So Season 3 of Zapped draws to a close, but what a season it has been. What was already an exciting and funny programme expanded its borders further to allow us deeper into the mysterious town of Munty – so deep in fact that the writers have allowed us to become citizens, which in turn makes it sadder that we are visiting Munty for the final time this season…
As we join the episode the Steg (Kenneth Collard), Barbara (Sharon Rooney), Brian (James Buckley) are enjoying a drink in the Jug and the Other Jug. Herman (Louis Emerick) is trying to shift his fish pie. Since the last episode Brian has joined the Munty Reserve forces but is happy that as it is the reserves he wont have to do much fighting – just walking around a bit for some easy money!
Meanwhile Barbara is enjoying her first day in the Seers Guild (see last episode for details) whilst Steg has joined a Dragon Spotting Society, not because he likes dragons but because he is attracted to a girl in the society called Esme. Whilst looking at her sands of time, Barbara has a disturbing vision of Brian attacking her and leaving her in a pool of blood.
Then Howell (Paul Kaye) bursts in wanting a large pork gin. He also wants to show the gang something outside! It’s a flying carpet! It doesn’t quite work, bit Howell does that not that dampen his new idea of running scenic tours. Howell also is still questioning Brian about the location of the amulet.
At the Seer’s Guild Barbara misses a painting on the wall that replicates her vision, whilst outside of Munty an evil still lurks in the woods and is getting closer!
Steg arrives for his Dragon Spotting date with Esme (Isy Suttie) only to find it is actually a Society meet up and that Dragon Spotting is thing even though dragons have not been seen in Munty for over 30 years!
Problems arise when Brian goes to collect his patrol money, the fairies instruct him that because of his experience he listed on his CV ( “Escaping Colditz, Saving that guy Private Ryan, and his time with the X-Men”) he has been chosen to patrol outside the city walls to find the vicious monster. The best fighting ork is going to go with him as well as Munty’s finest wizard… that turns out to be Howell! As they investigate Brian catches a scarecrow then Howell and Brian return to the Jug and the Other Jug to celebrate. Herman questions how a scarecrow could have made all the reported killings and Brian and Howell realise it must of been something else. Brian then asks Howell if he remembered to close the gate…
Verdict: 9/10. Zapped attacks on many levels in this episode – an almost Simpson’s like barrage of quips and references (both self-referential and otherwise) are there if you look. Some on the surface, some in the back ground, and some in the techniques used in filming. None of this slows down the action and each character gets time to shine and develop. Even the fish pie gets time to develop! The woven thread that has been weaved the last three seasons is pulled together to great effect with explanations given for various events we have seen unfold and Munty is richer for it. Zapped is rarity in TV comedy in that it does not reset each week instead it expands its own world and grows to fill out that expansion. Season Three has gone from strength to strength and we now remain hopeful for a fourth season atleast! It goes to show what can happen when cast and crew are allowed to mature a show at its own pace rather than the machine like schedules that are thrust upon so many shows these days.
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