This is England 88

This is England 88 finished last night and have to conclude there was three excellent episodes from Mr. Meadows. TIE86 was good but this time he quite rightly was the sole director (the first two episodes of 86 he lent out and weren't that good). BAFTA award winning Vicky McClure (Lol) was brilliant as she has been throughout the film/series, but for me Joe Gilgun (Woody) was outstanding. His witty, charming and endearing character was rightly put at the forefront of this installment, and Gilgun steals every scene he's in, be it funny, awkward or sad. He lives and breathes his character with some wonderful improvising going on, hilarious even when he's hurting - I mean that in a nice way. Makes you wish he was in the original film more, as his character is barely seen in the second half when Combo shows up. An amazing actor - Woody by name, not wooden in nature.

Unlike Thomas Turgoose (Shaun). He was good as a boy in the film but has failed to blossom as he's matured. I think Meadows has realised this too, as he was reduced to a few scenes in the third part last night. Hope I'm not being too harsh, but he looks clumsy delivering his lines and there always seems to be a big fuck off pause before he actually does say it. I'm pleased Meadows hasn't let nostalgia rule his storyline, as most of the gang take a back seat and McClure and Gilgun rightly act their arses off - good decision, awards in the bag.

Has to be said, the cameo of Stephen Graham's Combo in episode two was genius. Lol telling him sorry for what she said in the car back in the film and that she loved him was lovely. That was the moment in film for me that sparked off bad Combo, and although he was vindicated at the end of 86 for taking the wrap for Lol killing her dad, this moment of heart felt loving is something he deserved. He'll be out on parole in TIE90 I'm hoping. Hope it doesn't interfere with Lol and Woody as them being back together now looks a done deal. Magic.