I think the Christian comparison is lazy to be honest. The only thing they have in common is that they are gay men who are very comfortable with their sexuality. I don't like the "promiscuous" label either. So many straight characters arrive on the square and instantly set their eyes on a resident. I think Johnny Labey is a far better actor than John Partridge for a start. Plus he's not the camp, mincing cliché Christian was.
Good actor but the whole Ben stuff was really contrived and badly written for me, but the jury is still out.
I can't wait for Abi to go all psycho on him when she finds out though.
Couldn't disagree more. Tonight's episode was written by the very perceptive and well researched Daran Little oneof the finest writers on the show and i thought, considering the position Ben is in his life, these were beautiful and well acted and written scenes :p
He made me lol twice in his first episode, so I'm cautiously optimistic. It's really too early to tell and it will probably come down to his storylines and writing, but I like him so far.
Hopefully we will see more of him and Lola as mates. Like a Roxy/ Christian relationship.
Ben is already the Syed of this storyline with Abi as Amira lol:D He's struggling with his sexuality, is kind of half-hearted towards his girlfriend and is scared about his family's reaction. Similar to Sy's story.
I liked his scenes with Ben and the way Ben looked afterwards. Ben looked just like a youngster who has just pulled. All in the facial expression. I liked both the actors. I'm really looking forward to more between them. I think this storyline will save Ben and will give him so much more than "being a Mitchell" and pleasing Phil. Abi's days as his girlfriend are numbered. One she's nagging him and now he's pulled a guy and will rapidly decide he doesn't want her.
I liked his scenes with Ben and the way Ben looked afterwards. Ben looked just like a youngster who has just pulled. All in the facial expression. I liked both the actors. I'm really looking forward to more between them. I think this storyline will save Ben and will give him so much more than "being a Mitchell" and pleasing Phil. Abi's days as his girlfriend are numbered. One she's nagging him and now he's pulled a guy and will rapidly decide he doesn't want her.
Yes and I think we might just find out how evil Abi can be
Yes and I think we might just find out how evil Abi can be
Yes, she'll do her best to stir between Ben and Phil. Abi does have an evil side agreed. I'm looking forward to Kathy returning. She'll accept Ben as a gay youth more than Phil does. I can imagine Kathy putting Abi in her place if she stirs about Ben ;-)
Yes, she'll do her best to stir between Ben and Phil. Abi does have an evil side agreed. I'm looking forward to Kathy returning. She'll accept Ben as a gay youth more than Phil does. I can imagine Kathy putting Abi in her place if she stirs about Ben ;-)
I agree and we already know from Jonny's interview that Ben want's to keep their affair a secret, I have already commented on another strand that Kathy's return could goone of two ways and the positive one is that Kathy will of course accept him as he is and he does a 360 and becomes human again the other I don't wish to consider at the moment;-)
I really liked him and I wasn't expecting to - he was both confident and had this kinda endearing insecurity at the same time. Idk...he felt like a dimensional character and not just a cliche 'here comes the token new gay love interest'.
I think being linked with Ben will ruin him though, so hopefully that is a fling and then done. Think Paul and Lola might have a nice friendship.
I really liked him and I wasn't expecting to - he was both confident and had this kinda endearing insecurity at the same time. Idk...he felt like a dimensional character and not just a cliche 'here comes the token new gay love interest'.
I think being linked with Ben will ruin him though, so hopefully that is a fling and then done. Think Paul and Lola might have a nice friendship.
Yes. It was nice to see Lola after her time away. Her and Paul have already hit it off and she has links to Ben. I think her and Paul will become firm friends.
What lovely high cheekbones he has. He reminds me of a young Adam Ant. It's too soon to tell if I'll like his character but it wasn't a bad start.
Yes! I can totally see that!
I have a question about the Les/Claudette/Pam triangle. Based on Pam's joke about carrying on an affair for years without Les noticing, I'm guessing Les and Claudette have been an item for some time. When Paul spied the two of them walking off, they weren't doing anything suspicious. It's been established that Claudette has also known Les and Pam for years, which Paul would likely know as well, and it wouldn't seem unusual to see them talking together. So does that mean that Paul knows that Les and Claudette have been an item for a long time? Instead of Paul being upset about Pam's role in his father's death, has he stayed away because he's angry about Les's affair?
Haven't watched the episode yet, but I'll absolutely despise Paul, I can tell. I have a knack for these things.
How can you despise somebody if you haven't seen it? Don't tell me you're a sheep that needs the shepherd to tell you how to think!! Have you ever thought of having a positive attitude that might help to start off with.
What is it you think you won't like about him, is he involved in storylines with characters you don't like? Or is it because having a fourth gay character takes it up to 8% of the cast being in a same sex relationship, too many? Or would you rather tell me honestly why don't you like a character you've not seen, it isn't a touch of homophobia in 2015 is it? I personally think you're wiser than that so tell me your problem talk to Aaron you'll feel better for it!! ;-):D;-):D
Mine too! :cool: Preferably when there are ladies involved but I'll take what I can get. Give me anything even slightly LGBTQ+ and I'm there. Even when I don't want to be. *sigh*
I liked Paul more than I was expected to, there's something very endearing about him. I like how honest and straightforward he seems. I even liked Ben for once, seemed like he came alive! And his reaction to kissing Paul and his little 'what, am I a bad kisser?' was so adorable. Never thought I'd be calling [strike]murderer[/strike] Ben adorable!
I still can't for the life of me understand why Ben seems to have forgotten the fact he already came out and the fact he got Phil's (begrudging) acceptance already though. I can semi understand why he's still closeted after prison but why is he acting like his family has a problem with it?
