flea

The cot death / sudden death storyline with Pippa/Dale. It was so cruel, so un-necessary and so tragic. However, it was, and sadly is, also so real. Quite possibly one of the darkest storylines, but also one of those that was so powerful because of how horrible it was. It was uncomfortable, it was upsetting, it was emotive and most of that is because as bad as the subject matter is, it is a real horror that exists. (For clarity, I watched H&A from the beginning around the year 2000 - I don't recall the storyline the first time round, but it is one that has stuck with me for its sheer gut-wrenching awfulness)

I loved the Sara/Felix/Eve bang bang story arc that went on for a good year or so. I remember watching that glued to the screen, every night after school. I'd love to see that all again from start to finish - it was a proper whodunit, which dragged in so many characters over the entire story. It was brilliant and I'd put it down as possibly by favorite soap story from any soap. Short but (kind of) sweet - I really enjoyed the Miles/Rabbit story arc too. The scene where Miles breaks down and he doesn't want to take the tablets because he doesn't want to lose Rabbit was superb. The way the story was done too, with only him interacting with her, and her witty one liners worked so well.

For me the Braxtons were not terrible, but it started the massive shift of focus on the show - going from family units and simple life to guns and violence. What I would do is the following - We don't need several doctors or coppers. For years H&A worked well with one of each. Go back to that. Bring back the school, and thus re-introduce a teacher and maybe a head as characters. Get rid of the gang/violence side and bring in a couple of families - as in 2 parents, 2 kids etc... Not grown up adults, with long lost relatives, but proper family. The kids then go to the school.... Bring back the caravan park properly, and also bring back the fostering and mentoring of "waifs and strays" H&A used to be a beacon of promoting how family can be two things - the one you are born into, and the one that shows you love. That has been lost. Jett was probably the last proper character that was adopted, yet before him it was a pretty regular thing. Have a younger teen cast in who will have relatable problems - dating, social media, studying problems, drink/drugs temptations, and modern issues. Theres a lot of deadwood in the show and part of it feels like it has come from so many leaving quickly at the start of Covid. Lyrik was always a hard sell and whilst individually all the characters have found their feet, it really is time for them to move on so we can focus back on family and roots. Bree and Xander are terrible characters and both badly acted. Tane / Mack / Flick / Cash / The Band - have all been in for 3+ years now and it is time to change the direction by refreshing that cast list. Either get Marilyn back with John and have them as the new loving foster couple, or bring in a partner for John to fulfil that role. Its classic, but it works. Same with Irene - she is set up really to be on her own, but she has always historically opened up her home to those in need. Mali and Rose could even become the new nucleus of a new family. Both of them ideal to try raising kids/foster. Bring the show back to family. Look at small every day issues (Maybe have a family on the breadline struggling - maybe a late teen/early 20s same sex couple , a peer pressure storyline, maybe a school bullying one, even have a mixed race couple getting some trouble by some opposed to it etc...) that actually exist and explore them to get people asking questions. The show has lost its identity over the years. When was the last time we had a proper natural disaster - a flood, a fire, an earthquake and we saw the COMMUNITY respond. Not every death has to be via a shooting / stabbing etc...

Almost a year later, and jeez, I think he has actually got worse. Quite possibly the worst acted character in the shows history. It's almost panto bad at times. I can't take any scene he is in seriously as he is just so bad. Him and Bree together is really painful.

I'm really struggling with Xander. I don't want to be overly critical but I find the acting to be very weak to the point that its off putting. Scenes with him and Bree are like pulling teeth.

Brilliant character. Sid brings many things to the show, and his handling and interaction with Indi and Dex is great. I feel they could really grow on this relationship, and his storyline with Nicole, as long as he keeps the "no way" stance is great, showing a guy with good morals. The actor is fantastic, and brings real belief to the character, and his introduction along with Indi and Dex has been fantastic. A real boost to a show that had started to stagnate with stale boring repetitive characters. Lets hope this so called guest family get more time to show what they can do. They are miles more entertaining than most of the regulars.

Best young male in the show to be honest. Jai is just boring, and Dexter beats him by being way more likeable and interesting. Xavier is annoying, and badly acted. Geoff is repetative and too inconsistent. Ollie/VJ don't get enough screen time. Aden is great, but more older than the rest. It will be a shame if Dexter leaves whilst some of the above continue to pollute our screens. The Walker family are one of the best things to happen to this show in years.

Originally I said I wasn't a fan, but I have to admit to warming to her now, although not as much as I have to Sid and Dexter. These 3 have something about them that is good to watch, and are miles ahead of many of the main cast. I hope H&A decide to reconsider getting rid of this family, if those rumours are true, as all are cracking additions to the show.

Im not a fan of Indigo at all. She reminds me a lot of Dani in how she seems stuck up, and I don't think I will warm to her. Plus she looks a lot like Mattie at times, in facial looks, and that is just weird.

I like him, I think his character will be good, and will bring something to a stale young teen dynamic that has been missing this year.