[Tom4784]

I think it's shocking how much everyone rags on it really, the only fair point they have is that the acting's a bit spotty with some actors but when you think that most of these actors are young and it's ussually one of their first jobs. Nobody perfects their craft when they begin, Hollyoaks is like a training ground really and generally everyone improves as they go on.

anyway reasons why it's better then most people think.

1. They aren't afraid to try new things
Compared to other soaps I like how Hollyoaks is always trying new things and using new methods to tell stories. Recent examples include Newt's Schizophrenia which we see from his point of view, we see his hallucinations which is never really done in other soaps doing similar stories. Other good examples include the Non linear week where Gaz got attacked.

2. The pacing is much better then other soaps
There's always an interesting storyline in hollyoaks and in most cases no storylines drag which is a problem other soaps have. When there is a long storyline (Such as the Niall storyline) there's ussually a good pay off for it (The showdown with the McQueens in the church). Which puts stories such as Eastenders' 'Danielle' storyline to shame.

3. They aren't afraid to break Soap conventions
This is kinda similar to the first point but oh well. I like How Hollyoaks uses Incidental music, montages and metaphors to portray character's feelings and such. It's not done much in other soaps and it's quite interesting. I also think the 'Later' Spin off shows tend to be quite good.

4. The cast is more diverse then any other soap
I really like the characters and I like how they aren't afraid of bringing in characters that other soaps might not have.

5. It's critically acclaimed
Whether you like it or not, critically it's very successful. I think it was last year when it basically stormed the critic's choice categories at the soap awards. I think the only reason it doesn't win many viewer's choice awards is because Eastenders and Corrie have bigger audiences.