DA
Oh yeah, I forgot. Tonight was good, but TBH, the plot did have a few holes. I'm not saying it was great, definitely the best episode I've seen in a long time, but that just goes to show how logically he couldn't have come back to life and yet he did, just to shock the viewer. I also have to laugh at how the episode isn't even Pick of the Day on the BBC Website, even though they have a massive picture of it on the homepage.
Antz posted:
To be honest with you, when he came alive I thought Chrissie was dreaming because Den had his pulse taken and he was apparently dead!
Oh yeah, I forgot. Tonight was good, but TBH, the plot did have a few holes. I'm not saying it was great, definitely the best episode I've seen in a long time, but that just goes to show how logically he couldn't have come back to life and yet he did, just to shock the viewer. I also have to laugh at how the episode isn't even Pick of the Day on the BBC Website, even though they have a massive picture of it on the homepage.
CO
What an episode!
A truly amazing hour-long special and it certainly gave EE the 20th anniversary episode it deserved!
Andy's death was quite shocking. The twist for me was when that Eddie guy turned against him and basically handed him over to Johnny. I love Johnny Allen - now that Andy's gone, he is now officially Walford's new big man and he deserves it because he is a great actor and for once a convincing gangster. When Johnny pushed him over - i was shocked but cheered him on because Andy was just pure evil, come on he even attacked Nana Moon and threatened Pat. Good riddance!
Den's demise was the best! Den (Leslie Grantham), Chrissie (Tracy-Ann Oberman), and Zoe (Michelle Ryan) 's acting was superb, they were all really convincing, though, in my opinion, Sam was quite disappointing - she just stood there and did nothing! Me and my mates were cheering Chrissie on when she was giving it to Den, he deserved it! I knew Sharon was coming back but still it was a shock. I loved how they had her coming out the shadows...for a minute I thought it was Angie back from the dead, lol!
But when Sharon heard all she had to hear and said what she did to Den, that's when I knew Den was going to REALLY loose it. He basically went psychotic. The fight scene in the Vic was quite scary but I was shocked that both Zoe and Chrissie were responsible for his death. There's no way back for Den now!
EastEnders, after tonight's episode, has now opened up more storylines. Because Sam was the only one to see what Chrissie did (& when Den wasn't really dead, I jumped) she will now blackmail, I think, Chrissie for the Vic back and this could tie in with the return of Peggy. There will also be problems with Jake and Danny, after recent events. And Zoe's world is going to come crashing down.
However, well done EastEnders - a great ep and Happy 20th Birthday! Now that Andy and Den are gone, you can concentrate on bringing the soap back to the topspot where it belongs...
roll on the departure of the Ferreiras
and roll on the arrivals/returns of Dennis, Sharon, Kat, Peggy and Phil! I can't wait to meet Johnny Allen's daughter and girlfriend, and I do hope that Grant & Kathy will come back.
CONGRATS EE!
1985 - ????
A truly amazing hour-long special and it certainly gave EE the 20th anniversary episode it deserved!
Andy's death was quite shocking. The twist for me was when that Eddie guy turned against him and basically handed him over to Johnny. I love Johnny Allen - now that Andy's gone, he is now officially Walford's new big man and he deserves it because he is a great actor and for once a convincing gangster. When Johnny pushed him over - i was shocked but cheered him on because Andy was just pure evil, come on he even attacked Nana Moon and threatened Pat. Good riddance!
Den's demise was the best! Den (Leslie Grantham), Chrissie (Tracy-Ann Oberman), and Zoe (Michelle Ryan) 's acting was superb, they were all really convincing, though, in my opinion, Sam was quite disappointing - she just stood there and did nothing! Me and my mates were cheering Chrissie on when she was giving it to Den, he deserved it! I knew Sharon was coming back but still it was a shock. I loved how they had her coming out the shadows...for a minute I thought it was Angie back from the dead, lol!
But when Sharon heard all she had to hear and said what she did to Den, that's when I knew Den was going to REALLY loose it. He basically went psychotic. The fight scene in the Vic was quite scary but I was shocked that both Zoe and Chrissie were responsible for his death. There's no way back for Den now!
EastEnders, after tonight's episode, has now opened up more storylines. Because Sam was the only one to see what Chrissie did (& when Den wasn't really dead, I jumped) she will now blackmail, I think, Chrissie for the Vic back and this could tie in with the return of Peggy. There will also be problems with Jake and Danny, after recent events. And Zoe's world is going to come crashing down.
However, well done EastEnders - a great ep and Happy 20th Birthday! Now that Andy and Den are gone, you can concentrate on bringing the soap back to the topspot where it belongs...
roll on the departure of the Ferreiras
and roll on the arrivals/returns of Dennis, Sharon, Kat, Peggy and Phil! I can't wait to meet Johnny Allen's daughter and girlfriend, and I do hope that Grant & Kathy will come back.
