Tuesday 21st October

What is Billy like? Steeped in self-pity again with his "poor me, I'd probably have hit me own kids if they'd stayed around". The character just bores me so much now. Yes, he did let Jay down. You don't take on a stroppy teenager only to hand him back to social services when the going gets rough. Even Phil said Billy should give it more of a go than that. I did like how Jay couldn't light the rags in the letterbox, he's not a lost cause. But for Billy to pack his belongings like that, well it was just typical Billy. Good references to Jamie though, nice to see a bit of history.

I'm not sure if Archie managed to convince Phil, but he's good at thinking on his feet. It was believable, that story. Suzy is just as awful as ever. She won't allow anyone to take away money or attention that could be spent on her, and that includes her boyfriend's son.

What's happened to Ronnie? I thought the spoilers meant she was sorry for Max, that's why she told him about the move to France. But this eppy proved it was more about getting back at Jack.

One thing I didn't like was the Masoods. Shabnam tried twice to tell her parents she was leaving, then threw a tantrum cos they were too busy to listen. If you're going, you tell people in advance, you don't wait until the very day you're booking your ticket. Very poor exit storyline. I enjoyed Dot's confusion over Mr. Masood and Mrs. Ahmed It is confusing.

I was surprised by Phil tonight, for all his machoism, he put his son first. I agree about Billy, his 'woe is me' attitude is wearing thin, what does he expect from Jay, that he'll be full of the joys of spring?

Ronnie showed her selfish, spiteful side again tonight, maybe there's more to why Archie doesn't like her, and it might have to do with her attitude toward people???

The Shabnam storyline is very rushed, its like she's woke up one day and thought 'hmm I'm gonna go to Pakistan today' I got the feeling both Shabnam and Tamwar were British born, so would she be able to stay in Pakistan as long as she liked? I would have thought she'd need a special visa even if she has family there.

I liked Tanya and Max in this episode they have so much chemistry together, too bad Max ruined it.

I don't like Max but I think Jake Wood is briliantly portraying a man at the end of his rope. I can even feel a bit sorry for him cos even his kids don't seem to care much whether they see him again or not.