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Old 08-08-2014, 00:22
Cal_Scream2
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I'm genuinely gutted about Jean's return. Jean is easily in my Top Ten favorite characters from EastEnders, and I think her exit was one of Lorraine Newman's strong points in terms of how satisfied it left me. I have a soft spot for Jean and I've hated every time she's gone to a low with her disorder and when she was being screwed over by Michael in terms of money, so it was lovely to see her finally getting her happy ending. However, I hate how she's been brought back, shown to be suffering again with a low spell of her bipolar and she's slashed her wrists and has shown to have a short temper with Lily, as well as clearly not wanting to pursue her relationship with Ollie. Its hard to compare her now to who she was in her last episode, and I'm gutted about how depressing her return has been so far. I hope that it stays to a short stint because I want to know Jean is fine and living a nice life with Ollie in Brighton with visits from her family, I don't want her back full time because I don't want to see her go through all of these low points.

Anyone agree?
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:25
benbenalen
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But where is the drama and fun in that though, Jeans a strong character, and a great actress, I would love to see her on screen full time,

Lets just say, Michelle Fowler is having a great and happy time!
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:27
Cal_Scream2
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But where is the drama and fun in that though, Jeans a strong character, and a great actress, I would love to see her on screen full time,

Lets just say, Michelle Fowler is having a great and happy time!
I love her character, but I just feel that DTC has just completely undone her exit which was one of my favored ones.
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:30
iMatt_101
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The more Jean the better, and she can hardly come back being all happy clappy in Brighton or there'd be nowehre to go with her
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:32
Mr Patrick
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unfortunately Bipolar is a mental disorder and Jean is going to have to suffer from it for the rest of her life. Its not like the flu where you clear up after a few days. Showing someone who has Bipolar enjoying life like she has no Bipolar is a insult. My Sister who has schizophrenia has her periods every once and a while. And when she does have her periods I have to act on it as I have the responsibility over her.
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:51
dullagj2
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I thought it was well handled. It's inevitable she'll have ups and downs. I think looking after Lily has put a lot of stress on her and exacerbated her condition.

I'm glad they've kept her with Ollie and brought him back too. They'd make a great, stable couple on the Square if they ever did bring Jean back full time.
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Old 08-08-2014, 00:55
Broken_Arrow
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Jean's return has ruined her exit and is pretty insulting to bipolar sufferers in my opinion. She suggested Stacey use her own bipolar to get her off the hook for murder and then had a biploar episode of her own which ended in a suicide attempt. If this was being done for another reason other than springing Stacey from prison it wouldn't be so tasteless. Surely something else could have been cooked up to get Stacey out of jail or alternatively leave her there for a while to see what happens to her in prison.
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Old 08-08-2014, 01:37
Petro
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They need to give Stacey a reason to fight to get out of prison. The fact that Jean is struggling to look after Lily is the perfect excuse. I just wish that Jean was sticking around full time again. Such a great character and fits in well with everyone on the square. I hope they invite her to stay.
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Old 08-08-2014, 01:40
Joe_Zel
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I was disappointed that they'd dragged her from her happy ending, split her up with Ollie and were seemingly ruining things for her for Saint Stacey.

But this episode fixed it, she's still with Ollie, she'll get better. And as we know Stacey will be released at some point so she'll get over that too.
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Old 08-08-2014, 01:51
Gigi Michaels
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I must be the only one who doesn't want Jean to return. I understand the need to show bipolar in a sympathetic way but this character grates on my last nerve. I hope her new exit is swift, with Ollie, and without Lily.
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Old 08-08-2014, 05:04
dd68
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Bipolar is all about extreme opposites
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Old 08-08-2014, 07:41
KieranDS
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I loved her exit but I'm glad she is back in the show. Great character, great actress.
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Old 08-08-2014, 07:47
Hit Em Up Style
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They haven't ruined anything for Jean. It would have been irresponsible to suggest she would be living happily ever after when she suffers bi polar. Another episode was always going to happen at some point and it happened now. Ollie has stood by her. They haven't split up. The fact he ran straight back into the room to be with her when Kat told him and Stacey that Jean may have to be sectioned for a while was lovely and very touching. I just wish we could see their relationship on screen more with them living back on the square as a couple.

Its important that soaps like EastEnders and Hollyoaks continue to highlight the many problems people who suffer mental illness face. Not just themselves but their family also. As said above its an extreme mental illness with many highs and deep lows.

Gillian Wright couldn't play it any better. She nails Jean's torment every time.
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Old 08-08-2014, 07:54
NeutronstarNeko
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I like what they did bringing Jean back for this story. It shakes everything up and gives Stacey a reason to fight now she realises how stupid she was to confess in the first place.

