alexx

Couldn't agree more! I really wish the current show had this 'feel' to it! My favorite moments have to be when Alison said 'Let me rearrange my face' and Lance put his fist up and as a dope said 'I'll do it' Lol Then Alan and Bobby getting their prizes. Also Floss and Nev dancing in the background.

I dont think that song is too bad either! haha At least its quirky and they sing in tune! The time has flown by, looking forward to the season finale!

Haha I loved the straw hair and western music. Do you think they would show someone falling from a cliff and crashing into the side of it these days? Even with the PG rating?

Just saw Episode 1822 and it ends outside the beach house....I think we see a bit more of it in the coming episodes. I remember being pleasantly surprised to see it back in 1995. They really need to start using this location again its beautiful!

I've tried to like Marilyn and Sid but it just isn't happening for me - I dont really feel like there is much chemistry at all there, not even friendship chemistry. Can't really pin point it, but it doesn't feel like a very natural pairing to me. I think she had more chemistry with Angelo or Justin. Sid seems to flatten her a bit Imo

I actually have no idea how the new surf club fits into the exterior layout or where the old Surf Club used to be in place of the new one? To me it seems too big... but yeah in terms of layout, I really dont know - I mean where about its that doorway/utterance that used to be prominent? The kiosk bit? Where does it all fit...

'Chocolates, sugar, hamburgers...pick'n things up without bend'n me knees... I loved it, I loved it all!' haha Floss

LOL I couldn't stop laughing at the scene Colleen was going mental at Lance, that was so funny! Lance and Martin both need to come back for s stint, all three of them are the type of people that dont change so it would be really funny to see this sort of thing in the current show Imo

^Hope so!

Yeah I agree! Also I think it depends on who is writing the episode too and the content.

Yeah I get what you guys mean, but I do think they have a certain presence on screen that is special. I think Floss has a greater purpose mainly becuase there just seems to be more reason for Floss to be here and there, doing the cooking, helping Pippa with the house work and thus she has a more realistic opportunity to interact with the other cast. I love how Floss sides with the kids most of the time though, espeically over Celia and Colleen and is always up for a laugh, like when she dressed up like a 'floozy' to get back at Celia for going on about Narelle. Another thing I like about the pair, is that they are both full of enthusiasm which I find adds a certain energy to the scenes they're in. But I agree with Ryan that having them retired limits where the writers can place them.

This is more of a observation, but does anyone else think the writers seem to have forgotten about writing the little quirky/dizzy things in to Marlyn's dialogue? It feels like after the Christmas production break they have kind of phased that part of the character out or forgotten about that aspect of the character, which was extreemly prominent back in her first two stints. When she first arrived they kept it up, with her 'I'm very good at first aid as well' - 'This is a road, we're going to get squished' - 'Do you want me to cut your hair?' (at the totally wrong time to ask) - 'That'd make me a cougar! hahaha Raoww!' etc she no longer seems to talk really fast about nothing during conversations etc These little quirks seem to have vanished in favor of sharp come backs and quick wit - kinda the opposite of what she used to be like... What do you guys think?

If we'd had two episodes per day would we be approaching 1990 season now?

I so agree with this. I think what comes across to me is that the whole show seems very planned and organized, as if they knew during the episode that Bertrum had the car accident, that he would end up in a 'haunted house' freaking Carly out and then having a sentimental scene with Pippa about being an outcast. Obviously I dont know if they did, and they probably didn't, but the fact is as you pointed out, the writers are thinking about their characters and those they have created who live in the small sea side community and then utilizing them for all their worth - Brett getting a character driven exit is another example. And now we have Samuels back with his brother, he wasn't just a plot devise to fuel speculation about the nutter or push Stephen with his fitness training, he's become another reminder that it is a small town and we're bound to bump into familiar faces again.

I think she should come back...not permanently but as a recurring guest popping up every few months for a couple of weeks or so, she's a great character and to be honest I had very vague memories of her, so to watch her full stint again has been really cool. It'd be good too becuase the show doesn't have a dizzy bogan type character and there would be that connection with Colleen as Ryan pointed out!

