You may remember, not too long ago I posted here about my TV elation that Ruth Jones' genius creation had returned to our screens. Now, series 3 of the smash-hit Stella has come to an end, and whilst I am indeed sad about it's conclusion, I still feel that it deserves the utmost praise! We had highs in the form of wonderfully played out character development and cracking comedy, as well as the lows, sort of (but definitely not negative show points!) in the form of incredibly human drama. Such an intrinsic combination almost always coming good, left Stella's Series 3 a fantastic 10 episode romp.
As I said before, mostly the Stella formula from Series 1 and 2 stayed broadly the same throughout, but like Series 1 and 2 a few key elements and characters were either added, taken away or evolved. A crucial change, was the addition of Patrick Baladi as Michael Jackson, the latest love interest of Stella. It took a whole series for their relationship to go from icy loathing to touching love, and avid Stella fans will know it is certainly not the first time that the up and down love life of the titular character has seen a new man. I thought I would grow bored of this repetition of a new romantic relationship coming into play, but thankfully it was quite the opposite (though even I doubt that they can get away with it for much longer so hopefully we shall be seeing more of Patrick Baladi in the future). For one thing, Baladi's character is funny in his own right. I think the minds behind Stella very much wanted to show off this new character addition from the start, thus resulting in some cracking lines and scenarios that Michael is involved in, upon being thrust into Pontyberry life. What's more, over time we get a truly touching, and certainly not simple, relationship that blossoms between Michael and Stella. Whilst I enjoyed Michael as a solo character, some of his developments were slightly cliched, but his relationship with Stella and the other characters more than made up for it.
As for the other characters and actors/actresses of Stella, who are many and just as important as each other, it is again a case of more of the excellent same, with a few intriguing tweaks. Series favorites Dai and Paula Kosh were sadly notable by their absence (though I am hoping they will return) as was Karl Morris, though he made a brilliant come-back in the final episode. Yet we were still thoroughly entertained in Series 3 by the likes of Dai Davis, Ianto, Luke and Zoe, Ben, Emma, Daddy, Bobby and Auntie Brenda, whom we know and love. Talking of Auntie Brenda, though I like many others found her hilarious from the outset when she appeared last series, I was afraid that if she did not receive a slightly deeper character than the "loud mouthed uninhibited Valleys woman" that she brilliantly embodies, audiences might still turn against her directness. Luckily, Ruth Jones and the team seemed to deliver just that, resulting in hilarious lines and moments, along with heady instances of compassion here and there from Auntie Brenda.
Of course, we cannot forget Stella regular and favourite from the start, brilliant actor and writer Steve Spiers as 'Big' Alan Williams. For the third series in a row, Spiers has written and acted some great moments of TV gold. Along with returning with his telly son 'Little' Al, fans will have no doubt had several 'awwww' moments, as Series 3 saw Alan find love, in the form of new character Celia, played by Emma Rydal. This I feel is another positive cast addition, as Celia and Alan's relationship also blossoms beautifully episode-by-episode, from poignant and comedic beginnings, to the final episode seeing the two Alans and Celia becoming an unlikely but lovingly solid family unit. Another great addition to Stella who I feel deserves a mention is Yasmine Akram , who Sherlock fans will surely recognize, but on Stella as Parvadi she is a lovely blend of feisty, funny and sexy.
Bad cast additions? Well not really. Lawyers and lovers Andy and Janet and young teenage Katie, whose stories are intertwined with Michael Jackson's, are good characters certainly, but I feel again were slightly predictable, and could have come into their own a bit more perhaps? Also Vivienne, Auntie Brenda's wayward rebel daughter, had a brilliant entrance onto Stella that made for some hilarious scenes, but toward the end she just popped up a little half-baked, literally!
Stella may be an ensemble piece, and all the better for it, but we of course cannot forget Stella herself, AKA the wonderful, delectable Ruth Jones. Like Stella, she seems to be ever prone to be moving with the times, being perfectly balanced at every turn in terms of which direction the show should go. Ruth Jones has forever maintained she is immensely proud of Stella, and it shows. Both she and Stella are a fantastic tour-de-force with no signs of stopping. Add to that an actress who simply gives fantastic performances every episode, making every inch of Stella the woman believable, and you have a sure-fire hit that, in my view, has already and rightly attained the status of a "classic" comedy.
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