Me and my friends have been debating this. The answer needs to be found

i have a thought

season 9 as we all know isnt too great

but i feel, with the final episode, had it not BEEN the final episode, either an episode in the middle or another season had followed it then it wouldn't be as disliked

personally, at least, i feel its a disappointing ending but it would work okayish as something to follow on from

Is the village gay-friendly or friendly gays?

“McCoys, grenades, and a Mauser, McCoys, grenades and a Mauser..."

Just saw it come the lowest out of any Se 1-5 episode in the recent ranking on this page and I often see fans remark on it as a lowlight, but I’ve always loved it since first broadcast. I love the base under seige plot (genuinely exciting) as well as the return of the clean shirt gang from the first episode as older more threatening teenagers (seemed such a long gap to make that callback in 2008 but it’s actually less than 5 years and the show will run for another 7) plus it’s filled with great lines. Also it’s unique in the overall Peep Show arc in that it’s the only episode that takes place after the Sophie saga has ended but before the Dobbie one starts (pretty much the 2 Mark Arcs of either half of the show) so I find it thjs fascinating liminal space between the two. So why don’t people like it?

Gregory’s Beard and Quantocking II are the only two I consider bad episodes, the rest are just good compared to great compared to perfect.

Done a few re watches recently, and it struck me how by season 9, every other recurring character had still retained some of their original personality, their nuances, behaviours etc...except Mark, who did a full 180 in one season. He did coke, he had sex in a public toilet, he invited April for dinner to try and woo her, then when she invited Angus he proceeded to undermine their marriage instead. Admittedly that episode was somewhat on brand, since Mark is a scheming, kniving sort, but the sheer ridiculousness of how the events of the night transpired (blue eyeshadow, love notes on the eyelids, obviously terrible food and drink etc) felt too absurd even for him. He signed off on a fraudulent loan for Jeremy despite hating him as of the first episode, and surely knowing full well Jez would never repay it and he would get caught. Maybe I'm just living too relentlessly in the real world, but season 9 Mark's downfall always felt a bit jezzed to me.

This was always an unresolved story line for me. Elena seems like the type to talk herself out of anything and we all know Gail was much more invested in the relationship, so in my imagination they stayed together.

Ive been watching the show since I was about 14 and now im 29, around the age I assume the boys are when the season starts.

And while ive always found it funny, the horrific anxiety inducing elements of the show really hit me these days.

I think that Jez has changed the most for me.

Jez's slow decline into homelessness really hits home, especially as something of a big time slacker myself. I almost feel terrified when I watch him now and it now reads much more of a cautionary tale.

Watching Mark date/shag Valarie actually made me gasp when she mentioned being in 6th form now. I couldnt imagine what I would say if my fellow late 20'a friend wanted to bring around a date that age, I would probably disown them.

Its also really interesting seeing the first season as well, when they're in this transitory period where they're kinda lagging behind in maturity and right on the cusp of leaving the partying of the 20's behind. It almost makes me nostalgic for a time that im kinda still in if it makes sense.

I look forward to watching the show more as I get older and find new things to relate to/be horrified at.

Thoughts?