Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten - General Discussion

[Gabi]

There's an upcoming Coming-Out storyline in GZSZ (Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten), Germany's most popular soap. Starting in the middle of august, I suppose, and somewhat similar to DeRo and Ollian, as far as the spoilers are reliable. GZSZ is made by grundyUfa as well.
We'll see, The characters are not bad, the actors decent for GZSZ standards (and Lenny's current girlfriend, Emily, played by Anne Menden, is really good IMO).

[lolaruns]

Oh, I remember people speccing about Lenny a year ago and earlier.

[valso]

Thank you Gabi for let us know about this show
I found some clips on youtube on Lenny, he's cute, could be an interesting storyline.
Is there someone who could tell something more about the story and the characters?

[GTSTfanMark]

I love it that GZSZ will have a gay storyline just like Dutch soap GTST (Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden). Both titles mean the same thing and both soaps were based on the Australian soap The Restless Years (The Dutch GTST was there before the German version). The first storylines on both shows were the same as on the Australian show.

[chango]

I don't know much about the characters, but I stumbled upon three spoiler pictures from their upcoming CO story on this board:

www.soapsworld.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1072

(scroll down to the last post on the page and click on "Spoiler: Anzeigen")

[maya]

Thank you chango

[valso]

Thank you very much chango!
Another show to be looking for!

[rp662]

Chango, thanks so much for the pics. They make a perfect couple, can't wait for their storyline to start!!!

[amber80]

Thanks for letting us know!

By the sound and looks of it it does have some resemblance to the storyline on VL. Looking forward to see what they can come up with...

[mona]

I read the spoilers today. I don't know what to think about it yet. I love Lenny and his last storyline was brilliant I think but so was Emily/Lenny and I saw some real sparks between them. It's possible they do the boxing drama here too but maybe the concentrate more on his cruel "friends" (I feel sorry for Emily though. Her first love turns out to be her brother and now Lenny is gay?) I think Lenny is much like Christian but because he's younger he's more aggressive and has to deal with his stupid father as well.

But I always shipped the Lenny/Reimann friendship and it's not out of the blue.

[chango]

I caught the cliffhanger of an episode with Lenny and Carsten during the weekend reruns of GZSZ and it definitely seems that – while Lenny is a boxer too, just like Christian on VL – they are focusing more on the violent and aggressive part of it rather than the sports aspect with big matches and titles that have to be won right now. The scene I saw showed both of them running away from some kind of street gang and when they caught up with Carsten they started beating him up, until Lenny fought back. But it seems like this story about street fights and Lenny having turned a bit "macho" is not extremely popular among viewers. It’s going to be interesting how the CO story plays into all of this. I haven’t watched the show for quite some time, but I’ve always liked Lenny and I think I’ll start following GZSZ again now.

[mona]

I think they "prepared" it well. Various scenes like
- Lenny can't sleep with Caroline
- Lenny likes Emily but is suprised when he gets that she likes him more like it never came into his mind and he only started dating her because he needed a girlfriend to be more popular in front of "his guys"
and so on. I actually like they plan a little ahead even when they have the character in another storyline at the moment.

I kinda hope they don't make Emily the "evil" girlfriend again because she could be a great support for Lenny.

(They have a youtube channel GZSZLennyCarsten)

[alex20]

I think the story has great potential. And with the current stuff going on it will be totally different from the Christian and Olli storyline.
The "fight club" Lenny is in, where he tries to find acceptance after the hell he lived before at his military service. I think it could turn out to be a great story. And Gzsz could go far there with it's R rated image.

I'm excited for this one! And the sparks between L/C where already there back in fall, when Carsten was Lenny's drill master at the military service.

Jul 18, 2009 20:11:41 GMT -5 @mona said:

I feel sorry for Emily though. Her first love turns out to be her brother and now Lenny is gay?

Oh I almost forget about that one. That affair with Emily and John was years ago. But I remember that it came up in court again, when she tried to fight for her father's inheritance. Didn't she claim there that John took her virginity and even told the judge that they slept together again after they both knew that they are related!?!? That was some nasty stuff. LOL

But with Anne Menden's portray of Emily things could be getting really interesting. This woman rocks in her role of the part time bitch. And she is a really great actress which she proved in her drug storyline last year.

[amber80]

I started watching this afternoon and the two clips that are up so far definitely made me interested! I do think they have chemistry...

Too bad I can't watch it on tv here, so I'm glad someone decided to upload the storyline.

