Written by Jeremy Dyson And Mark Gatiss And Steve Pemberton And Reece Shearsmith
Directed by Steve Bendelack
Papa Lazarou: "You're my wife now."
Ah, it's the second series of this surreal and grotesque comedy series that probably introduced one of the show's most infamous and aged badly of characters.
Yes, I'm talking of wife collecting carnie minstrel Papa Lazarou (Shearsmith) and while the character's appearances are actually fewer than expected, there's no denying it's left an impression for better or worse. Frankly it's not a character that you'd get away with these days and for good reason.
Anyways, Lazarou and his creepy circus rocked up in Royston Vasey and even they weren't the strangest thing about this second series. Nope, a strange case of the residents getting nosebleeds attributed to creepy butcher Hilary Briss (Gatiss) along with the poor deformed David (Gatiss) seemed to get the villagers backs up more than the wife stealing minstrel.
Then there's the predatory German "vampire" Herr Lipp (Pemberton) who set his sights on unfortunate school boy Justin (Blake Ritson) and didn't take too kindly to the latter rejecting him. Again, Herr Lipp's another character that would definitely not work for today's environment. Even I cringed watching those scenes yet.
And what of the characters from the previous series? Poor Barbara had a faulty sex change but became a bride to the beastly David with Edward and Tubbs taking her when they couldn't get anyone else. Not that Barbara got to enjoy her honeymoon thanks to the extremely paranoid locals.
Then there was Pauline's fall from Restart grace. Humiliated by her callous replacement Cathy Carter Smith (Shearsmith), unable to cut it in the fast food industry and clearly not great at holding the officious Ross hostage either. Still, there's something oddly endearing about her friendship with Mickey. Just give the poor lad his fire engine.
As for the Dentons, tormenting Benjamin was their only goal but they came afoul of both their victim and creepy twin daughters. Married couple Stella (Shearsmith) and Charlie (Pemberton) enjoyed tearing each other apart as did Iris and Judee Levinson. The reveal of their real connection did seem like they were going an EastEnders type of moment.
The highlight of this second series would be the ghoulishly delightful Christmas special. The episode gave major roles to foul mouthed Reverend Bernice Wooddall and the unfortunate vet Matthew Chinnery. It's complete with some great flashbacks along with a last minute attempt of a redemption story of sorts for Herr Lipp. It's a shame it's the only Christmas special because it's so good and the best episode in the entire series.
- Episodes titles were Destination: Royston Vasey, Lust For Royston Vasey, A Plague On Royston Vasey, Death In Royston Vasey, Anarchy In Royston Vasey, Royston Vasey And The Monster From Hell and Yule Never Leave.
- Other recurring characters included charity shop workers Vinnie (Shearsmith) and Reeny (Pemberton). Less sucessful characters included Pamela Doove (Shearsmith) and letchy landlord Pop (Pemberton).
- We were also introduced to bondage loving couple Alvin (Gatiss) and Sunnier Steele (Chrissie Furness).
- Roy Chubby Brown (real name Royston Vasey) appeared in one episode as the village Mayor.
- We learned that Hilary Briss was married to a cow before he fled Royston Vasey.
- Chronology: Not long from where the end of the first series left off.
This second series definitely had some fun moments in spite of some very outdated characters. I did like the arc with the nosebleeds and the Christmas special was the best part of this series.
Rating: 7 out of 10
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