So apparently they’re killing off

Gavin Sullivan

off screen. I approve of this.

Oops I thought he died already, shows how much of an impact his non-story had.

 

Another really strong episode tonight, that scene with Denise and Lucas in his flat was intense! Eager to see tomorrow now.

 

Also LIVING for Mick and Linda throwing around a few words so Phil and Sharon are quaking about Tina just like that.

I actually thought the Lucas and Denise scene was slightly let down but the effects, which seems to be a common problem these days. I don’t really need all these effects and techniques to tell me how to feel during scenes like that when you’ve got two highly competent actors that can do it on their own.

So apparently they’re killing off

Gavin Sullivan

off screen. I approve of this.

 

Photos indicate that Kathy does NOT wear her stylish funeral hat but Sharon DOES bring back the beret.

Big Mo

has been axed.

Sad news :( an extremely underused character. I know she has mainly been there to provide comedy relief, but when given the right stuff she shines.

You kind of feel why? She does what she’s there for. I won’t miss her hugely but I don’t really see the need to get rid.

 

I think there’s clearly some budget restraints right now.

I read she had quit?? This is AWFUL. They WILL kill her off, and she is the heart of EE!! This is Pat all over again.

Omg she has never been the heart of EE!

Is she or is she not the heart of the Slaters AND of the show's comedy?! That makes her the true heart of the show.

The true heart of the show :rofl:

 

She's always been a background, comedy character :')

She’s sidelined completely amongst the Slaters who are pretty sidelined in general. I mean, what happened to Jean’s storyline?

They are the backbone of that show. It'a not mt fault the hack producers don't see it.

The Slaters are all over the place for a while now, and with Stacey leaving again they will be sidelined further, im sure Jeans storyline has to be revisited soon, i do think they need to build the Slaters up again as a family, Belinda as a character always had way more potential i thought, bring her back, even as a recast and maybe the same with Lynn, i cant see Little Mo returning, im sure Jean also has some more brothers or sisters, nieces/nephews they could introduce.

The Slaters are, quite frankly, a mess right now which makes me wonder why bother getting rid of Mo. Every woman in that household is a legend but under-utilised. Lacey has just given birth again so Stacey will be off again soon but both she and Kat are underused and basically have too many young children between them. The Kat and Kush pairing was ok but naff and I couldn’t take her seriously the other week when she got all emotional about everything. Stacey/Martin/Ruby is exhausting and not doing favours for any of the characters involved. Stacey’s last exit was so appalling I’m almost dreading what they come up with this time. Jean is the only constant good thing coming out of the family right now but even though she’s got one of the most interesting storylines on the go, she disappears for episodes at a time so it’s easy to forget.

 

I can’t help but wonder why they never gave Kat and Alfie some offscreen kids between 2005 and 2010. They’d be teenagers now and giving Kat some proper material. I also wonder this about Martin and Sonia from when they were offscreen. Sonia’s 35 and her parenting days are truly behind her and she never even seems interested in finding a new man or woman even if she doesn’t want more kids.

I think Mo being axed highlights the difference between EastEnders and Corrie really - some Corrie characters are there more for comedy purposes than dramatic storylines and Mo would fit that bill as far as the Slaters go. She's not the most essential character going but I enjoy her scenes and she brings a ray of light into a show that's often very doom and gloom.

 

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head with your Slater analysis, T Boy! Underused and too many kids is spot on and it's a huge waste, particularly, of Jessie and Lacey's talent. Jean gets good storylines but I'd honestly have completely forgotten her current storyline if it weren't for this forum, the long gaps between her appearances are truly baffling?

 

I'm not really sure what went SO wrong for this show but beyond the occasional episode, I'm finding it a tough watch these days. The Fox / Trueman clan are by far the most watchable (minus Isaac who serves no purpose beyond bringing the mood down) and, credit where it's due, the Mick storyline has really improved since the affair ended and Frankie was brought back in. It's felt a lot more real and the sensationalism has gone. That aside, all I'm seeing are good characters getting no storylines and legends being handed the most ridiculous, unbelievable material.

NANCY!!!

is coming back - really happy about that one!!

And just like that, Mo was great today, in her element. I do think they must be seriously tightening their belts at the moment.

 

Abi Junior is awesome but I guess she may leave soon too? Abi the first should never have been killed off.

NANCY!!!

is coming back - really happy about that one!!

I bet

Tamwar

gets killed off though.

I think Eastenders need to hold onto their older cast members as they have very few elderly characters which for me was something they used to do very well years ago. I really dont think Jon Sen is the right person for the exec job as so many characters are under utilized. I understand Covid is casuing issues where they have to limit people on set etc but this was an issue before covid. The recent Ian and Sharon storyline was just a mess and by the looks of things, Max who was a brilliant character for many years is getting a wet blanket exit. The Ruby, Martin and Stacey storyline is also a wet blanket, im assuming the plan was it would lead to Martin and Stacey getting back together but Laceys pregnancy has thrown that so how they are going to go with it now is hard to call.

 

The Denise and Lucas stuff is very good and the recent mick storyline was also really good although i really wish they left out the max and linda affair, Chantelles exit is still a bugbear as it remains terrible and no one seems to barely even miss her.