DS Forums

 
 

The downfall of the Carters? *Spoilers*


View Poll Results: Are you for or against the Dean and Linda rape storyline?
For 70 53.03%
Against 62 46.97%
Voters: 132. You can't vote on this poll right now - are you signed in?

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 31-08-2014, 10:57
CherryRose
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: #EE#TheCarters
Posts: 11,310

I know my opinion might be in minority but I really believe DTC latest storyline is going to ruin his greatest creation - The Carters.

The planned rape storyline involving Linda and Dean has the potential to ruin the whole family dynamics.

What people love about the Carters is because in many ways they are very much alike the Beales and Fowlers. They are close but dysfunctional, they had a family connection that everyone longs for yet they have problems like the rest of us, that's why people like to watch them, they were NORMAL.

Dean forcing himself on Linda is as damaging as it would be if Ian had forced himself on Pauline, DTC is changing the Carter dynamics forever, and the change will never be able to be reversed.

Deans time on the show is now limited and the viewers will never get what they long for, which is Dean and Shirley reunion. Where Dean finally forgives his Mum.

I think a rape storyline is a important story but to do it within characters from your strongest family is soap suicide.
CherryRose is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 31-08-2014, 10:59
Absolute Rotter
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 713
They arent a normal family. They are only normal in a soap context.
Absolute Rotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:07
Hit Em Up Style
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cell Block H
Posts: 11,878
I'm all for it. This type of storyline is what EE was created to be about.

Dean is a rubbish character anyway who always had a limited shelf life.

This story will give Kellie Bright her chance to shine and she will. Hopefully come award season she takes them all.

Dean has also never really been normal. He has always had a troubled relationship with females. He even tried to drug Stacey for sex lets not forget. Dean's behaviour since his return has also been anything but normal. He is a disturbed man and this was always the end game.

I think the dynamics will be brilliant. Aside from Kellie this will also give Linda Henry some great scenes, will Shirley blame herself for the way Dean turned out? will she support him or will she turn her back for good? It also opens up the door for a possible Carly return if there is a trial.

I actually can't wait. For once the Carter's are getting a real storyline and not a load of repetitive nonsense where they sit around a table eating tifle.
Hit Em Up Style is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:08
Ell_Ren
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 9,495
I'm really on the fence about this. I'm not sure.

I am interested to see the reactions of Shirley and Stan. A possible Carly return would be good
Ell_Ren is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:08
xTonix
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Albert Square.
Posts: 46,296
I am for it, EE is going back to be gritty again.
xTonix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:15
dancing.queen
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The kitchen, eating a biscuit
Posts: 9,757
I'm all for it. Rape is still a huge issue in society and EastEnders are the best soap when it comes to raising awareness, you just have to look at Stacey's bipolar storyline to realise this. This storyline will help EastEnders continue on its path to become a darker, grittier show once more.

As for it changing the Carter dynamic, I'm all for it if it puts an end to the silly karaoke scenes. Rape affects lives, and this story will show that. They've already touched upon family rape before, with Kat and Harry and Ronnie and Archie, so this is nothing knew and hardly soap suicide.
dancing.queen is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:16
james_killroy
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1,180
I'm sure people are only against this story because they fancy Matt!! well boo hoo. I hope Dean kills himself so there is never anyway back for him. People are acting like Matt is the greatest actor EastEnders ever had and his character one of the best when both are mediocre at best.

Like DTC said, EE is NOT a warm bath. If you want happy families then go watch The Waltons. I'm sure some Sky channel will still show it if you look hard enough.
james_killroy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:20
Stube
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,389
I'm shocked people have actually voted "No". This show has been without decent storylines for three years before DTC came and took over as EP. Gritty plots like this rape storyline is what EE does best - not like that rubbish excuse of a rape storyline in HO where the aftermath has not been touched on for months. I think both Kellie and Matt will shine when the scenes air this autumn. It definitely is looking to be an explosive Christmas for the Carters with the Shirley secret and rape reveal.
Stube is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:21
james_killroy
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1,180
I'm shocked people have actually voted "No". This show has been without decent storylines for three years before DTC came and took over as EP. Gritty plots like this rape storyline is what EE does best - not like that rubbish excuse of a rape storyline in HO where the aftermath has not been touched on for months. I think both Kellie and Matt will shine when the scenes air this autumn. It definitely is looking to be an explosive Christmas for the Carters with the Shirley secret and rape reveal.
Its because people fancy Dean and are upset! pmsl

I actually can't wait. For once the Carter's are getting a real storyline and not a load of repetitive nonsense where they sit around a table eating tifle.

