EMMERDALE - Is the Summer Fate over?

Wow to last night's double bill.

It took the total victims to three, but remarkably, only two of those were courtesy of the helicopter crash.

I had been waiting to see what the crew would pull off in their made for TV Mirror Maze, and taking into consideration how difficult it must have been to not get ANY reflections from the crew or cameras, this may have been one of the hardest scenes to shoot ever on a soap.
The effects when the second explosion went off and the mirrors shattered all over poor Diane and Val were amazing. It made me shudder at the thought.
My previous thoughts that Diane would perish and Val survive were clearly off point, and it was a heart-wrenching as the two sisters lay in peril, waiting to be saved. Those scenes were as emotive as Ruby's exit the night before.
My shuddering continued when Val spotted the sharp shard of mirror glass directly above her and Diane. You could tell what was to come.
After calling Val a selfish old drama-queen, it was all the more poignant when Val insisted that her sister be rescued before her. The funniest female Geordie in Yorkshire history then lit a cigarette and awaited her fate.
It soon came, as the glass fell... And Pete shut his car boot.

Yes, on to the Barton boys, who for one, had also met his maker. Pete and Ross' fight was only going to end one of - well, one - way. But I imagine Pete coming off worst here, so by a twist of that old Summer favourite, fate... Ross fatally hit his head and ended up in his brothers car, being buried under some twigs.
He never did get to see Debbie again.
This story will run and run, as Ross disappearing won't rock his family just yet, as it's something he would do. How will Pete, who's already crumbling, cover his secret. If Debbie finds out, will she stick by him, having already let Cameron the Killer into her life previously? Will Cain blame himself for Ross' death, knowing he drove him to danger on the edge of that cliff?

Talking of blame games, Robert and Lawrence want Chrissie to stay schtum over causing the fire which caused the explosion, which caused the helicoper crash, which caused all the commotion... So will Adam be on the receiving end of blame, as he was drunk and in a car on the Scrapyard where it all started.
Pollard will also surely feel guilt, along with Rodney and Doug, for locking both Val and Diane in the maze.

As we go into tonight's episode expecting more raw emotional scenes, people online are whispering as to whether Ross is really dead, and won't believe it until his body is found... Look out Pete and Debbie. He could soon be behind you!

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EMMERDALE Summer Fate

So far, Emmerdale's Summer Fate has been...great.

As someone who only dips in and out of the villages antics, once I'd seen the 'Summer Fate' trailer, I decided I'd tune in religiously to get my head round the storylines and really try to submerge myself in the drama. And I'm pleased that I have done.
Once I also heard about the Mirror Maze that had been built especially to be demolished, I was even more excited at seeing the scenes. Imagine being lost in a hall of mirrors, trying to get out, while disaster is striking right outside? It makes me feel claustrophobic at the thought.

The helicopter crash has come with no end of controversy, because of the real-life tragedy a couple of years ago. But in my opinion, Emmerdale made a good point of showing how the 'copter was struck and showed the differences between the two. I also read a tweet yesterday, which supported Emmerdale's decision, and noted that soaps do mimic real life scenarios.
I think it would be different if the tragedy had just only occured more recently, and can sympathise with how it may be very difficult viewing for the families of the victims, but differences in the two situations are strong.

On to the CGI and SFX of the actual crash - I was impressed with how the gas canisters blew, and the one that went pelting into the sky reminded me of Final Destination style camera work! When it hit the helicopter, subsequently bringing it crashing into the village hall and Debbie and Pete's wedding reception, I thought this was also a good piece of effect. I wasn't too impressed, however, with the 'copter hitting the hall roof. I don't know if this is anything to do with my work background, so my creative eye looks at things differently, but it wasn't as effective as I anticipated. That aside, and learning today that a real helicopter was used, the overall end result was really good.

The actors also did a great job, and I was even a little put out that the crash interrupted the argument and Pete's heartbreak at finding out about his brother Ross' affair with his new bride, Debbie.
Meanwhile, Val and Diane, who gave a nice bit of humour among the drama, were locked into the Hall of Mirrors by Pollard and co, hoping the sisters will reconcile their differences.
Ross - locked into a van over a cliff edge by Cain, also survived his jump into the freezing waters... He will see the village alight, and run to Debbie's side. But will Pete let him see her, or even let him live?!

