History YMMV / Eastenders

* RetroactiveRecognition: Bev Williams is played by Creator/DianeLangton, who would later be best known for playing Nana [=McQueen=] in ''Series/{{Hollyoaks}}''.

*** His eventual acceptance of Suki and Eve's relationship also received a mixed reception at best. Whilst it was meant to be a heartwarming moment that also attempted to [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap rehabilitate his character]], some fans saw Vinny's sudden acceptance as extremely dense as Suki had made it obvious that she was unhappy with her husband Nish.

** While the Panesars are BaseBreakingCharacters at best, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who genuinely likes Vinny Panesar. He isn't taken seriously by anyone in Walford, tries too hard to get Nish's approval only to be constantly put down by him. While that in itself would make him a sympathetic character in the eyes of the audience, he loses any and all sympathy for trying to break apart Suki and Eve's relationship following his discovery of their affair, and even tried to kill the latter by cutting her car's breaks.
** His eventual acceptance of Suki and Eve's relationship also received a mixed reception at best. Whilst it was meant to be a heartwarming moment that also attempted to [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap rehabilitate his character]], some fans saw Vinny's sudden acceptance as extremely dense as Suki had made it obvious that she was unhappy with her husband Nish.

** [[EvilOldFolks Aunt]] [[ManipulativeBastard Babe]]. Often argued as one of the most ''hated'' soap opera characters of all time (though it's argued that she's meant to be a HateSink). She was manipulative, cold and remorsless to those she had wronged such as Abi and the Cokers and usually [[KarmaHoudini got away with it]] (or at least several chances from the Carters). Fans desperately wanted her axed when she was still around and would celebrate any time she's on the receiving end (which is rarely).
** '''[[OblivioustoHisOwnDescription Preston Cooper]]'''... His general immaturity towards Michelle (whenever she rebuffs his advances), lying and cheating on Bex and his refusal to take responsibility, try finding anyone who likes the character or even sees any redeeming qualities from him. It doesn't help that he's featured in one of the most reviled storylines from 2017.
*** This devious behaviour also seems to rub on Bex later on and she also fell in the same route he was, [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap though she was redeemed later on since she was made likable again]].

** A strange example, one of the previous producers Sean O'Connor has become this in the eyes of many. Whilst he tries to go for a more realistic approach, his pacing is often slow and many viewers have criticized him for his storylines (especially the Michelle/Preston and the Lee Carter depression storyline) as well as the infamous bin subplot. If his storylines weren't bad, they were just boring (with a few exceptions).
** While the Panesars are BaseBreakingCharacters at best, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who genuinely likes Nish and Vinny Panesar:
*** Nish is a massive CardCarryingJerkass even by Eastender standards, a unscrupulous entrepeneur with underground connections that acts like he's better than anyone else, is uncomfortably abusive to Suki and to a lesser extent, the rest of his family through coercive control, always talks like he has an angle or with thinly veiled threats, is a SmugSnake of the highest order while being incredibly petty while lacking any redeeming factors that make similar characters, like Phil Mitchell, more iconic and likeable, making his on-screen presence unbearable for many. It's very telling that even Eastenders' official social media acknowledges he's not meant to be likeable and shares the sentiment in earnest.
*** [[DudeWheresMyRespect Vinny]] [[WellDoneSonGuy Panesar]] isn't taken seriously by anyone in Walford and tries too hard to get Nish's approval only to be constantly put down by him. While that in itself would make him a sympathetic character in the eyes of the audience...His actions and all that followed his discovery of Suki's affair with Eve caused him to lose any and all sympathy he might have had and placed him among the most despised Eastenders characters. His reaction to the aforementioned discovery is to taunt and bully Suki while in possession of her phone, *while the latter is sustaning broken ribs*, until he forces the confession out of her...and despite witnessing Suki ranting to Nish about how miserable she is as his wife, Vinny has the gall to act like he and Nish are victims here and his subsequent gaslighting and blackmail leads to the breaking of [[FanPreferredCouple Sukeve]]...then has the gall to act like he has any moral ground over Suki after this. [[DirtyCoward He continues to try to act tough but still can't back it up with actions, running to Suki or Ravi for help whenever things go south for him despite treating Suki like crap]], demanding others to respect his family despite not giving his mother any respect...and despite continuing to treat her poorly, constantly pushing Suki to be with Nish and witnessing her declining health as a result of all the stress she's suffering, he has the gall to claim he loves her and push her to get help and support...when he failed to be the support she needed because of his obsession with Nish's approval. When Vinny isn't being treated as a joke by characters and viewers alike, his MoralMyopia towards Suki and his general cowardice and acting no different that the already reviled Nish earn him the ire of viewers.

** The "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline. It started in April 2014, the killer wasn't revealed until February 2015, and the plotline didn't properly end until the killer was sentenced in ''June 2016''. However, if you count Max Branning's RoaringRampageOfRevenge (he'd been falsely imprisoned for the murder and wanted to get back at Walford), with the storyline finally reaching its end in early 2018, 4 years later.

