[catsmeow]

Last night's episode was amazing and I thought it was the best episode of EE I have seen in my short years of watching it. I mainly refer to the Heather aftermath storyline. It was so good I almost thought I was not watching EE. The performances could not be criticized (apart from Kim who kept popping up for no reason but she never has a reason anyway). I never got distracted once or started daydreaming like I normally do watching EE. Best performances: Shirley, Jay, and Ian without a doubt.
My question is whether Abi and Jay and Shirley and Phil will be able to survive intact as couples once it comes out that Ben killed Heather with Jay as witness. I adore Abi and Jay and they want to be together forever but will they have a chance when Abi and her family find out the truth. Both Phil and Jay knew the truth all along and neither said anything but will Jay be more easily forgiven because he is still a kid whereas Phil is an adult and should have been the one to do the responsible thing and go to the police? Also because Heather was Shirley's best friend she has more of a reason to know the truth. I fear that neither couple will survive and although the grenade has yet to go off proper last night the pin was pulled on it.
PS So emotional was the episode that I had water in my eyes three times, when Shirley was crying, when Jay was crying, and yes, even when Ben was crying!

[T.K. Mazin]

I bet the Square was on the verge of flooding with all those tears!

They should've put on that Justin Timberlake song, "Cry Me A River" during the episode

[chocolatecake]

I would love for Jabi to be able to get through this, but rather like when she found out Jay knew about Ben being Kevin68 she took the moral high ground.

I think Shirley will eat Phil for breakfast when she finds out.


And yes TK i too thought that Albert Square was a very merry place to be last night.

[monalisa62003]

awww im so cold i didnt cry lol

abi and jay probably will be ok jay has shown he's really torn over it and is only going along with it cos they are his family.

phil has shown some but not enough. he said while drunk that he should tell her and he didnt want to let her find heather. it was all the extra stuff phil did to shirley like dumping her and not being there for her when she needed him. im still unsure if she can ever forgive him but i think she'll understand one day

[catsmeow]

Originally Posted by monalisa62003

awww im so cold i didnt cry lol

abi and jay probably will be ok jay has shown he's really torn over it and is only going along with it cos they are his family.

phil has shown some but not enough. he said while drunk that he should tell her and he didnt want to let her find heather. it was all the extra stuff phil did to shirley like dumping her and not being there for her when she needed him. im still unsure if she can ever forgive him but i think she'll understand one day

mona, you didn't cry with Shirley? I was moved when she was describing how much she loved Phil. She truly does love him. Whether she forgives Phil or not for protecting Ben I think she will at least understand why he started drinking again and that shows him being conflicted. But her understanding may come too late because by then she will have killed both him and Ben.

[monalisa62003]

Originally Posted by catsmeow

mona, you didn't cry with Shirley? I was moved when she was describing how much she loved Phil. She truly does love him. Whether she forgives Phil or not for protecting Ben I think she will at least understand why he started drinking again and that shows him being conflicted. But her understanding may come too late because by then she will have killed both him and Ben.

lol i know im so cold. ive rarely ever cried at anything on tv im surprised phil/shirley havent made me cry yet. ive come close but not actual tears lol

yeah maybe

[vald]

The big question.

If Jay or Phil tell one of their partners and does the right thing by turning Ben in I think they could be forgiven.

If their respective partners find out another way then all hell will break loose.

Abi probably won't tolerate the deciet...she's had too much of it in her own family.

As for Phil he'll need a bodyguard to protect him from Shirley's wrath.

[computermaster]

Originally Posted by vald

The big question.

If Jay or Phil tell one of their partners and does the right thing by turning Ben in I think they could be forgiven.

If their respective partners find out another way then all hell will break loose.

Abi probably won't tolerate the deciet...she's had too much of it in her own family.

As for Phil he'll need a bodyguard to protect him from Shirley's wrath.

Philth might be feeling the pressure but i don't think he'd ever be weak enough to just turn Ben in or tell Shirley about the situation. It would out of character for him to bottle it now after going through such extremes to protect Ben.

