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EE - Time for the firm to return


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Old 04-11-2014, 11:39
DreamHaven
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I think it's been too long since we had gangster and the firm in EE, it would make the show more gritty and realistic.
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Old 04-11-2014, 15:07
StevieR
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Gangster storylines were the reason Brookside's popularity declined and ultimately was cancelled and why Hollyoaks is now going down the pan. People can't relate to gangsters, it's boring and only serves to run sensationalist, over the top plots.

Eastenders have done the gangster bit, some storylines worked, most didn't. I think it would a massive mistake to re-visit.

In my opinion, soaps work best when they focus on families. This is why EE is on the up again, why ED is on a high at the mo and why CS has lasted for so long.
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Old 04-11-2014, 15:59
Pink_Smurf
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Much of Eastenders' gangsters have been rubbish. Derek Branning was an utter joke. Andy Hunter wasn't physically built for it. I like them doing issues like Linda's rape but on the whole I mostly like light entertainment. I don't think a pre watershed family programme can do gangsterism properly in any case. I'm not saying all the criminals are crap, Ronnie is great but I think The Firm has been done and dusted and should stay in the past. Not only that but Phil Mitchell will only own them which will make a mockery of the storyline and gangster characters.

EDIT : Maybe Dave Courtney can do a cameo? LOL

Last edited by Pink_Smurf : 04-11-2014 at 16:01. Reason: Added something
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:06
_elly001
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I'm not sure they need to get The Firm going again, for reasons listed above. However I wouldn't object at all to more professionals being utilised. Make Ritchie Scott, DCI Keeble and Marcus Christie regulars, or at least use them more often, and integrate them more into the fabric of the show while highlighting the dark underbelly of the world that lawyers and cops live in. Give the younger characters some professional aspirations that give them the potential to do more outside of their family and latest love interests. I'd love to see Johnny interning for Ritchie, for Keeble to talent scout Peter and get him off the market and into training, that sort of thing. I don't think we need 'gangsters' but it would be good to see some more interest in crime as a genre.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:12
Hankshaw
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I think it's been too long since we had gangster and the firm in EE, it would make the show more gritty and realistic.
As long as it's not a major part of the show or any of them move into the square and become domesticated. Then yes I don't see why not.

I think Alfie with his money problems would be a good candidate to get caught up in working for them.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:14
benbenalen
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They should kidnap Denny.

Ruby Allen could be their hench bitch, and partly carry on where Johnny Left off.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:16
Hankshaw
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Much of Eastenders' gangsters have been rubbish. Derek Branning was an utter joke.
He wasn't a gangster. He was a dodgy wheeler dealer with a bad temper and delusions of grandeur.

Andy Hunter wasn't physically built for it.
Built for what? He was Daddy Cool.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:19
Pink_Smurf
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I'm not sure they need to get The Firm going again, for reasons listed above. However I wouldn't object at all to more professionals being utilised. Make Ritchie Scott, DCI Keeble and Marcus Christie regulars, or at least use them more often, and integrate them more into the fabric of the show while highlighting the dark underbelly of the world that lawyers and cops live in. Give the younger characters some professional aspirations that give them the potential to do more outside of their family and latest love interests. I'd love to see Johnny interning for Ritchie, for Keeble to talent scout Peter and get him off the market and into training, that sort of thing. I don't think we need 'gangsters' but it would be good to see some more interest in crime as a genre.
Excellent post! I think this would add drama to the show. Not everyone in London is a working class person who works on their doorstep in cafes, pubs or on markets. I think we should have a doctor included in Eastenders as part of the regular cast too. There are a number of middle class professionals living in East London. I think we should see the pharmacist too.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:24
_elly001
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Excellent post! I think this would add drama to the show. Not everyone in London is a working class person who works on their doorstep in cafes, pubs or on markets. I think we should have a doctor included in Eastenders as part of the regular cast too. There are a number of middle class professionals living in East London. I think we should see the pharmacist too.
Yes, definitely. If you open up more professional opportunities for characters, you open up more storyline opportunities and room for character development. I've been watching The Killing on Netflix recently (the original Danish version) and the way they manage to spin so much drama from relatively few characters is masterful. Having professionals like cops, lawyers and doctors just makes things more realistic and meaningful. I also wouldn't object to seeing Councillors as well; Walford as a borough must have political representation, right?

