EASTENDERS: Where's Ronnie?

That was a nice little twist from the Enders gang last night, wasn't it? 

After my rant about how Dean's downfall might well be Ronnie's revival, and wondering how she would return after being arrested for Carl White's murder - it turns out that she wasn't arrested at all! 

Roxy was panicking after going into Walford Police Station to tell-tale on her sister (and breaking the biggest of all Mitchell codes of conduct!), suddenly having a change of heart, and telling Ronnie to run, before a detective came knocking. 

But it was in the car afterwards, as Ronnie was being driven away that she realised the two men weren't Old Bill at all... 

Cue an almighty 'WHO ARE THEY?!' from me, followed by a DUFF DUFF from them... 

It's been whispered that we won't have to wait too long to find out Ronnie's fate at the hands of her kidnappers, as some 'surprising answers' will be revealed this week. 

Initially in our house, we pointed the finger at Vincent. Was it to do with his secret meeting a few weeks back with the mysterious man at the tube station? Does he really harbour romantic feelings for Ronnie, and after getting wind of her impending arrest, sent some heavies round to take her away to safety? 

To be fair, the man throwing a 'that's not a good idea' at Ronnie while she desperately tried to open the locked car door didn't sound very safe... So she might really be in danger. 

And if so, maybe it is Vincent, and he's doing it for some kind of revenge (again, in partnership with mystery tube man) or has evil Gavin returned, to put yet more revenge on the Mitchell family? More interestingly, is this something to do with Charlie Cotton? He knows that Ronnie killed Carl, and he has played make-believe policeman before, on his arrival to Walford.

If it's none of the above, this man at the door may have been pretending to be a police officer at Walford Station - another hint towards Charlie?
Roxy did go there and it was clear that she dobbed her sister in, from her pleas to Ronnie to run. So, as Dean kept asking, where were the police to arrest her? The man at the door also knew all of the information - Carl White, and murder. 

Or, is this when the Mitchell's realise Ronnie's in danger, if the real police come knocking in tonight's ep? 

So many questions... 

But one thing remains, and that's that Roxy will be shut out and disowned by her faaaamily, even more so that Ronnie is now in what looks like bigger trouble than just being arrested for murder. 

I'm sure we'll find out more tonight and as the week unfolds, but what do you think the twist in this tale will be? 

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The X Factor: Where the Overs went wrong...

On Saturday, The X Factor had another double elimination, but under a new guise.

On Saturday, Mason Noise was sent home in the first flash vote of the series, and I've got to say that I think I'll miss him the most, out of all the acts who have gone so far.
Mason had quality, and where some may not particularly like 'him', it was undeniable that he had whatever the 'X' in X Factor is. Mason, for me, gave something new, to what The X Factor, and other shows like it haven't had for a while. He was on point, a sign of our times, but also able to sing as well as rap, and he had moves that could easily overshadow Justin Timberlake!

I can't wait to see what he does next, and think he'll be a big loss to the last few weeks of the competition.

On Sunday, it was a shocker in the sing-off, as Anton and Che went head-to-head.
Che was the biggest shock of all for me, and not because Anton was any less great a singer, but I feel as though Anton was always going to be in the bottom two, because he had a rough rap in the press.
And good for him, for sticking up for himself, to Grimmy and also to those on social media who decided to also have a pop about him being 'insincere' or 'fake'.
I really like Anton, and think his performances were always so heartfelt and true. He loved being the guy at the front, for the first time in his career, and his voice said it all. He deserved his spot.
But I do wonder if his over-enthusiasm was what hindered him, because some people in this cynical world just don't understand that yes, some people are overly passionate about what they love. And there's nothing wrong with it!

Of course, Anton's exit meant that Simon Cowell lost his final act in the Overs category, and explained that the reason he was so upset about having the Overs this year, was because the other categories were so strong.
I agree, because following last years' Ben Haenow and Fleur East, the Overs of 2015 were always going to have to step into very big shoes. And that may be where it all went wrong for them this year. Ben and Fleur proved that the Over 25s were not the 'has-beens' or the 'cabaret' acts, that it had been labelled for years before. They were both fresh, young and gave the Overs a well-needed face-lift. Unfortunately this year, the category was overshadowed by so much other talent.

There must be only two or three weeks left of the competition now and thanks to the Rugby World Cup, it's flown. I also think because of this, and the result being double eliminations galore, I think that some great acts who should have stayed a bit longer ended up going, meaning that they never got their time to shine properly. That 'moment' which Simon likes to see.

