A Place To Call Home (Australia)

Well, it only took all season, but Henry and James finally hooked up in the finale. And at least when they kissed, they actually went for it. It was nice. But I can't help but be a little disappointed by the way the story has been handled.

We should have seen more of their relationship building to that moment of passion. I mean, all season we got glimpses of James wanting to be with Henry, but resisting. We never got to see much of their actual friendship as it grew.

So I have no idea how they really feel about each other. Are there real emotions between them or was it just about the sex?

As it is, the whole plot arc seemed more like it was about Olivia’s reaction to James sleeping with Henry rather than James being true to himself and being with the man he cares for. I mean, how come Olivia got to be the bitter, betrayed wife when she cheated on James first?

And poor dumb Olivia is deluding herself if she thinks that Lloyd will be happy that she landed on his doorstep with a baby in tow. She didn’t realize that she was just a fling to Lloyd? I guess she’ll find that out next season.

A couple of other things really bothered me about this season finale: one was that after Anna found out that Gino had told James about the baby not being his, she confronted Gino, but ended up forgiving him after a few kisses and barn sex?

Um, your husband destroys your brother’s marriage and that’s all it takes for you to get over it? That must be some Italian sausage Gino is packing.

Second was the show being super lazy about Elizabeth having another heart attack as ‘suspense’ to end the season. Can we stop using that as a plot point, especially since we know she’ll be okay when the show comes back?

As for the show’s main story, I do hope that Sarah’s baby survives the latest calamity to befall it. Then again, if the baby dies, there’s not much of a story, is there?

See you next season.

Cuffs (UK)

So Simon is cheating on Jake? Big shock. Not. If it smells like a dog, it is a dog and I’ve never thought Simon was the type to stick to one guy. That’s why I was surprised that he and Jake moved in together to begin with.

The problem is Jake probably is more of the monogamous sort and given how he reacted to learning about his Dad’s affair, he won’t be too pleased finding out about Simon’s cheating.

I also wasn’t surprised that Jake’s mom knew about Jake’s dad being a cheat and simply looked the other way. Now it’s up to Jake to get over it. Thing is though, affair or not, Jake’s dad is an all around asshole.

As for the rest of the show, the other stories, like the guy who was willing to commit a crime to go back to jail and the woman who staged her own kidnapping were interesting and compelling. And I can watch any story involving Felix. Maybe it’s the caring Daddy figure thing I like.

EastEnders (UK)

I don’t watch this show regularly so I really had no idea what this thing with Ronnie is about, but her being arrested, only find out they weren’t the cops was interesting. I’m guessing Dean had something to do with it all?

I’m surprised he’s still around given that he raped Linda last year. But that’s soaps for you. I can’t lie though, he’s still hot.

As for Ben, I liked that scene with him and Phil, even if Phil doesn’t deserve his son’s love. And I wish Les would remind Paul that his marriage wouldn't be in trouble if Paul wasn’t such a nosy, judgemental busybody. He might want to fix Les and Pam’s marriage now, but he should have thought about that before he stuck his nose in where it had no business being.

BTW, who was the mean old biddy at the Mitchell dinner? She apparently has been around for awhile, but I’ve never seen her before. Not sure I want to again, either.

Emmerdale (UK)

Poor Diane. You get stabbed and then find out you have cancer. Can’t win for losing.

So Emma ran away, moved to a new place and got a new job because people believed she was Chas’ stalker? After everything Emma has done to get herself back into her family’s life, which includes some pretty awful things (like attempted murder) that is a hard to buy plot point. Of course without it, Finn wouldn’t have any scenes at all.

And sigh. Finn just stood there and watched as Cain manhandled his mother to while Emma responded by punching Cain twice.

Chas is terrified of being stalked, yet she’s hanging out in dark cemeteries at night?

I liked how the entire village was affected in some way or another by Diane's stabbing the night it happened, but the most amazing part of the whole story arc was that Chas turned herself in. Usually everyone in this village thinks they shouldn't pay when they committed a brutal crime. Just ask Chrissie, Andy, Robert, Cain, Ross...

Andy looked hot in that outfit at Bernice’s hen party, but it makes no sense that he would care who she’s marrying and interfere in her wedding. Just last week he was weeping over Katie and he’s always treated Bernice like toilet paper stuck to his shoe.

Holby City (UK)

How can Dom resist Lee’s beautiful smile?

I really liked Dom and Lee's scenes this week. I loved how Dom at first denied then struggled to deal with having romantic feelings for a patient, which isn't a good idea on a number of levels.

But the picnic on the rooftop was really sweet as was the gift that Lee sent Dom. I think they have nice chemistry, even if as they both acknowledged they are very different. Do they have a future? I hope so.

Also, not that I don’t appreciate HC letting us see Lee’s delicious hairy chest and torso, but didn’t he just have surgery? Shouldn’t all that lovely hair be shaved off? And how exactly did Lee get Dom’s phone number? I know Sascha was teasing Dom (another terrific scene), but maybe Lee is a stalker after all. LOL...

London Spy (UK)

Langford on Soaps Best and Worst of 2015 is in a few weeks and I think it’s a safe bet to say that London Spy will easily win best show, unless something happens to ruin this series or a better show surprisingly comes along. Last week’s episode masterfully built upon the previous two and delivered perhaps one of the best scenes of the year.

That very long and very emotional sequence where Danny found out that he HIV positive was a dazzling blend of chilling suspense and utter heartbreak as we learned just how far ‘they’ would go to remove Danny as a threat.

