EastEnders: Discussion Thread

[Liberty City]

The American soaps that celebrated their recent anniversaries should be looking at EastEnders right now, as they have not missed a single beat.

[DRW50]

I don't think most of the actual stories have been very good, maybe aside from the Phil stuff. I also struggle to care about most of the characters and their relationships.

[Liberty City]

See, I completely disagree. The Phil storyline may be the frontrunner, but I can't name a single storyline I'm not enjoying right now. My continued biggest complaint are the shït wigs Letitia Dean wears.

[MichaelGL]

Changing the opening back to the one they had in 1985 was a nice touch too if I might add.

[DRW50]

I just don't care about anything with Cindy and the tedious Knights or Ruby's poor return and the umpteenth tease about Stacey/Martin or the woeful Reiss storyline or the cynical vote-in for Denise that combines one relationship the show destroyed beyond repair and one relationship the show ignored until this vote began. 

I also can't watch Nigel's story because dementia stories are just too much for me as time passes.

There are other stories, I guess - are we still meant to remember that Tommy beat the hell out of Kat...are we still meant to care about the dull new Mitchells and Harry's dead girlfriend or whatever she was?

The show is so plot-driven and hollow to me and I think many stories just get by based on how great we're meant to think they are rather than what they actually are.

I get what you mean about Letitia, but I mostly just worry for her health (I'm not saying you aren't either, if it comes across that way).

Edited February 14 by DRW50

[Liberty City]

I can see why those wouldn't be interested in the Cindy storyline, but since her return, I have been really invested in it and find it outstandingly juicy and soapy. And the "vote in" is exciting to me. Especially in knowing the cast have worked double-time to film outcomes of both post-live and that material shot will not see the day. That's intriguing, especially when we have one American soap block-taping scenes to cut corners/budget/timing. It's brilliant.

I can see why some would feel that way. It is sad, but I try to separate real vs. reel. I know [some] either don't do that or just wish to see those kinds of storylines play out on their stories (not assuming you as one of them), but I do think it's being done in such a particular way that it feels it is being done right, especially in comparison to how Alzheimer's had been handled at GH.

Love me some Nicola Mitchell; a true female boss that I enjoy seeing whenever she is on. Absolutely juicy.

Of course I hope her health is well; I've often thought about it, so if my own comments came off as not worrying, then I do apologise. I just think a soap that can produce the stories they've got coming up and the set expansion they're under could dish out some funds for some realistic, lacefronted wigs for Dean to wear while filming.

I agree; a real nice touch.

[Bright Eyes]

And here's me in 2025, watching 1995 Ricky raw-dogging Bianca and Natalie like it's a sport, desperately wishing I could be the next notch on his bedpost. Simpler times! 

[DRW50]

It doesn't. That's why I wanted you to know I didn't think you were coming across that way.

[Liberty City]

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Definitely. 

[BetterForgotten]

1995 was a great year, and I'll always have a soft spot for Natalie/Lucy Speed.

Edited February 14 by BetterForgotten

[Manny]

I have been on a real high with the show last year, but during the last few months, I have cooled off sadly. I was really disappointed with Christmas, simply because I found the Cindy/Junior storyline such a weak storyline to be fronting Christmas. And then when that switched to a whodunnit, I cared even less, just because I felt it was such a poorly constructed storyline. 

I honestly don't think anyone (except maybe Junior) would have hit Cindy because she cheated. And whoever is revealed to have done it will be ruined, in my opinion (again, aside from Junior).

I did enjoy Sonia/Reiss/Bianca stuff, but there was on such a long break from that story (I know, actresses went on vacation, but I don't care, I still blame the show for such bad planning and pacing of that story) and then I have a feeling now has been rushed through. So again, somewhat poor pacing. I hated Sonia's trial, when out of nowhere Sonia wanted to plead guilty, when I didn't understand why she is doing this, other than to push the plot. I enjoyed Sonia's discovery of the truth and the scenes where she confronts Reiss. Natalie and Jonny were both awesome. I didn't like Bianca just arriving out of the sudden and saving Sonia. But I am curious how this will go on now. I hope we deal with some PTSD for Bianca before both ladies leave the show.

Phil and Nigel's storyline are amazing. I cannot find faults there (or can I

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 ). I have really been enjoying them and the performances have been amazing. I was slightly disappointed with the special Phil 1985 episode, just because I thought it would hit me more, that I would be crying, but it didn't. I was taken out of the story when we would cut to the stag party or for some reason Linda's return (even though they tried to connect it to Phil's story, it didn't work for me). Also Jay and Sharon just leaving Phil, even though he almost broke down in front of Jay, yet he just left... So yeah... But I am still enjoying this storyline immensely.

Denise's little instant love triangle is a disaster. Probably my least favorite storyline. Which is shame because Denise is one of my favorites. But she should be with neither of them. Jack is scum for cheating on her, Ravi is a drug dealing, children bridge hanging, kidnapper and murder and aside from Aaron Thiara being hot and charismatic, I don't get the appeal of Ravi as a character. There was no investing in Jack/Denise for months, they just got divorced (what was the point?!) and she clearly told him she sees him as a friend like two weeks ago and yet now suddenly she is choosing. Whatever. From technical perspective it is impressive that they created wrote and filmed two different paths, but for me it was a wrong storyline to invest so much time and effort in.

I hate how the Six fizzled out. I hate how Tommy/Kat story fizzled out. 

I hate that Nugget is such a Nish worshiper now. I didn't get why Ian took Cindy back after the brick thing. I hate that Gina slept with Freddie, made no sense, both characters suffered A LOT for me here. George basically forcing Kojo to lie for him and be his alibi was a huge character assassination for me. The market storyline was probably one of the most boring things I have ever seen on a soap opera. And as much as I love Stacey/Martin, the whole addition of Ruby has been really dull.

Okay, maybe "hate" is a too strong of a feeling, maybe it's just disappointment, but whatever..

So yeah... was great for a while, but last few months, the show did a lot of mistakes in my opinion. 

But weirdly enough, I am still excited for next week and for the 40th and the live show.

[AMCOLTLLover]

I really think that the writers thought they hit the jackpot with Reece and him being a killer now. They tried him being a nice guy with a secret sick wife but the audience didn’t enjoyed it. So they had to come up with something .. But even that flopped. What a shame coz the actor was great in the other stuff he was in

Edited February 14 by AMCOLTLLover

[detroitpiston]

Love the anniversary edit to the opening and Sharon reading a letter from Angie while they showcased the various families of the square. I enjoyed Honey and Billy’s wedding overall but the Grant and Bianca scenes were the absolute highlight of todays show, what a great reunion to witness. I’m glad Bianca kept her foot on Grant’s neck for how he treated Tiffany.

Poor Phil is a depressive trainwreck and none of his family and friends seem to really grasp it. I can’t believe Tracy just gave him a pint knowing his history. His scenes with Lexi and Linda were particularly sweet but sad and I’m just glad Cindy swiped his gun before he could get to it

I enjoyed the twist of Priya working for Cindy to con Ian so I was sad she switched sides so easily lol. Cindy’s meltdown in The Vic was good and I just love her and Ian going at each other so viciously. My last guess for the shovel culprit is Peter now but I still think it could be Gina or maybe Bobby with a surprise return and if it is Bobby I hope she puts a bullet in him.

[AMCOLTLLover]

Compared to the 30th anniversary this is such a lackluster anniversary lol

[All My Shadows]

Anita?!?!!