That's why I hope that The X Factor returns next year, unchanged (apart from the terrible Judges Houses Live bit!) so that we can see the full potential of this new look which was so strongly publicised.

What do you all think?

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HOLLYOAKS: The Best of the McQueens'

This week over on Hollyoaks, evil Pete Buchanan has finally been revealed for what he is, and it's been an emotive and hard-hitting beginning of the end to the story.

The McQueen family have always been a favourite to many viewers, including me, for their funny, ditzy way and outrageous names! But there have also been times when they've shown grit and heartbreak, and this week for me outshone then rest, because they were united in a situation that affected them all in one way or another.

When the newest of the McQueen girls (Porsche, Celine and Cleo) were introduced I wondered whether they work, but they soon slotted in - and I think the enormity of Porsche and Lockie's train crash (in more ways than one!) wedding really helped to cement their arrival.
Then came Zoe Lucker, who always plays a blinder, arriving as the girls mum Reenie. And Pete soon followed...

As the abuse of Cleo began to get darker, it was made clear by Hollyoaks bosses that Pete would get the justice he deserved.
And this week, after weeks of Pete manipulating Cleo and beginning to groom newcomer Jade Albright, Cleo's ex, and now good friend, Harry Thompson revealed all on Reenie and Pete's wedding day, after seeing an exchange between Pete and an upset Cleo.

The two episodes which follow are gripping, I think. We have Reenie, who began by throwing anger at her daughters, which was maybe denial that they had gone through the same abuse which she did at the hands of Nana's husband when she was a child. Zoe Lucker's performance so far has been amazing, along with Twinnie-Lee Moore, who plays Porsche. The scene of the pair being interviewed by police came across so emotive, it was difficult to distinguish between real and soap life.
Cleo's now still in denial, and that has also come across as frustrating viewing, which I hope is the point the writers are trying to make. You want to give Cleo a good shake, and hope that the penny finally drops that Pete has groomed and abused her. Even after seeing him deny their 'relationship', the teen still thinks that he's the good guy. And that's the fact, I think, Hollyoaks are trying to make here - that this kind of abuse is also a form of brainwashing.

Celine's experience with Pete, on the other hand, is very different to that of her sisters'. Having collapsed after injecting herself with medication to make her lose weight, Celine has been in hospital since the reveal.
You can already see the survivors' guilt creeping in on her - and I think this is another great way of showing another important layer of how sexual abuse can affect family members who weren't physically assaulted themselves.
Pete always told Celine that her puppy fat was 'cute' or beat her down psychologically about her insecurities. Until now, Celine thought that Pete was being kind and willing her on, to make her feel okay about being bigger than her sisters. It's Myra who makes her understand that this was still abuse, albeit in another form.

As I mentioned before, Pete will be bought to justice in the correct way, and will face trial in the new year.
After trying to go abroad with a runaway Jade, who finally escaped his clutches after her sister Sonia (aka Lisa Loveday) told her that the police were after him, Pete was last seen laying unconscious after being hit by Darren's cab, in a revenge hit and run. Whether it was Darren who did it, or not, it's clear that Pete will survive to answer his crimes.

It really has been the best of the McQueens' this week, and I think this storyline deserves all the credit possible for highlighting such an important topic in such a way.

In closing scenes the other night, John Paul and Theresa spoke to their young children, promoting the NSPCC's 'Talk Pants' message.

It's an important one, so I'll leave you with it:


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EASTENDERS: Dean's downfall may be Ronnie's revival

I think EastEnders have done a brilliant job in their storytelling of Linda's rape aftermath, which occurred just over a year ago.
Many fans were a little perplexed that Dean didn't get his rightful punishment, and Linda didn't get justice, after police decided there wasn't enough evidence to take him to court. But, as the Enders bosses said at the time, this is true for many people who suffered like Linda.

But, in soap especially, it is important to show that bad people do get some kind of comeuppance, and Danny Dyer, who plays Linda's hubby Mick, has already said that justice is served beautifully in the end. But how?
Because recent pictures, which will be aired over the New Year (and Mick and Linda's big wedding!) have shown Mick trying to save his rotten half-brother, after Dean tumbles into a lake.

Has Dean met a watery end?

Rumour has it that Dean won't survive his watery fate, but will he be outed for the rapist he is before he departs the Square for good?