Ben Whitehall's performance was amazing as he dealt with the shock and horror of what had been done to him, if it had been done to him. Is he really HIV positive? Is it just part of the master plan and was a trick of some sort. And if he is HIV positive, just how was it done?

There were a few other reveals, most notably, whatever Alex had found out, all of the leading spy agencies don’t want it exposed. I can’t imagine what it could be and can’t wait to find out. Of course, my question is, if the stakes are so big and Danny is standing in the way, why not just kill him? I hope there’s an answer to that rather than a flaw in the story.

There were plenty of other standout moments like the events surrounding the drug fueled gay orgy. I thought those scenes were terribly explicit for mainstream tv and I suspect they’ll be cut when the show airs here in the US. And I also loved Danny and Scottie’s visit to the club. Danny cleans up real nice, don’t he?

And that cliffhanger with the ringing phone was awesome.

Story, acting, cinematography: this show is firing on all cylinders. It’s not the spy drama I was expecting when I first heard about this show, as I was imagining a James Bondian type thriller, but it’s better than I ever could have dreamed.

Neighbours (Australia)

I admit I skipped last week’s Neighbours because the show has been so dreadfully boring lately. And when it’s not boring the stories are just stupid. That continues this week.

Mark and Paige are getting married? Zzz......

Those blond highlights in Aaron’s hair are not a good look. And WTH was he wearing when he went to visit Stephanie in the hospital?

So this week Aaron participated in Paul’s plan to drive Steph crazy, a few weeks ago he bought some illegal chemicals that burned down a school and nearly killed a few people, not to mention his faking that Paul had a stalker so he could get paid to be Paul’s bodyguard.

And all Nate can do is tell Aaron what a good person he is? Um, no. Your boyfriend is a unemployed flake whose ethics are questionable at best. That’s what you should be telling him, Nate.

Brad moved into Casa Brennan with Aaron, Mark, Daniel and Tyler? It doesn’t make sense storywise, but I better get some scenes of all of them lounging around the pool (or the living room) shirtless.

Two weeks ago Daniel was the moral center of the show. Now he’s trying to dupe Nate, who is not only his friend, but his roommate into a shady business deal? This is the kind of plotty writing that has really made this show tough to watch lately.

This Life (Canada)

I don’t have a lot to say about this past week’s show, mostly because it was just building up to Oliver’s decision to go to LA and fight the lawsuit slapped against him. I do love Oliver and Maggie’s sibling relationship. It’s one of my favorite things about this show.

I’m glad that Oliver and Romy’s therapist discussed the complete unethicality of them sleeping together, but while I suspect they claimed it was a mistake, I bet it happens again (and again).

THIS WEEK IN SPOILERS

Cuffs: Ryan's unethical handling of a police case has he and Jake coming to blows. Meanwhile, the bloom is off the rose in Simon and Jake’s relationship...

Emmerdale: Aaron begins to suspect that whoever shot Robert is the one stalking Chas, still unaware that Chas is stalking herself. When Aaron goes to Robert for information, what Robert says has Aaron wondering if Robert knows who shot him. Robert goes to Andy with the news and they both dread that Aaron will put the pieces together sooner rather than later.

Eventually though Aaron realizes that Chas’ stalker is all in her head and she did it to herself. Chas sees a doctor and is diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Diane, however, thinks it might be a scam for Chas to get away with the stabbing.

Meanwhile, when it becomes clear that Robert’s testimony will be crucial to Chrissie’s trial in causing the helicopter explosion, Lachlan goes to Robert for help. When Robert takes the stand, will what he says hurt or help?

Whatever Robert says must help because Chrissie’s verdict is not guilty. This being Emmerdale with a killer around every corner, this can’t be a shock.

Hollyoaks: John Paul finds out that Ms. St. Claire, the new principal, is secretly transgender. Ms. St. Claire is afraid that John Paul will spill what he knows, but JP makes it clear that he will keep her secret and has his total support and understanding.

Meanwhile, John Paul and Ste renew their friendship and have a cozy candlelit dinner. Harry begins to suspect that the spouses are getting back together, a icky notion that John Paul begins to consider as well.

River City: Patrick arranges for a football scout to come watch Drew play. Drew is excited, but his sister Caitlin throws cold water on his dreams. Angry and hurt, Drew resorts to cutting himself, his method of dealing with his emotional turmoil. When Patrick is suspicious of Drew’s cuts, Drew lies about how it happened.

Meanwhile, Caitlin is wary as to why Patrick is helping her brother and makes a shocking accusation against Patrick that upsets Drew. Drew acts out by stealing a car, leading to a confrontation between Drew and Patrick that has an emotional revelation.

This Life: Oliver goes back to LA to face the loss of his lover Tom and Tom’s embittered son Dylan, who wants to sue Oliver for the money Tom left him. But will Oliver’s haunting memories of he and Tom’s troubled relationship make him decide to give into Dylan or fight for what’s his?

TEASERS FOR NEXT WEEK

Coronation Street: Todd learns a big secret, but will he keep it to himself or use it to his advantage?

EastEnders: Kathy’s concern over Ben’s struggle with being gay could finally force Ben out of the closet...

Hollyoaks: Ste is back on drugs while Harry gets an offer that could take him away from Hollyoaks for good. And John Paul is determined to find out what Diego is hiding.

Holby City: Dom prepares to buy Lee a Christmas gift, until he learns a stunning revelation.

River City: After Robbie’s boozing lands him in the hospital, he realizes he needs to get his life back on track, but his efforts meet quick complications.

That’s it for this edition of Langford on Soaps. See you next week!