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Vicious

 Vicious
type
TVTItem
 Vicious
label
Vicious
 Vicious
page
Vicious
 Vicious
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Vicious (originally Vicious Old Queens) is a Brit Com/Dom Com that aired for two series on ITV in the UK and on PBS in the US from April 2013 to December 2016. Starring Shakespearian Actors/nerd icons Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi, the series follows a wealthy-albeit-bitter gay couple and their friends.The starring couple consists of Freddie (McKellen), who is a failing yet egotistical actor, and Stuart (Jacobi), who is still struggling to come out to his mother. The cast also includes their old friends Violet, Penelope, and Mason, and their young neighbour Ash.Whilst the show is essentially about vicious old homosexuals sniping and insulting one another, the presence of McKellen and Jacobi affirms that it's better than it sounds. Also, despite the pilot receiving a mixed critical response, the show currently has a strong fan following.As with many British shows, it aired for two short series, along with a Christmas special and a Grand Finale, for a total of 14 episodes. There was also a two-year gap between Series 1 and Series 2, due to the cast's obligations in other high-profile productions.
 Vicious
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2023-10-22T17:46:58Z
 Vicious
parsed
2023-10-22T17:46:58Z
 Vicious
processingComment
Dropped link to Bowdlerise: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Vicious
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Dropped link to DowntonAbbey: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Vicious
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Dropped link to PunchedAcrossTheRoom: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Vicious
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Dropped link to Slapstick: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Vicious
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Vicious / int_10dcbe05
type
Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other
 Vicious / int_10dcbe05
comment
Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: Though somewhat rare considering how bitter they are, Freddie and Stuart occasionally invoke this to the extent they even act affectionate with each other on occasion. Also invoked during the first series finalé:
 Vicious / int_10dcbe05
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1.0
 Vicious / int_10dcbe05
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_10dcbe05
 Vicious / int_1434e55c
type
Amazingly Embarrassing Parents
 Vicious / int_1434e55c
comment
Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Parodied in 2.1, when Ash brings Jess to meet "the most important people" in his life, only to be drawn into playing the part of Violet's stepson to impress Violet's sister. As part of the con, Violet pulls him into an awkward kiss, and makes up embarrassing infantilizing anecdotes about him. Then, she and Stuart egg him into performing a backflip, which could have ended horribly.
 Vicious / int_1434e55c
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 Vicious / int_1434e55c
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Vicious / int_1434e55c
 Vicious / int_18f2b2b
type
Hypocritical Heartwarming
 Vicious / int_18f2b2b
comment
Hypocritical Heartwarming: Freddie ends up giving a speech to Stuart's mother that makes it very clear that, since he loves Stuart so much, only he is allowed to verbally abuse him.
 Vicious / int_18f2b2b
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1.0
 Vicious / int_18f2b2b
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_18f2b2b
 Vicious / int_1b65dfad
type
The Cameo
 Vicious / int_1b65dfad
comment
The Cameo: Dame Judi Dench as herself. See The Stinger.
 Vicious / int_1b65dfad
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1.0
 Vicious / int_1b65dfad
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_1b65dfad
 Vicious / int_1b6c5aa2
type
The Couch
 Vicious / int_1b6c5aa2
comment
The Couch
 Vicious / int_1b6c5aa2
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1.0
 Vicious / int_1b6c5aa2
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_1b6c5aa2
 Vicious / int_1ba17583
type
The Ghost
 Vicious / int_1ba17583
comment
The Ghost: Stuart's mother. Until the finalé, when she attends their party.
 Vicious / int_1ba17583
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1.0
 Vicious / int_1ba17583
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_1ba17583
 Vicious / int_222dc873
type
Black Comedy
 Vicious / int_222dc873
comment
Black Comedy: The show utilizes this trope often, as it is a Brit Com. Freddie and Stuart enjoy insulting and degrading each other, as well as their close friends. Freddie is especially sadistic regarding this. It is implied that Ash suffered parental neglect/abuse. His trauma is often exposed set to Laugh Track. Stuart's mother dies before his wedding, and Ash and friends try to hide it until after the ceremony. Violet's abusive, disappearing husband Jasper is originally Played for Laughs. However, when Jasper goes too far, and it enters the realm of drama, he is Punched Across the Room by Ash to defend Violet's honor, and the cake is destroyed.
 Vicious / int_222dc873
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 Vicious / int_222dc873
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Vicious / int_222dc873
 Vicious / int_234fa9ba
type
May–December Romance
 Vicious / int_234fa9ba
comment
May–December Romance: Violet attempts to invoke this on Ash, but the much younger man is clearly not interested in her. or:
 Vicious / int_234fa9ba
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1.0
 Vicious / int_234fa9ba
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_234fa9ba
 Vicious / int_24321e44
type
Only Sane Man
 Vicious / int_24321e44
comment
Only Sane Man: Ash. Mason thinks he is this, but he's nearly as bad as Freddie and Stuart. Averted sometimes, e.g Series 2, Episode 2: Stuart and Freddy start spending more time with another young man, and Ash goes full psycho.
