Will the next folding… be… the folding home?

No, that doesn’t work without the word ‘leap’, but I still find myself wishing for the late lamented Dean Stockwell to turn up as Al with trusty Ziggy to explain just what the *bleeping noise* is going on with this ‘Time War’.

Mac and KJ continue their reconciliation with yet more poignant heart to heart chats as KJ proves herself a true friend. That thing that I think you’re thinking? Especially since KJ’s revelation about her true self? We get close, but no cigar – I’m not sure if I like the fact that nothing develops, but time waits for no girl and the hour of the final showdown between The Old Watch and the Standard Time Fighters Underground is upon us.

Turns out that The Big Eleventh Hour Break Through is just a time loop, and one that’s fixed, apparently. So, all through this series when you’ve been thinking that all the ‘bad’ events can be undone and the characters we’ve loved (plus KJ’s parents) will be restored to us, that can’t be done. But… you folks have time machines, no? Is this any clearer in the comics? Or do we have a case of the TV adaptation assuming knowledge of a backstory when a chunk of their audience doesn’t have said knowledge?

There’s time for another reunion scene as Erin and Mac patch it up, but I could have done with it being less rushed, especially as the bond the girls have formed is undoubtedly the best aspect of Paper Girls. With a twist and a nice set up for a potential series two, we might possibly get more of the clever and self-aware quartet.

Verdict: Some tricky time travel trips and tropes but the strong, sassy Paper Girls are full of heart. 8/10

Claire Smith