[monalisa62003]

Originally Posted by computermaster

Philth might be feeling the pressure but i don't think he'd ever be weak enough to just turn Ben in or tell Shirley about the situation. It would out of character for him to bottle it now after going through such extremes to protect Ben.

he said on monday "maybe i should tell shirley, maybe she needs to know, its destroying her and she's finished" IMO i think it would really help phils character if he betrayed his family for someone who wasnt a mitchell. it would be really good character development.

[catsmeow]

Originally Posted by vald

The big question.

If Jay or Phil tell one of their partners and does the right thing by turning Ben in I think they could be forgiven.

If their respective partners find out another way then all hell will break loose.

Abi probably won't tolerate the deciet...she's had too much of it in her own family.

As for Phil he'll need a bodyguard to protect him from Shirley's wrath.

But even if Abi does find it in her to forgive Jay her parents would probably forbid the relationship. Shirley I feel even sorrier for because her happiness at being back with Phil is going to be so shortlived especially since the deceipt continues.

[big dan]

Last night's was a great character-led episode which imo, served the purpose of 'setting them up for a fall'. I think it pretty much foreshadowed who, and which group dynamics, will be vastly affected when this all comes out. The whole point imo, which I would say it succeeded in, was for us to care about these characters and their relationships in relation to this storyline - pretty much confirmation that this revelation will have a severely detrimental impact on the relationships in question.

I don't see how Shirley and Phil can ever get through it and have a clean break after all this. I do hope this doesn't mean the end of Shirley though, as I think this all coming out could in fact be the making of her character.

Also very intrigued as to how this will impact Abi. Considering the state of the youth cast at the moment, it is a nice surprise that she and Jay are establishing themselves as two of the best characters in the show whilst sustaining a good moral centre (well obviously more of a clash in Jay's case). I would like to see their relationship but survive, but as it stands I think Abi is just too moral. Again, this test could be the making of her character (not that she isn't good already, but from a dramatic stand-point).

[catsmeow]

Originally Posted by big dan

Last night's was a great character-led episode which imo, served the purpose of 'setting them up for a fall'. I think it pretty much foreshadowed who, and which group dynamics, will be vastly affected when this all comes out. The whole point imo, which I would say it succeeded in, was for us to care about these characters and their relationships in relation to this storyline - pretty much confirmation that this revelation will have a severely detrimental impact on the relationships in question.

I don't see how Shirley and Phil can ever get through it and have a clean break after all this. I do hope this doesn't mean the end of Shirley though, as I think this all coming out could in fact be the making of her character.

Also very intrigued as to how this will impact Abi. Considering the state of the youth cast at the moment, it is a nice surprise that she and Jay are establishing themselves as two of the best characters in the show whilst sustaining a good moral centre (well obviously more of a clash in Jay's case). I would like to see their relationship but survive, but as it stands I think Abi is just too moral. Again, this test could be the making of her character (not that she isn't good already, but from a dramatic stand-point).

I completely agree. But as well as these two couples at the forefront of this storyline who can forget poor Ian and the state he was in last night. In a way Ben's revelation last night could also end up affecting Ian's relationship with Mandy if not in a direct way. One could not help but feel sorry for all these already broken characters who are in for alot worse to come.

[ecckles]

I don't want to upset you.....but these story lines are all fiction,you are not meant to take them seriously,as they may cause you some stress

[monalisa62003]

Originally Posted by ecckles

I don't want to upset you.....but these story lines are all fiction,you are not meant to take them seriously,as they may cause you some stress

are you talking to me? You dont know anyone on here so hows it fair to say that? This is a forum which means you debate isnt it?

Or the op?

[maurice45]

Yes, Ben will tear them (Phil & Shirley) apart. Ben will tear a lot of other people apart too, including Jay and Abi, without even trying. He has torn Andrew's life apart, same with Dot's, Patrick's too.

[MySharona]

Originally Posted by catsmeow

But even if Abi does find it in her to forgive Jay her parents would probably forbid the relationship. Shirley I feel even sorrier for because her happiness at being back with Phil is going to be so shortlived especially since the deceipt continues.

