alexx

I was just watching episode 5027. It's the episode Gina manages to 'break' Mink. The episode ends with a really emotional scene between Mink and Gina. I remember at this point I thought they were going to develop this side of her character more. At the time she seemed to have quite a good rapport going with Romeo too. I wonder whether it was deliberate that they stopped giving her that role as a no-nonsense 'nurturer' and created more of an over bearing personalty. I've liked how Gina has had this difference about her, but I think they messed up by not giving her any close friends which has sort of alienated her for me. I feel like I've been waiting for one epic Gina storyline and then I'd get to understand her more. At the same time, I've really enjoyed watching her relationship with John over the last couple of years - they've got great chemistry and there's been some pretty comical moments.

This is probably a very long shot, but does anyone know the episode number of a 2009 episode featuring Xavier and Hugo having a 'heart to heart' on the beach? (The Pier Diner side) I remember it being quite a nice scene. Talking about school or something. I know it's a very vague description but worth a go. Thank you...

... Having said that, none of the producers have ever said it was Seven's decision to axe the credits.

You have to remember though that it is most likely Seven who are ordering this. All of Seven's drama series have either a very short opening (10 seconds or less) or none at all. I think its more a network thing rather than Lucy being responsible.

I like the current title card and recap. The 'Closer each day, Home and Away' melody with the shot zooming down from the lighthouse. I can't say I'm a fan of the logo 'floating' on the water though. I think they should half the 'reminder', we don't need such a long recap of whats happened and increase the credits. If they only want to keep them at 15 seconds long, at least its better than nothing. I'd be fine with group shots, without text (which defeats the purpose but 15 seconds is too short to include text) - all beach shots of Summer Bay having a BBQ/beach party. Like this: (Play from '15 seconds in'): I'd be ok with the music arrangement staying how it is, with 'Hold me in Your Arms don't let me go - Close Each Day Home and Away'.

I'd definitely say Sasha is my favorite current teen character, along with Dex. She reminds me of the more traditional Home and Away teen characters. I also like how she has her own fashion sense. I think during that whole 'Great Storm', her storyline with Sid and her brother kept me interested more than anything else.

I'm almost certain I saw him in some random comedy show a couple of years ago. All I can remember of it was that he was at The Snowy Mountains and played a character very similar to Fisher. It may have even been a cameo and I just happened to catch it. Obviously we don't know, but surely he would agree to return for a period of time. When Marilyn returned Emily was asked if Donald would be coming back and she didn't say that he wasn't acting anymore, as far as I can remember she just said 'not at this stage, there are no plans' or something along those lines. I would really love them to bring him back. If I was producer, enticing Norman back for a stint would have been one of the first things on my mind when Maz returned. Maybe they already tried and he refused, but I do hope not.

's a long time ago now but I actually started to get put off by Leah during 2004. During her relationship problems with Jesse she became quite a depressing character (in a irritating way to me), always crying, being dreary. It was so different to what she had been from 2000-2003 (quite an optimistic, happy go lucky type of character, even quite comical) and I didn't welcome that change, but she was still a favorite. Then she started to take a real backseat, as Sally started to become more prominent - Leah from 2005-2009 really didn't do all that much, but even though she wasn't doing that much, I really liked her again - she became quite a pleasant character (still not the same as the original Leah but a nice character anyway). I remember how much we were all complaining about how under used she was in 2009. 2010 came and they seemed to bring her right back to the forefront with the introduction of Elijah and I genuinely enjoyed the character again. They were both written well and setting them up for a great romance. I really liked all of the early days stuff when she met him and she kept getting flustered. Them he left and then came back. The come back wasn't written well and any 'spark' they had, had sort of disappeared for some reason.

I agree. I find myself zoning out during Leah's scenes, which is a shame because she used to be one of my favourite characters.

After watching pretty much the last two weeks in a row, I can say I dislike Natalie. Her purpose in the show seems so superficial (only really there as Brax next love interest) and I have no interest in characters that revolve around romantic troubles or lust predicaments. It's surprising since she is a counsellor and usually I like those type of characters because they come with depth and warmth - she doesn't seem deep or warm at all, actually quite cold, so I don't find her appealing and I'm instantly bored during Brax/Natalie scenes.

I think its interesting and maybe a first that we haven't seen Roo have a real good cry about anything since she returned in 2010? (as far as I'm aware?). I do like how they've made her a very lighthearted and upbeat character, but the storylines have been pretty superficial (romance after romance) all the way through. My favorite scenes were with Alf during her fist 12 months, where they had some sentimental father/daughter scenes. I'd like to see her be given a more serious plot, that doesn't involve crime in any way shape or form.

I've always liked Joey. He was my favourite character in the late 90's, I've discussed him at length somewhere on this forum before, but I can't find it. I rated him and Justine as the best teenagers in the late 90's gang. I just enjoyed his journey and character focused plots, he wasn't your typical surf dude either. He had a great (on screen ) relationship with Irene, Selina and Chloe particularly. My favourite aspect of the character was his connection with Saul. I don't think you would have seen it in the commune fire episode, but leading up to it there are some very emotional scenes between him and Saul, where Saul is totally playing mind games with him and using the emotional bond he had with his dad, to screw with his head. I felt sorry for Joey too because everyone pretty much hated his father, but he still loved him. When Saul was shot dead (when he kidnapped Selina on her wedding day, after the commune fire stuff) - again, we saw some really emotional scenes as Joey sat next to a dead Saul, pleading for him to live (as I remember it) and telling him that he loved him. Then Joey 'saw' Saul as a ghost hovering over his dead body and he put out his arms to him, like Jesus - it might sound funny, but it was actually quite poignant and sad. I really liked how the writers continued to explore Joey's obvious love for Saul. And then of course his mental illness. That was a well written plot. Other than 'Saul' telling him to kill Irene - I particularly remember Joey giving a speech at school, it was outside - and he started talking nonsense - everyone looking concerned and freaked. It's always something I've remembered about that storyline. I remember really hoping that he was going to return in 2009 - remember when they gave us that 'spoiler clue' and it said 'Joey's Rainbow' or something like that.