CONGRATS EE!
1985 - ????
BR
I watched tonight for the first time since the Autumn- and if this is the best episode in recent times I obviously haven't missed alot in the last few months!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become - and I doubt many tuning in tonight to give EastEnders a second chance will be returning to see how the story plays out.
The most obvious thing is the number of characters who have outstayed there welcome - Ian, Pauline and Pat without a question - and the likes of Alfie Moon introduced only a couple of years ago are now very weak characters.
The second is how the show has failed to move on - it lives in it's own little world with Den returning to run the Queen Vic and the Cafe being renamed "Kathy's" again! EastEnders cannot move forward if it keeps relying on the past!
The way EastEnders refer to the past is also poorly written - they tend to force it down your throat rather than drop it in subtley, ideally illustrated in Ian's discussion with Alfie about the people who "lord" it over the square.
Corrie do this in a much better way, as illustrated superbly by the Norris / Emily "sticky pages" incident a couple of weeks ago. It took an aspect of the show that older viewers would remember - but didn't give a blow by blow account for younger folk like me who didn't have a clue what had happened!
As for the bad guys - they are in my mind what's ruined the show. Getting rid of Andy Hunter was a smart move - but replacing him with another gangster wasn't. Coronation Streets Charlie is far more menacing than all of EastEnders so called "bad boys" put together!
It doesn't help also that in Albert Square no one bats an eyelid at the dodgy dealings of the grown up gangsters - but theres a public lynching if a kid nicks a bunch of bananas from the fruit and veg stall!
And finally on to tonight's main plot. It's a shame that the plot was revealed before broadcast (but all soaps are guilty of this) - they didn't need to say that Den or Andy got killed. They nearly got away with the return of Sharron - but it was a bit pointless!
As for the killing of Dirty Den - it seems it'll be a case of making a murder out of an act of defense.
Having not watched EastEnders for months I expected to see signs of improvement in tonight's episode. To be fair there was a bit more humour in the show - but it couldn't disguise how bad this show has become!
I think EastEnders itself has had too many chances and after over two years the excuse the all soaps go through bad patches doesn't wash.
IMO the show is really beyond saving - it's had it's chance. It's now time for the BBC to take a new direction and commission a series of pre-watershed extended drama series covering different genres, not rely on one soap trying and failing to cater for all!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become - and I doubt many tuning in tonight to give EastEnders a second chance will be returning to see how the story plays out.
The most obvious thing is the number of characters who have outstayed there welcome - Ian, Pauline and Pat without a question - and the likes of Alfie Moon introduced only a couple of years ago are now very weak characters.
The second is how the show has failed to move on - it lives in it's own little world with Den returning to run the Queen Vic and the Cafe being renamed "Kathy's" again! EastEnders cannot move forward if it keeps relying on the past!
The way EastEnders refer to the past is also poorly written - they tend to force it down your throat rather than drop it in subtley, ideally illustrated in Ian's discussion with Alfie about the people who "lord" it over the square.
Corrie do this in a much better way, as illustrated superbly by the Norris / Emily "sticky pages" incident a couple of weeks ago. It took an aspect of the show that older viewers would remember - but didn't give a blow by blow account for younger folk like me who didn't have a clue what had happened!
As for the bad guys - they are in my mind what's ruined the show. Getting rid of Andy Hunter was a smart move - but replacing him with another gangster wasn't. Coronation Streets Charlie is far more menacing than all of EastEnders so called "bad boys" put together!
It doesn't help also that in Albert Square no one bats an eyelid at the dodgy dealings of the grown up gangsters - but theres a public lynching if a kid nicks a bunch of bananas from the fruit and veg stall!
And finally on to tonight's main plot. It's a shame that the plot was revealed before broadcast (but all soaps are guilty of this) - they didn't need to say that Den or Andy got killed. They nearly got away with the return of Sharron - but it was a bit pointless!
As for the killing of Dirty Den - it seems it'll be a case of making a murder out of an act of defense.
Having not watched EastEnders for months I expected to see signs of improvement in tonight's episode. To be fair there was a bit more humour in the show - but it couldn't disguise how bad this show has become!
I think EastEnders itself has had too many chances and after over two years the excuse the all soaps go through bad patches doesn't wash.
IMO the show is really beyond saving - it's had it's chance. It's now time for the BBC to take a new direction and commission a series of pre-watershed extended drama series covering different genres, not rely on one soap trying and failing to cater for all!
RA
Oh yeah, I forgot. Tonight was good, but TBH, the plot did have a few holes. I'm not saying it was great, definitely the best episode I've seen in a long time, but that just goes to show how logically he couldn't have come back to life and yet he did, just to shock the viewer. I also have to laugh at how the episode isn't even Pick of the Day on the BBC Website, even though they have a massive picture of it on the homepage.
