Y&RWorldTurner

Pat didn't even attend Pauline's funeral, which is mind boggling. I will say that Pauline probably had more consistent airtime than Pat for most of the 00's. I don't think Louise Berridge cared for Pat, but she seemed to like Pauline. Pat just seemed to fade more into the background once they killed Roy off. There was clearly bad blood between Wendy and the BBC. Pauline might have been awful to watch during those last years, but the character was/is incredibly important to the foundation of this show. I would argue that she played the most important role on the show for years.

I like and miss scenes like this: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KrN7buQLLw4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It seems so representative of that early 90's era, which was so dynamic, yet so subtle. Every friendship/relationship seemed to have a unique quality back then.

Adele is Billboard's #1 artist of the year. http://www.billboard.com/news/the-best-of-2011-the-year-in-music-1005616852.story#/charts-year-end/top-artists?year=2011

PBS is on 2004 episodes, and I really hate Sharon during this time period. It's all either "Dennis, Dennis, Dennis!" or "Dad, Dad, Dad!" I don't think Louise Berridge really got Sharon at all. Grant and Phil have a history of zapping the personality out of any woman they're involved with, yet Sharon seemed to be the exception when it came to the Mitchell's, yet that wasn't the case in 2004 with Dennis and Den. I think Sharon regained a lot of her footing as a character again under Kate Harwood, especially when she became more involved with Chrissie and her bizarre love triangle with Den and Dennis was no longer a focal point. Why do Den, Kat, Alfie, Sharon, and Dennis seem forced into every episode, even when they don't really belong there during this era? I'm looking forward to Chrissie arriving, and early Stacey soon, but those characters didn't really take off until 2005 under Harwood, and we all know Harwood completely trashed the show by 2006.

They're bringing Stella's death back up. There seems to be quite a bit digging into the past lately, which surprises me. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a353045/eastenders-character-to-face-double-murder-rap.html

I've been watching a lot of 2005 and Den's murder story again. I think this might have been the only time the show told an umbrella story that involved nearly the entire canvas. The Watts, Slaters, and Mitchells were all front and center during this time and within the same storyline. I can't remember the show telling a storyline like this before or since. I can see why 2006 was such a rough patch for the show, as the show focused so heavily on these characters in 2005, and with the exception of Stacey, Phil, and Peggy, they were all gone by January 2006. Loved Chrissie's getting found out episode with Sharon punching her at the end. I don't think there's been a villain like Chrissie since on UK soaps - she was vulnerable, funny as hell, and nasty all at the same time. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CSJ_4_QT1KA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I miss Sharon and I hope she returns in 2012. Especially with Pat going, and no Pauline or Peggy around. The show needs that iconic female figure who goes back to the beginning of the show. I think 2012 is the right time for Walford's Princess to return, I don't care what excuse Kirkwood is giving. I think she could be a strong matriarchal figure, especially now that she's a mother and we've never seen that side of her, but she's still young enough to be relevant elsewhere (but please, don't pair her with Phil). She could be the moral center/central community figure of the show. I'd also like to see her track down her biological family and half-siblings. The story with Sharon and her biological family has never really been told. They can even recast Vicky and bring her back with Sharon and Dennis, Jr. I wish Sue Tully was still acting, Sharon and Michelle returning together would be a dream come true.

Jake Wood on This Morning: <iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xmiy20"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmiy20_jake-wood_people" target="_blank">Jake Wood</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Endersfan" target="_blank">Endersfan</a></i>

Janine spoiler:

Am I to assume Derek is the one stalking Phil regarding the 1994 fire? If so, that doesn't make sense. Only Grant, Sharon, Pat, Frank, Phil, Kathy, and Ricky knew about that. I don't see how anyone else would know. Janine only found out this week from Pat. It would be great if Kathy was unexpectedly still alive and stalking Phil about it, or if Sharon returned and found out about Phil's role in Dennis's death and used this as payback. Just getting around to watch The New Moons (whom I can't stand) Revealed, which was more of a recap of fathers on the show. The best recap was of Sharon and Den's relationship. Tony Jordan mentioned that for most men, the wife is the the love of their life and soulmate, but for Den that was Sharon, which made their relationship interesting. Ronnie/Archie was such a cheap rip-off, thank god Den never crossed that line with Sharon. :27 to 5:15 <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X2193-RlX7Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Jake Wood interview: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a351764/eastenders-jake-wood-on-max-return-branning-clan-future-interview.html

The most overrated pest to hit the show is leaving: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a351625/emmerdale-star-danny-miller-to-leave-soap.html

Janine and Pat MADE tonight's episode. I feel sick that I'll probably never get the two-hander I want with these two, especially since Pam filmed her last scenes already.

