InLoveWithSoaps

I know some people didn’t like the return of too much Reva and her family but whenever I watch a late 90’s/early 00’s episode I think the Lewis family unit of Reva/Josh/Marah/Shayne is one of the most appealing things they had going on and they should have gotten some of the recasts right (although I’m fine with Lindsey McKeon as Marah) and nurture that little part of the canvas that felt like a natural place to drive some of the show's stories for years. One of Wheeler’s first mistakes IMO was her ditching both Marah & Shayne like two months into her tenure and not taking that opportunity to recast them, while she ditched the Marina recast that wasn’t working and brought a new actress for that character and it didn’t seem as though they had urgent plans for her either. I used to think instead of casting Coop he should have been a Shayne recast. And indeed then the real Jonathan arrived on the scene and both his siblings were already long gone, which was a puzzling choice. But then again I think they should have just left well enough alone and leave Sandy as Reva’s actual son and not an imposter. I never knew if that was the original plan, or if not why Kreizman/Wheeler just insisted on doing their own retcon of that. Conboy giving Richard of all people a look-alike just a year after BC’s exit is something that I’ve never understood either, again of all people to bring back? I know there was some campaign to get him back on the show, but I’m still not convinced the BC fanbase was an actual thing and not just some scam. And now do these very few people manage to catch him on that really really bad French weekly soap in which he sometimes appears, which makes Peapack look like high budget and gives Passions a run for its money on the most unhealthy showrunner ever front…

A few thoughts on the past year as I finish up 2023. Gotta love how the Marshall character was erased from existence probably only because he was as bad an actor as it can get. Then Jai sums it up pretty well, along the lines of ‘he was a closed shell’, which I never got was the intent with the character but the result of the zero emotion portrayal. I’ll always find the Caleb character a bit of a cheat from the writers, because he came on two months after Faith died and it felt as though they had nicely wrapped up everything with her character and her relationship with her children, but we then find out she had kept the existence of a brother from them (although Cain had known, they never talked about it when Faith was still on the show). I felt it cheapened and negated it all. After an entire year of Caleb on the show, I don’t see the point, yes the actor has some charisma but making him, say, Will’s brother would have been less overkill. I don’t see the point either of his affair with Tracy, as it’s overkill with the affairs as well. Billy and Dawn have had very little to do and I’m just left wondering what it’ll take to cut these two dead weights from the show; Dawn is a fine actress but has no screen presence. I’m surprised this whole weird set-up at Home Farm with Kim living with Will’s relatives hasn’t turned into ‘Kim screws Billy’ which is about the only dramatic thing they could get out of it. I’m glad they offed the Harry character and it’s such a lousy Emmerdale thing at this point to have a big bad guy if not Cain kidnap someone over an affair or something along the lines and keeping them bound in a barn or basement (see: Al, only to have Cain do the same with Aaron a few months later). The whole Chloe/Mack saga was a chore to get through and she should just not have survived the crash. She’s a pretty loathsome character. Maybe things would have turned out better had Kerry’s presence been possible to create a relationship there, but I can no longer take Amy either, it’s always whining hour with her with unbelievable hypocrisy thrown in for good measure. Although ED had a pretty bad year I’ll just end on a positive note: I love Mary who adds a lot of heart to the show. And I’ll add Claudette too, who fits well with the show’s history of similar peripheral characters. And I knew it re: the Jamie actor! Looking at the current Max on Corrie now then.

It was a bad decision given MZ’s passing and thus the loss of the Roger character, when the early 90’s team had deemed it necessary to bring on a second child for Roger, which was a good choice, so they should have thought of preserving the few of his relatives around. It was short-sighted IMO and then indirectly led to the weird Sebastian character, which could have just been Hart (with another actor) had they just written him out. And having Dinah kill someone was a mistake too. As for Grillo, he was easily replaceable and ultimately miscast. They should have just rested the character, go with the same exit but with no body found.

Wow I missed the announcement that it would no longer air on Channel 4. That’s pretty big, and worries me. I personally was okay with Lucy Allan’s run but obviously things weren’t working as well as I thought. It’s sad to me this show has been viewed so poorly since the 2010’s and now when it could be strong at times and have a real identity. Getting rid of Grace is one of LA’s mistakes (although I get how she’d be seen as expendable, long before Kirkwood left she just lingered on, her killing a pregnant woman is something I’ve never looked past, and I’d say once Trevor was gone, a lot of the spark went out) but we never really saw her as a mom so when she went to prison and sobbed over Curtis it felt hollow. Much like Damon and Scott’s farewell, this brother relationship was completely ignored after the initial storyline. And I’ll take this opportunity to say how I hated that Ollie and Imran’s beautiful friendship somehow became completely forgotten and that even before the recast. I thought ED somewhat improved by the time Hannah Cheers’ name appeared on the credits so we’ll see, but no longer on Channel 4 does not bode well… I hope they finally get rid of Goldie, but I was glad both her sons came back, especially Hunter. One thing I do like which I get others may not, is the Norma character, Glynis Barber is incredible in that role, and I’d say bring on both Ronnie and Roxy as her daughters (just kidding, but one of them might happen). I guess we’ll see Maxine’s insta family which was unnecessarily complicated with step-kids and kids from previous relationships be one of the first casualties of the post-LA team, I do like Mason though.

