possibly the 'best' soap to be aired on British TV. The show from the off had it all. To start with it was set in a spanking brand new 'red brick' close, which was a style of housing that to this day defines the 1980's. Once that had been established, creator Phil Redmond set about a series that featured a collection of families who were either on the up or down, yet all ended up in Brookside Close. That was the theme of the early years with the main elements highlighting Thatcherite Britain. Specifiacclaly it centred on the Grants and the Collins who were poles apart but now neighbours.
The first couple of years were by no means sensationalist compared with what was to follow. The first sensationalist storyline was the siege, quickly followed by the framing of George Jackson, which spawned a UK single release 'Free George Jackson'. From this point on Brookside capitalised on its unique standing as a gritty soap well before EastEnders was born). There was a gay son, a heroine addict husband and more hardline elements that kicked in that not only established the character Barry Grant but also went some way to making the show extremely watchable. In 1985 the show went three times a week, which was a first for UK soaps.
In fact, as we all know, Brookside was a soap of firsts and Redmond should always take the credit. The 1980's Brookie was strong and packed full of unimaginable story lines, pick of the bunch being Tommy McArdle, Laura's electrocution, The Corkhills - including but not ending in the 'Swiss Roll' affair and the close robbery by Jimmy. As mentioned, the siege and then the first whodunnit in UK soap: the rape of Sheila Grant. In fact it was the latter story tied in with Billy Corkhill's dole madness and relationship with Sheila that really brought Barry Grant to the fore.
The soaps stellar years were undoubtedly the 1990's. So many story lines were written that by the middle of the decade all reality had gone, but that only added to the strength of the programme. It was around 1995 that it gained cult status purely because of this unpretentious approach. In no preferential order, the best stories of the 1990's were Jimmy Corkhills cocaine addiction, the close church - in the Grants house, Barry Grant pushing Terry's missus off the scaffolding, the close virus, the body under the patio and The Finnigans. The Finnigans was an extremely well written sub plot that lasted for 2 years. It was at this point around 1997 that the show really took on the big sensationalist stories. Basically as a viewer you just did not know what to expect. It was good though!
So from that point - 1997 - the show developed what can only be described as soap dreamland. For years Brookside went through a phase where every episode contained scenes where all the characters were at each others throats or had agendas. It got really intense around 1999 and half an hour just blew you away. Going in to the 2000's, this continued with the Moffats, who carried on the trend of menacing Brokkie characters. All over the show, left right and centre it was a case of residents who simply had it in for each other.
For me, along with the totally unrealistic stories as mentioned plus loads that i have not (I would like to add that I am very knowledgeable of them) those are what made Brookside such a watchable show. Even in its final phase it carried on the trend with constant characters all arriving with mayhem in mind. Controversial stories kept on coming. Mick Johnson's Euphanasia trial being one example. The show's last stand though was the 2003 drug gang siege, which even by Brookie standards was controversial. Also one story that should not be over looked was the bombing of the health club. I ask you, where else on TV anywhere has there been so many insane story lines?
2003 was the last great year for Brookside The final 4 episodes in 2004 have gained cult status amongst the die hards but in truth the character brought in as a final hurrah, Jack Michaelson was too little too late. Good idea though.
Brookside is one of my favourite programmes ever and I am glad that i watched it, well nearly all of it. I secretly hope one day they bring out the entire series on a 100 DVD Boxset or something.
The music was cool - complete with the armchair hand rest pounding drum beats, the original credits were good. The outro theme was great. The Saturday omnibus - yet again a first for UK soap was called for. I could go on for days...I loved it.
10/10
The first couple of years were by no means sensationalist compared with what was to follow. The first sensationalist storyline was the siege, quickly followed by the framing of George Jackson, which spawned a UK single release 'Free George Jackson'. From this point on Brookside capitalised on its unique standing as a gritty soap well before EastEnders was born). There was a gay son, a heroine addict husband and more hardline elements that kicked in that not only established the character Barry Grant but also went some way to making the show extremely watchable. In 1985 the show went three times a week, which was a first for UK soaps.
In fact, as we all know, Brookside was a soap of firsts and Redmond should always take the credit. The 1980's Brookie was strong and packed full of unimaginable story lines, pick of the bunch being Tommy McArdle, Laura's electrocution, The Corkhills - including but not ending in the 'Swiss Roll' affair and the close robbery by Jimmy. As mentioned, the siege and then the first whodunnit in UK soap: the rape of Sheila Grant. In fact it was the latter story tied in with Billy Corkhill's dole madness and relationship with Sheila that really brought Barry Grant to the fore.
The soaps stellar years were undoubtedly the 1990's. So many story lines were written that by the middle of the decade all reality had gone, but that only added to the strength of the programme. It was around 1995 that it gained cult status purely because of this unpretentious approach. In no preferential order, the best stories of the 1990's were Jimmy Corkhills cocaine addiction, the close church - in the Grants house, Barry Grant pushing Terry's missus off the scaffolding, the close virus, the body under the patio and The Finnigans. The Finnigans was an extremely well written sub plot that lasted for 2 years. It was at this point around 1997 that the show really took on the big sensationalist stories. Basically as a viewer you just did not know what to expect. It was good though!
So from that point - 1997 - the show developed what can only be described as soap dreamland. For years Brookside went through a phase where every episode contained scenes where all the characters were at each others throats or had agendas. It got really intense around 1999 and half an hour just blew you away. Going in to the 2000's, this continued with the Moffats, who carried on the trend of menacing Brokkie characters. All over the show, left right and centre it was a case of residents who simply had it in for each other.
For me, along with the totally unrealistic stories as mentioned plus loads that i have not (I would like to add that I am very knowledgeable of them) those are what made Brookside such a watchable show. Even in its final phase it carried on the trend with constant characters all arriving with mayhem in mind. Controversial stories kept on coming. Mick Johnson's Euphanasia trial being one example. The show's last stand though was the 2003 drug gang siege, which even by Brookie standards was controversial. Also one story that should not be over looked was the bombing of the health club. I ask you, where else on TV anywhere has there been so many insane story lines?
2003 was the last great year for Brookside The final 4 episodes in 2004 have gained cult status amongst the die hards but in truth the character brought in as a final hurrah, Jack Michaelson was too little too late. Good idea though.
Brookside is one of my favourite programmes ever and I am glad that i watched it, well nearly all of it. I secretly hope one day they bring out the entire series on a 100 DVD Boxset or something.
The music was cool - complete with the armchair hand rest pounding drum beats, the original credits were good. The outro theme was great. The Saturday omnibus - yet again a first for UK soap was called for. I could go on for days...I loved it.
10/10