MovieChat Forums > Neighbours (1985) Discussion > Wow! My thoughts so far...!

Wow! My thoughts so far...!

posted 8 years ago by rockfenris2005
23 replies | jump to latest

Preface: Thirteen years ago we all sat in the dining room eating dinner with "Neighbours" on the TV. Toadie and Dee were getting married. It was the big day. The car goes over the cliff. That was one of the most iconic moments in the history of "Neighbours" and Aussie TV in general. How many people remember the "blonde woman" going over the cliff in the car?

I can't remember how many years I've wanted something like this to happen, just to touch on the story in anyway. Some of the other fans really wanted it. Some of the others didn't, and wanted to leave well enough alone. I just wanted it to be done properly.

TONIGHT! I just sat down here after watching the episode and my head's swirling. The feeling's just surreal. Dee back on "Neighbours" reunited with Toadie trying to explain all the mysteries.

OK. Like thirteen years ago, we were in the same dining room and I went in to watch "Neighbours" and Toadie's just answered the door and Sonya comes up. Like Jim's death, with everyone's different reactions like Julie fighting with Jim's spouse, Helen in shock over the dead body, and Rosemary squealing. Everyone has these different powerful reactions. Then you get Steph walking in and her connection with both Dee and Sonya. Mark gets on his high horse again.

My thoughts are kind of a blur. I'm sorry. I'm going to watch this episode again, and also try to calm down a bit. But that's my immediate reaction. OH "Neighbours", Bravo! Cheers, cheers, cheers!

At the moment, it goes down as one of the most epic "Neighbours" storylines ever! 2017 so far is what the 30th SHOULD have been!

Bravo!!!!!

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

It's amazing. Brilliant. Done so well. It doesn't matter that I don't know Dee beyond "the blonde woman who died going over a cliff" or as Toadie's ex who died (I think I prefer that one, actually) - it's just so good so far. I don't have expectations beyond it being good and it's exceeding those already. Everyone's reactions - from Karl and Susan to Mark being supercop and worrying about Sonya to Steph just being so overwhelmed to have her back, and Sonya being an obvious mix of happy and sad and maybe a little "what now" and Toadie being more happy than anything but still really unsure - it's just right. That's the only way I can put it. It's just how this kind of storyline should be. I think if it keeps up, this might be the best of the type I've seen, going by the first episode. Just brilliant.

[–] drproject-57731 8 years ago

that was a huge 20 minutes i still don't know how react. On Friday i was thinking it was not Dee was Toadie mind just playing trick on him for a moment and that surely she just not rock up like that wow

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

Imagine if we had no idea she was going to come back until Stonie rocked up that night, if they'd just pulled it out of nowhere. Wish "Neighbours" would do this with a storyline.

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

That really is an unusual approach - usually it's a bit more "is it or isn't it" and I really like it!

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

Yes. Karl and Susan! I loved how they used them in this. They're like the "sentinels" of Ramsay Street! Also, when Dee showed them the picture of her injuries, that's actually taken from real life. They drew from Madeleine's real life story because she was hit by a bus in 2002. I love that someone with your perspective's responding to this well too. That's really awesome.

I'm waiting for Mark to tell Dee that they thought he was dead too!!!

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

I loved that and I can't wait to see them actually see her and all the other regulars who knew her/knew of her. I'm already wondering about Paul for some reason, I guess because it's possible he'll just see her round the hotel or something.

Oh god, that's awful, poor Madeleine! Those injuries looked awful.

I really am enjoying it. Honestly it's already knocking most of the Taylor returns stories on Bold & Beautiful into a hat!

Oh I think that could be really interesting - I heard (on the show, I think they mentioned it? Or on here) he was in witness protection, I guess that's why?

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

Ohhh I remember Taylor. I knew that's what you must have been referring too. I forgot you watched B&B. I think I got you "mixed up" with KoalaPig. I knew someone hadn't watched it and someone had. I watched B&B when Taylor "died" (she came back from the dead twice!) when they took her off life support. And then she came back about three years later. What makes this more special I spose is just the length of time considering. This is thirteen/fourteen years compared to three. And who even thought it was going to happen? Speaking of Taylor, I always thought it would be cool if they actually brought Phoebe back to life, and the prince had a son or nephew or something who took her back to Morocco haha. Also, Macy, now that we mention it. I still don't know what they've got planned for their 30th. I wonder if it's any good!!!

Mark went into witness protection, and they showed all that happening in a "real time" episode. Kate didn't get there on time, so she lost him. Then they were all told that Mark was killed. Fast forward a few years... Mark comes back during an eclipse. But it was so *beep* THIS so far for me is spectacular.

[–] drproject-57731 8 years ago

so just had a rewatch

Dose this technically mean Toadie still married to Dee and his marriage to Sonya not valid?

things I've notice was that Dee knew who Sonya was right away (and Toad smell her perfume in the house)

and she got weird at the mention on Mark talking to to Emily

still feel weird have her back even know read about the return months ago. Looking forward to Susan and Karl talking to her

really hope Dee doesn't come out this stoyline a villain

I wish i wish Libby could come back even for 2 episode actually I'd even be happy for (obviously more episode the better but be happy with what i can get)

[–] HalinCozell 8 years ago

She didn't seem happy about Mark being a cop. I've been watching Neighbours since the beginning and of course I remember Dee and what happened, but I can't really recall her personality. Was she a nice good person? I think so, if I remember correctly.