 Vicious / int_24321e44
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-1.0
 Vicious / int_24321e44
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_24321e44
 Vicious / int_267ce120
type
Dirty Old Man
 Vicious / int_267ce120
comment
Dirty Old Man: Freddie and Stuart only first invite Ash in because he's handsome and young.
 Vicious / int_267ce120
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1.0
 Vicious / int_267ce120
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_267ce120
 Vicious / int_28a5213a
type
Small Name, Big Ego
 Vicious / int_28a5213a
comment
Small Name, Big Ego: Freddie's career consisted of "bit parts in Rep and one episode of Doctor Who", according to Stuart. That doesn't stop him from acting as though he had, well, Sir Ian McKellen's career.
 Vicious / int_28a5213a
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1.0
 Vicious / int_28a5213a
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_28a5213a
 Vicious / int_2b68b7fa
type
Sickeningly Sweethearts
 Vicious / int_2b68b7fa
comment
Sickeningly Sweethearts: Ash and his new girlfriend, Chloe:
 Vicious / int_2b68b7fa
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1.0
 Vicious / int_2b68b7fa
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_2b68b7fa
 Vicious / int_2edc82a0
type
Accidental Athlete
 Vicious / int_2edc82a0
comment
Accidental Athlete: In 2.1, Stuart and Violet keep insisting that Ash, who is pretending to be a trained gymnast, show off. As it turns out, Ash is quite good at backflips.
 Vicious / int_2edc82a0
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1.0
 Vicious / int_2edc82a0
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_2edc82a0
 Vicious / int_33f7b10e
type
Walk-In Chime-In
 Vicious / int_33f7b10e
comment
Every episode has one or two instances of Stuart taking a dreadful phonecall, and a Walk-In Chime-In or two from Freddie.
 Vicious / int_33f7b10e
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1.0
 Vicious / int_33f7b10e
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_33f7b10e
 Vicious / int_3573371e
type
Dinner and a Show
 Vicious / int_3573371e
comment
Dinner and a Show: This is the plot of the Christmas special.
 Vicious / int_3573371e
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1.0
 Vicious / int_3573371e
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_3573371e
 Vicious / int_37499c8
type
OnceAnEpisode
 Vicious / int_37499c8
comment
Once an Episode: Every episode opens with Stuart talking to his mother on the phone, except for episode 6, where Ash answers instead.
 Vicious / int_37499c8
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1.0
 Vicious / int_37499c8
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_37499c8
 Vicious / int_392372f9
type
Actor Allusion
 Vicious / int_392372f9
comment
Also, due to the theatre background of the actors and characters, plays such as The Mousetrap occasionally receive mention.invoked
 Vicious / int_392372f9
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1.0
 Vicious / int_392372f9
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_392372f9
 Vicious / int_39f27cae
type
Bedmate Reveal
 Vicious / int_39f27cae
comment
Violet tricks Ash into getting drunk, resulting in a Bedmate Reveal. Violet spends the next episode taunting an amnesia-inflicted Ash about it, only to invert the trope by revealing she was lying and nothing happened between them. His horrified reactions and trauma are Played for Laughs.
 Vicious / int_39f27cae
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 Vicious / int_39f27cae
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Vicious / int_39f27cae
 Vicious / int_3ea462d7
type
Take That, Audience!
 Vicious / int_3ea462d7
comment
Take That, Audience!: Towards McKellen's nerd following:
 Vicious / int_3ea462d7
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 Vicious / int_3ea462d7
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_3ea462d7
 Vicious / int_3f11ef74
type
Parental Substitute
 Vicious / int_3f11ef74
comment
Parental Substitute: Ash outright states that he considers Stuart and Freddie to be his parental figures rather than his birth parents (who are in prison).
 Vicious / int_3f11ef74
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1.0
 Vicious / int_3f11ef74
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_3f11ef74
 Vicious / int_40bb59d0
type
Blatant Lies
 Vicious / int_40bb59d0
comment
Blatant Lies: Frequently Played for Laughs.
 Vicious / int_40bb59d0
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 Vicious / int_40bb59d0
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_40bb59d0
 Vicious / int_42839f8b
type
Sound-Effect Bleep
 Vicious / int_42839f8b
comment
Sound-Effect Bleep: The PBS broadcast version does this every so often, bleeping out the stronger examples of Precision F-Strike among other things.
 Vicious / int_42839f8b
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1.0
 Vicious / int_42839f8b
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_42839f8b
 Vicious / int_45a559cf
type
Wardrobe Malfunction
 Vicious / int_45a559cf
comment
Wardrobe Malfunction: Happens to Ash in "Ballroom".
