Last week saw the start of SOC's era on EastEnders. It was a big week including the Mitchell's, Coker's, Dot and Denise. Whilst it had its flaws, I did notice a slight improvement in the writing and characterisation of the show.

I don't think it has been great now for a while though, and it would seem whilst DTC has done the show a lot of favours, he has also broken it in many ways. These are 12 steps I would take to help 'fix' the show, and make it the success it was back in its classic days, and if you like pre 2010. I totally understand not everybody will agree with a lot of my points, but I would be grateful for any feedback, or for other members to give an idea of what they would do to improve the quality of the show. I'm very passionate about EastEnders, so it would mean a lot. Ok, so here I go, it's going to be very long, so bare with me.

How to fix EastEnders in steps.

1: Remove the Carters from The Vic.

This would without a doubt be my first movement. I would also reduce the size of them. They are tired as a family now and need a new era and a chance to 'breathe'. Mick and Linda are popular characters so it would be foolish to axe them, and Shirley is a part of the furniture now, so the same applies to her. The rest of them however are dull and are not needed. Sylvie, Tina and Johnny serve no purpose. Babe is also a one trick pony.

The Vic does not need them and they do not need The Vic. It's an important fixture of the show and I would like to see a more long term character run the place now. Janine and David would be perfect. It would make sense. Janine likes to have power. She would return for The Vic, and her return could lead to a David return. If not them, then Sharon and Phil maybe?

2: Build the shows families back up again.

They are fragmented once again. The Branning's are lacking a matriarchal figure. Bringing Tanya back would be a wise decision, just as long as we don't have rinse and repeat with Tanya/Max. Where is Peter Beale? The Beale's could do with another member. The Slater's are in tatters. Bring back Kat! Not only could we have key returnees such as the ones mentioned above, but the show could also build up some new families.

3: Introduce some fresh and exciting new characters.

One thing EastEnders used to do to regenerate was introduce a batch of new and intriguing characters. These days the show just seems to throw lots of new characters in with the mix whenever and it can lead to poor character development. When dealing with new characters, I think it's important to introduce not too many, and to make the characters really interesting and enjoyable. Bringing in a load of new characters who are dull is boring and can make it feel like a different show. EastEnders needs a new and dynamic family. Kat could maybe return with her son. Shannon and Siobhan Slater are out there somewhere. There are so many opportunities that are not being explored. Axe the deadwood such as Donna and Tina, and bring in some more interesting characters.

4: Re-introduce some iconic characters.

I know a lot of people are against 'Looking back', but I see nothing harmful about a few returns. It's realistic and it helps keep the shows continuity strong, whilst giving nods to classic EastEnders. I would love them to bring back Grant full time, but I'm not sure if that would happen. The likes of Kat and Janine are really due some returns though. I'd say bringing back 5 popular characters from the past, over the space of a year, should do the trick. It will maybe help make the show feel more like EastEnders again.

5: Start telling (decent) storylines again.

This one might sound silly, but I feel Asif EastEnders doesn't really have any storylines anymore. Instead, it seems to just have little plots that never really go anywhere, and lack any sort of excitement or sensationalism. EastEnders shouldn't be all about sensationalism, but I don't think it's a bad thing. It's 2016. Soaps need it to survive these days, in my opinion. There don't seem to be many long term storylines anymore, that have a clear beginning, middle and ending.

A good mixture/balance of fast paced and short paced storylines should do the trick. The more fast paced storylines could be going on to keep viewers hooked, whilst the slow burners are going on simultaneously. A bit like in 2014/2015 when Lucy Beale's murder was prominent, but there were lots of other storylines going on aswell. Character driven plots are what keeps the show strong and I feel it needs more of those.

Putting an end to block storytelling and also having lots of stories that interweave would be wise.

6: Take advantage of the sets.

For goodness sake, when was the last time we seen the launderette? What is the point in The Albert? No one goes in there. Corrie and Emmerdale make much better use of their sets. Give characters a base and keep them there for a while. There's too much moving everyone around these days and it can be difficult to invest in some of the scenes when this happens. Have Martin stay on the fruit stall, Denise in the Minute Mart, Kathy in the Cafe. It's easier to invest in the characters when they have a base. There are also some sets that could do with an overhaul. I still feel like Pat is about to walk in to Sonia's house. The place hasn't been decorated for years. It looks terrible and tacky. I would also like to see the return of R&R. People do still go out clubbing in 2016, especially London. I can't understand why they got rid of it for The Albert (Which we never see?).

The sets are important when it comes to the day to day scenes. EastEnders needs these for the show to flow nicely.

7: More on location scenes.