OMG that scene at the end of episode 183 was really freaky, I find those type of scenes much more genuinely creepy than I have any of the stalker scares in recent years. I am so behind with these early years episode becuase I haven't had a TV at home now since the first week of May and had to watch shows via the internet. Hopefully it will be fixed soon so I can watch at 7TWO pace. Pretty much every episode is full of memorable moments - the entire Roo/Martha/Brett saga has been fantastic as has Ailsa and Alf's reunion and all of the Lance/Martin/Norelle shenanigans plus Celia, Colleen, Fisher Floss/Nev haha its been really funny, silly, dramatic and emotional. The cast is so strong, as is the writing, I cant find fault at all.

I have just loved all these scenes between Lance, Martin, Celia and Norelle - so funny! I wish they would do these kinda things in the current show. Plus the scene Norelle was tickling Frank and Celia came barging in preaching to them about improper behavior, really funny.

^Sid too young really? If anything it would be the other way round for me. I think her and Angelo would be a good couple. Having said that, I am enjoying the Sid/Maz storyline so far (other than my grumble with the sex thing), its still early days though so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. The last guy we saw Maz with just before Fisher, was Hayden.

^I actually found Robbie to be all of the things you just said about Dex. Imo its not fair to compare the two since Dexter has been on for a few weeks, Robbie was there years.

What does anyone think Marilyn was referring too during her return episode on the phone to her mate when she said 'No, no that's all water under the bridge...I guess I'll find out when I get there...I hope so. Mitzy, dont worry about me I'm going to be fine...'? Also wanted to give a nod to the 'Maz theme' they have payed a few times, espeically during sentimental scenes such as her return, talk with Alf about 'cancer', getting the bait shop...

I can only agree, absolutely superb character writing! So well plotted too. Special mention goes to the writers of episodes 160-162 - and for example, Barbra's monologue about Alan '...wondering what was on the other side of the tunnel', that really stood out to me becuase that standard of productivity is so missing these days, maybe becuase the show just hasn't been truly character focused, or maybe becuase the producers feel those type of scenes slow the pace of the show down, whatever the reasons, they are unjust - scenes like that are always powerful and should have priority. Also laughed out loud at some of Lance and MArtin scenes espeically when Lance was mispronouncing hypochondriac. Plus Colleen and Morag's encounter at the store! haha

Plus I've noticed shes referred to herself as being 'healthy' a number of times since shes been back, I wonder if there is any significance to that.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it all pans out... But I seriously hope it will end at just a date and there wont be any romantic involvement whatsoever. What I'm really looking forward to seeing is Maz making some real friends...she still seems quite isolated from everyone. To kick things off I think Irene and Maz's mate-ship needs to be reestablished on screen again. Back when she returned in the 90's they immediately made a start of re integrating the character back into the show by forming new/old bonds with already established characters like Angel, Irene, Stevo, Travis, Pippa, Ailsa, Alf etc This sort of thing needs to happen again otherwise she may become a 'novelty character'.

Haha yeah I always pick up on these little things... Actually I think the 2000 interior of the mobile home was in fact the real location interior. I definitely know it wasn't a studio set that's for sure.

I couldn't agree more. I said it before but the overall production quality is so spot on, covering writing, acting, direction, pace - I think that's why it works so well when, say you dont see much of certain characters for a while (like the Fletchers) becuase all of the characters are written with equal amounts of care the viewers are left invested in everything that's going on as a whole!! The current show could really do with taking a look at this formula becuase, Imo it just works so well. Colleen is utilized so brilliantly in these early years, we need to see more of this in the current show - I laughed out loud watching her chase Martin around the store screeching 'I've been lookin' all over for yooouuu'! The way she was written when she returned during 2000 was very similar to the 80's Colleen. The Martin/Lance/Colleen storyline is just great to watch. Narelle and Stevo's storyline is so silly its an absolute blast, completely lighthearted and innocent, its awesome. All of these balanced with the much darker plot involving Alf, Ailsa and Roo - which has been played out faultlessly. Its an intense storyline and the writers have obviously put much effort into fitting it in amongst the other sub plots. This storyline is so character driven. On a side note, you know the mobile home - were the stairs re arranged in the later years? I'm sure when Sally and Lance were talking on them in 2000, the stair case came straight out instead of veering to the left. I haven't got these episodes or clips of this episode to check...anyone know if that clip is available on the net?