 Vicious / int_45a559cf
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1.0
 Vicious / int_45a559cf
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_45a559cf
 Vicious / int_460ffa29
type
Transparent Closet
 Vicious / int_460ffa29
comment
Transparent Closet: Despite his mannerisms and being in his 70s, Stuart has yet to come out to his mother.
 Vicious / int_460ffa29
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1.0
 Vicious / int_460ffa29
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_460ffa29
 Vicious / int_47d35854
type
Intergenerational Friendship
 Vicious / int_47d35854
comment
Intergenerational Friendship: Ash is Freddie and Stuart's much younger neighbor who befriends them after he moves into the flat above them.
 Vicious / int_47d35854
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1.0
 Vicious / int_47d35854
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_47d35854
 Vicious / int_48081842
type
The Stinger
 Vicious / int_48081842
comment
The Stinger: The first season finalé ends with the reveal that Judi Dench wanted to attend the party, but since Freddie didn't leave a contact number or address, she got sick of waiting for a reply and decided she doesn't have time for his bullshit.
 Vicious / int_48081842
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1.0
 Vicious / int_48081842
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_48081842
 Vicious / int_49d5f48f
type
Of Corpse He's Alive
 Vicious / int_49d5f48f
comment
Of Corpse He's Alive: Done in "Wedding" to cover up the death of Stuart's mother.
 Vicious / int_49d5f48f
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1.0
 Vicious / int_49d5f48f
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_49d5f48f
 Vicious / int_4c851777
type
Black Comedy Rape
 Vicious / int_4c851777
comment
Lampshaded by Stuart in 2.5 when he asks why Ash is acting oddly following a traumatic event.
 Vicious / int_4c851777
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1.0
 Vicious / int_4c851777
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_4c851777
 Vicious / int_4c961994
type
Acquired Situational Narcissism
 Vicious / int_4c961994
comment
Acquired Situational Narcissism: This happens several times with Freddie and Stuart both, who both enjoy being recognized as better than the other at everything or anything. Although Freddie is, in fact, a narcissist at all times. Inverted in 1.3, as Freddie becomes Ash's mentor, but becomes jealous when Ash lands his first role in a small movie. Ash winds up losing confidence instead. In 2.3, Freddie inverts the trope again while Stuart plays it straight.
 Vicious / int_4c961994
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1.0
 Vicious / int_4c961994
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_4c961994
 Vicious / int_4e7c4536
type
Wham Line
 Vicious / int_4e7c4536
comment
Wham Line: While playing Truth or Dare, Violet asks Stuart if he's ever slept with a woman. Freddie reacts with great hilarity, figuring the swishy Stuart would never had tried such a thing. Turns out Stuart has, and then:
 Vicious / int_4e7c4536
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 Vicious / int_4e7c4536
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_4e7c4536
 Vicious / int_5313c266
type
Bookends
 Vicious / int_5313c266
comment
Book Ends: In the first episode, when Ash accidentally opens the curtains to the massive window in their living room, Freddie and Stuart both run back into the kitchen away from the bright light. In the last episode, after some (slight) defrosting and Stuart finally revealing to his mother he's gay, they're in such a good mood at their anniversary they decide to open the curtains again.
 Vicious / int_5313c266
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 Vicious / int_5313c266
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_5313c266
 Vicious / int_54428f7b
type
Ashes to Crashes
 Vicious / int_54428f7b
comment
Ashes to Crashes: In "Ballroom", Freddie gives Ash his mother's wedding ring, the container for which doubles as the urn for her ashes, much to Ash's surprise.
 Vicious / int_54428f7b
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1.0
 Vicious / int_54428f7b
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_54428f7b
 Vicious / int_561dab6b
type
Mistaken for Gay
 Vicious / int_561dab6b
comment
Mistaken for Gay: Freddie and Stuart spend the pilot discussing if Ash is gay, straight or even bisexual. He says he's straight, but that doesn't stop them assuming he's Armoured Closet Gay. And again in episode 5: Eventually they get the message, sort of:
 Vicious / int_561dab6b
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1.0
 Vicious / int_561dab6b
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_561dab6b
 Vicious / int_583ec33e
type
Snark-to-Snark Combat
 Vicious / int_583ec33e
comment
Snark-to-Snark Combat: Freddie and Stuart at practically all times. The few times they're outwardly kind to each other (or anyone else), their friends get worried.
 Vicious / int_583ec33e
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1.0
 Vicious / int_583ec33e
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Vicious / int_583ec33e
 Vicious / int_590eb583
type
Domestic Abuse
 Vicious / int_590eb583
comment
Freddie and Stuart enjoy insulting and degrading each other, as well as their close friends. Freddie is especially sadistic regarding this.
