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Post by harmonium on Jun 21, 2009 8:36:57 GMT -5
I don't understand why showing two men kiss would have to be about their physical relationship. It's not like they are going to be having sex on the kitchen table. Whether this story is actually about them as a couple or not, after all the time Christian has spent on the backburner, in spite of how popular he is with fans, I hope they have more for him than just being used to further Syed's story. True! But I think it's a little silly just to use Christian like that, as a catalyst for Syed's dilemma. It's time to give Christian a storyline, it seems like he has been used as more of a background character for the storylines he has been involved with. As I've said before, if the writers are smart enough, they could have turned the situation around and make Syed Christian's boyfriend or something. Not a long-term basis, but at least long enough to give Christian a proper storyline.  |
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carld2
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Post by carld2 on Jun 21, 2009 18:17:34 GMT -5
I'll always respect Eastenders for what they did in the best, with Colin and Barry, or even with Simon and Tony. My concern is more the current producer, Diedrick Santer. Christian has been around for over a year and has had no stories beyond negative stereotypes (mother issues, being dumped for being too old, hitting on teenage boys, living his life for his unstable female best friend). Now this story arrives and he may only be a plot device because it's all about Syed. I don't know why the show cannot finally be about Christian having some romance or brief happiness.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jun 22, 2009 4:41:23 GMT -5
People are missing the point here. Eastenders has always led in bringing to the forefront big real life issues. They've done the gay relationship story several times over, in fact, as I said before, they were the leader 25 years ago with Colin and Barry. (for more of how public reaction was check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Russell_(EastEnders)Syed and Christian is to be a whole new angle from the Muslim religious view. Both actors have taken on a truly taboo topic and are running a really big personal risk from extremists in the modern UK society. Nothing is to say that once this storyline has run it's course that the writers don't decide to go even further, show more of the physical side of their relationship. Public reaction, as with all successful soap, is what will determine where they take it from here. Eastenders has, and is dealing with and changing public or community attitudes in society. They have, across the years, contributed enormously in educating and softening the public's reactions to truly difficult attitudes. Harmonium reading the entire history of the Colin and Barry gay story from the link will enable you to understand better British public attitudes, bigotry and how they have changed or not changed over the past 25 or so years. It makes gripping reading and will show what the writers are facing when approaching this latest Syed and Christian storyline. I completely agree with everything you said, especially about the personal risk for the actors. I have nothing but respect for them |
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carld2
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Post by carld2 on Jun 22, 2009 16:00:02 GMT -5
No followup of what happened right after the kiss.
As is often the case with EE now, the pacing lets the show down considerably. I thought they'd learned after the Danielle stuff, but no.
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Post by aussie54 on Jun 22, 2009 20:51:58 GMT -5
I just read about the kiss on Afterelton.com, and they posted a link to an article: Apparently it was an enormous ratings hit. Not sure what that will mean though. Fingers crossed that the romance develops as much as the other storyline they had in mind. Thanks for the clip, Final81. Boy, that was a blink and you miss it kiss! Thanks I van for the screencaps. It wouldn't have been much of a moment without those.  |
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Post by final81 on Jun 22, 2009 23:51:37 GMT -5
Christian & Syed Part 4
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carld2
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Post by carld2 on Jun 23, 2009 2:41:42 GMT -5
I usually follow the ratings, and most Friday episodes for Eastenders this summer have gotten in that range. I'm not sure why they said this was a big increase. The ratings didn't lower, which is great, but there wasn't a big change.
Thank you for the clips and screen captures. Poor Ian, he looks so silly.
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jnn111
Junior Member
McDean Forever!!!!!
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Post by jnn111 on Jun 23, 2009 3:40:22 GMT -5
Thank yo u final81!!!! Just watched the clips on your YT and loved it! ;D ;D ;D Looks very promising and interesting  |
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Post by ivaniv on Jun 23, 2009 13:05:49 GMT -5
I usually follow the ratings, and most Friday episodes for Eastenders this summer have gotten in that range. I'm not sure why they said this was a big increase. The ratings didn't lower, which is great, but there wasn't a big change. Thank you for the clips and screen captures. Poor Ian, he looks so silly. I loved it when Lucy said to Ian: Thanks for the present, Dad. It's vile ;D |
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Post by dorothy on Jun 23, 2009 13:32:57 GMT -5
Thanks, Final81, for the clip!
