MichaelGL

After today's episode, I don't want the writers ever changing gears on us and revealing that Yusef was the one behind setting Zainab on fire. It simply won't ever ring true to me after today. During Yusef's confrontation with Masood, Yusef appeared as if he did genuinely care for Zainab all those years ago. To add to this, Yusef revealed that one of the reasons he hates Masood, is because his family refused to speak to him after the fire. If Yusef was in on the plot, with his family, to set fire to Zainab, why would his family refuse to speak to him after? Even after Yusef had remarried and had a child? Besides, it adds such a brilliant new layer to this story, not painting Yusef as someone that is entirely evil.

Friday's episode was the best for me, but Monday was unusually good considering I don't like Monday's episodes of EE very much, and this one was pretty good for it to start the week off. I constantly want to give the girl that plays Afia a chance, because on any other occasion the actress seems to have more spitfire than other young actresses her age, but I think you're right after yesterday's episode, she doesn't appear to do well in dramatic scenes. That's what kind of caught me off guard. I might would be able to swallow Dot having a conversation with Christian out of the blue, (Oddly I had just watched scenes of a very homophobic Dot from the 80s) but I was having trouble believing Shirley would initially be so incredibly cordial to Dot, even if she's feeling down about that pig Phil. Those unscripted scenes really do a lot for the story, even if it doesn't involve words. Well you and I are the minority then, because I'm loving the story as well, and I thought it could initially do wonders in developing Fat Boy's character a bit. Too bad the show let go of the actress that plays Mercy, because I don't think the show will allow itself to play the beats to the story that need to be played. And when Mercy is gone, what will happen to Fat Boy? Hopefully he isn't put on the back burner. I was incredibly touched by the scenes of Syed and Zainab singing to Camile, as well as Zainab reminiscing about raising Syed. You're right, Nina is best at melancholy. It's funny how I wanted to dislike Christian and Syed when I first started watching back in September, having heard stories of them being your typical sensationalistic gay couple and it was pretty easy to do so once I started watching, seeing how the writers were rushing them into the baby storyline. However, the writing for them during the past month or two has helped peel away layers within their relationship and I'm liking what I'm seeing. The wonders of character driven storytelling can do versus being constantly hyped and propped up. I've been loving these other sides to Kim. I hope eventually the show does start taking her character seriously, not simply using her as comic relief. She could be paired up with any guy on the square, and there's quite a few single guys in Walford, or there soon will be. Good. From what we had seen of her from the few episodes she was in, she could make a good addition to the square. Hopefully she'll stay longer than some of Kirkwoods other new characters.

I don't mind the new arrangement as much as I do the start of the opening with the scene of the car. The way the opening starts reminds me of a car commercial. The title card is boring, with it simply being black, and the font is boring as well. It could have been worse, but it could have been a lot better too IMO.

Interesting, that's why they included Carol in David Essex's trailer for the show.

Agreed, and it's a trend that I find a bit bothersome. Here's a trailer of David Essex's arrival on the square. http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a321944/eastenders-watch-the-eddie-moon-trailer.html

ETA: When Tanya and Greg's relationship inevitably explodes, crashes and burns, I wouldn't mind Greg looking in Kim's direction. I kind of sensed some chemistry between the two.

Today's episode was written by Daran Little, and he did not disappoint. Very good episode overall. Nina and Nitin's scenes today should be used as their acting reels for next years awards. Those scenes were the best yet in their story. I even found enjoyment out of the Christian and Syed scenes today, as they had plenty of depth to them with Christian feeling insecure about Syed and Zaniab reconciling. I'm loving Lydia's interactions with the square. That brief exchange with Pat, Janine, and Ricky outside of the Vic was refreshing as we don't seem them as a family unit (Pat is usually absent) very often these days. Then Lydia stopping by in a car and referring to Pat's hooking days upon seeing her on the street corner, ROFL Poor Pat cannot escape the digs about her hooker past.

Huntsman seems to be opposite of most candidates on the GOP field, like Newt, Mitt, and Pawlenty, so I assume if he does run, the GOP will eat him alive for some moderate views he holds.

Thank you so much for these scans Carl, I hadn't known you had posted them in this thread. It fills up so many blanks in regards to another favorite soap of mine, Loving.

I liked reading about Mona vowing to put her energy in business as well. You have a point about Nola. IMO if they were going to get her involved in business, they should have done it realistically, not happen over night. Wasn't she like a singer earlier in her run? I know she did have a part in running The Medicine at one point. M.J.'s fantasy was indeed strange. Not sure if it was after KG left the room. Later on other over the hill couples like Matt and Maggie would have children; AMC's Joe & Ruth and ATWT's Bob and Kim.

