 2 seasons, and each season is seven episodes long with about a 25 minute runtime, you could literally knock this entire show out in a single day. Because I love these characters, I love their wit, their sarcasm, their biting humor, it's an absolute joy to watch at times. Easily the best episode is the 5th one, to see Ash and his girlfriend be juxtaposed with these total nagging queens is absolute gold in my book. It's funny, because both Ian and Derek were in the same acting class years ago and had big crushes on each other and to see them play a couple is actually quite sweet. Sometimes you can play roles that fulfill dreams. It's a simple, basic, no frills show but has heart and humor to it and it didn't even take two episodes for me to fall in love with it. This of course gets 4 stars, I dare even give it a 9/10, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but I could personally watch years of this programme if I had the chance.