Romantic Pair-ups in Soaps

Mrswhodat · 27/09/22 - 14:52

As a general discussion point:

Do you like to see the same couples break up and get back together time and time again?
I wonder why they are such a popular trope.
I don’t understand why TBTB decide that some couples belong to each other permanently, and any break-up is always temporary.

Are fans always cheering for the same couples to get back together; eg
EE- Ben and Callum, Kat and Alfie, Phil and Sharon etc.
now it looks like Harvey will get back together with Jean. (Albeit that is a new pairing)
What do you think? I personally find it lazy, to always see the same couples re-unite, time after time.

persi · 27/09/22 - 15:21

Yes, up to a point. I like seeing how couples deal with significant challenges, or how their relationship is different the second (third, fourth etc) time around. And I think often they need that space to develop as individuals/figure their own stuff out. I also find some pairings interesting to watch even if I don't think they're actually very well suited as a couple - if the chemistry's there then it never really goes away.

There's always a limit though, depending on how much I liked them in the first place and what the specific storylines are. And sometimes they do actually move on to someone else, so you can't ever be certain that a particular couple will end up together long-term.

[Deleted User] · 27/09/22 - 22:55

I hate it, it's awful. Particularly Ballum but they have their own unique awfulness.
I'll be skipping any reunion scenes.

Liz The Biz · 28/09/22 - 07:31

I don't like the on and off like a lightswitch, can't live with each other, can't live without each other couples. Phil and Sharon and Kat and Alfie (EE) have been done to death. It's so boring. That's why I am hoping that Kat and Phil stay together. I think they're good together.
One of the best second time around couples for me was Gail and Brian many years ago in Corrie. They married, got divorced and eventually got back together (can't remember if they remarried) just before Brian got killed. It happened over a period of a few years which I think made it much more interesting realistic.

Mrswhodat · 28/09/22 - 10:05

Liz The Biz wrote: »

I don't like the on and off like a lightswitch, can't live with each other, can't live without each other couples. Phil and Sharon and Kat and Alfie (EE) have been done to death. It's so boring. That's why I am hoping that Kat and Phil stay together. I think they're good together.
One of the best second time around couples for me was Gail and Brian many years ago in Corrie. They married, got divorced and eventually got back together (can't remember if they remarried) just before Brian got killed. It happened over a period of a few years which I think made it much more interesting realistic.

Yes, I actually like them as a couple, it shouldn’t just be used as a vehicle to get Kat and Alfie back together!
Can’t stand Ballum!

Kenzie70 · 28/09/22 - 15:16

They split couples up too easily and too often, IMO.

Marvellous1 · 28/09/22 - 16:42

The issue I have with certain recurring couples is when one or both have done things that would usually be thought unforgivable within a relationship, but one (or both) is made out to be the sucker that just keeps coming back for more. Sharon lost the love of her life AND her son because of Phil, but it doesn't matter what he does (getting her beaten up because she ran her own business, shoving her around while pregnant), she talks a good game for a while but always ends up being a simp for him.

With this reiteration of the Kat and Alfie debacle, it's the way Alfie just turned up after, what four years, and expected to waltz right back into Kat's life like he'd just gone for the weekly shop. Who cares what damage his last scamming and abandoning of his kids, not a single word of apology or putting his kids first. Nope, just turn up at the door and say, "Honey! I'm home, so don't marry Phil"????? I know it's the writers, but you can only roll your eyes at the entitlement that not many people would have in Alfie's situation. And it's not like he's returned having made something of his life while away. Nope, just the same old same old. No money, no home, no job. So what do you have to offer, Alfie? His stupid cabaret routine of gaffaws. Yep, just what every woman wants from a man pushing 50 (with a brain tumor that miraculously vanished). It's tired and boring.

Mrswhodat · 28/09/22 - 22:30

Marvellous1 wrote: »

The issue I have with certain recurring couples is when one or both have done things that would usually be thought unforgivable within a relationship, but one (or both) is made out to be the sucker that just keeps coming back for more. Sharon lost the love of her life AND her son because of Phil, but it doesn't matter what he does (getting her beaten up because she ran her own business, shoving her around while pregnant), she talks a good game for a while but always ends up being a simp for him.

With this reiteration of the Kat and Alfie debacle, it's the way Alfie just turned up after, what four years, and expected to waltz right back into Kat's life like he'd just gone for the weekly shop. Who cares what damage his last scamming and abandoning of his kids, not a single word of apology or putting his kids first. Nope, just turn up at the door and say, "Honey! I'm home, so don't marry Phil"????? I know it's the writers, but you can only roll your eyes at the entitlement that not many people would have in Alfie's situation. And it's not like he's returned having made something of his life while away. Nope, just the same old same old. No money, no home, no job. So what do you have to offer, Alfie? His stupid cabaret routine of gaffaws. Yep, just what every woman wants from a man pushing 50 (with a brain tumor that miraculously vanished). It's tired and boring.

And yet Kat falls for it all over again within about 10 minutes. Although the pretending to hate Alfie has to be strung along for another month or so.

Mrswhodat · 28/09/22 - 22:32

Mrswhodat wrote: »

Marvellous1 wrote: »

The issue I have with certain recurring couples is when one or both have done things that would usually be thought unforgivable within a relationship, but one (or both) is made out to be the sucker that just keeps coming back for more. Sharon lost the love of her life AND her son because of Phil, but it doesn't matter what he does (getting her beaten up because she ran her own business, shoving her around while pregnant), she talks a good game for a while but always ends up being a simp for him.

With this reiteration of the Kat and Alfie debacle, it's the way Alfie just turned up after, what four years, and expected to waltz right back into Kat's life like he'd just gone for the weekly shop. Who cares what damage his last scamming and abandoning of his kids, not a single word of apology or putting his kids first. Nope, just turn up at the door and say, "Honey! I'm home, so don't marry Phil"????? I know it's the writers, but you can only roll your eyes at the entitlement that not many people would have in Alfie's situation. And it's not like he's returned having made something of his life while away. Nope, just the same old same old. No money, no home, no job. So what do you have to offer, Alfie? His stupid cabaret routine of gaffaws. Yep, just what every woman wants from a man pushing 50 (with a brain tumor that miraculously vanished). It's tired and boring.

And yet Kat falls for it all over again within about 10 minutes. Although the pretending to hate Alfie has to be strung along for another month or so.

And Jean meddling like the kid from the parent trap; cos she can see Kat still loves Alfie, even if Kat can’t. It’s pathetic.

Hey there!

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