EastEnders captivated audiences with a gripping live episode on Thursday, watched by an average of 3.7 million viewers. The episode, marking the first live broadcast since 2015, garnered praise for its seamless execution despite featuring high drama, including a dramatic birth, a death, and a romantic partner vote. The ratings soared to 1.5 million above the show’s usual daily overnight average, impressing both viewers and critics alike.
The episode unfolded the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic, where Sonia Fowler gave birth amidst the rubble. Assisting her were half-sister Bianca Jackson and Lauren Branning, adding to the emotional intensity of the scene. The live broadcast also ushered in a poignant farewell to Martin Fowler, a beloved character since the soap's inception in 1985. Martin's storyline concluded with his sudden death from cardiac arrest after a heartfelt proposal to Stacey Slater.
Critics have lauded the episode for its technical prowess and engaging storytelling.
"This was event TV with heart and humour," noted Michael Hogan.
The production was praised as "a technical triumph, from opening titles to climactic doof-doofs." Carol Midgley commended the performance, stating:
"You wouldn't really have known it was live. That it went so smoothly is a testament to the proficiency of soap actors and the crew."
The episode's smooth execution was in stark contrast to previous live broadcasts, which often stumbled due to forgotten lines or visible jitters in actors, as Stuart Heritage highlighted.
"In the past, live episodes of EastEnders have been marked by a pleasing shonkiness, with actors forgetting lines, or visibly twitching when they're supposed to be dead."
This milestone 40th anniversary week in Albert Square also featured interactive elements, allowing viewers to engage by voting on key plot points. They decided which romantic partner Denise Fox would choose and what Sonia Fowler would name her newborn. The interactive aspect added an extra layer of excitement and involvement for the audience.
Outgoing EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw has been instrumental in revitalizing the show during his three-year tenure. He focused on attracting younger audiences, leveraging social media platforms like TikTok to draw new fans. This strategy appears successful, contributing to the heightened interest in this landmark episode.
Johnathon Hughes applauded Martin Fowler's storyline as a
"brave and bold demise that will change the course of Walford history."
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