 Vicious / int_590eb583
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1.0
 Vicious / int_590eb583
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_590eb583
 Vicious / int_6138b3cd
type
Carrying a Cake
 Vicious / int_6138b3cd
comment
Carrying a Cake: Mason and Penelope in 2.6.
 Vicious / int_6138b3cd
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1.0
 Vicious / int_6138b3cd
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_6138b3cd
 Vicious / int_62434fe2
type
Sanity Slippage
 Vicious / int_62434fe2
comment
Sanity Slippage: All characters seem immune to the shenanigans of the show, except for Ash, who subverts this trope by always coming back to sanity by the end of the episode. It's all Played for Laughs. Lampshaded by Stuart in 2.5 when he asks why Ash is acting oddly following a traumatic event.
 Vicious / int_62434fe2
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 Vicious / int_62434fe2
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Vicious / int_62434fe2
 Vicious / int_64e975cf
type
Manly Tears
 Vicious / int_64e975cf
comment
Manly Tears: Stuart in the last episode of series 2 when he goes to phone his mother, only to remember that she died earlier in the episode. His open sobs are devastatingly sad to watch, made even sadder by Freddie hugging, kissing and reassuring Stuart.
 Vicious / int_64e975cf
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 Vicious / int_64e975cf
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_64e975cf
 Vicious / int_68424916
type
Eating the Eye Candy
 Vicious / int_68424916
comment
Eating the Eye Candy: When Ash comes into the nightclub soaking wet, a girl at the nightclub as well as the camera, Freddie, and Stuart spend a few moments staring at him.
 Vicious / int_68424916
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 Vicious / int_68424916
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_68424916
 Vicious / int_6a3a5e03
type
Flying Under the Gaydar
 Vicious / int_6a3a5e03
comment
Flying Under the Gaydar: Stuart's mother still has no idea that her son and Freddie are partners. Stuart has been telling her that Freddie is his "flatmate" for the last 48 years.
 Vicious / int_6a3a5e03
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 Vicious / int_6a3a5e03
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Vicious / int_6a3a5e03
 Vicious / int_6d722dcd
type
When I Was Your Age...
 Vicious / int_6d722dcd
comment
When I Was Your Age...: Occasionally Invoked towards Ash by others due to the large age gap:
 Vicious / int_6d722dcd
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 Vicious / int_6d722dcd
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_6d722dcd
 Vicious / int_6ec4232f
type
Casting Gag
 Vicious / int_6ec4232f
comment
Casting Gag: Sir Ian McKellen, one of the greatest theater and film actors today, playing a faded actor whose career peak was a minor character on Doctor Who. Both Jacobi and McKellen have had single-episode guest parts on Doctor Who.
 Vicious / int_6ec4232f
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 Vicious / int_6ec4232f
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Vicious / int_6ec4232f
 Vicious / int_722b3319
type
Camp Gay
 Vicious / int_722b3319
comment
Camp Gay / Straight Gay: Stuart and Freddie respectively.
 Vicious / int_722b3319
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 Vicious / int_722b3319
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_722b3319
 Vicious / int_75979171
type
The Cuckoolander Was Right
 Vicious / int_75979171
comment
The Cuckoolander Was Right: The normally dotty Penelope will have the occasional moment of clarity, often at the most inopportune time for somebody else. Lampshaded when people wonder why her memory is so vivid all of a sudden.
 Vicious / int_75979171
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 Vicious / int_75979171
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Vicious / int_75979171
 Vicious / int_762b9223
type
Played for Laughs
 Vicious / int_762b9223
comment
Violet's abusive, disappearing husband Jasper is originally Played for Laughs. However, when Jasper goes too far, and it enters the realm of drama, he is Punched Across the Room by Ash to defend Violet's honor, and the cake is destroyed.
 Vicious / int_762b9223
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 Vicious / int_762b9223
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Vicious / int_762b9223
 Vicious / int_76b4b7dd
type
The Comically Serious
 Vicious / int_76b4b7dd
comment
The Comically Serious: Mason.
 Vicious / int_76b4b7dd
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 Vicious / int_76b4b7dd
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Vicious / int_76b4b7dd
 Vicious / int_76df59f1
type
Thicker Than Water
 Vicious / int_76df59f1
comment
Thicker Than Water: Defied by Freddie, who makes Ash his best man, even though Mason is his brother. A fact that upsets Mason.
 Vicious / int_76df59f1
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 Vicious / int_76df59f1
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Vicious / int_76df59f1
 Vicious / int_77b009ea
type
Phrase Catcher
 Vicious / int_77b009ea
comment
Phrase Catcher: Stuart, re Violet every time she and Ash are in a scene together:
 Vicious / int_77b009ea
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1.0
 Vicious / int_77b009ea
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_77b009ea
 Vicious / int_7815ba15
type
N-Word Privileges
 Vicious / int_7815ba15
comment
N-Word Privileges: This show probably would have been considered massively offensive were Ian Mckellan and Derek Jacobi not well known for being openly gay.
