I don't mind the odd guest appearance if essential to the storyline, but there have been so many and if the cost is prohibiting proper well-rounded new characters frankly I'd rather do with a lot fewer of them. What do you think?

I think it's a myth fostered by a few on here that guest stars are hampering character development or costing characters storylines/jobs.

Vincent (as the newest character) is being developed really nicely. Paul, whatever you think of his budding relationship with Ben, is developing nicely and both of these characters are involved in big storylines as well.

I think the problem with the 'well rounded new characters' is that people don't have the patience to wait for them to be developed...they want immediecy. Of course when a character comes in and is developed quickly like the Carters, they tend not to be happy with that either, it really is a no win situ, I think.

I like Vincent and Paul too, the reason I bring it up is that I have counted 11 departures to 3 new arrivals and with another 4 going with only 1 more arrival in the shape of Gavin, I was just wondering if the cost was stopping them from bringing in permanent cast members. But I agree with you that the show is in reasonably good health and I love the Carters in fact there's only two characters I really don't like and one of them is hardly ever featured that is Mo Harris and the other is Dean. But I do feel the cast is slightly lacking numbers.