claire_louise

I think that's a bit unfair, if they had an older couple there's nothing to say they couldn't be extremly popular. But yes it's true the audience probably is "young" but apparently there are young people who love Tachel, so can't a mature couple be really really popular. I'm not saying they can't be popular - they are popular, and with a wide range of fans. They're also not the only older couple who've had a strong fanbase (I'm thinking Irene and Barry, Fisher and Marilyn, even Sally and Flynn were more mature than a lot of the couples). What I meant was that there's always a couple of the moment on the show, who are invariably given bigger storylines and more screen time, and that couple are always young. Aden and Belle are currently that couple so they get the biggest share of the pie, but Rachel and Tony have proved themselves to have a big following so they're now getting more to do too.

That's because they are the 'hot young couple' of the moment. It's always the same, before Adelle it was Martha and Jack. Because Rachel and Tony are that bit older and most of the audience are younger they'll always prioritize the younger characters. I do think it's changing slightly though, as Tachel are obviously really popular and the storylines are starting to reflect this more.

It's frustrating that he isn't ready to return yet, but the fact that he's working behind the scenes is actually a really good thing. It means he can basically click his fingers whenever he wants to come back - plus the producers can keep hounding him in the meantime in the hope that he'll eventually crack. If that ever happened I think I'd start throwing things. Surely the writers can't be that cruel to KK fans - how much more can they possibly inflict on us?! Maybe a Kirsty and Miles wedding... *runs off into a corner to cry*

I'm not saying Kirsty is blameless, obviously a big part of it is her fault because she should never have lied. But she wouldn't have if she didn't feel pressured - ok, so Miles didn't force her into anything, but he did everything but. He should have respected her wishes in the first place but instead he tried to push her into it, even telling Alf that they were going to start a family despite Kirsty having said no! The only point at which I thought Kirsty was completely in the wrong was when she made out she really wanted to start trying for a baby even though she obviously didn't - I just thought that was pointless and unnecessary seeing as Miles was telling her it was ok for them to wait. But I guess she was confused about her own feelings by that point, especially having come from Rachel's baby shower with everyone all excited about babies.

True, but I think the reason she's behaving that way is because she's been forced into a role that she doesn't feel ready for or comfortable with. She's already a divorcee with a young son, which is a huge responsibility for anyone that age, but on top of that she's now a mother figure to two kids who aren't that much younger than her (and troubled kids at that) and she's being pressured into having another child by a man she's only been seeing for a short time. It's no wonder she doesn't know how to handle things. Of course it's partly her own fault for letting herself get into that situation in the first place, but she was in a very vulnerable position when she got together with Miles and obviously felt grateful to have a home and a family around her again. She's making a lot of stupid decisions but I don't think it's entirely her fault by any means.

The baby is a boy?! How ridiculous. I actually went 'Noooo' when Rachel suggested Jack as a middle name.

Love this style! Hope it's ok to use?

To be honest I think Tachel have a fairly good balance at the moment - they're getting storylines (the wedding/baby, Jack's death, Angelo) but not hogging the limelight. I can understand why people want to see more of them but unfortunately dramatic relationships are usually unstable relationships, so lots of big storylines would inevitably involve them fighting and breaking up a lot, which personally I wouldn't want to see from Tachel. I think it's bound to be. If it isn't the writers need their heads read - giving Tony a daughter after 25 or so years of only having sons would be the most lovely thing. Another boy would just be boring!

Loving how Aden had to help Rachel stand up today. So sweet!

I think that's one of the interesting things they've done with her character since she came back. Although I hate the fact that she's changed so much, even I must admit that three years on the run is bound to have a huge effect on a person. While she was away she had to lie about basically everything because the consequences of telling the truth were so awful. So somehow that instinct to lie has become part of her nature. It will be interesting to see if she can grow out of it over time (personally I hope so, as at the moment she's not doing herself any favours in the likeability stakes).

But then again, people were saying that her clothes were inappropriate when she first came back anyway. So you're right, she can't win. I don't know why everyone is so focused on her outfits to be honest (including myself!). No one seems to care what the other girls on the show wear. I think maybe they just haven't got her look quite right yet. Perhaps it's to do with her character having changed so much since she used to be in the show - if they're still trying to establish her character it makes sense that they'd struggle to decide what she should wear. I think it's the outfits they give her as Kirsty. Some of her dresses in particular make her look bigger than she is. Still beautiful, nonetheless.

Agreed, they put her in some terrible outfits. Christie has always been naturally curvy whilst still being slim, and I think in that sense she's a great role model for young viewers. I just wish they'd give her a wardrobe makeover!

