[Meisste]

2007 was gripping stuff and the last true great EE year imo. The first two months were dire, with the march-june period average. But then the week of the stella abuse reveal came and the show took off and was near enough 10/10 all the way up untill new year.

-the haunting of ian beale, Pat visiting the asylum, Ronnie and Roxy's arrival, the Vic siege, Patrick truman being attacked in the shop and Deano and Chelsea trying to frame Sean all helped make the last 6 months of the year vintage EE

[big dan]

Originally Posted by Meisste

2007 was gripping stuff and the last true great EE year imo. The first two months were dire, with the march-june period average. But then the week of the stella abuse reveal came and the show took off and was near enough 10/10 all the way up untill new year.

-the haunting of ian beale, Pat visiting the asylum, Ronnie and Roxy's arrival, the Vic siege, Patrick truman being attacked in the shop and Deano and Chelsea trying to frame Sean all helped make the last 6 months of the year vintage EE

Completely agree - the Patrick attack storyline was a stroke of genius which maintained the show's strength after the climax of the Mad May and Stella storylines, and the cool-down period of 'Stax'.

[The Queen Vic]

Change was happening behind the scenes at EastEnders, as exec Kathleen Hutchison was on her way out, and John Yorke was making a return. It was set to be a big year for the show, as it celebrated it’s 20th anniversary.

“You’ll never get me out of the Vic!”

Yes, at number three – it’s 2005.

2005’s Most Memorable Moment: Dirty Den dies (again)

Isn’t it ironic that, after years of womanising and cheating, that Den Watts would finally lose his life in a room full of three lovely ladies?

The witches of Walford got together and hatched a plan to ruin Den. They didn’t intend to kill him, but they did. As Zoe hit him over the head with a doggy doorstop – yes, for some reason Pauline Fowler left it in her local – and he fell to the ground. Shaken up and scared, Zoe and Sam left the room to turn off all the lights and lock all the doors, as Chrissie gave a few final words to her hubby. But as he grabbed her leg and came back to life (it’s the second time now, isn’t it?) she grabbed the same doggy doorstop and killed him. Little did she know, Sam was watching. Get ready for a year of lies, revelations and

Book Ends

1st January 2005 – Not a very interesting start to the year really, as Jake and Danny Moon made an enemy of local hardnut Andy Hunter. But in the next episode we first met Johnny Allen – and we all know what a badd’un he turned out to be.

31st December 2005 – After a savage warning from gangster Johnny Allen, a pregnant Sharon attempted to get Dennis out of Walford by midnight on New Year’s Eve. But a little word in Dennis’s ear by Phil, and a face-off ensued. Johnny Allen got a beating but he got the last laugh – as Dennis and Sharon’s eyes met over a crowd in the Square, a dodgy geezer (later to be revealed as Danny Moon) walked past and stabbed the stud in the stomach. A stumble forward, a fall into Sharon’s arms and a last breath later, and Dennis was no more. “We did it”, he proclaimed as he slipped away rubbing Sharon’s belly. Sharon’s wail echoed around the Square. Oh, and of course – right on cue – the dramatic chimes of Big Ben rang out. Sob.

What else made 2005 so great?

It was the return of everybody’s favourite brothers as Phil and Grant Mitchell drove straight back into Walford just into time to save their dear mum Peggy from one of Johnny Allen’s henchmen. They were back to free their sister Sam from prison – she was there after digging up Den’s body on Sharon and Dennis’s wedding day, remember? Nana Moon died just weeks after visiting Normandy in an award-winning Armistice Day episode, and on Christmas Day Kat and Alfie drove off into the sunset (well, it was dark and wet) with just £86 pounds and a full tank of petrol. I wonder whatever happened to those two? Zoe Slater made her exit following the dramas of Dirty Den’s death. Chrissie Watts was finally caught out after months of lies – she killed Dirty Den! Oh, and Johnny Allen bumped off Andy Hunter.

[big dan]

2005 is a well-deserved entry. One of my favourite years as it featured a massive blockbuster storyline which affected so many great characters in different ways.

