|
Post by ivaniv on Aug 23, 2009 2:12:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by amber80 on Aug 23, 2009 5:08:58 GMT -5
I was already hoping for a few screencaps... ;D Thanks Ivan!
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Aug 23, 2009 11:07:34 GMT -5
Syed sleeping with Christian watching him is one of the most beautiful scenes I've seen on a soap in a long, long time. Just exquisite.
|
|
carld2
Full Member
Posts: 2,137
|
Post by carld2 on Aug 23, 2009 18:50:45 GMT -5
I was trying to figure out why, if they've said this story has nothing to do with romance or sex and is only about Syed's religion, they had the scenes of Syed in his underwear. The view is very nice, but as when they have Christian go around half-dressed, it seems hypocritical to me. They want us to ogle these gay (or bisexual, whatever Syed is) men, yet they also work to let us know these men are never going to show any physical affection beyond a quick kiss that was edited down, and they even say there won't ever be any more kisses. Other than a way to get attention I don't know if they have any real idea what the point of the story is going to be. There was so little buildup for Syed and Christian, or really for anything in Syed's character, that it's difficult to be interested beyond thinking the actors are good looking.
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Aug 23, 2009 22:34:10 GMT -5
Actually they said it was a romance, a traditional love story (the producer said in an interview) but he indicated that it wasn't about their "sexual" relationship. But he never said isn't wasn't about "romance". I think it's pretty clear that Christian and Syed are having sex and also that they are falling in love.
I think their relationship is very romantic (well more so since Syed has given in to his feelings about Christian and isn't being a raving screaming meanie anymore).
I think the many conversations they've had and the intimacy and chemistry between the characters conveys a lot more romance and emotion and love than some of the other couples on the show.
I've only been watching EastEnders since April but in general they don't have a lot of sex or love scenes from what I can tell and some of the couples who are supposed to be madly in love barely touch each other.
That said, there is a religious aspect to Syed's story that adds additional concerns.
An practicing un-married Muslim man is supposed to be chaste AND straight. Syed is neither and that is very much made clear on the show (which is a very risky thing to do given the fact that there were complaints made about this storyline before the episodes even aired)
I'm not saying I think the BBC needs to cave to religious pressure but I do think the fact that Syed is Muslin needs to be treated with care and some sensitivity to how delicate this issues is.
Christian and Lee (even though short lived) were very affection and sexual and overt in their attraction for each other kissing a lot (in the park, in his apartment, in the restaurant) getting in and out of bed half-dressed, walking with their arms around each other down the street, so I really don't think this is about EE not wanting to show Syed and Christian kissing solely because they are gay characters.
I think this is about the Muslim issue and how it effect's Syed's growing love for Christian and his willingness to come out ( or not) and defy his religion and family.
We all want to see lots more on-screen storyline between Christian and Syed but there is so much left to come to their story (if the interviews and spoilers are to be believed) that it seems like we shouldn't just write them off yet.
I'm sure the BBC was anxious to see what kind of reception the story got and hopefully future episodes (those that haven't yet been shot) will be influenced by how well received this storyline is.
|
|
|
Post by ivaniv on Aug 23, 2009 23:32:14 GMT -5
They will complain eventually unless EE just let the story go quietly without any climax. Also there is a difference between a lack of complaints and being well received. This must be quite insulting for the writers, censoring themselves and playing it safe.
|
|
|
Post by sheepiefarm on Aug 24, 2009 13:50:02 GMT -5
EE doesn't really do sex (or sexy) scenes that much ( in fact no british prime-time soap does) except occasionally with their big "supercouples". Since they seem to be shying away from kissing/overtly sexual stuff with these two, it's possible that thoses scenes are there to convey some level of intimate relationship between them. Does anyone know what the general reaction has been so far
|
|
|
Post by ivaniv on Aug 24, 2009 15:25:33 GMT -5
In that case Phil Mitchell and Dawn must be a supercouple ;D Nobody is that foolish now to expect sex scenes, I think. But they are afraid to even touch each other, they are shaping the story the way so they can explain there's no intimacy. Kissing would probably be a political statement. With programmes like QaF I thought UK was more progressed than this.
|
|
karina
Full Member
It's not a question of being straight or gay; it's a question of love
Posts: 1,490
|
Post by karina on Aug 26, 2009 5:06:31 GMT -5
So... Does anyone know when they'll be on next? Thank you for the screen caps, Ivan
|
|
carld2
Full Member
Posts: 2,137
|
Post by carld2 on Aug 26, 2009 7:07:46 GMT -5
In that case Phil Mitchell and Dawn must be a supercouple ;D Nobody is that foolish now to expect sex scenes, I think. But they are afraid to even touch each other, they are shaping the story the way so they can explain there's no intimacy. Kissing would probably be a political statement. With programmes like QaF I thought UK was more progressed than this. It is more progressed. So was Eastenders, for many years. They never had big sexual moments between most of their characters, definitely not their gay characters, but there was more affection than what has happened now. If they are refusing to show any affection because of a small amount of complaints after that awful story where Christian got dumped for being too old, that's even worse. I don't think it helps that the people who are in charge of Eastenders now don't seem to be able to pace storylines. They rush stories, they stop and start them at strange times, they try their best not to get into emotional involvement when they can do a stunt or a shock. They could have had this as a slow-burning story which would have gripped people no matter how affectionate or not affectionate Syed and Christian were, but instead they had to push as fast as possible before most viewers even had an idea of who Syed was.