As last night's episode opened, the drama didn't end. Poor Ruby was the first victim, and the scenes were emotive, with me especially liking Kerry and Dan's refusal to leave her side, even though they were in grave danger themselves. We saw a softer side to Kerry's usually brash and jokey manner, which was also lovely to see. Dan will have to break the news to his children and his ex-wife, Ali, who's of course Ruby's partner - and apparently he'll struggle to cope during the aftermath.
Adam was saved from the burning car with seconds to spare by Robert and Chrissie, who of course caused this whole shebang! Many of the other villagers were walking wounded, and April's scenes with Marlon were really sweet - as was the acting by the little girl who plays Sarah. At least all of the children were okay - except Kyle, who was reported missing once Joanie awoke.

My first thought's were that Joanie may perish (which of course, she still could!) and leave Kyle in the hands of his biological Dingle family.
Everyone was rushing to find Kyle, as Cain and Pete still searched the rubble for missing Debbie. And when they did, it didn't look good. As Pete and Cain too her to the car, to rush her to hospital, Zak begged Cain to stay behind to help look Kyle.
What's the bets that Cain finds the son he's always rejected? But will Cain survive tonight's episode after going back into the village hall, knowing that the 'copter will blow up at any minute? Little Kyle is hiding under the rubble, seemingly unharmed. Surely Emmerdale won't kill off a child?

Then there's Val and Diane, who look injured in the new trailer - my thought's were that Val, who's been planning her own fake death will, ironically, end up being killed. But I'm now wondering if it will be poor Diane who meets her Summer Fate, leaving Val to serve her sister's wish of owning up to the fraud and doing her time... Now that would be heartbreaking...

More of my thought's will come tomorrow, after tonight's double bill...

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It was a Soapy Christmas!

So we've eaten all we can and drank more than we probably should, and those TV Christmas classics have been re-run one too many times! Did you all have a good Christmas?

Now it's those awkward few days inbetween Christmas finishing and New Year's Eve, where nobody really knows what to do with themselves... So how about we have a catch up over what was good and was was a lump of coal over the festive telly period? Yep? Then let's go... 

Christmas TV is manly about the soaps, of course! I actually watched all four of the main ones on Christmas Day. I've always been an EastEnders fan first, Hollyoaks comes in second and then Corrie. I don't normally watch Emmerdale, only dipping in and out every so often.

I think every soap fan everywhere was waiting for the big EastEnders one. Yes, Linda finally told Mick that Dean raped her and the scene between the two was highly emotive. I think during that one episode, in 65 minutes, we saw every emotion in Mick. We were promised 'nuclear' when it kicked off, but that was saved for Boxing Day. And for me, that's where the big day episode fell a tad short. I hate saying that, because the dynamic of the episode, the acting from the cast and the strong storylines were more than great, but I felt the episode lacked the big oomph we were promised. I felt as though if the Boxing Day half hour, and the last half hour of the Christmas Day episode were put together, then it would have worked a little better for the impact - what do you think?

Linda Henry, Kellie Bright, Danny Dyer and Matt Di Angelo gave beautiful performances and deserve the biggest round of applause. It was also a very good flip, having Shirley side with Dean. Ironic that the one time she stands by him is when she should really walk away. What will happen to Dean now? Will he get away with his crime?

Mick's been left heartbroken, as Linda's up and left him and her engagement ring behind, after overhearing Mick tell Tina and Stan about her rape. I think this plot still has a way to go. But nothing will ever be the same for the Carter's again. And  haven't even mentioned the fact that Mick now knows Shirl's him muvva! But he doesn't seem to care about that right now. He has bigger things to worry about, and rightly so.

The other main stage on Christmas Day over on EastEnders was the Beale/Branning's family Xmas. And the present left for baby Beth. It was Lucy's jewellery box, and I swear it was left by Abi. She's twisted enough to do that... These two families are going to step right up to the forefront for the NYE episodes where the hunt for Lucy's killer is dramatically stepped up.
We know that there's going to be a massive car smash and someones going to end up dead during the New Year's Day ep. Is the crash and the death linked? I say so...

To me, it looked like Emma Summerhayes in the passenger seat of the car, and she has been giving Abi driving lessons... So I say that the pair crash, and Emma, who will have found out who Lucy's killer is, ends up dead before managing to tell all. Dum Dum Dummmm (or Duff, Duff, Duff!!)

