Classic EastEnders

[Vanessa]

I've been watching classic EastEnders and Dennis Rickman has just come in.
One of my all time favourites. What a great character he was!

[Redway]

He was amazing. 2003 had its dud moments but when it struck gold (which it did 75% of the time) it struck gold. I used to be somewhat biased against it in favour of 2005 but looking back it’s probably one of the most solidly watchable years ever.

[Vanessa]

Ian winning at the poker game and winding up Phil :joker:

[Swan]

Been watching this for about 3 years now. I started just when Grant finds out about Phil and Sharon in 1994, watched it ever since.

[Swan]

I think my favourite character so far was Steve Owen and David Wicks.

[Vanessa]

I think my favourite character so far was Steve Owen and David Wicks.

Loved Steve.
It's 2003 now. What a great year that was!

[Swan]

Loved Steve.
It's 2003 now. What a great year that was!

Yeah i never miss an episode. :laugh:

Poor Dot. Paul is a good character too. I really don't like Laura though.

[Vanessa]

Yeah i never miss an episode. :laugh:

Poor Dot. Paul is a good character too. I really don't like Laura though.

Love Dot and Jim. Yes, I liked Paul as well.

[Swan]

I wish they hadn't killed off Roy.

[Redway]

I wish they hadn't killed off Roy.

I don’t. He was boring and stifled Pat. That’s why Berridge called chops on him. Santer axing Honey and Yolande was much worse than any of Berridge’s axing (except maybe Paul Trueman, but even then I can’t remember if that was her or Hutchinson).

[Vanessa]

Glad Ian is coming back. I've missed the Ian/Phil rivalry.

[Redway]

Glad Ian is coming back. I've missed the Ian/Phil rivalry.

I hope they nip that in the bud. They’re too old to still be going at it like a pair of teenage boys at war because one stole the other’s crush.

[Swan]

I don’t. He was boring and stifled Pat. That’s why Berridge called chops on him. Santer axing Honey and Yolande was much worse than any of Berridge’s axing (except maybe Paul Trueman, but even then I can’t remember if that was her or Hutchinson).

Berridge also said they regretted axing Roy.

Martin should be out of prison soon ish, and Mickey Miller has just turned up.

[Redway]

Berridge also said they regretted axing Roy.

Martin should be out of prison soon ish, and Mickey Miller has just turned up.

Yeah, well. It is what it is. Berridge gets too much flack for axing (amongst other things) and some people even believe the silly, nonsense rumour that she even tried to axe Pat. No. She axed Roy for Pat.’s benefit more than anything, even if she later regretted it. Personally I’ve never seen Roy and Barry’s exists as big losses for the show and a great storyline came out of the latter. That alone was worth it. Roy was boring and Barry was an utter joke.

[Swan]

Yeah, well. It is what it is. Berridge gets too much flack for axing (amongst other things) and some people even believe the silly, nonsense rumour that she even tried to axe Pat. No. She axed Roy for Pat.’s benefit more than anything, even if she later regretted it. Personally I’ve never seen Roy and Barry’s exists as big losses for the show and a great storyline came out of the latter. That alone was worth it. Roy was boring and Barry was an utter joke.

Yeah im not a fan of Barry's character. I thought Roy was decent enough. You need stability, he brought that to the show.

I honestly think Ricky is a pretty useless character

[Vanessa]

Yeah im not a fan of Barry's character. I thought Roy was decent enough. You need stability, he brought that to the show.

I honestly think Ricky is a pretty useless character

I did like Janine at this time. She was a great chance.

[Swan]

I did like Janine at this time. She was a great chance.

Yeah her character is great, she's such an manipulative cow :laugh:

[Vanessa]

Always loved Patrick "yeah man" Truman

[Redway]

Yeah im not a fan of Barry's character. I thought Roy was decent enough. You need stability, he brought that to the show.

I honestly think Ricky is a pretty useless character
When Ricky came back last autumn/winter he was essentially playing a shadow of a character with effectively no personality and certainly no more chemistry with Medcalf’s Sam. (who’s obviously the superior version) than they had in 2002/2003. I think Berridge/the writers noticed that they had no chemistry and culled it, because it just wasn’t working. I don’t know why they felt the need to revisit it.
Yeah her character is great, she's such an manipulative cow :laugh:

She was a joke in the last stint. I appreciate her essentially (albeit indirectly) getting rid of Mick (hated his character after 2014) but you can’t for all the money in the world convince me that Charlie Brooks wasn’t just in it for the money herself in 2021/’22. Her performances at the Christmas table were just pathetic and all that’s without even mentioning the way she essentially bullied Lola. It took Lexi (who’s horribly acted) screaming about her mum having cancer for Janine to drop it and shut her mouth.