* AssPull: A bunch of Walford residents being able to lift entire double decker bus off Martin Fowler, especially since the front of it was stuck under the train bridge.

** Sean O'Connor's time as producer (particularly the year 2017) is also considered this for a variety of reasons, including the controversial recasting of Michelle Fowler, the killing-off of popular characters like Ronnie, Roxy and Steven, the lack of engaging dramatic storylines and the overexposure of certain characters (particularly Mick).

%%Do NOT add Complete Monster entries without going to the cleanup thread first.

** '''''Stacey fucking Slater.'''''
*** So much so, she became the SpotlightStealingSquad throughout her run on the show just so viewers would feel sympathy for her. With this in mind, it was obviously [[spoiler: she would be the one unmasked as Archie's killer]], but because the writers loved her so much, she'd [[KarmaHoudini get away with it]] and who would take the fall? [[spoiler: [[DoggedNiceGuy Her husband, Bradley]], who actually died because he was focused on telling her to get away rather than keep his balance.]] Not only that, but she has locked lips with others spouses and has even had sex with them, apart from very minor punishment, she normally comes out unscathed. It doesn't help that the writers ''almost always'' try to make Stacey's spouse act worse than her after she cheated on them.

** This was inevitable between this show and ''Series/CoronationStreet''. As the two biggest soap operas in the land and among the world in general, the two series often vie for everything from ratings to awards for their respective writing and acting. That said, to be a fan of both shows isn't exempt either.

* HarsherInHindsight: Ben's false allegations on Christian Clarke sexually assaulting him becomes very uncomfortable to watch when you realise that his previous actor, Joshua Pascoe was also guilty of sexual misconduct. At the time of the storyline, this Ben was played by said actor which doesn't help.

*** Nish is a massive {{=Jerkass=}} even by Eastender standards, a unscrupulous entrepeneur with underground connections that acts like he's better than anyone else, is uncomfortably abusive to Suki and to a lesser extent, the rest of his family through coercive control, always talks like he has an angle or with thinly veiled threats, is a SmugSnake of the highest order while [[CardCarryingVillain relishing in being a vile person whenever he gets the opportunity]] and being incredibly petty, ultimately lacks any real charisma, depth or redeeming factors that make similar characters more iconic and likeable, like Phil Mitchell, making his on-screen presence unbearable for many. It's very telling that even Eastenders' official social media acknowledges he's not meant to be likeable and shares the sentiment in earnest.

* DorkAge: Between roughly 2002 and 2005, when the show was produced by Louise Berridge and then her ''very'' short-lived successor, Kathleen Hutchinson, due to the storylines being bland at best and ridiculous at worst (most infamously with Dirty Den's return), and the various new characters introduced in this era (particularly the Ferreira family) almost all being misfires. Though the quality of the show has had its ups and downs in the years since, pretty much all fans and critics still agree this to be the show's absolute worst period.
** Particularly, there was supposed to be a storyline where the Ferreira family received escalating abuse from their father up until the point they eventually accidentally killed him in a struggle and then covered it up... except Dan's actor was deported for having an incorrect visa during a day of filming. Rushed for time and having already booked out the rest of the family for the next few weeks of filming, they came up with a kidney transplant storyline on the fly which took up half of the next 6 weeks of screen time and is widely considered to be incredibly boring.
** Sean O'Connor's time as producer (particularly the year 2017) is also considered this for a variety of reasons, including the controversial recasting of Michelle Fowler, the killing-off of popular characters like Ronnie, Roxy and Steven, the lack of engaging dramatic storylines and the overexposure of certain characters (particularly Mick).

* AuthorsSavingThrow: [[spoiler:Danny Mitchell coming to find his long-lost Dad (Archie) in 2010, anyone?]].

* {{Narm}}: Almost all the scenes that involve the characters fighting or arguing are unintentionally hilarious due to how poorly acted or over acted they are. For example, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_OaYFeMHzc this clip]].

* DracoInLeatherPants: Dean Wicks has his share of fangirls despite being a rapist and a controlling boyfriend.
** Gray Atkins has a lot of fangirls despite regularly subjecting his wife Chantelle to domestic violence.

** Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden. On one hand, he gets a ton of flak for his newfound unpleasant attitude but on the other hand, this incarnation of Ben does have fans too, who like the progression of the character and some of Bowden's performance were also praised.

** Gray Atkins' domestic abuser-turned serial killer storyline. Hoo boy. After almost a year of viewers witnessing Chantelle trying to live with her physically abusive husband, that leg of the storyline ended in September 2020, with her tragic demise at Gray’s hands (in an admittedly powerful episode that was certainly difficult to watch). Gray’s attempts to maintain the cover that her death was an accident led to him murdering Tina Carter (who discovered the truth during a confrontation with him) and Kush Kazemi (who was about to run away with fiancee Whitney Dean, who Gray had become possessive over). As of ''February 2022'', Gray has still yet to be caught, although events appear to be leading to his imminent reveal as a killer, which the ''EastEnders'' producers promise to be happening "very soon".