She remembered Toady a really long time ago already, it's weird that she only shows up now.

Also, what about her dead parents? Was this ever mentioned?

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

From my memory, she was lovely and a bit eccentric too, and she went out with a few people before like Darcy and Joel before she got together with Toadie. I remember when she originally came on. She was like a guest character, her and some other woman who Joel and the boys had "picked up" one night at the bar.

Also from memory, her parents WEREN'T mentioned. It took me by surprise when Toadie mentioned that last week. I'm pretty sure he never mentioned anything at the time.

I wish we could go back and watch Steph and Max's wedding now!!! Knowing that she's there somewhere!!! Why are they uploading 2008 eps to their YouTube channel??? They should be putting these ones up!

[–] drproject-57731 8 years ago

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzspeo_neighbours-episode-4528_shortfilms

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

Ohhhh thanks!

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

Libby is the real "disappointment" for me here. If only she was able to be part of this. Kym MUST be watching this at home, surely????

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

I'm nearly sure that would have to be the case with the marriage - unless because Dee was declared legally dead it was the same as if they were divorced? Not sure of the law there.

I think Dee knew what Toadie was up to during the years though.

I don't think she'll be a villain. I can't see it.

Libby would be good but I can't see it from what's been said, sadly.

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

Oh yeah, I'm a soap tragic, but at least I admit it? but yes, I remember both times. I think that's a part of it, definitely, that it's been so long. Oh I'd like that, but I liked Phoebe better than Steffy (I like Steffy, don't get me wrong, just a preference thing). I hope it will be good.

Oh right, oh dear, how sad. That sounds intriguing, but not like this, not at all.

[–] reo1000 8 years ago

I don't think there is any excuse that Neighbours could have thought of that would have been perfect, or even near it. So I don't think we can pick apart the details too much. But 13 years! She had memory issues, but not enough that she couldn't remember Toadie, her friends, her family, places. She lived 13 years as another woman, going under another ID, how did she get that? She would also have to have registered her daughter's birth.. It's hard to accept that Dee could live not just another life as another person, but also not coming back for so long and really not having a good enough excuse for staying away.

As for the episode. It was great!! Loved Toadie's reaction when he answered the door and the scene at the end with Toadie in bed with Sonya and Dee in the hotel, the music was perfect. I also loved Dee and Steph hugging. Steph claiming that she would know if it was Dee or not and that she would sort her out if it was a fraud, but Steph knew straight away and went in for a hug.

Typical Mark behaviour in wanting to talk to Dee.

Also very pleased that they focused only on this episode, rather than adding other character storylines just to fill up the episode.

---
Your failures are your own, old man!

[–] rockfenris2005 8 years ago

I know! Thank God they didn't interupt it! The Cannings would have ruined it. Many questions about Dee. But gosh, this episode was Adorable!!!

[–] drproject-57731 8 years ago

you mean Steph

[–] reo1000 8 years ago

lol Yes, I did.

---
Your failures are your own, old man!

[–] gezzymac80 8 years ago

I know! Thank God they didn't interupt it! The Cannings would have ruined it.

And with the way Xanthe has been annoying me lately with the way she's treating Ben, I'm kind of glad!

[–] reo1000 8 years ago

I think anyone would have ruined the flow of the episode especially with moody characters and thank god they didn't try and split the episode with some 'comedy' with another of the families between the Dee scenes.

I was getting annoyed at Susan looking through the photo album, I am sure it was meant to be sad and nostalgic, but it kind of bugged me that they were just showing photos when Dee was next door!! I think they should have had Sonya stick around a little longer before leaving with Steph, so she could hear more of what Dee had to say. I am not a fan of Sonya and while she never knew Dee, she should know what happened and what is going through Toadie's head, she should also be there to support Toadie.

I hope Sonya isn't going to get shut out (like the scene where they showed Toadie, Dee and Steph on the sofa, while Sonya and Mark were watching in the kitchen), because that will just lead to Toadie and Dee getting close, Sonya confiding in Mark and them getting close, Steph feeling forced away from Mark and then into Victoria's arms.

---
Your failures are your own, old man!

[–] debbieblackman17 8 years ago

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of this story. It feels like it's just another story to add more drama to Toadie and Sonya and - after everything they've been through - I don't them to split. And 13/14 years is far too long for this story to work

I can't explain why I'm not that fussed over it and it's just me personally. Sorry. Maybe it's because Dee isn't really an "iconic" character (like Scott, Charlene, Beth, Lou, Harold, Madge, Paul, etc). I can barely remember any of her stories except her relationship with Darcy and, of course, the wedding day cliff top

On the other hand, it's a interesting story and it could get surprisingly dark for Neighbours

[–] bennmatt 8 years ago

As someone who's watching who hasn't seen her before, I agree, the story is interesting and could get dark, but I'm not really sure it had to be Dee specifically to tell this story? Like it could've worked as well with Kate or someone else presumed dead? I think it's being told well and I'm caught up in it as it's being told and I like Dee as far as it all goes - but it's like a new story to me, that happens to be about this past character, Dee.

I am liking it more than you are overall, I think, and I feel it's a good and interesting story, but I think there's a shade of story I'm not feeling completely, due to it being a new story to me.