[rp662]

amber80, where did u watch the two clips? Thanks.

[HQ75]

Anyone interested in recapping briefly translating the first two clips for us non-German speakers?

I know it's a lot to ask but if anyone's just sitting around bored needing something to do... ;D



GZSZ - Lenny & Carsten, Part 1 - 16.07.2009



GZSZ - Lenny & Carsten, Part 2 - 17.07.2009

[alex20]

Okay I'm not so good at the caption translating thing, which is why it would be nice if someone sooner or later could maybe take care of it. Or maybe teach me how to work with Caption Tube or anything else in this department.

For the first two parts I will give it a try with recapping it a little bit. I'll try to discribe it in detail.

Part I
Lenny and Carsten do some work out.
Carsten: Don't outstreach your arm entirely or it will get broken.
Then Emily, who is Lenny's girlfriend, enters the room with some snacks.´
Emily: Hey fighters! A little refreshment?
Lenny: Later!
Carsten: We will take a break immediately.
Emily smiles and begins to read some magazine, where she notices that someone is renting a rehearsal room (Emily wants to start a music career).
Emily: That would be great. Out of the apartment where Caro (the pregnant girlfriend of her half brother John) is always bugging me.
Lenny: And who will pay for it?
Emily takes a look at Carsten
Emily: Where did you do your rehearsals?
Carsten: Well ... in school or in a cellar of a friend's house...
Before Carsten can tell Emily more, Lenny is interrupting them.
Lenny: Hey attention!
Carsten: Oh sorry...
Emily: Do you wanna drub this thing the entire afternoon?
Lenny and Carsten pay no attention to her.
Emily: OK, I will get a coffee at Mocca (a local coffee bar).
She goes to Lenny and gives him a little kiss on his cheek.
Lenny: See you later.
Emily leaves the room.
Carsten: Wasn't that a little bit harsh?
Lenny: I can't hold hands with her the entire day, can I?
Carsten: Let's have a break! I'm hungry!
Lenny: I would like to fight with the Pankower's (another group of street fighters) again. Is there anything planed?
Carsten: They chicken out ... had too much to take the last time.
Lenny: Wimps!
Carsten: Tell me, have you something stronger than water?
Lenny: Do we wanna go for a beer to the Mauerwerk (a local night club)?
Carsten: Yeah, sounds great!
Lenny: I'll just take a quick shower.

In the next scene they enter the club and go straight to the bar. With some scramble (or cuddling ) on their way.
Carsten: Come down, pitbull!
Lenny: I need another black eye or I'm getting rusted. Do you give us two beer, Armin?
Armin (the barkeeper): Yeah, be cool. It's on the house!
(Lenny is working there part time)
Lenny: Thanks!
Carsten: Not bad man! The Pankower's where just to get ready. The next time it comes straight to it!
Lenny: Let's hope so!
Then a jerk (with his friends) walks by and pushes Carsten aside. Jerk wants to beer from the barkeeper.
Carsten: Hey!
Jerk: What? Something wrong?
Carsten: You pushed me!
Jerk: Not my problem when you slobber yourself. Go home to mommy and get a bib.
Carsten is left speechless, when the jerk jostles him again. Lenny wants to go after him, but Carsten holds him back.
Carsten: Don't bother Lenny! They aren't worth it.
Then Carsten and Lenny cheer with their beer to each other and Lenny exchanges some bad looks with the jerk.

Ok the next scene is more telling than dialoge. Leon, owner of the club and friend of Lenny's, walks in with his girlfriend Verena. After a terrible accident, Leon is sitting in a wheelchair.
He drives up to the jerk and tells him that he can't smoke in the club. But he shows no reaction. Lenny already realizes that trouble is on the way, when Leon tries to give the jerk a last warning - otherwise he would kick him out. The jerk is laughing at him and says "that I wanna see".
Lenny comes into the scene, takes the cigarette and drops it on the ground. The jerk is pissed and starts pushing Lenny and then hitting him. The two start a fight, while Carsten takes care of one of the jerk's friends. Tayfun (a frenemy of Leon's) enters the club and helps getting the scene under control. Ending with kicking the jerk out.