You have a soap set in the most visited and busiest city in the world, but you'd never think it. There are not enough scenes out and about. Again, the ITV soaps do a much better job of this. I understand the BBC may be on a tight budget, but it can feel so claustrophobic sometimes. I want to see the characters go out and about. It's realistic and gives the show a different and interesting tone.

8: Stop the annual 'big' episodes.

This is the most tedious thing. The Halloween episodes are dreadful. I'd rather they focus on making the show must see TV every week, rather than just 'special' weeks. It makes it so much more easier to invest in. Why not have a huge episode smack bang in the middle of August? Why not have a disaster strike the Square in January? Again, it makes it more realistic.

9: Improve the writing of current characters.

How contrived are the Mitchell's now? Kathy has been watered down so much. Dot has very little to do. Stacey is a shadow of her former self. The writing for the shows regular characters needs to change. They are all suffering from poor writing and it's a shame as there are some outstanding performers.

10: Promote the show.

Seriously, if EastEnders could produce some good stuff then promote it, it would perform so much better than it is right now. I can't remember the last time there was a big press event for it. Also, the big adverts seem to have disappeared. It makes me long for the days of the 'Everyone's talking about it' and 'There's more to EastEnders' trailers, from the Yorke and Santer years.

11: Give the production team a shake up.

I won't give names, and it's not not for people to lose their jobs, but I don't think EastEnders is in great hands with the current production team. The writing is poor and the stories can be naff. It would be great if Sean O'Connor could get the likes of Simon Ashdown, Sarah Phelps and Tony Jordan back on board. I suppose I can only hope.

12: Improve the character interaction.

This is something I think has been handled do poorly lately. Where was Kathy is last nights episode? Why wasn't she there to comfort Ben? Why is she hardly ever there to comfort Ben? You'd think she wouldn't let him have 5 minutes to himself after missing out on all those years of his upbringing. Why didn't Grant have a scene with Ronnie? The character interaction used to be so good. I want to see more links between the characters and the cast interacting more. It's an ensemble show, and everybody should feel equal, and be able to share scenes with one another. The current storyline with Denise is a great idea, because it will tie the Fox's and Mitchell's together, thus improving character interaction.

Sorry to ramble on and on. If you took the time to read, thankyou!

Great points, I agree with most of them.

I'd say the number one thing is to FIX KATHY.

Was such a big deal to bring her back, and as you pointed out, she'd been used terribly. She needs to firmly establish herself as a main part of Ben's life (and other characters) and stop being so airy-fairy on the sidelines.

She also needs a proper, decent story of her own. Not this crap with Buster.

I havent read your post in full, i will do later.

But i want to comment on number three. The new characters need to be authentic eastenders. DTCs era was filled with stage performers and drama school kids. We need some rough and ready type characters played by actors with television experience.

Some really interesting points, Lou. I agree with quite a lot, although I would not reintroduce Tanya nor would I bring back any other past characters at the moment. Janine is a must for a return but only when the time is right. She can come back to run the Vic with a new husband, and a recast Tiffany and Liam.

I agree that the Carters should (and probably will) be dropped from the Vic. Boring family that only got such excessive screen time because they were DTC's pet project (and because he based them on his own family). The Vic has almost become a Carter spin-off from the rest of the show under their tenure (even more than it was under the Moons). It needs to become a hub of the community again as it was pre-2010.

Lots of new characters are needed. Some exciting ones like we got in the late-90s (Steve, Dan, Mel) to spice things up a bit. I agree with all of SOC's axing so so far, and I think there will be a few more characters dropped over the next six months or so.

The writing/storylining team also needs a shake up, and I don't think anyone would disagree with that. They've run out of ideas.

Kathy is such an important character, but she has been written so badly the past year. Her relationship with Ben is so poor. It's understandable he will be more fond of Phil as he has looked after Ben most of his life despite their problems, but you also can not blame Ben. Kathy barely has anything to do with him. She was even reluctant to phone the police when he had been kidnapped on Monday. Pathetic! I didn't watch EastEnders when she was in it 85-2000, but I know just by looking at YouTube clips and old episodes on Dailymotion, that Katny would never behave like that. She needs her backbone back. The tripe with Buster also needs to end.

Thanks for your feedback anyway!

Thankyou. I agree with you 100% on that Scrabbler!

Thanks Bass.

I know the character of Tanya is not popular on here, but I've always been intrigued as to how she would have reacted to everything that has happened to the Branning's over the past two years. What you say about Janine is also interesting and something I think would work.

Interesting points Lou and I wouldn't mind Janine in the Vic.

No to Tanya though.

Janine aside I'm over character returning. All the ones I like end up being shredded by crap writing and I'm tired of EE bringing them in with a fanfare and going at them with a wrecking ball.

Also most characters, particularly the long term ones, have become brittle and hemmed in by daft plots which though initially exciting ultimately fail to satisfy as they never conclude realistically. I could easily reel off a list but wont bother.

