DRW50

I'm right there with you. Until I got back into it last December I was just limited to The Doctors and soap reruns on Youtube. Even now, there are big dud episodes (like Monday and somewhat Tuesday this week), but when it's good, it's so much better than any soap on now. US or UK.

I can't really blame David after he was lied to on such a fundamental level even when he agreed to give up everything to move to Portugal. I guess they made it OTT so we would not side with either of them too much, but I don't think he was wrong. I'm just glad they've shown Adam being rattled, instead of having him slick about it until the reveal.

In Derek's first months on the show he was drawn to Nicole, and flirted with her, which sent Miles (who was being drugged at the time) into a rage.

dan if you want me to try to find the article let me know.

For anyone else who enjoys seeing the classic episodes: I've never uploaded videos, as I don't know really know how to edit, and most of my soap stuff is on tapes, so I'd have to use one of those card things to get them on a computer. I did have some Emmerdale episodes that weren't on Youtube (not a ton, but some), and for anyone else out there who likes them, I'm going to start uploading them (hopefully it won't get shut down - when it gets to a point where music is played in an episode I'm not sure what I'll try to figure out...). Bright Eyes will recognize the usename. Anyway, here's the first. They take hours to upload, but I'll try to put up another one sometime tomorrow.

I thought the episode was great - contrasting Betty's party with Laurel's horrific low made for laughter and sorrow, just as a soap should be. Paula Tilbrook is a wonderful actress, very underrated because she was mostly remembered for the comedy gossip role, but she could break your heart too. I respect her for coming back to finish out her story, and doing so with a creditable performance, rather than fading away, as many veteran soap actors sadly do. I also appreciated the Ross/Zak scenes. It was good to see that side of Zak again, and it was a nice alternative to more of Ross and Debbie, Debbie and Ross, rinse and repeat. Laurel - more superb work from Charlotte Bellamy. I was shocked at the scenes of her calling Gabby a "bitch" and terrifying Arthur. ED is lucky to be the "third soap" in instances like these, as EE would get a lot more criticism for using child actors in these moments. But I'm glad they did it, as it adds to the edge of what she's doing. This episode really signposted a Laurel/Ashley reunion. I'm not sure how I feel about it. More Corrie actors popping up on Emmerdale - the guy who gave Laurel money played a terrific, and sadly forgotten, character for about 8 years - Ken Barlow's brother David. He was also on Brookside. Damn but Adam looked good throughout the episode... The only real complaint I have is that I was disturbed by how casually Chrissie pitched that plan to lie to David after all her claims of being so good and noble, but this character is always inconsistently written.

Monika, you probably already have this, but when I was looking through some old scans I thought you might like it. August 1979 Digest

Bits like this, along with the much much belated decision to return Lucinda to scheming and meddling and being involved in so many stories, helped get me through ATWT's last year, even as Goutman did his utmost to end the show on a selfish, flat note. I was so pleased with the writing and acting in Molly's return. Goutman was the one who helped salvage Molly (I was around back when he first took over and the character, who spent most of her time getting dicked down by Reid/David, was DESPISED on message boards when he took over - basically just seen as a stupid, worthless whore), so maybe he wanted to showcase her one last time.

I've said it before, but you have a terrific ear for dialogue. When I was reading the argument between Kirkland and Grant, I "heard" Grant's voice throughout. That's not easy to do. Also a great choice to have Michele meeting Lindsay dovetail into everyone finding out about Lindsay's illness.

Wow - Kimmy being on there is kind of random.

It's a small ITV soap world... The sexy bartender who was trying to keep an eye on Laurel was played by somebody named Dean Ashton. A Dean Ashton also played Aiden Crichtley, the Corrie student about 15 years back who bullied Ken when Ken was working as a teacher.

She's played by Nancy Donohue, who probably isn't that familiar. I don't mind her, but I'm not in current episodes the way some are. I also get the feeling I'm one of the few here who watches all the scenes so I won't have the same opinion as they do.

Most of Laurel's stories built over years and weren't really limited to big episodes, but this is one that is one of the show's finest hours. Every time I see Ashley or Laurel I always think of this. (there are 5 parts)

You never really heard of issues behind the scenes with her (as I've repeatedly seen people talking about on Digital Spy with Gemma Oaten), but I guess you never know. I know some fans feel Kate Oates didn't like her, but of course anyone says that if their favorite is ill-treated. It's tough to say. I know some say the same about Moira. Anyway, superb work from Charlotte Bellamy yet again. Isn't this what BAFTA or BSA panel awards are for - not throwing prizes at show ponies?

I didn't realize Emmerdale had an Instagram. Here's a cute photo of Charley Webb/Mike Parr/Anthony Quinlan. https://instagram.com/p/22osgviXR4/?taken-by=itvemmerdale Adam Fielding with an ice cream cone. https://instagram.com/p/25gMjfCXdj/?taken-by=itvemmerdale Danny Miller showing the world that he has hairy legs. https://instagram.com/p/26VJZSiXcR/?taken-by=itvemmerdale Danny and Ryan Hawley. https://instagram.com/p/26b6IMiXRf/?taken-by=itvemmerdale

Another summer tease, with hilarious sheep or goat noises in the background throughout. I don't know who had that idea but I have a feeling they won't have a job much longer. http://footprintsandfingerprints.tumblr.com/post/119448274653/maybe-the-sheep-get-loose-and-infect-everyone-and

For such a famous impression, the Mavis one isn't that good...

That's not true. I've always defended Sansa from the time I started watching. I've always admired her strength from the end of season 1, when she had to go through so many horrors. This isn't about my seeing Sansa as weak. It's about the show taking away her voice. It's about the show saying the only way she can be strong is to be raped and to survive a rape. It's about the idea that if a woman is not a kick-ass action figure like Brienne or Arya, she can only be strong if she is raped.

Just some fans who insist Sammy was fired and it was presented otherwise. Unless she ever says it I tend to believe her that she wanted to leave.

"Bare-buckle fighting" I wouldn't mind seeing that...

Oh I'd forgotten about that. Yet another actress fired in a shitty way by JFP...