EastEnders tackles drug use

EastEnders has never been a show to shy away from controversial storylines and the latest plotline to shock viewers is hardman Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) crack cocaine addiction. Scenes showing Phil's drug binge have already received over 200 complaints, so is the hard-hitting plot too much for the pre-watershed timeslot?

Yes, it is too much too early - With a large audience that ranges in ages EastEnders does have a responsibility to its viewers to not cross the line and be seen to glamorise drug use. Certain scenes where both Phil and addict Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) are in possession of drugs or talking freely about taking drugs risks upsetting many viewers. The violent and manic effects the drugs have on both characters can also be uncomfortable to watch.

Since her return the character of Rainie has only been used as a vehicle for Phil's story and so it makes it hard for the viewers to feel any sympathy for her character or see her as anything more than a drug addict.

No, EastEnders is highlighting an important issue - Whilst it might be uncomfortable and at times slightly frightening to see Phil fly into a drug-induced rage the acting from all involved as been superb. McFadden has brilliantly depicted Phil's rage and out of control behaviour whilst also showing a fragile and sensitive side that is behind Phil's drug use after the loss of his kids (you couldn't help but feel terribly sad for Phil as he lay crying in Shirley's arms last night).

The supporting cast of ex-girlfriend Shirley (Linda Henry), mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor) and drug addict Rainie have made this storyline realistic, showing the effects Phil's downward spiral has on those closest to him.

EastEnders have been careful never to show any character taking drugs and by doing so have avoided further complaints and any criticism of glamorising the storyline. But at the same time they have not held back with showing the physical and emotional deterioration of Phil as he struggles to cope.

The storyline may be hard to watch with its painful level of realism but the disastrous consequences drugs has had on Phil highlights the negative and dangerous effects of drug taking. This ongoing plot is a strong piece of storytelling and an accessible way to raise awareness.

Picture from Virgin Media

EastEnders, Denise isn't dead!

Warning!! I mention next week's spoilers below.





Whenever any character in soapland cautiously walks down into a dark basement alone you just know something isn't quite right. Especially in the case of murderous preacher Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), who in EastEnders last night visited his 'dead' wife Denise (Diane Parish) and offered her food from her own funeral!

In a spoiler-free twist but a twist-that-you-could-still-see coming crazed Lucas (who often gives a darker rendition of Dot's Bible-quoting ways) popped to see his wife Denise after presiding over her funeral.

A dishevelled Denise appeared from the dark after being held captive in a basement by her husband Lucas for weeks. What she (and the audience) don't know is that poor Denise is currently hidden away next door from her own house!

But this twist surely raises the question how exactly did Lucas get his wife from the canal, through the Square and into the basement of the house next door to his own without anyone seeing?

Lucas has already killed a man and buried his body in the middle of the gardens without anyone noticing! The residents of Walford must be so used to suspicious activity that they simply close their curtains and go to bed when they see the local priest dragging a body through Albert Square.

But onto next week where Denise will make an unlikely return to her family. Spoilers say that Denise wants to try and fix her broken family, how exactly she hopes to do that when her current husband and father of her eldest child tried to kill her, killed her previous husband and father of her youngest kid as well as letting the mother of her step-son die. That is a complicated family tree even for soapland!

But the return of Denise will also inevitably lead to the sad departure of evil holy man Lucas, whose magnificent reign of terror has made Walford a much more dangerous and exciting place over the last two years.

Picture from bbc.co.uk/eastenders

The Bionic Vet, BBC1

Turning over for the last 20 minutes of The Bionic Vet (BBC 1) I wasn't sure quite what I was going to be watching. An over-the-top Animal Hospital remake maybe? Instead we got Animal Hospital on surgically implanted metal paws. A heart-warming and fascinating programme about Dr Noel Fitzpatrick, a inspiring vet who performs miracles.

At his specialist clinic in Surrey we watched Dr Noel, a neuro-orthapedic surgeon, save the lives of Mayo the golden retriever and Oscar the black cat. But he does not save them the easy way. Owners visit Dr Noel when all hope looks to be gone and using technology, never before heard procedures and a slice of genius he saves them.

After arthritis left Mayo crippled in one paw Dr Noel implanted metal rods similar to those of Wolverine's from the X-Men films into Mayo's foot and built a metal frame and shoe. The idea is mad and never should have worked, especially when you see Dr Noel cutting up a human shoe and taping it to a base for Mayo to walk on. Yet it did work. Mayo's owner rejoiced as Mayo cautiously started to walk again and so did I. After only ten minutes I had fallen in love with Mayo the dog and the programme itself.

Next up was Oscar, a lovely black cat who had both his back paws ripped off by a combine harvester. Poor little Oscar looked lost dragging his bandaged legs around so in stepped Dr Noel. Whilst I could have lived without seeing the flesh peeled back from Oscar's mutilated leg it all seemed worth it when, on two new implanted paws Oscar (picture above) immediately started bouncing around. I think Dr Noel was close to tears and so was I. What makes this procedure more amazing is that it is the first operation of its kind in the world. Ground-breaking doesn't even come close.

