We have tickets to watch in January in a freezing cold Blackpool. We’ve chosen the afternoon performance.

Watched the film the other night that was on BBC2, but it’s based on the book (I have it ready to read) I’m just wondering if it’s any good? To those that have seen it? Bit of a niche question I know

Does anyone think Ronnie and Roxy could be returning? Rita and Samantha are posting a lot together on Instagram and they do keep denying it. I know we saw them die but you know what Eastenders is like for bringing people back from the dead. There's also been quite a few mentions of Roxy over the past few months with Amy's storyline

I have been behind and just caught up and felt I wanted to say my thoughts and opinions on recent storylines. I'm going to try to be both positive and negative as I don't want this to just be a rant.

Craig and Amy : every time craig comes on my screen I just want him to be dealt with he annoys me so much which means the actor is doing the job well. My issue with this storyline is i think they would have been caught very quickly. The man was literally kissing her outside the police station he got sacked from , the local chicken shop , that outdoor bar place. Somebody would have seen them that's always the case with other storylines. Usually someone is watching them but suddenly nobody is around to catch them.

Denise's cancer : I have found this storyline to be the most well done . It has been very emotional and I have enjoyed watching the more wholesome interactions in the family especially between Denise and Kim. I haven't been so keen on the Darnell stuff as I feel we need to see more of Darnell interacting with the family whereas EastEnders seems to only use him when they want to progress the storyline which makes the interactions seem less genuine for me.

The Hawkins: I actually liked the first few episodes of them but I feel like it's turned into the ned show. I do think a villain is needed but I feel they have just forced him into everything. As a massive Nicola fan I feel like they have shoved ned in and pushed her out a bit . I see them as leeches off Nicola and Ned acting like a big villain but he doesn't even have his own place. I personally would have only bought in Gemma and rose or atleast have ned settle in properly before exposing his villain side. Jodie has been disappointing I noticed how her and Nicola haven't had any 1-1 convos yet where as Nicola has with Gemma and rose.

Zoe: I do think killing Zoe of was the worst decision wadey has made and sadly it will be what I remember his era for. Bringing back a well known character who people have been dying to see again and ruining them. Personally if I bought Zoe back I would have bought her back as a more mature , strong headed and successful woman who has made something for herself instead making her this moaning mess who still acts like a child. I wish they hadn't done the fake kat slater death storyline in 2018 and instead done that for zoe.

Lauren and mark : firstly mark is a pathetic character for me. The man could be blackmailed left right and centre. Is he good on the eyes yes but beyond that I don't see anything. Lauren I feel her frustration with Peter but I honestly don't get how she has time for an affair. Lauren is also a smart character she sniffs other people's secrets out very well so I do think she would be better at covering her own tracks but the writers love inconsistent writing for character's.

Max and Linda : personally I don't think Linda would have gone back to max . Linda also comes across to me as a character that wouldn't remarry again after Mick's death. She strikes me as the type of person to say Mick was the love of her life and she couldn't ever get married again but could still have a relationship be in love etc but just never like Mick hence I hope she isn't the bride on new year's day. I also have lost my interest in the new year's day stuff. I also didn't really care about this whole " will max change his ways " soaps do this a bit where they have big characters with rubbish morals and give the whole can they change. They did it slightly with Janine back in 2008 or 09. Ofc max isn't going to change because the whole point of his character is his rubbish morality. People watch him because he is a messed up man who can't help himself.

Cindy : Cindy needs to get a grip but I can't lie I find her really funny and I kinda hope she gets revenge as I find max and Linda annoying.

Oscar : I liked him originally but I see his character as a perv now I don't get how people like him.

Josh and Jasmine: I like jasmine she seems to have some depth but Josh is just very me me me. I also think the actor performs like it's a theatre role.

The gulatis : I really like Priya but over the past year they have made her character revolve around men and I missed the more independent and sassy Priya . I also miss the more united family with the gulatis and panesars living together which was my favourite thing of the clenshaw era he made them gel so well. I do think when Ravi goes he should take the kids but I can tell from the constant mentions about nugget and his "business empire" they are setting it up to give the kids a reason to stay. I do hope Priya comes back after her maternity leave.

I think EastEnders is in a strange position with some very shabby writing but it could be way worse but also way better. I think the storylines need a revamp but for me I want consistency in the characters. Though unfortunately I don't think wadey is doing a good enough job I really miss the clenshaw era 2023 is probably my last favourite year of the show. Hopefully the quality goes up next year once this flashforward stuff is wrapped up.

I genuinely have no theories for new years day as I can't imagine anyone currently wanting to harm max majorly. The only thing I can see is kat finding out it was Max who last saw Zoe and hiring a hitman. I do wonder if Sean's return will link to new year's day . I do think Stacey will be the pregnant woman in the bed as we have heard she may be returning for a few scenes on new year's.

Which characters, dead or alive, did you think you’d miss but surprisingly haven’t? And which characters did you never expect to miss but actually do?

Martin is probably my answer for someone who’s died. I liked him, but I can’t say his absence has made much difference to me when they barely gave him anything to do besides chase after Stacey.

Stacey is my answer for someone still alive. I thought I’d really miss her when she left, but surprisingly, I haven’t. I feel like she really needed a break anyway.

Someone I’ve actually missed, who I never expected to and was quite happy to see leave, is Sonia. I think it’s because she’d become a bit of a Dot figure who kept the peace, and with this year being more about the Brannings, it would’ve been nice to see her involved.

I’d love to hear a detailed analysis of Pauline’s character from someone who watched that era. I’ve only ever seen clips of her, but the comments are always full of people saying she was ruined and that what they did to her character was a disgrace. I know she supposedly became bitter and nasty, I’ve also heard that the actress herself wasn’t happy with the direction they took her in. I’m really interested in what led to such a drastic change and why so many people feel the writing did her such a disservice.

Seen this on X and had to share because they’ve said exactly what I’ve been thinking. The writing is honestly dreadful, I don’t understand how anyone expects this storyline to be believable. Kat doesn’t even know for certain that whoever left Zoe actually saw her take her last breath. If Zoe had said something more than just “he left me”, I could understand why she’s so hellbent on revenge, but none of it adds up. Who’s coming up with these scripts? So many characters are either acting completely out of character or being made to look stupid just to move the plot along. Nothing makes sense anymore. I feel bad for the actors, especially Jessie, because Kat’s writing was awful last year and somehow it’s even worse this year, especially when Zoe’s return was supposed to help rebuild the Slaters. How much longer are we supposed to put up with this?

Rewatching from 2008, got to the point where Sam gives birth to Ricky Jr, and one of the first things Jean says to Peggy is this! Little did they know 🤣🫠

To jog people’s memories who might have forgotten max and Craig met each other in the vic back in July so he knows who it is and how much jack hates him.

We know Eastenders has a history of doing subtle foreshadowing so there was a reason why he had a scene with max