Bright Eyes

My girl is losing it. This is hard to watch, but so must see.

This week was rough to get through. I never need to see Cathy in a prominent story, and we all know how trash the Nazir story is. However, I did like how rough Cathy was with Roy. Not many people take off their kid gloves with him, so it was fascinating to watch. And I hope they're going to continue on Alya being power hungry. She could become a favourite if they show her slowly becoming more hungry, more selfish, more cold. Kind of like seeing a Carla in the making. Mary needs to die yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Awful. They break up Todd/Tracy and replace him with Mary? That is what viewers should be complainign about, not some stilted Kunte Kinte line. Awful. And can this show give something for Kim effing Tate to do. If they weren't going to use her for something big, they shouldn't have cast her in the first place. Awful. Kate Oates really needs to up her supporting story game, because it's a slog.

These past couple weeks have really given me a lot of faith in Sean O'Connor. Watching the show doesn't feel dirty anymore. I sense a feel of relief now, eager to watch the next episode. The low key duff-duffs have been almost beautiful. With the Fowler unit on the move, is there anyone currently living in the original Slater flat? I get confused as to which places are which. I also really wish Belinda would get her own damn place/keep the apartment for herself. She runs her own business, time for her to stand on her own now.

This won't even make Charity flinch the amount of times he's attacked her in the past. She'll just consider it foreplay. Hopefully whenever Debbie Downer returns, she'll do at least one good thing and, with her head on straight from her time away, try and steer Charity in the right direction. Her imminent return under the last few regimes would have me spitting glass, but Ian McLeod seems pretty good at keeping people well rounded, so hopefully he'll fix her. Aaron, for instance, has calmed down a whole hell of a lot since he took over. At this point in time, Robert actually has more story than he does. Long may it last.

It'll be nice to see him. My time watching HO only started near the end of his tenure, but I liked him on Emmerdale as well. In the current world where recurring characters are lasting longer these days, it's a shame he couldn't still be in the Dales.

McLeod really needs to realize that he should go full steam ahead with Ross/Charity. They work so well together. I ship it. Laura Norton isn't wasting any time at knocking it out of the park with her performances. She's going to break my heart. It's so nice to see a character like Frank around the Dales. He's so suave and charming, and not at all offensive or polarizing. The fun cad/lovable rogue is really a missed soap trope not used often enough anymore. All I hear in the Jai and Holly scenes is the sound of a ticking time bomb, and I'm all for it. You know something is going to go horribly wrong, and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see it happen.

The sexual consent story has started off to a very well written start. I already have taken to Ben Davies as Nick, and it just feels so good to have freshers week back. Huge bonus to the show at not including Ste. Harry is so likable when he's with Holly/Zack/Cleo and away from him. They all felt like relatable young adults tonight. Zoe Lister should be proud.

I wouldn't mind Yasmeen and Roy either as I haven't quite warmed up to Cathy/Alex. I (too) can do w/o them. (re: Zeedan) That would be a story I could get behind. Zeedan losing faith in his religion and marriage, which stems from his grandfather's infidelity, thus leading to him losing his virginity. Plus, it would lead to us seeing that body! If he has to fall into prostitution, so be it. The ends greatly justify the means in this case.

I really don't want Roxy to die. It makes the most sense for Ronnie's character trajectory, but Roxy deserves to escape her sister once for all. Actually, I'd have Roxy come to the end of her tether and turn Ronnie in for all she's done. Maybe she confesses to Ronnie at the last minute, who makes a run for it. She's chased down by police, which leads to her 'explosive' death. Roxy leaves Walford, reuniting Matthew with Charlie. Hopefully, he gets his son back.

I happy this means this random affair nonsense will end sooner rather than later. This isn't much of a loss at all. I wouldn't be mad if Oates got rid of Cathy/Alex, and eventually paired Roy and Yasmeen. Plus, since the story came out of nowhere, the outcome could have always been to break up the Nazir marriage for good anyway. I just hope this makes Zeedan give up his beliefs, at least when it comes to sex. I want that body on parade, stat!

Angela Bloomfield is doing such a great job playing Rachel at the end of her tether. Going back to her bitch role as a way of coping, saying and doing anything she can as CEO to keep anyone from making her deal with the truth of how she isn't coping at all. Even behind her venomous tongue, you can always see the pain and struggle in her eyes. Lecherous Glen really did a number on her. The question is will Rachel crumble before or after Glen's inevitable return? Still, Bloomfield is really showing why she's the QUEEN of this show, not that there was ever any doubt of her deserving her throne. It's a shame they killed Carrie off-screen, but Chris' sperm donor children arriving are welcomed additions. I mentioned before how I wanted Frank to be a bad seed, and it sounds like they could go that route with the little we've learned of him from Finn and Sass. Sass herself is quickly becoming a fascinating addition as a bit of a shameless stirrer. Of course, TK had to sleep with her, adding to his harem numbers. It's not Shortland Street if half the female cast haven't slept with him. Not really a complaint or unreasonable considering how ridiculously hot Benjamin Mitchell is. We should all be so lucky. Lucy and Ali planning their wedding for next year gives me pause. Suggests to me there will be no wedding at all. They're sure to call off the engagement at some point, surely.

