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The Carter Family Dynamics


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Old 08-07-2014, 12:01
Scrabbler
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When a new soap family arrives it is pretty much pot luck that the family will be warmly accepted by the viewers. We have seen whole families turn up in the back of a van or have had staggered arrivals so viewers can get to know each family member individually. Eastenders has even held workshops in the past to test the actors chemistry with each other before writing specific roles for them. It worked for the Slaters, but didn't work for the Ferraries or whatever they were called.

What is important for a new family is that we get to see the dynamics of how the family works. Dominic treadwell Collins based the Carter's on his own family so perhaps this is why the family has worked where others have failed.

Stan

Stan as we know was a bad father, he drank a lot and was unaware his teenage daughter was pregnant. After seeing Shirley try to drown Mick Stan decided the only way forward was to put his children in care. This was a hard decision for Stan to make and it caused a wedge to appear between him and his family. This meant Stan became a bitter, lonely man who was pretty much cooped up in his flat. We know that Mick did come back into Stan's life as a teenager because they both used to drink in Lynda's family pub. But Stan became estranged from Mick and Shirley but sometimes Tina would visit him when he needed money, Stan can see himself in Shirley, I suspect she is his favourite child and I don't think he will take kindly to the fact that he did not know she had a child and he will probably feel a bit betrayed. Especially as Sylvie left him not long afterwards so perhaps he will blame Shirley for his marriage failing. As for Stan's relationship with Mick, I think he is proud that his son has his own pub, an attractive wife and three children. There are some underlying issues between the two of them which have not yet been explored though but Mick and Stan are building on their relationship, they have some good banter which is always good to watch. Stan and Tina do have affection for each other, Tina seems less troubled by how Stan treated them in the past. It was Tina who brought him back in their lives, because they have little issues to resolve between each other we haven't seen much of their relationship. However Stan did genuinely showed signs of concern for Tina a few weeks back when she wad having issues with Tosh. Stan also seems to have great respect and affection for Linda. I think he is secretly proud that Mick married someone so attractive. It was great to find out that Stan was there for Linda when he father died, in fact he could have used that to his advantage when he was trying to get into the Vic. The fact he didn't makes me think Stan does have a heart. He only revealed that news to Linda when he realised that she was still suffering over losing her father. It was good seeing them connect in that way and I hope we have more one on one scenes with this pair. Moving on to Stans grandchildren it's clear again that Stan has a much better connection with Dean. Again this is because they, like Shirley feel like they are on the outside of the family. Stan also seems to have great respect for Lee because he is in the army and I think he admires the fact that Nancy, like Shirley before her can stand up for herself. We have not yet seen him form a bond with Johnny, Stan doesn't really seem to be able yo understand Johnny's sexuality so hopefully this will be explored more. We know that Babe and Stan don't seem to get on, that's not been explored in any great depth. Stan hasn't had much to do with Carly but I imagine he has spent some time with Zsa Zsa and their relationship would probably be similar yo the relationship Stan has with Nancy.

Shirley

Shirley having Mick taken away from her became a very troubled soul. She cannot forgive Stan for putting Mick into care. She also has a bad relationship with her own mother, we know Sylvie used to beat Shirley. So it's no wonder that as a result of her own parents being so messed up, Shirley followed in their footsteps and had a bad relationship with her own children. Mick does have fond feelings for his mother and I suspect while he is angry at first, he will still have those fond feelings. Mick doesn't seem to hold any grudges against Shirley, in fact he just shrugged off the news that she tried to drown him probably because Mick had an understanding of what it was like growing up under Stan's care. We know Shirley does have maternal feelings, she was there for Jay and Ben. I get the impression that Shirley does want to be a good mother' she just doesn't know how to be and has fallen into the habit of running away when things get tough. Similar to her own mother, the difference is Shirley does seem to want to put things right and time will tell whether Shirley will overcome her feelings of being such an inadequate mother figure. I think this is why Shirley and Linda come to blows, Linda is the opposite to Shirley in that she puts her children first and smothers them. Their different attitudes to motherhood explains their animosity. Linda simply cannot understand why Shirley had such a bad relationship with her children. Shirley seems yo view Tina as another Heather, someone she can muck around with. Shirley cannot cope with the fact Tina has someone else in her life and it's that jealousy which has caused a rift between the two of them. They are not ad close as when Tina arrived but I hope they rebuild that relationship and that Shirley learns not to be so controlling. Babe is the only member of the clan (other than Sylvie) who knows the truth about Shirley and Mick. Babe said herself, she knows Shirley inside out so again this is a relationship I want to see more of in the future.

