Powerful stuff.
Last night, Derry Girls was on – and if you weren’t aware of this fact you simply must have had some other pressing business to attend to of a Tuesday which sounds fake but OK.
Every week, the Channel 4 show provokes somewhat of a strong reaction from audiences across the country as they laugh, cry, and laugh some more as Erin makes another face, James gets called a waste of space, and Michelle declares that another male is, in fact, a ride.
Last night, however, things were a bit different.
Rather than focusing on a plot line that involves straight and pointed hilarity like struggling to get to Belfast to see Take That or someone’s mam not being bother about the status of a bowl they had lent to somebody else, Tuesday’s instalment of the comedy was a bit more raw.
While the gals and James attended a 50s style prom-type event organised by none other than Jenny, Michelle brought two lads to the dance (both rides, probably), and James eventually rocked up to save the day, something a little more important was going on in the background – the ceasefire.
Thank you John #Peace #Goodfridayagreement pic.twitter.com/h5B1Qrutsb
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) April 2, 2019
Contrasted with the hilarious and genuinely heartwarming scenes of the dance, creator Lisa McGee managed to depict just how important and necessary peace is for the people of Northern Ireland – then and now.
Understandably, the episode provoked a strong reaction online with many viewers applauding the writers and cast for approaching such an important time in Northern Irish history so expertly.
Every week I think #DerryGirls couldn't possibly get any better and every week I'm proven wrong. Tonight's episode was extraordinary and a powerful reminder – particularly for all those who don't know – how important the peace process was and how it cannot be taken for granted.
— Patrick Kelleher (@paddykell) April 2, 2019
#derrygirls brings memories flooding back.IRA ceasefire 31/8/94 my Dad died only 5 weeks beforehand & I remember feeling so sad that he hadn't lived to see the day we all thought would never come. The relief & hope of a new future for NI. How easily it can be forgotten #brexit.
— Ann Marie Part (@PartAnnMarie) April 2, 2019
Absolute goosebumps after the ceasefire scene in #DerryGirls tonight. Simply stunning the way they can juxtapose such massive events in history with the frivolity of what you think is a massive event when you’re sixteen without taking away from either moment
— Louise Burne (@louiseb14) April 2, 2019
Also can tonight’s Derry Girls please remind people in Westminster how hard people fought for peace in Northern Ireland and how they deserve so much more than being a pawn in their Brexit ❤️
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) April 2, 2019
They should show the last 5 minutes of that episode of #DerryGirls in parliament, so the deluded fools might get even the faintest whiff of why it’s so important to the people of the north that hard-won peace is protected, Brexit be damned.
— Niecy O'Keeffe (@NiecyOKeeffe) April 2, 2019
Sister Michael raising a glass to the cease fire. #derrygirls
— Sarah B. (@SCEBelle) April 2, 2019
Stunning scenes all round.
Derry Girls returns for its final episode of season two next Tuesday on Channel 4.