So far we're in pretty familiar territory (Syed running from his attraction to another man), but the religious angle may drive the story a little differently. In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. Thanks!
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Post by sheepiefarm on Jun 23, 2009 15:49:44 GMT -5
There was a little bit more interactione between Syed & Christian today. Hmmm - I'm not sure I'm comfortable with how "pushy" they seem to be making Christian  |
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Post by ivaniv on Jun 23, 2009 16:33:53 GMT -5
Was he too pushy? He was right they will have to work together so they will have to be at least civil to each other. He wanted to help Syed who went into denial mode and ended up insulting Christian.
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Post by amber80 on Jun 23, 2009 17:02:20 GMT -5
Ouch, Syed was really harsh on Christian...
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Post by dorothy on Jun 23, 2009 18:22:42 GMT -5
Way harsh!
And I didn't think Christian was that pushy under the circumstances. He was mostly trying to let Syed know how he felt.
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Post by sheepiefarm on Jun 23, 2009 19:00:30 GMT -5
Way harsh! And I didn't think Christian was that pushy under the circumstances. He was mostly trying to let Syed know how he felt. I think that was what is bothering me - they've barely spoken up untill this last week - Christian has given no hint that he even noticed Syed let alone fancied him - it kinda felt like he was only interested in getting his leg over and to hell with the consequences that might have for Syed. I'm willing to wait & see how this pans out though  |
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HQ75
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Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
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Post by HQ75 on Jun 23, 2009 19:05:19 GMT -5
Christian wasn't even remotely pushy. There was nothing inappropriate about his response. If anyone was being pushy it was punk-assed Syed.
If one of my friends came out of nowhere and started to made out with me (even if I liked it) I would want to talk about it or at least get an explanation from them that was more that "It never happened!" Syed can't even blame it on being drunk.
As far as today's episode (Tue) Syed's lucky Christian didn't deck him in the jaw. The absolute nerve. Is he F'ing serious?! The things he said to Christian were just over the top, uncalled for and so incredibly hurtful (things he KNEW would poke at Christian's sore spots)
Dammit Syed, take responsibility for your own actions, desires, feelings!
I am so sick of "straight" male characters making a THE FIRST MOVE on a gay man and then acting all offended and disgusted when the gay man either responds well to the move (and acknowledges interest) or simply wants to ask what's going on.
Why do writers seem to think that this is the only way men can come out of the closet?
Why is this such a common theme with soaps and "coming out" stories. Regardless of age it's like being closeted is supposed to excuse everything short of murder.
Since when does being a closet case give anyone, ANYONE, the right to act like an intolerant, hate-filled, venom spewing psychopath?
Syed has lost me. Seriously. I'm so over him. I need to learn 5 more languages just to say HOW OVER SAYED I AM at this point.
But it's good drama and I'm hooked so I'll keep watching.