As for it changing the Carter dynamic, I'm all for it if it puts an end to the silly karaoke scenes. Rape affects lives, and this story will show that. They've already touched upon family rape before, with Kat and Harry and Ronnie and Archie, so this is nothing knew and hardly soap suicide.
Great posts and so true. If anyone thinks the Carters playing happy families is better than watching a real gritty storyline that is at the very core of what EastEnders was built on then they are watching the wrong soap. Its time for the Carters to get the hard stuff to prove they are worthy of being in the show.
james_killroy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:22
dancing.queen
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The kitchen, eating a biscuit
Posts: 9,757
I'm shocked people have actually voted "No". This show has been without decent storylines for three years before DTC came and took over as EP. Gritty plots like this rape storyline is what EE does best - not like that rubbish excuse of a rape storyline in HO where the aftermath has not been touched on for months. I think both Kellie and Matt will shine when the scenes air this autumn. It definitely is looking to be an explosive Christmas for the Carters with the Shirley secret and rape reveal.
There's no pleasing some people. They moan because the show isn't gritty enough, then when a gritty storyline is announced they moan because it's too gritty.
dancing.queen is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:24
Hit Em Up Style
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cell Block H
Posts: 11,878
Perhaps Lorraine Newman should return if people want love and warmth and stories about missing ham instead of real emotional tales such as rape.

I've come to the conclusion there is no pleasing some EE fans. They want one thing, then when they get it they moan about it.
Hit Em Up Style is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:25
Aaron1995
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,686
There's no pleasing some people. They moan because the show isn't gritty enough, then when a gritty storyline is announced they moan because it's too gritty.
My problem is rape storylines have been covered again and again in EastEnders. I get that rape is a horrendous regular occurrence that happens in everyday life, but there is several issue based storylines that EastEnders hasn't tackled. Why cover old ground?
Aaron1995 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:28
james_killroy
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1,180
My problem is rape storylines have been covered again and again in EastEnders. I get that rape is a horrendous regular occurrence that happens in everyday life, but there is several issue based storylines that EastEnders hasn't tackled. Why cover old ground?
This will be the first rape on the soap since 2003. I know Stacey was raped by Archie but there was actually no follow up after that scene in the launderette until Stacey revealed 3 months later she had been raped. So to many it came out of the blue and some even thought it had been added in out of thin air when it actually did happen on screen. It was just done in a way which left viewers wondering. This story however won't be like that. We will see Dean rape Linda and then the fallout first hand.

I'm not counting the Whitney storyline as while that was rape it was a different type of plot.
james_killroy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:34
vald
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 31,002
I'm very much for it. If ever a family needed shaking up it's the Carters.
vald is online now Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:34
Bertypop
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bridge Street
Posts: 3,085
I'm reserving judgement.

It could be quite a powerful story if done properly. I don't want it to be a long kept secret, though. I think Linda would turn around and tell someone - possibly Nancy - straight away.

I don't want months of tense looks at the dinner table as Mick becomes best friends with Dean. That's all been done before.
Bertypop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:38
radcliffe95
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,932
For it, as it will mean the end of that piece of timber.
radcliffe95 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:45
TellMeMore
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,002
I've come to the conclusion there is no pleasing some EE fans. They want one thing, then when they get it they moan about it.
Spot on.
TellMeMore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:45
J-B
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Winter is coming.
Posts: 13,324
I'm for it - The Carters need a bloody good shakeup, the dynamics between them are all a bit safe and pedestrian at the moment. Eastenders is at its best when it takes these family units, tears them apart in some big way, then explores how to put them back together again.
J-B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 11:53
xTonix
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Albert Square.
Posts: 46,296
I'm for it - The Carters need a bloody good shakeup, the dynamics between them are all a bit safe and pedestrian at the moment. Eastenders is at its best when it takes these family units, tears them apart in some big way, then explores how to put them back together again.
I agree.
xTonix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:17
Broken_Arrow
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Suck it
Posts: 7,777
Deans time on the show is now limited and the viewers will never get what they long for, which is Dean and Shirley reunion. Where Dean finally forgives his Mum.
I didn't long for this. I'm glad she'll never have his forgiveness because she doesn't deserve it.