Branning Week trailer: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fzI_pDCW70k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Another cheating story for Ricky and Bianca is predictable, they're both serial cheaters and have cheated on each other before. Ricky's only back for a little while it sounds like. I guess Sid Owen only came back for Pat's exit and is going back on leave soon after before a permanent return again. I guess this is why they've cast Morgan's father for Bianca. Janine has been keeping huge parts of the show alive over the past couple of months. She's probably the most interesting character to watch on the show. Kirkwood's spillage about Sharon is the same damn line Santer gave. There is nothing similar about Sharon and Ronnie, other than blonde hair and a lot of tragedy. Sharon is a legacy character, and an original cast member. Nothing to mention, a much more softer character who has deep roots on the show. There's a reason why the show will never dare to kill her off, no matter how much Letitia tends to come and go. I guess Letitia doesn't want to return, but I wonder why she promised that she was taking a "break" when she left the last time, and now it's been six years. This is now Sharon's longest absence from the show. I wonder why John Yorke hasn't brought her back, considering he brought her back in 2001. Sharon and Pat were close, especially in the 90's, and Pat was Angie's close friend. It would have been great if she was a surprise guest at Pat's funeral.

Morgan's father is also joining. So, let me guess.... Ricky cheats on Bianca with Mandy, and then Bianca cheats on Ricky with Morgan's father? If so, how many times have these two cheated on each other again? http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a350876/eastenders-casts-shock-arrival-for-bianca.html

More pics from Pat's funeral, including one with Max, David, and Derek. Also, it appears that a new Lucy has been cast. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2061466/SPOILER-ALERT-Albert-Square-says-goodbye-Pat-Evans-coffin-makes-final-journey--new-Lucy-Beale-makes-return-Walford.html

Some of the reports indicate that Janine is paying for Pat's funeral. I'm still hopeful that they'll surprise us with a two-hander (hopefully written by Christopher Reason) between Janine and Pat before Pat dies. There's still so much to discuss and an opportunity waiting to be taken advantage of. Stuff like Pat sending Janine to prison needs to be brought up again. Pat's loss will probably have the biggest effect on Janine, despite their ups and downs, Pat was the only real stable parental figure she had.

The Mitchell's were at their best (well, it was really only Grant and Phil and Sam) in the early 90's as well. But , they were only exclusively tied to Sharon then, and didn't gobble up the show like they would by the late 90's. More pics from Pat's funeral (a lot of which were seen from the first article). You get to see David (they mistakenly refer to him as Wicksy) coming out of the same car as Bianca, and a pic of Janine and Liam. http://www.mirror.co...15875-23559045/

The early 90's just feel like such an organic, integrated, and well-rounded show. It doesn't have any of the over the top 80's elements, or the sensationalism a lot of the late 90's and 00's were guilty of. All of the eras have something unique about them, but even though the show was very popular in the early 90's, there seemed to be a more subtle approach to storytelling and hype when compared to the 80's and late 90's and 00's.

I think Heather is leaving somewhere at the beginning of next year, so not sure if her exit is ties into Christmas. I just stumbled upon the Sharon/Phil two-hander from 2002: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YKddtM4H__g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pIH2E_yPojk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> The show seemed to exploit the hell out of the two-hander format during 2002-2004. Now, it seems as if they don't even do it much anymore. Even when they used to be done sparingly, there seemed to be more frequency in the 80's, 90's, and early 00's when they were done.

Some pics of the cast filming Pat's funeral. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2060687/EastEnders-cast-gathers-Pat-Evans-funeral-scenes-sombre-festive-episode.html Apparently, it's been confirmed that Michael French is returning as David for the funeral...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gfmQuSoys7g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nJ6vvYjgRII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I guess it's a good time to post this, thought I assume most of you have seen it already: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OHF98QyFOgc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5ua7wlaz9vk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DaquLq8aPaE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3aUooTngp5U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Some great old pics in this article: http://www.guardian....0483478&index=0 Betty was also a great singer in her prime: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jyXDU72lcEg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> RIP Bettty!