Brad arrived in Summer Bay with 'a preconceived storyline, he was introduced with the clear suggestion that he was meant as a new partner for Sally'. (Jen) The general consensus amongst our forum members is that his 'relationship with Emily was difficult to care about because everyone knew it was just a plot device to get him with Sally.' (Sky) He started off as an intruiging character but then when they introduced Emily and after her subsequent death you just knew what the writers had in store. (Dean) 'New characters need to have their own reason for being, not as and adjunct to already existing characters. It was way too soon after Flynn for the public to accept the idea of new partner for Sally, but they would have accepted it if they had seen it develop, without being told it was going to happen.' (Taz)
There were some positive aspects to his early storylines though, 'I quite liked the almost-nude-stratigically-placed-wheelbarrow scene when he first arrived' (Jen) and 'Chris particulary showed what he was capable of as an actor, during the storyline involving Emily and her illness. All the emotion was there and he really portrayed Brad well...as a husband who was having to deal with the thought that his wife wouldn't be with him for much longer. Had we of known Emily for longer, I think the storyline would have been more emotional but still, Chris's portrayal of Brad during that time, was very well done.' (Bttb-rox!)
Others have commented on enjoying 'how his relationship with Sally was allowed to develop slowly rather than being rushed into'. (Sky) and most of our forum members seemed to like Brad 'as a father figure and thought some of his best scenes were with little Pippa, Ric and Cassie ' (Sky) 'I liked his paternal role to all the kids in his life and he has obviously had an effect on them (Pippa and her own little Milco)'. (Dean) 'The important part of having Sally and Brad fighting with Sally's family standing in the middle wasn't forgotten, and it really added a feeling of reality to it that Cassie, Pippa and the others missed him so much, and that Brad missed them as well.' (Eli) 'I really liked the family unit that Sally, Brad, Ric, Cassie and little Pippa were. If i'm going to miss anything about Brad and Sally breaking up, it'll be that.' (Bttb-Rox!)
His dynamic with Rachel was very good, specially in Rachel's drunk/lost arc and their sibling banter. (Dean) He made a better brother than he did a teacher, in my opinion. He didn't seem to have the authority required to be principal, highlighted by the way he dealt with the Rocco/Johnny saga. (Jen)He was a great big bro but an awful head teacher, all over the place, inconsistent and not a good teacher either from what we could see. Bad writing, in that it seemed to be someones idea of what a cool head teacher might be like, except it did not work. (Taz) One thing that I'll always remember about Brad, was him and Rachel's bond as brother and sister. I've always felt that it was very realistic. (Bttb-rox!)
Despite his early, weak storylines 'he made up for it with stuff like the struggle to save his career after Naomi's lies and building a relationship with Tam'. (Formally known as Josh) 'Brad and Tams relationship was great,' (Taz) I felt he kind of took her under his wing, which was really lovely to see. (Bttb-rox!)
'The final breakup between Sally and Brad was also a good storyline' (Eli) and is one that divided our forum members into those who couldn't buy into 'his failure to realize that Sally didn't want to got through with the wedding. In the words of Steve Taylor, "Airborne bacteria could have picked it up" ' (Formally known as Josh) and those who felt sorry for him. 'Both Kate and Chris were amazing during the whole Sally and Brad break-up, the writers could have made Brad accepting of Sally's decision about the wedding, but they didn't. That decision was definately the right one, in my opinion. Brad's reaction to everything that happened during the break-up was very realistic.' (Bttb-rox!) 'A lot of soap settings like that they would have had him understand Sally's decision to leave him, but instead they gave Brad a somewhat more realistic reaction to it all. Just like when Emily died and when Sally was stabbed, you really got to see what good actor Chris Sadrinna is.' (Eli)
Brad's good points seem to include that 'he's a very human character who deserves a lot more credit, he was portrayed as an average guy who really was just that...a nice average guy. (Eli) Most people seem to agree that Brad 'really improved as a character' and was 'more believable as time went on' (Sky) and that he 'could have had great potential' (Jen) He offered the show some good strong storylines both in 2006 and this year.
So, I'm not majorly dissapointed that he's left but he was a good character, who perhaps could have been given more to do when he first arrived. Nevertheless, he was a really nice character which is more than you can say for some that come to Summer Bay! (Bttb-rox!)
The negative aspects of Brad's character seem to be that he was 'a bit wooden at times and he wasn't an ideal replacement for Flynn.' (formally known as Josh) He has also been described as a 'bit bland and boring' (mrs baker) 'with not much to do' (Bttb-rox!) but most people acknowledge that he was a victim of 'weak storylines' (Formally known as Josh) and that he was 'a bit stitched up and opened up more as time went on. He should have stayed, changed his career, and married someone else in a few years time.' (Taz) I think it's sad in a way that he is leaving, because I believe that he could have become a even greater character, maybe somewhat like Tony or Dan if they just had given him some more chances with some more storylines. (Eli)
Most of our forum members were pleased with his exit storyline though. 'I liked the way his character was rounded off with him being the one to realise that he wasn't what Sally wanted' (Sky) and 'I am glad things ended amicably between him and Sally.' (Jen)