Kane and Kirsty shouldn't have come back. At least, they would still be happy and together. I never thought I'd say this, but if that's true I don't think I'll be able to watch. It's an awful idea on so many levels. As if they haven't upset KK fans enough already, what's the point in making it worse? It's not even a realistic storyline - .

I don't think it was Kirsty's fault necessarily. Yes, she was the dramatic one and obviously this led to her having a lot of the limelight, but the writers could easily have rectified that by giving Jade more screen time and bigger storylines of her own. She didn't have to be just Kirsty's sounding board, and Kate certainly had the talent to do more. I'll never understand why they didn't make more use of her. Does anyone know anything about Kate's life now? Didn't she have a baby a year or two ago? It would be lovely to see Jade on screen again but Kirsty is such a different character these days I'm not sure how their relationship would work. They're obviously not that close anymore as we haven't heard Jade's name mentioned once since Kirsty's been back.

The thing is, I'd put money on the Leah/Miles relationship happening at some point. The writers rarely leave feelings like that unexplored, and a lot of viewers have expressed enthusiasm about them as a couple. The idea of Sally's brother and best friend falling in love is such a typical soap love story, it's bound to happen. Which means that Miles and Kirsty are never going to last long term - unless we're talking very long term by which time Leah and Miles have either split up or Leah has died, leaving the way for KM to get back together, and for that to happen Christie would have to stick around for at least a year or two... Let's just say I wouldn't hold out for a happy ending for Kirsty and Miles! (And I will take a breath now ). I agree that there was no point bringing them back just to ruin them, but if they are reunited (for good this time) then I think it was worth it. The original ending with KK going on the run was good, but it always felt like there was unfinished business. Fans wanted Kane to get justice and they wanted the chance to see the baby, so there was every reason for them to come back. Yes they've messed around with the characters, but the whole ethos of KK is that they stick together no matter what, so if that's how it ends up it will be worth it IMO. If not, don't get me started!

Actually I think the opposite - I think choosing Kane is the more selfish (but right!) choice. By choosing Kane she is choosing true love over a stable home and family for her son (as well as Jai and Melody, both of whom she's been like a mother to). Obviously it would be nice for Oliver to live with his real father, but in all honesty I think he would have had a more stable lifestyle with Miles. I soooo hope KK work it out though. I really don't think anyone will ever match up to Kane in Kirsty's eyes, despite her feelings for Miles.

Totally agree with everything Claire said. Obviously Kirsty got married and had a child at a very young age and so she was bound to mature more quickly than other girls her age, but I think the writers sometimes forget that she's only 21. Is it really plausible that she's become a mother figure to Jai and Melody when she's only about 5 years older than they are? Even after she and Kane got married and she became pregnant she was still believable as a teenager, but now I feel like they're forcing her into the role of a middle aged woman and it just doesn't sit right. I know it's been said a million times before but Leah would be so much better in that role - both as a partner to Miles and as the 'mum' of Summer Bay house.

She hasn't done much since she left has she? So you never know...

I actually like Debbie and Jasmine this time round. When they were first together it seemed a bit like the writers were just being controversial for the sake of it (not to mention blatantly trying to win ratings by having two attractive young girls getting it on), but their relationship has really grown over the years and they're clearly devoted to each other. A romantic relationship between them seems more fitting now than it did before, although I'm still not sure if it's meant to be in the long run.

.Not to sure though so dont hold me to it. I think that was denied by the producers. As for Donna, I suppose they had to find a way to , but that's never an excuse for messing with a character's personality to such an extent. It's not the affair itself that I find implausible - everyone has it in them to do something like that in exceptional circumstances - it's the fact that she sacrificed her marriage for someone like Ross. Donna is an intelligent, strong minded girl - there's no way she'd be gullible enough to fall for someone who sees women purely as notches on the bed post. We're meant to believe that he's changed and that he truly loves her, which may be true, but he's the type of guy that will always end up letting her down, and she's completely stupid not to see that. I do still think there's life left in Donna and Marlon though.

Apparently it could get down to -11 in some places tonight.

I love Donna and Marlon! I think they did really well to find another good coupling for Marlon after Trisha, as the two of them were so brilliant together. I hope Donna and Marlon don't split, but . I'm guessing she'll flip out when she realises he's told the police that Ross killed Shane and they probably won't be able to forgive each other.

True, but it's a bit rich for Audrey to be leading the 'Maria is a looney' brigade when not so long ago she was in exactly the same position, trying to convince everyone that Richard Hillman was a murderer and everyone thought she was going senile.

I always loved Carl and Chaz but he's been behaving like a complete prat for ages now, so if they're going to get back together he'd better pull his finger out and not break her heart again.

Love this one, I'm going to use it if that's ok?