EastEnders Crisis

How's this for a build up to Christmas cliff-hanger:

OCT 04
Andy gets what's coming to him and is run out of town, leaving Sam looking stupid again. She runs off to be with her family. Meanwhile, Den cannot decide who he should spend the rest of his life with Chrissy or his old flame Kate. He starts to woo her again, even getting her into bed but in the morning she sends him packing. Full of emotion she bumps into Dennis and, after a drunken chat, the pair end up in bed together. A romance blossoms.

NOV 04
Den finally gets to the end of his tether and sends Chrissy packing. Sam returns with news of her mother's early return. Kate has some unexpected news to break, she pregnant but which Watts is the Daddy?

DEC 04
Kate tells Den she thinks the baby could be his, leaving Den no option but to tell his son. A big fight breaks out and Den ends up in hospital. Dennis dumps Kate. Den leaves hospital without telling Sharon and disappears just before Christmas, leading to Sharon doing her dirty washing in a packed Queen Vic which leaves Kate isolated and without friends. But she's stopped in mid flow when Michelle walks through the door announcing; "Nothing changes then!". Meanwhile, Sam heads gleefully to the airport to pick up her mother, only to find someone else!

XMAS DAY
Den returns to the Square and tries to keep a low profile but as soon as he hears Michelle is back he marches over to a packed Queen Vic. Meanwhile, heading through the other door is Sam with her brother Grant in tow!

I love it. It's amazing how terrible writers have a job at the bbc, while you are writing for a forum.

Sounds like a great storyline, if only Sue Tully and Ross Kemp could be persuaded to come back...

Apparently Louise Berridge is bringing in new characters to improve EE's fortunes. There will be a new family, and there's rumours that one or two part-time characters (Belinda Slater/Peacock and Maxwell Moon) will become regulars.

I think a mixture of old and new is a good idea. I know it's not real life but people do come back every now and again.

The present cast still needs a bit of pruning, it would be great to see one or two old faces popping in and out and of course, some new decent characters will can both love and hate.

I think a mixture of old and new is a good idea. I know it's not real life but people do come back every now and again.

The present cast still needs a bit of pruning, it would be great to see one or two old faces popping in and out and of course, some new decent characters will can both love and hate.

How about Sharon waking up and realising everything that's happened since her Dad came back is just a dream?

One main problem is Shane Richie - obviously a case of a comedy actor demanding serious storylines - fails miserably!

Personally now I think EastEnders has had it's chance - it's been on the wain for at least 18 months now. I'd much rather see it axed and the BBC refocus their drama output to have around 6 long running 24 part series every year in the 8pm hour long slot. Shows like Merseybeat, Holby City and Casualty could be bought into this plan.

I thought that the character Michelle is actually coming back later in the year, but just a differnet actrees, it sounds ok. I mean, it worked well, with Sam Mitchell, who was originally played by Danniella Westbrook.

But it's the BBC's highest rated programme - an institution. It needs improving and a change of direction - not axing. Merseybeat and Casualty are dreadful programmes with the former attracting poor viewing figures anyway.

How about you just not watch it, if you think its time is up. I dont mind EastEnders to be honest, sure the stories at present are nothing special, but it is supposed to resemble real life.

I relate to it as a Londoner, where as Corrie seems like a quaint little world to me. I dont see what is too bad, other than people dont like the actors and the storylines arent sensational. You can always watch Sunset Beach if you want big sensational events...

On tonights episode....

It was like they had hired the writers from Casualty to spice things up a bit

VIPForum
"I thought that the character Michelle is actually coming back later in the year, but just a differnet actrees, it sounds ok."

I have heard various rumours about Michelle Fowler's character returning to EastEnders. Although for me, and probably millions of others, Michelle Fowler was Susan Tully, she made the character her own, and seeing another actress play that role will be a letdown if the role of Michelle is recast.

"I mean, it worked well, with Sam Mitchell, who was originally played by Danniella Westbrook."

I think Kim Medcalf is still underused as Sam - she is a good actress, and should be doing better than Andy's squeeze.

