Are the current producers ruining Home and Away?

[dee123]

On 22/12/2016 at 10:01 PM, Edward Skylover said:

Yeah, some are too iconic to re-cast, probably Donald and Sophie.

I think they could get away with re-casting Irene's kids or Martha perhaps.

Kind of off topic but i think if Georgie Parker is in it for the long haul then it's only a matter of time before we see a Martha recast.

[Blaxland 89]

1 hour ago, dee123 said:

Kind of off topic but i think if Georgie Parker is in it for the long haul then it's only a matter of time before we see a Martha recast.

I hope so. I don't usually like recast but I would like to see Martha's character arc properly resolved. I think it's awful that she has ended up on the run will someone who has committed such serious crimes and some how Alf and roo aren't out there fighting to get her home safely. 

[harrietjames]

10 hours ago, Blaxland 89 said:

 its a modern show and it can't go back

But having character driven human stories isn't going back it's maintaining what was good in the past. Ignoring for a moment that they have been done, most of the Early years story lines will still be relevant in 2017. That's what we want more of the timeless people driven character development which is what attracted us to the show in the first place...

 

 

 

[dee123]

12 hours ago, Blaxland 89 said:

I hope so. I don't usually like recast but I would like to see Martha's character arc properly resolved. I think it's awful that she has ended up on the run will someone who has committed such serious crimes and some how Alf and roo aren't out there fighting to get her home safely. 

I think the easy answer is to kill off Hugo or have him make some crazy plea deal (that only exists in soaps ) where Martha gets off basically scot free.

[Gerard]

11 hours ago, harrietjames said:

But having character driven human stories isn't going back it's maintaining what was good in the past. Ignoring for a moment that they have been done, most of the Early years story lines will still be relevant in 2017. That's what we want more of the timeless people driven character development which is what attracted us to the show in the first place...

I agree. H&A in the early days was very much character driven. OK we maybe had some "stereotypes" like Celia the busybody, Floss and Neville, the older couple, Lance and Martin, the no-hopers, and they were only the "supporting characters" besides the Fletchers and the Stewarts. Pretty much every character was unique and well-defined, had their own backstory which was reflected in their current issues.

Nowadays, most characters are interchangable and bland, and are more defined by who they're going with that week, than any actual character traits. To make up for this we get explosions and planes being brought down in a slightly desperate attempt to keep us watching.

[Blaxland 89]

13 hours ago, harrietjames said:

But having character driven human stories isn't going back it's maintaining what was good in the past. Ignoring for a moment that they have been done, most of the Early years story lines will still be relevant in 2017. That's what we want more of the timeless people driven character development which is what attracted us to the show in the first place...

 

 

 

But that's what I said?

[dee123]

3 hours ago, Gerard said:

I agree. H&A in the early days was very much character driven. OK we maybe had some "stereotypes" like Celia the busybody, Floss and Neville, the older couple, Lance and Martin, the no-hopers, and they were only the "supporting characters" besides the Fletchers and the Stewarts. Pretty much every character was unique and well-defined, had their own backstory which was reflected in their current issues.

Nowadays, most characters are interchangable and bland, and are more defined by who they're going with that week, than any actual character traits. To make up for this we get explosions and planes being brought down in a slightly desperate attempt to keep us watching.

This perfectly sums up H&A of the past and of today. Well said

[harrietjames]

11 hours ago, Blaxland 89 said:

But that's what I said?

Yeah - I was using your point to put mine into context rather than disagreeing with you...

[Luke39]

True but their are a few exceptions where H and A can be character driven. I do feel at times, h and a threw characters into random storylines with no real payoff. Or the era of throwing any random woman into a Braxton Storyline. Natalie, Charlie, Ruby, Tamara, and of course Bianca come to mind. So I feel the storylines are interchangble too. Few exceptions though over the years. I've enjoyed the Billie Pregnancy storyline, despite its poor writing at times. Tessa De Josslin. Has portrayed Billie with such sensitivity and empathy. I find it hard to dislike her despite all the bad decisions she has made.

 Spoiler possibly for UK ppl.

Spoiler

Enjoyed the Witness protection storyline. Despite its poor writing at times. Like referring to a mole as a rat. But it was generally played out really well. And I do like the depth they are giving Justin's character. With his daughter Ava.

I think Characters Like Chris and Matt. Even Justin are few of the exceptions. But I think H and A may need a chshge of the guard. To inforce real change.

I do think H and A found a better balance and consistency latter half of the year. So I think 2017 we'll be pretty good. I actually disagree. Or would prefer them not to do stuff they did in the past regarding storyline. I think society has changed. And the current format fits that. I guess you see psycho teenagers, and unplanned pregnancies these days.

So that has changed. H and A with the set designs. Does feel like a show in 2016/2017. I guess balance is the answer. I don't get why The Early Years gets regularly mentioned in regards to the current show. It's irrelevant. The Early Years is their for nostalgics. So I understand ones individual interpretation. I just personally don't see the relevance between the two. Past and present. Probably unpopular. But rather they focus on the current show more. Which is fine. As while I agree. Issues back in say 1995. Are still current today. But I don't think the showrunners have a reason to change the current format. Seeing it's performing. It's fine for an individual to go "They are abandoning their roots". But ratings are still good. And I think can I suggest. So much focus on how the past was so great. People often don't see the good stuff about the present show. Jmo.

[harrietjames]

7 hours ago, Luke39 said:

I don't get why The Early Years gets regularly mentioned in regards to the current show. It's irrelevant. 

No it is very relevant to this discussion because it it what Home and Away SHOULD be. Break Home and Away down to it's most basic elements, most important parts and the early years still had it, the current show has doesn't so much.

 

If we look at the top 5 most popular characters, none of them would be cast by the current Powers that be. With the exception of Sally, they are all too old and Marilyn only returned for the nostalgia factor. (Teenage) Kate Richie would not have been cast as a teen - not "teen heart throb" enough. When was the last time they had a parent in the main cast that wasn't a teen pregnancy?