[Yoshi Fan]

Originally Posted by The Queen Vic

“You were the only daughter, the only little girl I ever really had. And despite everything, I always had a feeling for you. You probably reminded me of myself. Janine, we don’t have to part on bad terms. Not everybody has to part on bad terms.”

Yes, you’ve seen right. We’re only six months in, but at number 4 in our countdown… it’s 2012.

2012’s most memorable moment: Heather Trott is murdered

I suspect you all remember 2012 because we said goodbye to a legend, Pat. But more on that below, so I’ve chosen the memorable moment as we said goodbye to that George Michael loving, cheese fan Heather Trott.

It was a fateful night in March that Ben Mitchell, once just a harmless little tap dancer, stropped round to Heather’s flat to confront her. It was then, witnessed by Jay, that he completely lost it and knocked Heather over with a picture frame. Yes, you heard – a woman that weighed twice as much as Ben, was knocked over by a cheap piece of memorabilia. Well, stranger things have happened. It kick started a long chain of events which are still going on now, as the effects of Heather’s demise spread around the Square. Still, when Shirley finds out the truth, you’ll just know Ben will be ‘slapped down’ and the repercussions will be dramatic. “You’ve got to have faith” justice will be served. Cringe.

Book Ends

1st January 2012 – It’s goodbye to a legend, Pat Butcher. She breathed her final breath in the company of her family, including son David who returned to say his goodbyes. In a heart-breaking episode, Pat said farewell to the people she loves most, before going to that earring shop in the sky. We also saw Janine make the decision that she was going to keep her baby, and Bianca and Ian discovered the truth about Ricky’s liaison with Mandy.

31st December 2012 – Of course, I can’t predict the future, and this hasn’t actually happened yet, but my bets would be that the Brannings are centre stage, with Sharon in the background haunted by the chimes of Big Ben – remember New Year 2005? Sob. I have to say, I was quite shocked to see this year in the top ten even, as it hasn’t even finished yet, but everything coming up does sound fairly exciting.

Other memorable moments from 2012

David Wicks, last seen fifteen years ago exiting the Square, returned to say a final goodbye to his Mum. As he got his bearings, he reconciled with love Carol and they decided to run off together. Enter the evil Derek Branning, who was determined not to let that happen. A couple of heart to hearts and a knife later, David ran (not the first time he’s done that!) and left Carol – who had just fallen over – sobbing her heart out. End of credits, and we also see the return of Pat’s other son Wicksy – “Goodbye, Mum” … cue fade out. Michael Moon conned poor Jean out of all her money, leading to a big climax on their wedding day when Janine discovered the truth. The wedding went ahead anyway, but karma reared an ugly head as the bride went into early labour and baby Scarlet Patricia was left fighting for her little life. Kat returned from caring for Charlie, and she flirted with every man which way in Walford – could there be an affair coming up? Obviously.

I'm utterly astonished that this shambles of a year so far 1) finished in the top 10 and 2) finished above 1999.

[The Queen Vic]

And now for our penultimate entry – who could be at number two? Well, it was a year that caused major controversy amongst certain fans because of a certain death of a certain young blonde female who was a secret member of a certain famous EastEnders family…

“Go away from me! Go away from me, you pathetic little freak. I never want to see you ever again. Who’d want a daughter like you?”

Yes, it’s 2009.

2009’s Highlight: Danielle’s death.

Was it a highlight? Was it simply controversial? The viewing figures seemed to agree it was a highlight. It was Archie and Peggy’s wedding day – remember that scary advert with Archie controlling her? – and the bride was having doubts. She ended up down the aisle (so to speak) but it was at the reception that all hell broke loose as Danielle revealed the secret she had been keeping – she was Ronnie’s daughter. As the news sunk in and she pleaded with Ronnie and everybody else to believe her – of course, Archie stuck his two pennies worth in – Danielle was chucked out into the gutter.

Then, as the truth became clear to Ronnie, she chased after her little girl and when she eventually found her, tragedy struck. Cue Janine speeding around the corner in her sports car.

Danielle died in the arms of Ronnie, who gave out a spine-tingling shriek as she realised her daughter was dead. Well, of course – who else would’ve done it? Sharon Watts was living in America at the time.

