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Has ED lost it's roots? |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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Has ED lost it's roots?
Emmerdale is such a different programme from it's earlier days...can't seem to pinpoint where or when it changed? The 'feel' of the village is not like it used to be. Even the storylines are like they used to be....is it because out going characters over the years have been replaced by non entities?
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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Emmerdale is such a different programme from it's earlier days...can't seem to pinpoint where or when it changed? The 'feel' of the village is not like it used to be. Even the storylines are like they used to be....is it because out going characters over the years have been replaced by non entities?
The countryside, farming, rural life and rural ways - it's all just been totally lost. Moira's 'farming' plays second fiddle to the endless, tedious melodrama of Adam, James, Ross et al. Home Farm has just been given up on as a proper set with a proper, posh family, somewhat at odds with the rest of the village yet very much mixing with them. That lovely rich mixture of working class and upper class co-existing alongside each other was fascinating, and unique in any British soap. I'm not suggesting it should be half-an-hour of farming before any clown suggests that but what's the point of a countryside soap unless it has rural pillars propping up its structure? The farming (Sugdens), the posh estate (Tates/Kings/Wyldes), the rough-but-loveable country bumpkins (the Dingles) - all of that is either lost now or severely undermined. Storylines nowadays are told in blocks that just go on forever and ever. Whilst it has never returned to its 90s heyday, the 00s did have some strong periods for Emmerdale, but the rot set in when Anita Turner became Series Producer, and slowly but surely it's been downhill from there. We now have Kate Oates, who is arguably the worst series producer Emmerdale has ever had. She hasn't the slightest clue what Emmerdale is or needs.The badly written, badly acted, utterly irrelevant panto that Emmerdale has turned into is painful - as are, quite rightly, the ratings. And worst of all, ITV don't give a monkey's uncle. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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Quote:
Yes, Emmerdale has lost its roots, more than either of the other 'big three' in my opinion.
The countryside, farming, rural life and rural ways - it's all just been totally lost. Moira's 'farming' plays second fiddle to the endless, tedious melodrama of Adam, James, Ross et al. Home Farm has just been given up on as a proper set with a proper, posh family, somewhat at odds with the rest of the village yet very much mixing with them. That lovely rich mixture of working class and upper class co-existing alongside each other was fascinating, and unique in any British soap. I'm not suggesting it should be half-an-hour of farming before any clown suggests that but what's the point of a countryside soap unless it has rural pillars propping up its structure? The farming (Sugdens), the posh estate (Tates/Kings/Wyldes), the rough-but-loveable country bumpkins (the Dingles) - all of that is either lost now or severely undermined. Storylines nowadays are told in blocks that just go on forever and ever. Whilst it has never returned to its 90s heyday, the 00s did have some strong periods for Emmerdale, but the rot set in when Anita Turner became Series Producer, and slowly but surely it's been downhill from there. We now have Kate Oates, who is arguably the worst series producer Emmerdale has ever had. She hasn't the slightest clue what Emmerdale is or needs.The badly written, badly acted, utterly irrelevant panto that Emmerdale has turned into is painful - as are, quite rightly, the ratings. And worst of all, ITV don't give a monkey's uncle. Characters and actors set the tone of a soap. Jack Sugden WAS Emmerdale and I think the programme has suffered with the actors passing, as with Alan Turner and Seth Armstrong. I KNOW these characters/actors were always in the foreground to the younger crew, but I think they played an important part of continuity. Jack Sugden's funeral was the last of the great episodes and Annie Sugdens appearance only added to what we have lost with the programme and how much it's changed. I never could understand WHY they killed off Joe Sugden. Frazer Hines would still be in and out of it now if the character was alive. As for Pollard! WHY have they turned him into this loveable old man whose helping people...? Once a con man always a con man. And then there's Donna (however annoying she is). Another character been in it prior the plane crash...and being killed off... The past is slipping away and it's a shame because Emmerdale used to be my favourite of all...but it's TURNING into the others fast. Kate Oates needs to go, or I think Emmerdale will never be the point of no return.
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#4 |
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Glad it's not just me. The trigger that brought this up is watching the latest instalment from Friday. All that with the balloons. What was that all about? I know they were remembering Gennie and that's fair enough, but as usual no one seems to have ever existed bygone the year 2000.
