Favourite Series..

[AWP Corsa Tim]

For me its not a single series.. its the first two, in which we see all the lads meet, work together, then go on to different things and meet again thanks to Barry!! Both provide a very realistic image as to what life was actually like back in those times.. when i see some series 1 scenes with Dennis and Vera i sometimes see similarities of my own family with regards to how parents would sometimes act together..

All in all its Series 1&2 for me.. 3 and 4 and the special ill always watch but its Gary's absence that makes it lose its luster slightly more..

[dan slider]

Love the first 2 series, but i seem to watch series 2 more then 1, which i think is true for most Pet fans. Well it seems to be talked about more on the old forum.

I liked series 3 also, series 4 was also good but i think Oz getting too emotional and in love takes away from his usual Oz we all know and love. It was good to see the old Oz back in the last 2 specials.

[Pete M]

Hi all.
To me, the magic of series 1 and 2 will never fade. Both are totally believable in the way they are set. From the idea of traveling abroad in search of cash in hand work in series 1, to working for a crook like Ally Fraser in series 2, were really representative of how the country was at the time. The lads were skint by and large, and made sacrifices to keep their heads above water, but big time guzzlers too. Although I loved series 3, it was very gloomy in the first couple of episodes, and didn't really capture the magic of the lads being holed up together in an alien environment.
Also, it was always an ensemble piece, and the absence of Gary Holton was very evident.
I loved series 4, in comparison it had all the ingredients that series 3 lacked, and some very funny lines. I know some fans didn't like the 'new' Oz in series 3, but by series 4 I felt he was a back on form, and remember, people do change as they grow up.
Although Bomber played all his parts in Series 4 fantastically, I personally found it sad to watch poor Pat Roach obviously struggling, and a shadow of the old Bomber.
Whilst series 5 had some brilliant lines, I felt the absence of Gary and Pat diluted the ensemble feel to it, and was a little far fetched. When thinking back to 1 and 2, they were mundane situations brought to life by the chemistry between the characters, but by the end it was unbelievable situations only made vaguely believable by the superb acting. Knowing how Jimmy Nail was obsessed with 'keeping it real', I'm surprised he went along with the last one.
So in conclusion, I love them all, and although the atmosphere of the hut and Germany started it all, there is a magic about the Derbyshire episodes that makes Series 2 my favourite.
Apologies for my long answer!

[Brendan Mulcahy]

Whilst Series 1 introduced us to the lads, my Favorite will always be series 2. The acting improved along with the storyline. Also because we watched this as a family, and even my dad loved it. Now he is no longer here it holds some fond memories all sat down watching

[Gary M]

It's between Series 1 & 2. It's hard to choose an overall favourite. For Series 1, every episode is great, although I think it relies on too many plot devices - series of coincidences - in many episodes (the very funny Private Lives being the biggest culprit). I think the dialogue and interaction between all seven characters in the hut and on the job is the best writing in TV comedy history - the writers didn't need to stretch the plotlines as much as they did. Still, great stuff.

Series 2 is fantastic up to ep 8. The last few eps didn't just suffer because of Gary's death - the dialogue in the Spain episodes just seemed uninspiring, especially the interior scenes in the hotel bars (all without Wayne of course). And the "Oz winning the lottery" plot showed how desperate the writers were to pad things out towards the end. And speaking of Oz's lottery, this came to about 35 grand if I recall. How come this didn't get mentioned in Series 3 when Dennis's 25 grand from Ali Fraser did?

Series 3 is highly watchable especially up to them leaving for Arizona (compare this with the lads leaving for Spain in Series 2). The last couple episodes in Arizona seemed rushed.

As for Series 4 and the Special, I watched them once and that was enough. They should've stopped after 3.

[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]

I agree with Series 3, great up to Arizona, still good in the USA but a feeling of rushed. A few more episodes were needed of the lads in Arizona. It took 4 episodes to get the bridge down overall, and 2 to get it to Arizona and get it back up.

[Rodders]

Some well thought out posts above on the ups and downs of each series. Love it.

