Episodes 1-12: Introductions, Roo's dramatic 'change' and Sally's stupid Milco
Okay so the first couple of weeks of home and away was kind of a non-event. Nothing really happens story-line wise. I guess we're really just being introduced to the characters. A new family have moved to Summer Bay, they've bought the caravan park and they're a foster family (we know this stuff). There's Pippa and Tom and the foster kids. The girls are Carly and Bobbi (we all love Bobbi) who are constantly at each others throats. Carly is vain and selfish, Bobbi a bit of a rebel. And of course 8 year old Sally Fletcher who has an imaginary friend (we'll get to that later) and who's role is to just generally be very cute. There is also a teenager called Lynn who no one understands (or cares about). And the lads are Frank and Stephen the messer and the brainbox.
Principal Fisher's car is crashed by teenagers, Ailsa breaks up with Alf because his daughter doesn't like her and Lynn brings home a dog which is poisoned and killed because it was barking. I'm sure we'll find out who eventually but like... really? It's been pretty boring so far, a ghost better show up soon is all I'm saying.
At one point Carly goes to see her father (who she's been protected from through social services) and there is a hint that there was some form of abuse and then it's just never mentioned again. It's only been 12 episodes I suppose but the most exciting thing that happened is a dog was barking and then died. The most shocking thing for me really is Roo Stewart played by Justine Clarke. Her father is Alf Stewart who we obviously all know. She left the show after a couple of years only to return years later in 2010 this time played by Georgie Parker. Now I know when a new actress takes the part of an already existing character it's tough. It's tough to get the look right as well as the personality but in Home and Away's case they may as well  have made her a different character she's that different. Not just in looks but in personality. I know Roo is grown up now and won't look exactly the same but it's literally like they went out and deliberately found an actress that looks 100% different to the original Roo in every way!

                                                               Roo Before

                                                             Roo After
When Roo first came into it, I thought she was going to be Leah's  Greek sister or aunt or something!!!
Another thing I would like to talk about is Sally's imaginary friend, Milco. Years ago a homeless character came into home and away and his name was Miles Copeland played by Josh Quong Tart (lol). Him and Sally had an instant 'connection' and he was eventually revealed as Sally's brother who she used to call MilCo. Geddit? MILesCOpeland??? It's ridiculous, I always knew that but now that I'm watching the actual episodes where this imaginary friend originated it's even more ridiculous. It makes no sense. Pippa and Tom would've known about a brother and they constantly talk about how Milco is imaginary. And why did Sally never mention the fact she had a brother? She never shuts up about her dead parents in the show! The whole thing is really really dumb. Okay?
Anyway, I will leave you with the original theme tune which seems like it takes up half the episode, it's that long. There must be 16 verses in it. They also play haunting instrumental excerpts of the theme song throughout the episode which really creeps me out. And instead of doing a 'Last time on Home and Away' they play the last three minutes of each episode as the start of each episode so it's this weird continuous story. Anyway, hopefully things start kicking off in the bay soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM8Hi3grIqk

Home and Away: The beginning

The Beginning
Ever since I was a child I have watched Home And Away. My mother and grandmother would watch it from time to time and it's the only soap I ever watched as a child. During my teen years I would watch it, usually after The Den was over on RTE when they'd have 'young adult' programs which for some unknown reason included H&A.It is the only soap, the only program actually that I have stuck with over the years. I'm not a tv person, I do not really remain faithful to shows. I love television, don't get me wrong but I usually just watch whatever happens to be on when I'm watching. Now of course, we have the internet which is very good. This is also where I watch Home and Away. Not just because I can watch it whenever I want without worrying about missing it, but also they are about 2 weeks ahead in Australia and I need to know what is happening, okay? I NEED TO KNOW.
Why Home and Away?
Although I will watch other soaps if they happen to be on or if I'm at my grandmothers house, I wouldn't go out of my way. Although I wouldn't call Eastenders or Coronation st. 'real life' they just don't have the same fantastical element that H&A has. There have been more than a few ghosts make an appearance in some form in H&A. From Bobby's ghost coming out of the fridge (one that everyone seems to remember) to Sally's foster dad Tom's ghost showing her the future and most recently of course, Gina Palmer's ghost appearing to her before she died. It is absolutely mental and doesn't even try and explain itself. I love how unapologetic it is. H&A also stars the most good looking people you've ever seen in your life and there are few exceptions to this rule. I like watching a show where I fancy basically all the men and women.
It's not all light fluff though, the show has never shied away from serious issues. One of the first major storylines was the rape of Carly Morris. And again when I was a teenager there was Danni who claimed Cain had raped her and most recently Rosie, who was raped by a classmate. It has always sparked controversy, especially in the case of Carly Morris in 1988 (the word 'rape' was never even used). It was a very risky move but I think the writers have always been brave and should be congratulated for how they've always dealt with the issue of sexual abuse and raising awareness for the issue.

The Challenge
So in a fit of infinite madness I have decided to watch every episode of Home and Away from the pilot episode which aired January 17th 1988. There are so many storylines that happened before I properly started watching and lots I have forgotten. With  the return of characters like Ru and Celia who hadn't appeared since the start, I wanted to see their origin. I will also be using the blog to talk about the current run of H&A aswell as any news/gossip/info that is in any way Home and Away related.