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EastEnders: Shirley Carter


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Old 13-06-2015, 12:58
Derek_Lacombs
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I know Shirley divides opinion and she gets a lot of backlash on social media but I still like Shirley. When Shirley was in a relationship with Phil, I didn't like them together. Phil treated her badly many times and she didn't have much screentime. But when she split up from Phil, I really liked Shirley. Introducing the Carters have done wonders for Shirley and she has good chemistry with all of the Carter clan. We have learnt a lot more about her past and what makes her tick.

Shirley can be so nasty several times but deep down, she has a heart but she doesn't show it to people. Since her split up from Phil, Shirley continued to interact with many cast members and I'm enjoying her current story. She is now interacting with Masood. 3 years ago, I would never have imagined Shirley and Masood being thrown together for a big story.

I like Shirley and Buster together. Buster calms Shirley down and he treats her with a lot of respect.

I really hope "the powers that be" will never reunite Phil and Shirley. I do not want to see Shirley being a pathetic lovesick woman when she's with him. I hated how Phil treated Shirley and I'm hoping Shirley and Buster are staying together for the long haul.

It's going to be a painful journey for Shirley from now on because Jade will remind her of Jimbo's condition. She walked out on her kids especially dying Jimbo but this new storyline could be the redemption of Shirley. She will probably face up to her demons and hopefully she will be a good grandmother to Jade.

It feels right that Shirley cut ties with Phil for good and she is now a part of the Walford commununity instead of "Phil's girlfriend". I did love Masood's line to Shirley when he described her as a "terrifying drunk".
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:13
broadshoulder
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She's a vile creep who belongs in the gutter swigging whisky from a bottle

No amount of retcons is gonna change my opinion of her
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:24
Harlowe
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Each to their own, I don't like her currently her selfish entitlement attitude and behaviour annoys me, I'm not sure The Carters have done her any favours, other then giving her more screen time, I think her personality and behaviour has worsen since their introduction and she become more isolated and volatile.

I don't think her and Phil will be reuniting anytime soon either, as I think they will go the Kathy route with him.
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:37
vald
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I think she's a great character, so much better away from Phil, although I like them as friends. I'm so glad she is being used more and is integrating with other characters. Loved her with Masood last night and like the majority of her family. Linda Henry was sadly underused for years so it's good to see her getting s/ls now.
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:38
wizardt
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I really dislike Shirley when she's with Phil. I hated her when she was trying to split up Phil and Sharon in September last year. But I have really warmed to her recently because I know she's not always a "monster". She does care about others but she's just so unlikeable at the moment. It's a shame because Linda Henry who plays Shirley deserves better than this.

I'm actually excited for Shirley's role in the Jade storyline. She is definitely NOT shoehorned in this storyline because Shirley's eldest son, Jimbo sadly died of CF and Shirley knows what it's like.

Each to their own, I don't like her currently her selfish entitlement attitude and behaviour annoys me, I'm not sure The Carters have done her any favours, other then giving her more screen time, I think her personality and behaviour has worsen since their introduction and she become more isolated and volatile.

I don't think her and Phil will be reuniting anytime soon either, as I think they will go the Kathy route with him.


BIB 1 = She has always been a loner character but I don't know why they keep continuing to destroy Shirley all the time. I do like her with Denise, Patrick and Kim because she cares about them genuinely. Some people said Phil is Shirley's best friend? Phil treated Shirley like crap this week and he always does.

BIB 2 = Of course, they're going to do the Phil/Sharon/Kathy love triangle. So predictable and dull. But are they going to make Sharon an isolated character again by moving her out of the Mitchells? It would be great because she would no longer be Phil's doormat but her and Denny wouldn't work on their own..
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:39
wizardt
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I think she's a great character, so much better away from Phil, although I like them as friends. I'm so glad she is being used more and is integrating with other characters. Loved her with Masood last night and like the majority of her family. Linda Henry was sadly underused for years so it's good to see her getting s/ls now.
Are they really friends? Phil has treated her horribly this week. Linda Henry wasn't really underused for years. Only 2013 but this year she's the most overused character but Linda Henry deserves a lot of screentime
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:44
vald
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Are they really friends? Phil has treated her horribly this week. Linda Henry wasn't really underused for years. Only 2013 but this year she's the most overused character but Linda Henry deserves a lot of screentime
I'd say so. They are always blackmailing each other, but when it comes to the things that count they have been there for each other.
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Old 13-06-2015, 14:59
wizardt
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I'd say so. They are always blackmailing each other, but when it comes to the things that count they have been there for each other.
Fair enough but Phil wasn't supportive to Shirley when Stan died. He wasn't there for her when Mick chucked her out of the Vic after Xmas Day. Shirley wasn't there for Phil when he was locked up. She didn't visit him in jail. They love to wind each other up.

But when Kathy comes back properly, they may do a love square (I don't know the correct word for this) storyline consisting of Phil, Sharon, Shirley and Kathy.
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Old 13-06-2015, 15:15
vald
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Fair enough but Phil wasn't supportive to Shirley when Stan died. He wasn't there for her when Mick chucked her out of the Vic after Xmas Day. Shirley wasn't there for Phil when he was locked up. She didn't visit him in jail. They love to wind each other up.

