MY TOP 5 EMMERDALE FAVOURITE STORYLINES

Welcome back to this year’s look back on my favourite storylines with the help of my very good friend, Amy as we make our Top 5 storylines of the year (2021) after a lot of discussion we agreed on these.

Super Soap Week was aired in the middle of October, Emmerdale did there annual Super Soap Week which I have to start left me with many different questions. When I first read about the Super Soap Week plans, I was a little worried purely because of the social distancing still happening in the show but I didn't mean to be which was made for lovely viewing. The journey that the week's scenes took us viewers on were amazing short of brilliant whilst also developing on many characters relationships throughout the week. The Meena Julta, David Metcalfe, and Victoria Barton love triangle was interesting as us viewers were on our toes with the twists and turns as we all know and wanted David to get with Victoria. But the games that she played with Jacob Gallagher in the aftermath were something else. The Thursday episodes were the ones that left me with goosebumps because of how the scenes were played out allowing for Paige Sandhu and Anna Nightingale to have many standout moments for their characters as upsetting as it was. As sad as I was to see Andrea Tate's death in the maze during Thursday's double episode, I was more upset over the fact that Anna Nightingale was leaving because she was becoming one of my favourite actresses, however, I am so grateful for Anna taking on the role over the past few years. The one scene I wasn't expecting but I am glad they showed was the Charity Dingle and Mackenzie Boyd moment as it showed a lot of worry as it bought them closer together.

We have nothing but praise for the stunt co-ordinators, stunt doubles, and most importantly all the cast involved especially the behind the scenes teams.

Kim Tate's Dinner Party following someone poisoning her as she wanted to see who was doing it to her. The suspects for these episodes were ones that I loved as you could see how and why everyone of them would have done it leaving me even more invested. It must for really interesting scenes with Kim questioning all of her suspects and watching them closely. It was great to see all the suspects have their moments to tell Kim their sides from her son Jamie Tate, his girlfriend at the time Dawn Taylor, her father Will Taylor, Jamie's pregnant one night stand Gabby Thomas, alongside Al Chapman and Jai Sharma. Claire King was nothing short of amazing throughout these years and this year's episodes in general because Claire has been involved in so many incredibly storylines. The fact it was revealed to be her son, Jamie was fantastic viewing as it allowed for him to have even more opportunities to get back at his mother which he did at the start of November.

Gabby Thomas Pregnancy Journey as from the very first moment when went into Laurel Thomas' house to tell her about her worries you could see this real vulnerability come through. Gabby has been one character that has been on an absolutely fantastic journey throughout 2021 with her discovering she was pregnant and going through a mix of emotions over the past 12 months giving viewers an opportunity to see what a brilliant young actress, Rosie Bentham is. Gabby quickly moving into Home Farm leaving with Kim Tate following her discovering she was carrying her grandchild this gave some worrying scenes as Kim wanted to get Gabby all to herself. March saw Gabby suffer her first health scare following an argument with the babies father, Jamie Tate where he left her to suffer seeing Gabby opening up to Kim about how she felt. The way that Rosie Bentham has developed Gabby into this strong woman (also credit to the writers has been something I have appreciated). May saw the return of Bernice Blackstock just as she needed her in my opinion because I know she left her but everyone girl needs their mother during a life-changing time! The Jamie and Gabby moments throughout September saw them work together to get what they wanted from Kim, however, it also saw Jamie driving his car into the lake never to return (even though at the start of November viewers were shown that he was alive). When Gabby give birth back at the end of October during a power cut at Home Farm which saw her mother, Bernice Blackstock and grandmother, Diane Blackstock coming to her rescue as she was in full on labour there was something about these scenes that made for wonderful viewing for many of us fans. I loved the way how Elizabeth Estensen, Samantha Giles and Rosie Bentham worked so incredibly well together.

Rosie Bentham for me is the standout actor of 2021 because of the way the character has had a lot of moments of vulnerability in turn allowing for us viewers to see a different side to Gabby especially during her pregnancy and in the early days of motherhood. Rosie has been allowed the opportunity to shine, showing everyone what a wonderful young actress she is!