Characters and actors set the tone of a soap. Jack Sugden WAS Emmerdale and I think the programme has suffered with the actors passing, as with Alan Turner and Seth Armstrong. I KNOW these characters/actors were always in the foreground to the younger crew, but I think they played an important part of continuity. Jack Sugden's funeral was the last of the great episodes and Annie Sugdens appearance only added to what we have lost with the programme and how much it's changed. I never could understand WHY they killed off Joe Sugden. Frazer Hines would still be in and out of it now if the character was alive. As for Pollard! WHY have they turned him into this loveable old man whose helping people...? Once a con man always a con man. And then there's Donna (however annoying she is). Another character been in it prior the plane crash...and being killed off... The past is slipping away and it's a shame because Emmerdale used to be my favourite of all...but it's TURNING into the others fast. Kate Oates needs to go, or I think Emmerdale will never be the point of no return. ![]() I wholeheartedly agree about Joe Sugden - genuinely one of the stupidest decisions ever killing him off, and for what? ![]() And where is the heritage? |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Galaxy Really Rather Far Away
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I always say this
Do you remember when Daniel died? The Val and Eric wedding? Wow just powerful stuff The Victoria falling through this ice True quality stuff, regularly kept up Now it feels like they throw something in because they have to fit half an hour! |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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I always say this
Do you remember when Daniel died? The Val and Eric wedding? Wow just powerful stuff The Victoria falling through this ice True quality stuff, regularly kept up Now it feels like they throw something in because they have to fit half an hour! |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 912
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I would like to see more Farming and especially more animals. We dont even see Katie at the stables anymore. Shes always on the floor with Andy!!! Perhaps ITV do not think we would be interested. On a random note, I dont like Tracy, she is getting poor Sammy into alot of debt, which no doubt Cain will pay off !!
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#8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 525
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One of my earliest memories of Emmerdale was when kate Sudgen ran over Peter Whitely, and my older brother saying: wasn't she in Blakes 7?
There was an air of realism that the show has sadly lost. Anyway, things change, just not always for the better. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Emmerdale
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I agree, it could do with making better use of its setting. That's always been a characteristic that separates itself from the others. I.E more animals and shots of the beautiful Dales
mixed in with everything else. Although the show could be better atm, it remains my favourite Brit soap.
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#10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 525
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Quote:
I would like to see more Farming and especially more animals. We dont even see Katie at the stables anymore. Shes always on the floor with Andy!!! Perhaps ITV do not think we would be interested. On a random note, I dont like Tracy, she is getting poor Sammy into alot of debt, which no doubt Cain will pay off !!
I used to like Sam when he used to work for Pollard with the antiques. As for Tracy/Stacy or whatever her name is...hope TPTB have read your comments about the lack of animals and have her killed in a stampede of cattle!! |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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I agree, it could do with making better use of its setting. That's always been a characteristic that separates itself from the others. I.E more animals and shots of the beautiful Dales
mixed in with everything else. Although the show could be better atm, it remains my favourite Brit soap. |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: N. Yorkshire
Posts: 7,096
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OK : Get ready for a shouting down!!
'Emmerdale Farm' began as a family orientated show in the afternoon. It was only shown in twice-seasonal series (Twice a year) IT was promoted to prime-time in the 80's (above Crossroads...which had more viewers) It was decided to change the name to Emmerdale....and eventually introduce THAT Plane- Crash in the mid 90's! Things were to change forever! But, actually, they were still full of rife and murders before all of this! Unfortunately nowadays, people expect EastEnders-Style stories, CORRIE drama's and the rest. Emmerdale maintain their village life and humorous stories and plenty of good drama and lovely characters in that village! They can do EXPLOSIONS better than the rest when they want to!! We still have the farms, cows and sheep and tractors!
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#13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 56,123
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Quote:
OK : Get ready for a shouting down!!
