Ann_SS

I think that we are supposed to believe that Syed loved Amira, but in an affectionate way and certainly not like he loves Christian. I actually like the different tones that Syed said "yes" in response to Tamwar's questions about loving Christian and Amira. There was no indecision or doubt.

I didn't get it when Syed called Christian, "Clarkey." I had forgotten that Christian's last name was Clarke. I have come to think of him as a Beale. I would have preferred that his nickname be "Chris."

It was funny that Christian was training someone in the middle of the Square. Where do personal trainers take their clients? To gyms, right? I wish that the Square had a gym, but that would probably one extra set too many. I hope that Syed does get his telephone mobile stall in the market. Think of all the awkward encounters with Masood and Zainab.

Today reminded me about why I have never liked Peggy. There is something so ugly about the character. Blech. I won't miss her one bit.

Another stellar episode. I'm just loving EastEnders.

OMG, Lucas is like scary crazy. The look on his face when he said that he would take care of Patrick and girls is just freaky as hell. Run, Patrick, take the girls and run for the hills!

Rudolph Walker was a star today. I loved his performance of Patrick crumbling into pieces. His guilt over letting Denise and his sons down is overwhelming.

I can't pay attention to a thing that Kim says because I can't take my eyes off her boobs which are HUMONGOUS.

I thought that dialogue in Roxy and Ronnie's scenes was over done, but the actresses did a fine job by not doing too much. I am not usually impressed by either of them, but they were excellent today. I forgot, maybe I was wrong about Glenda. She was a good mum today.

The Christian, Syed, and Tamwar scenes were adorable. I have always loved Tamwar. He is so sweet, funny, and dorky. He has always seemed out of place in the Masood family, but now it turns out that he is strongest one. It can't be easy for him to suddenly discover that his brother is gay. He was also brought up thinking homosexuality is forbidden. However, unlike his parents, he is capable of love, forgiveness, tolerance, and acceptance. It was nice to see him encouraging his brother to be more affectionate with Christian. I laughed when he balked at them kissing.

I really like Syed's tentativeness and struggle to be an out proud gay muslim. I didn't expect EE to make this much of an effort to explain how Syed has reconciled his faith and sexuality so kudos to Kirkwood.

As a whole, Christian and Syed have had a good week. I have enjoyed watching them getting accustomed to being a couple and actually talking through and resolving their issues without their previous hysterics. It gives me hope for them. Also, for the first time, I am really pleased with ME's portrayal of Syed. Instead of moments of good, he has given solid performances which have shown that Syed is in love with Christian.

LOL! I remember that scene. It was so over the top and hysterically funny in the midst of the sober funeral episode. For once, I was cheering Peggy on.

Nooo, I was talking about Degrassi Junior High. I don't think we'll ever see Joey again, unfortunately

Well, that sucks. I did like when he return and hooked up with Caitlin again. I'll always have my memories.

Do I see Joey here? I so approve. I loved Joey. He was so cute and full of energy. Joey and Caitlin are my favorite Degrassi couple ever. No other couple has come close. I'm still hopeful that we get an episode with them getting married with Spike as the matron of honor and Snake as best man.

These strong summer ratings are good news for EastEnders, especially since they aren't doing tons of promotion. It shows that the audience is engaged. I think that the audience is tuning in for stories that are peaking or at crucial turning points. The Lucas reveal will be another big ratings draw.

Christian going to the mosque didn't surprise me. I do wish that they would address Christian's past inability to stay faithful to a partner. This is another occasion where you can't just say "Gay men don't cheat." Not all of them do, but Christian does.

I'm pretty sure that Syed's jealousy which has been there from the beginning was put there to lay the ground work for the issue of Christian's faithfulness. However, I really think that these two deserve a few episodes of happiness before more drama starts.

Does Christian cheat? I thought that he has never has a partner and has mostly done one night stands and flings. While I think that his partying, flirting, and faithfulness should be an issue for Syed, I really can't see Christian cheating on Syed anytime soon. It should be held back as a story for a couple years down the line.

Anyway, overall Marc Elliot and John Partridge are believable in the intimate moments and I'm glad Eastenders let the characters kiss for a second.