[Vanessa]

When Ricky came back last autumn/winter he was essentially playing a shadow of a character with effectively no personality and certainly no more chemistry with Medcalf’s Sam. (who’s obviously the superior version) than they had in 2002/2003. I think Berridge/the writers noticed that they had no chemistry and culled it, because it just wasn’t working. I don’t know why they felt the need to revisit it.


She was a joke in the last stint. I appreciate her essentially (albeit indirectly) getting rid of Mick (hated his character after 2014) but you can’t for all the money in the world convince me that Charlie Brooks wasn’t just in it for the money herself in 2021/’22. Her performances at the Christmas table were just pathetic and all that’s without even mentioning the way she essentially bullied Lola. It took Lexi (who’s horribly acted) screaming about her mum having cancer for Janine to drop it and shut her mouth.

But she was good in 2003. She was actually one of my favourites. So deliciously evil! :laugh:

[Redway]

But she was good in 2003. She was actually one of my favourites. So deliciously evil! :laugh:

Yup, I agree. Her 1999 to 2004 stints and 2010 (from the middle of that year anyway) to 2014 stints were brilliant (she wasn’t great in 2009).

[Swan]

This is starting to get really good now.

[Vanessa]

This is starting to get really good now.

Is Dennis there yet? I need to catch up.

[Swan]

Is Dennis there yet? I need to catch up.

Yeah he's turned up. He's already womanising, punched Phil, he's certainly made an entrance. Also Jack Dalton made his first appearance in today's episode. Phil goes to see him, and the ending is very interesting!

The summer is pretty much just beginning too, and with the new characters i think Redway is right, 2003 really becomes a good year.

[Vanessa]

Yeah he's turned up. He's already womanising, punched Phil, he's certainly made an entrance. Also Jack Dalton made his first appearance in today's episode. Phil goes to see him, and the ending is very interesting!

The summer is pretty much just beginning too, and with the new characters i think Redway is right, 2003 really becomes a good year.

Dennis one of my all time favourite characters.
Gorgeous too and he still is.
So good to have Nigel in Casualty, he still makes me weak at the knees :laugh:

[Redway]

Yeah he's turned up. He's already womanising, punched Phil, he's certainly made an entrance. Also Jack Dalton made his first appearance in today's episode. Phil goes to see him, and the ending is very interesting!

The summer is pretty much just beginning too, and with the new characters i think Redway is right, 2003 really becomes a good year.

Yeah, 2003 was a decent year. The summer of that year (after Dennis killed Jack Dalton and the Ferreiras became more prominent) and the Shirley/Gavin stuff weren't great but the rest of the year was very okay. I know everyone used to complain about Little Mo's second rape and to be fair Freddie could've easily been the result of natural conception with Billy but what's done is done now. I don't think there's anything from 2003 that hangs over the show negatively in the long-term. Robbie was a non-entity, Mark's story was told and Barry was a joke so those three characters getting the chop doesn't bother me whatsoever. The line about the slip-on shoes and the resolution to the whole thing (December 2005) alone made it a worthwhile storyline. And that's before even getting into Paul Trueman's involvement in it.

I genuinely don't get why a certain minority of people are so dismissive of 2003 and lump it in with 2004 (the more challenging part of the Berridge era, because of all sorts of off-screen problems) as a "bad" year. 2003 was a lot of things but bad isn't one of them. Puffs (and when I say that I don't mean with regard to sexuality per-se but just people who live up to a certain sensitive stereotype in that regard) don't like gangster stories but people like me do and so do many others (especially people from urban communities) so it is what it is.

