After proving to be one of the most complained about storylines in the show's history, I thought it was about time I checked in on the Kat/Ronnie gate last night.
With a staggering 3,000 complaints already under their belt, it's pretty obvious that the public haven't taken too kindly to 'Eastenders' cot death/baby swap storyline. While it's understandable that many people will be distraught and affected by the plot, it comes after a monstrous list of equally controversial and topical storylines.
'Eastenders' has never been one to shy away from debatable issues. With numerous murders and a recent poisoning storyline behind them, it seems that people are unable to separate fact from fiction. Why watch a soap if you can't handle their take on reality?
If drama is what you're looking for, and it certainly is when I switch over to soapland, then 'Eastenders' has hit the nail on the head with this one. There's no need for Janine Butcher around when the emotions of a teary Ronnie and Kat are flying about.
Admittedly there are some bizarre parts to the plot. Even though I was fully aware that the storyline would be running until Easter, there was a part of me that thought they might surprise us and end it all last night in the pub. Jazz hands. As Ronnie handed over baby Tommy to Kat I was sure that was the end of it all.
Alas, it seems it is deemed to run for as long as they can milk it. Who wouldn't question why Ronnie was handing Kat her baby straight after Tommy's funeral? Who wouldn't think it was strange that Ronnie was profusely apologising to Kat over and over again? Well, Jean did in fact notice but they ended up sending her away with a nurse. Typical way for 'Eastenders' to brush insanity under the rug.
With Kat looking like a wax work figure these days, I think it's her they should be sending away to a home, if she couldn't even recognise her own baby. I know they say baby's change every day but surely she'd know Tommy from James in a heartbeat.
With the whole square under the pretence that Ronnie is suffering from post natal depression, they seem to have also developed a total disregard for her erratic behaviour. At this stage it looks like they'd tell her to go have a lie down if she does tell the truth.
The storyline is a bit far-fetched. Not only would she have never kidnapped another person's child in the first place but surely she would have regained her sanity by now and come clean. At the end of the day though, a nice cup of tea will sort it out. In 'EastEnders', whether you've just won the lotto or hit someone over the head with a hammer, there's nothing like a hot a cuppa tea to make it all better.
Elsewhere in the square two equally unappealing storylines are beginning to take shape. With Darren and Jodi still going strong, it seems she has found herself a pal. Poppy, or Tweedle Dum to Jodi's Tweedle Dee, is apparently a parrot who repeats everything Jodi says. Poor Jodi has also been stuck wearing the same clothes for the past few episodes. Hopefully her purpose will be made clearer soon.
In the meantime their light banter is probably just a ploy to take away from the harshness of the main storyline. Honestly could they have not thought of something better than a Vicky Pollard style sketch?
Tamwar and his parents are also filling in the gaps of the baby story. The quicker they find him a woman the better.
Charlie finally decided to dig out his 1950's bag last night and said goodbye to the square. Not satisfied with pulling at our heartstrings throughout the episode, Charlie was given the ultimate farewell with the special 'EastEnders' music at the end of the episode. Surprisingly (especially as he was a cabbie), he left by train. Maybe the taxis were all booked up that day.
With Ronnie still hiding the true identity of baby James (or should that be Tommy?), I'm sure she'll never get a babysitting job again after her nasty secret comes out. I can't wait to see what Eastenders does next to top this storyline.
Sarah Carty