Here's what I think should happen to EE:

I'd get rid of the Ferreiras, as, let's be honest, they will always be boring. Mickey's family arrive and move into the Ferreira's house. His sexy mum, Nikki, gets a job at the Vic, while his trucker dad, Jack, is away on jobs often, and often has affairs. His oldest sister, Donna, gets a job in SophistiKates as a hairdresser and his other older sister Linzi becomes friends with Zoe and Kelly and helps them out with the stall. Kat has an affair with Jack, unaware that Alfie and Nikki are having one too. Donna and Linzi make a bet to see who can seduce Spencer first, which is eventually won by Donna even though Linzi and Spencer have fallen in love.

Meanwhile, just as Den and Chrissie seem to be totally in love all over again, and Sharon has forgiven her father for keeping secrets from her, and everything is rosey for the Watts, another bombshell rocks the family. Den's secret wife (#2) Gina turns up in Walford. Shocked by the news, everyone sides with Chrissie and it seems Den is on his own, following being chucked out of the house and barred from Angie's Den. However, unable to cope with this final act of deceit, Sharon packs her bags and leaves Albert Square for a new life, leaving Chrissie in charge of the club.

Meanwhile, Sonia and Martin's wedding day arrives and Michelle Fowler turns up for her brother's big day. She doesn't waste any time in saying "I told you so" to Vicki, about Den hurting her, and when she runs into Den, a row errupts, ending in a night passion for the pair. Sonia discovers she is pregnant, and she and Martin move into Zoe and Kelly's old place.

It is revealed that Janine has sold the car lot to Sam Mitchell, who intends to turn it into a taxi company.

Billy and Little Mo attempt to rebuild their relationship, but Billy cannot cope with baby being around and ends the realationship, although a reunion will be round the corner.

Mickey gets some romance in the form of Zoe Slater, and the pair become the new Kat and Alfie. They decide they want to get married but opposition from both their families cause the pair to go on the run to Gretna Green in Scotland and get married, but Kat, Alfie, Nikki and Jack head off to stop them, only for the revelations about the affairs to come out. Nikki throws Jack out and Alfie cannot cope with Kat having an affair and ends it. Kat and Jack try to have a relationship but realize that they're not right for each other. Meanwhile, Zoe and Mickey return to the Square married, and realize both their families are in trouble and set about trying to put it right. While Kat and Alfie get back together again, all is not well for the Millers and as Jack takes a job at the taxi company to stay close to the family, Nikki tells him she will take him back.

Spencer finds out about the bet made between Donna and Linzi and ends the blossoming relationship with Linzi, but when their family troubles draw them together again, Linzi tells Spencer everything and they get back together.

Donna sets her eyes on Dennis but after sleeping together a few times Dennis dumps her and moves on to another girl, leaving Donna fuming as she goes to the police and says Dennis raped her. The case moves on fast and a trial approaches, until Donna realizes she is pregnant and knows that by having his baby she will have more of a hold over Dennis than claiming he raped her, and tells the truth.

Lisa returns, but she doesn't count on Peggy turning up and a battle for Louise ensues. Just when Lisa thinks she has won, Phil turns up, along with Grant and Courtney, who is now around 12, determined to have the Mitchells reclaim their title as top dogs in Walford. Andy feels left out of the Mitchell dynasty and proposes to Sam, unaware that she has seen the tape, and Sam tells him what a controlling manipulative slimeball he is and dumps him, telling Grant and Phil what Andy did to Kat and Alfie, causing Phil and Grant to beat him up.

Grant starts to date Kate, despite his family's warnings not to, and a romance develops, until Kate cannot handle being a Mitchell again and ends it, going back to Ian.

Vicki starts a fashion design course at college and buys a share in Zoe and Kelly's stall, selling her own designs there. She participates in a fashion show and is offered the chance to sell her designs in a UK chain clothing store along the lines of Topshop, but realizes they are trying to rip her off and declines.

The show becomes much more fast paced and gritty, in a cross between Brookside and Hollyoaks.

To emphasize the new EastEnders a promotional blitz hits the UK and the slogan "Everybody's talking about it again" appears. Billboards with current and new characters along with their storylines advertised appear, as well as magazine adverts too.