I thought Linda Henry really excelled tonight during her scenes with Mick. Whether Shirley's acting the devil incarnate or Mother Theresa, the actress will always make her an exceptionally watchable character for me.
I thought Linda Henry really excelled tonight during her scenes with Mick. Whether Shirley's acting the devil incarnate or Mother Theresa, the actress will always make her an exceptionally watchable character for me.
It's like the character has had a complete reboot. They very nearly ruined Shirely for good with the Heather plot, but finally Linda has been given a storyline that fits her character and she's been flawless.
I'm learning to love Shirley again. Even more so now her and Phil don't seem to be drooling all over each other.
Mick's scenes stood out for me. It is unusual to see such an intimate and natural scene between father and daughter, and the emotional intensity in his exchange with Shirley was really moving.
Really disappointed that Mick and Linda gave in, I wanted strong people in the Vic but no, we both two pussies who gave into a silly threat. Over the Carters now.
So. You spend a million on a bar you've wanted for years, constantly living in your mother's shadow. You buy it, move your whole family in... basically, you stake your entire life on the place. It's everything you've ever planned for, everything you will eventually leave to your kids. And then, your husband's sister comes along, someone who you've hated for years because she's, simply put, lazy. And she slobs about, not caring about your rota, being more of a hindrance than a help. Then, she has the cheek to throw you an ultimatum; you either make her a part owner, or she leaves. What do you do? According to Linda Carter, you agree.
W.T.... hell??????
Seriously. OK, Mick's a wimp when it comes to his sisters, but come on. OK, obviously, it was meant to show that Linda loves Mick and will do anything for him... but that's just a step too far. I did kind of feel for Shirl tonight, as seeing her Dad has brought up years of stuff she'd rather forget, but she had no right to ask of Mick what she has. She's basically emotionally blackmailing him, and he's one of the few people that loves her unconditionally. Not on, Shirl. Not on at all. I agree with an above poster though; Linda Henry is just so good I can't hate Shirl for this, and Danny Dyer did a fair job tonight as well; clearly talking about Stan really gets to him.
Elsewhere, Fatboy dumped Poppy! Looks like he's been having doubts for a while, which explains why he suddenly kissed Denise. Interesting dynamic: they kissed each other because both of them were in relationships they were unhappy with. Except while Fatboy has done the right thing and ended his, Denise remains in hers. Poppy might have been hurt, but she had no right to leave Ian a note like that, basically destroying Denise's life in the process. After all, she actually took her advice! A sad ending to a character that was supposed to be nice, but an ending all the same. So long, Poppy. I actually liked her, but I can see why DTC has gotten rid.
Dexter. You know, I actually kind of liked him tonight. His scenes with Nancy seemed natural. If he has to stick around, I could imagine far worse scenarios for him.
Massood is close to hitting rock bottom. The fact that Tamwar is so understanding just makes the situation ten times worse for him. What I just cannot abide is the idea of Shabnam coming back as some sort of moral compass for him, to set him on the straight and narrow and show him how to be a "proper Muslim." The idea of this uber-racist horrible bitch acting all role-model mode is actually just a little sickening. But, we'll see where this goes.
And Sonia was around. Doing... something.
OK episode. Not great, but not bad. I'm still enjoying the Carters, even if I have no idea why they've given Shirl the Vic.
Fed up of being their skivvy? She's worked in the pub less than a month, barely been seen in the place and yet they've given her a roof over her head, food etc. Just ridiculous that they would give in, regardless of what happened in the past.
10k that isn't even her own money to fix damp in the cellar doesn't give her an equal share in a pub that cost them several hundred thousand.
I get the feeling we're supposed to sympathise with the character, which the actress does a good job of, but I just can't stand her.
Edit - But the scene at the end at the Vic stairs, Danny Dyer impressed me with his acting.
I liked that they didn't overdramatise Nancy's fit, if they'd have done this with Lauren a couple of years ago it would've been a week's worth of shouting, crying and screaming all in the Branning household.
It's like the character has had a complete reboot. They very nearly ruined Shirely for good with the Heather plot, but finally Linda has been given a storyline that fits her character and she's been flawless.
I'm learning to love Shirley again. Even more so now her and Phil don't seem to be drooling all over each other.