[Swan]

Dennis one of my all time favourite characters.
Gorgeous too and he still is.
So good to have Nigel in Casualty, he still makes me weak at the knees :laugh:

Lol, well he's already been with Kat, and in today's episode he was snogging Sam :laugh:

I remember he eventually gets with Sharon, but i think that's a lot later on. Or does he get with Zoe before Sharon? I literally think he gets with every women in square. He flirted with Pauline when she first met him lol :joker:

[Swan]

Yeah, 2003 was a decent year. The summer of that year (after Dennis killed Jack Dalton and the Ferreiras became more prominent) and the Shirley/Gavin stuff weren't great but the rest of the year was very okay. I know everyone used to complain about Little Mo's second rape and to be fair Freddie could've easily been the result of natural conception with Billy but what's done is done now. I don't think there's anything from 2003 that hangs over the show negatively in the long-term. Robbie was a non-entity, Mark's story was told and Barry was a joke so those three characters getting the chop doesn't bother me whatsoever. The line about the slip-on shoes and the resolution to the whole thing (December 2005) alone made it a worthwhile storyline. And that's before even getting into Paul Trueman's involvement in it.

I genuinely don't get why a certain minority of people are so dismissive of 2003 and lump it in with 2004 (the more challenging part of the Berridge era, because of all sorts of off-screen problems) as a "bad" year. 2003 was a lot of things but bad isn't one of them. Puffs (and when I say that I don't mean with regard to sexuality per-se but just people who live up to a certain sensitive stereotype in that regard) don't like gangster stories but people like me do and so do many others (especially people from urban communities) so it is what it is.

I actually forgot about the Ferreria's tbh. I know they're up with the Di Marco's as most useless families. I actually didn't mind the Di Marco's though and i had a huge crush on Teresa Di Marco :smug:

I agree with Mark, they made him into such a gormless sap. Glad Lisa's main role is no longer, for now anyway. She always got on my nerves. As does Laura. Barry is a bore as the bumbling idiot. And Robbie's time was done, agree with that.

[Redway]

Lol, well he's already been with Kat, and in today's episode he was snogging Sam :laugh:

I remember he eventually gets with Sharon, but i think that's a lot later on. Or does he get with Zoe before Sharon? I literally think he gets with every women in square. He flirted with Pauline when she first met him lol :joker:

B.I.B. I: yeah. The whole Sharon/Dennis/Zoe thing dragged on for most of 2004 and it's not one of my favourite love-triangles (but no worse than Ronnie/Roxy/Jack was in 2009; it's just that that kind of repetitive storytelling was comparatively new for the show in 2004 so it stood out a bit more contextually as being a blight on the show) but it was what it was. I know a lot of people preferred Shannis free of baggage (Den. and Zoe) in '05 but ultimately they were a couple I could get behind at any point, any time. The way Dennis went out was tragic.

B.I.B. II: you what? Are you sure that wasn't Joanne the bunny-boiler nanny?

[Redway]

I actually forgot about the Ferreria's tbh. I know they're up with the Di Marco's as most useless families. I actually didn't mind the Di Marco's though and i had a huge crush on Teresa Di Marco :smug:

I agree with Mark, they made him into such a gormless sap. Glad Lisa's main role is no longer, for now anyway. She always got on my nerves. As does Laura. Barry is a bore as the bumbling idiot. And Robbie's time was done, agree with that.

The Ferreiras aren't a family I'd say I hate and some of their stuff was actually quite interesting but nah. They weren't for the long haul. The Masoods were an example of a much more successful Asian family (inasmuch as I don't like to compare, because the context is a bit different).

The Di Marcos were neither here nor there. Beppe was probably the most memorable family-member of that clan but he was still ... Beppe and besides being (I think) some sort of police-officer I don't remember him doing much of note besides getting in the way of Lynne and Gary. John Yorke was the one who got rid of him in the end anyway so luckily none of that family (not that they were so bad, but they still flopped) were a blight on the Berridge era.

It looks like you think Roy was pretty-much the only significant loss in that 2003 low-key exodus but I just can't bring myself to value what he actually brought to the show besides a bit of stability. It's not like he was always even that likeable as a character but because he had a quiet calm demeanour he got away with it and was assumed to just be a steady, sedate, boring kind of guy. He was actually distinctly unpleasant at times and I think people are quick to forget that. I don't think he stifled Pat. that much but he wasn't her finest partner and took up more space than he was entitled to after those first two years so he had to go.

[Swan]

B.I.B. II: you what? Are you sure that wasn't Joanne the bunny-boiler nanny?