Hopefully with the set expansion there will be more scope to include this sort of thing. If criminal situations then arise from that, I'd totally approve; I'm just not sure that isolated gangsters would be all that exciting without a bit of context.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:30
benbenalen
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Johnny and Andy used to scare me when I was about 10 or 11. Good times. Need someone who actually kills, someone who Phil is scared of.

He used to be scared of Andy.
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Old 04-11-2014, 16:46
Pink_Smurf
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He wasn't a gangster. He was a dodgy wheeler dealer with a bad temper and delusions of grandeur.



Built for what? He was Daddy Cool.
I agree about Derek. He did have delusions of grandeur and thought he was a major Chap. I hated his clothes.
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Old 04-11-2014, 20:29
Keyser_Soze1
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Much of Eastenders' gangsters have been rubbish. Derek Branning was an utter joke. Andy Hunter wasn't physically built for it. I like them doing issues like Linda's rape but on the whole I mostly like light entertainment. I don't think a pre watershed family programme can do gangsterism properly in any case. I'm not saying all the criminals are crap, Ronnie is great but I think The Firm has been done and dusted and should stay in the past. Not only that but Phil Mitchell will only own them which will make a mockery of the storyline and gangster characters.

EDIT : Maybe Dave Courtney can do a cameo? LOL
He is Mcfadden's mate.

I agree with you.

I do not wish to revisit the gangster storylines - not because I do not enjoy them but because we would be treated to the preposterous sight of the Philth 'owning' all the Firm members as he slowly gasped, wheezed and staggered towards them.

It would be too annoying.
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Old 04-11-2014, 20:38
Hound of Love
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No thanks.

Gangster plots would be too watered-down laughable, as before.

And Tedious Phil would always come out on top anyhow. "yawns".
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Old 05-11-2014, 09:30
Hankshaw
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I do like hints to a criminal underworld. I think that would add a dangerous and realistic element to the show.
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Old 05-11-2014, 10:26
TheGraduate2012
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No! East End 'gangstas' are ridiculous and look horrendously dated. I don't mind the odd one, but let's be real, actual London gangsters these days are probably all Russian/Albanian etc.
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Old 05-11-2014, 10:46
elliecat
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actual London gangsters these days are probably all Russian/Albanian etc.
Not really, many London gangsters are still British.
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Old 05-11-2014, 11:02
theiceman2014
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Yess deffo we not had gangster storylines for time as for others who think gangsters are ruining hollyoaks well you are wrong it is ott deaths and stunts what are ruining the program @nd besides, you act like gangsters are the main focus in every storyline when clearly, it actslike filter or a background thing basically there is something for every...brendan and warren were gangsters but you did not moan about them.
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Old 05-11-2014, 11:04
theiceman2014
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Gangster storylines were the reason Brookside's popularity declined and ultimately was cancelled and why Hollyoaks is now going down the pan. People can't relate to gangsters, it's boring and only serves to run sensationalist, over the top plots.

Eastenders have done the gangster bit, some storylines worked, most didn't. I think it would a massive mistake to re-visit.

In my opinion, soaps work best when they focus on families. This is why EE is on the up again, why ED is on a high at the mo and why CS has lasted for so long.
Well eastenders has done rape and paedophile storylines, are you saying you and others can relate to them sort of animals?
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Old 05-11-2014, 11:05
theiceman2014
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No! East End 'gangstas' are ridiculous and look horrendously dated. I don't mind the odd one, but let's be real, actual London gangsters these days are probably all Russian/Albanian etc.
What a very ignorant post
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Old 05-11-2014, 12:52
TheGraduate2012
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What a very ignorant post
How?? It's the truth!
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Old 05-11-2014, 13:03
sw2963
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I thought this was a reference to the return of Peggy Mitchell
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Old 05-11-2014, 22:10
dd68
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No more gangsters!
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