I have found it mind numbing for a while again now. However this week has been great and I've noticed why. Carterless. No boring shabnam no boring kush. No dreadful 'new' Martin .
Those who haven't been enjoying eastenders , what are your reasons . As I now know mine

I love the carters

The rape storyline has been detrimental though.

I also like the Masoods too. However I think the Dean/Shirley hasn't worked at all..

The problem is that we all like different characters....only it's not a problem. I love the Masoods, love Stacey and I love the Carters.

I don't think it's the characters at all actually. Eastenders bar one or two have a great cast imo

I don't think it is. It's the storylines/writing.

I like the Carter's, Masood's and the Mitchell's, Beale's. It's just the former two have had repetitive episodes over the last several months.

The Carters were brilliant. The rape storyline was dealt with well but soon descended into an absolute farce. I think it's bold that they're telling a story where the rapist is not immediately punished because that happens and not everything is black and white. However it's block storytelling and dragging out and repetition of scenes that have ruined any credibility the storyline may once have had.

The problem with Eastenders isn't the characters or the cast. It's pacing.

They do have a really good cast. That's why I say it's just down to personal taste.

Yes I should have said I agree with you

I agree, sorcha. It's what they do with these characters that sometimes leaves me scratching my head.

- Sharon was a limp dishrag from last year up until she started searching for her father, which seemed to restore her mojo a bit.
- Tina was terrible with Tosh, but I really liked her during Stan's last weeks and the beginning of her relationship with Sonia.
- I thought the rape storyline was interesting up through January/February (when Linda went to the police), but then we had three months of Mick, Shirley, and Dean shouting at each other. Now Mick and Linda seem to be at peace since Ollie's paternity has been confirmed.
- Abi was wonderfully dark and strange after her break up with Jay, but now she's sort of annoying. (Wake up, Abi. You're a beard.)
- If I had to watch one more scene of Cindy, Jane, and Ian fight about Beth I was going to throw something at my TV, but I'm glad the focus is on Lucy's murder again.

...and the list goes on. I really do think it helps when we see a wide variety of characters more often rather than the block storytelling. It seems like we're seeing a better mix of people lately, so hopefully we'll see the characters even out a bit.

I agree. Although, I can enjoy all episodes regardless of who's in it. However, I look forward to episodes, with The Masoods, Kush and Nancy.

I think any character can shine if the writing is good enough. It's just EE don't always get the balance right. They overuse certain characters to the point of boredom or give them hackneyed plots.

Good point.

Really ???
I dont mind the Masoods but Kush IS as boring as hell and so are the storylines surrounding the ridiculous pregnancies of Stacey and Shabnam, its all got abit too Hollyoaks.
I also think the Martin recast is awful. He just should never have been recast end of.
The Carters are just as crap as they were when they first joined, Linda is OK though, aswell as Shirley. The only ones who really care about them are the frequenters of digitalspy.

To be honest i am only watching for Kathy Beale now.

Yep, really.

which is what they are doing with S

I do like the old lags - Ian, Phil and Sharon are always watchable...

This is true.

I'm enjoying this week less because it's Ian, Jane and Phil.

hi aura
i would raise a glass of ki ora. ( not relating to my ki ora poem)
in what you say is true
its about time EE axed a good few.
clear out all the dead wood
we need EE back and good.
get people who can act
just then number one might be a fact.

I think there's a cracking cast some characters just need the right storyline.

New-Martin just doesn't work, should have moved heaven and earth to get James Alexandrou back.

Sonia's return has been disappointing.

Jane is becoming more unlikeable by the day.

Not enough Roxy!!!

Like who?
This is sort of a haiku

I think the last three episodes have been amazing . It doesn't matter what storylines that the Carters get , I still find them boring and played by mediocre actors . I definitely think I have enjoyed it more since they haven't featured .

I don't mind Stacey , Kush , new Martin , they are all played by good actors .

I agree, I have loved it this year with the exception of two or three badly written episodes, and the cast is fine even if I can't abide Dean, I can understand that some have enjoyed the way the story has went.