I appreciate more and more on a production level G&S the more I watch it...
There's a few things that stand out which are unique to pretty much any other production:
Filming on location. There was even less reason back then before HD+ & 4k cameras to film inside a real house / building than there is now. I can't imagine how stressful it would have been for the cast to cram in to the Welsh & Essex house (both Wales but still real houses) but it was real not on a sound stage like pretty much any other (especially) multi series + specials series. It added to the organic feel and wholesome vibe.
Defying the BBC rules about brand names / featuring brands. It was a cheeky quirk throughout the entire run to name drop brand names, KFC, M&S and John Lewis being the biggest. Usually its unheard of but their writing perfectly mastered it without breaking the editorial guidelines. EastEnders got into trouble for simply using a PlayStation or Xbox (cant remember one of the two) packaging
Its one of the only shows except the original run of Only Fools (although Ofcom / watershed current rules didn't exist in those days so unsure) to air swearing before 9pm on TV and BBC One willing to show it. The 2019 Christmas special had weed & s.h.i.t before it hit the normal time, some saddos did complain but they were dismissed because 25th Dec is a very special day and for broadcasting its considered exceptional circumstance. Can you imagine whats still illegal weed / getting high on any other TV show at half 8 in this country, I'm sure it was somehow cleared beforhand by editors but even the 2024 special had Dawn and Pete going at it in bed at a similar time, its the unique rule breaking on a freeview channel, BBC One of all things the whole nation watching as a family
It flipped itself on its head in terms of polishing off the main narrative then became more about Nessa & Smithy despite being banded originally as an ensemble to G & S.
The depth of acting involved. Ruth had to wear a wig and makeup with a deeper accent than she normally talks because of being TV trained from her 20s, a lot of regional people do this to not be typecast or limited. Alison Steadman talks nothing like Pam in real life but with a click of a finger she changes her tone and pronunciation to exaggerated higher tone and Essex.
The best lore curation with the fishing trip, Bryn being of a certain nature and the names of serial killers, it tapped into a dark place while tastefully making it work, its so hard to do that successfully and they did.
This was such a unique show. I wanted to post this to appreciate we probably won't see such a marvel on British telly again.