Bright Eyes

Richard Bekins (Jamie Frame, AW) was in tonight's episode of Boardwalk Empire.

Who killed Damian Smith?

It's so nice to see how well Kate Oates has recuperated Ashley from the hatchet job done to his character by Blackburn. This last episode, being able to tell off the almighty shrew that is Marlon, was proof that he is back in fine form.

Not only did Patsy Palmer/Bianca not get Julia's theme on her last episode, but she didn't even get the duff duff. Ouch.

Rest in Peace, John Bardon (Jim Branning) http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/posts/John-Bardon-1939-2014

Having one of those nights wishing to see this and that from the past that I never had a chance to see. For one, the Laura Burns story, who was obsessed with Mandy. Jo Hallows was so brilliant for this show, with this story, Lewis' suicide, Luke's rape, etc. I would welcome her back with very open arms. On another note, and I probably knew this but have since forgotten, Lucy Allan wanted Johnno Dean to return for a major story in 2009, but the actor turned it down. Stuff like that really gets my mind racing as to what could have been or how would the show have been affected, if at all. Also, playing Mr. Fan-fic, I would absolutely love it if Mandy would return with Ella and Luke Morgan, who would be revealed as Ella's father, Mandy having lied to Tony about it being a random man named 'Mark', who we've never seen. Of course, Mandy should only return once Kirkwood is gone because he could not write her character correctly at all.

I have praised her a lot, with good reason. One of the best things about Brooke, which absolutely hasn't been the case on a US soap in years, especially for a schemer like her, is how obvious it always was that the writers loved her as well. They took care of Brooke when she had a comeuppance. They never just called her a bitch or a slut or shamed her in anyway. She was always able to keep a level of self-respect. Her relationship with Boyd is a great example. When they would argue over a lie she had told, she was able to have a point of view and even the saintly Sarah sometimes had her back. Or Bella. Or Grace, when Boyd was actually the one being a 'pompous prick', which he was actually called at one point. The writers were always fair to her and even had some characters, like Dayna, look up to her. In fact, that is the best thing about Shortland Street as a whole. The characters are always written fairly. Even the psychopaths like Bree and Josh were sympathetic, but never kept around as cartoons or some ridiculous 'redemption'. This is why, even with the two huge losses of Brooke and Vasa, I will continue to watch my Shorty, happily. For one, I still have Queen of Ferndale, Rachel Mckenna, who actually got to keep her maiden name even after getting married (WHAT?!?) and Bella, a character that is a sweet, good woman, without being saccharine or idiotic. The moral center of the show. But more importantly, even with these losses, the show has never failed to entertain because, even with some of their limits, they know when something isn't working and actually rectify some things on air, like Grace having had twins in her first stint off-screen. They always have a balanced cast. Every single character has down time and every single character gets their time to shine. And the best of all, they deliver. Climaxes are epic, without being done just to shock and awe. Roimata's rape, Josh's hero disease, and the latest, Sarah succumbing to the virus because of her MS, just as she had found a cure. I can't wait to see what this show has in store for me next, but I do know when that December finale rolls around, I'm going to be left on the edge of my seat to see what roller coaster ride they're going to have waiting for me next season and beyond. Sorry for blathering on. I just have so much love for this show and I can't help but want to shout it from the roof tops.

They really need to make Maria a permanent member of Team Platt. She is always best when around Audrey and David! Plus, she already hates Todd so she'd fit right in.

She's gone! Queen Brooke is actually gone. I miss Vasa enough, but losing Brooke will be hard as hell. A modern soap legend! A look back at Dr. Brooke Marsden Freeman Rolleston! http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/brooke-s-packed-her-bags-6077096

So happy Doug is back and had scenes with all the right people in his first episode. The most important for me being Leyla. Their relationship was one of the reasons I fell in love with this show. I really, really hope this wedding doesn't happen. I want Marlon left at the altar so bad, I can taste it. I've never hated a character so much.

I want Alfie to die, so badly.

I've watched all the Teen and YoutTuber react videos (and NOT the elders and kids, LoL). The latest one almost gave me a twitch. I'm only 25 and it made me feel ancient. I only had NES in my house until I was, at least, 11 or 12, when I got a PlayStation. I always envied those who had an SNES, though. So good.

