LANGFORD’S PICKS AND PANS
River City
I’ve had my doubts about Will and Robbie’s relationship since the very beginning. They always seemed ill-suited for one another and I never felt they had much spark. And well, there are the incidents of domestic violence between the couple that put me against any future between them.
But this past week, with Will and Robbie getting married, I decided to put my doubts and previous impressions aside, at least for this episode and try and enjoy the story as presented in this particular episode. I found that it was a well-crafted piece of drama, well done in both writing and acting, though I do have a few issues.
I thought it was ridiculous that rather than tell Will about Edwards’ attempts to bribe him, Robbie gets stinking drunk. Clearly this only made the situation worse. Will had no idea what was going on so all he could see was Robbie making a fool of himself the day before the wedding.
On the other hand, Will should have known that was something going on since Robbie’s behavior was so odd. I mean, if your fiancé would rather sit up all night drinking on the night before your wedding, shouldn’t you suspect that there’s a serious problem? I would think so.
I know if he had found out sooner what was going on, it wouldn’t have played out like it did, but it could have been constructed better. Also, in some scenes Robbie was clearly drunk, staggering around and slurring his words and in others he was perfectly fine and lucid. The writers really failed on that score.
I also found it strange that Robbie didn’t know that Hayley was pregnant. I realize it was supposed to be a surprise to the audience, but given that Hayley and Robbie were so close, he would be one of the first people that she would tell such big news, especially since Hayley was so far along. I mean, Hayley left town only four months ago so she would have to have been pregnant before she left, but I guess she didn’t know it. I just wonder if the actress was pregnant before she left the show and they just hid it and decided it not to upon her return. Or perhaps I’m over thinking it. LOL...
I thought it was interesting to learn that Edward had paid off some of Will’s previous boyfriends to leave town. Must have gotten awfully expensive over the years. And I’m glad the show didn’t ignore Will’s anger issues or the violence that has haunted this relationship by alluding to it both during the wedding and in Will’s discussions with his father. That tells me that story arc isn’t over, nor should it be because Will and Robbie are married now.
The ceremony itself was very sweet and I liked Will’s vows to Robbie. But where were all of Robbie’s friends? He knows everyone in town. I thought it was strange that none of them attended the ceremony, especially after the town made a big deal about when he and Will were engaged.
I want to commend River City for this entire ongoing story for Robbie and Will. This show has always been rather progressive in terms of gay storytelling and Robbie and Will dramas have always been front and center. Both characters are well integrated into the community so their stories aren’t always about being gay or relationship drama. I haven’t always loved the stories, but the show itself has always treated them rather positively. I’m really looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
Hotel Cæsar
I’m having a hard time believing that this sixteen year old kid is so involved in the corporate shenanigans of this hotel, including sitting in on important board meetings. If Måne was some corporate whiz I might believe it, but he’s actually more of a little snotty brat who is using grandma’s name to get out of doing any grunt work. At least Juni tried to put him in his place, but it really bothered me that Måne called her a bitch and she didn’t take him to task for it. That sort of thing is simply unacceptable.
Then again, it’s pretty obvious that Måne’s parents are very liberal and place few restrictions on him. They barely battled an eyelash at the fact that he was out all night drinking and seem to accept that he’s going to act out and misbehave. It makes me wonder how they’ll feel about his being gay. Will they be fine with it given that they seem very open-minded or will that be the one thing they can’t accept? I still think Måne’s family and friends will be fine with it. Let’s hope he comes out very soon.
Neighbours
I’m so glad that the truth is out about Andrew’s illness. This is a storyline that has dragged out far too long. And I liked that Paul actually was a father to his son for a change and sat at his bedside during his tests. I wonder though what this means for Aidan.
It’s only a matter of time before Aidan’s secret tests on Andrew come out and Chris will know that Aidan has been lying to him. Given that it was Chris’ lies that broke them up before, it’s obvious Chris is not going to accept this very well. That’s not really a bad thing though. Chris and Aidan need some sort of drama because things have been kind of boring for them since they reunited.
I liked Chris and Kyle’s scenes about Chris moving into Kyle’s apartment. It will be nice to see Chris mixing it up with some of the show’s other characters, especially since many of the actors currently playing Chris’ pals are leaving the show soon and he won’t have very many people left to interact with. Perhaps that’s why they chose to move Chris into that apartment. And while I’m glad that Kyle doesn’t have a problem with gays, I don’t know if was funny or sad when Chris assured Kyle that he and Aidan weren’t all over each other ‘like that’ in public (or at all). I know some viewers who wish they were.