We've seen over recent week's that Dean has become increasingly possessive over his new fiancee Roxy Mitchell, going head-to-head with Ronnie in the process.
Ronnie is one of my favourite characters, as I think she's so layered as a character. She's been through so much trauma, and caused a fair bit herself. She's even a murderer! Yet, like some characters, you can have sympathy, even when their actions take them seemingly beyond repair.
Ronnie will be arrested next week for killing Carl White (walloped over the head and crushed in the boot of a car, remember?!) after he tried to assault Ron... Even more surprising  is that Roxy goes against all Mitchell family values, and admits, as Ronnie's being led away, that she was the one to report her sister to the Old Bill. And there you have it, the Mitchell's cast Roxy out, meaning that all she has is Dean to lean on. Bet he's pleased as punch!

She'll be back! 

However, here's where Dean's downfall could really begin...
Having Roxy all to himself, he will no doubt continue his possessive behaviour. We've already seen him 'accidentally' burn her with hair straighteners and then cut a chunk out of her hair, during a row. Last night, too, we saw Dean hold Roxy's wrists a little too tight, leaving her to ask him to let her go, while they were in the bedroom. Ronnie noticed the marks later, in front of the Carter clan.
It has since been announced that Dean will attempt to rape Roxy towards the end of this year, leaving her traumatised - and possibly alone.

Will Ronnie be out of police custody by the time Dean attempts his attack? Well, we know that she'll be back - those Mitchell's always manage to somehow obtain a 'get out of jail free' card (anyone for Monopoly?!) at just the right time don't they!
And this is how Ronnie could be revived, and shed another of her many layers... Dean will be gone, Roxy will no doubt be welcomed back into the Mitchell bosom (she is faaaaamily after all, and will need their support more than ever) and Ronnie will (somehow) be rid of her worry about her murderous crime catching up with her.

That until the Charlie Cotton secret unravels. And who WAS that bloke Vincent plotted with at the tube a few weeks ago?

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The X Factor: 1, 2, 3...

It was the third weekend of double eliminations this week on The X Factor, and after having a quiet time at Telly Jolly recently thanks to the excitements of life, I think it's time to let loose on the opinions once more!

So - this weekend saw Monica Micheal and Max Stone leave, but before going in to that, I'm going to quickly delve into the last two weeks of the show...
Bupsi's exit in the first live show wasn't such a shock for me, as her song was so off that week. Simon admitted his mistake over song choice, but I personally think that Jennifer should have been on the lives over Bupsi. Alien Uncovered were also given the boot after a sing-off against Keira Weathers. It was a shame that they, too, didn't come across as well as they could have.
I was also surprised that Kiera left so early on, in week two, especially as she was so stand out in the audition and Boot Camp rounds, but I feel that it may have been her slight image change that failed to connect her to the audience. Keira had the lowest vote, meaning that Mason Noise and Seann Miley Moore sung-off against each other. Now, after Mason's not-so-great six chair challenge behavior, I didn't want to like him. But the boy has done good in the end, saying and singing 'Sorry', and genuinely looks serious about the competition and his career. During that sing-off, Mason didn't sound as good as Seann and his wrecking ball handbag, which made me think of Miley Cyrus each time I saw it (the name might not be a coincidence!) but I hoped that Mason would be saved,and was pleased when he was, because he can give variety as an artist, whereas Seann was already becoming quite samey, performance wise.

The public are throwing all sorts of shock bottom-two's in this year, and I think some of the better artists are suffering due to the three week double eliminations (thanks, Rugby World Cup!). Again, Max and Monica weren't as strong this week, so maybe should have gone over some of the others, but I did think that Max has a raw kind of talent, that could have made the competition stronger if he had stayed.
It was also a surprise to see Anton in the bottom three, as I thought he made a massive come back after his not-so-good (and somewhat scary!) performance last week.  But he's the last Over standing now, and I hope the public back him for a few more week's yet.

As for my favourites so far... Well, Che (who we call Damien, as he's so like my cousin!) and Louisa are the strongest vocally, by far. Then there's Mason, who I really like watching. I also have a soft spot for Reggie and Bollie, who are fun (but without being novelty) and look like they're loving life every week up on stage.
However, for every favourite, there has to be a least fave, and mine are 4th Impact. Yep, sorry everyone who's on their team, but I just don't get it. And like Seann, I find them very samey, samey. I also don't think their vocals are ever spot on, and can count flat notes every other line... That's where my ex-singer comes out in me!

