Yeah, maybe you are right, there doesn't seem to be any other obvious explanation; but it doesn't justify changing him so fundamentally, it seems like a different bloke altogether. The bit at the wedding where he can't say 'I do' was really odd, from being all enthusiatic on the bus and in the wedding place, to just suddenly bottling it didn't seem real. The not wanting to be like his dad bit...well surely he would have had doubts somewhere along the line, not just when he saw his parents at the venue.
Meadows didn't direct these first two episodes, so maybe the next two will be different but I don't see how he can turn it around. Like you say, his defining qualities were his thoughtfulness and kindness, so how he can lose that part of himself entirely I just don't know. It seems his character has been changed entirely for the sake of a soap storyline. Really disappointing.
It's hard for fans of the film to make sense of this, so god help anyone who has seen these two episodes only, they must wonder how these characters fit together, cos I'm wondering myself. Like, why are Meggy and Banjo his great buddies after what happened with Milky? Maybe Meadows will explain that later. I hope so, because I love his work and I wanted to love this.
I also found the bit with the kid with the hat and the glasses quite embarrassing, like Dr Evil and Mini Me. A bit too much.
And don't you think that Gadget looks like that kid off Rab C Nesbitt?
