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1. Irene Roberts (162 points)An Aussie battler, a larrikin, a motherly figure in the lives of many young people, but at times not the best mother to her own children. Irene has become the heart and soul of Summer Bay. She is one of the people to turn to when you need help, and she is the first to stand up for what is just. The character of Irene has come a long way in her 12 years on "Home and Away". She started out as the alcoholic mother of Finlay and Damien Roberts, two of Pippa and Michael's foster children. But then she not only fought her alcoholism, but she too became a "mum" to many others, like Pippa had her own children. The love that Irene has for all of those that have lived with her at some stage of their lives is incredible. However, she is no walkover. If Irene feels strongly enough about something, she will fight to ensure it is so, despite the costs. Just recently she has stood up to Barry Hyde at the school, telling him to stick his job. She refused to be compromised by money when Ian Osbourne tried to buy his way into Tasha's life. Irene is the ultimate friend, the ultimate care giver, and the ultimate character.Written by KrazyKarl |
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2. Kane Phillips (141 points)Kane first appeared in Home & Away in 2000, as a rakishly charming boy in Dani's class, advertising a party. We had a glimpse into his violent home life when he was bashed by his brother Scott, who later kidnapped Shauna. Kane braved his brother's wrath, and helped Shauna in escaping. In an event that would later haunt him, he inadvertently forced himself upon Dani, with whom he had a flirtatious relationship, mistakenly believing she had consented to sex. He was tried for rape, and although acquitted, was shunned by the community of Summer Bay and left town.After the sinking of the Mirgini where Kane worked as a deckhand, he and Dani's younger sister Kirsty were shipwrecked together on an island. He took her initial loathing of him on the chin, and was practical about the fact that they'd need to stick together if they were to survive. The two had some revealing and poignant conversations about Kane's background, and Kirsty's own feelings of being the black sheep. When they came across Kirsty's mother Shelley, Kane risked his own life to get a snake off her, getting bitten in the process. After they were rescued, he and Kirsty found themselves irresistibly drawn together, initially to talk about their experience... later just to talk. As their relationship progressed from a sweet friendship to an all-encompassing love, other, lighter sides of Kane were revealed, as in Kirsty's company he was teasing, amusingly sarcastic, and affectionate, if - as a result of his stark home life - not able to be as open about his feelings as the head-over-heels Kirsty. His selfless protectiveness of his girlfriend reached a climax when, on deciding Kirsty would be better off with her family, cast himself in the role of the bad guy who dumped her, leaving Summer Bay for a second time, broken-hearted. The Kane who returned a year later was single-minded in his determination to reclaim Kirsty. Although genuinely regretful for the pain he had caused Dani and her family, he wasn't about to live his life apologising for himself, and had some acrimonious confrontations with various members in the community (where he shows that a short-fuse and quick-wit can go hand in hand!). He also has a less than healthy respect for the law, and is not above a little larceny if it means providing for his future with Kirsty. Nevertheless, he has a fundamental sense of honour, which means he will instinctively risk his own life if others are in danger, whether by racing into the DIC to save Noah and Max, or facing up to his darker brother, to protect Tasha. Written by Ridha |
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3. Kirsty Phillips (96 points)There are so many things I like about Kirsty, but the main factors are that she is a complex character and always changes, which makes her interesting. Just in the last year (2004) she has developed from a school-girl to a grown-up, and still manages to do it convincingly, i.e. the development hasn't been rushed or sudden, it's been all natural.But it isn't just the "new Kirsty" I like, I like all "Kirsty's", (if you could put it like that), although she is very different from when she first joined the show in 2000 to the Kirsty we see today. But that's for me the beauty of the character, she has gone through so many phases, she's one of those still-standing characters, which can get boring after a while.. No, Kirsty has always been interesting, not always the nicest, but still, I never thought of her as a girl without her loved ones best interests at heart. That's also a thing I like about Kirsty, she's not always the perfect daughter, sister or girlfriend, but still I warm to her, she means well, she just gets a bit carried away sometimes. And that's a great thing about her, she's not perfect, she makes mistakes, as we all do. (And it makes great television!) I also feel the character of Kirsty has been misunderstood, many people feel she's not loyal to her family and selfish, but on the contrary, I think she's is loyal to her family. She's faced some tough choices, but pulled through! |
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4. Angie Russell (90 points)Unfortunately the first half of FlaminEck's review has been lost, for which we apologise.This was, of course, just the tip of the ice-queen. Other highlights included; a casual fling with Jesse that resulted in pregnancy and a termination, the arrival in town of her ex-lover - otherwise known as ex-pupil and Dylan's best friend - Stephen, the seductive torture she inflicted on current pupil Nick Smith that culminated in her false accusation of assault, and her general decline into insanity. All punctuated with the occasional act of arson, frequent physical attacks from the town's incensed residents, and the revelation that she made a teeny weeny mistake about Dylan's paternity. The characteristic running on the beach, battling with Irene, having the contents of a punch bowl emptied over her head... Remember people, this is just six months' worth of storylines. And then there was the murder mystery. Ultimately, Angie changed the very fabric show while she was there - and her influence lives on today. The creation of her daughter Tasha and cousin Josie over six months after Angie's exit speaks for itself; even dead, she's as compelling an influence as ever, and it's clear the writers know it. We've been assured that identical cousin Josie isn't Angie under an assumed identity, but who can be sure? Who wants to be?! Two final words: Laurie Foell. She played Angie with utter conviction and inspired in viewers a shocking response to such a twisted character; compassion. She's a legend. |
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5. Morag Bellingham (74 points)I never watched during the time that Cornelia Frances was a regular character on the show, but her guest appearances from 2001 onwards have had an impact to say the least...She's a woman who does what she has to do, and says what she's inclined to say, without agonising over what people will think of her... and the patronising and verging-on-bitter remarks that she comes out with sometimes... the "Stupid woman!" remarks aimed at Colleen, and the "presumptuous little upstart" comment to Josh, amongst others, manage to say *exactly* what no one else dares to actually come out and say... with the tone in which they're presented not so much nasty as 'matter-of-fact'... wonderful lines with equally fantastic delivery. I've never had the delight of seeing her, Alf and Celia in the same scene, and would adore a full Stewart sibling reunion, if just to see the interaction between the three. The constant bickering between Alf and Morag is just hilarious... comedy genius. She's the sort of woman you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of, and yet would also be invaluable to have on your side in an argument... a woman to be reckoned with, who will happily combat the forces of evil... she went head-to-head with Angie, put her career on the line to get Dani released from prison, and is shortly to take on Josie. And yet despite all the hard front and bitterness there are the rare compassionate moments to prove that she is indeed human, the tears she shed whilst Alf was at his lowest during his tumour being truly touching. A classic character and absolute credit to the show, and I'm delighted to have Cornelia back gracing our screens so frequently. Written by Claire |
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