Taking a first look at the Digital Spy forum....wow those brits really take their soaps seriously, so seriously that some of those agenda driven posts really do delve into some heated debates about which soap is better.

Thank you so much for these scans Carl. Intriguing how much of the synopsis involves Mona and Nola's corporate wars at The Chronicle. The show was obviously getting into the trend of business intrigue, as were other soaps at this time. I think of all the trends the show tried to go with, I think this one was the most that made sense and the show should have kept, rather going the sci-fi route. Never knew Mike and Katy were "married" or that they had such a relationship described in the scan. I know Maggie eventually loses the baby, but it would have been a great choice IMO, if the writers had Maggie's baby survive.

So Republicans are attacking Obama on his policy on Israel, to have it return to its pre-1967 borders, but today it has come out that around 2003, George W. Bush supported the very same policy Thanks Max for you views on the GOP candidates, you have a point that Romney really doesn't appeal to a whole bunch of people within the Republican party.

Max, what do you think about Romney? Polls show him in a lead against the remaining known possible candidates, and Romney, to the ignorance of the media, is making campaign moves and stops. If Daniels doesn't run, I can see Romney easily capturing the nomination. However there appears to a lack of excitement where he's concerned, so far. Then there's Hermain Cain who I'm constantly hearing about from other conservatives. So far he seems like a long shot at capturing the nomination, but who knows, stranger things have been known to happen.

Anyone knows how long Edwards lasted at SFT?

Abi gains points in my book for standing up to Phil. Unfortunately, they had her making him dinner by the end of the episode! So is Ronnie's return to the square temporary? I thought Womack was leaving the show?

I am so sick of this "end of the world" nonsense from some on the right. My goodness, you would think America was the equivalent of Haiti or Somalia from what some on on the right are saying. The truth is, America is still what it was some 15-20 years ago, perhaps even better. People in third world countries still long to live here and still risk their very lives to come here. However we the American people are supposed to believe that the country is all of sudden at risk of becoming or already is a police state? The day when I'm not allowed to step outside my front door and freely decide what to do with my life, is the day when the right is justified in using such drastic phrases as "teetering on the abyss" and whatnot. Just because the man that occupies the white house has a different set of beliefs policy-wise than you do, does not mean it's the end of times. And you know what? Newt is one those most guilty of painting this picture. Don't get me started on the food stamp issue, on one hand the right touts the unemployment numbers as a weapon against the president, and in the other they're cutting services for those who are unemployed. Can they pick which issue to spin? Either there are a large number of people suffering right now that need help from the GOVERNMENT, or the economy is getting better, and help from the GOVERNMENT is no longer needed. Pick one and stick with it for Christ sake! End of rant.

Agreed, KZ looked radiant in the interview, what the hell happened? Rauch comes off cocky as usual, I remember a SOD interview he did around 2000 or so, and it had him in the same leather chair that is shown in the video, I think with a cigar as well. My goodness, after leaving Another World, the success of his tenure (thanks to LeMay) sure got to his head.

Rauch and his goddamn cigar.

It took me awhile, but I finally purchased 21! (I already listened to such songs as "Turning Tables", "Rolling in the Deep", and "Set Fire to Rain", exercising an unbelievable amount of discipline from looking up more of the album online.) I love the track "He Won't Go", a track not mentioned in this thread. Overall the album is great, not able to match 19, but a wonderful follow up album. Adele's cover of "Love Song" is dreamy, to put it simply. "Rumour Has It" has a catchy beat to it, and goes back to Adele's bluesy/R&B roots.

Today's episode; goodness it's always so refreshing when we get these scenes focused on the dysfunction of the Brannings, especially with Carol involved. Rainee is quite clingy, I hope though the show becomes interested in changing that, over time of course. I really like the actress.

Yeahhhh nuBen...I keep getting the sense that show wants to do more with his bullying storyline, that perhaps Ben will turn out to be gay, and the guy that is bullying him actually is attracted to him. But I can't tell heads or tails of the story so far. Abi and Jay are a cute couple, I can't believe the show has made me like Jay of all people. My interest with the Ian storyline didn't pique until the end of the show when Jane vowed to fight Ian. Since I started watching back in Sept. 2010, I haven't seen a feisty Jane, so I hope the story stays on its current track, without Jane reverting to her usual weepy self. I'm loving Lydia's interaction with the cast. Loved her ordering around Ricky today

The Masood drama continues to be a main source of enjoyment on the show, especially after today's episode.

I have a feeling Darren will die

I've been enjoying the show so much, and the featured characters, that I forgot Ryan was still on the canvas. I think a car crash perfectly describes the Masoods, I'm just waiting for the explosion, like when all the secrets are revealed.