I hope we know who the attacker is straight away but by sounds of it we wont.

I think it may be quite bad, I doubt EE would repeat itself with the same s/l and same outcome re: Christian being beaten up. From all the spoilers I've read I'm kindof thinking it may be hospital-worthy ...pure speculation though.

On another, happier note: Part 18!! This thread is going to explode come next week!

I was only away for a couple of hours, and so many more birthday messages! Thank you all!


Thank you so much, Who Me! They're all sooo wonderful!








Thank you all~! Ownership of Part 18 really is a wonderful birthday present - I'm convinced that the Mods did that on purpose!

Will thank EVERYONE at the end of the day, just because I can

Some really good posts from Surreal, Diamond and others whose names escape me right now re Syed's portrayal. I agree that there hasn't been enough time or attention given to Syed's inner thought processes BUT I tend to think that it's possible in this case (unlike Aaron in Emmerdale) that the best illustration of his dilemma comes through other people and their reactions. Do you see what I mean? Yes, it's about Syed's conflicted feelings re his sexuality and his faith, but all the guy can continue to do is keep reiterating that it's haraam (thanks for the correct spelling Diamond). It's my personal opinion that the homophobic response from Zainab who represents the wider community (?) is designed to show us exactly what Syed faces, because I don't think that until people see that in such a visceral way they'll have any idea why he acts and thinks as he does.

The problem is that people generally don't recognise just how hard it is to be gay in this society - even when your religion doesn't have such harsh proscriptions against it. I know that it's an unpopular choice but for some people subtlety simply doesn't work and they (casual viewer) have to pretty much be hit over the head with a thing before they 'get' it hence the gay bashing option.

Another unpopular and possibly patronising opinion: if they (EE writers) were writing for US then they'd do it differently and we'd probably get what we wanted. Broad, bold, unsubtle brush strokes seems to be what the writers feel is the most effective way to get their point across. Like it or loathe it...

More to say, but will leave it there for now

Hi Rhumba!!

I'm in and out today. You know what makes people dislike Syed so much? I'd say that apart from the lack of real character delovepment in the part of Santer and Co, is the presence of Amira. Bringing a woman into the equation inmediately took any potential sympathy away because what people inmediately saw was a love triangle, another case of cheating. Cue the Syed is bi discussion for example. And of course since anything he does will inevitably destroy her, all sympathy towards him has but disappear in the minds of those who are casual viewers.

This is the reason why I have never liked her character. In effect by bringing her in Santer and writers put Syed in a no win situation. I don't watch ED but I understand that Aaron is dealing with his on his own therefore all struggle he has will be viewed as His struggle and not the poor girlfriend/fiancee/wife is being cheated on.

I never watch HO so I don't know how people felt towards the fiancee in that case but for Chryed if they had at least introduced Amira months down the line once people had seen his inner turmoil in its fullest form, then the sympathy would have remained. Instead he went from a cocky new character to a panicky one that got engaged in such a short period of time that a large portion audience was never given the chance to believe in his struggle. Am I frustrated by all this after all this time? You better believe it, especially because I know what's coming. But alas, this is what we have and I'll just enjoy having back on our screens.

I know it's a bit late, but happy birthday RC! Hope you had a lovely day!

The detail spoilers we get tomorrow what week are they?

19th-23rd

Just had a thought... I wonder how many jokers we're going to have on here tomorrow with 'spoilers'

I will only be believing any spoilers I read tomorrow that appear on the BBC press office website... and they had seriously better not play any April Fool's on us

Happy Birthday, RC!!

Thank you

That is so true but i think because we adore them so much we all over analyze(sp) everything they do.
Most people watch the show and then forget about it till the next episode . We are never going to get an all rounded Syed as there simply is not enough time and its because of Marc that we get such a great Syed as somebody else it would come off even worse his actions.

Thank you both!

Happy Birthday Revolcram!!!!

Also welcome to all newbies!

happy birthday RC

Thank you, willow_gold!

Thank you cooko!

Sorry to shorten your post. You see, I think this approach is Santer's approach to story telling rather than EE. Yorke's was very different and his subtle yet powerful way made the Little Mo/Trevor story compelling, challenging and ultimately life transforming. I have written about this in the past. Since the advent of instant technology everyone seems in a hurry to create characters in the big bold tones you describe. Yet when something like Mad Men arrives and causes you to think and digest for the many is a boring experience, for the few is a grateful appreciation for being treated as an adult!

In essence Santer went for the big bang wallop situation. It caused a stir, and many of us have fallen in love with Chryed passionately. In the process however he forgot or chose not to delve deeper into many aspects of this complex story. He seems to have done the same with other stories if truth be told and many have bemoaned this aspect of his tenure in EE. Let's just hope that Kirkwood introduces a more even pace in all the stories so that the more subtle aspects that the audience is more than capable of absorbing will be allowed to breathe.

Only trust regular posters.....we wouldn't be so EVIL would we...

Afternoon, folks

Gosh, it is cold and windy today. Where's the sun??


Heelllo, Ardith

10 posts You'll soon get addicted to this place I have laughed when Angel_Lou got shocked by the number of posts she did a day two/three thread ago!

Phoenix: Sorry to hear about the cancelled holiday Hope April, Chyred-wise makes up for it

Good luck, Arsenal! Bcn_nutty, we'll still love you... Really

Oooo the week before the reveal

Is the spoilers for tomorrow are the ones where they are in bed together?

No, brief ones for the week after.

Hello everyone

I have been a long time lurker here (Since about part 2) and was too afraid to sign up because I thought that I might be ruining the lovely community you guys have! But as I have realised, I can't express my love for Chryed to any of my family or friends, so I guessed I should join and see how it goes!

Yey welcome to the thread!

Your last paragraph somes up exactly my frustration with the character development and pacing of the story.

They had to bring a woman in.As far as I can tell marriage is the route most gay muslims take either independently or through forced marriage. The marriage was obviously part of the plot all along and as they had a gay muslim group helping with the story this must have been run past them as realistic. Watching the Ch4 program on gay muslims all but one had either been married or were contemplating getting married to appease their family. Sham marriages are a stark reality for closeted muslims and in a way it was important for EE to show this.

Same as you I just wish she had been brought in later when we knew Syed better. Because they didn't to viewers brought up on the love triangle armed with the mantra of "just come out already" Syed has been selfish and cowardly as opposed to a genuine reflection of the behaviour of real life gay muslims.