Entertainment
What happened on the fishing trip in Gavin and Stacey? Theories to answer the age-old question
That’s why Bryn’s quiff is so big… It’s full of secrets (Picture: BBC)
Gavin and Stacey is an enduring classic and it made a welcome return back in 2019 with a festive special.
It’s that kind of show that’s always on the telly, meaning you can probably recite certain parts and may spend your weekends asking everyone ‘what’s occurring?’
It is hard to believe it has already been two years since fans were reunited with Gavin, Stacey, Nessa, Smithey and co, but there has still been no confirmation on whether or not the show will be back after the special’s cliffhanger ending.
Joanna Page – who plays Stacey on the show – has even said she may quit acting altogether, but would make an exception should creators Ruth Jones and James Corden get round to writing a new episode.
One thing that’s also still not been revealed after all this time is what happened on the ubiquitous fishing trip.
To recap, there’s a long-running gag that Bryn West and his nephew Jason have a dark secret. Something happened on a fishing trip they took, and the only people who know are the pair involved and Dave ‘Coaches’ Gooch.
There are plenty of theories kicking about online, but what actually happened on that fateful night? Decide for yourselves after reading these theories.
What happened on the fishing trip in Gavin & Stacey?
Theory 1
What we do know about whatever happened on the fishing trip is this:
They were on their knees (could be metaphorical)They did it because it was coldThere seems to be some sort of nudity involved
The mystery shrouding the event suggests it was highly embarrassing and potentially sexual due to the taboo way it’s talked about.
That could lead many people to believe that Jason and Bryn had some sort of sexual contact in order to keep warm.
However, this can be easily debunked, due to the fact Bryn also states at one point that what happened is ‘legal in Wales’. Since the two are nephew and uncle, any sexual relationship they would’ve had would’ve been illegal.
Creator Ruth Jones is keeping tight-lipped (Picture: BBC)
Theory 2
So if they didn’t have sex, what did happen? Many online commenters have joined up the dots and seem to think that they might have spooned at one point. Nothing illegal there.
Perhaps they fell into the river or lake, and had to strip off their wet clothes to prevent hypothermia.
Then they might have cuddled up for warmth which – although necessary – might have caused them great shame since they’re related.
Once again, though, there’s another spanner in the works. When Bryn and Dave speak about the incident, Dave says:
‘With the soup? A man and his uncle.. it’s a physical impossibility. It defies gravity.’
This brings us to our next theory.
The award-winning show still has people talking all these years on (Picture: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Theory 3
The third theory is that nobody knows or will ever know. It doesn’t help our curiosity in any sense, but some people believe that writers just put it in there to confuse everyone.
Certainly easier than trying to figure it out, but it has been hinted that they did actually know.
In a 2011 interview with Wales Online, the show’s creator Ruth Jones says: ‘In the last episode of Gavin and Stacey we wrote into the script a flashback which explained what happened on the fishing trip but it didn’t make it into the final cut. It’s still out there somewhere on some computer.’
She continued, saying ‘I’m a big fan of people using their imaginations.’
It would seem someone might know beyond the writers, as Lisa Edwards – who used to own the house the show used as Bryn’s home – previously revealed she has the script which may reveal the truth.
It has already been two years since the last Christmas special, with no follow up in sight (Picture: BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson)
Speaking to Wales Online, Lisa said: ‘We have a script for an episode which was never aired.
‘It was supposed to be Uncle Bryn and his nephew watching this VHS.
‘They both watch it together to see what happened on the fishing trip. But they decided to not show the episode.’
However, according to Lisa, the script doesn’t actually reveal the truth behind the secret.
‘We have the script but it doesn’t say what happened,’ she added.
Is Lisa telling the truth, or has she been sworn to secrecy? We may never know.
Theory 4
This one’s a pretty big curveball, and simply comes from a fanfiction readily available online.
In a strange scenario where Gavin is dying, Bryn joins him in the ambulance and decides to tell him before he passes away.
He says that, at the end of the trip, they get a hotel room to shield themselves from the cold. They get mugs of soup and, while Jason is away, Bryn puts on some adult movies to unwind.
There was a noise outside, prompting Bryn to jump and spill his soup in the air. Jason then comes back in and sees the movie and the commotion, leading to embarrassment for all.
Sure that’s what Gavin wants to hear right before he dies!
Anyway, the fact is, you can believe what you want to believe. To get the truth, you’ll have to shake down Dave.
Catch up on all episodes of Gavin and Stacey on BBC iPlayer now.
MORE : Joanna Page reckons the whole Gavin & Stacey cast would consider doing another special
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