Haha I pretty much just said that in your 'Welcome' post. I'd agree with you now, I always see Bobby's death as a sign that the Early Years is coming to a close - and then when the piano based underscores start to disappear some time in 94/95 the early years have well and truly gone. I think 'we've lost the plot' really came in 2005 and continued until now. I'm not saying 2005 was awful, it was actually quite addictive for me, especially 2005 - but those years (05-06) damaged the 'flow' overall, no other producer (other than Bevan) have been able to recapture that Summer Bay atmosphere Imo.

Precisely.

Very well said. I've highlighted the main points I agree with above. This is the major gripe I have about the show at the moment, really its the problem I've had with the show since 2005 to varying degrees. The major lack of consistency. But its got terrible since the Braxtons arrived and since they are the current obsession, I see their introduction and the focus on trivialising their crime and irritating behaviour as the main culprit in 2011-2012. It makes the writers come up with tacky plots that are very repetitive and difficult to invest in. See I also agree with Coral about drama being about 'life without the boring bits' - the thing is, Coral was an excellent character writer who gave the characters genuine and realistic responses to goings on (most of the time) and therefore we could accept that these characters were realistically facing what they were on screen and dealing with the aftermath as people do in life. She knew Summer Bay and how to write Home and Away as we knew it, but with lots of emotion, drama and light-hearted content. The current writers don't write 'life without the boring bits' they write shallow characters and storylines (Imo) that don't mean anything or have any lasting or realistic consequences - Braxton is top of the list for me. Bianca is another example - I can't comment properly on the last few months, but the rape was pathetic. Swept under the carpet within a matter of episodes. Irene's cancer, brushed to the side because they cant be bothered giving an older character screen time. These sort of things irritate me which is why I have done what others are suggesting, switch off.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I remember not long ago thinking, '10 years ago... it was 90's Home and Away' soon 10 years ago will be 2003 Home and Away, which means its almost 10 years since Mike Perjanik stopped composing for the show and they went HD. Also 10 years next year since Fisher left.

I just found this on Youtube: 'This is a short compilation video of some of my recent work assisting Home and Away with a new musical direction for the opening theme. '

Since 2000 the recap tune has been based on the theme tune, the chord sequence is taken from it. It's been through several incarnations over the years but it was still there, up until now . This is the first time they've deviated from it. The melody used over the title card was the Ahh, so it is! I do still prefer the 'closer each day, H&A' melody as it is now though - because it is more recognisable than the opening chord sequence. I'm saying that because I know that its a safe bet to suggest the theme tune is never ever going to return so it's better than nothing. Yeah that's true about the recap tune. They could have done the exactly the same rhythm/arrangement they have now (if they really wanted to) but kept the theme tune chord sequence. I really liked the recap theme the best during 2008. They also came up with a cracking 'Next Time' underscore in 2008. You can here it from 10.08 here

But that recap music wasn't really a classic piece of music, it was just a stand alone recap tune... I think the current melody over the title card is better because its actually part of the original theme tune. I preferred the old recap chord sequence to the current one though. It's just Home and Away or TPTB following the crowd again. Packed to the Rafters and co. use that guitar based rhythm and now H&A does. It isn't unique.

I don't mind the opening bar over the Home and Away logo because its the 'Closer each day, Home and Away' part. I prefer that. I wonder if the end theme has been changed (UK viewers). What I'm most disappointed in is that they seem to have made a conscious decision to stop using any piano and string melody based underscores during the show. Now its all guitar stuff riffs. There don't seem to be any melodies going on at all so it just feels quite cold.

I wonder when she will get a storyline. She has taken over the role Leah had during 2006-2009 - serving coffee in the diner and.... that's it. Such a waste.

I think its only us. However Marilyn herself (or Emily) said 'Maz speaking' when she picked up the phone a while ago. I wish they would call her that again, I wonder why Lynne McGranger didn't pick up on it since Irene always called her Maz.

Thanks very much Dan!

Hi there! I was just wondering if anyone knew which episode number featured the Irene/Barry showdown in (I think) 2006? It was in the Beach House kitchen and Barry comes round to see if Irene is ok, after she found out he had been charged (so I'm presuming it was close to his departure). She ends up crying on his shoulder before screaming 'Get out' and literally pushes him out of the kitchen door and slams it shut. I think this was one of Irene's memorable moments, it was a strong scene and Lynn McGranger was awesome in it. I'm having a search for it and if I find it, I'll post the ep number.

^Ah, memory playing tricks. I could remember a heart attack, a best mate and Jack - but didnt think it was Bert who had the attack. Thanks for clearing that up. I remember Harry and/or Bert playing basketball with Jack.