League 2017 Specials - HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

[Voodoo Lady]

A few folks have come back here to discuss the new specials, so I thought it would be fun to have a shiny new, dedicated, spoiler-filled thread to do that in

My absolute favorite part, among many genius moments, was the media circus. I tried to post a picture of it here, but I'm clearly very out of practice, and couldn't get it to work. Derp.

[astrid]

Hi I found a red bag floating around....just wondered if someone here had lost it?

[Voodoo Lady]

OMG, I literally shouted, "It's bag music!"

Honestly, all three episodes were pretty perfect, right from the start. The callback to Ben's train journey in Series 1 was genius, especially because it took a moment for the penny to drop, and just as I was thinking, "Wait, that means Auntie Val is--" the camera panned to reveal her. I shouted, "Hooray!" and may even have applauded a little.

I loved how they handled Barbera. I thought it was decent of them to acknowledge that things have changed and that now that we know better, we must try to do better. And all that while managing to keep things light and funny.

And Bernice done up like the Queen with the hair and the perpetual handbag, etc.

I also dug how they did nods to so many fan fave characters that they just didn't have time to work into the main storyline.

And OMG, Pauline! That moment outside the "Restart" room about broke my heart.

There was so much more, of course, and so many great lines. I could be here all day!

[astrid]

The moment when Pauline was stood outside in the corridor was the most touching part for me. Not only was it emotional but by the power of Greyskull Mr Pemberton can act. I mean we all know that but dear Lord that man is good.

I did a little cheer when you saw the Mickey got his dream of being a fireman.

[Beast]

OMG, I literally shouted, "It's bag music!"

Honestly, all three episodes were pretty perfect, right from the start. The callback to Ben's train journey in Series 1 was genius, especially because it took a moment for the penny to drop, and just as I was thinking, "Wait, that means Auntie Val is--" the camera panned to reveal her. I shouted, "Hooray!" and may even have applauded a little.

I loved how they handled Barbera. I thought it was decent of them to acknowledge that things have changed and that now that we know better, we must try to do better. And all that while managing to keep things light and funny.

And Bernice done up like the Queen with the hair and the perpetual handbag, etc.

I also dug how they did nods to so many fan fave characters that they just didn't have time to work into the main storyline.

And OMG, Pauline! That moment outside the "Restart" room about broke my heart.

There was so much more, of course, and so many great lines. I could be here all day!

Yes to all this! So many nods which were thrilling. And yet new craziness to enjoy. Makes me feel like they could come back at any time and still be amazing which shows what geniuses (genii as I like to say) they are. And the end exchange between Benjamin and Val = heart eyed emoji that I can’t find here.

I’m gutted re Pauline though.

[Voodoo Lady]

FIREMAN!!!

I did a quick d'awww when I saw Mickey, but it was quickly snuffed out when I realized it was Pauline who'd been "Geoffed". (Can't bring myself to say it just yet.)

It's funny, but I'm good if they don't make any more. Not because I wouldn't love to see more League, but because I felt like these were such a wonderful "goodbye". I feel satisfied. If they do more, I would be thrilled, but if not, it's all good.

[ratgirl]

The first time I saw the opening to the first episode it made me feel the same sense of nostalgia and excitement as at the opening of "The Force Awakens"! I nearly shed a tear. I thought the nostalgic parts were really well pitched. I loved the way every time something harked back to the original and didn't seem quite right (the Pauline sketch and Legz Akimbo being particular examples), there was a tragic reason why.

I think my favourite sketches were the ones that had that sense of the tragic - other than the above, the bingo man (beautifully written and acted) and also Geoff (who despite being his usual ridiculous OTT self nonetheless had a real sense of desperation). The sketches that didn't work so well were those that tried too hard to extra weird the characters. While the beginning and end of the Dentons storyline worked, it just wasn't particularly funny in the middle. And the Pop/Ritchie stuff ruined Pop's creepiness a bit. Pop is terrifyingly creepy because he's very believable, but they took it too far for him to remain believable. Though I did quite like the end of the sketch (murdery Reece is always adorable).

Personally the bit I liked least was Barbara, which I found uncomfortable. By making Barbara antagonistic about pronouns, they made her seem unreasonable and I actually thought it did the opposite of what they intended - came across as defensive of the character rather than apologetic, as if the only reason people might not like it is because they're too militant, rather than because the Gents might have misrepresented trans people. Actually, watching back, I think original Barbara works almost better today than the re-write - the joke is that everything she says is too much information, not that she's trans. After all, anyone who refers to her as a man or if offensive is presented as being in the wrong and mostly people just accept her the way she is. Today she kind of seems like she represents widespread cis assumptions about trans people. Hey ho.

Anyway, this probably all comes across as more critical than I am. Overall there was a LOT I loved!!