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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

Derry Girls series 3: Episode 2 sees hilarious Ma Mary really steal the show

Derry Girls has that impact of instead of the usual "Is it Friday yet" chat, people across the country are counting down to Tuesday night.

I don't even think people are over Episode One and Liam Neeson's big Derry debut and this episode has only kept the momentum going.

Having been fortunate enough to watch the first two episodes at the screening event in Derry a few weeks back, it has been a pure joy to be able to watch my housemates' reactions as they watch them for the first time – and delighted I can finally talk about it.

Read more: Derry Girls creator said she wants to "keep surprising" fans going into series 3

*WARNING: this will contain spoilers if you have not been fortunate enough to catch the second episode after it aired on Tuesday night*

Episode 2 takes us back to school and welcomes everyone's favourite "hot priest" Father Peter to the stage of Our Lady Immaculate - ponytail and all to Michelle's disgust.

The quick back and forth between Father Peter and Sister Michael has always produced some unbelievable one-liners and I was delighted to hear some more.

He announces (accompanied by a terrifying Pudsey Bear character) that as part of the Children In Need fundraiser, the winner of the "Stars In Their Eyes" competition will have a chance to feature on TV.

Despite Stars In Their Eye's peak interest being a bit before my time, I knew this would send nostalgia bells ringing across the country and provide some throwback bangers that Derry Girls is known for.

While the gang's desperate attempt to win that famed spot on the BBC giving us that hilarious rehearsal montage - taking me back to every stressful dance practice for school musicals I experience in my time - the real stars of the episode were Erin's family.

Take a bow Tara Lynne O'Neill because that meltdown moment where she has just had enough of Erin, Sarah and Gerry piling on the stress genuinely had me feeling like a child with their tail between their legs.

Erin and Orla's family have been vital characters since the start but how Lisa McGee has built them up over the last series to really bring their characterisation to life has only added to the genius behind Derry Girls' success.

Sarah and Mary's relationship never fails to make me laugh and I'm sure like many siblings, has me wondering will I be the Sarah or the Mary when I'm their age.

Also the 'hot plumber' making Mary visibly blush and sending Gerry into a tizzy was just gold - finally a man that Joe approves of.

Back to the main five, I had my suspicions that they were taking on the Spice Girls but nothing could have prepared me for James as Victoria Beckham. Absolutely unbelievable commitment from everyone which well and truly paid off.

When it all comes to blows after Erin believes she has uncovered Mary's affair, we get one of those Derry Girls touching moments that really get you.

Mary saying she thought it ridiculous that someone like her could go to university and be more than just a housewife really takes you back to what the magic of Derry Girls is - behind the hilarity of their antics and perfectly written humour, it is the heart and normality of these characters that have made them much-loved additions to our TV screens since 2018.

Now that I'm all caught up with the episodes that we were shown at the screening - I am dying to know what will happen next as we get one step closer to the end.

Read more: Lisa McGee stunned as The Simpsons pays tribute with Derry Girls reference

Read more: Watch: Derry Girls say goodbye to show that 'changed their lives'

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