Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[John]

I feel a bit the same cadyctslover.  I don't usually contribute to the negativity of this thread and I'm really not now.  I just felt that the show went through a real "purple patch"with most of the storylines you mentioned but as you say the Irene storyline had so much potential only to be very poorly handled and lost among too much other less interesting material.  I also think that the extended investigation of Charlotte's murder has lost its way and far from maintaining a level of excitement and tension has just become tedious.  I was annoyed ( a personal issue I guess ) that I didn't get an extended Morag courtroom scene.  I really enjoy them.

The opening of the garage with Ash and Andy has potential and I hope that continues and facilitates their closer integration into the community. 

[Luke39]

14 hours ago, cadyctslover said:

Sorry to put another downer on this thread, but does anyone else feel like Home and Away has lost some momentum in 2016?

With Dan Bennett's material in the latter half of 2015 I returned as a regular viewer, particularly enjoying the introduction and story arc of Charlotte King. So I was really disappointed in the 2015 finale to see them kill off the most interesting character we'd seen in years. Other stories I enjoyed included Marilyn's amnesia, Evie's rebellion, Josh's attack and recovery, and finally a deep, meaty story for Irene. Even Roo got a storyline, with mysterious new love interest James - however after all the intrigue this storyline didn't get a very satisfying conclusion in my opinion.

Some of the waifs and strays of the Bay (Andy, Chris, Matt) seemed to have more of a purpose, and the endless, monotonous crime theme largely subsided.

 

But in 2016 the show seems to have lost direction again. Irene's new storyline should have received massive focus, but her return to alcoholism, terrible childhood experience, and search for her long-lost child was rushed, and then completely dropped. Zac's story in prison could have been very interesting

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especially the revelation about Tank

, but it has been poorly plotted. Ricky and Nate's romance and wedding plans have been mind-numbingly dull, and Brax's return underwhelming (especially the boring two-hander). I also really don't enjoy murder investigations. They are way overused on this show (I know they're a ratings winner) but this one has been particularly uninspiring, even with the half-arsed Morag return - another missed opportunity. The absence of John and Marilyn is also very apparent for me - although Emily's departure was out of the producers hands.

There's a lot of moaning and negativity here, but I must say that Hannah's genealogy storyline was interesting to me, and as far as I am aware new territory for H&A. I have never liked the character of Hannah (another one of the waifs and strays) but I have really enjoyed this storyline. I have also enjoyed Andy's reform into a good guy (if you forget the crime and murder from earlier in his stint), and also the storyline of him and Ash running the garage.

Does anyone else agree?

Well.yes and no. Whats a waif btw? Lol. I.think Matt has more of a purpose this year then last tbh. Last year he was dangling a long. With Charlotte. No job, no future etc. Now this year he got into Uni, Dating Maddy heh, Found his passion etc. Chris too with his support with the Hannah storyline. Better then see him dumped for being too nice. Andy has more of a purpose despite being an absolutely useless and pointless character like Andy. Now he's running a Garage. In a way aren't all the characters waifs and strays (other then Alf, Leah, Irene of course). Till they move to the city haha. Just depends how the writers utilize the characters. Ive alwAys liked Matt. And always liked the idea of him and Maddy. Since like early 2014. So Ive enjoyed the evolution of their romantic relationship. And currently its evolved into a very mutually supportive relationship. 

John and Marilyn. Well.the actors im presuming are taking time out. But should be back im presuming again. Overall I agree the shows a mess at Times. But its kinda unpredictable in.a way. The crime aspect is not as strong as say 2012-2014. I never liked The River Boy era. Especially how they dragged female characters into Casey or Brax's mess. Ala Tamara, Sasha, Maddy, Natalie etc. Indi was the only female character who survived. But overall the shows turned a corner. I just think Charlotte was great. As she came across as a normal mother who did thing's in the end to cover up for her son. So I found her as a villain likeable. That and you saw that balance of every day ppl having a sense of danger in their lifes. Since then its been.Kyle and his past, psycho teens etc. Problem is their is not any current storyline I personally find interesting. Other then the cyber bullying storyline. Or Hannah's.

 

Eta: And I.agree on.the sentiment. The current format. Wouldent be inducive for any gay or bi characters. Clearly Charlie is a great example. Experimented with Joey. But then cheated on her with Hugo. So clearly Joey was pure transference. I agree on that completely. Now if they were based on the current format. Going to introduce one. Have to be more to the character then oh its the gay guy lol. In Neighbours I think they do a good job with what's his face Aaron. He has family extensions. Works as Pa for the Mayor. Hes Just a character who happens to be gay. 

 

On 4/14/2016 at 3:32 PM, Edward Skylover said:

I like the idea of Hunter being bisexual, he seems like the rebel type, could imagine him being down for whatever. Can't really imagine any of the other characters being bi, except possibly Maddy.

How does one fall under the category of Bi? I mean what makes Maddy stand out as a possibility more then any of the other female characters? Because based on.her characterization and behaviour I don't see it imo. Skye and Olivia jump out to me as more potential bi sexual characters. Or When it comes to Males Chris haha.

[Matt]

...And Dan Bennett has returned to the show!

[Blaxland 89]

Irene's story has predictabley gone the way of her breast cancer storyline, insults to anyone that's has had cancer or been abused for that matter. They really should take more care. I feel that rather than ruining the show, I would say that it doesn't even exist any more. Neighbours is now more home and away. Possible due to head of casting and script supervised previously being involved with HAA. Thea Mcleod and Anthony Ellis.  The home and away now is something different entirely. More akin to some American soap. And for years I couldn't stand neighbours. 

[cadyctslover]

4 hours ago, Matt said:

...And Dan Bennett has returned to the show!

Good detective work Matt, I see you've been probing him for information on Twitter today! I had given up on checking after asking both him and Lucy numerous times.

Interesting to speculate on what could have gone on behind the scenes. Sounds to me as though his departure was fairly sudden and unexpected, and they have negotiated a temporary return. Admittedly I'm jumping to conclusions, but perhaps Network 7's stifling of gay storylines/characters discussed a few pages back in this thread (and also in the Diversity thread) was a factor in him choosing to leave at the end of last year? If so, perhaps that's about to change?

Either way I'm glad he's coming back, and I just hope he reads and takes note of the comments about the quality of storylining in 2016 so far  :

 

[Homeandawayfan.]

I hope he comes back permanently, not just temporarily. He should be next in line for producers role. And saty at least 5 years.

[CaptainHulk]

Bloody hell, Bennett... Make your mind! 

 

[John]

I do like his approach to storylining and writing.  He seems to have a "feel" for the show and its characters that is sometimes missing with some others.  Most importantly he does seem to have the ability (and the Knowledge) to connect the current show with its history without taking it back there and making it simply an updated repeat of the Early Years.

[CaptainHulk]

Point is we need someone who keeps the show moving forward but doesn't whitewash its past. And he's that guy.

Maybe he went to 7 and said "Look, I'm happy to stay but my changes are gonna cost money".

[Perry]

I think a huge problem with the show, it gets filmed so much in advance that they spoil a lot of the storylines before it even comes close to going on air. Back in 2002 it was only 6 weeks from taping to airing now its filmed 6 months in advance. Also I think three years is a long time to watch a character we don't care about, bring in 6 or 7 around the same time and there's 6 or 7 characters we don't care about we have to watch for three years, I also understand that three years is only a short time for a character we absolutely love but they're a dime a dozen these days.