Review: Miranda, Series 3, Episode 5 - Three Little Words

In the fifth episode entitled, "Three Little Words", we see Gary preparing for the re-opening of the restaurant, we see Miranda and Gary rekindle their love...or do we? We see Miranda unable to tell Mike that she loves him, we see Penny stalking a famous face, we see Dominic Coleman back and caught up in Miranda's problems, we see Miranda, Stevie and Dominic's character 'starting' a Take That tribute band. It's a very busy, funny, predictable episode but still another excellent episode.

At the start of the episode we see a happy, chirpy, enthusiastic Miranda with her toast spoons. Miranda then tells the viewers that Mike and her are still together but when he tells her that he loves her, he freaks out and says something irrelevant and a little random. Miranda then tells us that her and Stevie have fallen out due to Stevie thinking that Miranda has ignored her since she has been dating Mike. We then see a flashback of the Disco Karaoke finals where Miranda and Stevie are dancing in the style of Dirty Dancing, so far so good, when Stevie goes for the big and memorable Dirty Dancing lift, Mike appears which leads to Miranda forgetting about Stevie to talk to Mike and well, that leaves Stevie face flat on the floor. We then see a flashback of Miranda in one of Penny's parties, Miranda then has a tennis racket and says to the waiter, "I'll serve drinks" which then she then hits the drinks with the tennis racket. Well, Miranda has never been 'sophisticated' in Penny's parties has she? Remember when Miranda stuffed peanuts down her bra? Miranda making accessories out of the snacks in the party? We are then in the restaurant where Gary is busy making sure that everything is sorted for the grand re-opening. Miranda and Mike mock Gary saying that naming the restaurant 'Gary's' sounds like a greasy spoon, which Gary is actually naming the restaurant, Gary's. In the shop, we then meet a very familiar face, Raymond Blanc which leads to Penny being over excited and questioning him whether he would attend her dinner in the evening. Which leads to Penny stalking poor Raymond. With Miranda and Stevie still not communicating, Miranda decides that she will change her duvet on her own without Stevie or without anyone else for that matter. Sound simple doesn't it? But come on, its Miranda we're talking about here. 

We then have the brilliant and hilarious Dominic Coleman back, playing the same character (I assume...), he's gotten all caught up with Miranda's relationship problems. The character in the show is very hilarious and has some of the best lines and moments within the episode. Penny then enters and then his character steps the boot in and says that she can't move on with Mike because she has a pushy mother - Penny. Mike then enters and does the same thing saying Miranda can't move on from Mike because... then Miranda interrupts and what happens next? He says that they're setting up a Take That tribute band, which is very entertaining to say the least. Miranda then hands Mike a letter that she thinks is the letter explaining that they should break up which actually, she's given him the wrong letter. She gave him the letter that was meant to be sent to British Gas. Oops! Mike then leaves with Miranda following him trying to explain that she wants to break up with him, but who walks past and distracts Mike? Raymond Blanc of course. We then see Penny with binoculars stalking Raymond, which she then falls into a rubbish bin which is quite hilarious. One reason why we shouldn't stalk our famous celebs. 

