NJE Evans

I have been watching EastEnders for the last three years, four in December. I like the show, and always about it when it's on, however I feel that, looking at older clips on YouTube, I can see that it was better in previous years. For a start, the only characters that are still in it that feel like "iconic" eastenders characters are Ian, Dot & Phil, & Billy. A lot of other characters that made the show have now been killed off, or left. These include Peggy, Pat, Frank, Janine, Ricky, Bianca, Grant, Ronnie, Roxy, Abi, Alfie and probably lots of others that I could add. I think the introduction of the Carters in 2013 were a good move, as I think they're good characters, as are the Taylors, especially Karen. The Slaters are always good characters also, and bringing back Kat, Mo & Jean last year was a good move. However, I feel some storylines are a bit far fetched. The whole Bobby Beale storyline from 2015-16 made no sense whatsoever. a child that had, up until that point, been a perfectly ordinary child, suddenly lashed out & accidentally killed his sister somewhat makes sense, but the way Ian, Jane & Kathy were behaving, absolutely terrified of him, was ridiculous. And then the bit with Bobby hitting Jane was completely unnecessary and unrealistic. Why didn't they get him help with his anger issues? (thank goodness this storyline has taken a decent turn) then there's the recent storyline with Sharon & Keanu, which is absolutely sickening. Sharon is acting like a right slapper at the moment, lusting over a guy at least 30 years younger than her. And the character of Ben Mitchell is absolutely horrible!!! I liked the last Ben, as played by Harry Reid, as he turned Ben, who at that point was a troublesome teen, into a decent likeable character again, however Max Bowden is an awful actor who has made Ben into a cocky dislikeable prat who makes David Platt from Coronation Street look like a decent bloke. And Stuart last year was the most disgusting creepy character ever, however I like the way this character has been reformed into a decent bloke. Anyhow, back to the program itself. I feel that most of the best characters have gone, and the producers are trying to make the best of it with the remaining characters. If I could rate it, I'd give it 10/10, however a 6 or 7 at the moment.