|
|
|
Post by ivaniv on Aug 26, 2009 15:20:32 GMT -5
Syed was in yesterday's episode, I have just seen it, but it was all family business. Still, he looked hot ;D I may make a few caps tomorrow, today I am completely capped out ;D
|
|
|
Post by amber80 on Aug 26, 2009 15:47:57 GMT -5
LOL! You had a very busy 'capping day' ;D. Thanks in advance Ivan... Syed always looks hot, so it's definitely something to look forward to.
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Aug 27, 2009 13:04:07 GMT -5
I've been watching the full episodes and I have to say, it's helping me to follow the story of Syed's family even when he and Christian aren't on together because it's giving me a context for how Syed is behaving. Also, nice to see him well integrated into other goings on.
|
|
|
Post by ivaniv on Aug 27, 2009 14:33:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by amber80 on Aug 27, 2009 14:52:15 GMT -5
Thanks so much.
|
|
|
Post by overtherainbow on Aug 30, 2009 14:24:41 GMT -5
When are Syed and Chris gonna be on again? They don't get enough screen time at all, and they're one of my fave gay couples these days!
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Sept 2, 2009 9:15:46 GMT -5
Really great interview with Marc Elliot (Q&A really) that gives some great insight into Syed. Also, again, I recommend watching the full episodes (are at least the bits that deal with Syed's family) because there's so much going on with Masood family and I think it's going to effect Syed a lot (which won't be clear if you just watch the Syed and Christian clips) EastEnders Full Episodes - Dailywww.youtube.com/user/xxG66xx
|
|
|
Post by gaysoapfan on Sept 2, 2009 16:46:09 GMT -5
Also, again, I recommend watching the full episodes (are at least the bits that deal with Syed's family) because there's so much going on with Masood family and I think it's going to effect Syed a lot (which won't be clear if you just watch the Syed and Christian clips) EastEnders Full Episodes - Dailywww.youtube.com/user/xxG66xxI second that--not least because Nina Wadia (Zainab) has been putting in some show-stopping performances. Her meltdown last Friday was especially affecting. She's an amazing actor, to be sure! Incidentally, she had some nice things to say about the Christian and Syed storyline to Digital Spy. amber80 has posted a link to the full interview over in Press and Interviews.
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Sept 2, 2009 17:07:55 GMT -5
Seriously. I am totally mad for her. Nina Wadia (Zainab) is just laying it all on the stage (as it were). I love that she and Marc Elliott have gone out of their way to talk about the fact that they know actual gay Muslims who have gone through what Syed is going through because I do think you can't discount that element of his closetedness (in addition to worrying about his family's opinions) I've really grown to like EE because of the Masoods and Christian and Syed. I'm love me some Minty too (tee hee)
Also, that scene with Christian and Z when she's giving him the list of things not to forget and he was like "Yes Zainab" over and over was so "mother and son". It was totally bittersweet.
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Sept 5, 2009 9:28:38 GMT -5
So this week wasn't a Christian and Syed week but the Masoods were very prominent. I will note that Syed apparently visits Christian pretty regularly.
Twice when Amira was looking for him he was with Christian. Once she actually say him coming from Christian's but didn't think anything of it (even though she had been calling him for hours and actively looking for him around the neighborhood)
We know Syed has told Christian that having sex is forbidden during Ramadan so they were probably just hanging out which is nice to think about.
It's interesting, I never really though about how some of the elements of this story might affect the eventual outcome.
Since Syed and Amira don't live together and they haven't had sex (and we know that Syed and Christian have had sex before and probably will do so again once Ramadan is over) it's a weird split.
There is definitely a closeness and intimacy you develop with someone with whom you're sleeping regularly and also Syed can go missing all night every night and Amira would never no the difference because they don't live together.
Just interesting to think about.
|
|
|
Post by gaysoapfan on Sept 7, 2009 21:33:38 GMT -5
|
|
karina
Full Member
It's not a question of being straight or gay; it's a question of love
Posts: 1,490
|
Post by karina on Sept 7, 2009 23:59:00 GMT -5
*Swoon indeed* Jesus, Mary and Joseph that guy is striking! Thank you so much for the pics ;D
|
|
|
Post by ivaniv on Sept 8, 2009 5:45:42 GMT -5
Great pics, thanks, but that shirt is gratuitous
|
|
HQ75
Full Member
Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by HQ75 on Sept 8, 2009 9:00:33 GMT -5
Great Interview with Marc Elliot posted in Spoilers Post by gaysoapfan Check it out!
|
|
|
Post by overtherainbow on Sept 8, 2009 11:51:21 GMT -5
When will they be on the next time? I am hooked on them again, and I need my fix! lol Karina, hvor er du fra? Jeg er fra Bergen og det er en FORFERDELIG storm her nå, sesongens første. Det er en voldsom vind og det regner kjempemye Har dere storm nå også?
|
|