EastEnders Two-Hander; Max confronts Stacey

It was a final shot fitting of the episode, the camera travelling away from the darkness of Albert Square into a birds eye view of London as the credits began to roll.

This impressive special effects shot came after an emotionally-charged 30 minutes episode of EastEnders that included only the grief-stricken Max (Jake Wood) and Stacey (Lacey Turner), shouting out everything that the viewer and Max had wanted to know since Stacey revealed herself to be the killer and Bradley plummeted to his death in the live episode last month.

Stacey had been missing for weeks so Max, in the search for answers and revenge, did what he does best - lie, seduce and manipulate. After sleeping with Stacey's unstable mate Becca he then followed her as she visited Stacey. Seizing the opportunity Max burst in and finally confronted pregnant Stacey.

Penned by lead writer Simon Ashdown, the special two-hander episode saw Max force Stacey to explain how and why she killed evil Archie on Christmas Day.

Jake Wood gave one of his finest performances as Max struggled to control his anger and grief when coming face to face with Stacey again and as always Lacey Turner was captivating as Stacey pleaded with Max not to turn her over to the Police; the chemistry and history between the pair always bubbling on the surface during their heated confrontations.

By the end of the episode Max had forcefully taken Stacey back to the Square, ready for her to say her goodbyes before turning herself in. But after a sudden change of heart Max decided to let Stacey off, claiming he was doing it for Bradley as he finally managed to properly grieve for his son.

Whilst the change of heart from Max seemed slightly hasty (yet still believable), the episode was impressive with excellent performances from Jake Wood and Lacey Turner. The emotional two-hander tied up any loose ends in an storyline that has kept viewers hooked for months.

Picture from EastEnders

Eurovision, Your Country Needs You!

A dated show stuck in another decade and the man behind some of the cheesiest pop songs of the 1980s and 90s, it would seem like the perfect match. But instead Pete Waterman and Eurovision, Your Country Needs You! (BBC1, Friday 8.30pm) was painful viewing and highlighted just why the Eurovision Song Contest is so out-of-date.

Tonight's show, which saw 19-year-old Josh Dubovie chosen to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo transported viewers back to Pete Waterman's finer days with performances of Kylie, Jason Donovan and Steps songs.

There was nothing wrong with these songs back then but now it just makes for cringe-worthy television. The UK's song for this year, 'That Sounds Good To Me', is unsurprisingly of the same mould as it was written by Waterman and Mike Stock and it would fit in perfectly with the predictable pop of decades long gone.

But yes I do admit that the Eurovision is all about cheesy, cringe-worthy songs that equally amuse and amaze (mostly for the wrong reasons) and the UK's entry this year meets these standards. But does this guarantee success this May in Oslo? Unlikely.

Picture from Eurovision.tv

My Top 5 EastEnders Characters of all time

After 25 years on television EastEnders has created some of the most memorable characters on screen, from iconic matriarchs to East End hard men. But which five have stood out for me over EastEnders 25 year history?

1. Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden)

One half of the legendary Mitchell brothers, Phil Mitchell has got on the wrong side of most of the Square at least once, so much so that he drove ex-partner Lisa Fowler to shot him outside his house in 2001. He is an unlikely ladies man with a fiery temper but he does have a softer family side, making him the ultimate East End character.

Picture from BBC

2. Dot Branning (June Brown)

Gossip and regular confidant for the troubled residents of Walford, stalwart Dot Branning, formerly Cotton is never shy of an opinion or a verse from the Bible. EastEnders would not be the same without her and it helps that the character is played by the finest actress in soapland.

Picture from The Sun

3. Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor)

Whilst the laundrette wouldn't seem right without Dot at the helm, the same could be said for the Queen Victoria pub and its finest landlady Peggy Mitchell. The pint-sized matriarch has been involved in some of EastEnders most famous storylines, from the her emotional battle with breast cancer to her marriage to villainous Archie Mitchell.

Picture from Virgin Media

4. Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks)

The ultimate soap bitch, Janine has few redeeming qualities and has been involved in numerous deaths of local residents, from the murderous push she gave Barry down the cliff-top to the unfortunate hit and run of Danielle Jones last year. The perfect soap baddie because Janine would do anything to get what she wants.

Picture from The Sun

5. Den Watts (Leslie Grantham)

Another EastEnders villain but this time the original, Den Watts. Den's passion for the ladies led to a fiery relationship with first wife Angie, an affair and pregnancy with teenager Michelle Fowler and then a fatal marriage to hairdresser Chrissie. After falling into the canal supposedly dead, Den made a shock return in 2003 before being bashed in the head with Pauline Fowler's doggy doorstep only two years later.

Picture from BBC

Ok so it may seem like some of the most iconic characters from EastEnders history are missing. Ian Beale, Sharon Watts, Grant Mitchell...But EastEnders has simply created some of the most loved, loathed and talked-about characters on British television. There was simply too many to choose from!