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Derry Girls Series Three: What the Must Watch reviewers think

Every week, the Must Watch podcasters review the biggest TV and streaming shows.

This week, Scott Bryan and Hayley Campbell review the third and final series of Derry Girls on Channel 4.

The comedy from writer Lisa McGee, set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, draws its conclusion.

Photo: Channel 4

Scott says: "This show deserves and has always deserved the hype"

"Yes it is a Must Watch. Sometimes a show becomes all hype, even if it has dropped in quality. This show deserves and has always deserved the hype, because it has never dropped in quality. It is so sharp, so witty and it perfectly manages to capture that energy of your teenage years, encompassing how big and volatile everything can seem to you at the time.

"It’s so brilliantly written. Not a single line is wasted either. In the US, sitcoms with such a hit rate are usually written by an entire team of writers who pour over every single line. It’s a huge team effort, because no single writer is able to create something so rich. Lisa McGee is the exception.

"With Derry Girls, she’s made something where every line has its place and every character is fully formed. She is a complete and utter genius for being able to create something so consistent."

Photo: Channel 4

Hayley says: "You must watch it!"

"We’re reviewing this purely as an excuse to tell you it’s back, it’s in its final series, and you must watch it! I’m with Scott on this one. I honestly think Derry Girls is one of those classic TV shows that we’re going to be talking about twenty years from now.

"It manages to put you in the world of Northern Ireland in the nineties and how politics impacted on young people in a way that documentaries can’t tell you, and it makes a perfect foil for comedy because you’ve got this bunch of characters who have all of these outside pressures while also just being teenage girls, with all of the pressures that come with being teenage girls.

"It’s just brilliantly observed from multiple angles and on top of that you’ve got this completely absurd Irish sense of humour, which I love. A lot of my family are Irish Catholics from Belfast and I find so much of it recognisable. I love this show, and it’s back, so watch it."

Photo: Channel 4

Derry Girls series 3 is available now on All4.

Must Watch is released as a podcast every Monday evening from BBC Sounds and all other good podcast providers.

This week, the team hear from Gemma Whelan about Gentleman Jack S2. Plus, reviews of Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof on BBC One and Anatomy of a Scandal on Netflix.

Click here to listen to the latest episode.

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