Mick

Mick is actually a pretty rare guy, he comes from a screwed up family and while he does have some demons he has made a decent life for himself. He is always there for his children and it's important for him that he has a good relationship with all three of them. He doesn't push their feelings aside, he goes out of his way to make them all happy. I don't think he has favourites, he has more in common with Nancy than Johnny yet he was the parent who displayed no issues with Johnny's sexuality. For Mick Linda and his children are his world, I live the fact he and Linda still find each other sexually attractive and cannot keep their hands off each other. There is genuine love there and it's great to watch. I have gone into Micks relationships with Stan and Shirley above so I won't repeat myself. Mick i think is probably trying to fall into the role of father figure for Dean, when the truths about Dean fancying Linda and that Dean is Micks half brother come to light this dynamic will change. In fact I think Dean needs to be careful of his own safety when mick finds out he has been feeling up Linda. Mick and Tina get along really well but he hasn't interferred in her relationship with Tosh, while a little surprising I think Mick had more faith in Tina than what Shirley does.

Tina

She is a mother and yet behaved like a child. Tina's life has not been conventional, she was raised in children's homes and had had relations with men and women. Like Shirley she has little maternal instincts with her own daughter and yet she has been there for Cindy and Micks children. Apart from Zsa Zsa and having resentment towards her mother for leaving them, Tina actually gets on well with the rest of her family. She was the one who brought Stan back, she allowed Dean to live with her and she took Johnny clubbing when she knew he was gay. Tina's care free attitude and zest for life means the rest of her clan wasn't to spend time with her.

Linda

Linda has felt guilty that she did nothing for her father when he had a heart attack. This had defined her as a person, she needs to have her children close to her. She cannot understand Nancy who is a tomboy and she cannot understand why Johnny likes men. But she does come through for her children, eventually. She is a bit like Stan in that she will scheme to get her own way however it always blows up In Linda's face. She does display warmth though, which is why Dean is attracted to her. It's great that while Linda struggles with cooking, she does not let that stop her from trying to take care of her children. It's also clear she loves and trusts Mick. She puts up with Shirley and with Stan just for Mick. She did not get jealous when Mick was with Sadie. She really is a great character.


Ok I will get round to focusing on the dynamics of the rest if the carter clan later, this just took me a lot longer than I realised.
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Old 08-07-2014, 12:19
MiniMeToo
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Old 08-07-2014, 12:44
ameew
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Very well written post. I love the Carters . Stan is very near the top of my favourite EE characters at the moment. I don't know how far they'll go with him in terms of his manipulation and darkness . I said in another thread I'm loving Linda more and more. They've focused on her a lot recently which has made her a lot more layered. Mick is OK but hasn't shone for me as much as the others yet.

I used to hate Shirley but her family have made her more tolerable . While Tina is a bit of a Marmite character , I really like her. She's very warm and I think the actress will show off her abilities more when we explore her domestic abuse storyline .

Lee is unnecessary for me so far and the weakest link apart from Aunt Babe. I love how natural Johnny and Nancy are. They're both very relatable as younger characters. Have been loving Deans return and similar to Stan, I want to see how dark he gets.
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Old 08-07-2014, 12:47
Ell_Ren
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Your analysis is spot on, exactly how I view the dynamics of the family and how they are being portrayed. I would add on to the ones you have written but I think you have covered it all perfectly and I couldn't possibly have put it any better. I am keen to explore more about Aunt Babe as she seems to know all the skeletons in the Carter closet and I'm looking forward to her return.
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Old 08-07-2014, 14:29
benbenalen
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I like Tina, she's good, but If you think about it, Shirley is the one who acts more like a child sometimes and Tina is the mature one!

Also good stuff OP!
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Old 08-07-2014, 18:08
belle15
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Good post I don't always watch every episode so you've also filled in a few gaps of my knowledge about them. So Stan doesn't know Mick is Shirley's son?

I'm Malcolm in the middle about them. I like them, and I think their dynamic is what makes them great. But I don't have enough time to watch every episode of EastEnders, so when I do tune in - it's generally not for them.

I think they could be in a danger soon though. Tina and Tosh, and Mick and Linda especially are being overused lately. I think there's a real danger that viewers could get fed up of them soon. I understand their overuse of Tina and Tosh as they are showing how the emotional abuse is slowly building up, but I think viewers may turn off before the abuse storyline really gets underway.

