Derry Girls has changed the way the world has looked at Northern Ireland since it came onto our screens in 2018.
I remember sitting in my family home absolutely doubled over laughing at the first episode when it first aired on Channel 4 and now it is hard to believe that it will shortly be coming to an end.
The combination of Lisa McGee's humour, the clear chemistry between the girls (and James) and the backdrop of a very poignant time in our country's history has undoubtedly made the show the huge success it is.
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I was fortunate enough to be one of the first to watch the first episode of the final series at a preview screening in Derry for work and as a major Derry Girls fan, I was elated.
*WARNING: this will contain spoilers if you have not been fortunate enough to catch the first episode after it aired on Tuesday night*
Episode one immediately set the tone for the third series with the gang's montage and Erin's voiceover dialogue as they attempt to make their millions making a documentary about Derry during the troubles - reality soon sets in when they realise it really isn't the masterpiece they had intended.
There comes the first of no doubt many of Michelle's hilarious one-liners of the series with "I'm so f****** sick of peace, it's all anyone bangs on about" and we are immediately reminded of the infectious nativity of these characters.
It's nearing the end of summer and the girls (and the wee English fella) have come to the realisation that it is GCSE results time.
I also broke into a sweat myself thinking back to that feeling the night before getting your results - thankfully, I was a bit more like Clare and knew I didn't have too much to worry about but being 16 and that fear of the unknown felt like the biggest thing in the world back then.
A short trip to the video store (prepare for Extravision flashbacks) has them running into a hobbling Sister Michael who leads them to believe they have all failed their exams which ultimately sets them all off. One thing leads to another and they are breaking into the school to steal their results.
Within the first ten minutes of the episode, I felt like these characters hadn't been off my screen for as long as they had been and each of their individual personalities were immediately established without me having to watch back series 1 and 2 for a refresh.
Episode 1 has that magic that Lisa McGee and Michael Lennox perfected in the first two series which transports you right there with these teens in the moment and almost leads you to feel that their logic is the only way, despite the chaos they always seem to find themselves in.
Series 2 Episode 1 is probably one of my favourites in the series so I wasn't sure how they could possibly top that for me and yet, they did it again.
To cut a long story short, Erin, Michelle, Orla, James and Clare end up becoming accessories to a crime while on the hunt for their GCSE results early and are taken to the 'Londonderry RUC Station' in a panic.
When I tell you I let out a scream when the guest star of all guest stars walks in to question the gang, the excitement was felt by the whole screening audience.
As a Ballymena girl seeing 'The Big Man' Liam Neeson appear from the darkness as the sombre, serious police commander, I knew I was going to have to lock myself away for the week to avoid blabbing it to all my friends (one of the hardest secrets I've had to keep!)
Episode 1 has not disappointed and really taken everything we loved from series 1 and 2 to give us that dose of Derry that we have all missed so much.
As much as I laughed and enjoyed every minute of the episode, there is definitely a sad realisation when you are watching that we are gearing up for the end - and I'm not ready to say goodbye.
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