Book Ends

1st January 2009 – Sean Slater was a broken man after discovering that little Amy wasn’t his. So what did he do? He kidnapped both Amy and Roxy, drove them to a frozen lake, and then drove them into it. Ronnie and Jack arrived just in time, managing to save the girls, but where was Sean? Well, the final scene saw Roxy spotting a soaking, freezing Sean across the lake, and mouthed “Go!” to him. Bit random, but we’ll live with it.

31st December 2009 – Archie Mitchell has been murdered, and the whole Square was still under interrogation. But who did it? Elsewhere, Christian made a return on the eve of Amira and Syed’s wedding. And in a cliff-hanger, he revealed to Jane that there wasn’t going to be a wedding…

What else was 2009 good for?

Archie Mitchell was murdered in cold blood in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day – but who did it? All would be revealed in the dramatic live episode the following year. Turns out it was Stacey, if you didn’t know. A three-hander episode between Ronnie, Bianca and Dot let the women of Walford open up to each other. Christian and Syed’s affair began, but what would this mean for the engaged Syed? Lucas’s reign of terror began, as he let Trina die (death by rake, if you remember) and he killed and buried Owen in the Square gardens on his wedding day. Sam Mitchell returned from somewhere foreign and caused a load of trouble between Ricky and Bianca. Oh, and she fell pregnant by Jack. Surprise.

[big dan]

Originally Posted by The Queen Vic

And now for our penultimate entry – who could be at number two? Well, it was a year that caused major controversy amongst certain fans because of a certain death of a certain young blonde female who was a secret member of a certain famous EastEnders family…

“Go away from me! Go away from me, you pathetic little freak. I never want to see you ever again. Who’d want a daughter like you?”

Yes, it’s 2009.

2009’s Highlight: Danielle’s death.

Was it a highlight? Was it simply controversial? The viewing figures seemed to agree it was a highlight. It was Archie and Peggy’s wedding day – remember that scary advert with Archie controlling her? – and the bride was having doubts. She ended up down the aisle (so to speak) but it was at the reception that all hell broke loose as Danielle revealed the secret she had been keeping – she was Ronnie’s daughter. As the news sunk in and she pleaded with Ronnie and everybody else to believe her – of course, Archie stuck his two pennies worth in – Danielle was chucked out into the gutter.

Then, as the truth became clear to Ronnie, she chased after her little girl and when she eventually found her, tragedy struck. Cue Janine speeding around the corner in her sports car.

Danielle died in the arms of Ronnie, who gave out a spine-tingling shriek as she realised her daughter was dead. Well, of course – who else would’ve done it? Sharon Watts was living in America at the time.

Book Ends

1st January 2009 – Sean Slater was a broken man after discovering that little Amy wasn’t his. So what did he do? He kidnapped both Amy and Roxy, drove them to a frozen lake, and then drove them into it. Ronnie and Jack arrived just in time, managing to save the girls, but where was Sean? Well, the final scene saw Roxy spotting a soaking, freezing Sean across the lake, and mouthed “Go!” to him. Bit random, but we’ll live with it.

31st December 2009 – Archie Mitchell has been murdered, and the whole Square was still under interrogation. But who did it? Elsewhere, Christian made a return on the eve of Amira and Syed’s wedding. And in a cliff-hanger, he revealed to Jane that there wasn’t going to be a wedding…

What else was 2009 good for?

Archie Mitchell was murdered in cold blood in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day – but who did it? All would be revealed in the dramatic live episode the following year. Turns out it was Stacey, if you didn’t know. A three-hander episode between Ronnie, Bianca and Dot let the women of Walford open up to each other. Christian and Syed’s affair began, but what would this mean for the engaged Syed? Lucas’s reign of terror began, as he let Trina die (death by rake, if you remember) and he killed and buried Owen in the Square gardens on his wedding day. Sam Mitchell returned from somewhere foreign and caused a load of trouble between Ricky and Bianca. Oh, and she fell pregnant by Jack. Surprise.

This, imo, says it all about the voting demographic. I don't think it was truly terrible, but it was terribly inconsistent. Your synopsis pretty much sums up all the 'highlights' of the year, with some of them not even brought to the screen very well. Between the Ronnie/Danielle climax and the end of summer I don't actually think anything memorable happened whatsoever - just months of Ronnie having a baby breakdown, her and Jack going back and forth etc. Imo, a very undeserving place at Number 2.

