Last of the Summer Enders

[ScrabblyWabbly]

A few years back the show suffered from losing Pat and Peggy, two of its senior ladies plus the reduced screen time we had with June Brown meant that the older characters in the show were neglected. The younger characters we had we so bland, went from one sexual conquest to the next that they were extremely boring so cries went out for more older characters and less teens/young adults. 

Its just a shame that they have now introduced far too many senior characters and a lot of the interesting younger characters have either been axed, left of their own accord or are due to leave soon. 

I do think it's great that the show has been able to attract such a good calibre of actors. Ellen Thomas, Annette Badland, Bonnie, Janet Harvey and Maria Friedman might not be "National Treasures" but they are all established actresses in their own right. Maria and Janet may just be recurring characters and I do hope we see more of Aunt Marge, I just think they need to restore some of the balance. 

Dot is pretty much a recurring character too now, something I don't actually mind. I do love Dot, she's fabulous but the character has been there, done that etc that I don't think they should give her stories just for the sake of it. I just like the fact Dot is there occasionally, sipping sherry in the Vic or occasionally dolling out advice to the likes of Ian and Sharon. She should be retired from th launderette, get so end younger to take over the reins. Dots getting on a bit now so it's ludicrous that she is still working. 

Patrick is a great character, I wouldn't change anything about him. It's a shame that he has reported JJ to social services, but I understand he is doing it out of loyalty to Denise as he doesn't want her to get hurt. Patrick is not perfect, he may do bad things but he is an integral part of the show.

Kathy is still finding her feet, I really do want her to be back in the Cafe hopefully with Carmel. She needs to be more active in the lives of Ian, Ben and Martin who can be almost a surrogate son to her. Yes her return storyline was ludicrous, but Imam enjoying having her back in the square. 

Claudette is is a character who seems to have a split personality, I really have trouble with her personality. I could buy her having a warm hearted exterior and an ice cold interior if the two aspects of her character were merged a lot better. but it just seems Ellen Thomas is playing two different characters. I just don't buy that the ambitious, manipulative murderer would allow Les to pop round to hers once a week so he could put on some makeup and a dress. I don't get what was in it for her. Plus the fact she was a foster mother, she's been nominated for the pride of Walford award but what was in it for her? What did Claudette gain from taking them in? I don't get that it was from the kindness of her own heart, I think I won't be able to take her character seriously until her motivations are established.

Les and Pam are other characters I struggle with. I think they would have been better off in their own sitcom than Eastenders what with Rogers hammy acting and the fact Pam is far to nice for Walford. It didn't help that the most interesting thing for Pam, the euthanasia plot happened off screen. Especially as the ramifications it had on her being a social worker, we heard that it damaged her reputation but it would have been to see some of that onscreen. I'm not always certain that these characters should be in it for the long term. Especially with the woeful acting talents of Roger and Lin. The only positive things for me, is that Pam is actually a good contrast to all the gangster granny's and I am enjoying Les and Pams relationship with Billy and Honey. But ultimately, I would be willing to see these two leave so some younger characters can be introduced. 

I love Annette Badland, I don't actually mind Babe that much but I think that the baby stealing plot was ludicrous and damaged the character. Especially as the Carters just shrugged it off. As I have said on here before, I really hope that they reduce the amount of times she talks about food. It's unnecessary. 

If Gavin is sticking around for the long haul then they need to stop him loitering about in other people's houses and stop him creeping up on people. I quite like Pauk Nicholas, I'm enjoying having him in EastEnders I just want to see Gavin do something nasty rather than just talk about it. It's all happening offscreen at present. He and Aunt Marge make a ghastly pair, I'm intrigued to see where this storyline takes us. 

I dont see see the point of Cora returning later this year. She adds nothing to the show, she's a poisonous old lush, an older version of Shirley. The new EP should cancel Ann's return.

I hope the new EP also does more with the younger characters, Kyle especially is a character I want to see more of. Lee and Whitney are so bland, Paul is a drip, Abi is finally becoming interesting and Jay has a storyline it's just taking its time to get going. 

[Deleted]

Hi Scrabs,

As I largely agree with your analysis on both Dot and Patrick and I too love both characters I will quickly skip over them to save repetitive dialogue.

As far as Claudette is concerned, I would agree with you that there is issues with the writing of the character, but I will say that there is a possible explanation for the fostering angle, if she is indeed out and out evil as many suspect and that is that she was preparing a large gang to do much of her bidding for her. Getting followers without really having to try too much, just merely a little mothering here or there, and also it brings steady income into the house. Her connection to Les may be more difficult to explain but not impossible. I think she enjoyed the secretive nature of  her relationship with Les causing intrigue amongst the two families, I think she probably saw it as a game but then decided she actually for the first time in her life actually liked another human being. Les as Christine was somebody she could confide in and trust to keep his mouth shut as he had a secret that only she knew about. I am actually intrigued by Les and Pam and I disagree that Roger is as bad an actor as you make out because I think a lot of his ticks and quirks are character driven. It's who Les has become due to Christine.

I also rate Annette Badland and love to hate Babe, she really is a manipulative old bag, but she is not evil certainly not in the league of Claudette.

The pendulum has indeed swung far too much to middle aged characters. The 16-35 age bracket is sadly lacking and with the departures of the wonderful Himesh Patel and Maddy Hill on the horizon in the near future, I think SOC's main initial objective is to revitalise a demographic which has been decimated by DTC and although many of the youngsters made their own decision to leave he never replaced them with like for like characters. As a young one left an older character would be introduced it's time for the correct balance to be struck.

I like Lee as a character but have gone right off Whitney. Young female characters are sadly lacking, with the exception of Stacey, Abi and hopefully Lauren returning soon there are none worth talking about. The males are not in much better situation there is Lee, returning Johnny, Ben, Martin and Jay but in comparison to the strong middle age cast it looks rather sad really.

Thanks 

[J-B]

I fear for the age balance in Eastenders. If anyone else under 35 leaves every plot will be about bus passes, bingo, and meals that are easy to chew.

[Holey]

Mar 15, 2016 15:22:49 GMT J-B said:

I fear for the age balance in Eastenders. If anyone else under 35 leaves every plot will be about bus passes, bingo, and meals that are easy to chew.

It will be like Weatherfield on Speed.

[Deleted]

Mar 15, 2016 18:09:13 GMT Holey said:

Mar 15, 2016 15:22:49 GMT J-B said:

I fear for the age balance in Eastenders. If anyone else under 35 leaves every plot will be about bus passes, bingo, and meals that are easy to chew.

It will be like Weatherfield on Speed.

It's certainly starting to resemble Corrie as far as age range is concerned under DTC 

[Holey]

I am pleased it hasn't gone the other way, but it needs to have a good balance.