Feels wrong disagreeing with you but Shirley bullying Mick to the point he is doing wrong by his own kids actually makes her more unlikeable than the doormat to Phil who pissed over Heathers memory. I actually think shes ruining them and that continues should be axed.
Fed up of being their skivvy? She's worked in the pub less than a month, barely been seen in the place and yet they've given her a roof over her head, food etc. Just ridiculous that they would give in, regardless of what happened in the past.
10k that isn't even her own money to fix damp in the cellar doesn't give her an equal share in a pub that cost them several hundred thousand.
Its a joke and its ruining them for me. This is not just their future but their children too. No parent would do this, Shirley being a manipulative bully turns my stomach.
Mick blames Stan who couldn't cope in a day and age when single parents got no help let alone single fathers. I get it but then Shirley who had a supportive loving husband whom she cheated on repeatedly with walked out leaving him with 2 children that weren't his own and seriously ill child who was dying. Yet that somehow is different. Sure is different its worse.
The Carters have made a lot of stupid business mistakes since they arrived. But Shirley has run every business she was given (and they were all given to her) into the ground. A husband doing this to his spouse and children is a joke.
Never in the shows history has 1 character had so many added to them over the space of one night. I wouldn't want that favouritism for any character but on bully Shirley its even worse. She is a nasty entitled bitch and bully. And I think she is ruining the Carters for me.
Tina and Deano should have been part of Shirleys unit and the Carters something separate. Her entitlement is a turn off. I felt really sorry for Linda and the kids having such a idiot husband and father. All at the expense of blatant favouritism to 1 character.
Oh and where the hell is Jay? I know he isn't related to Shirley thus less important but would be nice to know if he is still alive.
Completely agree. The Carters were off to a good start but if every story and the whole family needs to worship at the alter of Shirley to continue then it's not looking good.
She's definitely much worse than during her 'Phil's doormat' stage.
're this "name over the door" business, maybe it's like when Alfie took Kats name off and replaced it with Roxys, Mick and Linda are the main holders and Shirley is added on as a "partner" in the business, so in effect Joint Landlady but still a junior partner and Linda and Mick make the decisions and pocket most of the takings with Shirley getting a small share in line with her "contribution" (>:()?
I am lot long back watching EE after a 5 year break from it .I watched it from day one when it started until a few years ago
Now I am enjoying it all over again and loving it back to its old self .But if everything revolves around Shirley I think I will find myself switching off again. She makes me turn off .
Comments
I couldn't help but think the same... right by his crotch?!
It's like the character has had a complete reboot. They very nearly ruined Shirely for good with the Heather plot, but finally Linda has been given a storyline that fits her character and she's been flawless.
I'm learning to love Shirley again. Even more so now her and Phil don't seem to be drooling all over each other.
Mrs Brown She Isn't ;-)
I will send Phil Mitchell over to comfort you
Ah I see. Yeh I think so too.
When are the nominees usually released?
Great
I thought I was the only one!
Surprised your eyes noticed something other than his crotch.
Ha! I walked right into that one
And I bet you'd like to walk right into his crotch too!
Quite.
No. He was enjoying himself and in any case, the Ambulance control wouldn't have understood him.
Only in Walford....roll eyes.
Useless man cocks up the cooking again...roll eyes.
Why not ?
He started young
I didn't actually hear him confess to stealing the money. Did I miss it ?
More Carter secrets revealed.
Totally agree
Totally agree again.
I'm not. She's better off out of it.
She has to follow the script
But Dexter is now an award winner
TMI
Dexter thought they had been on a date.
I prefer senakot
One of the best lines in tonight's episode. I actually laughed when Denise said it!
So. You spend a million on a bar you've wanted for years, constantly living in your mother's shadow. You buy it, move your whole family in... basically, you stake your entire life on the place. It's everything you've ever planned for, everything you will eventually leave to your kids. And then, your husband's sister comes along, someone who you've hated for years because she's, simply put, lazy. And she slobs about, not caring about your rota, being more of a hindrance than a help. Then, she has the cheek to throw you an ultimatum; you either make her a part owner, or she leaves. What do you do? According to Linda Carter, you agree.
W.T.... hell??????