I really have been impressed with Marc Elliot's portrayal of Syed over last three episodes. I believe that Syed loves Christian now. And I love the regular kissing. It feels like Kirkwood is giving the finger to the complainers on purpose. I really feel that the popularity of Christian and Syed allows Kirkwood to be more daring with them.

I enjoyed both episodes today. I think EE is on a roll.

Lucas is so cold. I'm glad Patrick supported poor Libby about the coffin. These girls are in a bad place. I loved Kim seeing through Lucas. She better watch out for Lucas or she could be next. Is Kim going to a permanent addition? I remember the actress from "Beautiful Thing."

It was great seeing John Bardon. He looks better. I can't believe Patrick chucked the girls out of the house. WTH?

My poor Tamwar having to put up with Zainab and Masood. I cheered when he told off Zainab for ignoring Libby's pain and then told them that they were both wrong, Syed's alive. I laughed at his comment about Syed leaving Amira for Christian. LOL! Glad that someone remembers Amira. Tamwar was so sweet comforting Libby. They would have made an adorable couple, then again they would have just given Zainab and Masood another target to go off on.

Okay, I'm beginning to buy Christian and Syed as a couple. Shopping for the new mattress together, Syed uncomfortable about being out, Syed's jealousy over that guy leaving the apartment, and actually having a conversation about their feelings and Syed's beliefs. However, I can't believe that Christian went to the mosque. It was so stupid. Hasn't he ever heard of the Internet? But it was good that he and Syed can talk about everything and resolved the issue. Isn't going to be easy street for them, but they are figuring things out.

The rape reveal was well done. I'm glad that Ronnie was so controlled as she told Roxy what happened. Glenda's reaction makes me think that she suspected Archie sexually abused Ronnie. However, she is glad to use it drive a wedge between Peggy and Ronnie.

That dress was ugly on Ronnie. I just don't like these Mitchell women, all these brassy annoying blondes. However, Glenda scheming against Peggy and then fighting over pushing Jack was funny.

I must say that I love how busy the Square is. Those extras must cost a pretty penny, but it makes the place vibrant.

I don't think Amira sending her baby to live with Masoods is realistic. What I'd like, is if she returned with the baby, and allow Syed to see it, before ripping it away from him, with intent of never letting him see it ever again. It would be cruel, but symbolise all that he took away from her.

I think Amira's situation could be bad enough for her to send the baby to the Masoods. Remember how she said that Syed had condemned her to be her father's slave from now on and no one would touch her. Her father and family could reject Syed's child leaving her desperate to find a good home for her child. If the character of Syed is around in a couple years, I would like to see this story play out. I think that would be a great drama with a social issue angle.

Steve McFadden claims he almost quit when Barbara Windsor decided to leave:

http://www.digitalsp...-this-year.html

I wouldn't have missed Phil.

Where the hell is Denise? I don't believe that she is really dead, but why would she put her children through the funeral? Is she with the police? Has she lost her memory?

I don't want them to have too much legendary drama anytime soon; in 3 months, maybe, but they need to develop as couple first.

Good point. I'll take about six months of relative stability for Christian and Syed. I did like it when Sharon and Dennis returned to the Square all loved up. It was nice to see them as a couple dealing with the regular stuff before all the drama started up.

I noticed yesterday how jarring it was seeing Syed & Christian being all sweet, and couple-y without angst, considering that we never seen that before. I like it. ME definitely showed the changes in Syed. I loved how messy and untied he is; really showed how free Syed is now.

I like where they are going Syed so far. ME was solid yesterday. I could see love when Syed looked and smiled at Christian. I need to see more of that.

To the person who asked about Roxy being a Chryed supporter - she's always been in their corner, but was against Syed b/c of the pain he was inflecting on Christian. Now that he has committed to Christian, Roxy is happy for them.

I agree. I had no problem with Team Christian resenting or disliking Syed. Like Jane, Roxy was angry at Syed for not standing up for Christian. In addition to stringing Christian along for months, Syed rejected Christian publicly and never turned up after Amira's father had him beat up. I hope we see Jane skeptical about Syed's commitment to Christian. Christian is so in love with Syed that he can't see straight.

I don't know what to think of Syed and Christian. On one hand I'm glad this tortured and forbidden love crap is over and they've settled on being happy, but on the other hand, I just can't buy them as a legitimate couple or see why they think they can be happy together.

