EastEnders: Discussion Thread

[Manny]

I literally gasped when this happened! I did not expect it. And then again when she confessed to Bernie! And then again when she confessed to Elaine! I was SHOCKED! It was amazing.

I never watched her original run, so I have no emotional connection to her or the character. And for me personally the week of Chrissie's return fell a bit flat. Sharon's storyline of being in prison just didn't make sense to me. She was in prison for SEVEN days, yet they treated it like she was there for years, her having to find a job, Chrissie risking her parole on the same week to hurt Sharon, when they could have both gone out of prison and then Chrissie could have gotten her revenge in some way... It was weird. But glad that oldtime fans got to see their favorite again  

[MichaelGL]

Yeah it was a bit flat for me until the ending where Chrissie I guess got her happy ending before briefly visiting the square. 

[Liberty City]

It was pure soap; it's hard to believe this storyline was first teased nearly two-years ago, and yet it feels like it has flown by. The pacing has been... out of this world.

[Manny]

Oh I am sure that last scene was exciting for old time fans, especially since Jake pop in for a second. 

Exactly, I was ready for them to drag this out until either Christmas or even the 40th anniversary in February, but I was pleasantly surprised when the reveal happened. I mean, yes, not to the entire Square, but I didn't think we'd be here either. I really enjoyed the Six storyline for the most part. 

Unfortunately, now we seem to be in the period when Freddie/Anna/Bobby love triangle is a leading storyline and it's just dreadfully boring. None of them have any romantic chemistry with each other and the whole love triangle was built badly. It barely started and I cannot wait to be finished asap.

[Liberty City]

Same! It was told quite well, and I'm very happy about that!!!!

The hinting that Bobby could be bisexual was exciting, and I hope they play into that.

[MichaelGL]

Chris Clenshaw OUT as Exec Prod and Ben Wadey IN as EP after the 40th Anniversary of EE. 

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-step-down-ben-wadey-newsupdate/

[Manny]

Makes me sad. I've been enjoying the show so much. I hope the new producer will be equally good or better (Clenshaw was not perfect, so there is def room for Wadey to improve

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) 

[Liberty City]

I'm shocked, and kind of upset by this. But I'm glad it seems to be his decision. Hoping and praying Ben Wadey does well as a successor to Chris Clenshaw, who has been unstoppable as executive producer.

[Manny]

I wasn't as shocked because I was prepared by everyone at Walford Web message boards, where everyone was talking for weeks that this is coming up because "no producers stays more than 3 years with the show". I was hoping it would be different with Clenshaw, but sadly no. I hope Wadey will be good for the show too.

[LondonScribe]

Just saw this now and as said, 3 years is usually the maximum (if the producer gets to leave on their own terms). So I’m not blindsided.

The show is not perfect- no show is, but it’s the clear best of the 52-week British soaps (Casualty has been exceptional since, ironically, Jon Sen came in as EP and he changed the storytelling model, though I wish the depiction of the accidents were not scrapped, budget reasons notwithstanding). 

After being a continual, if not indifferent, Holby City viewer, I note it did tick up significantly in quality in its last year after Sean Gleason took over as producer. His Story Producer… Ben Wadey.

Like Chris Clenshaw before he took over from Sen, I know very little about Ben Wadey so will take a ‘wait and see’ approach.

[Liberty City]

NGL, I kind of wish American soaps had a "three year" on EPs, haha. That would be golden. Wishing Clenshaw well on his next adventure.

[detroitpiston]

I’m sad Clenshaw is leaving man, he brought me back as a viewer with Cindy’s return and the quality maintenance of the show under him has been consistently entertaining and made EastEnders by far the best soap on air IMO. Glad he’ll still be showrunning the 40th and I hope the new producer keeps the train running well.

[Manny]

I am glad to hear someone say that they liked what Wadely did on HC!! Do you watch Hollyoaks maybe? Isn't he some producer there as well at the moment?

 

LoL that's for sure

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I came back 1.5 years ago. I just heard some good comments online about EE. So I guess it's also due to Clenshaw. I will def miss him. I have been enjoying the show in these last year and a half (for the most part). 

[MichaelGL]

I liked that Clenshaw knew how important the Beales were to Walford and rebuilt them, softened up Phil, brought back Angela Wynter, made Denise a leading lady, and snagged Colin Salmon. 

Has his tenure been perfect? Absolutely not, but I'll miss having someone running the show who understood what characters were important to the canvas. I hope the new EP does the show justice and continues much of what Clenshaw set in motion. 

 

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[LondonScribe]

I’ve tried to dip in to Hollyoaks just before and after the time jump, but very little in the 3 years that preceded it. So I’m no authority on it. What I do know is that Ben Wadey was a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, so he oversaw a slate of shows, including Hollyoaks. He wasn’t a direct producer. 
 

As for Holby City, I know I’m in the minority when it comes to the last year,  but the darker, nihilistic approach of Sean Gleeson spoke to me. My own writing is sometimes dark and cynical.