He might be all "I did it for us Ste bla bla bla" and guilt Ste into staying with him

Knew it Drugs or Riley?
Can't wait to see it I'll consume my FF button, tho

There really wasn't much Pauline, was there. Ste exploration sacrificed for the triangle.

I'm scared to ask about Stug sex. Sounds like there was more to it than there usually is?

And what's betting Stug don't eventually breakup because they're at all toxic together, but just because OMG Ste loves Brendan?

I'm starting to think Ste doesn't find out for a while. There is definitely going to be a big reveal. Maybe this happens at the airport?

The episode just on now, perhaps not, but the last two episodes have been so much about Ste's character.

I know! It's pretty good drama really, because it so is going to destroy Ste when he finds out.

No idea what Doug has on Brendan though!

It was very Stuggy tonight. Bit of topless Doug, but then they made him wear the T shirt of Gay Censorship. I guess he put it on to keep him warm during sex.

I agree the Pauline stuff was very rushed and tokeny. I liked what we got, but pretty thin stuff. Was that really what ES meant when she said exploring Ste's family, why he is what he is? 3 episodes?

I seriously hope it blows up in Doug's face as well, could be at the airport?

God Doug is a weasel and his continual presence is really getting me down now.

Doug is trending.

I hate to say this but I think Hollyoaks missed a huge opportunity there. They had the chance to explore Ste's violence, to address Terry... instead they made it about his relationships and Doug's insecurities.

Not only that but it makes literally no sense for Doug to go to the police. I dread to think how it would have been portrayed before the rethink; most likely big bad Brendan needs to be put away etc.

I think the one of the main things this story has shown though is that Stendan fans have largely been painted as awful for wanting their relationship to grow and change, and now that they've added a violent incident into Stug, people do still root for them. And I don't judge them for that, so maybe it will change things... who knows.

Just saw your post Mojy. You are right, it has been brilliant with what Ste and Brendan said to each other, I guess I just didn't want this Doug part to it with going to the police etc.

ohhhwith a number of explicits probably

I agree with all of this. So much potential for Stes background there and we barely got a nod of exploring it. Just a plot device to show Stug and Stendan in slightly different lights.

Unlikely, it's still Brendan that's at fault and ruining Doug, apparently.....

I think it makes sense for Doug to go to the police personally.

I think they could have made more out of Pauline but the first episodes this week were more about Ste imo than just the triangle.

I feel the same, yes. I don't totally understand why a lot of this feels a bit rushed and superficial. They've had months to storyline it, haven't they? Instead of that terrible sham wedding story, they could have had Pauline and Terry starting to turn back up and try to weevil their way back into Ste's life, now he's making some money. There's a lot more they could have done.

But oh well, at least we got what we got. Better than nothing. And that lovely Stendan conversation yesterday.

I think this episode was revealing of Ste's character as well. He's still convinced, despite Doug leaving or making comments every time Brendan's name crops up, that it was the violence he should be apologising for. He's riddled with guilt about that. And even after he had sex with Doug to prove himself to him, he still said he was going to make it up to him again tonight by having an evening together. He feels he can't apologise enough.

I loved his face when Doug left after they'd slept together. He's one confused boy.

that would make sense for me, basically I will be disappointed if ste really believes doug sent brendan down because he loves him or if he suddenly leaves the airport. if the reason he leaves the airport is him finding the truth then it's fine to me but otherwise it would be just a rushed moment imo

Oh he's unbelievably guilt ridden. And either he doesn't get the Brendan issue, or does and is internally feeling massively guilty about that too.

Isn't it funny how Brendan is at fault for ruining Doug but no one blames Cindy for ruining Rhys?

Like, I can imagine Doug making a comment completely oblivious, like, finally, we're here without Brendan breathing down our throats or something like that.

Oh I never thought of that, someone on the main thread has just said that since Brendan turned up after Doug rang Ste does that mean that Ste rang Brendan?

It's always Brendans fault.

Although, even if people hate him that much, at least it means he is a fantastic character. Brings out so many emotions in people. Rarity that is, and I think it is largely due to Emmett.

Hey guys, about to watch +1, was it a good ep?

So I'm thinking Stug are gonna go on a while longer Ste might think bad of Brendan again cos of whatever Doug does with the police thing. I think Brendan will get out of the police stuff though not enough evidence etc but will decide to leave the village and goes to Dublin. Ste will find out the truth somehow possibly at the airport and leave Doug there (he might go wherever alone) & Ste having realised what a fool he's been over Doug and how he really feels for Brendan will head straight to Dublin to find him and then reunion

Yes it did seem a bit rushed still we got that lovely stendan scene yesterday so I'd take that over nothing. I hope they don't rush the Pa stuff though because they really can't rush that...

I know that this has been said before but I truly resent HO for making me dislike Doug this much. Before, he was a complete dick in some ways, but at the same time he was very vulnerable and took things pretty badly. But he was a lot more balanced than he is now.

Now they've just got him being an insecure, sneaky, manipulative little douchebag. They're going to have to work some magic to make me like him again. Even if you take Stendan out of the equation, Ste and Doug's relationship is utterly ridiculous. In interviews etc, we're expected to believe that it's perfect and healthy but on screen we see a controlling, manipulative boyfriend guilt-tripping his other half for having a soft-spot for the love of his life. And his jealousy just proves that he doesn't love Ste; if he did, he'd just want him to be satisfied and happy, instead, he's just desperate for Ste to need him. Brendan's speech on love comes to mind...

Urgh just pissed at HO for making me hate Doug. Just let it die already.