Is any couple in the square happy? All these couples have moments of happiness, but mostly exist constant emotional turmoil and misery. Look at Ronnie and Jack. Just as it seemed like they were finally going to be happy Ronnie is going to talk about the rape, their wedding may never happen. I think that Syed and Christian are going to be the same way. I'm looking forward to them having regular couple problems (as much as family and religious rejection can be regular) and see how they deal with it as a couple.Today was a nice start.

I loved this episode. The highlight was Libby showing Adam up, then slapping him and sending him on this way. Adam is such a scumbag and had that coming for a long time. I couldn't stop laughing. Good for Libby. Denise would be proud. Too bad Libby is leaving. I always liked her.

Christian and Syed were surprisingly sweet. Good to see them acting like a normal couple without the constant angst. I liked Shirley smiling when she heard Roxy talking about Christian about being in love. Good to see that they have their supporters in the Square. Syed reaching for Christian's hand in the face of his father's rejection was sweet. It is worrisome that Syed has not told Christian that the people at the mosque have rejected him as well. I hope that drives home for Christian that he is all that Syed has in the world now so he can't screw this up. ME made an effort today so I bought Syed's happiness about being with Christian.

Even as she gives her away her son's clothes and worries about what people are saying at the mosque, Zainab breaks my heart. She won't be able to keep up this rejection of Syed for very long and that will cause more problems between her and Masood.

My poor Tamwar. He is caught in the middle of this nightmare. I want him to take adorable Kamil and run away to go live with Syed and Christian.

What the hell did Roxy have on?

I try with Ronnie, but at this point I just want her secret out there so she and Jack can move on.

I thought Ben was gone. Why is he still on my screen? Blah. However, it was good to see Phil accept that he is responsible for the behavior that led to Ben's incarceration.

Thanks all the same.

I was just thinking about her the other day, and what Santa said about her character not being needed, b/c they already have Syed, who fills her dynamic. I think that's rubbish; her character is very much needed, and would have presented a different dynamic. I strongly believe that if Shabnam had still been around, she would've been calling Syed out for being selfish, and raking him over the coals for blaming everyone else for his problems, but himself. I see Shabnam as being a mixture of Zainab and Tamwar, in that she would support Syed, but not condone his treatment of Amira (even though Tamwar didn't, but he's so much more passive in his approach, whereas Shabnam probably wouldn't have been). I also think it would've been interesting to see who Shabnam would've sided with over her parents marital dramas. And what would've happened, say, if she stumbled across the whole Mas & Jane kiss? There have been missed opportunities in not recasting her and bringing her back.

I would have loved to see Shabnam in those scenarios. Time for a recast if the original actress won't return. The Masoods are an asset to EE. We need more of them, not less.

I think your last point would create some good character conflict between the pair. These two are complete opposites in a lot of ways, and seeing them work through that, while constantly butting heads, and having to learn to compromise and except each other for who they are, while learning that they do share some interests (which ultimately hold them together (along with their love)) would be good character development (and also good story, as I'd like to see them involved in less sensationalist stuff). I've grown up with parents who are almost polar opposites, so I know first hand how volatile that kind of situation can be; but when there's love, anything is possible - which is where Chryed's supercouple status comes in. Now, if we can believe that Syed is in love with Christian, then everything else should fall into place... right?

These are the kind of stories that would bore me to tears on an American soap, but EE does very well. The bickering and daily conflict between couples is an EastEnders specialty. Christian is a flirt and Syed gets jealous at the drop of a hat. Syed also has a dodgy past that I hope that they bring up again. Kirkwood is setting Syed up with that mobile stand in the stall. I like that idea. It keeps Syed and Christian in the center of the action in the Square. I also want to see Syed become a part of the Beale clan because it would make Zainab's head explode and push her to backdown more quickly.

Usually, I scoff at the supercouple label being put on couples so early, but I buy it for Christian and Syed. Their drama in the last year has been legendary and there should be more to come. I really feel like Amira got the shaft in this story. She was treated very callously and is now an afterthought. However, I hope that she sends her baby to live with the Masoods next year. A custody battle between Syed/Christian/the Beales and the Masoods would be a great story to liven up the Square with people taking sides.