That really needs some long term thought and deep surgery by the new EP.

My problem with them bringing back Tanya is that i wouldnt want her to go on a merry go round with Max again. I feel they squeezed all they could out of their relationship and i wouldnt want to see that again.

But thats my issue with Max as awhole, all his storylines focus on women. He needs a break from them.

I think they don't know how to properly conclude a storyline these days. The storylines aren't really storylines, if that makes sense. They just go on and on and on. I'm not saying I'm against long term storylines, but I feel they don't come up with a beginning, middle and end before they beginning the storyline, and they just dive in.

Grant's return is an example. His and Peggy's return was the most self indulgent thing the show has ever done in my opinion. A bit of nostalgia is nice, but instead of thinking of a proper decent storyline for the characters, it is Asif they thought 'We'll just have them interacting with Kathy and Sharon, and make it as cheesy as we can by having plenty of nods to the past'. You have to compare Peggy's exit to the likes of Ethel. There is no comparison!

Id quite like Sarah Hills to return, am intrigued to see how she evolved from her time away especially as she went to uni. If she had children with Joe, then it could be a way for David to return in the future.

I agree with your first paragraph 1000%.

I totally agree with the Tanya/Max issue. If/when the characters return, I would keep them apart.

They should concentrate on making Max a patriarchal type character rather than reintroduce the loathsome Tanya

It's a shame Ross Kemp isn't sticking around as a Max/Grant friendship would be good.

Max has no real male friends but I think he's a great character and actor so I'd like to see that.

I think if the Carters are taken out of the Vic that's it for them. I don't see them working anywhere but the pub although I love Mick and Linda

I also think Janine would be amazing in the Vic. Perfect place for her. At least for a while or a good way of re-introducing her to the show, until gradually she alienates everyone, has no customers, and is forced to sell to someone else and work there as a cleaner

I'd rest Phil and Sharon, get rid of Louise (far too stage school) and focus on the young Mitchell's...Ben, Jay, Courtney and Lola. Yes I still want her back.

Get rid of Babe and move Shirley and Tina back into the Vic. Put Steven in there as barman and cook.

Bring Cora back for the Branning girls. It's obvious they are not going to get on with their dad at first. No to Tanya but Raine would be an asset.

Get rid of Jane and have Kathy as the rightful matriarch of the Beale Fowlers. Put her back in the cafe. Have the restaurant go bust and use the set for something else.

Have Denise lose her baby and get back with Kush.

Give Belinda a far more dominant role.

As for returns...you can only get them if the actor is willing

And yes, better writers and storyliners.

I agree with a lot of your points, Lou, apart from (predictability enough) getting rid of Johnny especially as I felt last night's scene with Colin showed his potential and the direction they could take him in.

For all characters, I'd like to see a real depth of thought around. I'd like SOC to sit down and look at all characters in turn. Then ask himself the following questions: what is their history, what is important to them, what motivates them, what is their worst fear etc. I'd then like to see long term planning that is ALWAYS true to the character and not to Alex Lamb's 'story of the week' style of writing.

I feel like a broken record bleating on about writing all the time but it does bother me that people are so quick to lay the blame at the door of characters who are not working instead of focusing on WHY they're not working. 9 times out of 10 it comes back to bad or unbelievable writing and it needs to stop.

A few of my thoughts

That's very true. I do find the Mitchells interesting but Phil's alcoholism apart their stories have been woeful. Most characters have become parodies of themselves and the art of storytelling is curtailed by EE constantly pulling it's punches.

Elly has also made a great post that I agree with. This week featured a fair number of characters I like, but if they are going to act like 2D plot driven morons whats the point?

I wouldn't be averse to that but that's because to me Sarah wasn't especially interesting so if she came back and dressed up as a flamingo to seduce Mick I wouldn't be disappointed.

Good set of points Lou

You thought about it and it sounds realistic.

It might not be true but on the EE facebook page someone claims SOC altered the Mark/Grant story so that Grant left without revealing who he was to Mark. If this is true I love him already. Even though Mark guessed Grant was his dad I think had he ran with the story DTCs way then we would have been robbed of seeing the fallout. I like the fact SOC has it so Mark knows but has chosen not to act on it. Much better this way imho.

Thanks LM.

I think SOC puts a lot more thought into the characterisation of the show. I've noticed a few hints this week.

> Dot's reluctance to attend Colin's gay wedding, due to her strict religious beliefs.
> Les trying not to 'turn' to Christine, at a time of personal mourning.
> Grant deciding not to tell Mark who his real Dad is. It felt more in character.

Denise and Kush will be revisited.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-09/eastenders-star-davood-ghadami-on-huge-upcoming-drama-for-kush-and-denise