I know that the writers and cast have said that the special is not a Christmas special, as it's not meant to be set around then. But in that case, when is it set? I've been giving it a lot of thought (because I have no life) and this is what I've come up with:
- "Slave Auction" was definitely set in September due to the "September Fool" line. We don't know exactly when, but I would guess that it's near the beginning of the month due to the "I like to do it seven months early" bit (as April Fools' Day is the 1st, too late in Spetember would be more like six months early. Although we can;t really rely on that line, as Caroline was just trying to lie very quickly). So, that episode is approximately the first week in September.
- Mac's last day was the week after that (according to what he told Guy and Caroline in the bar when he let them know he was leaving) - so approximately the second week of September.
- His coma lasted eight weeks, so Series 2 starts in mid-November.
- The exact length of Series 2 is hard to work out. But the second episode is probably about a week after the first (how long does it take someone to come back to work after a coma?) - not too long, as Mac is confronting Sue White about the Sheffield thing for the first time. The length of time between the second and third is, I think, roughly the same. The fourth is quite soon after the third, as Holly found out about the job from Angela as soon as she left, and I can't see her wasting much time in coming to the hospital - half a week? The fifth follows immediately after, then I think (although I'm not completely sure), the sixth, seventh and eighth are continuous as well.
- That all means that Series 2 lasts (roughly) three to three and a half weeks, so it ends in early December.
- So, the special. Mac was on leave for a month, but returned early - we don;t know how early, but we can probably assume two or three weeks. So, the speical begins in late December and covers a few continous days. Then some time passes and we get to Mac and Caroline's wedding - we're not told how long, but assuming he's dying fairly quicky, I can't see them waiting long: definitely less than a month.

So, after all of that, I think the special is, for the most part, actually set around Christmas. The wedding is more like late January (despite the fact that this makes no sense with the clothes the characters are wearing (kilts? In January) and the weather - but I really can't see Mac and Caroline waiting until the spring or summer to get married. Anyone else have any thoughts on when the special is set?

Gosh you have given this a lot of thought :lol:

I think it would take Holly longer then just a week to start the new job. I mean she had to sort out childcare and things.

I also think that it would have been at least 2 weeks if not longer, after coming out of his coma, before Mac came back to work.

The only thing I can add to all this, is that in Series 1 we had a lot of Caroline in a coat, but in Series 2 she was mostly wearing her velvet/denim jackets, which wouldn't really tie in with it being December.

veirty dear i think you may have thought about this a BIT too much :lol:

but well done for working it out :lol:

:lol:

well the weather certainly doesn't make sense. especially in series 2 when holly puts her hands over Mac's eyes while they're on the bench - its all sunny!

but you sound about right.


too much free time verity? lol!

But it's Green Wing! How can you think about it too much?