After a cracker of a run, Derry Girls has finally come to an end this week with an hour-long special, and it did not disappoint.
*WARNING: Spoilers ahead*
One night on from its season three finale, Derry Girls wraps up by celebrating a string of 18th birthdays. Although the birthday parties are a keen focus of the teens, it’s the political parties that remain at the forefront of the poignant episode.
In a stunning display of generational solidarity, there is a moving shot of Grandad Joe holding the hand of the littlest Quinn, who Joe hopes will never have to see the violence that he has, ‘What if no one else has to die? What if this all becomes a ghost story?’
Nicola Coughlan is noticeably absent due to the actresses’ crazy filming commitments (Bridgerton, we’re looking at you). However, our favourite ‘little lesbian legend’ returns at the end to save the Derry Girls’ day, rescuing Erin’s 18th birthday party.
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Rounding off as it began, with an Erin monologue, it is the tear-jerking ‘We have to move on and we have to grow up,’ that finished me off, having followed this series from the start.
A story that finds its way into Chelsea Clinton’s hands years later, it is not a story to be forgotten. As the Derry Girls move into a new world, who knows what’s next for Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and James?
Not only is this a hilarious coming-of-age for five Derry Girls, but a heart-warming coming-of-age for an entire population. In the words of Erin: ‘It’s good, it’s exciting, and maybe a wee bit scary too.’
But it certainly is the end of an era to say goodbye to the four girls from Derry and the ‘wee English fella’.