It's odd isn't it. It's like watching a different show! Have the writers been completely replaced? It feels completely different. There's a lot of social commentary isn't there?! Housing within London, younger people affording to rent for the first time in London, bingate, what it's like as a new, young parent etc

Felt really odd at first but I actually think alongside a new more realistic and representative set, the characters and storylines are going to start to feel realistic and again representative of life within London. This can only (hopefully) be a good thing! 🙂

I wouldn't go that far OP it is improving but it's not there yet. The duff duffs recently haven't been very dramatic.

If EE is so good, how come that nobody in Walford watches it?

It's still awful.

Each to their own but I think it's improving with a new executive producer taking up the reins.

But you would say that even if it had the most famous actor's in it.

I will keep on saying it until I see improvements.

This is so true. DTC was praised to the hilt a couple of years ago. I thought he did a good job for the most part. I loved the Lucy storyline although I think he went wrong with other things like making Kush Arthur's father. I liked Michael Cashman's brief return so if that was due to SOC then he looks promising.

The Daily Mash reckons there's a storyline coming up where Ian watches old episodes on UK Gold lol.

It's still too early for me to judge or praise him.

The past few weeks since Grant's leave have ranged from mediocre to boring.

Tuesday's episode was okay but there really hasn't been much of a difference to me. Nothing has really happened yet so, there's not much I can say.

Gonna play the waiting game. The only thing I can say about him is that I haven't really agreed with some of his axing decisions and the upcoming exits particularly with characters like Pam, Lee, Ronnie, Masood (I know the latter two had a choice in the say) and I kinda have mixed feelings towards Claudette leaving but part of me understands why. It's only some of the axings that I haven't agreed with but other than that, it's too early for me to praise or criticise him.

Might give it a few weeks or so until something happens then I'll say my thoughts.

Didn't see tonight's but the last two episodes were surprisingly good for the reasons you stated, I agree CG.

Fantastic !!!!!!

I have a feeling people will hate SOC in the same way they hated Newman, why? because its clear SOC is going to put character above story which is what Newman also did. DTC was all about the storyline - the sensational storyline at that. If there is anything to take from the last two weeks worth of episodes its that character development is more important to SOC than what ever plot they are involved in. To some sadly however this will be seen as boring and dull.

Agreed, I think this could turn into an issue for some. However it is VERY early days, and SOC was accused by some The Archers' fans of bringing in too much sensationalism so we don't know for sure that he won't bring anything dramatic and 'soapy' to EE. Perhaps he has simply realised, however, that you have to care about characters before you start slinging secret babies, secret fathers, abject victimisation and comedy subplots of the week at them. We need a producer that can get the balance right between characterisation and storyline, and hopefully SOC is the guy to do this.

In regards to The Archer's though up until the domestic abuse storyline the main talking point of episodes was stuff like whose strawberry jam tasted better at the village fate. The abuse storyline itself wasn't sensational, it was character driven throughout, its just The Archer's hadn't seen anything like it before.

Oh, okay. I don't listen to The Archers so I don't know too much about it but there was a thread on here about a month back where some fans were sharing their views on him with EE fans and at least one of them said that SOC wasn't interested in the gentle patter of the village and turned the show into something extremely different. In any case, he'll be aware that listeners of The Archers aren't the same demographic as viewers of EE and I'd imagine he'll adjust what he's doing accordingly. Like I said it's still very early days. It may be that he's still focusing on everyday life on the square, and nothing else, in a year's time, but I think at this point it's too early to judge.

I think it is all about balance. I don't want sensational plots about characters I don't give a stuff about but neither do I want boring humdrum day in day out stuff. Surely there is an EP out there who can get the balance right? And hopefully it is SOC.

I guess it all comes down to opinion but the recent Archer's storyline is the most acclaimed in their entire history. Ironically, John Yorke was accused by Archer's fans of being sensational more than Sean O'Conner was. I guess it comes down to audience perception.

I'm pleased you said this. I remember when Sharon put her hair up and referred to herself as 'Sharon Watts' shortly after she discovered Phil had lied to her about something and DTC said he cried tears when Sharon did that.

I remembered thinking at the time WTF?! she only tied her hair up, its even more weird when you look back now and realize he never even took that storyline anywhere. Like you say its strange.

Wasn't there an interview where he said the BBC had given him a golden handcuffs contract?

He was incredibly arrogant. I also thought his remarks about 'leaving bombs for SOC' was silly.

Yes I have felt this week has been better the sunset beach fan fiction feel of the show has hopefully gone

It is, I would say, 7/10 worthy at the moment, not as good as 2010 ish but not as bad as it has been 2011-13.

It's been awful this week.

Tonight's was utterly atrocious

I've found the 'golden handcuffs' article: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/e...sister-5207497

"Speaking shortly after being given a “golden handcuffs” deal, Dominic said: “I am the first executive producer to be made permanent staff. It means there is not an end point for me at the BBC.”

That worked out well, Dom.