I don't really post in here often but I can't possibly be the only one who loved Alfie in his first stint, but really can't be bothered with him this time?
I'm not even too sure what it is, I was looking forward to his return and I've tried to embrace the character but something about him this time, for me, doesn't seem to work.

Also was he really as over the top in 2002-2005 as he has been in the episodes before this baby storyline?

I have seen this happen to a number of returning soap characters. The actor loses a sense of who they played and when they return they overdo it. Alfie's "happy-go-lucky" persona seems artificial and contrived and I hate it. Same with Kat. She has returned as a caracature of herself. I can only assume that they will settle down in time and stop overdoing it.

I feel a bit sorry for him this time round (and feel like Shane Richie is playing the part very well).

Kat treats him like dirt. I wish he'd stand up to her more!

No he wasnt as OTT as now when he first arrived on the square. I really liked alfie he was probs one of my fav characters along with kat.

Maybe shane richie was nervous coming back into the soap so basically went for it with making alfie larger than life? sadly, it doesnt work.

I'm more the opposite. I'm finding him much better now than back then, he has really shown 'his side of the story' with the aftermath of 'Tommy' dying.
He pulled it together for Kat, stayed strong, organised the funeral - I like this side of Shane.

But also for me, Kat & Alfie got their happy ending, their story was wrapped up, so I'm not 'into' them as much this time round.

I love Alfie always have, always will. Kat too

no, I didnt particularly like the character 1st time around. But this time it seems that there is a lot more goin on in the square so we arent suffocated by kalfie.Shane also seems to have found some inner skill within himself to pull off emotional scenes.Hes been much better than jessie wallace in his performance and stepping back into character..

Only I dont like is the shot of him at the end of wednesday episode.And this constant sulking, its like TPTB feel they need to throw all that nonsense at kalfie just so the actors can get the oppurtunity to act.Which is corny, they need to cut that out but other than that hes been OK

ditto

Snap

i'm really enjoying seeing Alfie back and really enjoyed seeing a different side to him in the baby swap storyline

No I preferred him and Kat first time around. I was sooo excited about them coming back, but like someone else said, it's now like someone doing a bad impression of who they were. I hope once "babygate" is over, they will of settled back in better. Anyway Alfie was never the same character after Nana Moon passed away .

Alfie is actually one of the few characters in Eastenders I actually like. He's very sweet and a genuinely nice bloke *wait for the - but Shane Richie is just playing himself comments*

I liked them the first time round and was really into their story. I was glad they got heir happy ending and their storyline was wrapped up nicely.
This time around I am not so much into them. I don't mind them, but I am not as invested or drawn to them.