She is really amazing, and thats why Leah is such a fascinating character. This scene always stands out to me. I really wish she would win something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8jbeFoD_bM

The last golden year of the show, in my opinion. I remember how we used to moan about the likes of Martyr and Cassie back in the day, but compared to some of the young teens today, I'd take moaning Martha back again in a flash!

I disagree with the assumption that the reason why H&A has become so heavily teen-oriented is because "the world has moved on" and young people won't watch anything if people over the age of 25 are on screen. What utter rot. Regardless of age, people want compelling storylines with characters they care about - just look at how people of all ages embrace characters like EE's Dot and the outpouring of grief about Deidre Rachid and the excitement when old characters return.

The problem with H&A is that the show has been so heavily skewed towards interchangeable storylines with drugs, crime and mayhem and endless love triangles with anodyne teens, that viewers have switched off.

I caught a bit of H&A yesterday, having not watched it for years. It felt more like a teen drama than a soap opera, and what happened to the dramatic soapy background music now it's just generic Hollyoaks-esque music.

Was nice to see Marilyn again though! and loved the end credits with the sweeping shot of the Aussie ocean beach and a nice throwback to the original theme with the man and woman singing. Shame they don't put that on at the start now. Though slightly wasted by Channel 5 squashing and talking over the credits

I felt a slight twinge of nostalgia, and it reminded me of those cozy early evenings watching Home and Away after school once CITV had finished, at 5:10pm

To me, this just demonstrates clearly how out of touch Seven is.


Opening credits and theme tune are a vital part of any soap opera's identity.

The show has gone downhill since 2009 onwards. I hope Sally comes back again. The Bay misses Sally.

Yesterday we had Alf worrying about PTSD, Jett sharing with Marilyn about wanting to join the armed forces and Ricky worrying about becoming a mother. If this is your only experience of Home and Away in the past few years then I'm confused as to how you can come to the conclusion that this seems like a teen drama.

Well the rating say otherwise don't they? How can anyone like Alfs storyline at the moment? It's dull as dish water.

Actually it received a lot of praise on social media and lots of people do like Alf's storyline because it's heartbreaking and fantastically acted by Ray Meagher.

Agree.

The endless teenage romances are the stories that are as dull as ditchwater. Endless scenes of Boy meets girl, you are the love of my life, pregnancy scare, new boy/girl joins show, one of the previous couple cheat so they breakup, moveon to new person and then, you are the love of my life etc etc etc.

I've watched H&A right from the beginning and never got was so great about Sally, I still don't.

I think Alf's storyline is great, I'm finding it fascinating. But then again I don't watch soaps for constant drama, I watch them for decent, interesting storylines. Give me a storyline like Alf's any day over the criminal Braxtons.

Sally is still an iconic character - I think she is loved by many people because she is a "real" character if this makes sense? Also we have seen Sally grow up in the Bay.

Yes, I understand what you mean. But just because Sally is iconic, has grown up on in the Bay etc doesn't mean everyone has to like her and I don't. But the world would be a boring place if everyone liked the same things

I don't think we'd get on very well 😂😜

To me, Sally IS Home and Away. We are the same age, grew up together and when she left, corny as it sounds, I felt like I was losing a friend.
They say one character is never bigger than any show, but to me, Sally and Kate Ritchie were the exception.

I was already an adult when H&A started and to me she was just another one of the kids.

That's fair enough. I have no interest in any of the kids on the show now so I can see your point.
I think Kate has always been amazing. There's clips on YouTube of her as an 8 year old and she can cry on cue. I think she has one of the most convincing and heartbreaking cries on telly to this day!

She's fantastic at crying scenes. Always was from a very young age:

Forced to admit that "Milco" isn't real: https://youtu.be/9FFbZQ0CxEk?t=9m18s

Upset about facing her first Christmas without her foster father, Tom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiA_pePjJsI

After baby Dale has died from cot death: https://youtu.be/Erpmd2f5XD8?t=2m46s

Agreed.


I was quite relieved when she left I have to say. Never enjoyed watching her.

Some people say she's iconic. I don't know, long service doesn't necessarily make an icon in my opinion.

Thank you - someone who sees where I'm coming from I thought it was just me who didn't like her. I agree with what you say about long service not necessarily making an icon.

Thank you

Sally was in Home and Away for 20 years and she had some very big storylines. I can't believe some people are saying she's not iconic. She is iconic whether you like her or not. Kate Ritchie is very well known in Australia. Alf doesn't have many storylines and he hasn't had much to do but he is iconic. Same as Marilyn and Irene.

Kate Ritchie can always come back to the show if she wants - she is an original character but I understand why Kate doesn't want to come back for good. She is a mother now and she is very happy to do her own radio work. Kate Ritchie is a terrific actress and the producers should be thankful that Kate remained loyal to the show for 20 years.

Kate has always spoken highly of the show since she left in 2008.

I think Kate will come back eventually. She is too emotionally attached to the show to not come back. She says sometimes she wonders if Sally is upset with her because it was Kate brought Sally's time in the Bay to an end. I think Kate sitting at the H&A table at this years Logies, being in the pics with them and crying when H&A won speaks volumes about her ongoing connection to the show.

I don't agree. As I said long service shouldn't make you iconic and it doesn't matter how well known you are outside of the show. Her character wasn't that unique whereas the other three you mentioned are.

Alf and Irene really needs more storylines. They are becoming "boring" sadly but I did enjoy his ANZAC storyline. I hope he will get more storylines soon. He hasn't had much to do since 2005 sadly.

BadRomance and SarahCadhill, I concur with your statements but I think Kate Ritchie will come back one day. She is missed by many fans and she is still a massively popular character. But I don't think we will see Sally again for the foreseeable future. Maybe in 3 years time? I miss Alf's scenes with Sally - their relationship was very special in the Bay and I will never forget her poignant line to Alf. "You will always be Mr Stewart to me, Alf". Their second farewell in 2013 was very moving too. I was really hoping that we could find out if Pippa Jr is ok after her treatments in the USA. Ray Meagher, Ada Nicodemou, Lynne McGranger and Emily Symons have always said that Kate's exit has left a massive void and they keep wanting her to come back.

Marilyn is my favourite current character and I'm going to miss her when Emily Symons is on maternity leave. Her return is a massive success and many fans love the character of Marilyn. She's a ditzy woman but she has a good heart. I didn't like the Marilyn/Nicole baby storyline in 2011 but I think many fans want to forget that it happened (I don't blame them).

Home and Away needs more long-term characters and we only have Alf, Irene, Marilyn and Leah. I'm fed up of the younger actors using Home and Away as a training ground/stepping ground is insulting for the likes of Ray Meagher, Kate Richie, Georgie Parker, etc. I really hope Roo isn't leaving anytime soon but Georgie Parker is an exceptional actress so she may want to move on to do other things.

I'm bored of the endless love triangles and teen dramas. It's not for me but I know everyone has different opinions. I don't like any of the characters introduced in 2013 apart from Ricky. Bonnie Sveen is excellent and I can invest in Ricky.

Who are the 2 greatest actors? Please don't tell me one is Brax.