We then go back to Miranda's shop with Gary walking in being all stressed about the restaurant and Rose keeps texting him. With no time and needing of help, Gary asks Miranda if she can help him later on before the restaurant re-opening. When Gary leaves what does Miranda say? "It's one of the reasons I love you"...Stevie then asks Miranda, "How do you see Mike?" and Miranda sees Mike as a happy, sort of boring and just having a cup of tea in front of the TV. Stevie then asks Miranda, "How do you see Gary?" and of course, Miranda and Gary are not sitting in front of the TV...of course not! Gary is 'dressed' up in a sort of Rambo costume I feel...well, I say costume...they snarl, and passionately snog. Even the notion! I quite like Mike and Miranda together, I think they make a really good couple and they are just like each other in a way. Even though at times I thought they were making the whole Miranda/Mike relationship a bit "quirky". Miranda then confesses to Stevie  that she's madly in love with Gary...and Stevie says something that I think most people have been thinking, "I've been waiting three years for this!". Mike is back and Miranda is prepared to end their relationship but a text from Mike's father stops the situation. Mike's father texts Mike saying Daisy, the dog has died. Which makes it even more awkward for Miranda. Gary comes into the shop and is quite upset that Miranda didn't go and help him, so he tells her to not bother - Rose is going to help him instead. A determined and freshly Febreezed Miranda heads to the restaurant to tell Gary how she truly feels about him. Does it go smoothly? Of course not...who comes into the restaurant? Raymond Blanc of course. Nothing seems to run smoothly in this episode just because of Mr Blanc. Penny then approaches Raymond as she was disguised as the coat stand - very clever Penny, well done to you... Stevie then plans a picnic for Miranda and Gary to out-romance Rose. Stevie couldn't find any doves so what's the next option? Geese. So, a terrified Gary (It's the hissing!) and Miranda flee from the picnic and the doves...I mean geese. So, they head to the restaurant and Miranda is still, yes still trying to tell Gary how much she loves him. Could it get any more awkward? Of course n...of course it could!

Gary goes to wipe the cream from his face, Miranda turns so she can't see behind her. Someone (Mike) puts their hands over Miranda's eyes and without Mike asking Miranda to guess who he is, what does she do? She says how much she loves 'him' (Gary). Which is kind of ironic as Miranda has been trying to tell Miranda how much she loves Mike throughout the episode and when she thought she was telling Gary how much she loved him, she told Mike. Hilarious. A bit Friends-style but it was just hilarious to see Miranda's reaction. Rose then enters the restaurant, Miranda then says to Stevie, "Do something!" and what does Stevie do? Snog Gary of course...to a shocked Miranda, in the flat Miranda states that Miranda is going to get her own back and snog Stevie's Gary, Gary Barlow. As the row escalates, Miranda sees no option but to speak fake French as she thinks that Stevie won't understand and think Miranda is very angry with her and she's offensive towards her. Mike then comes home and Miranda thinks that Mike is going to propose to her, luckily he isn't proposing her, he's just going tying his shoelace. Phew. Mike then tells Miranda that he's taken a job in Africa, he then asks Miranda if he would like to stay but she is adamant for him to go as its something he has always wanted to do, plus it gives more of a chance for Miranda to be with Gary. At the restaurant opening, Miranda tells Gary exactly how she feels about him and Rose walks in and witnesses it. Awkward...

At the restaurant opening, Penny leaves the restaurant and who does she find going to meet Raymond? Only Mr Gary Barlow! There have been reports before the series aired that Gary was going to be in the episode, I think it would of been better if there was no spoilers about Gary being in the episode it would of been much more of a reaction. I do think that they did want to keep it a secret but sadly it leaked. However, it was very good to see Gary in an episode of Miranda. Miranda then snogs Gary in front of Stevie's shocked expression. So, I guess they got their own back on each other now. So, we still don't know Gary's response to Miranda's outburst, we just have to wait and see in the last episode of the third series! 

If you missed this episode, you can watch it here!

Thank you for reading.

Follow me on Twitter - @coreyterrett

Review: Miranda, Series 3, Episode 4 - Je Regret Nothing

Episode four review of Miranda time! This episode is entitled, 'Je Regret Nothing'. In this episode, Miranda has been caring for her mother for the last five days, stuck in her flat with her needy mother Penny, she is forced to think about her life regrets. As the episode continues, Miranda falls ill and nobody has any sympathy for her.