Something explosive had to happen to The Carters eventually so it might as well be this storyline. Watching them go through the happy clappy motions every episode has become boring.
Broken_Arrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:29
CherryRose
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: #EE#TheCarters
Posts: 11,310
I am for it, EE is going back to be gritty again.
I am all for gritty but family rape is not a watchable storyline for me, but that's just my personal opinion.

I understand I may be a minority for feeling this way, I genuinely believe DTC is making a mistake with his most popular family.

If the rapist was Ian, that would be a different story. That storyline would actually be believable, Ian is a friend of the family so is in a position to get close to Linda, Linda is his type and Ian is a sexual predator. They wouldn't do that to boring old Ian because it would be the end of his character.

The only reason why they are doing this storyline is because they cant think of any other purpose for Linda Carter.

A good character should not be sacrificed for the sake of saving another.
CherryRose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:30
Deschanel
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 4,532
Perhaps Lorraine Newman should return if people want love and warmth and stories about missing ham instead of real emotional tales such as rape.

I've come to the conclusion there is no pleasing some EE fans. They want one thing, then when they get it they moan about it.
I'm kinda disappointed in you, HEUS, for making such a sweeping statement.

I don't want to go back to tales of missing ham or random comedy snake plots that served to be the highlight of the week. I also think EE is made for telling stories like this. But, the reason I voted no (and it has zero to do with Matt's looks - yet another sweeping judgement) is simply b/c I think they could have taken Dean down a different path. I think this writes him into a corner, and will eventually leave Shirley alone again (probably why they made her Mick's mum, but really she's just an add-on to Mick's family, and will eventually be the random aunt/grandmother hanging about). I've not liked the Dean/Linda story anyway, and I feel it's been poorly written so far; I also think the real story has always been between Dean/Shirley, and that's never really going to get the closure it needs (her owning her mistakes and them moving forward).

Plus, the Carters are buckling under all the secrets anyway (which are pretty top heavy and unevenly spread out throughout the family): Shirley being Mick's mother, Dean sexually harassing Linda, Mick & Linda not really being married, Aunt Babe and her mystery house guest who is mostly likely Sylvie Carter... now, Dean rapes Linda. Is this going to be a story than changes the family for the better, or yet another plot that adds to their other stories and secrets? I think this is what I'm most concerned about.
Deschanel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:33
CherryRose
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: #EE#TheCarters
Posts: 11,310
I'm for it - The Carters need a bloody good shakeup, the dynamics between them are all a bit safe and pedestrian at the moment. Eastenders is at its best when it takes these family units, tears them apart in some big way, then explores how to put them back together again.
Bryan Kirkwood once thought like that, he tried a dead baby swap and lost 3 million viewers.

The Carters have enough going on:-

The Carters mother introduction and Aunt Babes deceit
Shirley been revealed as Micks mum
CherryRose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:38
KatrinaK
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 27,096
I'm for it. It's this kind of drama that EE excels at, and has been lacking on the show for quite some time. It's gritty kitchen sink drama at it's core. Kellie Bright is a terrific actress and will do the storyline justice, I'm sure.

EastEnders, when it's bad it's really bad but when it's good, it knocks out all the competition.

I hope this storyline (as well as others to come) makes the show unmissable television once more.
KatrinaK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-08-2014, 12:38
Stube
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,389
My problem is rape storylines have been covered again and again in EastEnders. I get that rape is a horrendous regular occurrence that happens in everyday life, but there is several issue based storylines that EastEnders hasn't tackled. Why cover old ground?
There's a difference between this storyline and the Kat/Harry, Little Mo/Trevor/Graham ones. Dean is a regular character who had been on the show for a few years before he returned this year. His character hasn't been created especially for this storyline (Harry), neither has he been created originally as a villain. Some viewers probably feel sympathy towards Dean due to his relationship with Shirley and his upbringing, so when he rapes Linda, there'll be more of a complex issue than a bad guy raping a poor victim. Dean's vulnerable himself.
Stube is online now   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:31.