[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Redway

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]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Redway

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]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

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]

Originally Posted by Swan

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]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

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

[Swan]

Sonia really gets on my nerves.

[Vanessa]

Too much Sonia. Brink back Dennis

[Swan]

Big Mo and Mickey crack me up

[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!]

Originally Posted by Redway

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

Belting episode

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Redway

Go Sam. (Unearthing Dirty Den.)

Ooooh I need to catch up!

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

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]

Originally Posted by Redway

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]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

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.