This next phase of Christian and Syed's relationship will give ME an opportunity to step up and really shape Syed into a strong character in his own right, but also as a man who is clearly in love with Christian and worthy of being his partner. I'm not convinced that ME is committed to this role. I wonder how long he will even be sticking around and if he is even interested in giving Syed any depth or playing Syed as a part of a gay couple. We'll see.

With Syed, they have tried to say he has never loved any woman and he has only ever loved or wanted men. I don't think Marc Elliot ever put that across in his scenes with Amira.

I agree completely. I'll be interested in seeing what happens now that ME has to play Syed in an openly gay relationship.

I really wish they'd had Syed's coming out storyline before he ever got involved with Christian, because the lines have been so blurred, and instead of being happy that Syed has accepted his being gay, I end up thinking that he is just rushing into a relationship instead of actually taking time to figure out where his life should go.

I see your point, but I think that the drama that captivates the audience in this story lies in Christian and Syed's love for each other. Syed is such a new character that his coming out by itself while appealing so a small segment audience, would not have simply not been interesting to the wider audience. On the other hand, Christian is the well established character with some popularity so it is natural that the audience would be interested in what happens to him as it relates to his love affair with Syed.

I honestly don't think that Syed is rushing into a relationship with Christian. They are in a relationship albeit an occasionally dysfunctional one, if anything Syed's life has been derailed by not being with the man that he loves. He has not been able to get on with his life because he was in a constant state of fear and panic. Now that he is with Christian openly, I do think that things will be better for Syed because honestly, other than Christian who could put with his constant sniveling? In time Zainab and Masood will come around because they can't ignore their son forever and all will be well with him and his parents. I wonder about Christian though. If Kirkwood is smart, he will show Christian struggling to be in a committed relationship with Syed who is far more conservative. Can Christian give up his parties, stop getting into trouble with Roxy, flirting, and be faithful?

The other problem is that the show has implied that everyone should accept Syed's relationship with Christian and that goes hand-in-hand with accepting Syed's homosexuality, when actually I think the Masoods have very good reason to not accept his relationship with Christian, even if they accept that Syed is gay.

At this point, everyone has behaved so appallingly that I don't think that anyone is in a position to disapproving of Christian and Syed's relationship. It is what it is. It is just time to move forward.

I agree with you, that her kids love her, and she can be overbearing and they have to love her in spite of that. I think where I get confused is when they go back and forth over whether Masood or Zainab should be more to blame for some of the problems with how they reacted to Syed. Sometimes Masood has thrown all the blame on Zainab, and they have Zainab saying and doing crazy things while Masood feels sorry for Syed. Yet on other occasions Masood led the charge in driving Syed out of the family.

I think it is a way for the writers to show that both Zainab and Masood share this religious bigotry about homosexuality. Masood on the surface appears more accepting and understanding than Zainab, but we have seen that in fact, he is capable to being quite cruel like when he threw out Zainab and then decided to abandon his sons. On one hand, Masood says he can't Syed, but demands that he stop being gay. I think that is a wonderfully even hand approach that we don't see soaps in the U.S. where there is usually one bad guy and one good guy in this type of situation.

In terms of the writing, I thought this had some of the same flaws as the rest of the storyline, which is a) I don't believe Syed and Christian are in love b ) they are both immature and they use people while acting like victims c) they are both ridiculously melodramatic at all times.

I know I said this before, but I believe that Christian loves Syed. However, I don't buy that Syed is in love with Christian. I agree with b and c, but all soap couples are this way when they are engaged in forbidden affairs. As much as I loved Dennis and Sharon, they were the same way when they for months when they were sneaking around behind Zoe and Den's back. Either Sharon was trying to get Dennis back or he was trying to her back. It was tears and pleading as much much as I loved them, after awhile I had had enough even though I knew that is just part of the drama.

And this episode, like the scene where Masood punched Christian, involved Christian going on about the hot sex he and Syed had. Christian claims to care so much about Syed but more than once I have gotten the feeling that he just enjoys the idea of this forbidden affair, that if Syed were some guy he met in a club, he wouldn't have been interested after the first night. Christian has a history of wanting men he can't have. He did this with Jane's husband and with Steven Beale.