I'm probably alone in this but I always think they had the perfect opportunity to bring back Hope when they cast Selena. Patti d'Arbanville could have easily been believable as a Hope recast and is one of the only times they cast a 50-something blonde actress in later years and they kind of let Selena fizzle out after a while. They could have tweaked the story a bit, get rid of the ex prostitute angle, but keep her as Abby's cellmate because of a DUI that could have led to a mystery, with the Bauers having a hard time processing one of their own ending up in prison, with her being Abby's cellmate thrusting her into the dramas of her family right away, keep Drew as her daughter giving another angle to her friendship with Michelle. And then bring back A-M. I also think of Terry Davis as another one who could have worked in the role.

I loved Gemma Atkinson on Emmerdale and have always been waiting for her to return so I'm fine with her back to Hollyoaks. I also love to see Katie McGlynn on as I loved her on Corrie. Although as I recall her first scene was her around the hospital and she seemed to have no issue going there and then 3/4 months later she's anti-hospital. It's great to have a character like that though and I loved when she was all ignorant about Luke's condition and suggested to Zara and Cindy they "do their research". What they've done with the Deveraux is great but what a mistake it was to kill off Lisa, as Toby and even Celeste can never recover from that. That's just an impulse Hollyoaks had at the time to just go overboard with the killings, I still think Harry being killed by Breda in the SK storyline was a massive mistake. Toby killing Pete they could have gotten away with, but what he did to Lisa was so violent and unforgivable. Shame as that added nothing and ruined what clearly could have been good for a long time. Also recast Mitchell or something. I'd also like to see them recast Ellie Nightingale down the line. She wasn't all that memorable and can be reinvented with another actress à la Liberty. I'll suggest Louise Marwood! Also does Lucy Allan have a connection with Emmerdale as we have "Alicia" in a minor role (so far) as a cop, surely there'll be something more, and "Cameron" has popped up. I've also noticed the series producers from under Kirkwood have been replaced and the episode writers and directors seem to always be new names. So far I'd say she's doing a fine job, obviously dedicated to tie up loose ends. I did find the Fergus ending a bit of an anti-climax as he didn't see it coming, and I don't think they needed the McQueens to leave the Dog, also what happened to their old house which I liked? I don't know where the Darren story is going as of a month ago but I do find the hotel mystery with Ste's cleaning crew going to work there a nice different kind of mystery with the setting being part of it.

What strikes me when watching Corrie is the strong characterizations going, all those peripheral characters that add so much to their roles with true craft. Debbie Webster has an amazing delivery, what a genius idea to bring her back, of recent additions, Evelyn is always a pleasure to watch, Nina is a gem, and Daisy is just a classic in the making. They've also clearly struck gold with the Curtis actor and his pairing with Emma. I'm glad Toyah and Imran, random pairing it started as yet feels organic by now, have more to do currently as for a long long time Toyah was barely on. The Horror Nation Street week was nicely done, except Abi's outbursts, I like her but I've realized she's basically a knock-off Charity Dingle. I liked Natasha too, which is very different from what I felt about her as pointless Joanne on Hollyoaks. The kid playing her son is good, and no way is the kid playing Kevin's son only 11 years old. I gladly take this break from Alina. And poor Maria, she's still just... there.

One thing that hit me while watching circa 2000 episodes is how they hit it out of the ballpark with Diane's extended family. Diane, Bernice, Val, Nicola, Rodney. All very well-defined and larger-than-life characters with years of stories in them, some clans have just a couple of stand out members but with those they really created something special. Although if it were a US soap, Nicola (& Jimmy) would have been dumped to recurring a long time ago. On the subject, having Nicola half take over the caff is the best thing they've done for her in years. As random as it started as, having Gabby pregnant by Jamie and scheming is a good way to mine the character and maybe let her become as iconic as other members of her family, while remaining a mostly good person. If they hadn't turned Meena into a killer, Manpreet's family could have been an interesting long-term addition with a recast Ayesha cause she was a bit out there herself, last time I said Manpreet had no personality but that's not really true, she's goofy so they can play on that.

