Neighbours: Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

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[~bl~]

Thanks for the interview Errol. 
 

[Liberty City]

 

[Skylover]

Just been uploading more Neighbours opening titles to YouTube.

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[DRW50]

Thanks @Skylover

[Skylover]

No worries, how is everyone finding the show?

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[Liberty City]

Amazing. Thanks so much!

[DRW50]

Always better when Haz and Terese/Paul/Toadie/Mel aren't the focus.

I think this was one of the show's best weeks since its return, even better because this was just an ordinary week, no big stunts. 

Almost the entire cast had storyline, which meant less of the padding and isolation that has hurt a lot of the revival. Leo's business struggles had ripple effects for so many people. Holly is still just a plot device, but this was probably the best use of her so far in that role, helped by getting to see her with Karl and by the character acknowledging how crazy her actions were. 

It was great to see Krista finally get to have some manipulative, scheming moments, after so often just suffering or being in support. Majella Davis is one of the best hires the new show has made and so often she's taken for granted.

Depressing as that dungeon-like Eirini Rising set is, the brief Harold scenes add a certain depth to the show for me due to the focus on his ageing and readjustment. There was a lot of focus on letting go, getting older, and regrets through the whole week, with Aaron, Susan, Vic, Harold, Karl, all of which came across as thoughtful and not melodramatic. This also served as a balance to the younger set of JJ, Nell and Dex, giving the show a real multi-generational sense. 

There were some nice friendship moments too, which Neighbours is generally good at, but I noticed more than usual this week - Haz and Harold, Haz and JJ, Wendy and Terese. This was probably Haz's best week since the first few weeks of the revival.

I was also glad to finally see movement in the Jane/Mike story. Jane sitting alone in the dress shop struggling through sorrow and doubt on what was meant to be one of the happiest days of her life was some of the best work Annie Jones has done on the show. 

Edited June 23, 2024 by DRW50

[DRW50]

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[Liberty City]

I hate this. Guess now we have to face the [unfortunate] reunion of Paul & Terese, which is something I do not want. Ugh. Maybe Dee comes back to usher him out?

[Skylover]

I am a bit disappointed if that's Sky's return done and dusted already. There are a lot of missed opportunities. She never interacted with Melanie (who hadn't returned yet last time she was back in 2020) and we heard absolutely nothing about Sky's life. I was hoping they'd sort out the mess they'd made of her last return as a detective, and fill us in on whether she'd had a career change, but there was nothing about that. We also heard nothing about Scotty, or her third child, or whether she had any more children, or what their names might be. We did hear that Kerry's now in Year 12, and it was a pleasant surprise that she hadn't been SORASed (speaking of which, I'm curious as to why her age has remained consistent, and I'm wondering if Steph McIntosh had any input into the script, as I'm curious about why the writers would keep her that age even if I agreed with the decision).

I do think this is symptomatic of The Powers That Be not quite getting it right when it comes to returnees. Sky is a huge, iconic character, and she comes back for a B storyline with Harold, is gone within 2 episodes and we hear nothing about her life. Sky's return should be a huge deal, as apart from Izzy, she's the only character from that 2000s era who I'd consider to be an iconic character.

Steph McIntosh hints that she'd be up for appearing more according to her BTS video on the Neighbours socials, and it does indicate somewhat a lack of forward planning that the producers introduced the Varga-Murphys with lesbian mums, when we could potentially have had Sky and Lana return with their own family. I don't really see room for 2 lesbian families, as well as Nicolette (and currently Kiri on screen). They couldn't exactly split Sky and Lana up, as that would anger a lot of fans (I'd accept it, but I think many wouldn't). I guess the most we can hope for is that Sky continues to make appearances, and more substantial ones at that, where she's given some characterisation and we actually learn about her life. Maybe she could bring Kerry, Scotty, her other child(ren) when she returns down the line, as the blink and you'll miss it return doesn't really do justice to such an iconic return.

I'm actually wondering if there are many old-school writers around at the moment? Was it a new writer who wrote that Harold gun blunder, as I don't understand how that script got through the script editors untouched, and to be honest I'm a little surprised Ian and Steph didn't object to it. The script editing process has been a bit poor/lacklustre recently, with that gun line, and the Hugo suggesting Terese's fish name could be Goldfish, when that's already taken by Georgia.

Ultimately, if they're going to do these returns for big, iconic characters, there needs to be adequate consideration given to that returning character themselves. I know Harold's a big, iconic character, but Sky is too, and deserves that recognition. The current team have never seemed to really understand/recognise Sky as a character though, given how she was written in 2020 and this time.

I still think it was worth it for that lovely Harold/Sky scene in the cafe, which was so heartwarming. I'd never have thought a year or two ago that we'd even get more Harold/Sky scenes. But yeah, I hope they do better by Sky's character somehow going forward. And the producers really need to think about how the show all fits together and the overall plan, as they can be a bit gung-ho with their ideas, but I wonder if anyone looks at an overall plan in terms of the cast demographics and long-term plan.

Sky is where my online username comes from.

Edited July 5, 2024 by Skylover

[DRW50]

@Skylover Enjoyed reading your thoughts. There are some episodes which seem to suggest awareness of the past (like Harold's scenes with JJ about his tuba) but this seemed to have noticeable errors. 

I'm not surprised at the lack of interest in giving Melanie that moment, as she has gotten poor material and a lack of followup - I can't even remember if she ever mentioned Sharon after Sharon's appearances early in the revival. 

I do remember some fans recently, on DS, talking about how contrived the writing was for Sky in 2020 (namely, getting her together when Lana).

[Skylover]

I really like Harold and JJ scenes. I'm hoping they introduce one of Harold's great grandchildren as a regular character now Harold's back, and I'm wondering if the fact Kerry was mentioned as being in Year 12 means she might be back soon to attend Eden Hills uni as a permanent character.

Yeah, I think I like Sky and Boyd together best. The Sky/Lana story from 2004 is what originally got me into Neighbours as a big fan, but at the time, Sky showed minimal reciprocal romantic interest in Lana. I think she wouldn't have been the type to shy away from pursuing a lesbian relationship if she wanted to, as she never really was the conforming type. 

[Liberty City]

As of 14 hours ago, Chrishell Stause began her first day on-set.

[DRW50]

This is very nicely made by the fan, but the scene itself is also touching. Kudos to Guy Pearce for being willing to return for brief appearances and allowing the Jane and Mike love story to wrap up with dignity. 

@Vee I know you are not on current episodes, but you may enjoy watching this scene.