Benidorm – Series 3

When we last saw the vacationers at Benidorm, Madge was about to get married to Mel. Geoff tried to drop in on the wedding ceremony with a parachute, but instead he kicked Mel in the head before flying off. Mick was arrested for punching Mel in an attempt to revive him. Now Janice and Madge are rushing to the hospital. What they don’t know is that they’re driving with a murderer, and that Janice’s stalker is close behind. In the end, Mel has to hire a helicopter to save his bride-to-be as well as half of the other vacationers off the hotel roof. I can’t even begin to describe all the hilarity involved! Everyone swears never to return to the place, but they are offered a free week’s vacation next year. So, now the sun and fun are back when we return to the all-inclusive vacation resort in Benidorm. And everyone is here again: the Garveys (Mick and Janice, their children, her mother, plus Mel and ‘Tell’s baby Coolio), Gavin and Troy, Donald and Jacqueline, Geoff and his mother. Well, actually, not everyone is back, Martin arrives without his wife Kate. But he brought a new friend called Brandy. It’s hilarious! What a bimbo! She lies and she cheats, and keeps leading Martin on. She sleeps with Latin Lover Mateo, so she can get his swipe card with entrance to all the hotel rooms. We later learn that she’s working with a con-artist to rob everyone blind. Martin is merely her mark. She practically steals the shirt off his back and in utter desperation he calls Kate back in England. She arrives with a vengeance the next morning! Also on the scene to save Martin, is his posh mother, who’s mad as a hatter.

Entrepreneurial as he is, Madge’s husband Mel has set up a mobile chair shop right in Benidorm. The grand opening goes completely awry because he used so many light bulbs that the shop goes up in smoke! He then gets the idea of buying an island off the coast so he can develop his empire there. He’s sent on a wild goose chase, so to speak, when he’s told the island is owned by the “Dovez.” (Get it? A local mispronunciation of “doves.”) Mel’s also set up by the con-artist with promises of big money. The gay couple Gavin and Troy are like the two grumpy muppets up in the box seat, always offering a running commentary of the goings on. Troy is gay simply because he likes cock, but Gavin thinks he’s gay because he’s intellectual, artistic, sensitive – he’s certainly sensitive about his weight. They are a lovely couple, the nicest people of the group. I was sad when Gavin thought Troy was having another lover. Fortunately, it turned out to be Troy’s son from before he came out of the closet! Geoff’s mother thinks her son is gay because he never had a proper girlfriend, while he’s out trying to score an internet date – not realizing he’s chatting online with a tranny. When they finally meet, he’s so shocked he can’t move! Donald and Jacqueline continue inviting folks over for their swinger parties, never realizing how awkward their sexual insinuations are or how untimely. There are so many high points, it is impossible to describe them all. Certainly a favorite moment is when Madge is performing karaoke completely high on ecstasy pills she mistook for diarrhea tablets. It’s a hoot! Truly, try to watch this show, your Cricket gives warm recommendations.