Only briefly do they ever mention how much Dr Noel's work cost (we are led to believe very expensive even though no figures are mentioned). But seeing Mayo and Oscar up and walking again thanks to six metal spikes and artificial paws makes you think that it is worth every penny.

Picture from cbsnews.com

One last hurrah as the Big Brother circus comes to town again!

For the last time 14 fame-hungry unknowns walked into the Big Brother house last night and in true BB style they were a mix of the oddest people you are ever likely to meet.

In a twist (not the last twist of the series we can assume) all 81 hopefuls were left standing outside the house, staring at their route into 15 minutes of fame.

The live open air auditions were an attempt for something different but the audience were merely left with watching the surprise on the wannabes faces (and the jealousy on those around them) rather than a completely new process of picking housemates.

One by one Big Brother called out the names of the lucky (some would say unlucky) 13 who were to enter the circus for the summer. These included bubbly country girl Josie who I was happy to see enter the house just so the ear piercing screams would stop and trainee doctor Sunshine (who is the first and only person I know to enter the house, and by know I mean sat in the same university class as me - my small and sad claim to fame this summer).

They were joined by Beyonce lookalike Rachael and the British version of a celebrity lookalike Corin, who looks like Jordan.

The men include New Age monk David, Australian John James and former Soldier Steve who lost his legs and an eye in a bomb blast. They were joined by Ben, the token posh guy who got such a bad reaction from the crowd outside the house that I am surprised he didn't run away screaming.

With 13 inside the house (a house where if the people inside it don't give you a headache, the decor sure will) an over-excited Davina announced that one of the 68 who was deemed not crazy, weird or attractive enough to be chosen to enter automatically would get the luck of being picked by a lottery draw.

That honour fell to Mario, who got to celebrate by putting on a unflattering mole outfit and being told to sabotage the housemates' tasks without being found out. How long will that last? Not long I suspect.

In an effort to prolong the inevitable it was announced that this series of Big Brother will be followed by Ultimate Big Brother, a 2-week show where the best housemates from former series re-enter the house to compete against this series' winner.

Big Brother's final twist could serve as a trip down memory lane for the hardcore fans but it is more likely a precautionary measure from the producers to make sure that the Big Brother brand ends on a high, whatever happens over the next 13 weeks.

Picture from The Guardian

Golden Spelbound win Britain's Got Talent

Acrobatic gymnast group Spelbound stormed to victory last night in the final of Britain's Got Talent.

The high-flying troupe beat comedy dance act Twist and Pulse, who finished second and drummer Kieran Gaffney, who came third.

It was a well deserved victory for the 13-strong group who blew the judges and audience away with a thrilling and dangerous routine. Sprayed in shimmering gold the group, who have an age range of 12-25, showed incredible strength and balance. At one point they threw one of the group over the heads of stunned judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.

Entertaining double act Twist and Pulse, aka Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, finished second on the night. Whilst they must be disappointed with being beaten to the crown the boys, both 19, did incredibly well to finish second after performing first on the night. Their high energy, precise and funny routines are engaging to watch and technically superb.

Drummer boy Gaffney who played whilst being suspended on a tilted platform, finished third on the night. Whilst Gaffney is extremely talented at what he does and always plays with passion and commitment, the act had its limitations.

Other disappointed acts included unique dancer Tobias Mead, who returned with his backward dance routine that was such a hit at the auditions. Boyband Connected performed Westlife's What About Now. Despite being much improved from their semi-final performance they failed to impress Simon Cowell or the public. Other singers on the night included teenage Liam McNally, accountant Christopher Stone and 80-year-old Janey Cutler, who gave a powerful performance of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

But it was not only the singers that missed out last night. The cute dancing dog Chandi and her owner Tina Humphreys melted everyone's heart with another charming routine. Impressionist Paul Burling mimicked the likes of Andy and Lou from Little Britain, Jeremy Clarkson and Graham Norton whilst singing along to his version of the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 miles).

But it was to be Spelbound's golden night. Despite having the advantage of the coveted last spot of the night, they were deserved winners. Their thrilling routines amaze and entertain and the group are an example of the extraordinarily talented variety acts that a show like Britain's Got Talent can unearth.

Picture from What's on TV

Lost, The End

Spoiler Alert: Do not read below if you have not seen the last episode of Lost and you do not want to know what happens.









'So that is what it all meant!' is what I had imagined myself thinking at 7.30am this morning after watching the finale and last ever episode of the most confusing yet brilliantly intriguing show on television, Lost. But whilst I was (in my early morning state) still confused, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-and-a-half-hour ending that packed in drama, romance, reconciliation, death and at least some answers.