Leanna Cavanagh’s death happened at the end of June when she seen having a tense conversation with Meena Julta in her bedroom following her discovering that she had killed another person, whilst in the process of running across she fell over and was caught by Meena on the bridge which saw her been thrown over the top. The aftermath of her death saw her boyfriend, Jacob Gallagher worry about the fact that she didn't show up to her own 18th birthday party unaware of the devastating truth. A few weeks later, Leanna's friends gathered at the bridge for a memorial that saw Gabby Thomas, Liv Flaherty, Jacob, Samson Dingle, and Amelia Spencer to say their goodbyes along with school friends thanks to Leyla Harding's idea which led Liam devastated as he struggled to grief for his daughter - the raw emotions that come from Jonny McPherson as he opened up to Cain Dingle which was exactly what the character needed at the time. However, I do have to add about how the scenes at the end of October with Liam opening up to his wife, Leyla about how he is was struggling with his grief and how visiting their old house to do the gardening was something that helped him to cope with Leyla suggesting about an allotment in the village which has continued to go from strength to strength.

Amy's standout actor of the year is Paige Sandhu because there is this line between how the character makes you feel but also the way that Paige manages to pull it out of the bag seeing her have many standout moments!

To end this blog, we would like to mention about some of the important storylines that Emmerdale have featured this year educating many viewers...

Liv's Epilepsy was back in January following on from her seizures last year (2020), that saw Liv struggle to understand what was happening, but the way that the character has now control of her diagnosis which I know for a fact is helping people. One thing that Emmerdale does very well is the amount of research that they do for their storylines, and that the actors then go off and do more to do their storylines justice. Isobel Steele is a pure example of this!

Ethan & Charles' Black Lives Matter this was a very small scene in the cafe, but was it powerful from the dialogue Ethan Anderson used chatting a chat with this dad, Charles. I am so grateful to Emmerdale for raising awareness on this issue. 

Tracy's Post-Natal Depression was a storyline that I thought Emmerdale delivered with such care, and attention to detail through all their research which was extremely clearly displayed in the story writing. Amy Walsh has been amazing throughout, and you could see the amount of hours she had spent researching for the storyline off her own back.

Leyla's Miscarriage was a storyline that saw a different side of Leyla Cavanagh, a more vulnerable side following her decision not to tell her husband, Liam about what had happened because of him grieving for his daughter which you can understand but I really did feel sorry for Leyla as all she needed was her husband's support at one of the worst times.

Cain and Liam's Friendship through Liam Cavanagh's grief process it's been wonderful to see these two characters develop and support each other especially as Cain has this bad boy attitude it's been wonderful to see another side. I am glad that Emmerdale have decided to show that it's ok for men to talk. Credit to Jonny McPherson, and Jeff Hordley for working really well together.

Sarah's meet up with her donor's sister, Chloe - I have to admit, I was very sceptical as a viewer to watch this storyline as you never know which way the meet up will go due to all the emotions but this meet up kinda went a little better than I thought even though it took them both a little while to meet up again. The friendship that the characters sparked up has been really interesting to watch and even to date has seen many twists and turns. Over the past few weeks, I have really enjoyed seeing Chloe develop with her friendships with many other villages. Jessie Elland has been a fantastic addition to the Emmerdale cast.

Vanessa's Return during 29th December's episode which I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to enjoy but you know what Vanessa's return was very much needed. I am very excited to see what's next for Vanessa over 2022. Michelle Hardwick, you have been missed.

The Barn Fire on Paul Ashdale and Mandy Dingle's Wedding Day - The fact that Liv had a lot of guilt following what had happened. The intense scenes throughout this storyline left us viewers wanting answers. The words from Paul to Liv were extremely harsh, and all the drama that followed made for really interesting viewing. The stunt was wonderfully delivered, thank you to the stunt team involved. The one thing, I personally liked about this storyline was the journey for the characters allowing for all the actors involved to have their moment to shine - Isobel Steele, Reece Dinsdale, Lisa Riley and Bradley Johnson.

Have we mentioned your favourite storyline?

Please feel free to share your favourite storyline of 2021 below.