 Vicious / int_7815ba15
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1.0
 Vicious / int_7815ba15
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Vicious / int_7815ba15
 Vicious / int_7abba202
type
The Faceless
 Vicious / int_7abba202
comment
The Faceless: Balthazar the dog is constantly sleeping in his basket under a blanket, but he's purportedly balding and teetering on the brink of death.
 Vicious / int_7abba202
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 Vicious / int_7abba202
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Vicious / int_7abba202
 Vicious / int_7b5c69c8
type
Dirty Old Woman
 Vicious / int_7b5c69c8
comment
Dirty Old Woman: Violet takes this up to eleven, and is downright sleazy towards Ash. Violet's sister also puts the moves on Ash, proving It Runs in the Family.
 Vicious / int_7b5c69c8
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 Vicious / int_7b5c69c8
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Vicious / int_7b5c69c8
 Vicious / int_814356cb
type
White-Dwarf Starlet
 Vicious / int_814356cb
comment
White Dwarf Star: Freddie's acting career never really took off and his only claim to fame was playing a minor character on Doctor Who. He still sees himself as an award-winning actor with a trophy case.
 Vicious / int_814356cb
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 Vicious / int_814356cb
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Vicious / int_814356cb
 Vicious / int_823c6e3e
type
Large Ham
 Vicious / int_823c6e3e
comment
Large Ham: Expected when the two leads are Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi. World of Ham: Except for Ash, though he can have his moments. Freddie is something of a Ham-within-a-Ham. While everybody on the show is hammy, Freddie's theatrical mannerisms means he's over-dramatic even by everybody else's standards.
 Vicious / int_823c6e3e
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 Vicious / int_823c6e3e
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Vicious / int_823c6e3e
 Vicious / int_82b4f38e
type
Unsympathetic Comedy Protagonist
 Vicious / int_82b4f38e
comment
Unsympathetic Comedy Protagonist: In grand British comedy tradition, Freddie and Stuart are both self-absorbed, sarcastic, waspish grumps.
 Vicious / int_82b4f38e
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1.0
 Vicious / int_82b4f38e
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 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_82b4f38e
 Vicious / int_83a903f6
type
Stepford Smiler
 Vicious / int_83a903f6
comment
Stepford Smiler: It's been hinted at that underneath Ash's cheerfulness there is a lot of emotional issues. This may be due to his parents, as he's quick to replace them with Stuart and Freddie. In 1.3, it only takes a few comments to convince Ash he's "a monster" after getting cast in a film. He becomes so self-conscious that he forgets his natural walk. He then later falls into a depression about it all. In 1.5, Ash mentions that his new girlfriend doesn't mind him waking up in the middle of the night screaming. In the Christmas Special, Ash becomes so hysterical and self-loathing after messing up Christmas dinner that Violet slaps him to calm him down. He also stops while describing his last Christmas with his family and how drunk his mother was to say with great anguish "Why wasn't I enough for you, Mum?" before immediately regaining his composure. In 2.2, Ash appears hurt when Freddie and Stuart would rather train with the smooth talking fitness instructor instead of him. These feelings cause Ash to confront the fitness instructor and threaten him. Ash later asks Freddie and Stuart if they preferred the fitness instructor because he was also gay, and is visibly relieved when they tell him they like him.
 Vicious / int_83a903f6
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1.0
 Vicious / int_83a903f6
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_83a903f6
 Vicious / int_86ee8070
type
World of Ham
 Vicious / int_86ee8070
comment
World of Ham: Except for Ash, though he can have his moments. Freddie is something of a Ham-within-a-Ham. While everybody on the show is hammy, Freddie's theatrical mannerisms means he's over-dramatic even by everybody else's standards.
 Vicious / int_86ee8070
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1.0
 Vicious / int_86ee8070
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_86ee8070
 Vicious / int_88cee6e2
type
Abhorrent Admirer
 Vicious / int_88cee6e2
comment
Abhorrent Admirer: Violet to Ash. They eventually become friends.
 Vicious / int_88cee6e2
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1.0
 Vicious / int_88cee6e2
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_88cee6e2
 Vicious / int_8ae7eb89
type
Real Song Theme Tune
 Vicious / int_8ae7eb89
comment
Real Song Theme Tune: The Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye
 Vicious / int_8ae7eb89
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1.0
 Vicious / int_8ae7eb89
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_8ae7eb89
 Vicious / int_8ce49f80
type
Friends Are Chosen, Family Aren't
 Vicious / int_8ce49f80
comment
Friends Are Chosen, Family Aren't: Stuart, when his mother comes to visit. Also Freddie to a degree. Violet, when her sister comes to visit. She subverts the trope by pretending to be happier and better off during the visit. It only takes a reminder of his mother to put Ash in a bad mood.