So, an ill Penny is something that Miranda doesn't enjoy, well...at times Penny can be very demanding, pushy, but an ill Penny makes it even worse. An ill Penny with a bell? A whole different story. We have Penny naming the remote controls 'dooberries', such fun! We have Doctor Gale back, and we have Tilly aspiring to be a life coach. I absolutely loved Miranda and Penny's relationship in this episode, at times it felt very much like the therapist episode. Miranda's frustration and Penny's orders is very entertaining to watch, the way that Miranda is 'planning' Penny's 'death' is also very funny yet incredibly slapstick. Something that made me laugh within the first couple of minutes is when Penny's phone starts to ring, Miranda is approaching her with a pan about to 'hit' Penny, Penny screams and Miranda falls to the floor. I couldn't stop laughing. The relationship and interaction between Miranda and Penny is one of my favourite parts about the show, and it is definitely my favourite part about the episode. Miranda and her moustache straw, eh? I say this a lot but, typical Miranda! Where can I get those straws? Anyone? No? OK. We then see Miranda using over gloves as footwear, sporting a fan and pretending to be a geisha, kindly pointed out by Penny. We then see Miranda doing some slight ballet moves, pretending to be Darcey Bussell, again, kindly pointed out by Penny. I just love this mother-daughter relationship, Miranda and Patricia play it perfectly and they have great chemistry! 

We then witness Miranda finding her first grey hair, and what does Miranda do? Colour it in with a marker pen of course. Miranda opens the front door to reveal a dartboard with Penny's face on it, Miranda throws darts at Penny's face, which I did find a little 'silly' but I couldn't resist but laugh. Penny then asks the question, "Where are my reading glasses?" which are clearly on her head. A frustrated Miranda tells her that they're on her head but does Penny listen? Of course not. Such fun! Miranda then mistakes her deodorant for hairspray...I'm not even going to say "Typical Miranda" anymore...oh wait, I just did. But, I suppose many people have done the same thing in the past. 

Can we just talk about the wonderful Tilly? She's my favourite, she has been since the show has started - she's brilliant, isn't she? She's gorgeous, she's hilarious and she makes up her own words. Even better word's  than Nicole Scherzinger. I like how she's always exaggerating, how she's got to make everything about her. I adore Sally Phillips (Tilly), I think she plays the role with ease and made the character her own. I love the use of her saying "Bare with" whenever she has something to say or is checking her text message. Which, I have started doing. In this episode, Tilly decides to become a life coach. Let's leave it there shall we? I think so...

Miranda then thinks she's got thrombosis, she then asks Doctor Gale to reassure her that everything is OK. This was one of my favourite moments of the lines, here's part of the script:

DOCTOR GALE:

I'll give you half an hour.

MIRANDA:

Half an hour to live? I knew I was ill! Someone take me to Disneyland, there's no time. Have sex with me Doctor!

I just couldn't stop laughing at Miranda's line. Miranda then tries to open her Midsomer Murders DVD, like most people she finds it is a challenge to undo the wrapping...I hate that. Miranda seems to do this a lot in the series, the earphones, the duvet now this, it happens in real life. A lot. With Miranda being ill, none of her friends and mother doesn't feel any sympathy for her, Stevie is rude to her, slating her looks, her breath and her odor, Tilly calls her a drunk Princess Anne, Gary has some sympathy for her by giving Miranda a hug but ruining the moment when he tells her that he went to a ballroom class and met Jacinta, Penny says she's going to audition for Velma in a production of Chicago. 

Something that just makes Miranda and is one of my highlights of this series is Miranda pretending that she's performing in Wembly, thanking Michael Bublé for being her warm up and then performing with 'great friends' - The Spice Girls. Just brilliant...until Miranda is rumbled when everyone walks in on her singing/dancing/miming to "2 became 1". Then, everyone else (Tilly, Gary, Stevie and Penny) fall ill and Miranda is having her own music festival. 

I really enjoyed  this episode, at times it was a bit over the top, a bit cheesy but never the less, it was still rather enjoyable, there was some amusing moments, hilarious lines and these are some of my favourites:

"Do you want to come home with me? Please say no."

"Like a drunk Princess Anne."

"PLUNGE MY CRACK!"

"Someone take me to Disneyland?! There's no time...have sex with me Doctor!"

If you missed this episode, you can watch it here!

Thank you for reading.

