Storylines or themes which repeat a lot

[cymbaline]

On 20/12/2022 at 21:28, early years fan said:

The non appearance of the young children, of Ailsa and Pippa, who is looking after these children whilst their parents are so busy?

the sightings of them with their parents on screen seems to be quite rare

unplanned pregnancies seems to be a common theme too

I'm sure that's why they killed off Dale Ross, awful and all as it must have been for Debra and Dennis to be given that storyline. Christopher occasionally popping up was manageable but Pippa with two young children would've thrown a serious spanner in the works. 

[CaptainHulk]

Marilyn doing something that has us rolling our eyes or getting Red's blood up

[nenehcherry2]

From 91, a handful of characters disappearing for a few weeks or so around Feb/March/April so that the actors could perform panto in the UK over Christmas. Often without even an exit story for some of the characters (e.g. they talk about Bobby or Nick as though they're still around the Bay but they don't appear for a couple of weeks). You'd often get guests bought in to fill the void left open with so many regulars temporarily out of the show, often without a real story purpose (i.e. Lynne's first stint in early 93). 

In Ray's case (ie doing more "adult" theatre plays versus family panto), it was often MONTHS with the annual Alf exit storyline (usually involving a visit to Roo, Celia etc or a fishing trip). Combined with regular predictable moaning from Ailsa in the script "things are really busy at the moment, what with Alf away", "you kids would have to play up whilst Alf's away" etc.

 

 

 

[nenehcherry2]

1) During the Andrew Howie / Greg Stevens era (late 89 - early 95), lots of characters complaining about "being broke", going on the dole and having no money - or just making that general observation of the current economic climate ("times are tough"). Especially the likes of Adam, Michael & Greg. Perhaps an effort to reflect the 90s recession (which Australia was hit particularly hard by).

2) One of the male teens would leave school early & complain about the quality of jobs that were open to them - Blake, Shane, Tug. And usually going back to school after a talking to from one of the adults with a "you'll need to work hard to catch up on what you've missed" lecture from Big Donny.

3) Related to above, the archetypal "young married couple" bickering about money, "spare cash" & whether or not to get a credit card - pretty much as soon as they've exchanged rings: Carly/Ben, Bobby/Greg & Shane/Angel.

4) Repeating year 11 or 12: Carly, Fin, Curtis, Chloe, Kirsty. In Fin's case, failing the HSC became a tiresome annual storyline. 

5) H***y young late teens-to-20s couples endlessly pashing in the early parts of their romances, very often in the most inappropriate of sets: Bobby/Frank, Phil/Stacey, Carly & every boyfriend she ever has, Nick/Loo/Ryan, Blake/Fin, Luke/Roxy, Haydn/Fin, Roxy/Rob, Curtis/Selina, Kelly/Travis, Rebecca/Travis, Lachie/Chloe... this list goes on & on (& on!)! In the first couple of years, such behaviour would be met with a lecture from Celia.

6) The "runaway" theme - of all the places in the World to land, random runaways with no family connection to the show would end up in Summer Bay, through choice or circumstance (which coincidently happens to be "the fostering captial of Australia", as Quinn once put it). Dodge, Viv, Fin, Angel, Aaron, Noah.

7) Summer Bay residents being obsessed with building "youth refuges" in a town of 200 inhabitants. And organising fundraisers to build them. 

A real 1994/5 era one. Characters appearing from the background as though they've always lived in the Bay. Selina, Rob, Travis, Chloe. At least in Donna's case, they make an entrance stroyline out of her "returning".

[nenehcherry2]

The classic 1990 - late 90s teen formula: bring in 4 or 5 new year 10s every couple of years ending with an even number (occasionally, a year 11 or two would join- them all early the following year alas Sarah & Angel). Make these teens genetically unrelated (exception = Blake & Karen) to allow for as many dating combinations as possible. Simultaneous with the year 10s coming in, there'd be (now year 12s) older teens from the previous bi-annual intake still hovering around - just (e.g. overlap between Blake/Sophie/Fin with Damo/Shane/Tug).

3 possible outcomes at end of a character's "teen cycle" - 1) repeat year 12 (Fin), 2) finish school early & work at the boatshed (Blake), the store etc 3) leave for Uni (Stevo, Damo) or 4) age 10 years overnight (alas Bobby, Angel).

If a teen leaves mid-cycle, replace them instantly (alas Haydn > Simon, Karen > Fin).

If the Producers still need some time to find that "breakout character", bring in a "temp teen" guestie with no real purpose - Paul Jensen, Kelly, Sonia, Frankie.

From about 97, said formula becomes an annual one with "odd-number intakes" being added to the mix - Justine, Tiegan (joined by Tom the following year). I.e. more teens around at once than ever before!

 

[Bobby Forever Missed]

i'd argue Vicki Baxter in 89 was the first newly added teen when they were looking for a breakout teen

[homeandawayroxsomuch.]

If a nuclear family is introduced (Nashes, Sutherlands, Astonis), the parents will separate at some point due to past or recent infidelity but eventually reunite before leaving Summer Bay, one daughter will suffer from an eating disorder at some point (except Gypsy), one daughter will get married but that may not last, and that daughter will leave either with a baby or pregnant.  One child may leave under a dark cloud (except Coco).

[c120701]

On 19/01/2023 at 09:06, nenehcherry2 said:

 

6) The "runaway" theme - of all the places in the World to land, random runaways with no family connection to the show would end up in Summer Bay, through choice or circumstance (which coincidently happens to be "the fostering captial of Australia", as Quinn once put it). Dodge, Viv, Fin, Angel, Aaron, Noah.

Not just that, but happening to be “passing through” a town on a peninsula.  The only place to run to from there is back where you came from.

[Jamie!]

A good looking bad boy with a chiseled face and tattoos arrives, and the whole cast repeat ad infinitum about how they're a "good guy" to try and get the viewers to like them in droves. 

[cymbaline]

Somebody having a bad accident going to or from a wedding.