Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Series 2

I must admit that I had no idea what Big Fat Gypsy Weddings was about but after watching series 2, I've become a fan of those strange extroverted creatures known as Gypsies and Travellers.

Best of all, each episode is standalone so no knowledge of the previous series or episode is needed as the viewer is taken behind the scenes of the secret life of gypsies and travellers.

Similar to the gypsies of Eastern Europe, these modern-day incarnations in England and Ireland live on the fringe of English society with their own rules and rites of passage that is steeped in religion and bizarre tradition. 

This collection contains seven episodes from series two that include;

1 - Diamantes Are Forever
2 - I Fought the Law
3 - School of Hard Knocks
4 - Love Conquers All
5 - Reputation is Everything
6 - Out of Site, Out of Mind
7 - We Are Family

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Series 2 was definitely an eye opener for me and coming in without any expectations, I was shocked that such as a society exists in modern England.

My visions of gypsies were from Eastern Europe, however the gypsies and travellers in England are a strange hybrid of the gypsies of yesteryear merged with Modern Brits.

The first episode revolves around Sammy Jo, a 16-year old gypsy girl who embarks on a Gypsy only beauty pageant with the second story revolving around a group of four cousins who attempt to outdo each other with their flamboyant outfits at their holy communion.

The most disturbing aspect of the series is the sexualisation of the children who wear scantily dressed clothing and dance like professional strippers.

As the series progresses, we witness other elements of gypsy life such as illegal horse and trap racing and how the gypsies who live in caravans drive around Britain as they get evicted from site to site where they setup camp.

The series also gives the viewer insight on what the gypsies think of mixed marriages, court battles, and the prison system which seems to be quite high with gypsies.

Needless to say, their culture is also quite sexist with women forced to clean, cook and care for their children, while the men work in both gypsy and mainstream society. It also appears that men are forced to fight to solve their problems.

Final Thoughts?

From weddings that are more lavish and outrageous than the Royal Family to children being indoctrinated into this strange culture, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Series 2 is like watching a train track as you'll laugh, gasp and generally be entertained by this strange culture that embraces the modern and the old in Merry England!

Fascinating!