Well said, elliecat. There should be a "Like" button for your post

I'd have no problem with the foghorn barmaid ending up with James as he is so very dull, in fact far too dull for the marvelous Emma.

I wish they would just leave together. I don't personal view Emma as complex like some many people do, she's a child - like Ross - nothing is ever her fault, it's always down to some else and it's usually other woman or she lashes out in very cruel ways because she's hurt. We don't ever see any other side to her apart from one that is controlling towards her family.

I have to agree JOP. Whilst I utterly adore the fabulous Emma, and the actress who plays her, she is suffering in a similar fashion to Lawrence in that the character only has half a backstory which needs properly fleshing out, in order for the audience to have a better understanding of her personality and behaviour.

James doesn't have any chemistry with anyone. It's odd because when the actor was playing Charlie in Corrie I thought he was great and there was something about him but since his role in ED the charisma he had as Charlie has completely gone and he is deathly dull.

You have just hit the nail right on the head. That's exactly it! Both Emma and Lawrence have half a backstory - with both of them, you feel like the show is keeping their options open so they can take them down any one of several roads, as they choose. And ironically, they both suffer as characters because their motivation doesn't make sense.

I also really like Emma, but I hate that she's back with James and not aiming her anger at him. And tbh, it has felt like the show cast her and brought her in and doesn't have the foggiest what to do with her now. I expect they'll get there - I see Kate Oates is telling us it's all about to kick off - but by the time they do, I find I've kind of got sick of waiting and my suspension of disbelief has gone.