The swimming scene was atrocious for a couple of reasons.

Firstly it was nice to see EE tackle what for some adults is a serious issue ie things most adults can already do swim, read etc.

Instead of handling it a sympathetic meaningful way they turned it into a joke. Half way through the swim this awful cheesy pop song starts? What is this a Justin Bieber movie? It felt like the feel good moment in a teen B movie and not a good one at that.
It was actually rather insulting to an issue which affects more adults than you think. How patronising.

And there is a difference between light-hearted and cheesy teeny B movie this was the later and it was the wrong thing to it on.

The whole thing was vintage Newman - ie cringeworthy rubbish.

She was a misunderstood genius, you're just a hater.


When will people understand this?

Leave Lorraine Newman ALONE!

Did you like the smile on Janet's face watching the swimming?

I loved it!

The whole spectacle was heartwarming and beautiful and made me feel all fuzzy inside.

Mick overcame his fear and the Carters were smiles all round and I was cheering him on and I loved it when they jumped in the pool and did a little victory jig!

I loved it so much. Mick swam for Janet I don't know what is wrong with that

Completely agree, they could have made the build up somewhat sensible and made it more relatable. But instead they made it like (As you said) a teenybop style scene

I really couldnt care less if he did it for Janet, that doesnt excuse the cheese.. And lets be real, using Janet is just a cheap way to defend Mick

Using Janet is a cheap way to defend Mick about what?

There is nothing wrong with it at all!

It was a lovely thing for Mick to do and helped him to conquer his fear of water as well.

I meant to say, people are using the Janet bandwagon as a way to defend the undeniably cheesy and atrocious scene

Just a shame they used a serious issue which affects many adults in such a patronising and teeny bop movie way. If it was serious the music wouldn't start up halfway through there wasn't anyone there with a stereo it made a joke of it.
EE was not made on some crappy incidental music interludes of what should have been taken more seriously.
I applauded EE when they started this story because it affects so many adults and is more of an issue than people think. Safety for one. And for them to patronise people in such a way was really off putting.

Well maybe they shouldn't have used the music but I thought it injected a bit of fun into the story and Mick did really well and his family wanted to celebrate that and I wasn't put off at all.

I know EE is known for gritty drama and misery but not everyone likes that all the time and a little bit of whimsy helps to balance that out a bit!

I think it was the use of Roar that over egged it a bit. Maybe this is a new EE policy. Imagine it:

Den's return: Ello Princess.
(Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison plays in the background)

Arthur smashes up the Fowler living room.
(I'm Going Slightly Mad by Queen wafts in the background)

Janine stabs Michael and looks at the screen.
(She then starts dancing to Oops I Did it Again by Britney)

Zoe: You ain't my muvver!
Kat- Yes I am!
(Surprise Surprise by Cilla Black blasts out on screen)

Surprise Surprise! Oh dear lord that song!

Syed and Christian with Amira present (Secret by Madonna plays in the background).

Well 99% of the Square actually because everyone has a fücking secret!

I can't swim! I nearly drowned when i was 7 and have had a fear of water since.

I thought the whole story with Mick overcoming his fears was applaudable. They really showed how such a fear can have an affect on someone.

I don't see how this is patronising in any way. If i were Mick and i was diving into a pool for the first time in my life, having been afraid of water for most of my life, i would love if my family were there cheering me on.

I'd love it if they jumped into the pool with me, it probably being the first time they ever swam with me, i would feel on top of the world.

Eastenders took a fear that can be quite debilitating to some people, and yeah, they made it lighthearted and cheesy, but i think it's a good message.

You think people with a fear of drowning watching eastenders would be prepared to overcome their fear if they saw mick drown? I don't think so.

By showing that overcoming your fear can be lighthearted and can be achieved, it shows that swimming just ain't that bad. If your safe and taught in the right way, there's no need to be afraid of drowning.

I think i might take up swimming lessons, and i think that makes the mick learning to swim storyline a success.

Even better if Cilla's gurning mug suddenly popped up on screen too!

That's lovely. Go for it, I'm sure you'll have great fun!

Thank you i'm sure i will.

I'm 30 this year and i think it's time i face the fear

No, I want restful nights. You evil cow!

You're worse than Ronnie and Janine put together.

It can be done. I was a rubbish swimmer as a kid and not a fan of the deep end but much more confident now.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-daVEcm4PLA

Seen it before!


Brilliant.

Brilliant post, well done!


I really hope you do take up swimming as it is very good for both body and mind, I go three mornings a week and swim 40 lengths each time and it really helps keep me healthy and stress free!

I wish you all the luck in the world!

Go for it as other posters have said.

Good post.

I am a fitness junkie and swim many mornings before the hubby/kids are up, work etc. I do between 85-100 lengths of front crawl improving my times, I can do more but I don't usually have the time for some reason I never get tired swimming I can just keep going. I do land based stuff as well it is fantastic not just for your physical health but mental health too.

Swimming is a good thing to do have especially if you live near the sea, river, big lakes etc. Also pretty much anyone can do it old/young/fat/thin/male/female etc because its low impact and wont bear on your joints at all.
For me its about the toning. I am slim but I prefer a bit of toning as I look awful without it which swimming is great for.