Gillian Wright is amazing at playing Jean so I am sure I'll always be happy to have her come back and this easily sets up returns at any time coz she can just go off the deep end and turn up on the door.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:10
vaslav37
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Jean is not back for good though is she?
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:19
Filiman
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I must be the only one who doesn't want Jean to return. I understand the need to show bipolar in a sympathetic way but this character grates on my last nerve. I hope her new exit is swift, with Ollie, and without Lily.
No; not the only one. God-awful character.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:21
james_killroy
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I think Gillian Wright is one of the best actresses the show has ever had. Playing Jean can't be easy. I bet it takes a lot out of her. Shame so many still don't understand bi polar so assume Jean is being short tempered and nasty.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:31
Filiman
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I think Gillian Wright is one of the best actresses the show has ever had. Playing Jean can't be easy. I bet it takes a lot out of her. Shame so many still don't understand bi polar so assume Jean is being short tempered and nasty.
Sorry but I don't agree with this. Soaps have never been good at portraying mental illness and this is no exception. As someone who has suffered from depression since 14 and has known many people with bi-polar I don't find jean to be a particularly effective representation. In fact I recall her being insulting on more than one occasion.

And as for wright... People complain about dean but I've always found wright to be among the Hammiest actors I've ever seen. One of the reasons why I could never get behind the character.

All in all I find her to be very very over-rated, and get very dissapointed that she and Stacey are the best EE can come up with when it comes to mental illness.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:36
james_killroy
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Sorry but I don't agree with this. Soaps have never been good at portraying mental illness and this is no exception. As someone who has suffered from depression since 14 and has known many people with bi-polar I don't find jean to be a particularly effective representation. In fact I recall her being insulting on more than one occasion.

And as for wright... People complain about dean but I've always found wright to be among the Hammiest actors I've ever seen. One of the reasons why I could never get behind the character.

All in all I find her to be very very over-rated, and get very dissapointed that she and Stacey are the best EE can come up with when it comes to mental illness.
My father has bi polar and Jean is spot on.

EE has worked with several different mental health organisations over the years to make sure this is written correct

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastender...g-with-Bipolar

the writer who has written Monday's upcoming episode is a bi polar sufferer himself.

Every case of bi polar is different. As said by Mind on their twitter page yesterday.

EastEnders have received nothing but critical acclaim for Jean and Stacey's story from all mental health charities.
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Old 08-08-2014, 10:01
vaslav37
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bring in Barbara Young as her Mum Bambi Loveday!
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Old 08-08-2014, 10:15
SuperSoaper
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Bipolar is what makes Jean the way she is. There is no drama in happiness unfortunately. People don't want to see that.
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Old 08-08-2014, 10:45
Dr K Noisewater
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Nobody lives happily ever after. Look at Kat and Alfie they departed together with a happy romantic ending in 2005 fast forward 5 years and they're back their marriage is a loveless disaster and she's pregnant with his cousins baby and cheating on him with anything that had a pulse. Martin and Sonia had the happy ending in 2007 and then 3 years later she returns, admits to Carol their relationship is failing and then tries to seduce Phil!! Even Sharon with her 2006 exit it wasn't so much a happy one but a bittersweet one as she finally had the baby she had desperately craved and was leaving for a new life after all the trauma she had suffered in Walford. When she came back we learned her life was just as disasterous offscreen as it had been when she was onscreen with a string of failed relationships and a pill addiction.
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Old 08-08-2014, 10:46
Cal_Scream2
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My father has bi polar and Jean is spot on.

EE has worked with several different mental health organisations over the years to make sure this is written correct

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastender...g-with-Bipolar

the writer who has written Monday's upcoming episode is a bi polar sufferer himself.

Every case of bi polar is different. As said by Mind on their twitter page yesterday.

EastEnders have received nothing but critical acclaim for Jean and Stacey's story from all mental health charities.
Spot! The bipolar suffering of both Jean and Stacey has been their best story line for many many years!
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Old 08-08-2014, 11:33
fiagomez
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My father has bi polar and Jean is spot on.

EE has worked with several different mental health organisations over the years to make sure this is written correct

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastender...g-with-Bipolar

the writer who has written Monday's upcoming episode is a bi polar sufferer himself.

Every case of bi polar is different. As said by Mind on their twitter page yesterday.

EastEnders have received nothing but critical acclaim for Jean and Stacey's story from all mental health charities.
^this^
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Old 08-08-2014, 11:44
EddyEagal
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That's the reality of bipolar - Life's a rollercoaster (for some, not all).
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