Can't lie, a part of me wishes they'd made Paul bi so he could date Lola (I like Lola and she needs *something*) and still be a love interest for Ben (but with no cheating, PLEASE) but considering how EE writes Sonia, how the label bisexual seemingly doesn't exist in Walford and how Danny Pennant was a really trope-ridden example, maybe it's for the best that he's gay. Plus, I don't want to see Lola heartbroken.
What is it you think you won't like about him, is he involved in storylines with characters you don't like? Or is it because having a fourth gay character takes it up to 8% of the cast being in a same sex relationship, too many? Or would you rather tell me honestly why don't you like a character you've not seen, it isn't a touch of homophobia in 2015 is it? I personally think you're wiser than that so tell me your problem talk to Aaron you'll feel better for it!! ;-):D;-):D
Please don't put words into my mouth, I didn't mention his sexuality
I really liked Paul Coker last night, and I don't just mean because of his looks..... For a new character he made a very quick impression on me and he has bags of potential for the future I think. I've been waiting for Bens sexuality to be brought up again because I am enjoying the storyline and think its an important issue to be brought up.
I thought he was brilliant. A welcome edition. Nice to see a young, confident gay guy doing what he wants to do and not having to look over his shoulder or skulk about! Thankfully I don't think he was anything like Christian (as someone said previously). I think the confidence in Paul's manner actually reflects a huge part of how gay teenagers and young men are today. Christian used to strut around the square and each time he pulled a guy would virtually wink at the camera as if trying to make the situation bawdy. Paul treated the situation with Ben and the looking through his Grindr-esq mobile app completely naturally - as would any confident young gay lad in today's society - particularly lads who live in larger towns and cities. It really isn't the issue it once was and I'm glad this is being reflected.
Comments
No that wasn't mentioned.
Can actually act - nor too much to ask for is it?
Anyway I hope that when poor Darth Abbi finds out about them she hacks off their cobblers with a rusty razor.
And yes I am in a foul mood.
I can't wait for Abi to go all psycho on him when she finds out though.
Couldn't disagree more. Tonight's episode was written by the very perceptive and well researched Daran Little oneof the finest writers on the show and i thought, considering the position Ben is in his life, these were beautiful and well acted and written scenes
Foul moods not allowed here sorry, you must cheer up and smile your beautiful smile while commenting thank you lovey
Ben is already the Syed of this storyline with Abi as Amira lol:D He's struggling with his sexuality, is kind of half-hearted towards his girlfriend and is scared about his family's reaction. Similar to Sy's story.
Yes and I think we might just find out how evil Abi can be
Hmm so did I! Yum Yum
Yes, she'll do her best to stir between Ben and Phil. Abi does have an evil side agreed. I'm looking forward to Kathy returning. She'll accept Ben as a gay youth more than Phil does. I can imagine Kathy putting Abi in her place if she stirs about Ben ;-)
I agree and we already know from Jonny's interview that Ben want's to keep their affair a secret, I have already commented on another strand that Kathy's return could goone of two ways and the positive one is that Kathy will of course accept him as he is and he does a 360 and becomes human again the other I don't wish to consider at the moment;-)
I think being linked with Ben will ruin him though, so hopefully that is a fling and then done. Think Paul and Lola might have a nice friendship.
Yes. It was nice to see Lola after her time away. Her and Paul have already hit it off and she has links to Ben. I think her and Paul will become firm friends.
Yes! I can totally see that!
I have a question about the Les/Claudette/Pam triangle. Based on Pam's joke about carrying on an affair for years without Les noticing, I'm guessing Les and Claudette have been an item for some time. When Paul spied the two of them walking off, they weren't doing anything suspicious. It's been established that Claudette has also known Les and Pam for years, which Paul would likely know as well, and it wouldn't seem unusual to see them talking together. So does that mean that Paul knows that Les and Claudette have been an item for a long time? Instead of Paul being upset about Pam's role in his father's death, has he stayed away because he's angry about Les's affair?
How can you despise somebody if you haven't seen it? Don't tell me you're a sheep that needs the shepherd to tell you how to think!! Have you ever thought of having a positive attitude that might help to start off with.
What is it you think you won't like about him, is he involved in storylines with characters you don't like? Or is it because having a fourth gay character takes it up to 8% of the cast being in a same sex relationship, too many? Or would you rather tell me honestly why don't you like a character you've not seen, it isn't a touch of homophobia in 2015 is it? I personally think you're wiser than that so tell me your problem talk to Aaron you'll feel better for it!! ;-):D;-):D
I liked Paul more than I was expected to, there's something very endearing about him. I like how honest and straightforward he seems. I even liked Ben for once, seemed like he came alive! And his reaction to kissing Paul and his little 'what, am I a bad kisser?' was so adorable. Never thought I'd be calling [strike]murderer[/strike] Ben adorable!
I still can't for the life of me understand why Ben seems to have forgotten the fact he already came out and the fact he got Phil's (begrudging) acceptance already though. I can semi understand why he's still closeted after prison but why is he acting like his family has a problem with it?
Can't lie, a part of me wishes they'd made Paul bi so he could date Lola (I like Lola and she needs *something*) and still be a love interest for Ben (but with no cheating, PLEASE) but considering how EE writes Sonia, how the label bisexual seemingly doesn't exist in Walford and how Danny Pennant was a really trope-ridden example, maybe it's for the best that he's gay. Plus, I don't want to see Lola heartbroken.
Please don't put words into my mouth, I didn't mention his sexuality