Probably not. It was just three short (less than 5 minutes) 'episodes' on their YouTube channel. It basically was just to show that the doctor character is shy and the other one is a playboy, but I thought it was cute and well acted nonetheless.

I'm very intrigued about the new Asian brothers that debut this week. I even watched their webisodes introduction. I hope they're a success.

Not going to lie, the break up of Todd/Tracy hit me much harder than Todd/Billy. This better just be temporary for this Phelan story, because they were the best friendship on the show.

I always forget about abortion stories for some reason. Charity should have shot to mind immediately as I loved that entire time with Declan. And I already knew about Jasmine as well since you've so eloquently described her history in the past. My memory just blanks out sometimes, I guess. I don't know much about the Glovers other than Dave was with Kim Tate for a time, which prompted me to look them up. How bizarre that both Dave and Linda were killed off in the same year. Do you think either death was a mistake?

I can get behind Leyla and Pete. I was going to write how great it was that she hadn't hooked up with Ross, but then I remembered she had a one night stand with Adam. Damn those beautiful Barton boys. Still, it'll be nice for her to throw some fun his way if nothing else. I hope this also means they have plans to reignite his friendship with David. They started something when David started those football classes, but have never kept up with it. What is Emmerdale's history with abortion? I know Kelly Windsor had one. Anyone else come to mind?

I only saw the tail end of Chelsea's run, but I agree about both her and especially Joivan Wade returning. I wouldn't even mind Libby either. Denise really wouldn't need Kim around then. I hated the little I saw of Libby initially because at the time I started watching she was around that vacuous wheelchair character and some annoying old woman, who I think was her grandmother, but in her returns she's been a breath of fresh air. Does anyone have any random character return wishes? I always thought getting rid of Gary Lucy/Danny Pennant was a hasty move. Imagine him and Steven making some sort of sex bet, while fooling around with each other. He worked well with Janine and Lucy, and probably could do wonders to breath some life into the show.

Abi - She perplexes me. I was a bigger fan of hers than most until she got with Ben. Fitzgerald was one of the highlights from Live Week, but she has been so juvenile in her delivery it makes me seethe. Maybe she just needs a stronger directing influence? God knows DTC's characterisations threatened the strongest of actors on this show. But if the character has truly outgrown her, I do hope they let Abi succeed professionally. She deserves to be the veterinarian she dreamed about for as long as I can remember, and if Max is still on the show in a few years, recast and have her return as an accomplished woman. Maybe even have her become a full fledged doctor, and move into Dr. Legg's old place. I'm surprised the show has never done that with a past character. I might be able to handle Johnny a little bit better if they stopped putting him in old man desperately trying to cling to better days clothing. Ugly, ugly, ugly. I did like his scene with Colin, but to your disagreement, when I see him, I see how lacking he is compared to Sam Strike in numerous ways and it's always a let down. Plus, he's a Carter. The name alone makes my blood boil. Unless you have the charm of Strike or Hatchard, I have my red pen at the ready.

I was amused that Grace shot down the prospect of this pairing to Esther on the latest episode. I guess my soapy sixth sense was tingling. I am fully ready for Joanne to go away now. When she moved on from Louis it looked like she learned her lesson. I don't understand why they are horribly backtracking this character. Being so pathetic at her age ain't cute. And I hate to say it, but I think it's time for Myra to die. Her shtick makes me grimace. I wish she were an adult again.

