Bright Eyes

Jude has finally returned, and damn does it feel good. Davinia Taylor looks impeccable. And the brief moment where revealed Jude to the audience and played a snippet of the original theme made feel all the nostalgic feelings. I truly hope she decides to return sooner rather than later after this temporary stint.

Off the recent announcement that Bella is leaving in November, Shorty has kept another exit top secret as Queen Rachel (Angela Bloomfield) last aired today. Shorty has existed without her, but she's always been around since I've been watching and losing her is going to be felt for a long time to come. Just like Brooke, Sarah, and soon to be Bella. By the grace of the Shorty Gods, she left with her life in tact, and with her relationship with Chris very much open ended. She just has to be back one day, hopefully sooner rather than later. I'll miss greatly.

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I thought it was very bewildering.

It's quite nice that Jai hasn't become persona non grata now that his relationship with Holly is out. I love Oates' tenure more greatly, but if this was her Jai would have been kidnapped and had the truth beaten out of him. Refreshing. I didn't connect at all to the Cain and Charity scenes. It's nothing but a retread. We've already seen them move on. Succeed past their relationship with each other. I can't get into this bit of the story.

Regarding Leela/Jesse - Nothing happened on-screen. All we know is that Ste thought she hooked up with him. If you can recall, Cameron and her had a row about Leela hanging out and flirting with him. Basically, it's only hints at this point.

We were both wrong about this. But with Rachel now back on the sauce () might she end up making a disastrous arrival at the wedding? On an even sadder note, Ameila Reid has announced that she's leaving! Bella has been such a great heroine. The Cooper will officially be no more come November. Fortunately, Reid has stated she isn't ruling out a return at some point, and since she leaves before the end of year cliffhanger, I have to believe she makes it out alive. With Leanne gone too (is that permanent?) the person that will be relegated to the front desk will seem so out of place. I also don't trust Sass at all. They've said before that she qualifications that go beyond being a PA, so I wonder if she could start scheming for the top position soon.

This is random, but I want to thank Iain McLeod for giving Lisa and Moira maiden names. It always bothers me when female characters are never given one. Caroline Brady's is still unknown and she's been on DAYS for over 30 years. Ridiculous.

Just seeing her name makes me seethe, Carl. I couldn't take months, maybe a week. Best to be just a double bill. Off-screen even better. Happy 30th anniversary to Chris Chittell!

I had no idea she would die this soon. Even in the episode itself, it came so early, pulling the rug out from under me. I knew something prominent was going to happen when the show started with the music, but nothing could have prepared me for what followed, which was gut-wrenching. As someone who feels Moira's best friendship is with Vanessa, it was nice to see them bonding again. It's been too long. I didn't even speculate that it wasn't drugs that killed her because I was so caught up in the tragedy. I just assumed what someone in the episode said (I literally just watched it so I don't know why I don't remember) about her being tempted at her friend's wedding. It'll be bittersweet if she didn't indeed relapse, and I hope that's the case. Moira deserves that small, yet hollow break. I give all the kudos in the world to Iain Mcleod, his team, and Sophie Powles. When Holly originally left, I don't think anyone, myself included, was upset to see her go. Her return announcement left me puzzled as to why anyone would even bother. However, the soap Gods did something that I love when it happens. They succeeded past my low expectations by leaps and bounds and provided probably the best story of the year. Powles has grown so much an actress, putting in some performances I will never forget. Natalie J. Robb has been and will continue to be a revelation, but Powles especially should be so proud of what she accomplished this year. Now, instead of being a blip I couldn't care less about, she'll have left an indelible mark I'll never forget. First Donna, now Holly. Who is going to come back for a limited return and die tragically next?

