Entry 7 - Storylines

Story-lines are essential and are the most critical part of Eastenders, or indeed any soap opera. Especially since the programme exploits certain taboo's, these story-lines from small issues or incidents to massive illegal issues of all aspects, such as;

• hen nights and stag do's
• tragic weddings
• domestic abuse 
• rape 
• murder 
• immigrants
• child abuse
• mental illnesses
• terminal illnesses
• death of friends, lovers and family

As the stories progress the problems are first identified within the first few episodes, whereas as time moves on, these problems show how the characters deal with the problem and wherever they make the right or wrong choices. Therefore linking to the point where the drama escalates. These stories are carried out in real time, this is according to our reality, this means that when a story line is emerging it may happen at the end of one episode and continue half way through another episode. However, if the situation being highlighted is very dramatic and causes a change in the direction of Eastenders, for example, introducing a new character or getting rid of one, the storyline may continue at the beginning of the next episode.