Overall so far this series, I'm liking the new 'themes' but think it would be great if each contestant wrote a song of their own to perform one week... That would set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Olly and Caroline also still seem a little nervous each week - they definitely look like the new kids on the block. But I like them as a duo, so given a chance, they can only get stronger, and soon be as confident and comfortable as they were on The Xtra Factor a few years ago.

I wonder what the theme this weekend will be...

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HOLLYOAKS: And the Gloved-Hand Killer is...

It's Lindsey!

Yes, after all these months, we finally know who the Gloved-Hand Killer is. And it's not Bobby Beale this time!

Shocked? Maybe... But this week has pointed more and more in Lindsey's, er, favour...

The cast revealed that they were shocked when they discovered the GHK's identity a few weeks ago, and back then I can see why. Lindsey was SO not in the frame!

But from Monday's First Look episode it was a little more obvious that either Lindsey or her (maybe not so crazy, anymore) sister Kim were the two main players in the GHK game.
Lindsey suddenly had the edge for me, as I felt that Kim was just too obvious from a while ago. 

This week's 20th Anniversary episodes have been great, and I've really enjoyed them. Monday's may well have been my favourite, as for a half-hour slot it was so fast-paced and lots of twists were slotted in, at just the right stead. 

Tony finding out about his son, Harry's affair with Ste, revealed brilliantly by John-Paul, was just the 'side story' needed in the middle of the biggest 'Who Is It' that Chester has ever seen.
I have to say that I found gun-wielding Trevor chasing the Roscoe twins through the village a little bit comical, but it did lead to the amazing water stunts the following day, so all can be forgiven!

The GHK also killed horrible Ashley Davidson during Monday's ep, and then on Tuesday, Dr S'Avage met his maker, just as he had witnessed Lindsey's killing spree on camera. She played a blinder at sobbing to Dirk, while handing over S'Avage's belongings, and I almost took back my belief that she was the culprit.

  

Can I also say how great Steph Waring has been, portraying Cindy. It was the perfect light relief, with Dirk and Holly thinking that Cindy's bi-polar was the cause of her outlandish serial killer claims. 

Then there was the water-rapid scenes, with Jason, Robbie and Freddie, which were so well filmed. I held my breath as the boys battled to survive, and felt almost claustrophobic while the underwater action played out on screen. 

After their survival, and with Jason discharged, Robbie up and dressed, it was clear that Freddie would be the third and final victim of Lindsey's 20th Anniversary Week murdering spree. I'm sad that Freddie is no-more, as he was one of my favourite Roscoe's. And to be killed by the woman he's always loved, was heartbreaking. 

The face of the Hollyoaks Gloved-Hand Killer

But where did Lindsey's hunger for murder come from? 

The Hollyoaks top boss has said that the story team knew from day one who the GHK would be, and it hasn't changed throughout the storyline. 

To be honest, I think Lindsey being the killer is probably the most exciting outcome - as the story has been promised to continue in a new direction. I also hope that we see from Lindsey's point of view why it all began. 

She killed Rick first. And yes, he was a pain in the Roscoe's lives, but to end his life while doing her job isn't the Lindsey Hollyoaks first introduced. Or was it? 

Will was next and then S'Avage's ex-wife, Mariam. The GHK seemed to be killing people who weren't nice people, which could have made sense if un-hinged Kim, or hard-done by Tegan had been the perpetrator. The attempted-murder on Diane, which was next, could also have been obvious should Tegan have been the murderer...

By the time we got to Phoebe McQueen, maybe Linds had just got the taste for killing. But Phoebe was her best friend, Mercedes', adopted family member and Robbie's new fiancee... Although, having been accidentally shot by Joe, maybe Lindsey was looking out for her exes well-bring, and by silencing Phoebe, no trouble could come knocking on a Roscoe's door, even if it meant that Lindsey's brother-in-law would be heartbroken for a while? 

Dylan Jenkins was possibly a victim due to Trevor's unwelcome presence in the Roscoe's lives?

Monday's episode which saw Ashley Davidson killed outright was the strangest of all. But again, Jason's girlfriend, and Robbie's love-interest, Holly, had been held captive by her. Meaning that Ashley had upset not one, but two, Roscoe boys. If Lindsey knew this, maybe she saw it reason enough to end the life of the blond-haired gangster. 

By the looks of it, every victim after Mariam had some sort of link to causing heart-ache for the Roscoe's. 

But now, Lindsey has caused them the biggest heart-ache of all by killing Freddie. One of their own. One of HER own. 