 Vicious / int_8ce49f80
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1.0
 Vicious / int_8ce49f80
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_8ce49f80
 Vicious / int_93f7e79f
type
Beautiful Sexual Assault Victim
 Vicious / int_93f7e79f
comment
Beautiful Sexual Assault Victim: Invoked in a Crosses the Line Twice example from Violet:
 Vicious / int_93f7e79f
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1.0
 Vicious / int_93f7e79f
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_93f7e79f
 Vicious / int_9438e550
type
The Big Damn Kiss
 Vicious / int_9438e550
comment
The Big Damn Kiss: Episode 6 has a heartwarming scene where Ash is extremely nice to Violet, only for Violet to press him against the wall and make out with him.
 Vicious / int_9438e550
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1.0
 Vicious / int_9438e550
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_9438e550
 Vicious / int_a78f8506
type
Time-Shifted Actor
 Vicious / int_a78f8506
comment
Timeshifted Actor: In a flashback in episode 5 of series two, younger versions of Stuart and Freddie are played by Samuel Barnett and Luke Treadaway◊.
 Vicious / int_a78f8506
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1.0
 Vicious / int_a78f8506
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_a78f8506
 Vicious / int_a8b54aa7
type
Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places
 Vicious / int_a8b54aa7
comment
Violet's ghastly luck with men comes up a lot; which is typically met with next to No Sympathy from everyone else.
 Vicious / int_a8b54aa7
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1.0
 Vicious / int_a8b54aa7
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_a8b54aa7
 Vicious / int_ae3d6438
type
Deadpan Snarker
 Vicious / int_ae3d6438
comment
Deadpan Snarker: Everyone but Ash. And even him, by the finale. Snark-to-Snark Combat: Between Freddie and Stuart.
 Vicious / int_ae3d6438
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1.0
 Vicious / int_ae3d6438
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_ae3d6438
 Vicious / int_b0bce7aa
type
Selective Obliviousness
 Vicious / int_b0bce7aa
comment
Selective Obliviousness: Stuart's mother is still totally unaware that Stuart is gay, despite the fact that Stuart is in his early seventies: Violet tends to ignore the obvious signs that Ash is not interested in her.
 Vicious / int_b0bce7aa
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1.0
 Vicious / int_b0bce7aa
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_b0bce7aa
 Vicious / int_b11ac9f5
type
Abusive Parents
 Vicious / int_b11ac9f5
comment
It is implied that Ash suffered parental neglect/abuse. His trauma is often exposed set to Laugh Track.
 Vicious / int_b11ac9f5
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1.0
 Vicious / int_b11ac9f5
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_b11ac9f5
 Vicious / int_b5914444
type
Noodle Implements
 Vicious / int_b5914444
comment
Noodle Implements: The only explanation to Clive's death is that he suffered horribly and lost a foot.
 Vicious / int_b5914444
featureApplicability
1.0
 Vicious / int_b5914444
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_b5914444
 Vicious / int_b5c56995
type
Corrupt the Cutie
 Vicious / int_b5c56995
comment
Corrupt the Cutie: Freddie and Stuart considered this their end goal in regards to Ash. When he finally snaps and snarks about the Running Gag regarding him and Violet, Freddie's response was to give him a hug and say "About time, welcome to the family!" Mason lampshades it, saying it's sad they're going to turn the sweet Ash into a gargoyle like them.
 Vicious / int_b5c56995
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1.0
 Vicious / int_b5c56995
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_b5c56995
 Vicious / int_b707726f
type
Hypocritical Humor
 Vicious / int_b707726f
comment
Hypocritical Humor: Episode 5 concludes with Ash and his new girlfriend arguing and tearing into one another, to which Freddie and Stuart comment: Also, from the same episode:
 Vicious / int_b707726f
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1.0
 Vicious / int_b707726f
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_b707726f
 Vicious / int_bc00493f
type
Precision F-Strike
 Vicious / int_bc00493f
comment
Precision F-Strike: Dame Judi Dench lands one on Freddie in the first series finale. Freddie lands one on Stuart (causing the studio audience to burst into applause) as both are fawning over their handsome personal trainer. A brilliant one in Series 2 Episode 1: The whole gang spends the episode conducting an elaborate façade to fool Violet's sister, and when Ash's girlfriend finds out, she loves it, rather than being freaked out. For a moment it seems no one is going to Lampshade the crazy, and then Mason steps up: In "Wedding", Freddie asks of the dress Violet chose for the occasion, "What the fuck is she wearing?" A rare application of the L subrating to the show's TV-14 rating happened to the finale, which includes an unbleeped instance of "dick" spoken by Freddie to Mason for his smart-alecky remark about his arm's appearance in a second Downton Abbey episode.