[The Queen Vic]

Who will be number one? Could there be even more shocking entry?

[Rose-Addict]

Loved 2009, my favourite year. Thrilled!

[BumbleSquat]

Originally Posted by The Queen Vic

And now for our penultimate entry – who could be at number two? Well, it was a year that caused major controversy amongst certain fans because of a certain death of a certain young blonde female who was a secret member of a certain famous EastEnders family…

“Go away from me! Go away from me, you pathetic little freak. I never want to see you ever again. Who’d want a daughter like you?”

Yes, it’s 2009.

2009’s Highlight: Danielle’s death.

Was it a highlight? Was it simply controversial? The viewing figures seemed to agree it was a highlight. It was Archie and Peggy’s wedding day – remember that scary advert with Archie controlling her? – and the bride was having doubts. She ended up down the aisle (so to speak) but it was at the reception that all hell broke loose as Danielle revealed the secret she had been keeping – she was Ronnie’s daughter. As the news sunk in and she pleaded with Ronnie and everybody else to believe her – of course, Archie stuck his two pennies worth in – Danielle was chucked out into the gutter.

Then, as the truth became clear to Ronnie, she chased after her little girl and when she eventually found her, tragedy struck. Cue Janine speeding around the corner in her sports car.

Danielle died in the arms of Ronnie, who gave out a spine-tingling shriek as she realised her daughter was dead. Well, of course – who else would’ve done it? Sharon Watts was living in America at the time.

Book Ends

1st January 2009 – Sean Slater was a broken man after discovering that little Amy wasn’t his. So what did he do? He kidnapped both Amy and Roxy, drove them to a frozen lake, and then drove them into it. Ronnie and Jack arrived just in time, managing to save the girls, but where was Sean? Well, the final scene saw Roxy spotting a soaking, freezing Sean across the lake, and mouthed “Go!” to him. Bit random, but we’ll live with it.

31st December 2009 – Archie Mitchell has been murdered, and the whole Square was still under interrogation. But who did it? Elsewhere, Christian made a return on the eve of Amira and Syed’s wedding. And in a cliff-hanger, he revealed to Jane that there wasn’t going to be a wedding…

What else was 2009 good for?

Archie Mitchell was murdered in cold blood in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day – but who did it? All would be revealed in the dramatic live episode the following year. Turns out it was Stacey, if you didn’t know. A three-hander episode between Ronnie, Bianca and Dot let the women of Walford open up to each other. Christian and Syed’s affair began, but what would this mean for the engaged Syed? Lucas’s reign of terror began, as he let Trina die (death by rake, if you remember) and he killed and buried Owen in the Square gardens on his wedding day. Sam Mitchell returned from somewhere foreign and caused a load of trouble between Ricky and Bianca. Oh, and she fell pregnant by Jack. Surprise.

I thought it had all the makings of the classic year and yes, I guess it does deserve it's place for that reason alone - but as already mentioned, it was terribly inconsistent. The block storytelling made it difficult to actually get into the stories properly for example. Having said that though, I can't believe you left out what was, in my opinion, the true highlight of 2009 - Stacey's bipolar storyline. Brilliantly acted by everyone involved.

[The Queen Vic]

And now we come to the position of first place - what is your favourite all time year of EastEnders?

The run down so far:

10. 2010
9. 1985
8. 1999
7. 2000
6.1986
5. 2007
4. 2012
3. 2005
2. 2009

But which year takes the top spot? Is it one that we've all been waiting for, or will it be a complete and utter shock?

[big dan]

Originally Posted by BumbleSquat

I thought it had all the makings of the classic year and yes, I guess it does deserve it's place for that reason alone - but as already mentioned, it was terribly inconsistent. The block storytelling made it difficult to actually get into the stories properly for example. Having said that though, I can't believe you left out what was, in my opinion, the true highlight of 2009 - Stacey's bipolar storyline. Brilliantly acted by everyone involved.

I also forgot about that actually. Yes, definitely the highlight in my eyes too.

