TALKING POINTS | Patricia Routledge, Peaky Blinders, EastEnders and Emmerdale
- Elliot Gonzalez
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again when I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
From the sad passing of Dame Patricia Routledge's sad passing to Celia's true identity being revealed in Emmerdale and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE
passing away aged 96
On Friday, the day after we sadly lost Only Fools & Horses favourite Patrick Murray at 68, news broke that another British sitcom favourite, the icon that is, Dame Patricia Routledge, had passed away at the age of 96. And this one hurt. Really hurt.
Growing up, there were few sitcoms that made me laugh more than Keeping Up Appearances, and yes the writing was brilliant, but it was the way in which Patricia Routledge inhabited the character of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) that had me, and still has me, rolling about in laughter.
Away from Keeping Up Appearances, other brilliant performances from Patricia were Kitty in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, Miss Ruddock in Talking Heads, (A Lady of Letters) and later Hetty Wainthropp in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.
Rest easy Patricia, thanks for all the laughs, and hope you enjoy many a candlelight supper up there, reunited with Clive Swift.
2
PEAKY BLINDERS
returning to BBC One
When Peaky Blinders ended in ____, it was thought that would be the end, until a film was announced in _______ and now this week, the BBC (and Netflix) has confirmed that Peaky Blinders will return for two brand new series, this time set in 1953 and telling the story of a new generation of Shelbys.
After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger: with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.
When the news was announced earlier this week, writer and creator Steven Knight, said "I’m thrilled to be announcing this new chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride."
3
STACEY LEAVING AS MAX RETURNS
in EastEnders
It was another big week for EastEnders as Max Branning's return to Walford after four years away, saw another favourite, Stacey Slater, pack her bags and leave for Brazil with Hope and Arthurleaving Lily behind.
Despite doing a u-turn on her decision to move to Brazil earlier on in the week, it was Max's surprise arrival that made Stacey realise Walford isn't for her anymore, and off to Brazil she went.
When Max made a surprise return to EastEnders earlier this year as part of Zoe Slater's flashback scenes, much was made about what would happen when he turned up in Walford. Would him and Zoe be together? Will he cross paths with Stacey? And this week, we got our answers.
Arriving just in time to catch his daughter Lauren's wedding bouquet, Max Branning wasted no time in trying to pick up where he left off with Zoe, whilst also trying to win back Stacey 18 years after their affair was dramatically exposed on Christmas Day.
After letting him in for a glass of wine, Stacey opens up about her grief, with Max telling her that he misses what they had and that he genuinely loved her. And she tells him she too, genuinely loved him. But with Max getting closer to her, Stacey makes it clear that Martin was the love of her life.
With the threat of a kiss looming, the pair were interrupted by Zoe who made it her mission to warn Stacey off Max and convince her that she should start afresh in Brazil after all.
However, as Zoe and Max share a kiss outside The Queen Vic, what they don't know is taht Stacey is watching from across the Square, before storming into the pub to reveal all!
Deciding to leave for Brazil after all, Max watched as Stacey said goodbye to her family, except for mum Jean who was stuck on the tube with Priya.
As Stacey, Hope and Arthur drove off in the back of a cab, in classic EastEnders style, there was sadly no Julia's theme, which would usually mark the exit of a massive character like Stacety. However, I hope and don't think that she'll be gone for long.
In a video released on social media following her exit, the accompanying copy said "we’re saying goodbye to the wonderful Lacey Turner...for now." indicating that she will be back, with even Lacey herself saying in the video that she'll be "I am coming back. I won't be long." So it's more of an extended break than a true goodbye.
4
CELIA'S TRUE IDENTITY
being revealed in Emmerdale
Since Jaye Griffiths joined Emmerdale at the end of June, as new farmer Celia, her true intentions and identity were kept hidden until Thursday night, when during the soap's hour-long episode, we saw her shocking transformation.
Abandoning her compassion, Celia violently slapped April, in a shock twist that at last revealed her as the mastermind behind the drugs gang. Before ominously warning April about the rules and consequences of her monumental stupidity, threatening her life if she didn't lie to the police about how she obtained the drugs.
And for the first time, Ray, the drug dealer, previously thought to be in charge of the operation, played by Joe Absolom, was seen reduced to a cowering wreck in front of the woman he calls mum, clearly illustrating Celia's absolute control.
We know this woman, Celia, is not to be messed with and we now fear for April and Dylan who are navigating paying off their debts with their pay masters. Lying to those that care about them to keep them off the scent, trapped in county lines drug dealing, a form of modern slavery and we fear for their futures.
Emmerdale have been working with The Salvation Army for their expertise regarding this County Lines storyline and I can't wait to see how the storyline develops over the coming weeks and months.
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