The running theme throughout the episode, as with the majority of the last season, was the flash-sideways. Were they real? And if so what were the lives on the island all about? Well it turns out that the flash-sideways in what seemed like a parallel universe were actually an afterlife, purgatory where all the characters began bumping into each other again and remembering their time on the island (which gave the viewers nice flashback montages of the six series and the characters' time on the island).

Whilst their adventures on the island were real and did all happen, a still dead but now talking Dr Christian Shephard (clever name clue there!) told his son Jack in the afterlife that everyone on the island had died, whether it be before or after Jack himself. With no sense of time or as Jack's dad put it: "there is no now, here" in this afterlife, old friends and lovers were reunited. Most of the characters conveniently gathered at the church, corralled by messenger-in-the-afterlife Desmond and eventually moved on together as a bright light engulfed the church.

It was a satisfying end in what turned out to be a character-driven finale as Jack and Kate, Sawyer and Juliet, Charlie and Claire etc reunited after remembering their time on the island together. Whilst extremely sweet, the emotional reunions soon bogged down an episode that at points lost sight of what I thought Lost had all been about.

In the end it turns out Lost was all about the characters and the journeys they take rather than the island itself. But this left many questions and mysteries unanswered. Why was there a polar bear running around? Where did the island originate from? Apart from being the heart of the island what exactly was that light that Jacob and then Jack had to protect? Maybe these questions were answered and amongst the mazy narrative and time travelling I have missed them? Or maybe, befitting of the show's name, some answers will just stay a mystery?

Back on the island Jack, now Jacob's successor to protect the Island, battled the smoke monster (Flocke) who wanted to destroy the island whilst Jack tried to protect it. After Desmond shut down the mysterious light source labelled as the heart of the island it seemed that Flocke had got his wish. But in a final twist his plan didn't work and a dramatic clifftop battle ensued between Jack and Flocke. With a knife to Jack's throat and a stab wound to his stomach it looked like Jack was a goner until love interest Kate saved the day by shooting Flocke before Jack killed him once and for all.

With the island still close to destruction despite Flocke's demise Jack decided to return to the heart of the island and restore the light source. In a romantic but all too late declaration Jack and Kate admitted their love for each other and finally put an end to the love triangle between the pair and Sawyer that had been ongoing throughout the show. Parting ways Kate and Sawyer headed for the miraculously fixed plane and their escape route off the island along with Claire, Miles, Richard and Frank.

Meanwhile in a painfully sad scene Jack passed on the role of protecting the island to a terrified Hurley (who we are led to believe from a scene in the afterlife did live on to look after the island with his number 2 Ben) before restoring the light source and the heart of the island.

The episode was littered with beautifully crafted scenes, from the stormy showdown between Jack and Flocke on the cliff-top to Jack lying helpless of the jungle floor as the plane carrying his friends away from the island passes overhead. All of the actors carrying this captivating story forward were superb in their roles.

In a poignant moment that marked the end Jack's eyes closed as he lay dying on the island, just as they had opened in the first ever episode.

Picture from Side Reel

EastEnders triumphs at Soap Awards

EastEnders triumphed at the British Soap Awards at the weekend, winning ten awards including both Best Actor and Actress and the coveted Best Soap.

The departing Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Branning took home the Best Actress and Best Dramatic Performance prizes whilst Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) claimed Best Actor and Sexist Male.

The BBC1 soap was also victorious in the Best Single Episode category for the 25th anniversary live episode, Best Storyline for Who Killed Archie?, Villain of the Year for Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell), Best Exit for Charlie Clements' (Bradley Branning) and Marc Elliot (Syed Masood) won Best Newcomer.

EastEnders have had a hugely successful year and these awards recognised great acting and storylines including Syed's struggle with his sexuality, Archie Mitchell's dramatic Christmas Day murder and the show's first ever live episode, which saw Stacey admit to killing off Archie shortly after husband Bradley had plummeted to his death.

In the other categories Coronation Street picked up three awards; Sexist Female for Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Best Comedy Performance for Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) and the Lifetime Achievement award for long-standing cast member Betty Driver (Betty Williams).

Hollyoaks claimed the Spectacular Scene of the Year award for Sarah Barnes's (Loui Batley) terrifying fatal skydive whilst Doctors won Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress for Sapphire Cox's portrayal of Ami Metcalf and Best On-Screen Partnership, which went to Jan Pearsons and Chris Walker (Karen and Rob Hollins).

Emmerdale would have been hugely disappointed to go home with only one award, the Special Achievement award for writer Bill Lyons. Emmerdale were nominated in every category but missed out on awards including Best Actor for Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) and Best Storyline for Aaron's struggle with this sexuality. Despite an impressive year for EastEnders, the writing and acting from all involved on Aaron's storyline was deserving of award recognition.

The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on 19th May 2010.

For a full list of winners click here.

Picture from Digital Spy