alexx

Well Fisher was old enough to be Marilyn's dad and they were a fantastic pair and popular with nearly all viewers.

I thought Marilyn and Angelo had great chemistry. The actors seemed to bounce off each other naturally too.

I'd like to think that perhaps Nicole would have been persuaded to come back at some point on a permanent basis, but who knows. I agree that she would have been back here and there same as Carly, but with her being much more popular I'd have thought they would have left the door wide open for her to return at any point. It was probably the most realistic that she would die rather than leave. But I'm sure that if they really wanted to, they could have come up with a plausible reason as to why she would leave Summer Bay. Killing her off was a huge ratings grab, as far as I'm aware Bobby's death was/is the highest rating episode of H&A (Sally's stabbing either coming second or first place?).

^Wow! That's kinda scary. I often think it's scary when I watch the 1991 episodes and think...'in the grand scheme of life, it really wasn't that long ago'. But then I remember everything that has happened since 1991 and the future of the show, and how everyone involved in the early years had no idea that it would still be on air in 2013.

It was a shame for Don because Judith did show signs that she was interested in him too, but I think he got those signals mixed up because she was more evidently attracted to Joel and Don just seemed to respect her enough not to interfere so kept his true feelings to himself. I distinctly remember the scene at the end of an episode where Judith had casually arranged to meet Don in the Diner, it was a very casual arrangement as far as I can remember. Anyway, Joel rocks up at Judith's place and they decide to hang out (perhaps there was a kiss?) - meanwhile, Don is seen sat in the diner waiting... and waiting, fade to black and roll the credits. It was one of those old school poignant endings they used to have. But it pretty much summed up that whole scenario between the three characters.

Hot and horrible. I can't wait for the cooler weather.

Those random instrumental tunes/covers seemed to disappear - the ones that were used during 88-90 when I presume they didn't have any music licensing agreement with Mushroom, or a contract that didn't allow them to play much music. For a while there were hardly any songs heard and most of the 'background' music was generic covers by Mike Perjanik. I've got a feeling I know what the 'Bayside Diner' song sounds like.

Humidity is the worst! Sydney summer's are always so humid. I suppose I shouldn't complain overall really... I don't mind summer until 9am and then from 6pm-onwards. It's just during the middle of the day that it kills me, if I'm dashing around the city. I've been in Melbourne all week and the weather is really uncomfortable.

Does anyone else here dislike the hot weather/summer? I like every season other than summer - January and February are a nightmare Imo when it comes to the heat. I have some relatives who live in Darwin, where it never goes below 30 Degrees (87 Fahrenheit) every singe day of every year. I spent a few weeks up there last year and it was just miserable. Way too hot. The only thing I really like about summer is the long days. I like it when it goes dark at 9pm-ish. The ideal temperature for me is around 25 Degrees (77 Fahrenheit), that's perfect weather Imo - not too cold, not too hot, just warm and a little chilly. Blissful weather. Roll on Autumn I say, it's my favorite time of year.

^John and Gina are given more than 'extra' work to do, ok they're not as prominent as the younger character but it's something. Unless you're referring to 'long term' characters. Celia has been given some decent screen time this week. Leah - I'm glad she has gone for a while, I don't miss her. She is given stuff to do, but it's always boring Imo. Basically I find Leah to be a boring character, probably due to the type of storylines she is given and how she is written - she used to be one of my favourites way back... but I guess that's another matter. Yes, I think Marilyn work's brilliantly with these sort of 'finding yourself' storylines over the dramatic ones. I think there were some great elements to the Mitzy storyline, though there was something 'missing'. It'd be great if she had a storyline like the one Shannon had with that Irish poet back in 1997.

I don't think it was resolved even in 2001. I always got the sense that he still loved Marilyn (he even said so to her in 01, when she told him she didn't 'because it hurts'). His companionship with June, felt like just that - companionship, it wasn't anywhere near the same Imo as the spark and love he showed Marilyn. I'd say his attachment to Judith was probably the most similar.

^Yes, he isn't with June anymore. His last stint made it obvious that he still holds very strong feelings for Marilyn, which makes it all the more out of character for him not to return to the bay. There is always a place for past characters - it's up the the writers/producers to integrate them back into the current format. Whether they can do it well or not is another matter, but almost any past character can be brought back into a show like Home and Away. The success depends on whether or not the writers/producers know who the characters are and how to write for them. For example, I could easily see every single storyline that happened between Maz and Fisher, happen in the current show - but it's a matter of priorities and whether or not those in charge are familiar with the couple and how and why they were loved (by most of the audience).

^It doesn't ring a bell for me, sorry.

Written down the Ailsa 'ghost' storyline would probably come across as ridiculous and stupid, something a trashy American soap would come up with - but it was actually such a great storyline. It was funny, dark and emotional too. It was also very character lead, which is why it works so well. I always remember the scene when 'Ailsa' and Alf are talking to each other sitting on the couch, I think they were talking about how he's missed her since she died - he put's his arm around her and says something along the lines of 'I never want to let you go'... Leah is secretly watching on looking concerned, and we see a shot of Alf sitting there with his arm around nothing. It's quite a sad scene.

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that the change over happened during the Olympic Cliffhanger - with the hostage stuff. Coral was producing the story and building it all up, then Bevan Lee took over and plotted the aftermath etc. he then continued producing until the end of the year.