I don't believe that Christian is just about the forbidden affair with Syed. I think he totally and completely loves Syed. Don't know why, but he does. He never wanted to be back in the closet with Syed. I actually think that it is to Christian's credit that he wanted his relationship with Syed to be out in the open. I think like with John Paul, Christian fell in love with a man who has/d a lot of self-loathing and couldn't pull himself out of the drama because he kept hoping that Syed would come out. I'm very sympathetic towards Christian in this regard.

Also, got to say that I didn't see the Christian/Steven Beale story like you did. I think Christian enjoyed toying with Steven, but wasn't interested in him romantically at all.

The other thing which bothered me was that Christian was basically doing his best to break a woman who was in the last stages of a risky pregnancy. The original plan supposedly was for this baby to be stillborn. If that had happened, then even though I'm sure the show would have found a way to not blame Christian and Syed, I would have put a lot of blame on Christian. I don't know why they changed the decision, if they did, but I'm very glad they did.

I didn't see it as Christian trying to break Zainab. She was taunting him and keep pushing. Christian, I think tried to walk away, but he has a temper and a point where he loses control. It makes him very human which is why I have come to like his character.

What always stays with me is how long Syed kept this lie going, even when he knew he was going to hurt so many people. Sometimes I think the show would rather viewers believe that Zainab knew about Syed for ages and pushed him to be with Amira because she knew he was gay.

I think if ME was a better actor, I would have more sympathy for Syed. I do feel sorry for him to some degree, but Amira's pain is on his head. He proposed to show Christian that he didn't have feelings for him and didn't want him which is horrible. Not much different to why Criag proposed to Sarah.

I also think that they should have played down the stuff with Amira because even now I have a hard time believing he never loved her. He had so much more chemistry with her.

This reminds me of Craig and Sarah. I never saw the great pain of acting straight with them either. I blame the showrunners for not dealing with this. I wouldn't mind if ME leaves and the role of Syed is recast a few months later.

Finally about Zainab, I think that she is very much loved by her children. She is a difficult woman, yes, but Tamwar and Syed's frustration with her domineering manner is overshadowed by their obvious love for and devotion to her. Even though she and Masood are not in a good place, I think that it is clear that it is his love for her that makes it difficult for him to leave her completely.

I watched the Syed/Amira wedding episodes this morning. The actress who play Zaniab -- I can't say enough about her. Zaniab is so bigoted and set in her ways, but still I adore her in spite of it all. I thought the confrontation between her and Christian, when she found out, was great. She kept pushing and pushing until Christian snapped -- and the way he blurted to truth out -- I could tell it cut her heart apart. And her confrontation with Syed -- also well done. Zaniab reminds me a little bit personality wise of Pauline Fowler in that she wants to rule every aspect of her childrens' lives -- they are her whole life, but she's too caught up in how things are "supposed" to be with them instead of seeing how things really are (if that makes any sense).

K, I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode as much I did. Nina Wadia who plays Zainab is a talent and a find for EE. You absolutely right that Zainab is the new Pauline. EE can never let her leave. It may be EE heresy, but she is a better actress than Wendy Richard. Nina is a multifaceted actress who makes me feel sorry for Zainab even as I want to slap the hell out of her.

I loved the confrontation with Zainab and Christian. There was so much anger, venom, cruelty, spite, frustration and vengeance in their scenes. You could see Christian trying to hold back, only to be pushed over the edge by Zianab's homophobia and religious bigotry. I have to admit that I busted out laughing when Christian told her that he and Syed did everything and that he loved it. The revulsion on Zainab's face when she hears this and then later when Syed finally mans up, defends Christian, admit that he is gay, and that he loves Christian is painful and real. I found these scenes hard to watch because it is hard to acknowledge that even people that you love and care about can be bigoted. I know this first hand.

I have been watching a few scenes of Christian/Syed, put together the story isn't bad at all. I think if there had been more scenes of them happy together like when they go for that walk and Syed tells Christian that he loves him, their love story would been more believable. After re-watching these scenes, I am thinking that I have been too hard on ME as an actor. He does alright when he doesn't look disinterested in what Syed is supposed to be feeling about Christian.