Follow me on Twitter - @coreyterrett

Review: Miranda, series 3, episode 3 - 'The Dinner Party'

So, I'm sorry about not writing up posts about Miranda series three episodes. We've got a few episodes to catch up on haven't we? I'm going to discuss episode three, 'The Dinner Party'. Where Miranda tries her best to be a smart, sophisticated, pashmina wearing girlfriend/woman for Mike. Miranda tries desperately to prove to her friends, Mike and Penny that she can be an adult, not the child-like persona we normally situate Miranda with. In this episode, we get more of Miranda's fruit friends, including some new vegetable friends, Miranda being stuck in a tunnel, Miranda not wearing any pants and an encounter with a man who turns out to be Mike's father...a typical, normal episode of Miranda.

I really enjoyed this episode, I feel at times it was a bit predictable...especially with the Mike's father stuff, I think we sort of seen that happening. But I was intrigued to see people thinking Clive's Mike's father...interesting. Where is Clive? Is he going to be a surprise in the finale? Let's be honest, it hasn't been a different show without him has it? Not at all, its like he was never there to be honest. We also have Chris and Alison back in this episode, they are annoying but you can't stop laughing at them can you? Of course not. 

Let's talk about the soft play centre...I loved this scene, I loved Miranda's reaction to the woman singing everything, it was totally brilliant. See what I did there? I thought it was a very enjoyable little scene, I loved it when Miranda got stuck in the tunnel, going down the slide in the ball pit. I thought it was just hilarious and when I was watching it I just thought, "Typical Miranda!". With a bard back and wearing no pants, Miranda heads to have a massage to try and sort out her back, whilst undressing Miranda realises that she hasn't got any pants on, so, she takes the sheet of the couch and wears it as a garment...well, nappy. There's a really hilarious moment where Miranda farts and blows out the candle, as before, typical Miranda! In the following scene, Miranda tells Stevie that she got a felt pen and decorated her breasts as Jedward...which I found, completely and utterly hilarious. It's also hilarious seeing how Miranda gets to the hand of  'cooking', well, she wasn't really cooking was she? Well, she tried. It ended up on the floor, the ceiling, leaving a devastated Miranda. She then opens a draw, and what does she find? The classic 'penis pasta' from older episodes. Miranda then goes to M&S and she instantly loves the idea of packaged foods, she meets three other women and they're all in the same situation as Miranda, which leads to a song praising M&S for putting food on their table. A great, unique scene I found. 

We then go on to the dinner party, Penny's there, Gary and Rose are there, Miranda, Mike and his father, Valerie are there, oh and Stevie's there too with her new 'boyfriend' Norman. A traffic warden she found on the street. I find it even more funny that in previous series' its always Stevie with the boyfriend, not Miranda. Then, we meet Mike's father, Valerie, which to Miranda's horror is the osteopath that was earlier in the episode, who she farted in front off and blew out a candle...One of my favourite moments in the episode is when Miranda says; "...let me just go and sort out my dessert. I've got syphilis." I just found this scene and line just utterly brilliant and it just made me manic with laughter. I think the audience laughter and reaction also made the line much more 'real' in a way, if that makes any sense at all. I like the use of Norman in the episode, he isn't a full on character, he's just there to fill awkward silences, which I feel is quite refreshing in a way. He's hilarious and it bugged me so much because I knew who he is - Dan from Him & Her. 

Gary, let's talk about Gary for a second shall we? I'm not a massive fan of Gary, I find him annoying at times and he can be a bit irritating, but in this series I think he's turned into a much more character, a much more individual, not just that bloke that works in the restaurant. I know there are people who absolutely love Gary, he has got a massive fan base but I feel that he only worked well with Miranda in the first two series'. In this series, we seen Gary with Rose straight from episode one, which I like because it wasn't all 'Miranda and Gary this, Miranda and Gary that'...I also can't stop laughing at the little things that Gary does, for example in this episode when Miranda says 'We seen, er...mouse' Gary jumps on his chair in a very child-like, camp way. At the start of the episode, the Miranda/Gary 'won't they, will they' story arc started of in a slow pace, I think it started to kick up a gear in this episode, especially when Penny tells Valerie that she's glad that Miranda has moved on from Gary. Leaving some awkward questions from Mike and Rose. When Mike and Miranda kiss, we see Gary's face, the face of 'that should be me' type of face. The type of face that has never stopped loving her.