Yeah, he was in a towel and said to Pauline with a cheeky grin "you don't look old enough to be a grandma" lol

The Ferreiras aren't a family I'd say I hate and some of their stuff was actually quite interesting but nah. They weren't for the long haul. The Masoods were an example of a much more successful Asian family (inasmuch as I don't like to compare, because the context is a bit different).

The Di Marcos were neither here nor there. Beppe was probably the most memorable family-member of that clan but he was still ... Beppe and besides being (I think) some sort of police-officer I don't remember him doing much of note besides getting in the way of Lynne and Gary. John Yorke was the one who got rid of him in the end anyway so luckily none of that family (not that they were so bad, but they still flopped) were a blight on the Berridge era.

It looks like you think Roy was pretty-much the only significant loss in that 2003 low-key exodus but I just can't bring myself to value what he actually brought to the show besides a bit of stability. It's not like he was always even that likeable as a character but because he had a quiet calm demeanour he got away with it and was assumed to just be a steady, sedate, boring kind of guy. He was actually distinctly unpleasant at times and I think people are quick to forget that. I don't think he stifled Pat. that much but he wasn't her finest partner and took up more space than he was entitled to after those first two years so he had to go.

I know Roy was a bore at times, but i dunno, i had soft spot for him. I do think stability is needed, which he gave. I know he was no great loss, but i was sad to see him go.

My memory of say 2001 onwards is hazy, so a lot of what is happening im like "oh yeah, i kinda remember that" and some things i just plain didn't see back in the day.

Kate, no i remember her, because i had such a crush on her. I know she's a pretty interesting character.

[Redway]

Yeah, he was in a towel and said to Pauline with a cheeky grin "you don't look old enough to be a grandma" lol



I know Roy was a bore at times, but i dunno, i had soft spot for him. I do think stability is needed, which he gave. I know he was no great loss, but i was sad to see him go.

My memory of say 2001 onwards is hazy, so a lot of what is happening im like "oh yeah, i kinda remember that" and some things i just plain didn't see back in the day.

Kate, no i remember her, because i had such a crush on her. I know she's a pretty interesting character.

Wendy Richard(s) was a stunner back in the day, to be fair. I think she was known in certain circles on the telly for her glamour in the '70s.

[Vanessa]

Catching up on classic EastEnders. Dennis. Love him!

[Swan]

Catching up on classic EastEnders. Dennis. Love him!

The Nanny he's seeing is gorgeous.

The Irish accent on a woman has me weak at the knees lol

[Swan]

Are you caught up yet Vanessa?

[Redway]

The Nanny he's seeing is gorgeous.

The Irish accent on a woman has me weak at the knees lol

Ah, Joanne. I loved her.

[Vanessa]

Are you caught up yet Vanessa?

Yes, only one episode left.

[Swan]

Ah, Joanne. I loved her.

Yeah she's lovely, and very pretty. The blokes treat her like crap, especially Phil.

Yes, only one episode left.

Dennis is starting to fancy Sharon, i was wondering when they would get started.

[Vanessa]

Catching up on classic EastEnders.
Really liking Dennis.
The Ferreira's have just moved in.

[Redway]

The Ferreiras were far from the best family but I didn’t hate them. But they weren’t one of the high points of the Louise Berridge era.

[Swan]

Every time i see Tariq all the i see is the "gary" guy from Only Fools :laugh:

[Vanessa]

Alfie trying to find a condom. Loved Kat and Alfie, they were brilliant together :joker:

[Vanessa]

Always loved Kat and Alfie. The chemistry was always there. They belong toggle, even now..

[Vanessa]

Watches classic EastEnders. Swooning over Dennis :blush:

[Swan]

I tell you who i really don't like as a character, Lisa. She's always been so annoying, and now she's back she's even more so.

[Redway]

I tell you who i really don't like as a character, Lisa. She's always been so annoying, and now she's back she's even more so.

To be fair, Lisa only pops up once every couple of years now. She’s not really “back” like that. She’s just a blast from the past who’s sorta remained recurring.

[Vanessa]

Kat and Alfie, one of my all time favourite couples on the show ♥️

[Redway]

And 2003 is one of my all-time favourite years. I know we’ll never forget Shirley/Gavin/the poor cat and the beginning of the Ferreira nonsense (not that I hated that family, but Tariq and the kidney palaver really was a confused nadir) but Louise Berridge had a knack for creating amazing characters and the good stories this year were exceptional. 2004 was very on-and-off but it started and finished very strong.

