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They showed Val. Odd she did it but at least there is a motivation to protect Finn from getting HIV. Just glad wasn't obvious Emma. Interesting this show has an Indian family but no black people. Normal in UK?

Great episodes today! Really enjoying the Robert/Aaron storyline.

American soaps have no use for older characters so I have enjoyed the Pearl story. Enjoyed Paddy and her today. I don't really know her background though and assume she has a family ?

Missed the Ross/Emma backstory except I know she tried to kill him as a baby, but don't know where she was for years.

Good show again. I find the reactions of most characters far more real than most "soaps".

Agree but isn't this actually a more realistic reaction? Yes we may dislike her more for doing that but to me it made her behavior more believable and real.

Interesting I've actually found myself liking Chrissie a lot facing up to something I think most mothers would have covered up. I also think the genuine connection between Alicia and Chrissie to be a refreshing surprise. Of course Alicia is the victim and Chrissie recognizes this - but Chrissie also has lost something and is in the end a very lonely and isolated woman.

This show is really quite something and kudos for the writers for continuing to draw me on.

I did read all of those but then what plays out on screen seems inconsistent. In her last scenes, Hope isn't drinking and seems strong with Alan - but is then off. I can see maybe the actress was fired but seems odd actress would have had issues with the story. Same with Mike. Why would he be unhappy being paired with a powerhouse actress unless he really wanted a younger pairing? And if the show did want him off why plant the seeds of a storyline with Mike? Just makes me think there was more to it ...

I'm watching an episode from June 1984. Very odd to see old characters I didn't realize overlapped with what became more my GL (Phillip Beth etc). Seems clear something was in the works with mike Bauer and Alexandra. So what really happened with mike and hope? Were the actors fired or did the quit? I can't really believe Pam long wanted mike off because clearly something is being set up with mike and Alex it seems - and my understanding is Beverlee McKinsey coming on was a casting coup so odd don Stewart would have been angry about a pairing. So what's the real story on what happened with the Bauers?

Sure send the link. I've read some of the Doctors discussion on the cancelled soaps boards. I always saw some of ATWT as well since it was on before GL. I never liked it as much, but did love it had so many long term characters (unlike GL) and during the Marland years just a TON of characters in general. Interesting we both watched those and that Emmerdale is similar - guess that explains it!

The story I still find the most interesting is the one with Robert/Aaron/Katie's death/Chrissy. I think the actors playing both the characters are great and Robert is certainly a complex character. Whomever in charge now that brought him back made a great move. My favorite family by far is the Sugdens, probably because they are the original family and are more like the Bauers (longevity, loss of key players over the years, real life death that hurt the family (Jack/Bert Bauer)). I like the dynamics between Robert, Andy, Diane and Victoria. From the older clips of Victoria, I really like this actress/character and wish we saw more of her. I dont' really get why she's not the main heroine.

Initial thoughts:

--As mentioned, the Robert/Aaron/Sugden story is my favorite. I do wish Robert hadn't been so physical with Katie before she died, as I would dislike if he just went all out psycho and what a waste of a legacy character. Her death clearly can be viewed as an accident, but the physical aspects before I would have left out.

--The show certainly has way more gay/bi characters than I've ever seen, as well as past characters I read about (Zoe). Interesting.

--The Alecia/Lachlan story has been great so far - been very impressed with the actors involved. I like how the story has brought Alecia/David together, not town apart.

--Overall, I really dislike the Dingels (and sounds like longtime fans felt the same way!). I don't care that they are poor/trashy, but the weird incestous cousin sex relationship just grosses me out. Having said that, Aaron and Chas are two of my favorite characters, so I would keep them. I do like Lisa and the young daughter, but the rest I just find weird/creepy overall. I don't mind Debbie, but I have a hard time getting over the fact her parents are cousins. Are they distant cousins? Just seems like a VERY odd writing choice to me, especially since it sounds like various cousins have had sex more than just Charity/Cain ... I like Marlon okay as well. Overall though, they are my least favorite part of the show.

--The last few days have been very dark stories - is it always this way?

--I really like the balance of rich/poor, something we don't have in American shows anymore.

--I've watched up on a lot of the disasters over the years and they all seemed well staged/written.

--Completely shallow, but while the show clearly has some very attractive actors/actresses, it's interesting how many people on the show are NOT that attractive and wouldn't likely be on an American show.

--Watching old clips, it seems like a mistake to me that they killed off all those King brothers. I don't know the reasoning, but I really liked the Carl King character and now Jimmy has no brothers/family and seems so isolated. He also seems like a different character than the older clips, but maybe that's just the clips I am seeing.

There are some initial thoughts! Curious on feedback!

I've always been a huge fan of Guiding Light, in part due to its longevity. Since it's been cancelled, I've enjoyed reading more about other shows and their storylines, as well as decisions that ultimately hurt the show. None of the soaps today really seem to be all that good and I have no interest in watching them. It's really sad how silly most have been compared to soaps of years ago.

Anyway, done with American shows, I started reading about foreign soaps and for some reason Emmerdale stood out, maybe because there were so many clips of it online. It was interesting to read of past stories, as well as questionable behind the scenes decisions (killing off so many Sugdens).

I was really pleased to find out you could watch new episodes online, so for the last few weeks I have been watching, as well as trying to watch some past episodes I missed that help me understand the current story. While there are some aspects I find odd, I think the show is great. There is a sense of community on this show that American soaps totally lost.

First time posting here ...