And K, we both know that there is no such thing as too much Dennis love.LOL

They seem to be unavailable right now. I will try to get them back up tonight. Sorry

No prob.

I loved the episodes with Syed and Amira's wedding and Amira finding about the truth about Syed and Christian. It think Marc Elliot while still the weak link did a good job in Syed's scenes with Zainab and Christian in the wedding episode. In the episode where Amira finds out, I love the scene where Christian and Syed are confessing all to Amira and she says that she wants to bury Christian alive. Christian responds that it would make no difference that Syed would find someone else and Syed turns to Christian and says I wouldn't. It was one of the few times that I believed that Syed loves Christian.

Another episode that l loved, but didn't get a lot of buzz was the one where Jim goes to visit Jack in the hospital. Dot as the Branning matriarch getting the family (and Ronnie) together to go visit Jack who had just woken up was quite touching. I'm not a real Branning family fan, but I really bought them as a family in that episode.

I have download links to the first 4 episodes of Season 10. Anyone want em???

I definitely want the links. Thanks.

Dennis was also the last younger leading man the show successfully created, unless you count Bradley, who was basically backburnered and written as a patsy for Santer's entire run.

Dennis, oh my beloved Dennis. Damn them for getting back at Nigel for wanting to leave and killing Dennis off. I would give my right eye for Dennis, Sharon, and little Den to return to the Square, take over the VIc, and feud with the Mitchells. Sharon would give those Mitchell sisters, especially Roxy, a run for their money.

After watching the whole episode, I couldn't help wondering if the show is just not that interested in "Chryed" -- compared to the rest of the episode the scenes had a real hurry up and go away nature to them. Their reunion was very abrupt and there was no indication as to why Syed should be in this very volatile relationship just because he has decided to accept being gay. If anything this type of relationship drives gays and lesbians back into questioning themselves, because it's so toxic.

Christian and Syed got Julia's Theme so I think that EE was interested in giving them a nice send off to the next chapter of their lives, but it was setting up other stories in this episodes.

Their reunion was very abrupt and there was no indication as to why Syed should be in this very volatile relationship just because he has decided to accept being gay. If anything this type of relationship drives gays and lesbians back into questioning themselves, because it's so toxic.

I don't think that the show views Christian and Syed's relationship as volatile outside of the deception and self-loathing. I'm not sure that I do either. It wasn't like they were fighting over random things. Their problems were centered around the lying and deceit. I'm not impressed by them, but I want to see what they are like as a proper couple before making a final judgment. I want to see if there is really love there from Syed to Christian.

The spoiler about the\ gym might have been wrong because Christian is advertising to be a personal trainer.

Ian knows that Lucy cheated on her exams? I don't have a lot of sympathy for Jane. .

I'm not and have never been a Peggy fan. I'm not going to miss her.

So Phil is going to be a crack addict? I didn't know this. He is such an idiot.

I don't mind Christian and Syed getting Julia's Theme. I may not like them, but they have had an important romance and are quite popular so good on EastEnders for going all out.

The one line that I liked hearing Syed say was, "I'm gay and a muslim. And I don't think that you can go to hell for having loved." It was corny, but very poignant after all the torment about his religious beliefs. I hope that Syed finds genuine peace about his faith and his sexuality.

Did you see the spoiler about

Masood and Jane hooking up? I swear, the Beales and Masoods are scandal ridden families.

I also liked Shirley confronting Phil about his potential to relapse. I could do without drunk Phil.

If Treadwell-Collins cared so much about Christian and Syed getting together, he should have done a better job with their scenes.

That was the big Christian/Syed reunion? The dialogue was pathetic. The way that Syed barely touched Christian's face was so unconvincing. I just don't see love from that guy. Oh well, I'm just relieved that it is over. Hopefully, they can settle in as a couple and end the theatrics.

I loved Ian stewing over how Phil raised Ben and then confronting him, refusing to back down when Phil went at him. This mess is on Phil and he should own how he has helped destroy Ben's life.

I am interested in what is happening between Ronnie and Jack. I thought the actress who plays Ronnie looked lovely and the actor who plays Jack looked very handsome today. They are a striking couple. He isn't in the wheel chair permanently is he?

I take it back the ratings probably won't be much. It was only an okay episode.