We then have a very awkward moment with Miranda, Mike and Valerie. Rose, Gary, Stevie and Penny have all gone and checked on Chris and Alison's baby, with the baby monitor still on, over the monitor they discuss not very nice things about Valerie, his wig and Penny says that he has the personality of a self-service checkout. It's a very awkward moment indeed. We then leave the episode with a foam fight, Gary pining for Miranda's affection, Penny drunk, Norman trying to kiss Stevie (again), Rose gone...

I really enjoyed this episode, at times I thought it was a bit cliché and a bit predictable but I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I loved seeing Miranda trying so hard to be a grown up, it was never going to work was it? We love Miranda being the typical, child-like Miranda. Without the pashmina. So, what happens next with Gary and Miranda? With Mike and Miranda?

These were just some of my favourite lines in the episode.

"I'm not wearing any pants, enjoy your meetballs!"

"Only I can speak for my vagina!"

"I like to let kittens feed from my beard"

"And if in doubt, Delia."

"She's got a red bush."

I really enjoyed this episode, and I hope you did too. Click here!

Thank you for reading.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter - @coreyterett

Review: Call the Midwife.

It's back in its second series following from a smash hit first series and a very well received and loved Christmas Special. This type of show is something that I tend to avoid - babies are not my type of thing. But, I have fallen in love with this show. It's a proper gritty, dramatic, humorous (in some parts) and a perfect viewing for a cold, wintry Sunday night.

The series is based around the memoirs of Jennifer Worth and is set in east London during the 1950s. The show its self is created and written by Heidi Thomas. The show has a marvelous cast and play the parts brilliantly. The cast include: Jessica Raine as Jenny Lee, Miranda Hart playing Chummy Browne, Jenny Agutter playing Sister Julienne, Pam Ferris playing Sister Evangelina, Judy Parfitt playing Sister Monica Joan,  Helen George as Trixie Franklin, Bryony Hannah playing Cynthia Miller, Laura Main as Sister Bernadette and Cliff Parisi as Fred. The cast are just brilliant! My favourites include Miranda Hart (Chummy), Helen George (Trixie) and Pam Ferris (Sister Evangelina). 

From domestic abuse, poverty, prostitution, messed up relationships, Call the Midwife makes excellent viewing and is just a joy to watch. The show is preferably aimed at women, I can't help but help but ravish this brilliant drama. I love seeing how life was during those times and the way that people used to live, work, deliver babies and its rather interesting seeing how the generations have changed. 

I was deeply affected by the fantastic Christmas special, it was set around three stories: Mrs Jenkins, Chummy organising the nativity play, and a baby being left outside the convent. The Mrs Jenkins story was the one which affected me the most, Sheila Reid's performance was sensational, emotive and award winning in my opinion. (It is Sheila Reid, isn't it? - Who cares, whoever it was, she was superb). The story of Mrs Jenkins sees Jenny get involved with Mrs Jenkins who mistakes Jenny for her daughter whom she lost whilst she got admitted to the workhouse. It's a real hard-hitting emotional story especially when she sees the gravestone. (How perfect for Christmas viewing, isn't it?)

The ratings for the show are just excellent, going above 10m watching the episodes. The second series has just started on BBC One airing on Sundays at 8pm. If you've missed the first episode of the second series where Jenny tries to help a woman in an abusive relationship, Sister Evangelina and Trixie delivering a baby aboard a ship! It's truly a great episode, here's the link. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01q9xlp/Call_the_Midwife_Series_2_Episode_1/

You can purchase series one, the Christmas special now on Amazon and other retail stores. I hope you enjoy watching the second series as much as the first and the Christmas special! I know I will! 

Thank you for reading. 

Corey.

You can follow me on Twitter - @coreyterrett

Book Review: Miranda Hart - Is It Just Me?

