OpinionsSoaps

Gays of Our Lives: No Place Like Home

2

This week, Australian drama A Place To Call Home returns for it’s fourth season.  And the new season will pick up where it left off with Elizabeth’s heart attack, the drama surrounding Sarah, Regina and George and of course the fallout of James having his tryst with Henry revealed.  Is this the end of James and Olivia?  The beginning of James and Henry?  Or is there something around the corner that will surprise them all?  Hmm…..  Plus, things get hot between Billy and Todd on Coronation Street, Ben and Jay are kidnapped on EastEnders and the latest on Days of Our Lives, People of the Valley – and more!


PICKS AND PANS

Coronation Street  (U.K.)

I wonder how long this is going to drag out before they learn the truth about Phelan?  Probably awhile.  Given Eileen’s track record you’d think she wouldn’t be so trusting with men as well as money that isn’t hers.  But these characters never seem to learn, do they?  It’s pretty obvious Todd will be the one to finally reveal the truth.  And I suspect that in the end Phelan will wind up dead and Todd and Eileen will be the top suspects.  That’s how these things usually go.


Days of Our Lives (U.S.)

Screen Shot 2016-09-04 at 10.23.27 PMSo what was the point of those Paul and Sonny scenes?    Sonny is his own man now, he’ll work for his uncle on his own terms, blah, blah, blah.  How is that any different from what Sonny was doing before?   That’s always been his character and he’s spent the past year working for Victor in his clubs in Europe.

If Sonny was focusing on business and closed himself off because Will died, I guess that could be it, but Sonny said it’s really not about Will?  I don’t know.  But what I do know is that those scenes were so boring and written so drably.  Those scenes, like this show, have no life, no energy, no spark.  Nothing.  They’re not even playing off any romantic, sexual energy between Paul and Sonny.   So again, what was the point?

When Sonny went to Will’s grave, at least Paul wasn’t there like before.  That always bugged me.

The show didn’t even bother to make the graveyard look real.  So tacky.  And given that Will’s family has money, why does Will get such a cheap and small headstone?  They couldn’t foot the bill for something bigger?  Oh and I did get a chuckle out of Gabi saying that Sonny had always been there for her.  Maybe, except for the past year when he abandoned her and Ari and went to Europe.  Guess we’re not counting that.


EastEnders  (U.K.)

Phil’s turning on Jay always seemed like a plot device to me and I still feel that way.  Phil has always stood behind both Ben and Jay so it makes no sense he’d turn on him now, especially when the ‘victims’ in the story have both said that Jay didn’t knowingly do anything wrong.  I do hope this ends with Phil finally getting his senses where Jay is concerned.  Jay is part of the family.  And he’s stood by Phil when no one else, including Ben would.

Screen Shot 2016-09-04 at 10.24.45 PM

Les and Pam are literally paralyzed by grief.  Those scenes are so painful to watch.    But everything about them ring true.

Did the show just drop the plot point about Paul’s estranged mother showing up and wanting him back in her life?  She appeared right before Paul’s death, but there’s been no mention of it since.  Why bring it up when it clearly wasn’t going anywhere?

Ben and Jay being kidnapped by the bashers was an unexpected plot development.  I didn’t see it coming.  I pray neither of them are seriously hurt.

As much as I hate that they killed Paul off, the story has been compelling and beautifully acted.  I do hope that when this is all over, Ben doesn’t lose any of the growth he’d developed in regards his sexuality.  He was finally being honest and true to himself.  I don’t want Paul’s death to change that.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICKS AND PANS!

Anthony D. Langford
I watch a lot of television, probably too much. But can you really watch too much TV? I've yet to find out. Anyway, I especially love TV when they give us positive portrayals of gays, something that has gotten better but we're still fighting for. I've written about gays in television for many years first at the much missed After Elton, then New Now Next and now at TV Source. It's kind of a passion of mine and I look forward to sharing it with you.

Justin Hartley on ‘Y&R’ Exit: “Thank You for Letting Me Entertain You”

Previous article

Hollyoaks Week In Review: Love Lockdown and A Framing Gone Wrong

Next article

You may also like

2 Comments

  1. Too late – Blue is already snogging the face of Lottie after the school debate and bullying incident. Fast mover, he was at deaths door about a week ago.

    What a hopeless ‘gang’ of hoods took Jay and Ben hostage? Eastenders has been doing gangs and gangsters since Day 1 so why were this lot such an unconvincing shower? I hope they didn’t get paid for that performance.

    Have you ever thought of covering TV3’s Merli? They are starting up Series 2 in a couple of weeks. We could do with another Pick to balance all the Pans.

  2. You hit the nail on the head with DOOL. There’s no substance or soul. And I’m probably in the minority, but I think Paul is kind of creepy in a way someone like him would never be in real life.

    The scene between Ben and Pam in EastEnders was touching and probably therapeutic for both characters. Phil has just gotten tiresome and is dragging other characters down.

    People of the Valley was odd last week, especially with the whole week focused on the White family. Sion is such a drama queen, and his Eat Pray Love routine was annoying. And why does anyone tolerate Gwyneth? I agree with you about this pattern of Iolo & Tyler shutting each other out, bickering and then making up – usually all in a single episode. They are my favorite pairing but please let’s move on from this.

    Speaking of Iolo & Tyler (and I know I do it too much), the actors deserve recognition for using touch and humor to enhance their chemistry. They are never physically gratuitous but are not afraid of touching one another when it’s a natural reaction. It’s remarkable because so often actors in soap get it wrong. The highlight of the week was Iolo calling Tyler “Joanne.”

Comments are closed.

More in Opinions