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Old 09-07-2016, 16:52
Ancalagon
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I just wanted to share some positive thoughts on the character of Holly Barton and the actress portrayal since her return to Emmerdale earlier this year.

Firstly when I heard that Sophie was reprising the role as Holly I was very glad because it's such a refreshing change to have an actor/actress return to a role and not have to accept/adjust to a recast, especially if they have been absent for a while. While I know a lot of people think that Sophie's acting skills are not the best and would have welcomed a recast, the main reason I believe its a good thing that she returned to the role is that she represent a continuity link to the Bartons as they first appeared, to John and Hannah and the original family unit.

When the Barton history was retconned (When James and "the boys" arrived) and it turned out that Adam was James son and not Johns (a move I still have not quite forgiven) We lost the original feel of that family, Moira in particular seemed very different. Holly coming back with the original actress has (for me at least) bridged the gap between the original Barton family and where they are today.

As for Sophie's portrayal, I think she is doing an excellent job! It's not an easy thing to always be the one acting drunk or "high" and she plays that horrible desperation to get her fix and cover her crimes perfectly. I mentioned in other posts that my brother suffered in the past as Holly does now and she is really doing it justice! It's such a realistic interpretation, the lies, the cheating and the awful nature of addiction.

The truth of the matter is that an addict- be it alcohol or drugs will always be an addict- Holly won't just "get clean" and sweat it out and then be fine, she will be an addict for the rest of her life and I think Emmerdale have really tried to get that across lately in both Holly and Jai.

As for the character of Holly, I think we have seen her turn a corner. This is the first time we have ever seen her proactively try to get help/stop on her own. She flushed the drugs away herself, she went to the meeting herself and she choose to open up and be honest to her Mum (granted she didn't get the reaction she wanted) compare that to the battle John and Moira had last time where they literally locked her away and forced her into recovery.

The most remarkable thing is the honesty, as lies come so easily to a drug addict even in the face of irrefutable proof of there lies they cling to the story they have fabricated (Much like we have seen in Holly in the past) So to come clean is a huge step for her!

I really have gotten the sense from Sophie that Holly is a shell trying to walk through life, she is there physically but not mentally- she says the right things at the right time, what people want to hear, but I get the sense that everything is a effort, a real struggle to appear normal when in side she is aching for a fix- so well done Sophie.
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Old 09-07-2016, 17:59
danyell
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Yeah I think she's doing a good job. I always thought she was better than the girl that played her sister. I thought she was awful! And as for Adam and James, have they completely forgotten that their father and son? They have no relationship at all. It's like that whole storyline never happened.
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Old 09-07-2016, 18:55
Adrian_Ward1
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I definitely enjoyed her last night, i think she will hook up with Jai.
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Old 09-07-2016, 19:06
soap-lea
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I am sure there was a thread a week or two ago that was quite positive about both the actress and the character.

I Didn't read your post, too long sorry.

Hollys voice is whiny at times and I don't like the storyline but I don't have any other issues with the actress or character. Even if she and the othet bartons have completely forgot hannah
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:17
The_soap
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Does anyone else think that Hannah Barton should return or is it just me???
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:19
soap-lea
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Does anyone else think that Hannah Barton should return or is it just me???
I think she should or at least she should be remembered.

Moira never even wanted her to go but is now unconcerned she is in the big smoke alone
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:39
Ancalagon
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I think she should or at least she should be remembered.

Moira never even wanted her to go but is now unconcerned she is in the big smoke alone
They mentioned Hannah in Thursday or Fridays episode. When Holly and Moira were having a girls night on the sofa. I do agree though the almost none existent talk of Hannah is very unrealistic.
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:39
Ancalagon
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Does anyone else think that Hannah Barton should return or is it just me???
With Hannah though a recast would be very much appreciated!
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:40
Ancalagon
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I am sure there was a thread a week or two ago that was quite positive about both the actress and the character.

I Didn't read your post, too long sorry.

Hollys voice is whiny at times and I don't like the storyline but I don't have any other issues with the actress or character. Even if she and the othet bartons have completely forgot hannah
I never saw that thread sorry, also sorry that you felt my post was to long to read.
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:42
Ancalagon
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Yeah I think she's doing a good job. I always thought she was better than the girl that played her sister. I thought she was awful! And as for Adam and James, have they completely forgotten that their father and son? They have no relationship at all. It's like that whole storyline never happened.
Making it an even bigger shame that they ruined the memory of the great Father/Son dynamic Adam had with John.
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:42
mystery23
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As someone who could not stand the character the first time around, I think Sophie has been absolutely fantastic this year. So realistic and engaging.
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:42
Ancalagon
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Yeah I think she's doing a good job. I always thought she was better than the girl that played her sister. I thought she was awful! And as for Adam and James, have they completely forgotten that their father and son? They have no relationship at all. It's like that whole storyline never happened.

She really was awful, If Hannah ever returns I hope it's a recast.
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Old 09-07-2016, 21:53
soap-lea
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I never saw that thread sorry, also sorry that you felt my post was to long to read.
I was on my phone it looked like war and peace, doesn't look so bad now I have a normal sized screen.

thought I had better say in case I had got the wrong end of the stick
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Old 09-07-2016, 23:03
Adrian_Ward1
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Wouldn't mind seeing Hannah
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Old 09-07-2016, 23:10
jlp95bwfc
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The original Hannah was awful. They'd have to recast her. I can't remember her having any storylines of note in her original stint and wouldn't mind if we never saw the character again.
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Old 09-07-2016, 23:15
soap-lea
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The original Hannah was awful. They'd have to recast her. I can't remember her having any storylines of note in her original stint and wouldn't mind if we never saw the character again.
she had a storyline with Shane Richies son, thats about all I remember.

I do think its more she wasn't given anything of note to do rather than her just being awful
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Old 09-07-2016, 23:40
thejoyof_pat
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I agree, I wasn't keen on holly poor the actress the first time or when I heard she was coming back but she's really grown on me these few weeks, she's enjoyable to watch and it's good that Moira has more to do than a romance story. I would like to see Hannah back.
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Old 09-07-2016, 23:59
owen10
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I like Holly in Emmerdale now
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Old 10-07-2016, 00:05
Adrian_Ward1
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Holly is definitely growing on me
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Old 10-07-2016, 00:51
Glendarroch
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I think Sophie Please can be quite awkward, but where she is really good is portraying Holly's s vulnerability and fragility.I want to mother her! My only gripe is that she looks very healthy for an heroin ( is it heroin?) addict
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Old 11-07-2016, 10:39
Chiltons Cane
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Sorry but that squeaky voice and miserable face drives me mad, i have to FF all her stuff, she is terrible.
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Old 11-07-2016, 10:51
all_night
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She does come across wooden at times but when she has something to get her teeth into she comes into her own i feel.
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