Vicar of Dibley was back last night, airing a Black Lives Matter tribute that viewers have praised as “lovely”, “heartwarming” and “beautiful.”
The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown sees legend Dawn French reprise the role of Geraldine Granger, Dibley’s exasperated and scathingly witty religious leader.
And despite show’s comedic roots, Dawn – as Geraldine – took a moment to share a serious message.
Taking a knee, Geraldine explained the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement in a move that viewers loved.
The BBC has already been forced to defend the segment after the news broke that it would be making it into the final script.
But judging by the fan reaction, it went down very well with the series’ loyal fans.
“I feel like we should put anyone who doesn’t understand #BLM in front of this week’s Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown,” one wrote, “Because with @Dawn_French explaining it, you can’t fail to get it.”
Another tweeted: “Well done @Dawn_French. You beautiful human being #VicarOfDibley#BLM.”
A third penned: “GERALDINE GRANGER TOOK THE KNEE! Excellent work @Dawn_French This Vicar of Dibley episode is so lovely, so heartwarming and so poignant #vicarofdibley.”
(Image: PA)
A fourth gushed: “The #VicarOfDibley ‘s entire premise was a female vicar breaking down social barriers and being met with a great deal of prejudice. Why shouldn’t it address other forms of prejudice such a BLM, especially when it is absolutely in Geraldine Granger’s nature.”
Geraldine spoke to “Owen”, holding the camera, as she said: “This last week, I’ve been thinking about this Black Lives Matter thing, and the horror show that was, the murder of George Floyd.
“Now this is tricky for us in [Dibley], because we’re not the most diverse community, but I don’t think it matters where you’re from, I think it matters that you do something about it – because Jesus would, wouldn’t he?
(Image: BBC)
“Listen, I’m aware that all lives matter, obviously. But until all lives matter the same, we’re doing something very wrong. So I think we need to focus on justice for a huge chunk of our country men and women who seem to have a very bad, weird deal, from the day they’re born.”
Geraldine walked over to the parish board, removing old posters and replacing them with one reading “BLACK LIVES MATTER” in bold text.
“I think that in Dibley, perhaps we should be thinking about taking down some of our old notices, like this, and perhaps, we put up one like this instead,” the beloved character concluded.
Geraldine also commemorated friend Alice Tinker – in scenes remembering actress Emma Chambers who died in 2018.
*The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown continues Monday at 8.20pm on BBC One.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/vicar-dibley-fans-laud-lovely-23169337