 Vicious / int_bc00493f
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1.0
 Vicious / int_bc00493f
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1.0
 Vicious
hasFeature
Vicious / int_bc00493f
 Vicious / int_be0ad6b7
type
Used to Be a Sweet Kid
 Vicious / int_be0ad6b7
comment
Used to Be a Sweet Kid: Defied. The Flashback at the end of "Flatmates" shows Freddie and Stuart being Sickeningly Sweethearts. Once they actually settle in though, their very first interaction as a couple is an argument, revealing they were always bitter people.
 Vicious / int_be0ad6b7
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1.0
 Vicious / int_be0ad6b7
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_be0ad6b7
 Vicious / int_c63dede5
type
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
 Vicious / int_c63dede5
comment
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better: Freddie and Stuart. Violet and Lillian.
 Vicious / int_c63dede5
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1.0
 Vicious / int_c63dede5
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_c63dede5
 Vicious / int_c63e5338
type
It Runs in the Family
 Vicious / int_c63e5338
comment
Violet's sister also puts the moves on Ash, proving It Runs in the Family.
 Vicious / int_c63e5338
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1.0
 Vicious / int_c63e5338
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Vicious / int_c63e5338
 Vicious / int_c63e7d67
type
Invoked
 Vicious / int_c63e7d67
comment
Also invoked during the first series finalé:
 Vicious / int_c63e7d67
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 Vicious / int_c63e7d67
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Vicious / int_c63e7d67
 Vicious / int_c75df49a
type
Shout-Out
 Vicious / int_c75df49a
comment
Shout-Out: Many to Doctor Who, especially since Derek Jacobi played the Master and Ian McKellen was the voice of the Great Intelligence. Also to several other British series, such as Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife. Also, due to the theatre background of the actors and characters, plays such as The Mousetrap occasionally receive mention.invoked
 Vicious / int_c75df49a
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1.0
 Vicious / int_c75df49a
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_c75df49a
 Vicious / int_c87660d5
type
Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!
 Vicious / int_c87660d5
comment
In the Christmas Special, Ash becomes so hysterical and self-loathing after messing up Christmas dinner that Violet slaps him to calm him down. He also stops while describing his last Christmas with his family and how drunk his mother was to say with great anguish "Why wasn't I enough for you, Mum?" before immediately regaining his composure.
 Vicious / int_c87660d5
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1.0
 Vicious / int_c87660d5
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_c87660d5
 Vicious / int_cd01a310
type
LampShade
 Vicious / int_cd01a310
comment
A brilliant one in Series 2 Episode 1: The whole gang spends the episode conducting an elaborate façade to fool Violet's sister, and when Ash's girlfriend finds out, she loves it, rather than being freaked out. For a moment it seems no one is going to Lampshade the crazy, and then Mason steps up:
 Vicious / int_cd01a310
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1.0
 Vicious / int_cd01a310
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_cd01a310
 Vicious / int_ce0b2b21
type
Monochrome Casting
 Vicious / int_ce0b2b21
comment
Monochrome Casting
 Vicious / int_ce0b2b21
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1.0
 Vicious / int_ce0b2b21
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_ce0b2b21
 Vicious / int_cfdb9e17
type
Cerebus Syndrome
 Vicious / int_cfdb9e17
comment
Cerebus Syndrome: The Grand Finale was much more dramatic than most of the series proper.
 Vicious / int_cfdb9e17
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1.0
 Vicious / int_cfdb9e17
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_cfdb9e17
 Vicious / int_d0c13631
type
Mrs. Robinson
 Vicious / int_d0c13631
comment
Mrs. Robinson: Violet to Ash.
 Vicious / int_d0c13631
featureApplicability
1.0
 Vicious / int_d0c13631
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_d0c13631
 Vicious / int_d46ddfa2
type
CloudCuckooLander
 Vicious / int_d46ddfa2
comment
Cloud Cuckoolander: Penelope isn't all quite there and is often forgetful due to her dementia.
 Vicious / int_d46ddfa2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Vicious / int_d46ddfa2
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_d46ddfa2
 Vicious / int_d7fc9fd0
type
Vitriolic Best Buds
 Vicious / int_d7fc9fd0
comment
Vitriolic Husbands: With the occasional Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other.
 Vicious / int_d7fc9fd0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Vicious / int_d7fc9fd0
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_d7fc9fd0
 Vicious / int_deecc9eb
type
Awful Wedded Life
 Vicious / int_deecc9eb
comment
Awful Wedded Life: The show demonstrates that this trope is not necessarily heteronormative, given how much Freddie and Stuart fight.