I also think they're in danger because of all the secrets they have. I think there's going to be a few too many this week, and secrets can come across sensationalist so I hope they're not too bigger secrets. I think if it is ever revealed there are secrets between Linda and Mick then it will completely ruin their dynamic (they have the best dynamic out of the whole Carter clan), and if they split up it wouldn't make sense. Both actors have said they don't want their characters to cheat on each other, so at least there's hope with that. Another danger is that there's too many of them, and it will become the Carter show. We have 10 at the moment, I think that's already too many, but at least Aunt Babe and Lee haven't been used much. I hope they don't bring in too many more, it'll make sense to bring in Sylvie, but not any random cousins.

Tina and Shirley are a bit on the outside to me, I don't always recognise them as part of the Carter clan. I'm getting quite fed up of Shirley in all honesty, she's had her day I think. Same with Dean, I don't think they should have brought him back to be honest.
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Old 08-07-2014, 18:22
gcmac
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I think the dynamic in the family is really good. They had a lot of scenes last night without any big drama and I really enjoyed the episode. Mick, Linda and their kids have great chemistry as a family and are a great addition to the show.
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Old 08-07-2014, 18:47
Bakervich
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I love them! I want them featured in every episode! They have made the show unmissable for me.
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Old 08-07-2014, 18:59
Finn_Lincoln
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I like them all (except Lee), not a fan of all the whining Johnny's been doing recently though.
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Old 08-07-2014, 19:39
xTonix
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They are the best family in soap by miles, luv them.
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Old 08-07-2014, 20:26
nathan69
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Johnny made it rather good viewing tonight
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Old 08-07-2014, 20:31
MrBing
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They're easily the most effortlessly likeable and interesting family in soap since I can remember.
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Old 08-07-2014, 20:34
NeutronstarNeko
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They make the show for me. The Carters in The Vic feel absolutely right and give the show the much needed warmth that has been lacking for years.
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Old 08-07-2014, 20:56
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Dean

Deans world was Carly, Kevin and to a lesser extent Pat. Kevin and Pat are both dead and he are Carly don't seem to be that close any more. Shirley is Deans closest relative, but he still harbours resentment that she abandoned him and didn't do enough to stop him from going to jail. In fact Dean seems to blame Shirley for everything that is wrong in his life, yes Shirley was wrong in how she left her children but Dean is an adult and needs to face up to the mistakes he has made himself. I have seen people say that the Dean/Linda relationship is wrong because she is a mother figure. However I don't think that's the case, I think it's because Linda has simply been nice to Dean and he is not used to it. I don't think anyone has shown any concern in his welfare since before he was in prison. Yes Stan does care for Dean, but Stan doesn't show it that easily. Linda however has welcomed Dean into her home. I can see why he is attracted to her although it has become a little creepy. Again I think that's because Dean doesn't know how to treat women, we know he has paid for sex before now. Dean is incredibly jealous of Mick and that will intensify when he knows that they are half brothers. It was good seeing Dean take care of Tina, however he did interefere in her relationship with Tosh. While that was supposed to be because he cared for her I wouldn't be surprised if it was just so he could control Tina in the same way his mother does. Tina would be a good candidate of someone who could do as his bids. Deans relationships with his cousins seems to be quite amicable. After tonight I want to see more scenes between him and Nancy as I think Nancy would know exactly how to deal with him.

Lee

We still don't know that much about him except he is supposed to be a bit of a charmer although I do think of him more as the eastenders version of Kirk from corrie. As is often the case with the eldest child he comes across as being a bit selfish and arrogant. He is good with Johnny but I hate how he treats Nancy, it's like he constantly has something to prove with her. He gets on well with Mick and being Lindas first born it's easy to see why she has a soft spot for him. He hasn't mixed much with his other relatives yet so I cannot really comment.

Nancy

It's hard for her because she knows that she's not the daughter Linda wants, Lee seems to put her down constantly so Nancy often feels like she is the dogsbody of the family. She does have a good relationship with Mick, she seems to do anything he asks with perhaps just a little moan. But she will do it anyway. It's always hard for a child though when they know that they are not what their parent wanted, so I can see her and Linda will always have their little spats. I think it doesn't help that Nancy finds her mum to be a bit of a joke but she generally is good natured about that. I do like her relationship with Johnny though, she does look after him like a big sister would. Nancy does seem to be good at banter with all her family, she can stand up to Stan and doesn't seem affected by the fact her aunts are nutters. Her insecurities do make her character and I want to see them to continue with this, especially considering the fact her epilepsy meant she had to give up her career.

Johnny

The sweet baby of the family who doesn't want to be the baby anymore. His family are intent on trying to do everything for him and he is rebelling and is on his way to become a man. I do like his relationship with linda now as they seem to have turned a corner. He was a lot more concerned about her feelings in tonights episode until his lust got in the way. Like Nancy he has great respect for his father though which I admire.
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