Originally Posted by
attitude99:
“Yes I agree, DTC made a huge impact when he first came, mainly because he had three storylines planned as well as a new family, and he did shocks and surprise twists. I do think he did very well with the 30th celebrations but after that it was very hit and miss. The Carters had become eyes deep in depressive storylines that dragged on and on and on and it made them unlikeable, now this has been rectified and Mick and Linda are great again.
I think you're right there, plus how SOC has a history of making villanous characters have consequences which suits Ronnie. The Mitchells had become silly coming out top dog yet again over the Hubbards, and like you say, the live cirrhosis story was probably never supposed to be like it is now, likewise with Lee's depression, they have been carried on and have both turned into decent and engaging storylines. DTC apparently had storylines planned up to Christmas, so I can only imagine what we would be seeing now
however I imagined SOC took one look at it and scrapped the lot.
Definitely, the little subtle things make a huge difference. Like with the Vic raid and Mick went to pick up Ollie after the robbers had left, whereas with DTC he would have probably given the robbers a kicking only to get one back. Phil's monologue tonight was very good and insightful into Phil, it was indeed a poignant moment and it was very real. Like you also mention, Lee having payday loans affects lots of people, especially as it is coming up to Christmas with lots of people vastly overstretching their budgets just so they can have a good Christmas.
All of SOC's storylines have lots of hidden clues as to what is coming up, it actually means that you have to look into it deeper and not take it at face value, meaning you become invested as a viewer and want to find out what happens.
Oh yes, DTC's comedy was terrible 
The pool death being leaked like it was doesn't fit in with SOC's vision at all, and to me seems like a stunt done by the BBC to gain some publicity and suspicion around R&R's exit. There was also a story about a bus crash on NYD but how true this is I don't know.”
The 30th anniversary was very well done although, ultimately, I found
Who Killed Lucy? to be a let-down, mostly because of the length of time the storyline was dragged out for and because of DTC's over-enthusiastic proclamations of how game-changing it would be for the whole Square. Honestly, I'd rather have a full year of SOC's recent work than a year of the Beales all shooting each other furtive, open-mouthed glances.
The best thing I've noticed about SOC (so far, anyway) is that he doesn't appear to have favourites like DTC did. It makes me laugh that everyone is pining for DTC now, considering how they did nothing but bitch and moan about the overused Carters for two years.
Phil's 'falling off the wagon' being an revenge act on Gavin's part seemed so comically blase that I can almost guarantee that DTC did not intend to grow it into a cirrhosis storyline. Also, if you notice, the characters never mention this now. During all these tough conversations between Phil and Sharon, you'd expect Phil to, at least once, mention that it was her father who put him in his current state. Seems to me that SOC would sooner forget that particular plot point.
Oh dear, I imagine DTC had a, not at all predictable, Gavin return planned for Christmas Day, topped off with a showdown between him and Darth Ronnie on NYE
I meant subtle BUT noticeable, by the way
Totally. And, as we've said before, the Vic break-in was so much more unexpected and shocking because of SOC's work building up the Carters relationships again. I also had a thought tonight about Whitney and Mick, they had a nice little scene again. All DTC ever had them doing was Whitney throwing herself at Mick.
You're right actually. Remember I said that to you a few weeks ago? The pool death seems so un-SOC it's ridiculous. I even initially thought it was something DTC had pre-planned and they had to go ahead with