January 7 2005 - Kate says goodbye.

I still think it was a stupid decision to get rid of Kate. She could have gone anywhere, in any story, as she was not bogged down, and she had easy chemistry with many different sections of the cast. I'm sure someone felt she had no major connections but that is an asset in many cases.

For most of her run (until she started going nuts) I thought Kim Medcalf's Sam was a spoiled bitch and I had little sympathy for her, but her last scene with Kate does make me feel sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAZ2JzKyuKI&feature=related

Edited March 27, 201114 yr by CarlD2

Some budget stuff. The BBC spent 20% less on soaps last year, but EastEnders budget went up slightly because of the live episode.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/mar/22/bbc-spend-soap-operas

Kathleen Beedles was apparently credited as the new series story producer tonight.

That's interesting. She was at Emmerdale from about 2005-2007, or longer. She did a lot of stunts. By the end it had fizzled out badly, but I'd still take that over today's Emmerdale.

She has a Twitter, and said she storylined the episode with some Ellis guy.

http://twitter.com/KittyBeed

Jean is back tonight.

Can I get a SAUSAGE SUPRISEEEEEEEEEEEE from all?

It's good to have Jean back. Her scenes with Kat in the mental institution were so raw and vulnerable. She's a great person for Kat to bounce off of, and a great supporting character. Gillian and Jessie have a great working dynamic.

Kat's line about "who would want to go into a pub where tears wash the gin" or whatever, was just beautiful. That was also such an Elsie Tanner type of line. I loved that Kat/Jean scene. That's the long type of scene most soaps are terrified of now.

Michael just does not work for me, although he was a little better with Ronnie.

Sam Womack was very good, I'm just so weary of this woe stuff.

Someone at DS also mentioned that Pete McTighe from Neighbours has also joined the writing team. He was apparently one of Neighbours' best writers and wrote the 6,000th episode there. His first episode is supposedly next Monday.

I wonder what promoted Kirkwood/Yorke to make changes to the story/writing team now.

Kathleen Beedles/Rob Ellis were at River City not too long ago, so I guess someone at the BBC transferred them to EastEnders.

Edited March 30, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I wonder if this is a BBC decision, a higher up one. Someone at Walford Web said that the previous woman might have gone because of inconsistency.

Pat's back next Tuesday. It feels like she's been gone for an eternity and this break has been longer than most of her other breaks.

Meanwhile, Carol hears that Janine's grandmother Lydia is unwell in hospital and suggests that Janine could go to visit her. However, Janine refuses to go, declaring that Lydia blew her chance years ago. Later, when Pat returns from New Zealand and hears what's gone on with Whitney and Bianca, she takes the news out on Janine - angrily accusing her of encouraging Whitney to go on the game. Janine protests her innocence but tells Pat that she can't stay and chat because she's off to visit her grandmother in hospital.

Dot's fall is tomorrow...

Thanks. That sounds really good! Classic Janine.

I hope Pam has been OK. I know that she worked quite a bit last year, it seemed like more than usual - I wonder if she took longer time off because of that.

So glad to have a time frame for Pat's return now. I've been missing her like crazy!

I think this is one of Pat's first ever scenes.

It's funny seeing Kathy visibly upset at seeing Pat. Years later Pat and Kathy would be such close friends. I always enjoyed their friendship.

It's interesting how Pat evolved over the years from the drunken bitch that caused trouble to a more respected member of the community who usually dispenses wise advice.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uLHeAOQOYHo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

EE was just so much better at slow-building characterization and character growth. Today you have Shirley, who was supposedly the new Pat, who never really changes at all and they just use her to prop Phil, and pass this off as being about the character. You still have some decent characterization, but nothing like Pat.

I do think Pat became a more iconic character when she found Frank again but I have a soft spot for that vile and fast-talking woman of the first few years. I think the show has taken her back to that slightly in the last year, which is probably why some fans were so upset at her behavior, or her being anything beyond just "Nana Pat."

This is my favorite two-hander.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YOW3a13uY

I do think Pat became a more iconic character when she found Frank again but I have a soft spot for that vile and fast-talking woman of the first few years. I think the show has taken her back to that slightly in the last year, which is probably why some fans were so upset at her behavior, or her being anything beyond just "Nana Pat."

I do think Janine makes many of the same mistakes Pat made in her life. Like always going after money, marrying for money, and being vile to those who care for her. That's why I think their relationship is so complicated when it's explored, because really, I do think Pat sees a lot of her old self in Janine. Janine's life has mirrored some of Pat's backstory, barring the murdering aspects.

This is my favorite two-hander.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YOW3a13uY

I didn't know the Sharon/Michelle two-hander was up! Thanks.

Letitia's had so many hairstyles over the years. I still think the short-do she had in the early 90's was her best look.

I think both Letitia and Sue got prettier as they aged...

This channel has a lot of Den/Angie/Sharon stuff from 1985-1987:

http://www.youtube.com/user/QueenOfTheVic

Edited March 31, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner