EastEnders: A Literary Tribute
By Lise Alper
ENGLEWOOD, CO-EastEnders has been a part of my life for over 10
years. In many ways, it has been the closest thing to stability I've
known through many turbulent times.
I've known the Fowler family, the Butchers and the Beales longer
than anyone else I currently relate with. Personally, I've changed in
so many ways that most TV shows I enjoyed back in the late 1980s now
leave me scratching my head. Yet EastEnders remains a beloved
constant.
To someone unfamiliar with EastEnders, it may sound as if I'm
one of those dotty old ladies who lives and dies by the latest
connubial confrontation of "Erica Kane" (of General Hospital). No, I
don't set the table for my "friends" before I watch EastEnders;
neither do I talk back to the screen to warn them about backstabbers
or evil twins. EastEnders isn't that sort of show, which is why it's
withstood the test of time.
As an avid reader, it seems to me that EastEnders is more akin
to Dickens than Days of Our Lives. When I hear the familiar theme
song, I'm not expecting a fast-paced or glamorous 40 minutes. Rather,
it's a window into a world I had only heard about prior to
discovering EastEnders in 1989. The people who populate Albert Square
are the modern-day descendants of the people in Great Expectations or
David Copperfield. The first time I saw June Brown as Dot Cotton, I
couldn't believe my eyes! I had never seen anyone remotely like her
on film before! But I had seen her many times in my mind's eye while
reading a novel from the 19th century.
The daily grind, the trials and tribulations of the residents of
Walford are the same as those of the lower middle-class the world
over. Except in rare instances the storylines are character driven
rather than event driven. Mark Fowler is a perfect example. Almost
every storyline involving his character is based upon his ongoing
desire to live a normal family life, without allowing his HIV status
to destroy his quality of life. Everything that happens to him, such
as confronting Nick Cotton, stems from the simple need to be
paterfamilias of the Fowlers.
But no matter how high the standard of writing might generally
be (there have been some exceptions), it's the actors who inhabit
these characters that really deserve mention. Although Todd Carty is
actually the second actor to play Mark Fowler, it's his presence that
has brought this character to the forefront. The previous actor
ensured that Mark was more often talked about than seen. And even
though Susan Tully has gone on to larger horizons, her portrayal of
Mark's sister Michelle is still talked about amongst fans of
EastEnders. June Brown's appearance has been mentioned but not her
consummate skill as an actress. Not only does she make nosey,
righteous and gossiping Dot a lovable person, she has allowed the
character to grow with her troubles over the life of the show. Dot
Cotton has mellowed and become compassionate with old age which are
words that would never have been associated with her in 1987!
The original matriarch of EastEnders, Pauline Fowler, has also
changed with age but in a much different direction. As played by
Wendy Richard, Pauline initially was a harried but loving Mum, always
ready to take in a stray or feed yet another mouth on a strained
budget. Yet the Pauline of 2001 has become a tired, bitter widow who
never sees the bright side of anything.
This is absolutely in keeping with the events of her life, thru
Arthur's various brushes with the law, Michelle's illegitimate
children, Mark's illness and Martin's waywardness. She often seems so
tired of life it's no wonder that currently she's played as Dot's
contemporary when Dot is actually Pauline' mother's (Lou's) age!
Finally I must mention the continuing authenticity of Albert
Square itself. I have never seen a flat in the East End of London in
person, nor a 2-up 2-down, but I have no doubt they look just like
the interiors of EastEnders. When the series started, in 1985, the
Fowlers didn't even have an indoor loo! They had to go out to the
shed in the garden to use the W.C.!
The Queen Vic hasn't changed much, through all her various
landlords, and though the yuppies have been making inroads for years,
it seems as if they join the Square instead of Walford joining them.
Yes, although I often feel as if the BBC is doing all it can to
get me to stop watching EastEnders, I continue a loyal viewer and
proud of it! Keep up the good work, cast and crew of EastEnders!
There are some Yanks who do understand!
Lise Alper updates the Cast List up to date and accurate at the
Walford Web website
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