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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 361376" data-attributes="member: 23">24 December 1980 - 11 February 1981 3396 - 3417It still amuses and interests me that, while the motel itself doesn’t have a revolving door, the series does. One can begin to see clearly defined eras as one set of stories ends and its characters are rotated out, to be immediately replaced by returning faces and some newcomers with their latest story arc.The farm has now been moved to the sidelines following Alison’s decision to remain in the real world while still converting to Catholicism. Ivor Salter was just wonderful, emotion and tears overflowing from him as he makes his peace. There are very few people that can cry and still feel as though they might start roaring with anger at any moment, but Reg is such a rare creature. I do hope we revisit him soon.Before the story reached its end, Carina Wyeth did a Victoria Principal by playing her character’s own mother walking out on her lover in flashback. Despite the obvious physical similarities, it was great fun to see her playing a character so confident, calculating and forthright. But since her lover was a younger Reg it still felt rather uncomfortable to see her lover played by her screen father. Reg lacking his beard in the flashbacks has confirmed that Ivor Salter does indeed wear a false beard (several, probably, given how big it’s become of late).Over at the motel, there are the returns of a couple of young women I thought we’d seen the last of. There’s Miranda Pollard, a character who’s never clicked with me. It feels as though the writers and actors think she’s far more adorably quirky and flighty than she actually is. I find her a bore.Then there’s Becky Foster - the daughter of the girl Sharon almost married (out of guilt that she’d killed Becky’s mother). Apparently she’s been working in the Crossroads Garage for a good while without us knowing. And she’s stepped into Sharon’s shoes since Sharon apparently left ages ago (I may or may not have known this. The comings and goings get a bit difficult to keep track of). Anyway, suddenly Becky’s back on screen and she’s everywhere.It’s a definite change of direction for the character. Before, Becky was firmly in “potential stepdaughter” territory, as one of the few children on the series. Now she’s gained her independence, fallen out with her father since she hates her new stepmother, and somehow ended up in that other hotbed of comings and goings… Diane’s flat. Oh, and she’s fallen in love with Vic’s fugitive brother, Eddie.Outside of this, Becky’s main “thing” is her activism. She’s possibly soap’s first vegetarian (gasp), and her interest in animal rights has extended to plastering the foyer with posters and stuffed animals (because vegetarians love to support the black market animal carcass trade). Naturally, this spectacle well and truly drained the colour from Meg’s face. And her chamomile tea did much the same for poor Sandy. She's just ahead of her time really. In 2023, more young people than not are probably vegetarian activists, but the Midlands in 1981 just weren't ready for her.Becky's controversies are naught compared with what occurred in one of the chalets, with Iris tricking poor Arthur Brownlow into meeting her there under the pretext of giving him a secret birthday present she’d found for Kath, before locking him in with her and feigning a sexual assault. This would have been just after Sid Fairgate was similarly MeTooed in California, but months before that story hit UK screens.And I’ve just twigged that Dallas did it before Knots (albeit more from the perpetrator’s perspective) when Lucy MeTooed her tutor. Oh, and there was that time Stan Ogden was accused of being a peeping tom in a case of mistaken identity.What makes the Xrds version so compelling is that all involved are effectively regulars. Of course, the most important thing is the characters’ reactions to the situation, but it feels that no matter what happens, there’s no way back from this because of how entwined the characters are. They’re related, for goodness’ sake. And the perpetrator has been a guest in the victim’s home for months.From a 21st Century vantage point, this story feels an extremely brave choice. I’m not saying it couldn’t be done today, but there would no doubt be a backlash since it seems so unthinkable that someone would lie about something so terrible. But it’s not difficult to stumble upon a few “Karen” videos of some white woman hysterically telling the police she’s being threatened by a black man who has politely asked her to put her dog on a lead. And there’s that infamous Big Brother incident where that vile Emmerdale actress accused Jason Grimshaw from Corrie of domestic violence and got him ostracised from his peers. So there are real-life Irises out there today, which is quite terrifying.Characters’ reactions, by the way, are pleasingly balanced. Indeed, the big fear for characters like Meg, Doris and Marian is of being viewed as taking sides. Viewers know what’s what, of course, but I find myself thinking it might have been interesting if viewers hadn’t seen what happened in that chalet. How much doubt might be in our minds? Again, it’s a frightening thought.The impact of Iris’s actions on the Brownlow family has been quite heartbreaking to watch. It’s touching that Kath and Glenda have been resolute in their faith in and support of Arthur. All three have been wonderful. Peter Hill’s performance has been a standout. In a scene I watched yesterday he was stood telling his family that the situation had worsened and it only became apparent in the close-up shots that he was physically shaking.It’s also been wonderful to see a fiery side to both Kath and Glenda. Glenda’s understandable fury at her cousin is particularly effective. It’s only really struck me as I write this that Iris’s lie is all the more reprehensible because Glenda is the genuine survivor of just such a trauma.It feels as though someone’s going to have grave consequences, but I know that both Iris and Arthur continue in the series for some time to come, so perhaps there won’t be. If Iris starts sniffing and says sorry and is forgiven by all I fear I’ll throw something.I knew Roger Tonge died in 1981 and last night thought I’d check when his final episode is, just in case it slips by without me noticing. IMDb has huge gaps, so it’s hard to tell. But the last episode they have listed for him is #3420 which is just three episodes from now. It may not be accurate, but I’ll be watching him closely, just in case.Oh wow. That was quicker than I thought, and it's good to know that the value of our investments has just increased significantly!!My guess is that in time Network will re-issue these episodes in smaller, more basic sets. My guess would be ten separate boxes with nine discs per box. And I think the bonus material won't appear again.Whatever the case, I'm incredibly glad I bought this set. It's been a highlight of 2023 for me.What a great read. It's fascinating to read about the practicalities. If I had to guess, I'd say that Stan the floor manager is the "It's part one and it's take one" guy from the sound idents.But, my goodness... going to Take Three?! Jack Barton would have had them killed off in the next episode.</blockquote>

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