It was an interesting scene. Lindsey looked taken over by anger; she had a crazed look in her eyes, as though he were a poison in her life, and she needed rid of him. Freddie was like a drug to her ever since their affair started, and all through their relationship, it was obvious that they were both addicted to each other.

Technically, if only Mercedes had managed to tell Lindsey that she and Freddie were only leaving together as friends, before her change of heart to run back to Joe, then maybe Lindsey would have understood better and possibly spared him?  

Just as interesting was Kim's cover-up for Lindsey by swapping Ashley Davidson's body, taking it to be cremated, before the police could test it, following Cindy's claims. 

'If we let someone slip once. Just once. Surely that's okay?' Kim asked a confused, but still big-haired, Grace. 

'I saw her mistake... I covered up her little secret..' Kim continued before rushing off. 

So did Kim see Lindsey medicate Ashley, and think that it was one blip, an accidental overdose of meds? Scared for her sister's career, she covered up the death, so to not get Lindsey into trouble...

Or did Kim realise that her sister killed Ashley purposefully? And because she thought it was a moment of madness, covered for her?

Whichever way, it seems that Kim will soon realise that Lindsey has killed Freddie, too. But will she be taken in by her, and believe that Ashley and Freddie are the only victims? 

Or will Kim wonder if Lindsey's aggressive streak as a child, in which an incident left their sister permanently brain damaged, has always been with her...
But will Kim, who can also be a little (a-hem!) crazy - did I mention Kim's been crazy? - end up working alongside her killer sister?

Either way, calculating Lindsey is suddenly making Kim look like Mother Teresa!

As I said before, I hope the story team and writers will delve into how and why Lindsey became the GHK. It'll be an interesting way to go...

I also wonder whether Freddie will be her final victim, or if anyone else will succumb to her blue-covered hand?

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HOLLYOAKS: Closing in on the Gloved Hand...

In six days time, Hollyoaks' big 20th Anniversary week begins, and it kicks off with a bang, as the Gloved Hand killer wastes no time in killing again in Monday's episode. But throughout the week, the murdering medic will kill not once, but twice more...

After the death in Monday's ep, the Gloved Hand gets lazy and doesn't cover their tracks, which leads Dr S'avage to realise who the culprit is.
He and Cindy have been trying to trace the killer for the last few weeks, but as S'avage walks through the village trying to warn Cindy and Sargent Ben Bradley of his findings, the Gloved Hand isn't far behind him, masked as Tony, while Hollyoaks Pride is in full swing,

Will the Gloved Hand kill their boss before he manages to reveal all? And who will the third victim be? 

More to the point, my opinion of who the killer is has also changed again. 

We've been told that it's either Tegan, Celine, Kim or Lindsey... and Lindsey was always far from my mind. But since the cast have said that the killer reveal was a massive shock to them, who else would cause such a stir than lovely, kind doctor, Lindsey?! 

The other three have all acted up, been strange. 

Celine with her eating disorder cover up, Tegan seemingly wanting revenge on Diane and Kim, well,  just being crazy Kim.

Lindsey is the only one of the four who hasn't been losing her cool, or being put in the limelight. And when Rick - the first victim - was killed, she could have wanted him out of they way, for Jason and Robbie's sakes, to get Joe out of the way so she and Freddie could be happy... But the other victims are all un-motivated for her, so to find out why will be a good insight into where the story is going. 

Also, the trailer for the 20th Anniversary had me wondering about Lindsey. You see Sienna close to Freddie, and then a Gloved Hand around Sienna's neck (unless Nico has now taken to wearing medical gloves!) But as Lindsey and Freddie seem to be over this coming week, maybe Lindsey will want Mercedes and her unborn baby out of the way, and Joe back in her life? 

Mercedes and Freddie, however, decide to run off together, as friends (Does Mercedes DO friends with boys?!), so Lindsey may not have much to worry about if it is Joe she wants back. 

But we know that Freddie, Jason and Robbie end up in watery danger after a run-in with Trevor, fighting for life as they are swept away. 

If they're rescued, any of these three could end up in hospital under the watchful Gloved Hand's eye. So will Jason, Robbie or Freddie be the third victim? I can't see Lindsey doing such a thing to any of them... But Kim has always wanted Freddie gone. 

That said - the Hollyoaks bosses could be leading us down a merry lane, and shock us all by having someone else completely off radar as the killer. 

Who do you think the Gloved Hand could now be? 

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