EastEnders: Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

Thanks for posting that.

I am still confused about this Ben story. So now are they saying Ben has been abusing Louise because Jordan has been bullying him? Most of this must have taken place offcamera.

The scenes with Phil vs Lucas were very tense. I wish they'd never made Lucas a murderer, he's much more believable as this angry and controlling father. I liked seeing Denise assert herself too. She's a strong character and I'm glad she is being written as such.

Janine and Ryan were fun, although I had a hard time understanding some of what Janine said (something seems to have happened to Charlie's voice since her last run as Janine). They got a bit porny there a few times I'm surprised that Ryan doesn't remember Stacey may be reluctant to be near him because she slept with him when she was bipolar, and then went on to tell everyone he was stalking her.

I hope this is not going to turn into fans blaming Zainab yet again for Syed's own failings. Zainab was more willing to believe the ex-gay lies than Masood or Tamwar, but it was Syed who pushed her to accept it. Syed is also the one who emotionally blackmailed Tamwar throughout the episode, as he is desperate to use Tamwar to justify his decisions. Then as soon as Tamwar has an opinion of his own? Shut up. Syed cares very little about Tamwar's feelings, he barely tolerates Tamwar, yet Tamwar is always there to support Syed. I know this is all supposed to be about Syed's pain but all I saw was that once again Syed was dragging his family down because he needs to use them to try to prove something to himself. That's why I don't believe oh those awful Masoods are persecuting Syed. And I was annoyed when Masood was going on to Zainab about her suspicions regarding Syed, when he had the exact same suspicions, even moreso than Zainab. This was only one episode ago, and yet once again he acts like he has amnesia. This character has become such a hypocrite. Only a month ago he was one of my favorite characters on the show, but these days I can barely watch him.

That last scene with Ben and Jordan was awful, it should have been edited out. They shouldn't want people to laugh at this story, surely.

Edited May 22, 2010 by CarlD2

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I think Ben was just using Jordan as an excuse, I think the main reason still is the abuse he suffered from Stella.

But Ben's been trying to impress Jordan for a while now, and Jordan really can't stand him.

Some are speculating that Kirkwood's been tweaking a lot of this Lucas story, and a lot of the changes we've seen in the last two episodes were down to his tweaks.

That entire family treats Tamwar awfully. He's always being told to shut up or do as he's told.

Edited May 22, 2010 by Y&RWorldTurner

[DRW50]

Sometimes Tamwar can be very smug and annoying, like anyone can, but I guess it bothered me more here because Tamwar has been the only one to support Syed and Syed knows that Tamwar is very inquisitive and skeptical, yet he apparently expects Tamwar to just be his little puppet, and if Tamwar has an opinion of his own, then he gets shot down.

I know I sound like an awful person or like I am not supportive enough of someone struggling with their sexuality but time and time again Syed has come across as such a selfish coward, I just cannot sympathize. They have consistently failed to make him sympathetic, in my opinion.

Anyway, I forgot to say how much I enjoyed the Max/Stacey scenes. I love the chemistry between Lacey and Jake. They work so well together. Those quiet little moments are heartbreaking.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

So, is Danny double-crossing Glenda? It sure seems like it after Friday's episode...

[BadBoy93]

I think Santer is just messing around with all these stories and will make Kirkwood`s start a bit tangled. Santer was a great producer but now you can just tell that he is bored.

[DRW50]

Were there ever any Eastenders characters you knew you were supposed to like, but never really did?

That's how I felt about Arthur.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Sonia.

Hated her and was ecstatic when I heard she was leaving. Not to mention, and I know looks shouldn't mean anything, but Natalie Cassidy looks like a damn oger. No way do I believe Martin or Jamie would have settled for that.

[DRW50]

Sonia's a great example of a character who outstayed her welcome. I think they just kept her because they didn't want to completely give up on the Brannings/Jacksons, but most of her material from after the time Jamie died was poor. She was also way too judgmental and pushy.

I know some think the show might have been sick of her as well, and that's why they gave her some of the stories near the end, like the lesbian-for-a-minute story, but who knows.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I did like her exit scenes though, when Martin and Rebecca surprised her and then they were driven off in the black cab as Julia's Theme played...

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[Sylph]

I hated her a lot more than I liked her. But there were moments I liked, there were...

[DRW50]

And this ended in her climbing into Phil's bed...

I had a soft spot for the Brannings/Jacksons, it was nice to see them all again, or most of them, when Bianca and Ricky got married again. I keep forgetting Carol's still on the show.

One Sonia moment I liked was when she put her hand on the bus window to say goodbye to her Italian boyfriend. This was right before she slept with Martin.

I was watching some of the late 2003 episodes (is it wrong to say I didn't think most of the Ferrieras were that bad) and Sonia's hair at that time was so awful. This was also when they had the kiss between Zoe and her friend Kelly. Was that ever supposed to go anywhere?

That's a beautiful use of Julia's Theme. I thought they might have gotten rid of that style forever but thankfully it was back when Amira left.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

My favourite EastEnders era is the John Yorke era in the early 00's. Probably the time I followed the show most devotedly.

I remember the brief Jamie/Zoe/Sonia triangle, and how I felt bad for Zoe when Jamie essentially just used her that one time for sex. Zoe's much better looking than Sonia.

This led to some great Kat/Zoe scenes, though...

I could never understand why Sonia got some good looking love interests on this show...

Edited May 22, 2010 by Y&RWorldTurner

[DRW50]

I started watching those episodes when I first got BBC America. That was not long after the Slaters arrived. I think I saw their second or third episode and then watched the omnibus to see their debut. I took to most of them very quickly. I still think that was one of the best introductions to a large family ever. I had watched the 1997-era episodes on PBS and was disappointed that most of my favorite characters were gone, so it helped that I liked the Slaters and how they fit into Walford.

The other stories around that time were also generally strong, although Mel Healy got on my nerves. I liked Steve Owen quite a bit.

And then Dot euthanizing Ethel, Dot's romance with Jim, Billy falling in love with Mo, liked that too.

I forgot Jamie was with Zoe. He was also with Belinda. I guess he was the first man to swap Slaters?

Those few years had a lot of heart, which is something EE hasn't had since somewhere around 2005 or so, from what I've seen.

My favorite time on the show was 85-88.

Edited May 22, 2010 by CarlD2

[BadBoy93]

I dunno. Jamie & Zoe may have made the better couple. The one problem about John Yorke`s era was that The Slater Family dominated the show at that point.

Every story at that time had to involve The Slaters. Never the less John Yorke is a great producer and him & Kirkwood are gonna be better than Him & Santer.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I wonder if they'll eventually be bringing back more Slater's. With Stacey, Jean, and Charlie gone soon, Kat is only going to have Mo.

Though, I suppose, Kat and Alfie will be back to run the Vic, which will allow them to interact with lots of characters anyway.

Speaking of Stacey, wasn't she originally based off a young Kat? I think Tony Jordan said Lacey came into audition for the role of one of the Miller's, but she wasn't right for the part, and he thought she looked so much like Jessie Wallace and created Stacey specifically for her with a young Kat as a template.