[New post] Just hours before ‘Neighbours’ ends for good
Sara Harnetty posted: " We are only hours away from the end of the longest running soap opera in Australia's history. I watched Neighbours when I was a kid, then quite consistently from 2011 onwards. I missed Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene's (Kylie Minogue) wedding I" Glycerine Queen Media
We are only hours away from the end of the longest running soap opera in Australia's history.
I watched Neighbours when I was a kid, then quite consistently from 2011 onwards. I missed Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene's (Kylie Minogue) wedding I wasn't even born). But I saw Toadie (Ryan Moloney) marry Dee (Madeline West). Also his marriage to Sonya (Eve Morey).
And, yes, I did see the marriage between David (Takaya Honda) and Aaron (Matt Wilson).
I saw Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) die. And Sonya. And Hendrix (Ben Turland).
Storms, family feuds, crime. Drama, drama and more drama. And while some of the plotlines were a bit over the top or silly I couldn't help but watch the majority of episodes for the past eleven years.
I doubt I'm the only one that has watched it consistently for so long. And I'm sure other Australians have watched it consistently for a lot longer.
Why has Neighbours survived for so long?
The numerous plotlines kept it going. Always something going on in Ramsay Street.
And the characters are largely likable. Who wouldn't want a friend like Toadie? Or Harold? Or neighbour# like Karl and Susan?
Even the characters people loved to hate were great. Sheila (Colette Mann) or Nicolette (Charlotte Chimes) were endearing (at least in the end).
And the villains? Karma bit them hard. That's what made it even more gripping!
Some pitfalls
Like everything else in life,vNeighbours hasn't always been perfect.
Sometimes the plot and dialogue hasn't been great. For example:
Roxy worrying that Harlow was a psychopath (when she had shown no signs before)
Leo threatening to sue Therese after the storm at Kyle and Roxy's wedding, but nothing came of it
Neighbours and the LGBTQ+ community
Neighbours has been overall great in LGBTQ+ representation. Unlike other soapies, Neighbours didn't kill off LGBTQ+ characters after one or two episodes. And unlike Home and Away (years ago), they didn't have characters (women) kiss someone of the same - sex once, question their sexuality for a week, then go back to being straight.
Neighbours has kept it's LGBTQ+ characters in the plotlines. They've come out, fought for acceptance and fought bigotry.
There is one pitfall. Why can't gay or bi women find lasting love? Their relationships are so chaotic. And they don't last. No women couples married on Neighbours. Why?
Also, is it just me, or does it bother you that the sex lives of gay/ bi was openly talked about on the show, but no one else? That's just been my thoughts over the past few weeks.
Whether you love or loathe Neighbours, a piece of Australian pop culture history is going to end tonight.
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