Bright Eyes

Personally, I fell in love with Sam Strike. Ted Reilly will never match him, but I'm all for giving him a chance to impress me. However, maybe it's me projecting, but it felt like he was falling over himself to the get the words out, like his nerves got the better of him. As for the family itself, I found myself mentally tuning out. I physically can't with them anymore. I have no problem with Louise crushing on Jay. She would have no reason to see him as a brother figure at all, and not only is he cute, but she also just saw him stand up to Phil and Ben's complete f*ckery. It's the smartest thing she's done so far. But, like you, I hate that they went with such a lazy route regarding her character. She's a Mitchell, so she has to act like one. Shouty, obnoxious, aggrandizing. Pass. My least favourite part about the Stacey's cowardice and betrayal being rewarded, at least in this episode, was when Nancy asked Tamwar what Masood had to be mad at Carmel about, and he said nothing, like Masood's feelings were completely unfounded. Even James E. Reilly at his worst always had someone calling out characters on their crap, no matter who it was. Where exactly was Phil going to go with Abi, anyway? That was so odd to me. It's also a bad decision to have Abi leave town, if that's what happens. Seeing Jack take care of her and help her rehabilitate herself after her humiliation could have been great for both characters.

Carl, I thought of you during the Zak/David scene. I hope you liked it.

I don't think it was necessary, but it did help that it was all done in one episode. The only part I didn't like was when David lashed out at Dr. Bailey and briefly took it out on a few packet of crisps. That but went to over the top, but the rest was well acted. I seemingly think of more of Matt Wolfenden's acting abilities than most, but I also think because David is such a likable character, half the battle is already done. That Dr. Bailey being ruined criticism is ridiculous. I'm happy I only go on those forums for the Red Rock thread, and to vote in random polls and such, which are my kryptonite.

Pat's exit was a bad choice overall, but the episodes surrounding her death were fantastic.

You said it. It was truly bizarre. Johnny's arrival could have waited to the next episode. DTC clearly lost all sense of awareness. This has to be one of the worst duff duffs of all time. It completely killed all the momentum they built towards throughout the episode.

YouTubers React to K-Pop #4!

The mirror scene should have been like that Peter Barlow moment where he's disgusted with himself after he's seemingly gotten away with being a bigamist. But I've read Chris Gascoyne himself is the reason that moment played that way, so I guess writers these days really don't have a clue.

I'm pretty sure Agim Kaba was one of my first "interests" in ATWT. Thank you soaphunks.net. I miss that site greatly. Sorry for posting a video, but Aaron Tveit is taking over my mind. His body is banging. Love him so much.

I hope you don't mind me telling you that Annette definitely returns, in and out, for the next couple of years. Brooke is my favourite character from the show. She never disappoints me and the writers seemed to truly love writing for her. I miss her so much. Ula/Evan/Phoenix were quite good. Ula and Evan, especially, really matured and evolved over time. Something Shortland Street excels at doing with most characters on the show.

The new blonde on Nancy looks like a wig to me. It's horrible. If ever Nancy dyed her hair some neon colour and they threw a mesh tank top and a gold chain on Darren again, I think I would die of happiness. When Grace first came on, she was completely unwatchable. But Kirkwood really wanted her to work out so he put the time into fixing her. I'd say ever since she debuted with her clown hair, circa the time Mercedes "died" she's been one of the best characters on the show. The Donovan brothers. I've made my feelings for Liam known. He has nothing about him (looks, charisma, charm) that would effectively make him a playboy. The bald one doesn't seem like much of an actor either, but I'll give him a chance. The one who pretended to be a cop is cute though and seems to be the better actor out of the three. I think I'll quite like him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/592eb2f1-ea14-4199-a425-621ee8baba00 Is it wrong to hope that this finally means the end for Jane?

Does that picture mean Sal Stowers will, too?

Today marks the first episode Iain McLeod is taken off the credits as one of the series producers.

Thanks bl. I'll miss Josh, and especially yummy Harley Bonner.

Does that mean Kate Oates wasn't going to give him cancer? Another dubious move from Iain that leaves me concerned. This story will be the death of me.

I don't watch regularly (not enough hours in the day), but I had to peek back in for Josh's death. It definitely brought on the waterworks. I couldn't find the Adele version though.

