Spoiler for Freddie's first storyline:

He returns having grown up thinking Billy is his father. Will be interesting as Billy rejected him and Little Mo when he was born because he wasn't his

.

Sooo he's basically gonna end up being Billie's replacement for Lola?!

Ya it looks like that which isn't a good thing.

Talk about a blast from the past episode :lol: with the Mitchells, Glenda, Archie, Roxanne and Ronnie :lol:

Haven't watched for a while but I tuned in for that.

 

The casting was incredible as were the actors playing the parts of their current day counterparts; they have clearly studied the subtle mannerisms of the characters they were playing!

 

I enjoyed the episode, however I wish it was for a more engrossing storyline and not about a random policewoman's(?) vendetta. Is Keeble a key enough character to warrant such a deep backstory and unique episode - I'm not sure as I haven't watched properly in a while.

 

Overall, great concept, executed brilliantly, but a limp plot to go with it. I want to get back into EE but the storylines have to be stronger.

The standout casting choice for me was the actor who took on the younger Phil role! There was a line during the fight with his dad that sounded exactly like Steve McFadden, if I closed my eyes I would've believed it was him. The mannerisms were on point too, as touched upon by Bal above.

 

I hadn't watched EE since the Christmas period (as per usual) but I was intrigued by this flashback episode after seeing the trailer and wondered where the show was at, so I checked out an episode on iPlayer and that ended up becoming a binge, during my first mega lazy weekend in ages :lol: I'm usually quite quick to give up after Christmas, as the show hasn't built upon that festive momentum effectively enough for me in recent years. Plus I haven't watched regularly since 2015, so it could be quite hard to follow when jumping back in randomly. But I'm slowly filling in gaps after watching these episodes back-to-back and Google has been handy for the family trees and relationships nowadays. I'll aim to continue catching up and then try and watch regularly in real-time again!

Very good casting all round-particularly Phil! Somehow even the young Ronnie and Keeble also seemed very convincing as their characters despite their young ages.

 

I’m just not sure it fits though. I pointed out earlier how it’s odd that Keeble had this never before mentioned vendetta despite her featuring heavily in 2008 and 2014-16. I do love her screen presence though.

Keeble having a personal vendetta against the Mitchells does feel a bit forced, I don't feel there was any evidence of that coming across in the past. It was always Marsden who had a vendetta against Phil.

 

Regardless of that though I really enjoyed the flashback episode, the casting was good for all the characters, especially Phil as others have pointed out and it was an enjoyable watch. Other than the Keeble angle I think they did pretty well staying consistent with what we know about the Mitchell family history.

I'm wondering if it is a Mitchell vendetta or really she's just following a line of enquiry which has led her to them hence why it hasn't been brought up until now? The police would've been aware what Eric was doing in the 70s and 80s but perhaps have never had enough to pin the crimes to the Mitchell family. Someone would've put Billy in the frame for being there that day, but I can't see Phil ratting him out and that was kind of hinted at in the flashback.

Just as I thought, she'd had some leads come in. That now explains the sudden focus on Phil from when he was in prison. I do wonder where this is going, didn't expect him to throw Billy under the bus but I guess he's going to protect the rest of his family. Will Keeble meet a Christmassy fatal end?

OMFG HAVE THEY DONE THR FLASHBACK EPISODE ALREADY?! WHAT WAS THE IN-SHOW REASONING FOR IT? ARE WE GETTINF MORE?!

Yes it was yesterday and read the posts above which explains it was backstory to why Keeble wants Phil to be an informant.

I have to say I cannot see this wedding going through, Phil and Kat both seem completely unenthused by the prospect. Stupid Sharon still holding a candle for Phil tho :drama:

I think it will go through purely to facilitate a Sharon and Phil affair where they get back together although for me i think they should keep apart as i think it opens more storylines for each of them although i am tired of Phil as i think the tough man image isnt plausible anymore so they should try and take him in a new direction. Sharon as a character is alot more diverse than Phil. I think Sharon and Phil are like Charity and Cain in Emmerdale and one of the new producers came in and was like as long as they are in charge they will never back together which was right and it worked out better for both characters,

The flashback episode was good with some excellent casting.

If anyone is tuning in to watch Eastenders tonight it might be suspended due to the extended news following the passing of our Queen.

Airing this evening at 7:30pm on BBC Two instead

Honey getting her moment *.*

 

Also didn’t have Bert and Ernie down for bringing Alfie back.

Im starting to feel confident about Chris Clenshaw as exec producer, he is def starting off well as i think the episodes in general have really good lately, it will take him time to really put his stamp on the show but for me i think the early signs are good.

All eps are on iPlayer only this week from 7:30pm