Hollyoaks
So let me get this straight: you can murder people, beat up your lovers, deal drugs and otherwise commit a host of horrible crimes, but a ‘wise’ minister and a sickly child can pronounce you ‘changed’ and suddenly you’re a better person? Yeah, right. You know, all I do is shake my head in annoyance when I watch Hollyoaks these days. I just hate how they are writing this ‘redemption of Brendan’ storyline because it lacks depth, believability and you know, actual redemption.
It just killed me to hear Father Des yammer on and on about how Brendan has ‘changed’ when he actually doesn’t know Brendan. I thought the show making a big deal about the reveal that Brendan was gay and in love with Ste to be ridiculous, even thoughI did like the ensuing the discussion about what the bible says about homosexuality. But let's face it, Brendan being gay isn’t the ‘sin’ he should be confessing.
How about telling Father Des about the murders, the drugs, the violence, mugging your own sister, disremembering a body? If you want redemption, don’t you have to confess your sins, the ones that really matter? Isn’t that part of it? My point is, these people don’t know Brendan, they don’t know the things he’s done. They don’t even know he was like before he came to stay at the church. So how can they not only pronounce him as changed, but encourage him to pursue the man he loved? Would you really push someone to chase after their ex without knowing anything about their relationship or the circumstances of their breakup? This isn’t the man of the cloth I’d be going to for advice.
Using a religious figure and a dying child to pronounce Brendan as deserving of Ste’s love is such manipulative, horrible writing, especially when ignoring the reasons why they broke up and all the other terrible things Brendan has done. And the next time Brendan does something awful and Cheryl disowns him, I’m just going to sigh and count about five episodes because that will be how long it’ll last.
I did like the scenes surrounding the double wedding as Ste and Doug looked forward to their future, but I was just wondering how the ceremony would be handled since Ste and Doug are actually only having a civil partnership while Tony and Cindy are being legally married. And well, I would think Ste and Doug would rather have their own ceremony being that having a joint ceremony with a straight couple would only show that they are being treated as less than equal.
But the most entertaining moment this week was when right after getting his sight back, Tony found out that his bride to be Cindy was cheating on him days before their wedding. That was a deliciously soapy twist and Nick Pickard played the moment perfectly.
Coronation Street
I was really not happy with Corrie earlythis past week, but then the show turned around and redeemed itself. I know a lot of people are down on this story, feeling that it’s offensive to have a gay man falling for a woman, but I’ve been going with the flow, mostly because I love the characters involved and frankly, Maria and Marcus have such terrific chemistry that I’m buying what they are selling. But what I didn’t buy was that Marcus would immediately (and rather aggressively) leap into bed with Maria so quickly. That seemed like something that would be built up to rather than happen quickly like it did. That scene rang very false to me.
But then the show turned itself around by having Marcus so confused and in turmoil after his night with Maria. Marcus wasn’t happy about what happened and I think Charlie Condou did a good job at showing Marcus’ issues about feelings he’d never had before. Samia Ghadie was excellent as well, slowing her joy at finally being with Marcus and being heartbroken when Marcus told her it would never work because he’s gay. And while Marcus and Maria decided to go for it in the end, I hope they remember that conversation a few months from now.
I didn’t like seeing Aiden get hurt out of all this. He was a nice guy and he deserved better than what he got. Though frankly, I don’t see how Aiden could believe for a minute that Marcus was in love with Sean and wanted to go back to him. Aiden was there for the breakup, he knows what Sean was like during that relationship and he knows that Marcus has had very little to do with Sean for months. I would think Aiden would be smarter than that and think it’s another man other than Sean involved.
Of course Sean believing that Marcus would want him back is no surprise given how self-deluded and self-absorbed the character is. I have the feeling that when the truth about Marcus and Maria does come out, Sean will make it all about him.
Days of Our Lives
It’s really hard for me to believe that Will and Sonny are basically level-headed young men when I watch scenes like this. First of all, I was surprised they had broken up over their silly spat last week. I know Sonny said that ‘this was a mistake’ or words to that effect, but I guess I didn’t think he actually meant the entire relationship. Like Gabi said, Sonny waited for months to be with Will. It’s ridiculous to think that he would just end things like that. I still feel if the characters were written properly that scene from last week would have never taken place. But the show must create drama, even if it makes little sense.
This reminds me of these painful scenes from early on when Sonny and Will were whining to everyone about their feelings for one another, rather than talking it out with each other. That was pointless angst and drama that had the characters acting like fools and this more of the same. I don’t believe they would let it end like that without at least trying, especially Sonny. This is an example of writing the characters to fit the story rather than the having the characters behave in logical and believable ways as we have known them.
