alexx

Yeah comparing the two, I'd say Ken's death was more emotionally engaging. I'd say Hayley had the least amount of focus, but we got some decent stuff from Will, Irene and Nick. I liked what they did with Ken's ring, Irene throwing it into the ocean and resenting it so much, only to rush back later on to try and find it in vain. I remember it being quite sad and Irene crying as she knelt in the waves trying to find it. I'd like to re-watch the storyline too. The death episode and episodes building up to it as well as a few weeks worth after the death, was on Youtube about six years ago.

Interestingly I don't think we missed out on anything even though the funeral took place in the next episode. We still got a lot of the grieving process happening on screen and I thought it was really well handled.

^I don't know, but it was hinted that she was getting unwanted attention from whoever it was. I saw the interview about ten years ago so it's very vague, but I was under the impression, from what she said, that it was 'romantic attention'. It was in the early 2000's, after she'd left 'for good'. I'm thinking 2001. As far as I can remember it was on an afternoon panel show like 'The View'.

I remember an interview with Emily Symons on a British TV show, where she said that there was a bit of a problem between her and one of the cast or crew members in the early 90's. And the person ended up being fired because of it. Emily decided to leave shortly afterwards. It may not have had anything to do with the reason she decided to leave, but I've always wondered about that one. The presenter of the show tried to get her to spill the beans but she didn't elaborate on it.

John looks like he is late 50's to me. He definitely doesn't look the same age as Sid or a few years older than Harvey/Roo/Marilyn. Has it been stated on screen that he was born in the 60's? Surely that can't be right....

Well Fisher was old enough to be Marilyn's dad and they were a fantastic pair and popular with nearly all viewers.

I thought Marilyn and Angelo had great chemistry. The actors seemed to bounce off each other naturally too.

I'd like to think that perhaps Nicole would have been persuaded to come back at some point on a permanent basis, but who knows. I agree that she would have been back here and there same as Carly, but with her being much more popular I'd have thought they would have left the door wide open for her to return at any point. It was probably the most realistic that she would die rather than leave. But I'm sure that if they really wanted to, they could have come up with a plausible reason as to why she would leave Summer Bay. Killing her off was a huge ratings grab, as far as I'm aware Bobby's death was/is the highest rating episode of H&A (Sally's stabbing either coming second or first place?).

^Wow! That's kinda scary. I often think it's scary when I watch the 1991 episodes and think...'in the grand scheme of life, it really wasn't that long ago'. But then I remember everything that has happened since 1991 and the future of the show, and how everyone involved in the early years had no idea that it would still be on air in 2013.

It was a shame for Don because Judith did show signs that she was interested in him too, but I think he got those signals mixed up because she was more evidently attracted to Joel and Don just seemed to respect her enough not to interfere so kept his true feelings to himself. I distinctly remember the scene at the end of an episode where Judith had casually arranged to meet Don in the Diner, it was a very casual arrangement as far as I can remember. Anyway, Joel rocks up at Judith's place and they decide to hang out (perhaps there was a kiss?) - meanwhile, Don is seen sat in the diner waiting... and waiting, fade to black and roll the credits. It was one of those old school poignant endings they used to have. But it pretty much summed up that whole scenario between the three characters.

Hot and horrible. I can't wait for the cooler weather.

Those random instrumental tunes/covers seemed to disappear - the ones that were used during 88-90 when I presume they didn't have any music licensing agreement with Mushroom, or a contract that didn't allow them to play much music. For a while there were hardly any songs heard and most of the 'background' music was generic covers by Mike Perjanik. I've got a feeling I know what the 'Bayside Diner' song sounds like.

Humidity is the worst! Sydney summer's are always so humid. I suppose I shouldn't complain overall really... I don't mind summer until 9am and then from 6pm-onwards. It's just during the middle of the day that it kills me, if I'm dashing around the city. I've been in Melbourne all week and the weather is really uncomfortable.

Does anyone else here dislike the hot weather/summer? I like every season other than summer - January and February are a nightmare Imo when it comes to the heat. I have some relatives who live in Darwin, where it never goes below 30 Degrees (87 Fahrenheit) every singe day of every year. I spent a few weeks up there last year and it was just miserable. Way too hot. The only thing I really like about summer is the long days. I like it when it goes dark at 9pm-ish. The ideal temperature for me is around 25 Degrees (77 Fahrenheit), that's perfect weather Imo - not too cold, not too hot, just warm and a little chilly. Blissful weather. Roll on Autumn I say, it's my favorite time of year.

^John and Gina are given more than 'extra' work to do, ok they're not as prominent as the younger character but it's something. Unless you're referring to 'long term' characters. Celia has been given some decent screen time this week. Leah - I'm glad she has gone for a while, I don't miss her. She is given stuff to do, but it's always boring Imo. Basically I find Leah to be a boring character, probably due to the type of storylines she is given and how she is written - she used to be one of my favourites way back... but I guess that's another matter. Yes, I think Marilyn work's brilliantly with these sort of 'finding yourself' storylines over the dramatic ones. I think there were some great elements to the Mitzy storyline, though there was something 'missing'. It'd be great if she had a storyline like the one Shannon had with that Irish poet back in 1997.

I can't imagine them recording a brand new track specifically for the overseas audience because they seem to make the show for Australia primarily - but I'd love to be proved wrong. Perhaps they'll just do as you say and re-mix the old vocals into a new musical arrangement.

I don't think it was resolved even in 2001. I always got the sense that he still loved Marilyn (he even said so to her in 01, when she told him she didn't 'because it hurts'). His companionship with June, felt like just that - companionship, it wasn't anywhere near the same Imo as the spark and love he showed Marilyn. I'd say his attachment to Judith was probably the most similar.

^Yes, he isn't with June anymore. His last stint made it obvious that he still holds very strong feelings for Marilyn, which makes it all the more out of character for him not to return to the bay. There is always a place for past characters - it's up the the writers/producers to integrate them back into the current format. Whether they can do it well or not is another matter, but almost any past character can be brought back into a show like Home and Away. The success depends on whether or not the writers/producers know who the characters are and how to write for them. For example, I could easily see every single storyline that happened between Maz and Fisher, happen in the current show - but it's a matter of priorities and whether or not those in charge are familiar with the couple and how and why they were loved (by most of the audience).

^It doesn't ring a bell for me, sorry.

Written down the Ailsa 'ghost' storyline would probably come across as ridiculous and stupid, something a trashy American soap would come up with - but it was actually such a great storyline. It was funny, dark and emotional too. It was also very character lead, which is why it works so well. I always remember the scene when 'Ailsa' and Alf are talking to each other sitting on the couch, I think they were talking about how he's missed her since she died - he put's his arm around her and says something along the lines of 'I never want to let you go'... Leah is secretly watching on looking concerned, and we see a shot of Alf sitting there with his arm around nothing. It's quite a sad scene.

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that the change over happened during the Olympic Cliffhanger - with the hostage stuff. Coral was producing the story and building it all up, then Bevan Lee took over and plotted the aftermath etc. he then continued producing until the end of the year.

It sure does! Staccato overload. It sounds so empty too. I agree that the 2009/2010 version of the recap music was great, I especially liked the electric guitar and strings.

Wow that recap music sounds awful!

It looked quite nice - if a long version of the credits were shot like that I'd be quite pleased. But judging by that clip, the credits won't be back. Sounds like they've been tampering with the music. I like the higher pitched guitar playing over the lower pitched guitar, but the rhythm sounds a little 'empty' compared to last year.

It would be great, but I seriously doubt they are opening title stills - they don't seem different to most promo pics as far as I can see.