RRRIIIIICCCCCKKKKKKYYY YYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! (Eastenders)

Member Name: excelsior81

Product:	Eastenders
Date:	26/02/09 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great strong characters

Disadvantages: Sometimes it's not realistic at all!

Like it or loathe it....opinion is often divided on Eastenders, which has now been on the BBC for 24 years!

I am an indifferent watcher of this show, I can take it or leave it, but must also admit to watching it if I remember that it is on...and there are plenty of opportunities to watch it with episode repeated on BBC, the Sunday omnibus edition and also it is now available online or on catch up with the BBC iplayer.

There are to my mind two reasons why the soap has remained successful:

1. It deals with issues that other shows have not confronted, or may have dealt with , but not in such a gritty way - The recent storyline about Whitney being groomed by Bianca's fiance was amazing, heart breaking and highlighted a serious topical issue. Throughout the years Eastenders has tackled lots of subjects that some view as difficult or ground breaking - The first gay kiss in a soap opera was on Eastenders and recently, they have just had the first all black cast episode...all great stuff.

2. The characters are strong and they are often played by some of our finest actors. Wendy Richards did a brilliant job as Pauline Fowler for example and Barbara Windsor is amazing as Peggy, she holds down her troubled family so well and episodes with her are often gripping.

There are some things that I dislike about Eastenders also, things that just make me cringe......

1. You need a new kitchen in Eastenders and it appears overnight!

2. No one has a washing machine!

3. Wedding to plan? Christening? funeral? Birthday?....why not have it at the Queen Vic! now...come on, surely if you live in London you have the choice of thousands of bars and restaurants!

4. It is sometimes just so miserable...they seem to spend their lives living in doom and gloom, although the upside of this is when we have a comedy moment it makes it even funnier

5. Ian Beale getting drunk....gross!

6. Do they not have a Tescos or other supermarket near by!


Eastenders has had some moments of pure genius and moments that genuinely touch the heart. Few will ever forget the passing of Ethel with Dot by her side...it had me in floods of tears.

If you can cope with fake cockney accents, fights in a pub, a grubby market and the occasional knees up in a pub....then you will enjoy this :)

Summary: DU DU DU DUDU DUDUDUDU