I hated Jackson. He didn't fit in with the village at all. Him and his mother were the beginning of the end for this show, until the fabulous Kate Oates saved this show from the doldrums.

According to Wikipedia (I know, I know), today (September 7) marks the 30th anniversary of Kristina Wagner's debut as Felicia! I couldn't a clip of her debut on YouTube, but there a clip of the first time she met Frisco.

I can't find it, but in a recent interview Miller and Thomas both admitted they wanted to go down the Aaron/Adam road and Kate Oates interjected that it could potentially happen. It seemed to be a bit of a joke on her part, but with the recent Edna/Aaron scenes, where it was made pretty official that Aaron is indeed in love with him, the show seems to realize there actually is something to play with there, so I could become invested. Thomas is the only guy Miller has ever had chemistry with, though it has never compared to his chemistry with Isobel Hodgins, which annoyed me because it was obvious they froze that relationship to further their own agenda. I've rarely ever been a couple fan though, and you're right in that Emmerdale has a pathetic history when it comes to gay stories, not just with the hand shake wedding, but with the horrible decision to make Jackson a main character, who from that moment on, ruined Aaron's character until he (Aaron) finally left. So, as long as they write it from a story standpoint and not to cater to any type of homophobic or eccentric fans, than I could be behind it. However, Adam has been hard to take in the last couple of months as well with all his slut shaming and being an all around bastard. They're turning that around, thankfully, but I am also still holding out hope that Aaron's friendship with Victoria (I know I blather on about it), will be built up again. This is a huge doubt of mine, however. Then, there is also that damn eyeroll Miller does in practically every scene that I can't stand. I don't know why he thinks that's a good acting choice, but it makes Aaron look like a douchebag practically every time he does it.

Kate Oates has already put the kibosh on Aaron/Finn being a couple in interviews.

The Lamp! was the best mystery any soap has done for ages. Hilarious!

Is the full score that starts around 17:10 available anywhere? I know I've heard it before.

Once Theresa is back in the village, I really hope they reference the short time Ste and Theresa were an item. She was so thirsty for him back in 2009.

Like Andy on Emmerdale, I`m still happily surprised Jason actually has a story of his own. Especially one that doesn`t involve him being screwed over by his girlfriend of the month. Stuart Blackburn is actually (and shockingly) doing a pretty good job so far. I mean, Sally is turning into one of my favourite characters, thanks a lot to Tim, of course, but still. I used to hate her so much. It`s just too bad that this new Nazir family has been a fail to me so far. I`m indifferent to the dad, the mother is like nails on a chalkboard and Kal is a snoozer. And reading his EastEnder`s Wiki character profile, it seems he had the same problem on that show. The daughter (Alya), however, shows a lot of promise and Steph and Luke Britton have been the best new characters on this show in ages. I am dreading story though. The Windass` front and center is always a huge, huge pill to swallow. So awful.

Emmerdale just has the best written comedy/one liners of any soap. So hysterical and/or perfectly accurate, like Victoria`s line about Andy wanting to propose to Katie; Andy: I know you worry about me. Victoria: I worry about the whole community. When you two get together, shotguns go off! This whole Bernice, Andy/Katie storyline has been quite fascinating to watch from the beginning. The show is really delving into Andy and Bernice again, who are taking a huge weight off of Dingle mania.

The key that Stacey gives Lauren before she hands herself in to the police in this scene will apparently be brought back up in story soon. I wonder it could be for?

Her father's husband? LoL. Now that would have been something. I can't believe you only know Mercedes from as late as the Riley and Carl Costello days. You missed so, so much. RIP MALACHY! Oh Carl, you should never edit yourself in these foreign threads. I may disagree with you sometimes, as is bound to happen with me enjoying the shoy and you, obviously not, but NEVER stop posting what you want to here. I love your posts. Rants a plenty that they may be.

Thanks for the pleasantries. I'm skimmed through a lot of this friend. I don't listen to her stuff, but that Hyuna chick is just divine. Since you guys seem a little new to Girls Generation, are you aware that when they were promoting their all English EP, they appeared on shows like Letterman and Live! with Kelly Ripa. It's the same song I posted above for both performances. Their Letterman appearance was FLAWLESS! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK43babMJL0 And on their Kelly Ripa appearance, during the mini interview afterwards, Howie Mandel compliments one of them for speaking perfectly English, which she retorts is because she's actually American. LoL.