Satsumas, suits and the Soviet Union – best bits from Derry Girls ep5

Fiona Frawley

wee mammies from last nights derry girls, sitting on a bench wearing 70s clothing

After finally getting the flashback we’ve dreamed of since Ma Mary and Aunt Sarah burst onto our screens back in 2018, it’s getting harder and harder to fathom saying goodbye forever to Derry Girls next week.

We’re simply not ready.

https://twitter.com/reeshla/status/1524130650030280706?s=20&t=jp1Z3YMou0uJXJBleMrSoQ

While we adore Erin and the gals, the Derry Girls fandom has always been crying out for more Mary and Sarah content. And of course, any extra screen time for Granda Joe is always a bonus.

I believe in Aunt Sarah and Granda Joe supremacy #DerryGirls

— Laura (@countdraculaura) May 10, 2022

Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee announced last week on Twitter that episode 5 would be a flashback for everyone’s favourite Ma and Auntie, something she had wanted to write for a long time.

So not tonight but next week, something a bit different for us, an episode I’ve wanted to write for a long time. Thank you @Channel4 for letting me. One for the Mammies. https://t.co/WoOYzM5Sqo

— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) May 3, 2022

The episode didn’t disappoint, switching seamlessly between the 90s school reunion which Mary and Sarah dieted tirelessly ahead of for a total of 20 minutes (putting Kim K to shame), and the infamous Leavers Night 1977.

Like her daughter Jenny after her, Jeanette Joyce-formerly-O’Shea was introduced as an antagonist for Mary and the girls, parading around the reunion with her red suit and non-verbal husband (who’s a surgeon, incase you didn’t know).

I've never loved Ma Mary more #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/hzHRo8wm0K

— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) May 10, 2022

The flashbacks teach us Jeanette was once friends with the girls, engaging in activity during Leavers Night that all the now-mammies have long tried to forget.

Pretty little liars (2022) #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/UwFnOeD6rJ

— Jules ❤ (@Julezey193) May 10, 2022

Irish Twitter applauded the casting of the wee mammies (a moment for 70s Michelle’s mammy, please?) and the likeness between them and their on screen daughters. We were even treated to a vintage James in the form of Rob, the cousin from America (he’ll do his best to tell you he’s from Canada, but sure aren’t Americans just so argumentative?)

Ahh jeez @LisaMMcGee you wrote a doozy of an episode of #DerryGirls ❤️ Three suits, a sarnie tin, The 'O' Diet, teenage dreams, and Aunt Sarah and Ma Mary at their finest. Grand! And whoever directed and edited this episode deserves an award @Channel4 #ForTheMammies pic.twitter.com/M3KHUzOoAI

— Lisa Sharman (@SharmL) May 10, 2022

Also a highlight – the powder blue suits from Dunnes Stores, which would be sold out in seconds if they went on sale again today.

Same energy #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/YBAqX1TMd5

— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) May 10, 2022

We laughed, we cried, and I’m sure many of us hugged our own mammies a little bit tighter last night.

No doubt most of us will need rest of the week off work to emotionally prepare ourselves for the finale next Tuesday, and the bonus episode centering around the Good Friday Agreement that’s set to follow. As Aunt Sarah would say, “Just hand me a spade and let me bury myself”.

And with that I’m off to dig out my high school photos and sob in the corner #DerryGirls #forallthemammies pic.twitter.com/wMLnDA8YdY

— GreenGablesGal (@GreenGables_Gal) May 10, 2022

Header image via All4