'Emmerdale Farm' began as a family orientated show in the afternoon. It was only shown in twice-seasonal series (Twice a year) IT was promoted to prime-time in the 80's (above Crossroads...which had more viewers) It was decided to change the name to Emmerdale....and eventually introduce THAT Plane- Crash in the mid 90's! Things were to change forever! But, actually, they were still full of rife and murders before all of this! Unfortunately nowadays, people expect EastEnders-Style stories, CORRIE drama's and the rest. Emmerdale maintain their village life and humorous stories and plenty of good drama and lovely characters in that village! They can do EXPLOSIONS better than the rest when they want to!! We still have the farms, cows and sheep and tractors! ![]() A few less Dingles would improve the show no end. |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: #teamHELEN
Posts: 21,549
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I actually quite like the way ED is at the moment. I think it has taken a slight dip in quality recently, but certainly I'd say ED was the best soap for the majority of 2013 and early 2014.
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#15 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,311
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Not enough farming for me.
The Sugden's overall should be used better! Plus the only Tate link is Noah Tate whose name was changed to Sharma anyway before reverting back! Serious lack of top dog baddies or a super bitch! They do them so well in the past |
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#16 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,305
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Charity can be a good super bitch when she wants to be. Arn't they bringing in the Barton mam as a new super bitch?
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#17 |
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Charity can be a good super bitch when she wants to be. Arn't they bringing in the Barton mam as a new super bitch?
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#18 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,305
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More Bartons? The only accepted Bartons are Ross and Finn (<3!)
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#19 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 627
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I don't think it's lost it's roots. If it had it wouldn't be about real things happening to real people, set in Yorkshire or be in a farming environment. However, the style of the show has drastically changed. I do agree that it could feature more farming and take greater use of the setting though - when did we last see someone milk a cow? When was the last time anyone was actually doing any work on a farm? All we tend to see is Adam on his quad bike, Andy and Moira wandering around and James hammering things. I also think it was a massive mistake to get rid of so many of the show's past links - Joe's death in particular, as others have said was ridiculous.
I think the Bartons might have enough potential to take the baton from the Sugdens as the modern day farming family if they get the writing and characterisation right with the current lot. The setup with Moira, John, Adam, Hannah and Holly wasn't working and introducing the new lot and Cain has given them a stronger feel. I also think a shake up particularly at the pub is needed. Chas and Diane, though I love them both, just aren't as interesting as the days when Amos and Henry were in charge and it's gone stale. 'Eck, even Harriet, Ashley and Edna behind the bar I think would be more interesting than Chas and Diane at the moment. One thing I don't understand though is the people who say Kate Oates is the worst producer the show's ever had. I'm not saying she's the best but without dissecting the history too much and analysing each era's good and bad points, the show is in a far better state than it was two years ago under Blackburn alone. Watching two episodes back to back from two years apart, the difference in the tone of the episodes is shocking - nowadays the humour/drama is leveled better, the pacing is improved and there's a lighter feel to the village where as previously it felt like everyone was walking under a black cloud for one reason or another. |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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I don't think it's lost it's roots. If it had it wouldn't be about real things happening to real people, set in Yorkshire or be in a farming environment. However, the style of the show has drastically changed. I do agree that it could feature more farming and take greater use of the setting though - when did we last see someone milk a cow? When was the last time anyone was actually doing any work on a farm? All we tend to see is Adam on his quad bike, Andy and Moira wandering around and James hammering things. I also think it was a massive mistake to get rid of so many of the show's past links - Joe's death in particular, as others have said was ridiculous.
I think the Bartons might have enough potential to take the baton from the Sugdens as the modern day farming family if they get the writing and characterisation right with the current lot. The setup with Moira, John, Adam, Hannah and Holly wasn't working and introducing the new lot and Cain has given them a stronger feel. I also think a shake up particularly at the pub is needed. Chas and Diane, though I love them both, just aren't as interesting as the days when Amos and Henry were in charge and it's gone stale. 'Eck, even Harriet, Ashley and Edna behind the bar I think would be more interesting than Chas and Diane at the moment. One thing I don't understand though is the people who say Kate Oates is the worst producer the show's ever had. I'm not saying she's the best but without dissecting the history too much and analysing each era's good and bad points, the show is in a far better state than it was two years ago under Blackburn alone. Watching two episodes back to back from two years apart, the difference in the tone of the episodes is shocking - nowadays the humour/drama is leveled better, the pacing is improved and there's a lighter feel to the village where as previously it felt like everyone was walking under a black cloud for one reason or another. |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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I actually quite like the way ED is at the moment. I think it has taken a slight dip in quality recently, but certainly I'd say ED was the best soap for the majority of 2013 and early 2014.
