"Hollyoaks"' Brendan Attacks Ste! Or Does He?

Welcome to another edition of Gays Of Our Lives Theater. This week we look at the latest happening in four soaps: Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, People of the Valley and Good Times, Bad Times. So let’s get started…

Good Times, Bad Times

This is the second week in a row that I’ve enjoyed this soap… and that’s got to be some kind of record. But it was another week in which we had some sweet and fun scenes with Lucas and Edwin, which is much needed after all the over-the-top drama they’ve been through. Other soaps should take note, by the way. Most shows either take their gay folks from one horrific crisis or problem to another in an unceasing cycle of drama and angst. Either that, or we don’t the gay characters at all. It’s nice for this show to offer some downtime from all the drama without also putting the characters on the back-burner.

I must admit though that this is the side of Lucas that I absolutely cannot stand. It’s why he’ll never be a favorite character of mine. His childish impetuousness is not appealing to me, so scenes like this make Lucas a really irritating character. I know a lot of fans think this kind of behavior is endearing, but there are other words I could use instead. LOL!

I guess for me, invading your boyfriend's privacy, lying to him and generally being an all around brat are the kind of things can kill a relationship. Edwin is a lot more patient and forgiving than Lucas deserves, I think. I'd like to see some growth from Lucas after this particular incident and for him to realize that it’s not always about what he wants when he wants it.

While I did enjoy them going on the trip Edwin planned for Lucas, I’m on Lucas’ side: fishing is boring! Heh. Ferry Doedens and Raynor Arkenbout have great chemistry and it absolutely sparkled here. Most of all, I like that we’re getting to see Lucas and Edwin in situations that a new couple would have to deal with as they get to know each other, even though they might already be in love.

Like I said, this is the second week in a row that I’ve enjoyed this show. Can we go for three?

*THANKS TO GTSTfanMark for the clips!

People of the Valley

I can’t believe that it wasn’t that long ago that I loved this storyline. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Now I’m bored and annoyed with it and I just want it to be finished which, oddly enough, seems exactly where Iolo is right now.

It’s puzzling that Alun can’t see what is right in front of him. Surely he has to at least suspect that Iolo isn’t into him anymore. Having your boyfriend avoid kissing you is never a good sign. And I thought that Iolo’s excuses were weak and flimsy and unbelievable. So either they’re playing Alun as stupid, which he has never been, or he is willfully ignoring what is all too obvious. That would make more sense, but it doesn’t seem to be the case in the shoddy writing. I just wish something would break in this storyline one way or the other.

Speaking of avoiding kisses, what’s happened with this show? A couple of months ago we saw Alun and Iolo kissing and making out onscreen, including a couple of bedroom scenes. Now when the romantic moments come, they hug? Is this the show’s way of showing that the passion has gone out of the relationship, or are they shutting down the physical affection for other reasons? I’ve noted before for that this show is very conservative about showing sexual intimacy of all kinds and that love scenes of any sort are rare.

This makes me wonder if the show got some complaints about the romantic scenes between Iolo and Alun and this is their response. I certainly hope not, especially since at some point, Iolo is bound to have a new boyfriend. But what I’m seeing, or not seeing, is very worrisome.