The gasp I gasped when I saw Pat at the end of Monday's episode!

And then that beautifully sad, often tender, Nigel episode. "I've let you down" - that scene brought me to tears, such wonderful acting all around. Young Phil was phenomenal. And such a classy touch bypassing the doof-doof.

I'm honestly considering giving up the show and I don't know why, but it feels like it's about time. I sort of want to carry on because I think its days are numbered, it certainly won't last longer than another 10 years I wouldn't have thought. 15 at the most.

I've been watching other shows like the gay Australian show 'Single, Out', the 1987 season of Neighbours on YouTube and it's going to sound terrible but even The Kardashians, and they are so much more enjoyable to watch. Life is depressing enough, that I want to watch happy stuff now. And EE doesn't get rid of enough deadwood characters (in fact, none of the UK soaps do) and they don't keep as many of the ones I like around.

I won't quit easily, but I did quit Home and Away in 2019 and I've never regretted that decision. I think now Neighbours is done, I might be done with soaps. I would have carried on watching Neighbours, as it wasn't depressing.

I have been loving EastEnders so much lately. It's a not-to-miss soap for me.

Processing that flashforward episode... I was mortified initially but a little intrigued by the end. It was supposed to function as a sort of year-long teaser/preview, I suppose, although I question the decision to show the entirety of what happens a whole year from now majorly. So, we already know the whole brouhaha about Max changing will mean nothing. And it's like being spoiled a whole year in advance.

If I'm that interested in it, what's keeping me from just tuning in next year to see the resolution? Let's just hope they don't lose any of the actors that are present a year from now lol

On 12/30/2025 at 11:40 AM, Chris B said:

I have been a Ben Wadey apologist but I am officially over him after seeing how the plots came together on Christmas. One thing I enjoyed is the same thing most people hated: the Zoe story and the focus it got. I felt like with Clenshaw, he was throwing so much at the wall that most stories didn't get properly developed. Especially when it came to social issues, it seemed like every other week there was a new one and it was just too much going on and not enough character moments for me.

I've loved seeing the Slaters, who had been underused, on the forefront and getting to see Zoe re-integrate into their lives. Another part that I enjoyed was having Anthony return so Patrick had his son and that family also got some time to shine. I feel like killing him off was a cheap stunt that makes no sense. They ruined his character by introducing these out of nowhere villain aspects, they didn't play the issues with his wife and kids and now he won't get to reconcile with Zoe and wont get to meet his twins. How is this satisfying? It's a pointless murder mystery for a character that didn't need to die.

I hope this isn't a sign to come because this is literally the worst they could've done to resolve this story. Makes me wonder how they'll pull off NYE which will involve extensive planning.

It wasn't entirely out of nowhere with Anthony, as he was somewhat shady in his run as a regular character, but the execution was terrible and there really wasn't a need to kill him. I've been OK with Wadey's run so far but there are some big exceptions - the Zoe return story and just how bad the pacing is.