[The Queen Vic]

"Hello, Peggy. I bet you never thought you'd see me again"

Yes, if that quote doesn't give it away then perhaps I could give you a further few clues; it was the year of perhaps the most talked about storyline in EastEnders history, it was the year that started and ended with a bad boy getting his comeuppance, and it was the year that a sister and sister became a mother and daughter...

Your number one year of EastEnders is...

2001.

What can I say about the year 2001? It has all the evidence of a classic EastEnders year; a edge-of-your-seat 'whodunit', the return of a classic character, the reveal of a shocking secret, a couple of really evil bad boys, and more bust ups than Barry Evans had hot dinners - and that's alot, by the way.

Who shot Phil?

A storyline which kept the nation hooked, and perhaps one of the main reasons why people remember 2001 as a classic year. It was Steve and Mel's wedding day, and the truth was out that the bride had slept with Phil. Ian, Mark, Lisa and Dan Sullivan were all baying for blood as well, but who was exactly behind that gun that poked out of the bushes?

"I know who you are! I know who you are, and when I find ya, I'm gonna turn your backsides!"

Well, you didn't exactly turn her backside, but you did threaten to shoot her back. Yes, Lisa Fowler was revealed to be the assailant in a dramatic episode just a month later. Classic EastEnders, right there!

"You can't tell me what to do, you ain't my muvva!"

What a week of episodes!

It was in February 2001 that we discovered the truth - Kat Slater was actually Zoe's mother and not her sister. In stuff that would make Jeremy Kyle foam at the mouth, the story rumbled on through the Spring and the Summer, before making a dramatic climax in October of the same year, now bringing perhaps some of the most iconic dialogue in the history of soap!

It was also revealed that Zoe's father was none other than Kat's sleazy uncle Harry, and when Charlie found out he went beserk! Quite understandably, so!

Does the name Sharon Watts mean anything to you?

Yes, she's Walford's princess. Why?

Well, she was back after a seven year absense and much to Peggy's horror, she was the new owner of her beloved Queen Vic pub. Well, it was Sharon's in the first place I suppose, but it made for deliciously entertaining TV.

"What are the hell are you doing behind that bar?"
"Well where else does a landlady stand?"

She was back, but she was off again by the end of the year after starting up a relationship with Phil. She couldn't have kids, and Phil wanted them, which ultimately ripped them apart, and she made her exit on Christmas Day.

Trevor gets clunked with an Iron

It was the relationship we were all hooked by - evil Trevor kept tabs on Little Mo all the way through 2001 and her family were desperate to get rid of him.

It was on Christmas Day that Little Mo got a face full of gravy and for her, that was enough. Turns out she's not a big fan of Bisto. She left him, much to everybody's delight, and moved back in with her family. However, it was on New Year's Eve 2001 - the final episode of a classic year - that Trev barged his way into the Fowler household, where Mo was babysitting, pinned his wife down and threatened her life. With so many things to choose from in a cluttered kitchen - knifes, saucepans - she decided to clunk him with an iron... not once, but twice. Ooh, you go girl!

Closing Statement

Well, thank you for taking the time to vote. I've enjoyed all of this thoroughly and I have to say that my favourite year won it - or one of them anyway, I have so many!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next poll, which I'll be launching soon. It'll be 'Enders related, no doubt, but I haven't quite decided what yet! Perhaps favourite Christmas episode? Don't know. Keep checking back!

[04ikhan]

Originally Posted by The Queen Vic

"Hello, Peggy. I bet you never thought you'd see me again"

Yes, if that quote doesn't give it away then perhaps I could give you a further few clues; it was the year of perhaps the most talked about storyline in EastEnders history, it was the year that started and ended with a bad boy getting his comeuppance, and it was the year that a sister and sister became a mother and daughter...

Your number one year of EastEnders is...

2001.

What can I say about the year 2001? It has all the evidence of a classic EastEnders year; a edge-of-your-seat 'whodunit', the return of a classic character, the reveal of a shocking secret, a couple of really evil bad boys, and more bust ups than Barry Evans had hot dinners - and that's alot, by the way.

Who shot Phil?