[AlreetPal]

Agree with the original post entirely. When I watch series 3 onwards I find myself getting distracted or wanting to watch series 1 & 2 again. A few good episodes in 3 onwards but I find each episode in Series 1 & 2 classics and will never tire of them.

[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]

The thing I really enjoy about this Forum and its members is that we don't all kiss up to the show, and its stars. What I mean by this is, we have things we don't like about the show, such as certain series. I am sure many Forums might 'brown nose' as Den would have put it, in case someone reads it and we offend them.

I am always honest when it comes to the Favourite Series part, like everyone else.
I love Series 1 and 2, 2 more. I do like Series 3 more than 4, as its a bit harder. Saying that however, I go through periods of watching nothing but Series 4, but it has a great feel to it. It also reminds me of living abroad, and the hot summer nights. I also love the Oz/Aphelia story, and the music is some of the best, the instrumentals, and I wish I could get hold of that soundtrack.

The Special? For me, too short, and sadly the end. I never want Auf Pet to end, its hard to watch the final scenes, knowing that we have been with them since 83, and now thats it.

Anyway, I hope this makes sense, and if we all got along and agreed, then it would be pretty boring wouldn't it?

Lee

[ruggedscot]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ! Series one is where its at - yes 2 was good and all but but 1 was the original and it really was a breath of fresh air on the telly. It captured the mood the way the country was and the fact that its still remembered with such fondness indicates that its the one. series 2 just extended series one - although the meeting up to finish baz's house was a little far fetched - a good tool to reunite them but really not as believable as the first series.

I did like the 3rd one with the wake for Oz turning into a wake for Wayne - excellent piece of turnaround. But 1 will always be the Auf Pet that hits the right buttons. it was just so. 2 was a bit contrived. 3 had money thrown at it and id say it was better than 2 - but Ally Frazer would still piss on Micky Startup......

The end of the last one on the boat - Brilliant - full circle and back to Germany with the three of them. You know I do think that there would be an option for another special or even a series - after all its back to the three again and they could make that work. much the same as the first series.

Arrive in Germany at the Embassy and then have to get sorted with accomodation and iron out a few problems that develop to much mirth and comedy. A few other characters could be brought in but it would focus on the three main original characters that started the ball rolling. You have Neville and Brenda - his kids - Dennis maybe made up with his kids so plenty of option of home thoughs from abroad ? Still Germany aint as far away as it was back in 83 - the walls down and all that....

[AWP Corsa Tim]

I don't fully agree with the series 2 being 'contrived'... the lads getting back together because of Barry was good, its similar to real people in life when family members chip in to help with decorating etc.. but from the sounds of Barry's family I think he was wise to get the lads back due to his friendship made with them.. I'm sure that if Gary hadn't have died the second series would have topped the first series maybe.,

Just my opinion. Without the original 7 though the later series in the new millennium always lacked some magic of the originals, always will do too

[Shankly]

Got to be 1 and 2. I love 2 probably a little more than the first, although it does lose a little when Gary died. His absence in the interior Spanish scenes left a hole which was never filled.

I enjoyed 3 at the time. 16 years without AufPet meant it was a special occasion but I don't enjoy it as much now in comparison. Same with 4. However, I do enjoy them. The special was ok but nothing special. Great end though.

[Brown Eyed Boy]

Well, I only know the first two series so far. And I don't intend to watch series 3 and 4 at all.

I really like series 1 and 2. But I like series 1 better! There are also a couple of good eps in season 2, but I just can't help it... I always prefer series 1!

The later episodes of season 2 kind of depress me. It's just too obvious that Wayne is gone... Even though everybody tries to pretend that he is still there...

Just watched "For Better Or Worse" the other day... Wayne's absence hurts, really. Take that scene in the bar, for instance. "Wayne" is supposed to sit at the bar. What a weird situation for the actors, having to pretend there's someone there who had died weeks, or even months, ago.

Of course, I noticed how cleverly it was done... You can never see "Wayne's" face, the way he gets carried away by Bomber. My brother noticed that too.

Nevertheless, I will avoid eps like this one in the future. They just depress me. That's why I don't want to watch them anymore. Simply miss Gary too much!