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The Most Improved Character of 2018?
Topic Started: Jun 10 2018, 04:35 PM (173 Views)
See You Slater
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Whilst compiling the results so far for my rate, I realised just how many characters have improved since the turn of the year. I thought an interesting question to pose would be, which is the most improved character of the year so far? It's a difficult one for me as there are number of characters I could have chosen. Kim has really developed this year, especially with the miscarriage and the departure of Vincent. She's getter better and better by the episode. Then there's Jack, another character who has greatly improved this year with the pairing with Mel being exciting, if a little predictable.

Right now though I'd say my top three for most improved are:

1. Denise Fox - Yes, you heard me right! Denise. I was sick to the back teeth of Denise for the majority of last year and the beginning of this year, but recently she's really won me over again. I loved that scene where she stood up for the Slaters, pointing out the hypocrisy of the Square and showing that community spirit of how everyone on the Square is happy to help. Recently, she's been a great supporting character in the stabbing aftermath. I still get goosebumps when I think of Diane's performance when Denise saw the alleyway surrounded by police tape and realised the extent of what had gone. Electrifying.

2. Jay Brown - I didn't realise quite the extent that Jay was being held back by Ben until Ben was out of the picture. From post it notes and endless bruvs, to the great, kind and considerate young man we've seen this year. I feel like Ben's departure saw Jay really grow up, and he's flourished as character since then. From raising a toast to Abi, to arranging a funeral for every resident on the Square (including some living ones, KAT!) Jay has really become one of the underated stars of the show. Jamie is constantly excellent and I think it's about time he gets his time to shine.

3. Mick Carter - Like Denise, Mick was easily one of my least favourite characters in the show. The disgusting way he treated Lee to the affair with Whitney, last year was so exhuasting for his character and he came out of it stinking of shit. Recently though I think we've seen a different side to his character and I really enjoyed his involvement in the stabbing storyline. After being so callous towards Lee's mental health struggles, seeing Mick suffering from PTSD would be a very interesting development. I also think the friendship with Stuart is very dark and complex, I'm excited to see where that goes!

I could probably have included Hayley in this as well as she's suddenly developed into one of the stars of the show. Who are your most improved? :)
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Jamie Fowler
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THIS


IS


JAY


BROWN
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Cam
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I'd also say Jay.

And Sonia. Sonia used to annoy the hell out of me but I love her now.
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PurpleRain
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All of the above and also:

- Honey Mitchell: She wasn't disastrously awful last year like some others, but her snobby and unsympathetic personality throughout much of Sean O'Connor's tenure has thankfully disappeared, or at least morphed into something a lot less jarring and out-of-character. Her material after finding out that Billy cheated is some of her best in a long time and Emma Barton gave some excellent performances. Though like Jay, she is yet to REALLY get her chance to shine.

- Bex Fowler and Louise Mitchell: They're written and acted a lot better this year and seeing some cracks in their supposedly-thick-as-thieves friendship and indeed their supposedly-perfect personalities (Take note, SOC- the characters are allowed to hate Bex's singing and Louise is allowed to be portrayed as a bully- she is Phil's daughter, after all!) has made them a lot more believable. They're not the best amongst the teens but they fit into the group nicely.

- Karen and Bernadette Taylor: Keanu's still a bit dull and wooden, but Karen and Bernadette have become so fantastically ingrained within the Albert Square community that it'd be hard to imagine a show without them at the moment. They're just normal people with normal problems and normal lives. They just fit EastEnders like a glove.

- Ted Murray: Much like Audrey's death revitalized Anthony and Paul, Joyce's death revitalized Ted. Long gone are the days of comedy shootings and chasing after Dot's pussy, Ted is now a fully-rounded and likeable older character with a wonderfully classic actor behind him.

- Keegan Baker: Zack Morris will be a future EastEnders and likely television star. Keegan is such a fascinating and complex teen character that fits John Yorke's vision for the show like a glove and it will be a joy to watch his journey after this excellent stabbing plot.

- Dot Branning: She's barely appeared at all this year. A definite improvement if you ask me :P
Edited by PurpleRain, Jun 10 2018, 05:44 PM.
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Bad Wolf
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Kim - I've always loved Kim but this year has definitely made her more of a key player. I wrote a lot about Kim (and Denise) in another thread a few days ago so won't repeat it all here.

Ted - He and Joyce were so pointless and I always resented them for not being Les and Pam. Joyce's death has done wonders for the character. They really need to build up this age group. Bring Pam and Les back and incorporate Mariam and Arshad into the community more.

Bernie - Again, I've liked Bernie since the beginning but she's definitely improved this year. She seems to be more of a defined character and, like Tameka, is good at comedy and drama.

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LouLou
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I love Jay but still feel like they let him down badly with the lack of storylines.

I think biggest improvement has been the Taylors.
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Aaron_Silver

I tend to like characters a lot of people don't and two of them have been considerable beneficiaries this year, Sonia Fowler and Kim Fox. Both played really well by perfectly adequate actresses. The writing for Kim in particular has improved out of sight lately...
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Jon-McK

Aaron_Silver
Jun 10 2018, 11:41 PM
I tend to like characters a lot of people don't and two of them have been considerable beneficiaries this year, Sonia Fowler and Kim Fox. Both played really well by perfectly adequate actresses. The writing for Kim in particular has improved out of sight lately...
The potential that Kim has now that Vincent is gone excites me. Tameka is more than capable of carrying the big stuff instead of doing the comedy.
Edited by Jon-McK, Jun 10 2018, 11:55 PM.
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Aaron_Silver

Jon-McK
Jun 10 2018, 11:55 PM
Aaron_Silver
Jun 10 2018, 11:41 PM
I tend to like characters a lot of people don't and two of them have been considerable beneficiaries this year, Sonia Fowler and Kim Fox. Both played really well by perfectly adequate actresses. The writing for Kim in particular has improved out of sight lately...
The potential that Kim has now that Vincent is gone excites me. Tameka is more than capable of carrying the big stuff instead of doing the comedy.
Tameka is under-rated as far as I'm concerned I think she's fabulous.
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Tomski12

I’ve always said Tameka is so much more than a comedy actress, and I’m so happy the show has given her the chance to show that to the audience properly this year. It’s hard to believe that during Kim’s first 5 years on the show the most serious story she had was a 2 episode HIV scare. But whenever she’s needed to deliver Tameka has brought it home. From Pearl’s premature birth, to confronting Denise over Ray’s adoption, her miscarriage and Vincent’s disappearance she’s never failed to impress. Kim quite honestly has that EastEnders leading lady potential, and I wouldn’t be opposed to her running the Vic one day.

As for Natalie Cassidy, she’s one of the most consistent performers on the show. Sonia quite literally works in any situation. Whether she’s being a bit snide and bitchy about Kat, supporting Martin and Bex or having a full on row with Stacey or Shirley in the street, she’s just brilliant. I only wish Yorke would give her a big story of her own, as it’s easy to forget she was at the forefront of the show during Yorke’s original stint.
Edited by Tomski12, Jun 11 2018, 12:13 AM.
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