When Sam felt his pulse she may have done it wrong, that's the only explanation I can think of for that.
02cashindavid posted:
Antz posted:
To be honest with you, when he came alive I thought Chrissie was dreaming because Den had his pulse taken and he was apparently dead!
Oh yeah, I forgot. Tonight was good, but TBH, the plot did have a few holes. I'm not saying it was great, definitely the best episode I've seen in a long time, but that just goes to show how logically he couldn't have come back to life and yet he did, just to shock the viewer. I also have to laugh at how the episode isn't even Pick of the Day on the BBC Website, even though they have a massive picture of it on the homepage.
When Sam felt his pulse she may have done it wrong, that's the only explanation I can think of for that.
:-(
I agree with you 100% Brekkie Boy.
A former member
Brekkie Boy posted:
I watched tonight for the first time - and if this is the best episode in recent times I obviously haven't missed alot in the last few months!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become - and I doubt many tuning in tonight to give EastEnders a second chance will be returning to see how the story plays out.
The most obvious thing is the number of characters who have outstayed there welcome - Ian, Pauline and Pat without a question - and the likes of Alfie Moon introduced only a couple of years ago are now very weak characters.
The second is how the show has failed to move on - it lives in it's own little world with Den returning to run the Queen Vic and the Cafe being renamed "Kathy's" again! EastEnders cannot move forward if it keeps relying on the past!
The way EastEnders refer to the past is also poorly written - they tend to force it down your throat rather than drop it in subtley, ideally illustrated in Ian's discussion with Alfie about the people who "lord" it over the square.
Corrie do this in a much better way, as illustrated superbly by the Norris / Emily "sticky pages" incident a couple of weeks ago. It took an aspect of the show that older viewers would remember - but didn't give a blow by blow account for younger folk like me who didn't have a clue what had happened!
As for the bad guys - they are in my mind what's ruined the show. Getting rid of Andy Hunter was a smart move - but replacing him with another gangster wasn't. Coronation Streets Charlie is far more menacing than all of EastEnders so called "bad boys" put together!
It doesn't help also that in Albert Square no one bats an eyelid at the dodgy dealings of the grown up gangsters - but theres a public lynching if a kid nicks a bunch of bananas from the fruit and veg stall!
And finally on to tonight's main plot. It's a shame that the plot was revealed before broadcast (but all soaps are guilty of this) - they didn't need to say that Den or Andy got killed. They nearly got away with the return of Sharron - but it was a bit pointless!
As for the killing of Dirty Den - it seems it'll be a case of making a murder out of an act of defense.
Having not watch EastEnders for months I expected to see signs of improvement in tonight's episode. To be fair there was a bit more humour in the show - but it couldn't disguise how bad this show has become!
I think EastEnders itself has had too many chances and after over two years the excuse the all soaps go through bad patches doesn't wash.
IMO the show is really beyond saving - it's had it's chance. It's now time for the BBC to take a new direction and commission a series of pre-watershed extended drama series covering different genres, not rely on one soap trying and failing to cater for all!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become - and I doubt many tuning in tonight to give EastEnders a second chance will be returning to see how the story plays out.
The most obvious thing is the number of characters who have outstayed there welcome - Ian, Pauline and Pat without a question - and the likes of Alfie Moon introduced only a couple of years ago are now very weak characters.
The second is how the show has failed to move on - it lives in it's own little world with Den returning to run the Queen Vic and the Cafe being renamed "Kathy's" again! EastEnders cannot move forward if it keeps relying on the past!
The way EastEnders refer to the past is also poorly written - they tend to force it down your throat rather than drop it in subtley, ideally illustrated in Ian's discussion with Alfie about the people who "lord" it over the square.
Corrie do this in a much better way, as illustrated superbly by the Norris / Emily "sticky pages" incident a couple of weeks ago. It took an aspect of the show that older viewers would remember - but didn't give a blow by blow account for younger folk like me who didn't have a clue what had happened!
As for the bad guys - they are in my mind what's ruined the show. Getting rid of Andy Hunter was a smart move - but replacing him with another gangster wasn't. Coronation Streets Charlie is far more menacing than all of EastEnders so called "bad boys" put together!
It doesn't help also that in Albert Square no one bats an eyelid at the dodgy dealings of the grown up gangsters - but theres a public lynching if a kid nicks a bunch of bananas from the fruit and veg stall!
And finally on to tonight's main plot. It's a shame that the plot was revealed before broadcast (but all soaps are guilty of this) - they didn't need to say that Den or Andy got killed. They nearly got away with the return of Sharron - but it was a bit pointless!
As for the killing of Dirty Den - it seems it'll be a case of making a murder out of an act of defense.
Having not watch EastEnders for months I expected to see signs of improvement in tonight's episode. To be fair there was a bit more humour in the show - but it couldn't disguise how bad this show has become!