In the next scene Leon is thanking his friends and colleges, specially Lenny, for the help.
Lenny: At least it was something going on here.
John (Emily's brother): I can do without that. We really need some doormen.
Leon: Yeah, we should think about that.
John (to Lenny): Good blow! Where did you learn this?
Leon: From me! If I would be fit for it, I had taking care of them myself.
Lenny: Of course. But Tayfun isn't that bad either.
And is asking where he is, leaving Leon with the question where his girlfriend went.

Next scene: Lenny is standing outside the club calling Emily, when Carsten comes out. He ends the conversation.
Lenny: And? What are we doing now?
Carsten: There is a new inofficial boxclub in Neukölln (a borough of Berlin).
Lenny: Sounds good. Let's check it out.
Carsten: OK.
Then the jerk and his gang appear.
Douche: Why Neukölln? You can get something on your yaps right here.
Lenny and Carsten take a look on each other and start running. But Carsten falls over a bag and the gang starts kicking him.
Lenny: Shit!
Lenny sees his friend in danger and tries to rescue Carsten out of his situation. When Carsten stands again, Lenny is asking: "Four against one - is this fair?"
Jerk: Fair was yesterday!

End of part one. Wow ... that was quite a bit! LOL


Part II
Lenny: Everthing OK?
Carsten: Everything alright!
Then they share some nice words with the jerk and his gang, before the fighting starts.

Next scene: Still fighting, when the police arrives.
Carsten: Fuck! Police!
Carsten is looking for Lenny and holds him, when the gang is running away.
Carsten: Come with me! Fast!
The police is there and is running after the jerk's gang, while Carsten and Lenny hide out in a backyard.
Lenny: Man, how cool was that!?
Carsten: Awesome!
Lenny: Shit that the police came...
Carsten: That wimps! Let rescue theirselves from the cops.
Lenny is laughing and L/C are hugging. Kind of sweet right!? LOL

Next scene: Ok, the dialogue here is completely irrelevant, which is why I will just explain in a short version what's going on.
The other guys in this scene are the gang of Carsten and Lenny, with whom they do street fights and party.
They telling their side of the story to what happened with the jerk and his friends. Then Emily appears and wonders what's going on, when the guys are drinking to Lenny as the hardest fighter of Berlin.

Next scene: Emily feels kind of left out, while Lenny shows his bruises and wants one of his friends to kick on it.
Emily: And what if they got knifes with them?
Lenny: Then we would of taking them.
Philip (aka Mr. cutie ;D), Emily's twin brother and boyfriend of Lenny's sister Lucy, appears and is asking for Lucy and is having a little chat with Emily. Then she tells Lenny that she has to go to work and asks if Lenny would take her home later.
Lenny: Nah, I think we're busy then.
Emily: OK, then I will just come over later.
Lenny: I think we will go out somewhere.
Emily: Then I give you a call.
And a sad Emily leaves.

Next scene: Some Berlin scenes, before we enter Lenny's room again. Lenny and Carsten are cleaning.
Carsten: Made by mommy or should I get the vacuum cleaner?
Lenny: Nope ... enough!
Lenny gives him a slap on the back, when Carsten lets him know that it hurts.
Lenny: Oh sorry! Everthing alright?
Carsten: I'm cool.
He takes his shirt up a little bit, so that Lenny can see his back and the bruise he got there.
Carsten: It's just a bruise right?
Lenny: Wow ... that's big! Wait a sec...
Lenny picks up his mobile phone and takes a picture of the bruise.
Lenny: Here!
Carsten: Wacky! Can you send it to me?
Lenny: Of course!
Carsten takes a close look at Lenny.
Carsten: Thanks Lenny!
Lenny: Hey no problem.
Carsten: No, I mean that you rescued me today.
Lenny: Sure thing right!?
Carsten: I'll go then.
Lenny: What? Like this?
Carsten: You mean I stink (aka ABC alarm)!?
Lenny: Without a doubt!
Carsten takes off his shirt and gets a fresh one from Lenny.
Lenny: Here!
Carsten: Thanks!
Carsten then takes a closer look at the shirt.
Carsten: Cool.
Lenny: Yeah I think so too.
Carsten puts on the shirt, while Lenny is watching.

End of part two.

Hope I could help. Forgive me any spelling mistake. Did as good as I could.

[alex20]

I changed it. Glad I could help.

Seems like the next scenes between them are on Friday, with more focus on the Lenny and Emily relationship. But I guess there will be some L/C scenes too.

And then the real story between them will start in four weeks.
Just thought that this scenes from last week would be a great entrance to get to know the characters a little bit more and already get the connection between L/C. Because when the story starts we really getting some nice stuff right away.