And Kate Oates for me is a decent producer, some of her choices are slightly questionable like pairing Robbie with Tracy (if that does happen) but she's been more hit than miss. And at least we get to see more characters and not just the Debbie Chas merry go round it was under Stuart Blackburn. |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,175
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Quote:
Yes, Emmerdale has lost its roots, more than either of the other 'big three' in my opinion.
The countryside, farming, rural life and rural ways - it's all just been totally lost. Moira's 'farming' plays second fiddle to the endless, tedious melodrama of Adam, James, Ross et al. Home Farm has just been given up on as a proper set with a proper, posh family, somewhat at odds with the rest of the village yet very much mixing with them. That lovely rich mixture of working class and upper class co-existing alongside each other was fascinating, and unique in any British soap. I'm not suggesting it should be half-an-hour of farming before any clown suggests that but what's the point of a countryside soap unless it has rural pillars propping up its structure? The farming (Sugdens), the posh estate (Tates/Kings/Wyldes), the rough-but-loveable country bumpkins (the Dingles) - all of that is either lost now or severely undermined. Storylines nowadays are told in blocks that just go on forever and ever. Whilst it has never returned to its 90s heyday, the 00s did have some strong periods for Emmerdale, but the rot set in when Anita Turner became Series Producer, and slowly but surely it's been downhill from there.We now have Kate Oates, who is arguably the worst series producer Emmerdale has ever had. She hasn't the slightest clue what Emmerdale is or needs. The badly written, badly acted, utterly irrelevant panto that Emmerdale has turned into is painful - as are, quite rightly, the ratings. And worst of all, ITV don't give a monkey's uncle. Sadly this is true. When/if Kate Oates goes, we can but hope for a producer who understands the ethos of a rural soap. At present, it is just a 2nd rate Eastenders. |
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#23 |
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Join Date: May 2012
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To me it depends what you see as the 'show's roots.' I think if it was to go back to the way it was in the seventies and eighties, it would seem very anachronistic now, as would wealthy and all- powerful home farm families, and I'm not one for all of that 'super bitch' stuff. It's ok either in small doses or in a completely over the top Dynasty style, but nothing in between. I think it did move away from farming after Jack died but they remedied that by bringing in the Bartons. I think that on the whole the characters are realistic - just continually facing very dramatic situations.
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#24 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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Someone suggested to me that WHERE it is filmed now is where it all changed. It used to be filmed in a real village, and that village was bigger than the purpose built set, giving it a whole different feel.
I just wish they would make the most of what they have. All that countryside and you rarely see it. They just as well cut costs all together and film it in front of a green screen. :P |
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#25 |
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I think if it was to go back to the way it was in the seventies and eighties, it would seem very anachronistic now, as would wealthy and all- powerful home farm families.
I believe all soaps need to modernize, and reflect the change of society that they are set in, but ED has become very obstinate in not introducing an upper class family, like they no longer exist in the countryside. They don't even create characters that hone these archetypes, instead we get Declan - a middle class man dressed up to be something he isn't. It isn't about having rich characters just b/c they're rich, but it's the type of personalities they are that is missing from ED. Upper class characters are a part of ED's identity, and ignoring this is like ignoring a big part of what made ED so popular for many years. I also think the farming side of things could be more pronounced. I don't think people want to see wall-to-wall farming dramas, as that would be dull. Farming, upper class dynasties, and country bumpkin (now trailer trash, chavvy type) characters were ED's USP. Now, it has nothing that sets it apart from EE and Corrie. I don't think the show is bad right now, just that it's missing a certain tone that made it Emmerdale. |
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but what's the point of a countryside soap unless it has rural pillars propping up its structure? The farming (Sugdens), the posh estate (Tates/Kings/Wyldes), the rough-but-loveable country bumpkins (the Dingles) - all of that is either lost now or severely undermined. Storylines nowadays are told in blocks that just go on forever and ever. Whilst it has never returned to its 90s heyday, the 00s did have some strong periods for Emmerdale, but the rot set in when Anita Turner became Series Producer, and slowly but surely it's been downhill from there. We now have Kate Oates, who is arguably the worst series producer Emmerdale has ever had. She hasn't the slightest clue what Emmerdale is or needs.

mixed in with everything else. Although the show could be better atm, it remains my favourite Brit soap.