A storyline which kept the nation hooked, and perhaps one of the main reasons why people remember 2001 as a classic year. It was Steve and Mel's wedding day, and the truth was out that the bride had slept with Phil. Ian, Mark, Lisa and Dan Sullivan were all baying for blood as well, but who was exactly behind that gun that poked out of the bushes?

"I know who you are! I know who you are, and when I find ya, I'm gonna turn your backsides!"

Well, you didn't exactly turn her backside, but you did threaten to shoot her back. Yes, Lisa Fowler was revealed to be the assailant in a dramatic episode just a month later. Classic EastEnders, right there!

"You can't tell me what to do, you ain't my muvva!"

What a week of episodes!

It was in February 2001 that we discovered the truth - Kat Slater was actually Zoe's mother and not her sister. In stuff that would make Jeremy Kyle foam at the mouth, the story rumbled on through the Spring and the Summer, before making a dramatic climax in October of the same year, now bringing perhaps some of the most iconic dialogue in the history of soap!

It was also revealed that Zoe's father was none other than Kat's sleazy uncle Harry, and when Charlie found out he went beserk! Quite understandably, so!

Does the name Sharon Watts mean anything to you?

Yes, she's Walford's princess. Why?

Well, she was back after a seven year absense and much to Peggy's horror, she was the new owner of her beloved Queen Vic pub. Well, it was Sharon's in the first place I suppose, but it made for deliciously entertaining TV.

"What are the hell are you doing behind that bar?"
"Well where else does a landlady stand?"

She was back, but she was off again by the end of the year after starting up a relationship with Phil. She couldn't have kids, and Phil wanted them, which ultimately ripped them apart, and she made her exit on Christmas Day.

Trevor gets clunked with an Iron

It was the relationship we were all hooked by - evil Trevor kept tabs on Little Mo all the way through 2001 and her family were desperate to get rid of him.

It was on Christmas Day that Little Mo got a face full of gravy and for her, that was enough. Turns out she's not a big fan of Bisto. She left him, much to everybody's delight, and moved back in with her family. However, it was on New Year's Eve 2001 - the final episode of a classic year - that Trev barged his way into the Fowler household, where Mo was babysitting, pinned his wife down and threatened her life. With so many things to choose from in a cluttered kitchen - knifes, saucepans - she decided to clunk him with an iron... not once, but twice. Ooh, you go girl!

Closing Statement

Well, thank you for taking the time to vote. I've enjoyed all of this thoroughly and I have to say that my favourite year won it - or one of them anyway, I have so many!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next poll, which I'll be launching soon. It'll be 'Enders related, no doubt, but I haven't quite decided what yet! Perhaps favourite Christmas episode? Don't know. Keep checking back!

Glad it was number one , well it had to be as it was such a fantastic year with so many brilliant storylines. If this didn't come even in the top 10 I would be so disappointed

[The Queen Vic]

It really had to be. It got the first vote, and it got the last, and loads in between!

[Meisste]

2001 deserves to be number one. Surprised 2000 didnt appear though, that year had some truly brilliant moments

1) Pat and Frank's affaire. Including the away week in spain with P[at, Frank, pEGGY, Roy, Terry and Irene

2) Dot helping Ethel to die

3) The Slater's arrival and the start of the Kat and Zoe story

4) Sonia's surprise birth

5) Matthew Rose's revenge on Steve Owen

6) The return of Nasty Nick and his feud with Mark Fowler

7) The 15th aniversary episode with the WW2 bomb, set in the Vic

[The Queen Vic]

Just so you know, 2000 was 11th place - just two votes behind 2010!

[Meisste]

Originally Posted by The Queen Vic

Just so you know, 2000 was 11th place - just two votes behind 2010!

Really enjoyed these posts Queen Vic, well done. If 2000 had have happened in the past 5 or 6 years i reckon it would have been a sure cert for top 5, still in shock about 2012 :0, we should do the top ten worst EE years now, would be interesting to see if 2012 appears in that list aswell

[The Queen Vic]

Originally Posted by Meisste

Really enjoyed these posts Queen Vic, well done. If 2000 had have happened in the past 5 or 6 years i reckon it would have been a sure cert for top 5, still in shock about 2012 :0, we should do the top ten worst EE years now, would be interesting to see if 2012 appears in that list aswell

Good idea! Might just do that!