I do think Abi will eventually forgive Jay. And I still think he's going to be the one to crack under the pressure and tell all. If he does confess and he expresses his remorse it will stand in his favour in terms of their relationship. I really see them as being a 'long term' couple and to be honest, one of Eastenders' best at the moment. For me, their scenes are always a highlight, but then I'm a sucker for young love.

And as far as Max and Tanya are concerned, well theirs isn't exactly the best relationship to look up to. As parents, they have set a shocking example of how two people (supposedly) in love treat each other. Abi's a smart girl, I'm sure she recognises that their relationship isn't an exemplary one. Even if they do forbid her, I doubt that would be an obstacle for her.

[maurice45]

Originally Posted by MySharona

I do think Abi will eventually forgive Jay. And I still think he's going to be the one to crack under the pressure and tell all. If he does confess and he expresses his remorse it will stand in his favour in terms of their relationship. I really see them as being a 'long term' couple and to be honest, one of Eastenders' best at the moment. For me, their scenes are always a highlight, but then I'm a sucker for young love.

And as far as Max and Tanya are concerned, well theirs isn't exactly the best relationship to look up to. As parents, they have set a shocking example of how two people (supposedly) in love treat each other. Abi's a smart girl, I'm sure she recognises that their relationship isn't an exemplary one. Even if they do forbid her, I doubt that would be an obstacle for her.

It may not be an obstacle for them to meet and catch up, but I'm sure Max will be on guard against Jay at all times; Phil would most likely want to keep Jay and Abi apart too. And let's not forget Derek, he's bound to get involved...

[madetomeasure]

acting of the night for me was Shirley stifling her initial cries then sobbing on the bed. Phil, as always, playing one of the best drunks I've seen on TV as well.

[MySharona]

Originally Posted by maurice45

It may not be an obstacle for them to meet and catch up, but I'm sure Max will be on guard against Jay at all times; Phil would most likely want to keep Jay and Abi apart too. And let's not forget Derek, he's bound to get involved...

True.
I've always thought that Max and Tanya are too interested in Lauren and don't pay Abi nearly as much attention. But I suppose that could change now when the truth comes out about Heather.
Hopefully Jay won't be under Phil's bullying thumb for much longer. Is Jay eighteen soon? I can't see him sticking with Phil and co. when he is.
Whatever happens, I can't wait! I haven't been this interested in Eastenders in a loooong time. And if it keeps going the way it has for the past few episodes then I'm all for it.

[monalisa62003]

Originally Posted by madetomeasure

acting of the night for me was Shirley stifling her initial cries then sobbing on the bed. Phil, as always, playing one of the best drunks I've seen on TV as well.

was he drunk by the end of those scenes?

[thejoyof_pat]

I'm now singing Love will tear us apart but replacing the word Love with Ben.

[maurice45]

Originally Posted by MySharona

True.
I've always thought that Max and Tanya are too interested in Lauren and don't pay Abi nearly as much attention. But I suppose that could change now when the truth comes out about Heather.
Hopefully Jay won't be under Phil's bullying thumb for much longer. Is Jay eighteen soon? I can't see him sticking with Phil and co. when he is.
Whatever happens, I can't wait! I haven't been this interested in Eastenders in a loooong time. And if it keeps going the way it has for the past few episodes then I'm all for it.

Yeah, Abi's like the forgotten child, Lauren is clearly their favourite.

BIB: seconded! EE hasn't been this good in ages!!

Originally Posted by thejoyof_pat

I'm now singing Love will tear us apart but replacing the word Love with Ben.

Haha! You legend!

[MySharona]

Originally Posted by thejoyof_pat

I'm now singing Love will tear us apart but replacing the word Love with Ben.

Hahaha!
That song is gonna be stuck in my head all night now. What an epic youtube vid that would make!

[maurice45]

Originally Posted by MySharona

Hahaha!
That song is gonna be stuck in my head all night now. What an epic youtube vid that would make!

Someone really needs to make that! It could feature clips of Ben doing crazy things; different characters could shout "Ben!" just before "...will tear us apart"

[MySharona]

Originally Posted by maurice45

Someone really needs to make that! It could feature clips of Ben doing crazy things; different characters could shout "Ben!" just before "...will tear us apart"

Amazing
I really want the guy who made this to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNOfmn2XvXk