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Post by sheepiefarm on Jun 23, 2009 19:29:01 GMT -5
Christian wasn't even remotely pushy. There was nothing inappropriate about his response. If anyone was being pushy it was punk-assed Sayed. If one of my friends came out of nowhere and started to made out with me (even if I liked it) I would want to talk about it or at least get an explanation from them that was more that "It never happened!" Sayed can't even blame it on being drunk. As far as today's episode (Tue) Sayed's lucky Christian didn't deck him in the jaw. The absolute nerve. Is he F'ing serious?! The things he said to Christian were just over the top, uncalled for and so incredibly hurtful (things he KNEW would poke at Christian's sore spots) Dammit Sayed, take responsibility for your own actions, desires, feelings! I am so sick of "straight" male characters making a THE FIRST MOVE on a gay man and then acting all offended and disgusted when the gay man either responds well to the move (and acknowledges interest) or simply wants to ask what's going on. Why do writers seem to think that this is the only way men can come out of the closet? Why is this such a common theme with soaps and "coming out" stories. Regardless of age it's like being closeted is supposed to excuse everything short of murder. Since when does being a closet case give anyone, ANYONE, the right to act like an intolerant, hate-filled, venom spewing psychopath? Sayed has lost me. Seriously. There is no such thing as a sober, "straight" guy planting a kiss like that on another guy without it having some meaning. I'm so over Sayed. I need to learn 5 more languages just to say HOW OVER SAYED I AM at this point. But it's good drama and I'm hooked so I'll keep watching. .......and breathe................  I don't think this story is really aiming at the Str8 guy coming out of the closet story, EE has done that many times already. I think it'll concentrate on how Syed copes with his religious beliefs and the supression of how he feels. I think homosexuality is still illegal under Islam law  I think my problem with Christian is that he comes across as a "playa" and I'm always a bit wary of them. |
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Post by final81 on Jun 23, 2009 19:43:06 GMT -5
Christian & Syed Part 5
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jnn111
Junior Member
McDean Forever!!!!!
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Post by jnn111 on Jun 24, 2009 0:57:54 GMT -5
Thank you final81 You are the best! ;D ;D
I agree with you sheepiefarm. This story line is more about Syed's religious beliefs and possibly being gay.
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Post by harmonium on Jun 24, 2009 1:10:40 GMT -5
Was he too pushy? He was right they will have to work together so they will have to be at least civil to each other. He wanted to help Syed who went into denial mode and ended up insulting Christian. True. I don't really find Christian pushy. If he is, he would have said he will rat on Syed. He's just trying to help Syed to find the real him and at least make Syed have the decency to be honest with himself. And of course, Syed, being the normal closet case, freaked out and started blabbering unnecessarily with fear. I'm sure Syed doesn't mean what he said. And the point on Christian being a player, I'm not so sure about it. I always have the impression that he is a person who enjoys having fun, but still takes his lovelife seriously. Given that he's not young anymore and it can be seen from the previous clips, he is more in finding someone he can connect with and not some random hook-ups. |
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carld2
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Post by carld2 on Jun 24, 2009 12:21:22 GMT -5
If this story was meant to showcase Syed's pain, then I wish they'd taken more time to build up his struggle and let viewers get to know him. Instead, not long after he arrives on the show, he suddenly grabs and kisses Christian, then spews homophobia at him. It's all so rushed and everyone involved ends up looking bad.
Eastenders used to know how to tell stories.
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nana29
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Post by nana29 on Jun 24, 2009 17:58:02 GMT -5
More Spoilers from Digital Spy:
Some are Syed-related, and others are Christian related only
June 29th: Syd's flatmate drops her in it by moving out; Janine shows Amira around the local area.Bradley drops hints about moving in with Syd; and Pat warns Amira about Janine.
July 2nd: Later, a crowd gathers for the relaunch {of the cafe} and Ian soon congratulates Christian on a job well done. As Jane stresses with the new coffee machine, she points out to Ian that Gianfranco the coffee man has been distracted - by Christian. A green-eyed Syed looks on.
July 3rd:Amira and Janine go head-to-head in makeup competition; Tanya gives Amira a trial at the salon; ;Janine asks Amira to move out of the flat.
July 6th:Syd, meanwhile, gets a new flatmate but, unfortunately for her, it's not Bradley.
i hope i got them all.
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maya
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Post by maya on Jun 25, 2009 0:07:47 GMT -5
thank you nana
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Post by final81 on Jun 29, 2009 21:28:00 GMT -5
Christian & Syed Part 6
Christian & Syed Part 7
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Post by harmonium on Jun 30, 2009 12:13:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the new clips! I love the underlying messages in Christian's and Syed's talk. But I like how Christian managed to turn the situation around on Syed. I agreed with Christian that it's Syed's threats and not his denial has made Christian a little nasty. This just show Christian is not someone who anyone can trifle with.
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