I feel the same way about Lee. I had visions of Martin/Stacey and Lee/Whitney being a tight foursome on the square. I yearned for a double date between them. And since I'll never buy Kush as Martin's close friend anytime soon, strengthening his friendship with Lee would have been a priority. Lee/Stacey and Martin/Whitney could bond dealing with mental illness, their partners bonding over the best way to cope, and they compare notes on dealing with everyday life. They could have been great together. Though I'm not that cut up about it in the grand scheme of things, I also posted my thoughts before about how much Roxy could have soared away from Ronnie, and the Mitchells. She's always so likable when she has nothing to do with them. Vincent isn't on my hit list because the character is completely inoffensive these days and Richard Blackwood is shamelessly hot enough for me to not make his axing a priority. Make him friends with Kush and have them whore around together. I think Blackwood could pull off being a cad type. This would clearly mean the end for him and Kim, and she could leave with Pearl. I liked her under Kirkwood, but she hasn't been the same since she returned and Denise doesn't need her, and Kat isn't around to be her friend, which leaves her with nothing. Obvious choices for cuts are Shakil and Jane. It's hard to know which characters should truly go because we have no idea what SOC will do. So many things are all a big question mark. Lauren and Abi are floundering, but they have to be kept dithering around while waiting for Max to return. It's a scary prospect wondering how that story will go. And what about soon to be a single father of two, Jack? When Ronnie leaves, what will become of him. What is his relationship with Max going to be? Don't strike me, but I actually think he and Whitney could become good together. They make sense in my head, anyway, and Whitney could certainly pull off being with an older man without her coming off as immature, or Jack looking like he's going though a mid-life crisis. Tina, Johnny, Louise would be quick and easy for me. Belinda - Carli Norris was so brilliant on Hollyoaks that it still is a sore in my craw how Kirkwood just threw out her and the great Kane family. She is so much better than what Belinda is right now. I don't think the show really needs Slaters around though. Stacey certainly wouldn't hurt without her presence. In a perfect world, this would be the end of the line for Phil. I don't know how the hell one goes about fixing Ian, but these two aren't going anywhere so it's a moot point to think otherwise. Shirley, Mick, Linda - Mick and Linda will have to wait until her maternity leave is over. Having Mick deal with being completely alone in the Vic could be interesting in the interim. As for Shirley, look at all the dross her existence has besotted us. I've always hated her. I'm also assuming Sylvie is a shelf life character. Other than Tina, would anyone care if she died. Heck, make that Tina's exit story. Sylvie dies, Tina realizes how vile they all are when no one wants to help with the funeral, so she books it and leaves Mick in the lurch with the bill. Carmel - I wouldn't get rid of her right away, because I'd make her a villain first. Donna. The show needs to prove me to she's not just a token. Hollyoaks knows how to do this effortlessly.

She was number one on my hit list. The only time she interested me was when she got Tosh riled up to beat Tina, so that Tina would finally leave her. If they kept her down that route, doing morally questionable things to protect her family in her own way, she could have been great, but the writers very quickly made her detestable. Good riddance of the highest order.

I've watched the AUS soaps the least, but I still got excited at the news. Her death truly is iconic, and as DS did point out, Neighbours can tell a good back from the dead story (Harold). Other than Toadie, did she have close relationships with anyone else still on the show? Were her and Steph good friends? On a shameless note, it looks like L.A. is being very kind to Chris Milligan. He looks great. I still miss him.

Today's Ben/Phil scenes would have been great if it weren't Ben/Phil in the scenes. That is not their relationship. Phil hates Ben, and Ben has tried to kill him. There is no love there, and if the writers want there to be, this is a soap, so take the damn time to show the journey. I can believe anything on a soap as long as you show me how characters actually got from Point A to B. This is just a sick lie. What a nice surprise that Denise's first day in class went positively. I wish Denise could have a friend that had an I.Q though. Carmel and Kim make me weep for her. This whole story is going to give me a hernia. For my health, I'm going to give SOC the benefit of the doubt. Getting rid of Ronnie/Roxy gives me hope, and he was around when Lisa shot Phil right? The way the Sonia story has been so pleasantly written this week gives me more hope, too. It was for more watchable then any of the sloggish stunts DTC has plodded out. Bex's reaction tonight was a particular highlight of the week. Jasmine Armfield is so damn good. I'm going to love her living with Martin/Stacey. And since Kathy works so well with them, show her building a relationship with Bex, too. Ben, maybe Ian if I cared about him, could get jealous that she so easily can be a mum to Martin and his family, but still feels like a stranger to her actual sons. Shakil was the worst today. His gurning made me want to scream. Carmel being a lush in front of her teenage son on a weekday was horribly embarrassing. If they were honest about her in the writing, I could find her fascinating. But this mess we're supposed to find so lovable. I don't think so.

This Joe triangle is so stupid and a waste of my time. I'm liking Jesse/Celine, even if I'm still pissed about her potential with Cameron being squandered. I feel with the latter coupling Celine was surpassing her typical ditzy routine and becoming a complex bonafide heroine. I don't see that happening with Jesse, even if they are cute together. And the upcoming convolutions with them and Myra/Diego is going to make me want to bleach my brain. Emma Smithwick wrote Myra so much better than Kirkwood has since he returned; see Myra's role in the Mercedes/Mitzeee story as a great example. However, everything with James and Jade/Alfie has been fantastic. I sadly can't imagine Jade will survive another bout of cancer, so when she presumably dies I will be a goddamn mess. I already teared up this week. And that fake-impromptu wedding between Jade/Alfie was classic Hollyoaks. It was sweet, romantic, bittersweet. The writers have really hit a major home run with this story. I also liked seeing some fire in Neeta telling Mac off for being an ass. The actress did good with the material. Her living with Grace is interesting. Maybe Grace's new love interest? You can't count it out, not on Hollyoaks. Which makes things so much fun. As for James, unlike Cameron, I like the twist that Mac is an abusive ass. That they turned the whole Mac-good/Marnie-bad characterization on its head is great. It's going to be hard to see James' family probably disbelieve his claims. I just hope Marnie steps up for her son, the one person that has always stood by her, when the truth comes out. Of course, she might just succumb to a full breakdown like they've alluded to her having in the past. Since spoilers said Linda Gray will be no fan of Mac, I hope we'll get a chance to see her drag him for filth.