What I liked most about this was the presence of T. I’ve always liked the character and Brendan Coughlin is a charming and engaging actor and I’d love it if we saw him in more than just a supporting role. His meat-headed efforts, though it came from his own self-interest, to push the guys back together was endearing. And I loved the interplay between he and Sonny at the coffee shop. I think this character’s arc has been poorly handled since the show brought him back but he seems to be getting back to the character I enjoyed so much. However, if the show is going to bring back T’s lady friend, let’s hope they find a better actress. This girl they had is just terrible.
Secret Lives
Man, this is slow going. It seems like every time we get some plot movement in this storyline, it stops and goes in circles for a few weeks and repeats the same scene over and over. I’m glad that Lari is becoming more comfortable about his feelings for Elias, but I don’t like that they both are content to let Ida believe she’s the reason for the breakup. They can feel guilty, but it’s really not fair to her that she is forced to carry this burden. They don’t know she’s starving herself as a result, but that really doesn’t absolve them of anything. But let’s get some forward motion soon, shall we? I’m starting to get the feeling I can take a few weeks off and not miss anything.
EastEnders
I’ve said before that EEis giving Syed and Christian the bum’s rush as they head to their exit and that’s becoming more and more clear to me. The story doesn’t even make sense anymore and the characters make even less sense as they behave in ways that are totally unbelievable to me. Well, except for maybe Syed. He’s always been a selfish, lazy jerk and he continues to prove himself to be just that.
For example, the way he handled Amira’s return. She came back after months of having deserted her child while she did her own thing and expected Syed to just hand over the baby to live with her and her new fiancé. But what was really bothersome to me was that Syed would even consider it. He hasn’t met Amira’s new squeeze, he knows nothing about the circumstances of her new life. So he just simply hands the baby over with no clue how she’ll be living or how she’ll be raised or any of that.
Syed has always been very irresponsible about the raising of his daughter and it seemed to me the only reason he agreed to do it was because he couldn’t get Christian back when one should have nothing to do with the other. Then again, without Christian around, who would actually look after Yasmin? I also felt that Syed’s family refusal to give Syed advice on his was really poor judgment on their part. I agree with Tamwar in that they were letting their own issues get in the way of doing the right thing regarding Syed and Yasmin.
As for Christian, he continues to be written like a pathetic wimp. So after everything Syed has done to ruin their marriage, he finally leaves because Syed can’t tell him he loves him. I hated that plot point because I didn’t buy it. Not just that Syed suddenly can’t tell his husband he loves him, but that would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. How about his lying, his cheating, his embezzling money from the family? At least Roxy called Syed out for the loser he is. Thank God for her.
I think I got my heartiest laugh when Amira encouraged Syed to talk to Christian before letting her take the baby. Since when did Amira care anything Christian? Just a few months ago she was bound and determined to break Syed and Christian up and banned him from having anything to do with her baby. She has never been that self-sacrificing and considerate about anyone, especially Christian. That gets my vote for most ludicrous plot point of the week.
SCOOPS AND SPOILERS
Ste has a really bad wedding day...
Hollyoaks— Doug wishes he could be happier about his impending marriage to Ste, but with Brendan back in town, he can only worry about what Mr. Brady will do next to interfere in their lives. Little does Doug know that Brendan is considering telling Ste that he loves him and trying to win him back. Doug calls Shawnee, the cop he was working with to nail Brendan and they launch a new plan to put Brendan behind bars. Unfortunately, Ste has followed Doug and finds out what he’s up to. They fight and Ste calls the wedding off.
Still, Doug goes after Brendan and gets him to admit on tape that he killed Danny Houston. And Doug is even more pleased when Ste forgives him and shows up for the ceremony. The two of them are married. But at the ceremony, Ste finds the tape of Brendan confessing to murder and he angrily tells Doug their new marriage is kaput. Ste runs outside just in time to see Leah, his daughter, about to be run over by a car. He tries to rescue Leah, but winds up getting run over by the car himself.
Ste is rushed to the hospital and is clinging to life, with both the men in Ste’s life praying for his survival…
Will Syed and Christian get a happy ending?
EastEnders — Amira is about to take Yasmin away to live in Birmingham and everyone is saying goodbye. Christian drops by to see the baby and pushes the Masood family to tell Amira how they really feel about her taking the baby. However, they insist it’s for the best. Amira promises Christian he will always be part of the baby’s life. Christian, upset about everything that has happened, decides he needs to leave town for awhile and makes plans to move to America with his sister Jane. Christian later tells Masood about his plans.
