DRW50

Finally! Finally. Finally.

It's hard to believe people this stupid actually exist: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/08/us/politics/overflow-crowd-for-donald-trump-in-bernie-sanderss-backyard.html?_r=0

Episode 2: - I guess the guy who plays Kyle at least got brought in with a flashy story, which many would envy, but I felt like he was out of his depth in all of the scenes where Stacey went on and on some more. Then again I thought almost everyone involved in this just resorted to histrionics, and it felt like a lot of nothing. The only scenes I could take were the quiet ones - her Charlie hallucination, the talk with Shabnam that made her want to go on the roof. - The scenes with Nancy and Tamwar were a nice balance to all the misery, with, thankfully, minimal Babe. I laughed when Tamwar was horrified by Masood's shirt (I tend to wonder if that was an ad-lib). Kamil is really growing up. It will be nice to see Tamwar not have to be abused on the stalls... - Shabnam's knowing, weary, but still very potent fury when she overheard Kush's latest chin-wobble was the best part of the episode for me. She knows how to give a look. - Second best was probably Kat at the Slater flat, numb over Charlie's death. Good stuff. - I would have liked the Denise and Carmel talk more if Carmel hadn't blithely given out Shabnam's medical information. Still, it was nice to see Denise.

Episode 1: - Everything with Kat and Sharon was exemplary, heartfelt, honest, and raw, and best of all, understated. To me this is Eastenders as it should be. - Kat and Charlie coming to terms and Kat forgiving him as he died was very emotionally powerful. Jessie Wallace really got to me, and it was Derek Martin's best work. It closed a door on the Slater history in a way that was, as someone mentioned before, melodramatic, but in a good way. And it wasn't about "mystery" or "twists" or "shock." - I'm sorry that the show chose to overegg the pudding with the whole "Nite nite Dad" + Julia's Theme. I would have preferred to have seen Kat standing over his body, putting the covers over him, with Julia's Theme playing a bit more softly throughout, and having this scene extended a bit (there was certainly enough to cut). - Again the scenes with Alfie stood out for me, and he and Phil worked well in intertwined storylines. I vastly prefer Steve McFadden in scenes like this to the boozeup or raspy shoutfest of the week. - Lacey Turner is a wonderful actress, but I was reminded throughout the episode that it's not always about acting. No amount of acting talent could make me invest in the highly repetitive scenes of her pottering here there and everywhere with that baby, complete with various characters getting stupid pills just so literally no one would stop her. I had to laugh when Kush was transfixed, gawping at the window, so that she could very, very slowly leave Dot's house with the baby. I still feel like this story should not have been put in the same week as Charlie's death - Charlie having to take a break from dying to spit out expository dialogue about Brian's "3 daughters" took away from some of the power of his scenes. - For all the talk of Claudette being "the new Peggy," Carmel reminded me far more of Peggy (mid '90s-early '00s Peggy) with Kush. Push, push, push, while claiming sweet and nice. Kush is a weak man and the show allows him to remain a "nice" character by shifting all the plot movement onto the women in his life. I'm sorry to see Carmel going this route, but I guess I'm not surprised. - Given the publicity over the importance of hiring a transgender actor, I'm not sure why this episode chose to cloud transitioning as something nefarious and mysterious, complete with an evil-looking grin on Kyle at the end of the episode. - The girl who plays Jade works so well with Shabnam. I'm so glad we got those quiet, soft scenes of them together.

When Kat was screaming and pounding on the door, I did feel something. And bits and pieces in the scenes when Mo told her everything. I think a lot of the failure is in the poor, repetitive dialogue - how many times did we need to hear her talking about how awful the Slaters are and she's been lied to? It's all very self-indulgent. Oh the Slaters and their lies and dirty secrets - it just feels like a self-parody. I have always liked Charlie, weak as he is. I'll miss him.

It's not nice to say but Jessie's plastic surgery has truly hampered most of her dramatic ability - her expressions and vitality. She literally looks like a cat now. Why is everyone still treating Bobby like he's a normal child? And when did idiot Martin see Ian juggling veg on the stall? "A young Ian." That makes no sense for Martin to say. Why is a child who is not even 10 years old working in a pub? Is that supposed to be adorable?

I heard some fans say the scenes were so rushed and flat, and the episode should have been shot at night. What do you think? I don't think DTC likes Kat at all. When she tried to kill herself last year he barely showed her or the aftermath.

Other than the Paddy story, which is sleazy and pathetic, I thought this was the best episode in a while. Sandy is breaking my heart, but I also laughed when he was hiding from Doug. Vanessa/Adam/Victoria and the baby news is so poignant to me - Adam is so happy and Vanessa was starting to feel content, and now the rug is yanked away. Nikhil is obviously head over heels for Leyla - it's adorable (yet sad because you know it won't end well at all). And Pete and Moira were surprisingly fun together, even if that will likely end horribly as well.

Yes. I couldn't stand either of them so it fits...

Highest ratings in 14 months yesterday. It's probably because of the January period, more than anything onscreen, but I'm still happy for the cast and crew, who work their asses off. http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a778820/uk-tv-ratings-coronation-street-rises-to-81m-and-emmerdale-hits-a-14-month-high/

They always creeped me out.

Sian Blake, who appeared on the show 20 years ago as Frankie Pierre, disappeared several weeks ago with her sons. Apparently she also had some type of MND. Her boyfriend vanished a few days later after reporting her missing. The cops today found 3 bodies at her house. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35235288 Whatever is going on, it's just awful. When I first started watching EE, Frankie was a heavy presence. She was a bit of a stirrer and a neurotic bitch at a time when the show had few. She had an affair with Alan (Carol's husband) and also had a fling with Simon Raymond's boyfriend Tony. She was very memorable - had a strong presence.

Upcoming documentary on the notorious Jerry Lewis Holocaust film. http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35220719

I guess some people really don't look better cleaned up. He just looks creepier...

She looks great. I wish they'd bring Dolly, Matt, and Sam back.

Thanks for subscribing. I had a feeling it would happen, as I got 2 strikes for Coronation Street. I should have taken the rest down but decided it wasn't worth it. I don't know why they get upset, as I don't upload new episodes, but that's up to them I guess. It's a great way to chase off viewers though... I remember even some "Robron" fans were saying that Finn also having a boyfriend was "too much." What they didn't realize is that selective homophobia is no better than outright homophobia.

Finn's cute too, it's a shame they keep him asexual. I think they got some backlash when <gasp> he and Aaron both had boyfriends, briefly. Pathetic. Youtube took down my Steph Stokes channel. I will be (slowly...) reuploading on this channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClMxProLZQ_poNnFkwfLDQg

I keep thinking the new producer will write out Finn. I hope not. He's the one who keeps me caring about the Bartons these days...and his relationship with Ross. They had the potential for a soapy, lively story with the Aaron and Robert affair. It's like they can't resist the misery even when it's detrimental. And with the new producer being from HO I'm worried they will go full Ste.

I think it's because she's wrapping her tenure up, but I do think it's too much. Last year at this time there was fun with Kerry and Dan, and David and Alicia, among others. Now it's mostly just...nobody, really. I just think these stories are not appropriate unless taken seriously. They don't even put warnings when they have Aaron self-harming. It's like, "Oh that's just Aaron." Come on.

After what he did with Belle I think he's probably keeping to self-service. Judging by the way he fills out his jeans, it's a lot of self to serve... I care about Aaron more this time around because I think Danny Miller's acting has improved a great deal, but I'm tired of these exploitive misery stories that are on a damn loop. These are serious issues and are not treated as such. Doug Marland would weep.

I agree with you, although I have a feeling we may have a surprise winner in NH.