“I think he’s just nervous.” – Lavinia
I watch A LOT of TV (surprise, surprise, right?), so I tend to feel like I’ve seen it all and nothing can shock me. Well, ladies and gentleman, that was before I saw My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
I should have known what I was getting myself into when I embarked to review last night’s Gypsy Christmas episode. After all, Eric did honor My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding by giving it the number one spot in his Speeding Train Wreck Reality Shows of 2011 piece. But after seeing this particular train wreck with my own eyes, I can honestly say that nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced.
“Ah, this train wrecked gem has so much going for it that it’s difficult to know where to begin: bizarro customs in cultural backwaters, teenage weddings, wedding gowns on little girls that put those featured on Toddlers & Tiaras to shame (which, let’s face it, ain’t easy), and so much more,” Eric said of the show.
I would have to agree with our Revered Leader’s assessment of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Usually, I find these kinds of train wreck reality shows extremely humorous. But while there are certainly funny moments on My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas, I wound up being more disturbed than amused. There is very little comedy to be found in the midst of all that teenage pregnancy and borderline sexual assault.
In last night’s Christmas spectacular, we watch as the travelers (read: Gypsies) descend on the Irish village of Rathkealefor their holiday festivities. Not only is Rathkeale a wedding destination, but it’s also the site of a wild parade to commemorate the First Communion.
The highlight of the episode is the wedding of a 17-year-old child bride named Lavinia and her a-hole husband-to-be Edward. Lavinia worries that Edward is going to stand her up at the alter because he hasn’t arrived at the church when the ceremony is scheduled to commence. Much to Lavinia’s relief, Edward pulls up in a white BMW and stumbles down the aisle. Apparently while Lavinia was waiting for him, Edward was “at the pub hoisting pints with his mates.”
Considering the fact that Edward’s “mate” who was driving the BMW appeared to be as drunk as Edward, I think it’s pretty safe to assume that Gypsies have pretty lax rules regarding both inappropriate physical contact as well as drinking and driving.
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.