Rewatching The Early Years

[nenehcherry2]

9 hours ago, CaptainHulk said:

That'd be great. I can see Barbara as a  surf girl who would tell Fisher to loosen up. Alf driving around town like **** of the walk, putting his father Gordon's nose out of joint.

Lance and Marty as kids and their scams  backfiring would be great. 

Al Simpson and his mistreatment of Bobby and also his "secret other family".

I can also see Floss and Nev putting on their shows while Scotty rolls his eyes.

Debra the dog being knocked down by Bob Barnett and Celia being very upset by it. 

[adam436]

On 09/11/2024 at 07:01, cymbaline said:

We're in fantasy land now so why not aim higher?  A TV series  A series set in 1960's or 1970's Summer Bay already has some juicy material that could be expanded upon. Alf sowing his wild oats, then settling down with Martha. Celia and Les's doomed romance. Fisher & Barbara's marriage. Morag concealing her pregnancy after her knee trembler with Fisher. Matt Wilson's family, especially his brother who was shot by Al Simpson. Other families who would've been around then include the Smarts, the Dibbles, the Nashes. The circus could come to town, giving us a look at Floss and Neville while they were still performing and their surly son who couldn't wait to grow up and cut them dead. 

I could see Channel 7 being sold on the idea (as much as they are on first-run Australian drama these days, anyway!) on the premise that it focuses on "young Alf" with others being supporting characters, rather than an ensemble of early years characters. It also would be unlikely to be an ongoing soap opera, and probably more a limited series of 6-8 episodes. 

It would work if there were new characters as well (who left Summer Bay prior to 1988), to give the writers some freedom without being restricted by the existing characters' backstories. Other supporting characters could include the Patterson family and Celia's friend Betty, but the main focus would need to be on the Stewart family.

[CaptainHulk]

On 10/11/2024 at 19:22, adam436 said:

I could see Channel 7 being sold on the idea (as much as they are on first-run Australian drama these days, anyway!) on the premise that it focuses on "young Alf" with others being supporting characters, rather than an ensemble of early years characters. It also would be unlikely to be an ongoing soap opera, and probably more a limited series of 6-8 episodes. 

It would work if there were new characters as well (who left Summer Bay prior to 1988), to give the writers some freedom without being restricted by the existing characters' backstories. Other supporting characters could include the Patterson family and Celia's friend Betty, but the main focus would need to be on the Stewart family.

Covering the Pattersons would be good. Tim and his Mrs struggling with Mav, Alison, Skye and Kim while Ralph and Stella live the life of Riley and spoiling Vinnnie in contrast.

 

[Homeandawayfan.]

We know Angus Stewart founded, or settled in the Bay in 1852. Alf has often mentioned him and spoken of his Scottish blood. In my "head canon" I have Alf Stewart's great grandfather Angus marrying Sarah Rippingale in 1855 in Summer Bay (Duncan Stewart Snr's parents) and her family being from Essex in England and convicts. Rippingale being an old Essex name, and apt as Summer Bay has had some ripping gales over the years. My head canon is that Duncan was born 1862, and being 50 when Gordon Stewart was born in 1912.

I do genealogy hence why the genealogy of the Stewart's is interesting.

I think the Standish, Bertram, Baldivis and Patterson families lived in Summer Bay for generations prior to Jan 1988. And the Storey's and Bishops. There has probably been hundreds of residents of the Bay who have never appeared in the show, or who left the bay before the show began.

Edited November 13 by Homeandawayfan.

[adam436]

3 hours ago, Homeandawayfan. said:

I think the Standish, Bertram, Baldivis and Patterson families lived in Summer Bay for generations prior to Jan 1988. And the Storey's and Bishops. There has probably been hundreds of residents of the Bay who have never appeared in the show, or who left the bay before the show began.

Has it ever been established if Martha is related to the Mr Baldivis that appeared in the pilot? Or is it just a coincidence they had the same surname. 

[Homeandawayfan.]

Councillor Mervin Baldivis, his name was, the one who appeared in the pilot and Episode 11 in the shop when Tom bumped into him and said it saved him a trip to the chambers. When Tom said that word "to the chambers" in the 7TWO repeats I thought he meant Marilyn's family.

I think the writers have hinted that Mervin is said to be a cousin of some sorts to Jack Baldivis, or perhaps a brother, but not Martha's dad. Also Baldivis is a rare surname so I am sure Jack Baldivis (Martha's dad) and Mervin are related.

[Dan F]

4 hours ago, adam436 said:

Has it ever been established if Martha is related to the Mr Baldivis that appeared in the pilot? Or is it just a coincidence they had the same surname. 

 

1 hour ago, Homeandawayfan. said:

I think the writers have hinted that Mervin is said to be a cousin of some sorts to Jack Baldivis, or perhaps a brother, but not Martha's dad. Also Baldivis is a rare surname so I am sure Jack Baldivis (Martha's dad) and Mervin are related.

The info alluded to above was given to us direct from Bevan Lee to include in our Martha and Merv profiles:

https://www.backtothebay.net/characters/baldivis_mervin/

[Homeandawayfan.]

While he only did 2 episodes, he did seem an interesting character, Merv Baldivis I am talking about. The slightly scary face and slicked back hair, he did have a slight gangster look to him  even though he was far from it, and was a local coucillor.

Edited November 16 by Homeandawayfan.

[CaptainHulk]

13 hours ago, Homeandawayfan. said:

While he only did 2 episodes, he did seem an interesting character, Merv Baldivis I am talking about. The slightly scary face and slicked back hair, he did have a slight gangster look to him  even though he was far from it, and was a local coucillor.

He just seemed like he played by the rules and would help those with those worthy causes but if you crossed him, he'd make sure you couldn't even get *arrested* in town.

[j.laur5]

I understand Pippa needed income after Michael death but when she started working at the school as school administrator I wonder how she got that job as she wasn’t really qualified in that field of work. 
 

They really did turn Pippa into super woman working at the school and running the caravan park while looking after 5 children.

I wonder why Pippa just didn’t start work at the diner at least then her hours would be more flexible.  Working in the  diner suits her skills more . 

Edited November 18 by j.laur5