August 30th 2024.
As I watched the latest episode of EastEnders, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The scene at the nightclub was packed with people, bustling and jostling to get through the crowd. It reminded me of a time a few years ago when I found myself caught in a claustrophobic mob at a New Year's street event. It was a terrifying experience, and watching the characters on screen go through a similar situation brought back those same feelings.
I've always been impressed by the way soaps manage to pull off epic stunt sequences on a tight budget. The motorway pile-up in Emmerdale and the tram crash in Coronation Street could easily pass for scenes in a Hollywood film. But this week, EastEnders took a different approach with a nightclub crowd crush. On paper, it seemed like a risky move, but they pulled it off in a way that was both tense and believable.
As someone who has a fear of being crushed in a crowd, this episode had me squirming with unease. The way the club became more and more crowded, with people desperately trying to get out, was enough to make me feel panicky. And what made it even more successful was how it differed from a complaint I've had about other soaps recently - the lack of background characters.
Have you ever noticed how quiet the Rovers in Coronation Street feels these days? It's a far cry from its former days when it was bustling with supporting artists and various characters having casual chats. And over in Hollyoaks, there's been criticism about the lack of interactions between character groups. It's as if everyone is caught in their own bubble, with family relationships and friendships forgotten for long periods of time.
But EastEnders has been getting a lot right over the past couple of years. I've particularly enjoyed the emphasis on community and the strong continuity with nods to the past. The scenes now feel more character-driven, and the Square itself - especially the market - still feels as lively as ever.
The success of a plotline like the nightclub crush relies heavily on the utilization of the cast. And EastEnders did an excellent job of incorporating a diverse range of characters, from the young teens who were injured to older characters like Kim who got some much-needed focus as she battled with PTSD.
As the chaos unfolded, it was hard not to feel a sense of urgency and horror alongside characters like Zack, Penny, and Lauren. And while the topical story of the overcrowded nightclub was gripping, it was also blended seamlessly with a more traditional soap element - cheating Cindy and Junior caught in the office.
The stunts themselves were brilliantly choreographed and directed, with a mass of bodies and a range of cast, supporting artists, and stunt performers. It's no easy feat to pull off in a soap that has to produce four episodes a week on a tight turnaround.
The aftermath of the nightclub crush promises to have a lasting impact on characters like Chelsea Fox, played by the talented Zaraah Abrahams. And it's given Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning, a chance to showcase his acting skills as his character tries to navigate between Penny and Amy in the midst of the chaos.
But what stood out to me the most was how this episode highlighted the importance of supporting artists and a diverse mix of characters in a soap. Without them, the club crush scenes could have fallen flat. It's a reminder that no matter what a soap is tackling, getting the fundamentals right is essential. And EastEnders has certainly done that, setting the stage for many months of compelling storylines to come.
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