Daily Mail - Daily Mail Weekend Magazine
EASTENDERS
As the rest of the country celebrates Father’s Day tomorrow, it’s a good time to contemplate soapland’s patriarchs. They’re a bit of a shower. In EastEnders this week, Ian struggles to celebrate and, despite attempting a father/son gesture, leaves Steven feeling rejected. Still, it could be worse: he could be Ben, for whom a factory of Clintons Father’s Day cards wouldn’t be enough to sort out his fractious relationship with Phil.
Chrissie and Rebecca are suspicious of Lawrence’s secretive behaviour in Emmerdale and there’s a revelation about Chrissie’s biological father that sets her off on a Miss Marple trail to find closure. But is Lawrence being totally honest? As for Cain as father material: let’s hope those two apples, Kyle and Debbie, fall as far away from the tree as possible, although that looks highly unlikely.
Coronation Street has some pretty good father figures – Kevin, Tim, David (well, give or take the odd attempted murder) – but it remains to be seen how Billy and Todd will survive taking on youngster Summer. It’s more likely to be a winter of discontent. Copious amounts of alcohol might be needed. Oh, for the days when Abi was a sweet little cherub who hardly ever opened her mouth. This week, unable to contain her jealousy of Lauren, she tells Steven about her sister’s termination. It’s anybody’s guess why she’s jealous; Lauren (above, with Steven) is about as enviable as a taxidermist’s window exhibit.
How will Steven react, especially when he sees Lauren and Josh chatting again? And will Abi (inset) come to regret her actions? Be prepared to be surprised when her 21st birthday does not go according to plan.
It’s also Kush’s birthday this week, but when
he spends the day with Arthur, events take a turn during an incident involving Denise and Keegan. Has any woman been more of a curse on anyone’s life than Denise is on Kush’s? He’s touched when she leaves a present for him (touched in the head, I reckon), then stunned when the police arrive to talk to him.
It’s a tough week for Ian as Kathy tries to steer him from the path of healthy righteousness. Jane’s having none of it and threatens to throw Kathy out. What’s Kathy’s motive? Maybe the costume department is worried they just don’t have the budget to kit out a slimmer Ian with a whole new wardrobe.