I was just watching episode 5027. It's the episode Gina manages to 'break' Mink. The episode ends with a really emotional scene between Mink and Gina. I remember at this point I thought they were going to develop this side of her character more. At the time she seemed to have quite a good rapport going with Romeo too. I wonder whether it was deliberate that they stopped giving her that role as a no-nonsense 'nurturer' and created more of an over bearing personalty. I've liked how Gina has had this difference about her, but I think they messed up by not giving her any close friends which has sort of alienated her for me. I feel like I've been waiting for one epic Gina storyline and then I'd get to understand her more. At the same time, I've really enjoyed watching her relationship with John over the last couple of years - they've got great chemistry and there's been some pretty comical moments.

This is probably a very long shot, but does anyone know the episode number of a 2009 episode featuring Xavier and Hugo having a 'heart to heart' on the beach? (The Pier Diner side) I remember it being quite a nice scene. Talking about school or something. I know it's a very vague description but worth a go. Thank you...

I'd definitely say Sasha is my favorite current teen character, along with Dex. She reminds me of the more traditional Home and Away teen characters. I also like how she has her own fashion sense. I think during that whole 'Great Storm', her storyline with Sid and her brother kept me interested more than anything else.

I'm almost certain I saw him in some random comedy show a couple of years ago. All I can remember of it was that he was at The Snowy Mountains and played a character very similar to Fisher. It may have even been a cameo and I just happened to catch it. Obviously we don't know, but surely he would agree to return for a period of time. When Marilyn returned Emily was asked if Donald would be coming back and she didn't say that he wasn't acting anymore, as far as I can remember she just said 'not at this stage, there are no plans' or something along those lines. I would really love them to bring him back. If I was producer, enticing Norman back for a stint would have been one of the first things on my mind when Maz returned. Maybe they already tried and he refused, but I do hope not.

's a long time ago now but I actually started to get put off by Leah during 2004. During her relationship problems with Jesse she became quite a depressing character (in a irritating way to me), always crying, being dreary. It was so different to what she had been from 2000-2003 (quite an optimistic, happy go lucky type of character, even quite comical) and I didn't welcome that change, but she was still a favorite. Then she started to take a real backseat, as Sally started to become more prominent - Leah from 2005-2009 really didn't do all that much, but even though she wasn't doing that much, I really liked her again - she became quite a pleasant character (still not the same as the original Leah but a nice character anyway). I remember how much we were all complaining about how under used she was in 2009. 2010 came and they seemed to bring her right back to the forefront with the introduction of Elijah and I genuinely enjoyed the character again. They were both written well and setting them up for a great romance. I really liked all of the early days stuff when she met him and she kept getting flustered. Them he left and then came back. The come back wasn't written well and any 'spark' they had, had sort of disappeared for some reason.

I agree. I find myself zoning out during Leah's scenes, which is a shame because she used to be one of my favourite characters.

After watching pretty much the last two weeks in a row, I can say I dislike Natalie. Her purpose in the show seems so superficial (only really there as Brax next love interest) and I have no interest in characters that revolve around romantic troubles or lust predicaments. It's surprising since she is a counsellor and usually I like those type of characters because they come with depth and warmth - she doesn't seem deep or warm at all, actually quite cold, so I don't find her appealing and I'm instantly bored during Brax/Natalie scenes.

I think its interesting and maybe a first that we haven't seen Roo have a real good cry about anything since she returned in 2010? (as far as I'm aware?). I do like how they've made her a very lighthearted and upbeat character, but the storylines have been pretty superficial (romance after romance) all the way through. My favorite scenes were with Alf during her fist 12 months, where they had some sentimental father/daughter scenes. I'd like to see her be given a more serious plot, that doesn't involve crime in any way shape or form.

I've always liked Joey. He was my favourite character in the late 90's, I've discussed him at length somewhere on this forum before, but I can't find it. I rated him and Justine as the best teenagers in the late 90's gang. I just enjoyed his journey and character focused plots, he wasn't your typical surf dude either. He had a great (on screen ) relationship with Irene, Selina and Chloe particularly. My favourite aspect of the character was his connection with Saul. I don't think you would have seen it in the commune fire episode, but leading up to it there are some very emotional scenes between him and Saul, where Saul is totally playing mind games with him and using the emotional bond he had with his dad, to screw with his head. I felt sorry for Joey too because everyone pretty much hated his father, but he still loved him. When Saul was shot dead (when he kidnapped Selina on her wedding day, after the commune fire stuff) - again, we saw some really emotional scenes as Joey sat next to a dead Saul, pleading for him to live (as I remember it) and telling him that he loved him. Then Joey 'saw' Saul as a ghost hovering over his dead body and he put out his arms to him, like Jesus - it might sound funny, but it was actually quite poignant and sad. I really liked how the writers continued to explore Joey's obvious love for Saul. And then of course his mental illness. That was a well written plot. Other than 'Saul' telling him to kill Irene - I particularly remember Joey giving a speech at school, it was outside - and he started talking nonsense - everyone looking concerned and freaked. It's always something I've remembered about that storyline. I remember really hoping that he was going to return in 2009 - remember when they gave us that 'spoiler clue' and it said 'Joey's Rainbow' or something like that.

Haha I pretty much just said that in your 'Welcome' post. I'd agree with you now, I always see Bobby's death as a sign that the Early Years is coming to a close - and then when the piano based underscores start to disappear some time in 94/95 the early years have well and truly gone. I think 'we've lost the plot' really came in 2005 and continued until now. I'm not saying 2005 was awful, it was actually quite addictive for me, especially 2005 - but those years (05-06) damaged the 'flow' overall, no other producer (other than Bevan) have been able to recapture that Summer Bay atmosphere Imo.