My cousin has also come up with her own theory on Lucy's killer, and now thinks it could be Cindy. The limelight's been off the teen mum, but Jessica (my cousin in question) has noticed her make sly looks over dinner tables, etc, at the mention of it. I guess we'll all know in just over eight weeks time, when the 30th celebrations begin!

Overall, Enders got a 9/10 Christmas mark from me!

Hollyoaks gave us an hour special on Christmas Eve and JP and Ste's wedding was a hoot! A hoot which ended in Sinead revealing Ste to be her baby's dad, and then getting herself run over by Sienna and Dodger. Merry Christmas!

Sinead needed an emergency operation, and her baby is fine and well... I skim over that because I don't think that was the man point of the plot. Sinead's accident gave way to Diane reuniting with her daughter, after disowning her following the reveal of Sinead and Tony's affair. It also allowed Tony to be the one left with nothing and no-one, and opened Ste up to John Paul, where he was honest about sleeping with Sinead and another man... A big storyline to continue into the New Year.

The accident with Sinead also left Dodger being tied up once again by his psycho twin and taken back to the basement of their mothers house. Fate, Sienna believes, intervened and the pair are destined to be together. With Dodger leaving soon, I can't see this ending happily for him. Especially as it's now been revealed that Will Savage will be making a return and have a helping hand in Dodger's exit. Will, who's currently behind bars, is appealing his sentence for murdering his wife Texas, and mother Anna. He was the surprise Christmas returnee!
Imagine a Will and Sienna team-up? I shudder at the thought!

A heads-up - watch out on NYE's hour long special... A big secret is revealed to one poor Oakster - and it leaves more than one person devastated and lives are sure to be ruined for good.

Hollyoaks got a 7/10 from me this Christmas... 

Coronation Street was a good one on the day. As always, Corrie brings light with the shade. Steve's depression and Kylie's leaving were the main stories, and they were done really well. Now that Kylie has departed, having been kicked out by David and picked up by her ex, and Max's dad, Callum, what will become of the Platt family?

Callum will surely be back in town, and rumour has it that he's going to be fighting David for access and possibly custody of little Max. As his biological dad, Callum has right's over David - but is Callum really interested in his son, or does he just want to cause trouble?

David's brother Nick had a very Merry Christmas with his new fling, Erika, who is Liz McDonald's pal. What do you think of Erika? I like her, and think she could be a great new character, but I'm not sure she has staying power. She and Liz are too alike, and there's only room for one! I do like the change she's bought to Nick, however. He needed that. The character was beginning to wain in my opinion.

The unhappier end of Christmas was Roy Cropper ending up behind bars, after attacking Gary Windass, who was robbing the cafe till. Having had enough of being bullied by the local hood-rats, Roy lost his temper and attacked Gary, not knowing it was him, with a bat.
This will open up new stories for Roy, who no doubt is still grieving Hayley. I like his friendship with the new Nasir matriarch, Yasmeen. She's a strong-willed, out there kind of woman, and I think she's a little like Hayley in that respect...

Steve's depression is also about to be realised, leading up to the big bus crash. During the Christmas ep, I found myself giggling at Steve's actions, and then feeling frustrated watching him, which I imagine are the emotions people go down if they're living with someone with the kind of depression Steve's dealing with. You know something's not quite right, but the person is still that same person you know underneath. The funny side to Steve is still there... I'm looking forward to seeing him get the help he needs, and how his family cope. His relationship with Michelle has already become victim to his depression, and she will soon try to move on with newcomer Hamish, played by James Redmond. But once she finds out about Steve's plight, she'll surely rush back to his side..?

Corrie got a Christmassy 8/10 from me!

As for Emmerdale, I feel a little bit of a fraud if I sit here and write lots about it, as I said earlier, it's not a soap that I religiously watch - but rather dip in and out of. The Christmas ep, however, was comedic and dramatic. Bernice turning up in Andy's bride, Katie's, wedding dress to win him back was brilliant!
I know that Sammy Winward, who plays Katie, is set to leave Emmerdale next year - and how she leaves is a talking point for fans.
Having just given Belle, who I hear is suffering with schizophrenia, a job, many are thinking that an accident could occur and Katie could end up no-longer in the land of soap living!

The Christmas Emmerdale won a 7/10 from me...  

So all in all, this festive season, the soaps did well, didn't they!

Here's to the New Year fireworks... And I don't mean the ones in the sky!

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