As I write this blog post I have just completed Miranda Hart's book, "Is It Just Me?" and I absolutely loved it! I received it as a Christmas present  from my Nan - I did give her a long list and I'm glad she bought me this book. I started to read it about two days after Christmas, and in all it took me just one week to read the book. As an avid reader I tend to read slowly and it takes weeks and weeks... sometimes I just give up on some books, but on this book it was the complete opposite, I couldn't put the book down! I'm sure we've all had that conversation with one self where we are tucked up in bed nice and cosy, the weather is miserable, you've got a hot beverage and chocolates along with a new book. You pick the book up and enjoy and relish a chapter, you then ask to yourself, "One more chapter? Oh go on, no harm will be done!" and then when that chapter is over, you'll ask the same question to yourself, as Miranda's book is entitled... Is it just me? I hope not. 

I really love the cover of the book, I love the bold sort of sketchy writing for Miranda's name and then a different font for the title of the book. Within the book there are little sketches to go along with what is being said within a paragraph, which is really great. I'm that type of person who doesn't like to read the book with the cover on, it feels uncomfortable and it does my head in when I've got to adjust the cover on the book. Totally annoying and unnecessary. Remove the smart and slick cover, and there's a blocked colour of pink and a little sketch of Miranda with a bird on her head... yes, I'm being serious. It's really a great cover and I think the little sketches make the book a little more unique.

This isn't a typical autobiography, I don't think this isn't an autobiography as Miranda calls the book a 'Miran-ual' - even more great. Each chapter Miranda talks about different topics, these are the topics that she mentions in her book/Miran-ual:

1. Life, Eh?
2. Music
3. Hobbies
4. Office Life
5. Technology
6. Beauty
7. Bodies
8. Exercise
9. Diets
10. Health
11. Holidays
12. Christmas
13. Who's Top Dog?
14. Mothers and Children
15. Dating
16. Weddings
17. Culture
18. Dreams

I really enjoyed each chapter and at times I did agree with Miranda about some topics that she discusses in the book. Also, the main feature in the book is Miranda talking to herself at eighteen. This was great to read for me and we had both perspectives of both Miranda's and Young Miranda has different ambitions to Miranda and it's kind of humorous when Miranda has to explain to Young Miranda that she doesn't become an art fanatic and it's even funnier when she tells the little Miranda that she's still single and still childless. I thought it was a good feature and it didn't feel that it wasn't supposed to be there, there was a good mix of Miranda 'talking' to Miranda and Miranda telling us, the reader, about the subject.

One main thing that I really loved about the book is that Miranda doesn't just write the words like some authors/celebrities writing an autobiography, she speaks directly to the audience, even calls us, the reader 'My Dear Reader Chum' - cute. It's also like we're watching an episode of the sitcom, Miranda. We can see that some of Miranda's past experiences do happen to be in her sitcom of some sort, and it is rather enjoyable. 

I'm a huge fan of Miranda Hart and I cherish her, I really, really do. After reading this book, especially the last chapter I have realised how much an inspiration Miranda is to me (however cheesy that sounds, but it's true), she is an inspiration to me as I imagine she is to many others. I just love her wit, her attitude towards life, she's just amazing. Amazeballs. She's taught me that I shouldn't stick in a room feeling sorry for myself, I should be out there, in the big wide world chasing my dreams and I should never give up on my dreams. Never. And thanks to Miranda, I'm not going to give up on my dreams, I'm going to persevere, so thank you Miranda (if you are reading this... HELLO), but seriously I have to thank her so much for making me realise what I need to do to make sure my dreams do come true, and if they don't... which I hope I don't, well at least I have the satisfaction that I did try my best - that's what all we can do in life isn't it? Trying our best, even when things get tough.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of Miranda's or anyone who is looking for advice on life, it really is a great book. You should go and buy yourself a copy and enjoy the great book, "Is It Just Me?". It's full of wit, honesty, and brilliance - any fan of Miranda would love this book. 

I give this book five stars. I think it was a great book, full of inspirational content and still has the wit and brilliance of Miranda Hart. 

Thank you for reading. 

You can follow me on Twitter - @coreyterrett