I think EastEnders itself has had too many chances and after over two years the excuse the all soaps go through bad patches doesn't wash.
IMO the show is really beyond saving - it's had it's chance. It's now time for the BBC to take a new direction and commission a series of pre-watershed extended drama series covering different genres, not rely on one soap trying and failing to cater for all!
I agree with you 100% Brekkie Boy.
MO
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
Brekkie Boy posted:
I watched tonight for the first time - and if this is the best episode in recent times I obviously haven't missed alot in the last few months!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
DA
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
Well Done Moz!
Moz posted:
Brekkie Boy posted:
I watched tonight for the first time - and if this is the best episode in recent times I obviously haven't missed alot in the last few months!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
Well Done Moz!
NH
Nick Harvey
Founding member
Well, I've watched every episode since "Ullo Princess" and have to say that I found tonight mediocre in the extreme.
I think the original was far better, before the eighty-seven re-edits, or however many there were in the end.
Mr Yorke definitely has a job on his hands, bringing this one back from the dead.
It might well have got a viewer or three, mainly because Two only had sport, ITV had yet another 4:3 repeat of Frost, and Four and five had such memorable programmes that I've already forgotton what they were.
I predict an audience of less than half of tonight's on Monday, gradually reducing from there.
I think the original was far better, before the eighty-seven re-edits, or however many there were in the end.
Mr Yorke definitely has a job on his hands, bringing this one back from the dead.
It might well have got a viewer or three, mainly because Two only had sport, ITV had yet another 4:3 repeat of Frost, and Four and five had such memorable programmes that I've already forgotton what they were.
I predict an audience of less than half of tonight's on Monday, gradually reducing from there.
MD
I thought tonight's EastEnders was fantastic, the final bit when Den grabbed Chrissie's leg made me jump. Nice to see Shaz for all of five minutes too.
I would like to say one thing, if you like EastEnders and they do make attempts to improve it then watch it. If you don't like then don't watch it. I don't see the point of going on and on and on in various threads that the soap should be axed.
Each to his or her own, and for now I am staying with the soap. I used to be on an equal footing with both the soaps and I admit EastEnders has hit rock bottom a few times last year but in contrast Corrie is going in the other direction and going over the top. Exploding cornershops and the forthcoming plot when Katy kills her dad then herself, to me Granada are trying to hard but I'm not going to call for it to be axed. Yes someone should get a contract killing out on Charles Allen but that's another story.
All three soaps have one major flaw nowadays and that is the simple fact that they are on too many times.
I would like to say one thing, if you like EastEnders and they do make attempts to improve it then watch it. If you don't like then don't watch it. I don't see the point of going on and on and on in various threads that the soap should be axed.
Each to his or her own, and for now I am staying with the soap. I used to be on an equal footing with both the soaps and I admit EastEnders has hit rock bottom a few times last year but in contrast Corrie is going in the other direction and going over the top. Exploding cornershops and the forthcoming plot when Katy kills her dad then herself, to me Granada are trying to hard but I'm not going to call for it to be axed. Yes someone should get a contract killing out on Charles Allen but that's another story.
All three soaps have one major flaw nowadays and that is the simple fact that they are on too many times.
BR
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
A fair point to pick up on - and something I noticed was a mistake and has been corrected to "first time since the autumn" when I came to read the replies.
To add to my original post, although it was better the plot wasn't that the trio intended to kill Den, the idea of getting him to knowingly sign over everything was pretty weak - it was obvious that wasn't going to happen.
Moz posted:
Brekkie Boy posted:
I watched tonight for the first time - and if this is the best episode in recent times I obviously haven't missed alot in the last few months!
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
It was a fine example of how awful the show has become
You say you watched for the first time and then go on to say you haven't missed much in the last few months, and that the show has become awful. How do you know if you've NEVER watched?
A fair point to pick up on - and something I noticed was a mistake and has been corrected to "first time since the autumn" when I came to read the replies.
To add to my original post, although it was better the plot wasn't that the trio intended to kill Den, the idea of getting him to knowingly sign over everything was pretty weak - it was obvious that wasn't going to happen.
BE
I think it's safe to say that the BBC are
not
going to axe EastEnders in the near future - at least not whilst it's regularly getting them above 5 million in the ratings. Realistically it is one of the BBC's flagship programmes, and good ratings or not, it has a huge following. There would be a public outcry if it were to be axed, and I don't think the BBC would dare. I know it's been said before, but Coronation Street and Emmerdale have both been through their rough patches and lived to tell the tale - and in soap, a ratings plummet is not necessarily a bad thing. In this case I think it has definitely done a lot of good for EastEnders - not only giving it a load of publicity, but also forcing the BBC to sort it out and re-invigorate the soap. If it had really had its day, no one would be interested any more - which we all know is not the case at present.