[Vanessa]

And 2003 is one of my all-time favourite years. I know we’ll never forget Shirley/Gavin/the poor cat and the beginning of the Ferreira nonsense (not that I hated that family, but Tariq and the kidney palaver really was a confused nadir) but Louise Berridge had a knack for creating amazing characters and the good stories this year were exceptional. 2004 was very on-and-off but it started and finished very strong.
Yes, it was a great year.
With Ian and Cindy return it feels like more like classic EastEnders again.
I'm loving it!

[Redway]

Yes, it was a great year.
With Ian and Cindy return it feels like more like classic EastEnders again.
I'm loving it!

Mhm-hm. Definitely the best it’s been since at least 2014 (2010 was the last properly decent year they had before that). 2019 was okay but there was a lot wrong with Oates’ EastEnders still. I think it’s the fact that it came just before the pandemic and was the last time the show was settled again before this time last year that makes it look better to some people than it actually was. Some people have a very rose-tinted perspective on what things were like in those three or four years before Covid. The summer of 2016 might’ve been a flex for some people but EastEnders was going through one of the worst phases in the show’s history back then. Brexit wasn’t great either. 2012, 2013 and and 2017 - 2021 (minus 2019, I guess) was probably the show’s lowest hour. Those years were absolutely terrible.

[Vanessa]

Mhm-hm. Definitely the best it’s been since at least 2014 (2010 was the last properly decent year they had before that). 2019 was okay but there was a lot wrong with Oates’ EastEnders still. I think it’s the fact that it came just before the pandemic and was the last time the show was settled again before this time last year that makes it look better to some people than it actually was.

I like the new producer, the best since Kate Oates. And he's bringing a lot of favorites back.

[Redway]

I like the new producer, the best since Kate Oates. And he's bringing a lot of favorites back.

Yeah, Clenshaw’s alright. I was a bit sceptical at first and there are still one or two stories not hitting the mark (Stacey/Theo and everyone around Theo acting like totally oblivious idiots to facilitate it being a prime example) but his passion for the show can’t be denied.

[Swan]

I think Drama skipped an episode today, i imagine it's to do with little Mo being raped. I understand that, but just cut it out, no need not to air the whole episode. They've done this with loads of episodes, it's annoying.

[Redway]

I think Drama skipped an episode today, i imagine it's to do with little Mo being raped. I understand that, but just cut it out, no need not to air the whole episode. They've done this with loads of episodes, it's annoying.

Think it’s airing on Drama at around 01.45 this morning (something like that). I think they felt like it was a bit too dark to go out at the normal pre-watershed time but it ain’t been dropped altogether.

[Swan]

Think it’s airing on Drama at around 01.45 this morning (something like that). I think they felt like it was a bit too dark to go out at the normal pre-watershed time but it ain’t been dropped altogether.

You're right, thanks for that!

[Vanessa]

Catching up on classic EastEnders. It's so good!

[Swan]

Catching up on classic EastEnders. It's so good!

Yeah i need to catch up on this, where are you at in the show Vanessa?

[Vanessa]

Yeah i need to catch up on this, where are you at in the show Vanessa?

The police just questioned Janine over Barry's death. But she's way ahead of them.

[Swan]

The police just questioned Janine over Barry's death. But she's way ahead of them.

Ah yeah, i watched that one the other day. i think im about 4 episodes behind atm.

[Vanessa]

Omg Dirty Den is back!

[Vanessa]

Dennis vs Den. That was brilliant.
Nigel was so good on EastEnders.
I loved Dennis Rickman :love:

[Swan]

Sonia really gets on my nerves.

[Vanessa]

Too much Sonia. Brink back Dennis :fist:

[Swan]

Big Mo and Mickey crack me up :laugh:

[Vanessa]

Omg Dirty Den just set Phil up. That was brilliant!
These two are fantastic!

[Swan]

15 year old Stacy Slater has just turned up in Classic Eastenders. Little Mo's rape trial just done too.

