Bright Eyes

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.

I think with a good director Harry Reid could do great work, but this show doesn't seem to have those anymore if this episode is any indication. Horrible acting all across the board. One of those, I hope no one catches me watching this embarrassing drivel, episodes. At least incoming producer Sean O'Connor, more than Kate Oates (though I've loved a lot of her work) and especially Iain McLeod, has me excited for the future. Let's just hope DTC doesn't completely circle the drain before he's finally through. Kathy being a complete wet rag enrages me more than all the consistent hatred I have for Shirley, Phil, Mick, and whoever else. This hapless rut she's in needs to end, immediately. I also hate that everyone is just happy to let Ben live a lie with Abby. People should be at wits end with his constant denial. Someone should be so angry about it that they tell Ben it's his fault that Abby miscarried because he's been stringing her along this whole time. Someone should try and get Abby to realize she's depressed and deluded. This story is just too offensive and ridiculous. It all makes me want to punch a wall.

I completely agree with you. Ziggy's death was the strangest thing. Comparing it to everything they did for Freddie shortly before, when the audience knew he wasn't dead the whole time, it was almost like the show couldn't wait to get rid of him. Of course, it also was in addition to ruining Cameron, who was one of the great new additions. I'll always be pissed about how they tarnished his character practically overnight. And how they threw away Lockie, too. And Phoebe. I'd say Dylan too, but I truly feel like the show really was surprised when he bolted so I give them some leeway there. Rachel being killed off is another horrendous choice. I genuinely enjoy all the Nightingales, and she could have easily fit into the fabric of the show since they said she was teacher. Have her, John Paul, and Nancy all become good mates. I still seethe at the destruction they did to the John Paul/Nancy friendship. And now Nancy or John Paul don't have any real friends at all ... but that has always been Kirkwood's biggest failure, genuine friendships, which should be the foundation of Hollyoaks. As happy as I am that Holly is being treated as the leading character she should be, with Amanda Clapham being a fantastic actress, it's a shame they had to add her to the suffocating list of killers on the show. Still, sometimes I try and picture Wallis Day (the previous Holly) in these strong dramatic stories, and I laugh. We really got lucky on that score. Plus, Kirkwood's love of Cindy, the only producer who has made her a prominent, multi-layered character since she returned by his pen, is another huge plus for him. Liam Donovan, the new playboy character, is not even remotely attractive. Tegan and Celine going from complete studs like Ziggy and Cameron to this wankstain is the biggest come down I've ever seen. Of course, he can't act worth a lick either. The serial killer story since the reveal has dragged a bit at times, but I'm still really enjoying it. With Lindsey gone in a few weeks time, I can't wait for the outcome. We also have the great double cancer/love story with Alfie/Jade, and the Lovedays have been a strong presence since their arrival. So just like the last few years, a few strong bits, a few bad bits, mixed with Kirkwood's constant maddening approach to things. I enjoyed 2015 much more than EastEnders and Corrie so I think 2016 will hopefully be at least as good, with the usual complaints along the way.

Wow, I had no idea Chris had triplets out there somewhere. Here I thought that Finn would be some brother of Drew's that he kept quiet. I was focusing on the wrong cad, I suppose. Finn does seem like an exciting character to have on canvas though. I already like him, and it doesn't hurt to look at him either. Would you want a Carrie return?

Was that Frazer Hines having a tantrum?

They're really throwing everything they can at poor Kylie these days. It's amazing how far she's come. The show does heroines so well. I never feel like any if them are especially weak at all. Victoria "we-ing" with Mo about Jack had my blood boiling. Margaret, where are thou? The day she arrives, those screams you hear will be mine.

According to the latest spoilers, after 6 months, Frankie will finally return to our screens in a fortnight's time. I actually was pretty surprised on how she returns, too. It'll be good to have her back.

I haven't checked anywhere else to see what others think, but am I the only one that became offended when Stacey compared her mental illnesses to Kyle being transgendered? "I guess we're both messed up." That's just great. Stacey was at her level worst in the whole episode. Someone really needs to batter her.

I'm really enjoying Freddie Griffiths as well. Hopefully, they'll find a way to keep him around once Kylie exits. He's the type of man who Gail should be with. Not Eeyore. The conversation on WalfordWeb about how low she's been brought down over the years was educational for me and then infuriating. I watched a clip of her rowing with Ivy Tilsley, and it was electric. I haven't seen Gail like that in I don't know how long. I'm so glad you critiqued ugly Anna. I hate her so immensely and the actress is completely unsympathetic. On the same token, I never understood why you disliked Eileen before. She was never a favourite per say, but she never bothered me. I get it, she's a complete moron. A woman whose misery is based on her own stupidity. Instead of killing off a character with potential (Tony), a useless death if ever there was one. Jason's exit should involve Eileen's death at the hands of Phelan, somehow. Jason's ignorance finally catching up to him in a way that would shame him into leaving the street. Sean would go the way of the dodo bird, leaving Todd to need some new flatmates in Zeedan, Gary, and Luke. Then once Todd finally gets a new love interest, maybe the show could explore a story about his father. I also wish Corrie would stop being so safe and, like the other soaps have done, end up having Nick forgive Carla for her transgression and leave town with her in a surprise exit. If only so the show can't go down the predictable and overdone route of Leanne reuniting with him. As for this horrible slavery plot. It's classic Stuart Blackburn. A story that starts, stops, never to be mentioned again. In other words, not much of a story at all.

Chas is only watchable when she's an entity all her own. Bog her down with her family, and she disappears into nothing. It's small moments like when she advised Leyla to befriend Carly that she has potential behind The Woolpack.

I have to say, Lisa Hammond was impressive tonight. That performance came out of nowhere and proved, that if given the chance, she could have staying power once the inevitable exits of Claudette and Vincent are behind her.

Kassius Nelson is destined for great things. She is constantly knocking it out of the park with her fantastic performances. It sounds macabre to say, but this teenage cancer love story is the best part of the show at the minute. It certainly picked up the reigns from Cleo's grooming plot at just the right time. I really hope I was hasty in fearing that John Paul would be paired with Scott. It seems he was happy to have dodged a bullet. Here's hoping he and James have chemistry when they eventually meet. I love that James was attracted to Scott initially, until he opened his mouth and soon became horrified at the thought. Since Emily Gascoyne wrote this episode, I wonder if the show would overcome Kirkwood's limitations if she were in charge and not just a series producer. It would at least up the chances of Chris Fountain returning.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. He was one of my favourites on Peyton Place. Him and Barbara Parkins lit up the screen together. At least I can happily say I was able to watch PP from beginning to end on YouTube awhile back. I don't know if the show is still available there, but if it is I highly urge everyone to check it out. Rest in Peace to a truly handsome, charismatic, and magnetic performer. This obituary states he passed away on March 5, 2016. http://www.rep-am.com/Obituaries/944900.txt

Random query: Does anyone else think it's really strange that Fiz has never changed Hope's name from Stape, considering John was a serial killer?