[HQ75]

WOW Alex20

You are officially my translating/transcribing SUPER HERO! ;D

Thanks so much for making the word change.

Please don't worry about spelling mistakes or anything.

We're all just grateful that you took the time.

As representative of the Non-German speaking "Gays of Daytime" members, I hereby do my HAPPY DANCE in your general direction!

So great to get to know the characters a bit before they become involved with each other romantically just to learn a bit more about them.

The actors have good chemistry and you can see that the characters have a genuine affection for each other.

The actor who portrays "Lenny" is just lovely.

[HQ75]

Jul 19, 2009 6:42:19 GMT -5 @chango said:

I haven’t watched the show for quite some time, but I’ve always liked Lenny and I think I’ll start following GZSZ again now.

Dear Chango,
I found this quote on one of the Soaps boards. Would you consider it to be accurate?

QOUTE Posted 16 July 2009 - 11:32 PM
"Lenny's struggle with homosexuality has been featured since his arrival in December 2007. Lenny's father Alexander even thought his son was gay, but Lenny always claimed that this wasn't true." UNQUOTE

If this is true, then it would mean that Lenny's coming out isn't out of the blue but has actually been an established part of his character for some time now (which I really like)

[alex20]

Thank you so much for your nice words kradamantium2525.

And yes, Lenny always seemed to struggle with his sexuality. Right from the beginning.
When he first came on he was like a really shy guy with a love for art (and drew really good sketches). Then his father Alex thought that he might be gay and because Lenny wanted to teach him a lesson (for not being the father of the year, but thinking it) he came out to him. They even met with other gay guys, where Alex wanted to learn how to deal with his son's sexuality. But Alex later found out that Lenny was just playing him.
Then he needed to serve military service, where his comrades mobbed him, calling him mummy's darling, f*g and giving him the nickname 'Jenny'. They once even urinated on him, beat him up and painted him with lipstick while he was sleeping. That's where Lenny met Carsten, who was his drill master back then.
They become close and Carsten helped him. First to stay strong and trying to become a part of the group and then - realizing what Lenny is going through - helping him to get a refusal, so he could quit. Once again (for the refusal), Lenny claimed to be gay - because that would be what anyone thinks anyway.
Lenny and Carsten had developed a little bit chemistry here. Message boards were already saying back that they felt an attraction on Carsten's side (that was back in fall of 2008).
Back home, he started with a hard training - never wanting to be a pushover again.
Later he had a sexual blackout, when he tried to sleep with his long time crush Caro. Again feeling like a loser.
Then he and Carsten met again and he took him with to his gang, where Lenny found acceptance. When he found out that Emily developed feelings for him (after he once rescued her from robber), he saw that his new friends (aka the gang around Carsten) find her attractive and so on, he stated dating her after "seeing her in a different light". She also took his virginity in the beginning of the year.

The storyline about this gang (and how he treats Emily) is contentious with most of the viewers. Which could definitely change when they now turn the story around and explain a lot of his resent behavior with his own personal struggling.

And I agree, the actor who plays Lenny (Alexander Becht) is great and a real sweetheart. But the actor who plays Carsten, which would be Felix Isenbügel, isn't bad either. I enjoy him too and just waiting for the show to finally give him a contract. LOL

I just still feel kind of sorry for Emily. Poor girl. First she falls in love with her half brother she didn't know about (who even takes her virginity), then she falls for his best friend (who was a pill junkie back then and just used her) and last year she is addicted to cocaine and scars off an decent looking guy, before she starts to fall for Lenny. Which didn't seem like a good idea either.

[HQ75]

Thanks so much for that background info.
So good.

Poor Emily and Nina from AWZ need to form a support group for young women with the WORSE skills for choosing proper boyfriends EVER! .

[alex20]

No problem. ;D

Poor Emily and Nina from AWZ need to form a support group for young women with the WORSE skills for choosing proper boyfriends EVER!

Oh yeah these two have something in common.

I hope the storyline gets the positive feedback and attention it seem to deserve, when it starts.
I like to think that we see something new here and it's not "just another gay story".
The character of Lenny is very well developed and with everything that was and is going on in his life this could become something really interesting. At least I hope so.

[amber80]

Yes, thank you for the background info Alex!

Well, it definitely looks like this story has great potential. O, and I like both actors.

[maya]

Thank you so much alex, this storyline looks interesting