[Redway]

I’m kind of glad the over-criticism of 2004 hasn’t quite withstood the scrutiny of time. I always thought it was at least alright but it and Louise Berridge have been known to get a lot of unfair flack. There’s a lot of golden moments this year, excellent new arrivals (including a much grittier Jean) and it’s mostly decent when it’s not focused on the Ferreiras or Den/Kate (good characters but the affair was a bad story, minus the Chrissie/Kate catfight/hair-clipping). It’s mostly good in the first and last few months of the year.

Early Jean was a revelation. I won’t say she doesn’t have her own nicely niche personality now (or at any other point since she became a regular character) or that she isn’t on the whole an honest reflection of bipolar disorder there’s a certain gritty rawness about Jean in her earlier appearances that we haven’t seen as much of since (minus 2009 when she was nursing Stacey when she started showing symptoms). Obviously she was unwell but 2004-05 Jean is a billion miles away from the ditzy grandma or sausage-surprise nut we have now. That version of Jean lines up more with how Jean was in Stacey and Sean’s childhood. I feel like that grittier essence of Jean (bipolar or no bipolar) has been lost over the years. And the Stacey/Jean week in Dec. ’05 (also the week Frank returned for Janine’s trial and Chrissie decided to plead guilty) is beyond-doubt one of the best single weeks in the history of the show. A little underrated (especially next to the likes of Kat/Zoe you ain’t my mother) but pure gold.

By the way, anyone else love stalker Sarah?

[Swan]

Yeah i didn't actually mind that stalker Sarah. And Jane has pretty much established herself as a main character now, her and Ian are getting closer. She's soo much better than the awful Laura. A much better actress too.

[Redway]

Ugh. 2005. What a glorious year.

[Redway]

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

[Kate!]

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

Belting episode

[Vanessa]

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

Ooooh I need to catch up!

[Redway]

Ooooh I need to catch up!

This is the point where 2005 really steps up, you know, 'ness. You might want to just jump in from here and carry on as it goes from Shannis' wedding-day.

[GoldHeart]

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

That actress was a much better performer than Westbrook, it's a shame they ditched her. I haven't seen Medcalf in anything else since her EE days .

[Redway]

That actress was a much better performer than Westbrook, it's a shame they ditched her. I haven't seen Medcalf in anything else since her EE days .

This version of Sam (Medcalf) had actually been in it off-and-on over the past 2 years, to be fair. But Westbrook and Medcalf’s versions of the characters were indefinitely abridged so Sam’s characterisation was never allowed to advance in the way that it was in her 2002-05 journey. That Sam left with Johnny Allen’s threats and basically hasn’t been back, not fully.

[GoldHeart]

This version of Sam (Medcalf) had actually been in it off-and-on over the past 2 years, to be fair. But Westbrook and Medcalf’s versions of the characters were indefinitely abridged so Sam’s characterisation was never allowed to advance in the way that it was in her 2002-05 journey. That Sam left with Johnny Allen’s threats and basically hasn’t been back, not fully.

Yeah but remember in the Archie era when
Peggy tried to bail Sam out the prison...and Westbrook was crying with zero tears when the police caught her. It felt so amateurish.

I know Westbrook has had personal issues & health problems,but I never use to rate her much as an actress.

I always felt like Kim Metcalf was much better, and I was never a Sam fan ...but Kim acted it perfectly especially when she went crazy and dug Den's body up lmao ...that was the highlight.

[Redway]

Belting episode
Belting upon belting, innit, Kate. Everything just fell into place perfectly.
Yeah but remember in the Archie era when
Peggy tried to bail Sam out the prison...and Westbrook was crying with zero tears when the police caught her. It felt so amateurish.

I know Westbrook has had personal issues & health problems,but I never use to rate her much as an actress.

I always felt like Kim Metcalf was much better, and I was never a Sam fan ...but Kim acted it perfectly especially when she went crazy and dug Den's body up lmao ...that was the highlight.

Medcalf is a much better actor than Westbrook (no shade to Westbrook personally); there is no doubt about that. 2009/early 2010 Sam (during this Archie stuff you speak of, and before that the Bianca/Ricky triangle) was utterly diabolical in particular. Ditto for circa Peggy’s funeral. She was okay when she returned later in 2010 and gave birth to Ricky.

