If anything, I reckon Sharon being around would actually bring Vicky down. She’s in her element right now and Ross was also great tonight. These are quite tough parts to play right but they’re smashing it.

Elaine and Cindy is brilliant. I worried about where Elaine would end up but being behind a bar is where that character belongs and let’s face it, she’s made for the Albert.

Not sure where they’re going with Howie but it’s nice to see him being given something to do. I think it’s only Chelsea now that needs more screen time -where has she even been during all of this?

And they’re also finally making Abi’s death matter, after all these years. I still think it was a mistake but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

What has happened to Denise?? It's like she's forgotten how to act. Atrocious.

Sensational past couple of weeks again (bar Kim and Denise). Jean behind the bar (comedy gold). Howie being centre is fresh! Jack randomly appearing on the street recently but never in a building!

I feel like we could be heading towards a cora return? And that could be the big "past female return" ive heard her mentioned numerous times past month

Oscar continuing to be sensational snd Joel/Vicky etc is good

My only gripe is with Yolande and how she is sometimes so up herself and still not convinced with suki storyline, as its assassinated any warmth i had for her already

Have I missed something but where is teddy?

Eastenders continues to be the best in years

Axing list

Harvey (ASAP)

Callum

George

Zack

Vinny

Jay (think his time is up now)

Howie/Kim (Kim is fine when serious, not laughing joking)

George's son and both daughters

Suki needs a break now and this stroyline isnt even finished

Returns that would work

Tanya

Cora

Libby / Tamwar

Any slater

Louise

Massoods

I agree with most of that deadwood list except Gina who I enjoy when she has the chance to shine. I'd like them to revisit her romance with Harry.

I also think they found a really good lane with Harvey this week, him chatting to Ross about his own son's radicalisation, that was a genius intertwining of two storylines that I hope continues. The Joel/Vicki/Ross unit were excellent over the past couple of days once again. I thought the writing was really well done and realistic, Joel sadly reeling off 'manosphere' terms and Ross being sucked in a bit while watching the influencer with his son, but later getting angry when the gravity of what this was leading to had hit him. I thought we'd finally turned a corner with his parenting when he broke the laptop so arggggh that he's got Joel another one so soon.

Speaking of returns, it’s mad that Sam, Chrissie and Zoe have all returned in the space of a couple years yet won’t cross paths. It’s been exactly 20 years since they buried Den’s body…! The drama would be unreal.

Agree with most of them, I think Harvey is fine and I would keep Gina. Even without her family, she seems to fit in, obviously there’s Harry and you actually see her with Peter sometimes, Jay as well. They’ve actually at least tried to have her build connections, Anna just had the whole abysmal Freddie thing then came back and still only spoke to her dad and sister and vanished again.

I would assume Suki is on a break soon as she is on Strictly this year, she is still one of my faves despite this storyline.

I don’t think anyone needs to be axed in all honesty. I think all could be utilised properly. Maybe not Junior, who seems to have been invented just to sleep with Cindy but if they give him something else to do he could work.

I’m not sure Jean behind the bar is a good thing. For a start why did Freddie not get a gig there if she’s so useless? And why was getting rid of Tracy even thought about when Jean can’t perform the simplest of tasks? Next you have the fact that Jean didn’t have any of these issues during her last stinting the Vic so it feels like forced comedy. And then there’s just happen unlikeable she has become over the last few months.

Not sure what everyone’s problem with Denise is-have I missed something? Kim, I get, because she’s going through a Jean-phase where she has to be awful to get Howie to make bad choices she can be hurt by later on. Plus her being angry at the hospital was just channelling Mick Carter. But I’m really more sure what’s supposed to be wrong with Denise, she seems fine?

Can feel Howie heading for an exit. He's had a complete personality change over the last week. Plus it always feels when a character who has largely been in the background starts to have a bigger story it lead to them leaving.

4 hours ago, Rough_edges said:

Axing list

Harvey (ASAP)

Callum

George

Zack

Vinny

Jay (think his time is up now)

Howie/Kim (Kim is fine when serious, not laughing joking)

George's son and both daughters

Suki needs a break now and this stroyline isnt even finished

Returns that would work

Tanya

Cora

Libby / Tamwar

Any slater

Louise

Massoods

I agree with all of those, except for Gina? The one who dated Harry. Junior should go, as should Zack. Atrocious characters. I'd add Denise to the list. Suki needs a rest for a little while for sure.