EASTERNER

Easterner

Easterner

Introduction

First shown on 19 February 1985, Easterner quickly became a hit with viewers. Within eight months of its launch, the soap was the UK's number-one show, becoming a key anchor in BBC One's evening schedules. Today it still remains one of the most watched shows in the UK. (Hobson 2003:22) The soap is based in the fictional borough of Walford in London's East End, mainly focusing on the residents of Albert Square, E20, with a cast of strong families, mixed cultures and diverse lifestyles. Over the years Easterner has run many controversial storylines, tackling issues such as teen pregnancy, prostitution, drug abuse, homosexuality, adultery, suicide and murder.

Discussion

The television soap opera Easterner televised by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) on the channel BBC 1 is one of the most popular soaps viewed in Britain today. This is due to the drama possessing many traits to sustain viewers by creating a sense of meaning which also contributes to entertaining the audience.

The exert consists of two scenes that are juxtaposed with one another to create a deep dramatic sequence of events. We are led into the scene with an establishing shot of a hospital, the scene then commences in a hospital room where we see the character Natalie on a hospital bed ready to give birth. She is accompanied by her mother in law Pat, (Creeber 2004:11) her husband Barry, and the doctors and nurses that are preparing for the birth of her child. The editing of the soap at this moment is structured to cut between two events that are occurring simultaneously. The other scene is comprised of Barry's father Roy, (who is supposed to be at the birth of Barrys' child, but has a moral dilemma which is to see the death of one of his ex-lovers through) his ex-lover Jain, and their son. There is much panic within the hospital room when Natalie is examined by the nurse, because it is noticed that she may have to have a breech birth due to the position of the baby having its feet first. We are then brought to another scene where Jain is literally on her death bed plagued with cancer. Roy is torn between the death of Jain (though at the same time being there for Nathan) and being at the hospital for the birth of Barry and Natalie's baby. After Jain passes away Roy consoles his son Nathan and makes his way to the hospital. (Geraghty 1991:32) The question posed is will he make it in time? At the audiences ease Natalie gives birth to the baby but there is a moment where we are unsure of whether or not it survived the birth. There is complete silence and we are waiting for a response. The sound is then broken by the cry's from the baby, and we feel relieved. Barry and Natalie hold their baby proud, and Roy has failed to make it on time to the birth.

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