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A hint of reality

Zainab and Masood from Eastenders
  • Posted at 12:02pm
  • 23 February 2009
  • by GarethMcLean-RT
  • 1 comment

EastEnders

Though you might be weary of the Masoods' catering feud with the Beales - especially after Jane and Christian's food fight with Zainab - console yourself that at least the EastEnders family are not the victims of racist abuse. Not so long ago, persecution was the sole lot of ethnic-minority characters, and Asians in particular. So forgettable were the other storylines given to Sanjay and Gita in Albert Square between 1993 and 1998, it felt as if barely a month went by without the Hindu couple being subjected to racist abuse.

The same can't be said of the Masoods. Since arriving in 2007, cultural differences have been explored: Shabnam left for Pakistan to investigate her roots, while Zainab's secret past - her near-death in a fire in Pakistan after falling in love and bringing shame on her family - was dealt with poignantly. But they haven't been the Muslim family's raison d'être. Indeed, the feuds with the Beales and Bianca demonstrate that the Masoods are not defined by their differences.

When the Ferreira family was introduced in 2003, instead of tackling racial and religious tensions in the wake of 9/11, EastEnders dodged the issue and made them Goan Christians. Unpopular with critics and viewers alike, they were axed in 2005.

In 1992, Coronation Street was criticised by the Broadcasting Standards Council for its unrealistic lack of ethnic-minority characters. Nowadays, although the presence of Dev, Amber, Tara and Poppy doesn't quite match Manchester's reality, they're established in Weatherfield. Of course, you could argue that race not being an issue at all is just as unrealistic, and that Dev owning an empire of corner shops stinks of stereotyping.

But given that Hollyoaks is currently tackling the racist bullying of Anita Roy, who lives in the village with family Ash, Ravi and Leila, perhaps Soapland isn't entirely detached from the real world when it comes to issues of race.

When it comes to charm offensives, Janine tends to the offensive. So when Pat returns to the car lot, sparks will surely fly.

Just when it seemed that Denise and Chelsea were both getting back on an even keel, a face from Lucas's past and the mysterious Theo threaten to unsettle mother and daughter.

Hitting 40 with a thud, it seems Ian is having a midlife crisis (again) - much to the amusement of Billy and Phil. Little wonder Jane has turned to drink - but what's with the pole dancing?

Coronation Street

As Ken creeps closer to Martha, she might like to move her barge as yet another gentleman comes calling. Ted's attentions may not be amorous, but they're equally unsettling.

As Gary's day in court approaches, Tina's increasingly uneasy about perjuring herself for David. So will a word from a self-interested Joe sway his daughter one way or the other?

That noise you hear is Becky's heart pounding with the pressure. Not only is Liz's disapproval obvious, but Amy's rejection is unnerving - and Michelle is back.

Emmerdale

As Nicola sets her cap at Jimmy, believing he's loaded, Leyla receives a bouquet from a mystery admirer. She hopes it's from David, but is she headed for disappointment?

In his bid to undo some of the damage he's done to Debbie, Eli enlists to his cause the imprisoned Danielle. But involving the jailbird just seems to do more harm than good.

As Marlon and Eli team up to track down Jasmine at Sandy's, Ashley and Laurel also don their detective deerstalkers to nab their absent niece. But who will reach the fugitive first? And what will they find?

Hollyoaks

Cindy wasn't just at the back of the queue when they gave out charm, she was in the wrong queue getting a double dose of insolence. She incurs Steph's wrath when she deserts Mobs and ends up paying with her job.

Ste causes more trouble for Amy as he begs to see Leah, forces his ex to lie to Josh, then misreads her signals and dives in for a kiss. Nice work.

Calvin's coupling with Carmel hits another snag when his past (Nige) appears like a ghost and shakes the copper to his core. But what does it mean for Warren?

The Archers

Not even the Arcadian fields of Ambridge are immune to the chills of what we're all learning to call "the current economic climate". Though Brian is in a pickle, thanks to his duplicity with Tom and hardy Hannah's unwillingness to work for two bickering bosses, it's Matt who's really feeling the cold. C3PL - his business with Stephen Chalkman, not a character from Star Wars - is in administration and the erstwhile partners are staring daggers and blaming one another. Pity poor Brenda, who finds herself unwittingly involved when she uncovers some top-secret information. No, not that Matt is the son of Darth Vader.

Finally, Neil and Susan's silver wedding anniversary arrives. If Mike and Clarrie's plans go swimmingly, the Carters may reach their pearl anniversary. If not, they'll be drowning, not waving.

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Comments

  • Posted on 24 March 2009
  • at 10:16am
  • by M&S

I agree

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