[Redway]

Also. This was during the era that Corrie was falling further and further into silly comedy and pointless actual tangible stories that went nowhere when they did happen, so comparatively (not that comparisons always hold the most weight) EastEnders was the best soap of 2005 by all accounts. Emmerdale may have been good, but outside of clash/head-to-head episodes they never damaged EastEnders’ brand at any point in the noughties as much as they would’ve liked to. And at this point it was very-much just a farm soap with occasional plane crashes to get the masses tuning in in the absence of any actual grit. EastEnders has always been more cutting-edge in its portrayal of drama and issues, and it was on-point this year. Corrie went off the boil after May/June 2005 so you weren’t really looking at ITV to provide the comparative quality this year.

[GoldHeart]

Also. This was during the era that Corrie was falling further and further into silly comedy and pointless actual tangible stories that went nowhere when they did happen, so comparatively (not that comparisons always hold the most weight) EastEnders was the best soap of 2005 by all accounts. Emmerdale may have been good, but outside of clash/head-to-head episodes they never damaged EastEnders’ brand at any point in the noughties as much as they would’ve liked to. And at this point it was very-much just a farm soap with occasional plane crashes to get the masses tuning in in the absence of any actual grit. EastEnders has always been more cutting-edge in its portrayal of drama and issues, and it was on-point this year. Corrie went off the boil after May/June 2005 so you weren’t really looking at ITV to provide the comparative quality this year.

I think all soaps are guilty of the silly & ridiculous storylines,but I definitely prefer the classic episodes. I haven't watched a soap since 2010.

I didn't like the EE era 2007 upwards.

Yeah didn't a strange stalker character hold Norris hostage or something and then they became friends :joker:, and there was Rosie getting kidnapped aswell by
that teacher she had an affair with.

[Swan]

Ok yeah, my guilty pleasure is Classic Eastenders, and today's episodes were indeed brilliant....

Detective - "we've found a dead body"
Sharon - "but it's my wedding day"

Epic :joker:

Also Sharon fainting. Everyone was on form for this episode.

[Redway]

Sharon being annoying throughout the summer of ’05 and badgering Sam and Chrissie for information about Den’s last words and whereabouts all pays off in this episode. Just the look on her face when he’s unburied and the faint. The camp of it all. The fact that this time around she was right all-along but not in the way she was bargaining for. The fact that we’re a week away from her throwing a vodka-tonic in Peggy’s face still. Chai.

[Mystic Mock]

Ok yeah, my guilty pleasure is Classic Eastenders, and today's episodes were indeed brilliant....

Detective - "we've found a dead body"
Sharon - "but it's my wedding day"

Epic :joker:

Also Sharon fainting. Everyone was on form for this episode.

Omg.:joker:

I'm not normally a Soap person, but I am considering seeing if Footballer's Wives is any good or not, the trailer that ITVX showed of it looks exactly like it's as car crash as the BIB from Sharon.:joker:

[Vanessa]

Omg.:joker:

I'm not normally a Soap person, but I am considering seeing if Footballer's Wives is any good or not, the trailer that ITVX showed of it looks exactly like it's as car crash as the BIB from Sharon.:joker:

I loved it. Definitely worth a watch.

[GoldHeart]

Omg.:joker:

I'm not normally a Soap person, but I am considering seeing if Footballer's Wives is any good or not, the trailer that ITVX showed of it looks exactly like it's as car crash as the BIB from Sharon.:joker:

You should watch footballer's wives it's a bit like a sweary campy 80's drama.....( despite being made in the 00s) .There's alot of weird stuff ,but it had me laughing aswell in parts ,the dialogue and theatrics alone is
comical. I hated how they ended it though, it got axed so it ended on a silly cliffhanger.

[Redway]

Okayyy. The episode where Sam gets arrested for doing the dirty with … Dirty Den’s body got this in the overnight ratings: 10.15 million (53.4%). Standard for the time but belting share for August.

[Mystic Mock]

You should watch footballer's wives it's a bit like a sweary campy 80's drama.....( despite being made in the 00s) .There's alot of weird stuff ,but it had me laughing aswell in parts ,the dialogue and theatrics alone is
comical. I hated how they ended it though, it got axed so it ended on a silly cliffhanger.

When I'm in the mood, I'll take a chance on it.

After all it can't do worse than most of the Video Games that I've been playing recently.:joker:

[Redway]

Ray Brooks (Joe Macer’s actor) has passed away. Not the best character but R.I.P. to the guy himself, sure.