Blaxland 89

I'm sure at the beginning of the year Lynne Mcgranger said there will big big things for Irene this year? No sign yet.

Why has no one mentioned Leah for ages. I thought she was meant to be like a daughter to Alf. Or was that just for dramatic affect for a storyline moons ago. The show is consistently going down a downward spiral in many ways. It has lost my interest now, and I have watched it avidly since the beginning.

Actually Ailsa never "went crazy". She suffered from serious mental health issues and being strong as she was she coped very well on a day to day basis. However certain things that she had been though in her life affected her always in this way. A character trait like this has nothing to do with running out of idea's but insures good continuity of character. Sadly something that the show lacks today. The first part of Ailsa trauma and what stared her mental instability was probably watching the abuse her Mother went through from her Father, which resulted in Ailsa stabbing him. Other times was suffering post natel depression 1989 which lead to her nearly smothering Duncan. In 1995 she was attacked at the Diner which could through anyone in a state, let alone someone with Ailsa's history. And in 1999 she had a major car crash and came out of the coma hearing that Alf wanted to turn off her life support. Then of course there was the road rage incident that scared her to bits resulting in almost shooting Alf! As the years went on Ailsa was not as strong as she used to be in the pilot but after what she went through who would. After losing Bobby in 1993 she was never the same, which is why in her darkest moment she saw her vision. (Also she had been taking out of date anti-depressants) Judy Nunn played all of these scenes amazingly with care and sensitivity and I'm sure any actor would rather those stories then just pouring coffee in the diner. And by all account Judy left from ill health. The only negative thing I have heard her say was the way they wrote her out. Which I myself thought was pretty awful.

Dodge's beef is mainly with Steven and as Steven was not around in 2005, not sure why he would target people he doesn't even know as the stalker was essentially to get revenge on the people involved with Sarah Lewis. So it would make no sense to me. Would like him to be referenced at some point but not be brought back in a sensationalist story.

I never realised until today that the actor who played Ailsa's brother is Xavier's dad in real life.

You make some good points. I can't say that some one who had watched the show for just 10 years in a long term fan though. People are talking a lot about the first three to four years because they are being repeated. When the late 90s are being repeated I'm sure people will talk about them more. We all enjoy different eras of the bay and thats a good thing. But people who have watched the show from the beginning and all the way through do have more of an understanding of the show as a whole. And when you hear comments like "I miss the old days, its not as good now Belle, Lucas and Drew have left" just makes me laugh. Because they are the viewers who started watching it then and to them it is long ago and so think of those characters as the best as they were probably around they same age. Though I could be generalising. Most long term fans do find it strange that someone can call themselves a long time viewer and never even watched it with Fisher or Ailsa in it, and thats just the way it is. Maybe its more to do with the characters. If you had watched it for five years you would know everything there is ever to know about Gina. So in the way you are a long term fan. But you would also of only known Marilyn from her latest stint which means there is an awful lot to learn about her character and what she's done so that you don't know. Also, If you compare Irene's last 10 years to her first, all her then you will hardly know anything about her life even if you have watched the show for 10 years. Her children, her sister, her ex-husband, her insecurities and why. No, to call yourself a long term fan you need to know all the characters in the current show in their entirety. But back to Michael. I never thought of him as such a tool first time around but he is rather annoying atm. He still has a lot of good points. I said in another post that I can't help comparing him to Tom and wondering how he would deal with the issues. But he is his own character in his own right and I'm glad the made them so different but not too different. And just to make another point. Just because you didn't watch it while he was in it, Michael was in it for a long six years so he is still one of the most longest serving characters and was at the heart of show and last mentioned in 2008. A big part of Sally's life too, so if you call your self a fan, you should really know who he his.

But Olivia is overseas with James. Not with Diana.

I think they were actually set in Shropshire?(Setting myself up to look foolish there.)There was only one episode where we actually saw the characters there, even though Irene and especially Marilyn were absent from Summer Bay for weeks.It was a one-off return appearance for Selina(and yes, it's her last appearance to date), Irene and Marilyn went to look after her while she was ill and she reunited with a similarly one-off returning Steven while they were there. That's right. Ironbridge in Shropshire. I like that episode but Fisher didn't find it all that interesting LOL

Do you think Mike Perjanik composed the tune we hear in "Peaches" nightclub when Stacey is in there in 88. You also hear the same piece at the party Carly sprays Roo with a soda can. I can't see anyone ever listening to music like that in a club even in 88 but in a strange way I liked it. In the second half of 1990 the majority of songs played in the diner are from Craig McLachlan's album. Singles and album tracks. I think he released it the following year. If anyone is interested. Lately by No justice, which was also played a lot in late 1990 leading up to their appearance is now on youtube.

Does anyone remember Irene always referring to herself as "this little blonde duck", and when she dyed her hair she changed it to black duck.

Just my opinion but if we are talking quality I see 1988-first half of 1989 a great time. Then I believe the next phase is 1989-end of 1990- The last few months picked up. Then 91-93- all good 94-mid 96 all good mid 96-mid 97- This is where I believe a decline happened. Lots of silly stories with Shannon and mines and Barbara trying to kill Fisher, They lost the IMO. late 97- 2000 picked up, got back to real character stuff, brilliant and underrated time. I actually though Pippa's leaving story was good. It almost wrote itself and had a huge impact on all remaining characters. It wasnt just about her final ep. Having said that all the focus was on her in the episode and no one else. 2001-mid 2002- an even bigger decline, the worst so far. mid 2002-mid 2003 love this angie era mid 2003 to late 2007, - a new low for me, liked individual episodes though. the first 1/4 of 2008- amazing from then on - no comment. I do still enjoy it every now and then in 2012 but nothing like I used to.

Pretty spot on. Although I think you are a little harsh on the late 90s

I think there was a bit of losing the plot in 2006 too.

Yes. His last scene was at the beach bbq. Forgettable wasnt it. The episode instead ended with April catching Casey snogging the teacher. As if thats more important then a character of 3 years leaving.

ITA. Perhaps Bobby's death is the defining moment which ends the 'early years'. I agree about Bobby's death marking the end of the early years.It felt like a new era without Bobby,Marilyn,Sophie,Blake(who all left in either 1992/1993)on the show.1993 was also the beginning of Shane and Angel so definitely the end of one era during that year and the beginning of another which I think ended in 1998 with Pippa's departure. Also with Lynne McGranger becoming a full time Irene.