But when Kathy comes back properly, they may do a love square (I don't know the correct word for this) storyline consisting of Phil, Sharon, Shirley and Kathy
.
I sincerely hope not. Three women fighting over the loathsome Phil would be stomach churning.
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Old 13-06-2015, 15:31
0...0
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I preferred Shirley in her Ev days. I don't think any character in EE's history has had a mum, dad, secret son with extensive family, unseen sister, long-term boyfriend, then secret granddaughter pop up in the space of 18 months. I personally find it exhausting. Some recalibration of plot and storyline allocation would probably help.
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Old 13-06-2015, 15:33
0...0
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Fair enough but Phil wasn't supportive to Shirley when Stan died. He wasn't there for her when Mick chucked her out of the Vic after Xmas Day. Shirley wasn't there for Phil when he was locked up. She didn't visit him in jail. They love to wind each other up.

But when Kathy comes back properly, they may do a love square (I don't know the correct word for this) storyline consisting of Phil, Sharon, Shirley and Kathy.
Oh jeez, I bloody hope not!!! They may as well chuck Lisa and Kate in too and rejig Witches of Eastwick!
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Old 13-06-2015, 16:11
Harlowe
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I preferred Shirley in her Ev days. I don't think any character in EE's history has had a mum, dad, secret son with extensive family, unseen sister, long-term boyfriend, then secret granddaughter pop up in the space of 18 months. I personally find it exhausting. Some recalibration of plot and storyline allocation would probably help.
Agree with this.

It's all too much from someone who backstory was bare and consisted of Carly, Dean & Zsa Zsa to now having all theses new additions, she getting swapped in it and I don't think they realize it the damage it's doing in the long term, sometimes simple and basic works better, less is more.
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Old 13-06-2015, 16:13
srhgts
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I used to like her but she's been made absolutely vile and despicable.
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Old 13-06-2015, 16:16
Ell_Ren
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Shirley is a divisive character but I love her. I don't think her attitude towards Linda has been very good for Shirley and is what has caused alot of the backlash recently, she was very popular last year! But it is swings and roundabouts, each character goes through a phase like this, especially when they do something that isn't liked by the audience. We have to keep in perspective that Shirley believes Dean, and therefore sees Linda as the woman who is responsible for 'ruining' Dean's life at the moment.

Shirley is like no other character, she is completely unique and multi faceted. I love her dry humour, sarcasm and one liners. She is feisty, impulsive and abrasive but underneath it all is misunderstood, vulnerable and soft. These traits have taken a bit of a back seat recently but I think we may see a new side to Shirley through this Jade story and discovering the truth about Dean.

No matter what your opinion on Shirley, she gets people talking and that's what the show needs, real flawed characters that get people talking about them and the show. They can make Shirley do the most crazy things because it's Shirley. You know?

I much prefer Phil and Shirley when they are friends/friendly than as a couple because they seem to be more equal when they are on this level. Every partner Phil has, ends up as a doormat so I wouldn't want to see history repeat itself. They have a love/hate relationship - they wind each other up, banter with each other, blackmail each other, but are usually there to pull each other out of a pinch. (Not so much recently though, tptb have really toned their scenes together down).

I absolutely love Shirley with Buster, which was why I hoped that nothing would come of Buster and Carol. Buster's personality compliments Shirley, the seem natural and comfortable as a couple. I'd like to see them together for the long-haul. I enjoy their scenes.

I'm pleased that we have found out more about why Shirley left Kevin. It wasn't because she didn't care, it was a combination of things. She was unable to cope with the demands of having a sick child and it ate away at her that she felt she was to blame for Jimbo's illness and it was a punishment for what happened with Mick. The fact that Mick was taken from her and the guilt from the incident with the bath when she was 14, meant that she always felt as though she couldn't be a good parent and it was this in conjunction with Jimbo that was the catalyst for her leaving. I think it will be really interesting to see Shirley interact and react to Roya/Jade, it's going to be heartbreaking and I hope Shirley steps up this time. Walking away and turning to alcohol is a learned behaviour from Stan and Sylvie.

Linda Henry is an incredible actress and has great on screen chemistry with basically everyone. She is able to allow me to sympathise with Shirley even when she is revealing her worst. It is a testament to how brilliant she is, though I hope we get a more balanced Shirley, backing Dean and attacking Linda is not good for Shirley as a character and I hope she finds out about Dean soon. It's going to be massively powerful when she does find out and I hope we get some good scenes between her and Linda to build up the foundations of a reconciliation. Also there is alot of stuff unsaid between Shirley and Mick.

I love Shirley's scenes with Patrick, Denise and Kim - she is basically one of the family and they all genuinely care for each other. I especially love her friendship with Denise. I also love that they now have Masood and Shirley forming an unlikely alliance - I hope they build on this and it continues as opposed to them be pitted against each other. I think a friendship bond could build there. Then there is Sharon and Shirley who I hope become frenemies and have more scenes in future - they remind me of Pat and Peggy. I also loved Mick and Shirley's bond so I hope that is reaffirmed again soon - I miss their scenes. Shirley has a good rapport with Tina but I miss the Carters all getting along. I'm looking forward to Shirley/Jean at Jean's wedding.

Basically, I like Shirley and I am pleased that DTC is utilising her better, she was underused for so long and played second fiddle to the Mitchell's for a long time. Linda Henry is a phenomenal actress, I just hope that they will start to give her better material than just pitting Shirley against everyone.

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Old 13-06-2015, 18:07
Shevk
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But when Kathy comes back properly, they may do a love square (I don't know the correct word for this) storyline consisting of Phil, Sharon, Shirley and Kathy.
Phil has an affair with OAP Kathy so Shirley consoles Sharon and the two have sexy times together
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Old 13-06-2015, 18:25
Ell_Ren
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Phil has an affair with OAP Kathy so Shirley consoles Sharon and the two have sexy times together


I do want a frenemieship to build between Shirley and Sharon - I liked their scene in the cafe back in March.
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