Paige Sandhu is one hell of an actress. What she was capable of doing with Meena in terms of characterization, when the woman playing her sister is just there, not infusing her character with any personality. It's a bit too much that David was with Maya, who abused his son, and then he gets with a woman who kills people. I thought they'd found something that worked with his pairing with Tracy but it's as though it never happened (she and Nate and their unneeded baby are such filler). Leanna was never a stand-out but the actress did good work when confronting Meena. I'm making my way through July and at least that shook things up. I hate Liv's alcoholism story, but nothing can be as draining as the Paul/Mandy/Vinny hour the show had become. Paul was played by a decent enough actor but I couldn't stand seeing him on every. single. day. The Kim/Jamie drama was okay but I've never taken Jamie that seriously. He went from being a goody two-shoes to being the devil of the town for no apparent reason overnight around last year. The story with him and Belle being a couple but Belle was really playing him made no sense. Then him being Gabby's baby daddy is just as random. I'm glad Bernice is back that being said. Although we haven't seen her much leading up to the summer, I have to laugh at the hatchet job they've done on Harriet. At least her replacement Charles is a decent addition but his pairing with Andrea is as filler and random as other things I mentioned. Andrea is actually someone I find has potential but she needs more purpose. Also what's the story with Debbie's exit right after coming back from maternity leave? That story with Al and Priya is the only time Al has been worth a little airtime.

Was there fan outcry at Mick and Linda leaving the Vic? It wasn't amazing or anything, but Sharon being the "new" landlady could have worked well, and now it's back to Mick & Linda and it feels like they're going backwards. I thought it sort of revitalized them a bit to be out of the Vic too. What was the point? It only adds to highlighting how random, aimless and confusing the show is. One good thing is that the episodes' new length (around 20 minutes as opposed to about 28/29) since last year makes it easier to catch up, is it a permanent thing?

I wonder what happened with the Ollie recast. British soaps never do immediate recasts like that (although they did wait a few weeks) and there is no reason given as to Aedan Duckworth's exit, the show just strangely said he "no longer appears on the show". Has he commented himself? I liked him a lot but I do like the new Ollie. In his first episode, he even did the random weird smiling of his predecessor, I thought that was a clever way to transition. And the BFF friendship of Imran and Ollie is one of the best things on the show so I'm glad it can go on. I'd just like to say it's crazy how good the casting has gotten on there, when you look at people like Juliet and Sid, there's a true balance of voices, styles and personalities, and I'd hate to see a return to basic casting once Kirkwood leaves. They also found the Nicky actress from Coronation Street first, and in just one episode I wanted to see so much more of her, but she's doing fantastic on Corrie!

I just knew Stephanie Davis wouldn't be returning after her one-year hiatus. Too bad because as an actress she's very watchable and did a good job on the story with her abusive hubby from Home & Away. Now can Ste stay gone as well? Kyle's suicide story is one of the things HO can pull off so well these days yet never get credit for. Jessica Fox did/is doing such good work, I'm glad they seem to value her. It sucks to lose Imran Adams so soon but actors seem to want out of this show as soon as possible even when they end up doing little else. I could have done without the Big Little Lies police questioning fast forward scenes. What's the thing with Joel? Is the actor busy elsewhere because Joel should be a main character. The pairing with Goldie doesn't work, I find her to be the weakest addition in recent years, and had it been me I'd have made the most of the Cleo/Joel pairing.

Do you think Deas could have worked as an Ed recast given recent discussion about the Ed's and the fact Deas' arrival meant Maureen's death? Might have kept her alive and fire PS instead. It's one thing I've wondered watching the excellent early 1994 episodes.

Richard Blackwood from EastEnders playing the triplets' father bugs me. I've been waiting for someone like the actress who played Roxy Mitchell, I didn't expect to get Vincent. Also think making them triplets was a mistake, as Celeste worked better as an outsider, maybe the daughter of the doctor who experimented on Toby but I'm glad they didn't completely phase out the Loveday family and rebooted it instead, we still have Lisa but to me she never recovered from her affair with Mac. Still think the show made a huge mistake killing off Harry, especially for a weak serial killer story (how long before another one?) I had no idea people disliked Diane but I don't care for Tony's dad at all, Verity can be good though but she seems right out of Shortland Street. Sinead is not coming back is she? Can we mention how ridiculous that all three Donovan brothers are dead now? And Liam right after Jesse. It's just too much. It reminds me of the long-forgotten half-brothers of Darren (will the ones that are alive ever be mentioned again?) At least there's the Salon de Thé de Marnie to bring some light-hearted drama (OTOH, Cindy's new venture doesn't work as well). And Sid is a major star. The long Ste break has been nice.

Killing off Harry has to be one of the most vile things they've done in a while. I thought maybe there'd be a way out with that old bat Breda keeping him somewhere, but I just watched James identify his body. Even if Parry wanted to leave he could have returned at some point. There's no way they can justify this. It was nice to see the original Liam in Years and Years, I had liked him in HO and I'm glad he's moved on to bigger things. The Liam recast has worked but they've totally changed the character, things like him saying "I don't like PDAs" I wouldn't have associated with the OG version. And didn't they re-introduce him by having him shoot someone dead? The Maxine Munchauser story has been outrageously ridiculous. Mitchell being attracted to Scott with the bigoted granddad is one of the best things at the moment.