Only Connect: Series 9: Grand Final

So, we made it to the Grand Final of, what has been, a good and very tricky in places series of Only Connect, the final one on BBC4 before it moves to BBC2. Shame; I think it part of its appeal was it being on BBC4.

Anyway, playing in the final on Monday were the Europhiles, Douglas Thomson, Mark Seager and Khuram Rashid, and the Relatives, Hamish and Davina Galloway and Davina's son Nick Latham. Now, the two met in the first round, with the Europhiles winning; they then defeated the Heath Family and the Software Engineers to reach the final undefeated. The Relatives subsequently fought their way back, beating the Exhibitionists, the Record Collectors and the Welsh Learners, all impressive teams.

Anyway, the first round began, and it was clear from the off that this was going to be a difficult show, with both teams struggling to answer the questions. The Europhiles did not manage any questions in the entire round, but the Relatives did manage to salvage three points, giving them a 3-0 lead after the first round.

Round 2 didn't seem to be a great deal easier, with both sides struggling again. This time, however, it was the Relatives who failed to score, while the Europhiles did manage to pick up six points through a combination of their own questions and some bonuses from the opposition dropping theirs. This meant the Europhiles had turned the tables and now led 6-3.

Now came the Walls, and both were incredibly tough, with both consisting solely of four letter words! And both walls contained a set that were all anagrams of each other. The Relatives managed to identify this set, and another, but couldn't unscramble the final two in time. They did get the bonus points to give them six points. The Europhiles struggled with their wall, not getting any groups, but getting three bonus points for connections.

This meant, going into the final round, it was 9-each. It would be decided on Missing Vowels. And, with Mr Seager having been exceptionally good at this in the prior rounds, you'd probably fancy the Europhiles to win it from here. And that's pretty much what happened: Mr Seager's superior buzzing skills proved crucial, and, at the end of the show, the Europhiles won 16-10.

Very well done to the Europhiles, who emerged on top after some very difficult matches indeed and are deserving winners! Well done to the Relatives too, who have also been brilliant this series. And well done to the other teams too, who made this a great final series on BBC4. Now, how will it fare on BBC2?

Hopefully, I'll be able to post some thoughts on the two University Challenge behind-the-scenes shows we've had this week before the new series begins on Monday.