I just finished watching the episode for Frank Butcher’s Funeral Service. As much as I would like to remind myself that this is only television I have to admit I was more than a little moved. The episode was to say the least beautifully done. All denizens of Walford were present and accounted for. It seems all of us liked the twinkle in Franks eye.
Janine as promised returned and was truly greived.
Phil and Peggy Mitchell were respectful as well.
Ian sat in attendence somberly.
Dot Cotton looked… well like Dot Cotton.
Pat allowed us to travel twice into the past with her and Frank to their newlywed days.
What I am wondering is… where does television stop and reality begin. These people, our extended EastEnders family are real to me. For the most part I like all of them. And those few that I don’t like are still alive in my mind.
When characters on the telly and actors on the stage converge like this the loss felt by the community of Albert Square and the loss felt by ourselves is real. So we say goodbye to Frank and to Mike, and I have no photo montage to offer. Surely you can imagine this EastEnders day more blissfully than photos can show. Instead I place for you that same thing that Pat Butcher left for Frank… a single rose. Godspeed Frank and Mike.

Pat and Peggy take off to the day spa very Thelma and Louise like. When a couple of fellows ask around for wedding witnesses Pat and Peggy oblige… all in the name of true love. One thing about these two tough old birds they not easily rattled. They were taken back abit when the blushing bride turns out to be one of the blokes! But our girls stand in anyway.

The wedding was a bit of a bust and as Pat and Peggy are leaving Ricking and Diane are coming in. It appears they have grim news and Pat sees it on there faces. Tonights episode will reveal all so don’t miss it. If your not able to see the Brit Telly, don’t worry tomorrow we will have pics and a recap.

This week EastEnders will offer a series of vignettes involving the now deceased character of used car lot owner Frank Butcher.
Since the death last summer of Mike Reid the noted British comedian who played Frank since 1987 EE writers have been planning a proper send off. The thing I most remember about Frank Butcher is that in good times or bad he always had a bit of a twinkle in his eye. he was a rascal more than a villain. Love interests came and left for Frank but his true love seemed to be his wife Pat who now departs for ex-pat duty in Spain.
Frank’s extended family will all be on hand for the funeral this week so try not to miss a show as characters like Janine willl be back in the square. This of course has all of us wondering if the new younger EastEnders crew has room for old style EE villain like Janine.

Zainab thinks she will have a wedding for Jalil and Shabnab by summer once she hears they have kissed. She invites Jalil for a tradition meal but halfway through dinner throws him out of the house!

Honey and Billy are just set to toast to there new council flat when a call from Pat’s Doctor makes them think Pat is at death’s door.

Libby confronts Chelsea about her constant lying and stealing. Libby tells Chelsea shes just like her dad and this sends Chelsea onto the internet to search for him.


Lucy is still missing with not a clue as to her whereabouts. Ian and Jane ride the police to find her but they really aren’t looking. Christian introduces Ian to Simon a private eye!

Happy Birthday now to Lauren. Tanya sets out to make a special cake but the oven quits when all of Albert Square goes into a blackout. Sean hot-wired a caterpillar and cut through the main power cable… just to hurt the girls.

Ronnie gets to work at the club but Sean’s blackout shut down Scarlet. Ronnie trips in the dark and Jack has to help her home. Along the way he tries a quick kiss but Ronnie shut his motor down right off.

From out of nowhere a cake arrives for Lauren but not from her father Max but from Uncle Jack. Has Jack always been this good a sort? Or… is he wanting to get together with Tanya? Or… is he after Ronnie? Or… both!!!

Roxy orders Sean down to the Vic cellar. She gives him a hellacious slap in the face but it must have been pent up passion because those two start snogging like mad.
Pat, Billy and Honey walk on eggs until Honey tells Pat she’s so sad that Pat is dying. Pat’s not dying… she’s selling out and moving to Spain!

Despite protests that she wants no part of a party for her big 30 birthday. Roxy decides to attend the not so surprise party (Jack spilled the beans) for her in Scarlet. It’s quite the to do with Christian looking for his next one night stand, a drug dealer hitting on everyone, Chelsea hitting on Janil, (Sean ran him off) and Jack and Ronnie once again a l m o s t getting together for a piece… of cake.

Everyone thinks Sean quite the hero and Ronnie decides togive him a second chance and his job back. Too bad they didn’t see him earlier throttleing Ian over a bag of chips.

And about brave Sean running down the drug dealer? He ran him down on foot alright… then took the drugs and money for himself