Meantime, Syed pushes to get back together with Christian and invites Christian over for lunch. When Masood later sees that Syed is hopeful about a future with Christian, Masood tells his son about Christian’s plan to move away. Angry, Syed throws all of Christian’s things out into the street and tells him it’s best that he’s leaving for good..
Zainab tries to convince Syed not to give up on her husband as Christian ignores Lucy’s pleas to give things one last chance. As Christian prepares to leave for the airport, Zainab and Lucy trap Syed and Christian in the restaurant, forcing them to talk. Christian and Syed have an honest talk about their marriage and come to a conclusion about their future.
Will and Sonny go all the way…
Days of Our Lives — Will worries about his impending meeting with Sonny, fearful that they might not be able to patch things up. He runs into Lucas and Sami, where he blames Lucas for causing all of he and Sonny’s problems. Lucas stands his ground, insisting what he did was only to protect Will. Will wants Lucas to stay out of his business and Sami backs Lucas up.
Meanwhile, Will and Sonny get together and work things out, deciding they want to be together. They go back to Sonny’s place and have sex for the first time. Elsewhere, Gabi has a fainting spell and a visit with the doctor confirms that she’s pregnant. And unfortunately for Gabi, her current boyfriend Nick isn’t the father, but her gay ex Will is. Gabi races over to Sonny’s apartment and interrupts Will and Sonny’s lovemaking to give him the news.
Coronation Street — Marcus and Maria have decided to be together, but first Maria has to break up with Jason, who has been out of town. When he comes home, she does just that. Jason asks if Maria is seeing someone else, but Maria denies it. Jason packs his things and moves back home with his mother. After discussing things with Eileen, Jason is even more convinced that there’s another man.
Meanwhile, Sean drops by to see Marcus and tells him that he knows that Marcus is still in love with him and that he wants another chance. Marcus makes it clear that Sean is wrong and that they are done. Confused and upset, Sean leaves. However, Sean is certain Marcus isn’t being completely honest with him and decides to pay Marcus another visit. But when he arrives, he sees Maria and Marcus in each other’s arms .
As Sean leaves, Marcus races after him, trying to explain himself, but Sean doesn’t want to hear it. Later, at the pub, Marcus and Maria come in and see Sean and Jason talking. Marcus assumes Sean has blabbed the truth to Jason and goes over to apologize. It quickly becomes clear that Sean didn’t tell Jason anything, but now the truth is out. Jason attacks Marcus and they get into a nasty fight. Sean tells Marcus he doesn’t love Maria, he just wants a family and Maria can provide that.
Later, as news about their relationship spreads, Marcus and Maria quickly realize how difficult things are going to be for them…
AND ALSO THIS WEEK….
Is Rhys willing to be separated from Jonathan?
Winners and Losers — Rhys’ good news could spell the end for him and Jonathan…
Neighbours — Chris moves into his new place as Aidan fears his secret is going to be revealed…
People of the Valley — Iolo’s offhanded remark leads to a shocking revelation for Macs…
NEWSBEAT
EastEnders’ John Partridge thinks the show needs some new gays…
This week sees the exit of EastEnders’ gays Christian Clarke and Syed Masood, leaving the UK soap with no more gay characters as teen gay Ben Mitchell was written out of the show a couple of months ago. But will EE bring on some new gays? John Partridge, who plays Christian Clarke, hopes so.
"They should bring in some hot new gay guys - out with the old and in with the new." The actor told Inside Soap.
But how does the show’s producers feel about bringing on new gays? In a recent interview, Lorraine Newman, the show’s new executive producer was asked this question or more specifically, was there any chance we’d see the return of gay financier Danny Pennant, played by Gary Lucy as fans reportedly took to the character.
"I think Gary Lucy's portrayal of Danny has been fabulous,” Newman told Digital Spy.“and the door has certainly been left open for that character in the future…"
New problems threaten Chris and Aidan’s relationship on Neighbours…
Since Neighbours Aidan and Chris got back together last month, things have been fairly smooth for them, though Aidan has been bothered by keeping the secret about Andrew’s epilepsy from Chris. But that’s all about to come out into the open when next week on the Aussie soap it’s discovered that Aiden performed secret blood tests for Andrew under an assumed name, violating hospital policy. Aidan is suspended from the hospital, putting his career at risk. And this could be the beginning of the end for Chris and Aidan. After he is suspended, Aiden goes for a wild night on the town, leaving Chris wondering what’s going on.
"It's the start of Aidan pulling away from Chris,” James Mason, who plays Chris told TV Week. “Aidan's hiding things and I think viewers will see his body language is slowly changing."
And that’s a wrap for this edition of Langford on Soaps. See you next time!
