a thought I have about Carter is whether there's a kind of catch 22 going on where if he admits to the conversion being a type of abuse, he admits to his dad being an abuser and himself being a victim of it. i.e. he can't admit to being an abuser himself without admitting to the same about his dad, and the question is which of the two he has the strongest urge to deny. admitting that the person who was supposed to love and protect you abused you isn't always easy, and neither is accepting that you were a victim. don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that he isn't brainwashed, or that he doesn't truly believe he is helping people, because he clearly does. but I do think the aforementioned issue could subconsciously be playing a part as well.

what drives me fucking crazy is shit like Oliver Stark saying that the writers were considering a queer storyline (for him, I think?) ages ago but that it was then "shut down by higher ups," and the fact that so many of these anti-woke fuckers don't realize that this is how it works and will go "make your own show/movie if you want that woke shit in it, if [show] doesn't have it it's because the creators don't want it lol delusional losers." and it's like how many writers/directors/etc. have actually wanted such storylines (esp. in the past) and not been allowed to by those very higher ups. Buffy always comes to mind and how Joss Whedon, according to what I've heard, wasn't going to be allowed to have a certain intimate scenes between Willow and Tara, but the show at that point being popular enough that he had some power to go against his bosses on that. how many such scenes or storylines simply weren't allowed despite the creators wanting to include them? how many were filmed but cut? also the historylessness of it, do these morons really think that we went from queer stories being extremely taboo and censored to being completely accepted and let loose in the world, like... do people even realize that there is that firewall of higher ups when it comes to most show and movie releases, people who have the final say in what gets to be included, and who are paranoid about shit like ad revenue and being able to market their stuff in conservative countries etc., in combo with often having no fucks to give about rep.

You think that you’re the only one suffering, eh?

JP making a point by kissing Carter and thus reminding him of how gay he still is (and how weak his self-control is) and then going "you should come to Pride ;)" is probably my favourite McShep moment so far. yaas queen.👑

since the scene where James meets Carter at the school I'm so intrigued both by the idea of them interacting more in general, and as a ship. realistically considering how this show treats gay characters, if they remained on the show for long enough, at some point something would happen between them. clearly Carter isn't James type at all but it would be interesting to see him with (romantically or as friends) someone who is so much more like him than any of his partners. (I'm unclear on his friendship history, does he have any that aren't family?) they're close in age, have high-status jobs, are well educated, articulate, intelligent, (gay, obviously), had abusive dads, have both struggled with self-loathing and difficulty accepting their sexuality, didn't find out about/got to have a relationship with their kids until those kids were already teenagers, and both tend to, even if James has changed a lot in that area, put on an act of being someone they are not to protect themselves, as well as ofc to gain and keep people's respect, and both have used destructive methods to escape their issues, James with the gambling and Carter using Freya's pills. also they both constantly walk around in fancy suits so they'd look very good together, which is a bonus. :') these two interacting could be very interesting.

“Why don’t we get back to mine, hash out the terms?”

Freier fall (2013)

the James/McQueens/Bronzer storyline, as silly as it is, is just so enjoyable because. not only is James clearly at his best when he's vindictive, sarcastic and not bothering to hide his contempt for people he dislikes, but I also love how Ste is trying to be James' conscience while also not hesitating to go full Judas on him. I love the exchange where James goes "you knew who you were getting involved with, I'm very transparent!" or when Ste comes rushing into the basement having taken down the sign and throwing it out of sight before James enters. their arguments/fights that aren't proper fights are also very amusing, and I love James' and Goldie's interactions. and then Ste literally dragging James along by the hand to go to try to make peace with Goldie and Mercedes, and then dragging him away when they are done like a toddler at the playground. the humour potential in them as a couple is not utilized enough imo.

although a lot of the writing in Hollyoaks is stupid, this thing with Carter planning to take Lucas to America just takes the cake (even if it's clear that it isn't happening, but just the idea of it). Carter is a very intelligent person, and we're supposed to buy that he'd believe he could successfully kidnap a minor to another continent?

first of all, you need the legal guardians' consents to take a minor out of the country, so they couldn't even get on a plane in the first place. but let's say that in Hollyoaks-world that isn't the case. even so while on the flight to the US people would have time to realize that Lucas was missing and report it, the cops would easily access the info of Lucas having left the country, and thus cops would be waiting for them at the airport in the US and Carter would go to prison for child abduction.

just, seriously. why America? why not just another county in England where hiding a teen (who is supposedly consenting to coming with) would be a lot easier? but even then ofc there'd be a warrant out for his arrest so he wouldn't be able to use his credit cards or do anything else that could lead the cops to him, so... how are they even going to try to explain how Carter is imagining that would work. add to this that Freya is disabled making hiding and staying under the radar a lot harder, largely but not solely due to her needing aids/meds/rehab.

Emmett Scanlan and Neil Newbon in Hollyoaks

Now, they’re shoving [pride] down our throats. I mean, why is it something to be proud of?!

Harry: "I know you only set up this date because you knew I was coming here. you're sad, you know that right?" James: "I do veer towards melancholy, that's true." James used to be hilarious.