EE underwhelming year

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T.K. Mazin

18-12-2012

Originally Posted by Guido9:
“Yes, I'm of the mind that 2012 EE was a marginal improvement on the dreadful predecessor (so to speak) that was 2011 but it certainly was no classic and still ran 2011 a close second - regardless of what is in store for us at Christmas still!

For me there were either too many badly paced storylines, a bewildering and constantly changing persona in some characters (Derek Branning being a classic example) - just like there was under Kirkwood - and the way the "biggest returnee of the year" Sharon had her return completely overshadowed by the Ben-Heather murder reveal was lamentable as well as puzzling! Although I have disagreed with some on this thread, the Kat shagger s/line really does take the biscuit as possibly one of the worst EE s/lines ever and I can't believe it STILL isn't over and done with and looks like it's going to rumble on with it's aftermath into the New Year now! That takes me back neatly to my complaint about bad pacing - and the fact that this futile and deeply uninteresting "Kat shagger" s/line is the longest running one of the year perhaps shows the bad pacing up as well as anything when you think how some of the better s/lines were rushed through in the end. I suppose some of this was probably down to actor's demands with this new fad of taking a sizeable amount of time off from the show for a few months at a time (Janine, Bianca et al) but some of it definitely wasn't!

What any floating viewers must think to the show if they so happened to tune in of late out of curiosity - say for the first time in six months, two years, five years, whatever....I don't know but I'm imagining that they probably wouldn't be too impressed!”

Nice post, Guido. Couldn't agree more.

Feels like the problems on EE will never get sorted

. Just the same old every year now.

Guido9

18-12-2012

Originally Posted by T.K. Mazin:
“Nice post, Guido. Couldn't agree more.

Feels like the problems on EE will never get sorted . Just the same old every year now.”

I think they've just run out of ideas mate quite simply - the producers and writers probably sense it, the cast probably knows it (especially the original and older members like Ian and Sharon from the beginning!) and us older viewers definitely know it!

I guess there is the age old arguement that with the ratio of new, fresh ideas being at odds with the amount of times the show is on per week these days, then with all things considered, it is probably on twice a week more now than it needs to be, in accordance with the running out of ideas and originality, as I said. The fact that it's on four times weekly must surely dilute the quality of the show/storylines in a highly significant way. I can't see how anybody would disagree with such blinding logic! Perhaps if it wasn't on so often and reverted back to being on twice a week then the show would have more breathing space and be better paced.

Some have said on reflection of 2011 and 2012 that the only way is up but I think the only way now appears to be sideways unless drastic measures are taken. If not then I sense the show will no longer be come 2015 or thereabouts.

Broken_Arrow

18-12-2012

I don't mean to offend fans of the other soaps but EastEnders was always a bit more authentic and better written and acted than the others. Only Brookside at its peak boasted the same type of quality. I don't think EastEnders was ever designed to go out four times a week. It's lost its soul in the process because its going against the grain. Without putting too fine a point on it look at what happened to Brookside when it lost its identity. I love EastEnders but if it carries on like this I can't see it lasting.

T.K. Mazin

18-12-2012

Originally Posted by Guido9:
“I think they've just run out of ideas mate quite simply - the producers and writers probably sense it, the cast probably knows it (especially the original and older members like Ian and Sharon from the beginning!) and us older viewers definitely know it!

I guess there is the age old arguement that with the ratio of new, fresh ideas being at odds with the amount of times the show is on per week these days, then with all things considered, it is probably on twice a week more now than it needs to be, in accordance with the running out of ideas and originality, as I said. The fact that it's on four times weekly must surely dilute the quality of the show/storylines in a highly significant way. I can't see how anybody would disagree with such blinding logic! Perhaps if it wasn't on so often and reverted back to being on twice a week then the show would have more breathing space and be better paced.

Some have said on reflection of 2011 and 2012 that the only way is up but I think the only way now appears to be sideways unless drastic measures are taken. If not then I sense the show will no longer be come 2015 or thereabouts.”

I agree with every word. But I think there is an inherent problem with the writing that would still be there even if EE went back to the two episodes a week format IMHO. The writers seem content in recycling the same garbage and flinging it at us! It's like they don't feel bothered in trying to tell a story that feels fresh and new :yawn:. They ALWAYS fall back on the same plots - affairs, pregnancies and custody battles :yawn:. Unfortunately, I don't think that will change with two episodes a week. They'd probably cut down on those bad habits, but it wouldn't change the flawed writing. They will just continue to churn out the same nonsense.

I can genuinely say if I sat down for an hour or two, I could come up with some fresh plots for the show. Yet, the writers seem to limit themselves to the same plots. I don't understand why, but there's so many different storylines they could have.

IzzyInTheHouse

18-12-2012

That was a pretty crappy video. I was expecting better

Scrabbler

18-12-2012

The thing is Kirkwood did completely ruin the show for me, his entire run has been underwhelming. I had more faith in Lorraine due to her experience but seriously am concerned about some of her choices.

Still with Derek gone and the shagger plot out of the way, who knows what 2013 will bring.

Ava and Ayesha seem ok and I know it's early days but it's refreshdetest them, which I hate as I do try and give them a chance.

Meisste

18-12-2012

2011 was the year that I stopped watching EastEnders religously and 2012 hasnt done much to entice me back. I keep a track of what happens and tune in every now and then willing and hoping for it to be good and 9 times out of 10 I think what badly made tosh this is!

EastEnders has strayed so far from its roots since late/early 2011 its now EElite, a diluted version made and aimed at teenagers/ the hollyoaks market. I feel the last time the show was on top form was just before Peggys exit. Its had small good patches (Billy's death), (Pat's Death) and (Heather's Death) but apart from that its just been sailing without a paddle, I would much rather watch old episodes pre 2010 on Youtube then the show that is broadcast today.

Good Points of this year, Michael blackmailing Janine, Heather's Murder, David Wicks's return. The rest truely awfull!

Guido9

18-12-2012

Originally Posted by T.K. Mazin:
“I agree with every word. But I think there is an inherent problem with the writing that would still be there even if EE went back to the two episodes a week format IMHO. The writers seem content in recycling the same garbage and flinging it at us! It's like they don't feel bothered in trying to tell a story that feels fresh and new :yawn:. They ALWAYS fall back on the same plots - affairs, pregnancies and custody battles :yawn:. Unfortunately, I don't think that will change with two episodes a week. They'd probably cut down on those bad habits, but it wouldn't change the flawed writing. They will just continue to churn out the same nonsense.

I can genuinely say if I sat down for an hour or two, I could come up with some fresh plots for the show. Yet, the writers seem to limit themselves to the same plots. I don't understand why, but there's so many different storylines they could have.”

Like you say, I think the problem would still be there were the show to revert back to being on twice a week as fresh ideas and originality start to recede after time but it would perhaps be less exposed or apparent if it was on twice a week again like in the 80s/90s, as there'd be less filler material to have to contend with! Most of the show is "filler" now IMO and as Broken Arrow says, the programme was never designed to be stretched out for four eps. over a week and therein lies more of the problem it seems..

You'd be doing well to come up with too many stories though as I feel that there is only so much that can happen in a four mile square radius or however big Walford's supposed to be!

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