 Vicious / int_deecc9eb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Vicious / int_deecc9eb
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_deecc9eb
 Vicious / int_e563bf09
type
Insistent Terminology
 Vicious / int_e563bf09
comment
Insistent Terminology: In episode five, when discussing Violet:
 Vicious / int_e563bf09
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1.0
 Vicious / int_e563bf09
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_e563bf09
 Vicious / int_e624f0e8
type
Suspiciously Specific Denial
 Vicious / int_e624f0e8
comment
Suspiciously Specific Denial: In episode 5:
 Vicious / int_e624f0e8
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1.0
 Vicious / int_e624f0e8
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_e624f0e8
 Vicious / int_e83f211c
type
O.O.C. Is Serious Business
 Vicious / int_e83f211c
comment
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: In episode 3, Freddie has his minor role on Downton Abbey overshadowed by Ash getting a starring role in a small movie; as a result, he starts being nice to everyone, much to their horror.
 Vicious / int_e83f211c
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1.0
 Vicious / int_e83f211c
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_e83f211c
 Vicious / int_e90f5682
type
But Not Too Gay
 Vicious / int_e90f5682
comment
But Not Too Gay: Surprisingly Averted; despite having the excuse that Freddie and Stuart borderline hate one another, the writers still have them occasionally displaying affection (and even sharing the occasional kiss).
 Vicious / int_e90f5682
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 Vicious / int_e90f5682
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Vicious / int_e90f5682
 Vicious / int_ed05cfee
type
Naïve Newcomer
 Vicious / int_ed05cfee
comment
Naïve Newcomer: Ash, relatively speaking, in comparison to Freddie, Violet, and Stuart.
 Vicious / int_ed05cfee
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1.0
 Vicious / int_ed05cfee
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1.0
 Vicious
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Vicious / int_ed05cfee
 Vicious / int_eff65ef6
type
Chained to a Bed
 Vicious / int_eff65ef6
comment
Chained to a Bed: A rare example of this happening to a woman, Violet falls victim to a Spanish conman who steals her money and passport and leaves her stuck.
 Vicious / int_eff65ef6
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1.0
 Vicious / int_eff65ef6
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_eff65ef6
 Vicious / int_f09b6509
type
Last Episode, New Character
 Vicious / int_f09b6509
comment
Last Episode, New Character: Oliver appears during the final quarter of the series finale and provides a lot of Call Backs to classic moments, including the infamous "You remember our friend Violet?" gag and Freddie's appearance as a villain on Doctor Who being mentioned.
 Vicious / int_f09b6509
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 Vicious / int_f09b6509
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_f09b6509
 Vicious / int_f26d5e66
type
Brainless Beauty
 Vicious / int_f26d5e66
comment
Brainless Beauty: Ash has moments of this, such as not knowing how Freddie and Stuart can tell that he just came back in from the rain (as he's soaking wet). Also Chloe.
 Vicious / int_f26d5e66
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1.0
 Vicious / int_f26d5e66
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Vicious / int_f26d5e66
 Vicious / int_f7eda5d8
type
Snow Means Love
 Vicious / int_f7eda5d8
comment
Snow Means Love: In Series 1 Episode 6, when Stuart opens the curtains at the anniversary party, it's snowing outside.
 Vicious / int_f7eda5d8
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1.0
 Vicious / int_f7eda5d8
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 Vicious
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Vicious / int_f7eda5d8
 Vicious / int_f9f2c33
type
Running Gag
 Vicious / int_f9f2c33
comment
Running Gag: Every episode has one or two instances of Stuart taking a dreadful phonecall, and a Walk-In Chime-In or two from Freddie. Freddie and Stuart being insistent that Ash is gay. 'You remember our friend Violet?' (to Ash.) Lampshaded in episode 6. Penelope's moments of senility; usually in regards to her current location. Violet's ghastly luck with men comes up a lot; which is typically met with next to No Sympathy from everyone else.
 Vicious / int_f9f2c33
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 Vicious / int_f9f2c33
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Vicious / int_f9f2c33
 Vicious / int_fccd06b6
type
Beware the Nice Ones
 Vicious / int_fccd06b6
comment
In 2.2, Ash appears hurt when Freddie and Stuart would rather train with the smooth talking fitness instructor instead of him. These feelings cause Ash to confront the fitness instructor and threaten him. Ash later asks Freddie and Stuart if they preferred the fitness instructor because he was also gay, and is visibly relieved when they tell him they like him.
 Vicious / int_fccd06b6
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 Vicious / int_fccd06b6
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Vicious / int_fccd06b6
 Vicious / int_name
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ItemName
 Vicious / int_name
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 Vicious / int_name
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 Vicious / int_name
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Vicious

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Vicious
hasFeature
Act of True Love / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Beautiful Sexual Assault Victim / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
British Humour / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Dueling-Stars Movie / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Hypocritical Heartwarming / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Nobody Over 50 Is Gay / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Queer Character, Queer Actor / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Ridiculously Long Phone Number / int_3575bf4d
 Vicious
hasFeature
Take That, Audience! / int_3575bf4d
 vicious
sameAs
Vicious