Youd think that sequences such as the Roscoes stuck in the rapids, the Halloween Spooktacular and the colossal school explosion would have backed Hollyoaks into a corner. How on earth can a show that keeps topping its own stunt weeks carry on bettering them every year?
Shows what I know, though. This year, they went for a community being caught in the storm and the focus remained on the characters and their storylines coming to a head within the confines of a heightened scenario. The main focal point wasnt the special effects. Although at one point, they did whack in a whopping great tornado. That is by no means a complaint.
When we saw a whirlwind creeping towards the returning Stephanie Davis, we could – and possibly should – have scoffed. But from the moment that Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid did a Good Morning Britain report solely to warn that the village of Hollyoaks would be beset by a storm, we knew that we werent meant to take this too seriously. We were meant to take it for what it was – tongue in cheek, camp as tits, brilliant entertainment.
Throughout the year, Hollyoaks has set the bar in raising topical stories with deep, meaningful and relatable messages. Hard hitting stories such as self harm, bulimia, sexual abuse, domestic violence, schizoaffective disorder and gaslighting have all been tackled with major sensitivity and with much deserved acclaim following.
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Hollyoaks is a show that saves lives. But it is also a show that entertains and now and again, it lets itself go into completely madcap territory – and the results are effective and a tonic to the heaviness that is sometimes needed.
We had James Nightingale delivering quips such as branding Ste a tracksuit hanger. We had an inspired game of never have I ever that saw Mercedes and Tony trying to trump one another with their most outrageous sexual partners. We had Sinead almost being impaled by the flying Hollyoaks sign and we had Prince discovering a new found love for sushi.
The episodes were packed with gags and humour but also the excitement that every stunt week needs. This wasnt about a storm comes, someone dies, everyone moves on. A storm leaves a wreckage and this one certainly did.
As the clouds clear we have the sprouts of massive storylines to come. How will James deal with having a son and will he and Harry get back together? How will the Lomaxes and Hutchinsons deal with Tegans death? Will Imran ever be redeemed after what he has done? Will Lily and Romeo commence a full blown affair? How will Ste and Sinead get on and what is she hiding? And just what is Mac plotting?
Thats where Hollyoaks gets it right. They do the special effects brilliantly and they are always good for a gasp or two. But they ensure that it isnt what the stunt week is solely about. A stunt week should never be the end of a story but the beginning.
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The wind and rain was present throughout the episodes but actually served as more of a fantastic atmosphere for the turmoil of James and Romeo, the anger of Ste and the pure evil of monster Mac who appeared in one pretty brief but delicious scene which brought the welcome campness level through the roof.
Given that he stole the show with a multi-syllable utterance of the word biii-tttt-cccch which dripped with malice, Hollyoaks need to wheel Mac out for every stunt week.
Hollyoaks sets the bar very high for other soaps to follow. Bells and whistles are entertaining but there must always be a reason for a stunt. Its easy to think that Hollyoaks have trapped themselves by making it traditional to have an autumn event like this. House insurance must be an absolute mare in that village.
But in having that date pencilled in, they can work through the year to ensure that there are storyline bombs to explode before, during and after – ensuring that the stunt just feels part of the narrative rather than a needless spectacle.
Except for the two minute tornado. That was just brilliant fun and a tongue in cheek cherry on the top for a week that made us laugh, cry, gasp and shake our heads affectionately at stuff that only Hollyoaks would dare to try and get away with it.
The beauty of it is, they DO get away with it. Through the unique tone they have worked out for themselves that sets them apart from the other soaps, Hollyoaks have earned a cheeky tornado or two.
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And I cant wait to see what they have in the pipeline for next year? Meteor strike maybe? So long as it provided strong storylines for the characters, Id probably buy even that. Almost.
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