I think Mac abusing James works. They've always said Mac had a temper, so it makes sense he took it out on someone in the family. They've really done a lot to make Marnie and James fully realized characters, even at their most camp/OTT-ness, and this just helps that rhetoric. At the same time, I don't automatically see Mac as evil because of his genuine affection for his other children, but he clearly has a very disturbing side to him. I mentioned before how I love that they flipped the script on Marnie/Mac as well. Neeta has already seen Mac's true colours, so I hope she'll be involved when James admits what happened to his family. Ellie is so much in her own world right now, with good reason, that she'll probably want nothing to do with the drama. But I can totally see Nathan and Alfie turning on James in the aftermath, so I hope Neeta is around to back him up. I'm interested to see Mac's reasoning for only ever turning on James. As for Eva, I think the story is a bit jarring but the spoiler about the whole Osborne family disappearing has me intrigued. Though thinking about it now, it just came to me that it might be a replica of the Niall story. Still, the actress, having to have so many emotional scenes right out of the gate, seems strong enough to handle the material. I don't think the show is trying to make Eva and Liam an actual pairing. She's clearly just using him. I can see him somehow being collateral damage in her revenge quest.

I don't think I've ever read about an OFCOM complaint that I didn't think was completely pathetic. Never underestimate people's stupidity. In the same vein, those DS types are vacuous. I only go to the forum now for Red Rock. Who did the annoying woman play on Corrie? I never recognized her. I didn't even connect her name to the HO character. Has that horrible witch been on your mind lately? Kerry has been great having some spotlight. I like that she has enough of a conscience not to go through with lying to Dan abut him being the father. She showed so much growth in that scene. I like to think it's because Amy's poisonous existence has been expunged, but either way, that 'I would know' was a strong moment for her, I think. I meant to say, regarding Charity, that I wish they'd give her a friend that isn't Chas. If loathsome Shirley Carter can have friends, Charity could connect with at least one other character.

It's a shame how fast Jimmy/Nicola went from being in a serious story to returning back to the comedy stuff. I feel sometimes, like today, that Nicola Wheeler plays those scenes where she's angry at doofus Jimmy a little too hard. She looks like she really could murder him. Hopefully she's allowed to be as unsettling when the Rakesh stuff comes out. After today, I have to assume Ross/Charity really are a possibility. Charity herself pointed out how much he wanted her, and we saw how touched she was when he was pouring out his heart to her about how much he loves their son, a side of Ross we haven't seen for a long time. Plus, neither Hordley nor Atkins want them together long term anyway. And hopefully it could also be the final nail in Debbie dating a man for the foreseeable. Vanessa is single ... even if I thought Webb and Atkinson had loads of chemistry during the brief time they were story dictated friends. The most likable Debbie had been in ages. On a random note, there is no way that rottweiler was going to hurt a soul. It looked so peaceful and happy. I was hoping we'd get a scene of the dog catching up to Ross, only to lick his face off. Also, Emma Atkins going down a slide and booking it can be put in a category of things that give me glee for reasons I can't quite describe.

Tegan doesn't blissfully appear for weeks, but two episodes in and she reminds me why I hate her. Calling Ellie a slut/skank or whatever it was merely because she's a petulant jealous lonely cow. I pray she'll somehow be a casualty of this October stunt. Worst character on the show. Luckily, that's not saying much because most of them are in my good books. I'd say Scott, for obvious reasons, and pathetic Joanne need to go. That's it really. Though I have made myself clear on how I'm feeling about Myra lately as well. Porley did very good in the scene where she pleads with Freddie to get back with her. The show does a good job of always having something happening under the surface. For instance, Freddie could see something was wrong with Ellie, but even if his comfort leads to a reconciliation, there's still the secret of Freddie cheating on her with her mother, and not Cindy. It doesn't look like Ellie will get much of a break anytime soon. That scene where Ellie was describing what happened to Lisa, and Lisa didn't know how to react was unfortunately true to life. The hardest part of the story is seeing how confused and lost Ellie is about what happened. I wonder how long it will be before someone actually categorizes it as rape. Today absolutely confirmed that Cameron is not the father of Leela's baby. This is another example like above. Celine/Jesse are currently apart while she goes through with this hackneyed Diego marriage, but even when/if they reunite, they'll potentially have to deal with the fact that he could be the father of Leela's baby. You know, with Iain McLeod having left for Emmerdale and Di Burrows taken off the credits awhile back, I'm thinking Emily Gascoyne as the sole Series Producer is working in the show's favour. Surely, it can't be a coincidence? If only she'd bring her friend Chris Fountain back.

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.