With Sophie Powles, I think it's her eyes. I could swear they actually shimmer. When did Zak have cancer? As interesting as it could be to see Zak in meaningful scenes with David, especially when his own family aren't giving him the time of day, I'm really hoping David doesn't have cancer at all. I mean, were you not wholly against Wolfy shaving his head? LoL

I hated them, too. The worst part was I knew David couldn't really do anything to stop it because then he'd have all the dumbass Dingles harassing him in return. Bringing on Aaron's father and sister should have been the best thing that ever happened to his character. Instead they went down the worst route possible. It's just sad. David and Jacob on their own were great scenes, at least. I also did not like that Tracey would ever want to go near Andy again. I guess I can fanwank that she felt insecure after David was cold to her and Jacob was outright rude, but it just felt icky to me. Also, they should have had Aaron having fun with the Victoria group with no other purpose in the episode. Not only is Adam his best friend, and Robert his lover, but I just despise that the show refuses to acknowledge how well Isobel Hodgins and Danny Miller work together. No that Danny Miller actually has chemistry with his love interest, they shouldn't be so afraid of that relationship anymore. Of course, I'd be showing plenty more of Victoria all around, so I'm already out of luck before I've even begun. On a random note, is it wrong of me to want Robert and Leyla to hook up? I hate that they basically put Robert's balls in a cage when he told Aaron he'd wait for him. I have to wonder if Holly was only brought back to be killed off. Moira will end up blaming Cain for reasons and that'll, unfortunately, break them up. He'll want to self destruct as a result, enter Charity.

I hope one of the triplets turns out to be a villain. Chris dealing with a true bastard for a son could be fascinating and generate stories for years. Even with her short speech scene Kerry Dewing got me a little emotional. It's truly fascinating and such a relief that characters actually evolve on this show. When Norelle took out this pills from her pulse, I gulped hard. This is going to be another devastating loss. Shortland Street is a cruel mistress. It seems Lucy is the new welcome wagon. At least she has great taste. TK, Curtis, Ali, and Finn. Unlucky in love, yes ... in lust, she has it all.

I never cared for Charles. He always felt tacked on to me. As for the Costellos, though I liked Seth enough, Riley is the only memorable one from the family. The worst thing about their creation was building them off a character (Jem, don't remember her? Exactly!) who was pretty much a failure her whole short time on the show. She was lifeless. Carl was just unlikable, and the only memorable thing about Heidi was due to Silas killing her. To be fair, Marquess (IMO) produced the worst period the show has ever been. Any of his creations that succeeded during his time were due to Gareth Philips, but especially the greatly underrated Emma Smithwick, who I wish was still in charge. I, too, don't see where they can go with Joanne once this story is over. I like the layers in her character that we've seen in recent weeks. That she came to the conclusion on her own that her friendship with Simone was more important to her than her fear of loneliness that drove her bunny boiler qualities solidified her past being one note for me. Also, the casting you allude to was spoiled in the SPRING trailer. Dodger was pretty personified, and was charming as all get out. This new guy looks like an emaciated rat. I'll take the moment to tell you Dodger and Texas are one of my favourite soap couples across the board, and that's all thanks to the fantastic Emma Smithwick who brought them to glory. 2012 was just a fantastic year for the show, the best of all the soaps that year bar none. I like the potential of Freddie/Ellie myself. It seems fresh to me. Hooking up with Marnie doesn't bother me though. I guess they'll be even on the familiar relations score now. I'll be interested to see how it affects Ellie and Marnie's relationship.

Rumours may be a bit strong. Just speculation really, but all the warnings onscreen about her being a man eater are hopefully more than boring Stuart Blackburn usually comes up with.

Yes! Izzy is one of the many characters that need to be killed off this show. I don't mind Anna, when she's not a shrill banshee, but Izzy can go! She should've left with her dad, Owen, back a year or two ago. Someone pitched on here awhile back that they should have Gary, Zeedan, and Luke as three bachelors in a flat. That would've been an interesting dynamic to see. I pitched that! Stuart Blackburn inundated the show with younger characters, but has done absolutely nothing with them. It still leaves me dumbfounded that anyone thought it was a good idea to move Luke in with Tyrone and Fiz. How does that make any sense whatsoever? And of those three young studs, why can't Todd seduce one of them? That little moment between him and Zeedan on New Years was everything. They could have still brought on the gorgeous Rana, and just had her add another level to the story. And if the rumours about her being a bunny boiler are true, even better. The show desperately needs to stop shoving Tracey into everything to be a one note bitch, which Kate Ford cannot play, and have another vixen come aboard and ruffle some feathers.

Today was at least a quality episode. Hollyoaks can still get me all choked up when they want to. No matter how haphazard their decision making.

Cherylee Houston is new levels of awful. My soul aches for Gary, chained down around his horrible family. I swear, if they even hint at him reuniting with that awful woman, I will scream until the ends of the earth.

The David/Leyla scenes were beautiful to watch, in a myriad of ways. I've been hesitant to want David and Leyla to reunite, just because I was so hurt by how they were torn apart. I don't trust that the show wouldn't do that again, and I don't want to watch it again. That their relationship has evolved into the strong loving friendship it is now should be held sacred. Let David and Leyla make messes of their other relationships, but leave theirs always united, coming together as each others strongest rock. I couldn't bare it any other way. Lisa and Zak actually divorcing, Lisa selling the Dingle home, and Faith Dingle returning all give me an anxious false hope for a Jane Cox exit announcement with each passing day, but it never comes. Like Lisa said herself, she has nothing. She is irrelevant. She needs to go.