Iconic has taken on a new meaning.
We weren’t ready for a tear-jerker episode this early on in the series, but Lisa and co gave it to us anyway.
Episode two of the final instalment of Derry Girls brought with it a personal breakthrough for Mary, a venture into the kitchen for Aunt Sarah and a truly monumental cover Spice Girls cover. One for the sitcom history books.
An aunt sarah spin off with her doing mysteries in various disguises is something I would pay a lot of money for #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/ZpftEnadJB
— Joanne (@imbsbbb) April 19, 2022
We started off with an insight into Mary’s life as a woman on the edge. While Sarah blowdries a frozen chicken and Erin searches frantically for her fountain pen, Mary did something I’m sure everyone remembers their mother doing at some stage of childhood – went on strike. She couldn’t have a bath because, famously, the boiler needed replacing, but she treated herself to a bitta Wuthering Heights and chilled the f out. Episode 2 was a love letter to Mary and ma’s everywhere, and we were very much here for it.
Enter Gabriel, the ride-y plumber with a penchant for classic literature.
I love on Derry girls when they all start freaking out over an attractive man and he’s just like. Some guy
— grace (@amandayoungdyke) April 19, 2022
‘Someone call for a plumber…?’ #DerryGirls @Channel4 TONIGHT 9.15pm
Huge thanks to @LisaMMcGee and @Auntyjesus … Thrilled to be asked to fix the family boiler 👨🔧 pic.twitter.com/iWZFupjYvo
— Damien Molony (@damienmolony) April 19, 2022
Mary finds herself swept up in the romance of it all, while Aunt Sarah delights by quizzing Gabriel in classic Aunt Sarah-esque fashion.
‘If you’re that hot, you should have the common decency to be a bit thick’ The wisdom of Aunt Sarah #DerryGirls
— Lynette Fay (@LynetteFay) April 19, 2022
As the girls rehearse upstairs for a quintessentially 90s school fundraiser, Clare, who is on vocal rest to raise money for charity (obviously) witnesses something shocking in the hallway. It’s Gabriel passing Mary a secret note as Robert Miles’ anthem Children mounts dramatically in the background. Just when you think the soundtrack can’t get any better, it outdoes itself again.
Me updating my Spotify playlist after hearing all the 90s songs on the #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/6ZAFtSpkMb
— TV Reactions 📺 (@TellyReactions) April 19, 2022
Wee nod to #fatherted in tonight’s #Derrygirls pic.twitter.com/ZlBqfUFYj1
— Brendan Duffy 🇮🇪 (@brendanduffy100) April 19, 2022
Trailing Mary to her secret rendezvous at a glacial pace thanks to James’s newly acquired driving license, Erin and the girls discover the unthinkable – Mammy in a strange house with a man, closing the curtains to watchful eyes outside.
But the show must go on, and we cut to the girls backstage at Stars in Their Eyes, preparing themselves for the performance of their lives. And our lives too, let’s be honest with ourselves.
While Father Peter and his newly-sprouted ponytail terrorise Sister Michael and everyone else involved in the fundraiser, Erin grapples with the discovery of her mother’s suspected affair and the need to put on a great show. To our delights, the Derry Girls cast off their robes and our wildest dreams become reality – they’re performing as the Spice Girls.
Gonna tell my kids this was the spice girls #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/hhcxVdlJTI
— Eilidh (@eilidh_mcf) April 19, 2022
not now honey the derry girls are performing as the spice girls #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/XRHEj3orfB
— ellie 🇵🇸 (@FCTIONFEELSGOOD) April 19, 2022
Girl power!!!!!! https://t.co/kbgxZsE1xL
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) April 19, 2022
From the immaculately in-sync choreography to Erin’s subtle reimagining of *that* dress, the performance is perfection. Truly, there are no words.
We finish up with the truth about what Mary has really been doing with Gabriel coming to the surface, and a heartfelt admission that she wants to return to education. Hats off to UL, who were absolutely READY with the marketing.
If, like Mary, you've always wanted to study English at degree level, you're always welcome at the University of Limerick
Find out about our English courses & how to applyhttps://t.co/dwt9syTZtd#DerryGirls #StudyatUL pic.twitter.com/XZ65vIEIzl
— University Of Limerick (@UL) April 19, 2022
BAWLED https://t.co/cHBDHyijG8
— Nicola Bardon (@NicolaBardon) April 19, 2022
In typical Derry Girls style, we weren’t given long to weep before Granda Joe hits us with the comic relief. He’s always there for us.
I would die for granda honestly #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/V0Bf7XI8KC
— Fiona Frawley (@fionafrawl) April 19, 2022
Truly, a whopper of an episode. Until next week.
Lads we are really feeling the love tonight. We really really appreciate you all. We are just a wee show doing our best and you make all the hard work worth while. Thank you #DerryGirls
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) April 19, 2022
Header image via Twitter/runthealleys
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