DRW50

Definitely agree with Susan. Jennifer - damn. That's crazy. I hope it gets her some good roles somewhere.

I was watching the plane crash episode (I don't think I'd ever watched the full compliation episodes), and I couldn't help noticing how even then, the Sugdens had a relatively small role. Yet in spite of that, Clive Hornby has the most emotional moment of the four episodes, in the last third of it, when he has to identify Mark's body. I was also surprised at how they talked about things like corpses of the dead being scattered around, and Frank finding a dead baby in a tree and being sick. This was implied, not shown, but was all the more powerful for it. This is something soap disasters don't do anymore, because they don't want to offend anyone. The funny thing about it is they "only" killed 4 characters, none of them major (although I think they could have done a lot with Archie if he'd lived). I wonder how many this stunt will kill. One of the DS posters who seems to have ties to the show said it's going to be really big, as big as they're hyping. I don't know. I'm pretty sure of at least 3 people I think will die, but I wonder if they'd take it much higher. The sad part is many of those who need to go, like Lawrence, Jai, I'd say Lisa as well at this point to be honest, probably won't. The other funny thing about it is, intentionally or not, they basically had a story where a woman's bitter homophobia led to a man's death. What an odd, oddly progressive message for 1993 ITV.

You thought he was a good person before now? This is actually one of his "nicer" weeks, as he is at least trying to protect a loved one, at no real benefit to himself. Aaron isn't a good person either, so I don't think that should be the issue. The issue is more storytelling and chemistry. Without Robert, Aaron is basically just sitting around the garage and the upstairs of the Woolpack, and worrying about Adam. He's a great character, at least when properly written. And he keeps a lot of otherwise moribund plots going. As much as I like Victoria (although I think she works best in a supporting role), I don't think I'd have as much interest in the drama this week without Robert, because she and Adam weren't built up enough as a couple to warrant this drama (and Andy is barely involved, and I've never bought Diane as a mother figure for the Sugdens). I'm not sure Robert deserves happiness, but he deserves a major role on the show and a lot of good scenes. And to not just be treated as a plot device, which is too often the case.

Leyla has no real claim beyond biology, so I can see why she doesn't want to push too much, but it does break your heart seeing how much she loves him and how his loss impacts her. Digital Spy confirmed Alicia will be back.

Thanks. 1972 is one of the soap years I wish we could see, as it was the last full year of LIAMS and WTHI.

I don't mind seeing character death, but I just think certain characters don't need to go. If James Barton or Rachel or Jai go, I can't say I'm bothered, but killing off even more viable characters, especially women in a certain age range that is already depleted (with Donna and Katie dead and Alicia leaving). And only if the death has meaning. Looking back at Carl King's murder, it meant nothing and added nothing to the canvas. Emmerdale of all the UK soaps has been the worst at pointless character death. What do you think of the Adam/Victoria relationship?

The only scene from The Following I've ever watched...

Is the Harriet Harris in the credits Harriet Sansom Harris? I can see why the show kept Patricia Hodges on after what was likely a short-term role. She's so believably earthy, unlike many "yokel" characters on soaps over the years.

I'm going to be so angry if Leyla is killed and it wasn't Roxy's choice to leave. If they write out both Robert and Leyla they're begging me to quit watching, as much as I do enjoy some parts of the show (like Laurel's story).

I don't think Benz is too bad as Sally, although she's a little lifeless. She reminds me a lot of Susan Walters. I wonder if they should have saved her for Julia when Kyra Sedwgick left. (Kyra wasn't on much longer was she?) It's too bad they didn't keep Tom Wiggin around. He seems very natural. It's sad to see the Julia/Sally scene, the two Frame women talking and laughing and seeing two very different, strong ladies, and knowing they'd both just become known for being corpses.

Thanks. I've seen bits and pieces of this but the story was always too complicated for me to fully understand. Is it me or were they styling "waitress" Alma like Tootsie?

You probably already know this, but Eddie Drueding has some material available for download for free (although donations are encouraged). He has two files with 1983 footage - hours of each. http://www.anotherworldhomepage.com/awvl.html

There's no real way Alicia will be killed, IMO, especially as she won't be around for the stunt where they're killing off several people. I just wish I could say the same for Leyla.

From what Matt Wolfenden apparently said on This Morning, today was it for Alicia. I do have a feeling she will be back for Leyla's funeral. (no spoilers, just the heavy anvils, especially with Leyla and Alicia leaving on bad terms).

Gordon should have been a perfect fit at GH. Bad timing...

Yes, he played twins on AW - the doctor and a lounge singer. The whole thing has always sounded odd to me. I don't think I've seen much of it so I don't know how it played out. AW had such a talented black cast throughout the '80s that they did so little with.

Leyla and Alicia's first husband, Justin, had a drunken one-night stand. Leyla wanted to have an abortion, but Alicia and the Harding mother convinced Leyla to give the baby to Alicia, who was infertile. Leyla left soon after, although she sent money home for her mother. She heard and saw nothing of them until 2010, when Alicia showed up in the village to warn Leyla to not go to their mother's funeral. Leyla did, which led to a big argument at the church, and eventually, Alicia and Jacob moving to the village when her marriage to Justin busted up. Leyla nearly told Jacob the truth in 2011, but backed out and left town instead, breaking David's heart. Leyla sent him a present in 2013. About six months later, Alicia and David told him the truth, because Alicia was afraid Priya was going to tell him. He sent Leyla a message telling her he hated her. She came back to town to confront David and Alicia. Jacob was disgusted with her, but soon accepted the truth and became close to her, while still seeing Alicia as his mother.

Disgusting, incredibly smug, and terrifyng in that this is the man the media would sacrifice their children to make President (either him or media darling Marco). http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/scott-walker-abortions-rape-incest http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mary-lazich-abortion-bill-medical-training

The TV Choice voting ends in a few days. http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/awards/2015

Thanks. Given that he's 90 and seems happy and healthy, I guess Harrower was right... Franko, the photos were probably from about a month or two earlier.

I really am starting to wonder if the Mitchells would have a meeting to watch Phil wipe his backside. I have no idea why they were all needed to sit around and wonder where Sharon was, although I'm sure Roxy was glad to have another chance to dump off the kids. Speaking of Roxy, the best laugh in the episode was her turning her nose up at Council Not Dad - give him a trim and give Roxy a few G&Ts, and he'd be in her bed faster than her sister's latest boyfriend. This episode also provided a great example of good camp/bad camp. Good camp - Abi's hilarious wigging out at the vet do, Sharon and Council Not Dad, Sharon and Vincent (his eye-bugging seemed to subdue even her), Sharon threatening Ronnie. Bad camp - Les killing scenes dead with the worst acting display since Vicki Fowler. Between his rictus grins and the heavy uber-tan on poor Paul (who did what any logical person would do - avoid him whenever possible), their scenes looked like one of those "scandalous 1973 program no longer allowed on television" specials. Oh and Ian/Jane/Cindy were there, rehashing stories I stopped giving a hoot about the first time Jane's uterus became the subject of the Beale household nearly a decade ago. The show is trying to make us see how scary Bobby is, but it is mostly a child actor somewhat pleasantly reading his lines. The frightening person in that house is, and has been for a long time, Jane.

November 1985 Digest

November 1985 Digest