Seriously. OK, Mick's a wimp when it comes to his sisters, but come on. OK, obviously, it was meant to show that Linda loves Mick and will do anything for him... but that's just a step too far. I did kind of feel for Shirl tonight, as seeing her Dad has brought up years of stuff she'd rather forget, but she had no right to ask of Mick what she has. She's basically emotionally blackmailing him, and he's one of the few people that loves her unconditionally. Not on, Shirl. Not on at all. I agree with an above poster though; Linda Henry is just so good I can't hate Shirl for this, and Danny Dyer did a fair job tonight as well; clearly talking about Stan really gets to him.
Elsewhere, Fatboy dumped Poppy! Looks like he's been having doubts for a while, which explains why he suddenly kissed Denise. Interesting dynamic: they kissed each other because both of them were in relationships they were unhappy with. Except while Fatboy has done the right thing and ended his, Denise remains in hers. Poppy might have been hurt, but she had no right to leave Ian a note like that, basically destroying Denise's life in the process. After all, she actually took her advice! A sad ending to a character that was supposed to be nice, but an ending all the same. So long, Poppy. I actually liked her, but I can see why DTC has gotten rid.
Dexter. You know, I actually kind of liked him tonight. His scenes with Nancy seemed natural. If he has to stick around, I could imagine far worse scenarios for him.
Massood is close to hitting rock bottom. The fact that Tamwar is so understanding just makes the situation ten times worse for him. What I just cannot abide is the idea of Shabnam coming back as some sort of moral compass for him, to set him on the straight and narrow and show him how to be a "proper Muslim." The idea of this uber-racist horrible bitch acting all role-model mode is actually just a little sickening. But, we'll see where this goes.
And Sonia was around. Doing... something.
OK episode. Not great, but not bad. I'm still enjoying the Carters, even if I have no idea why they've given Shirl the Vic.
i was willing her to do this >:( Why was Dennis such a bitch? >:(>:(>:(
Fed up of being their skivvy? She's worked in the pub less than a month, barely been seen in the place and yet they've given her a roof over her head, food etc. Just ridiculous that they would give in, regardless of what happened in the past.
10k that isn't even her own money to fix damp in the cellar doesn't give her an equal share in a pub that cost them several hundred thousand.
I get the feeling we're supposed to sympathise with the character, which the actress does a good job of, but I just can't stand her.
Edit - But the scene at the end at the Vic stairs, Danny Dyer impressed me with his acting.
I liked that they didn't overdramatise Nancy's fit, if they'd have done this with Lauren a couple of years ago it would've been a week's worth of shouting, crying and screaming all in the Branning household.
Naughty boy.
Feels wrong disagreeing with you but Shirley bullying Mick to the point he is doing wrong by his own kids actually makes her more unlikeable than the doormat to Phil who pissed over Heathers memory. I actually think shes ruining them and that continues should be axed.
Its a joke and its ruining them for me. This is not just their future but their children too. No parent would do this, Shirley being a manipulative bully turns my stomach.
Mick blames Stan who couldn't cope in a day and age when single parents got no help let alone single fathers. I get it but then Shirley who had a supportive loving husband whom she cheated on repeatedly with walked out leaving him with 2 children that weren't his own and seriously ill child who was dying. Yet that somehow is different. Sure is different its worse.
The Carters have made a lot of stupid business mistakes since they arrived. But Shirley has run every business she was given (and they were all given to her) into the ground. A husband doing this to his spouse and children is a joke.
Never in the shows history has 1 character had so many added to them over the space of one night. I wouldn't want that favouritism for any character but on bully Shirley its even worse. She is a nasty entitled bitch and bully. And I think she is ruining the Carters for me.
Tina and Deano should have been part of Shirleys unit and the Carters something separate. Her entitlement is a turn off. I felt really sorry for Linda and the kids having such a idiot husband and father. All at the expense of blatant favouritism to 1 character.
Oh and where the hell is Jay? I know he isn't related to Shirley thus less important but would be nice to know if he is still alive.
She's definitely much worse than during her 'Phil's doormat' stage.
Now I am enjoying it all over again and loving it back to its old self .But if everything revolves around Shirley I think I will find myself switching off again. She makes me turn off .