** Grey Atkins' domestic abuser-turned serial killer storyline. Hoo boy. After almost a year of viewers witnessing Chantelle trying to live with her physically abusive husband, that leg of the storyline ended in September 2020, with her tragic demise at Grey’s hands (in an admittedly powerful episode that was certainly difficult to watch). Grey’s attempts to maintain the cover that her death was an accident led to him murdering Tina Carter (who discovered the truth during a confrontation with him) and Kush Kazemi (who was about to run away with fiancee Whitney Dean, who Grey had become possessive over). As of ''February 2022'', Grey has still yet to be caught, although events appear to be leading to his imminent reveal as a killer, which the ''EastEnders'' producers promise to be happening "very soon".

* ArcFatigue: The "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline. It started in April 2014, the killer wasn't revealed until February 2015, and the plotline didn't properly end until the killer was sentenced in ''June 2016''. However, if you count Max Branning's RoaringRampageOfRevenge (he'd been falsely imprisoned for the murder and wanted to get back at Walford), then the storyline is ''still ongoing'' as of October 2017, 3.5 years later.

* WhatAnIdiot: Almost the entire cast, if not all have had their moment of making stupid decisions, many even lacking common sense.
** Anytime anybody decides to have an affair, some even doing this multiple times. Almost every time that it happens, they're caught, which only makes it dumber when the character decides to do it again later on.
** Jay not blocking Linzi's number after finding out the truth about her.
** Jane turning her back on Bobby when he's upset and holding a hockey stick.
** Several characters keeping alcoholic Phil out of jail instead of leaving him in there so he can sober up.
** Abi thinking Ben just suddenly turned straight. Some characters even called her out on this.
** Louise believing known trouble makers Alex and Madison over Bex and Travis after the former frame Travis for spiking her drinks.
** A skint Denise rejecting all offers of help out of stubborn pride.
*** Selling her prized 'D' necklace for a fiver when she has an [=iPhone=] she could sell.

** "RIIICCCKKKYYYY!" [[labelnote:Explanation]] Bianca's over exaggerated pronunciation of, well, Ricky, her boyfriend/husband. Must be said with a full cockney accent for the best effect.[[/note]]

*** It's got better for Syed since then. He stood up for himself, left his family and got back together with Christian but is still disowned as far as his parents are concerned, ([[NotSoDifferent though as he once pointed out]] [[CallingTheOldManOut to his father]], they're doing a perfectly good job creating hell for themselves without him, so maybe that's not such a bad thing).

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: One reviewer perfectly summed the show up in one sentence:
--> "The 'square' is peopled by such a miserable, untrustworthy, amoral, spiteful, unrelentingly dour group of characters as can be imagined. Everyone is stabbing someone in the back, everyone is attempting to commit adultery, everyone is trying to cheat someone. That, or they are being stabbed, cuckolded or swindled. Nobody is cheerful. Nobody laughs. Nobody has a blinding stroke of luck or a really nice day. It's hell, with cockney accents."

*** "Your mum's so fat that when she fell down the stairs, it sounded like ''EastEnders'' was starting."[[labelnote:Explanation]]A "classic" YourMom joke inspired by said iconic drum beat.[[/labelnote]]

* HilariousInHindsight: Maybe a stretch, but [[andygibson.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/0/7/23074706/3222599_orig.png this promotional poster]] for the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline bears a resemblance to the "There is N impostor(s) among us" screen from ''VideoGame/AmongUs''.

*** "Your mum's so fat that when she fell down the stairs, it sounded like ''Eastenders'' was starting."[[labelnote:Explanation]]A "classic" YourMom joke inspired by said iconic drum beat.[[/labelnote]]

%%Do NOT add CompleteMonster entries without going to the cleanup thread first.

** '''[[YourCheatingHeart Preston]] [[OblivioustoHisOwnDescription Cooper]]'''... His general immaturity towards Michelle (whenever she rebuffs his advances), lying and cheating on Bex and his refusal to take responsibility, try finding anyone who likes the character or even sees any redeeming qualities from him. It doesn't help that he's featured in one of the most reviled storylines from 2017.

** This was inevitable between this show and ''Series/CoronationStreet''. As the two biggest soap operas in the land and among the world in general, the two series often vie for everything from ratings to awards for their respective writing and acting.[[note]] And while both shows [[AmericansHateTingle haven't yet conquered the United States' attention,]] the latter series is at least ''known'' to the country and viewed by a small part of it (i.e., anyone who has access to Creator/{{CBC}}.)[[/note]]
** It also had the misfortune of having this with ''Series/DoctorWho'' of all things, although it had more to do with [[ScrewedByTheNetwork the executives of BBC than anything else.]] TlBack in the mid-80s, then-head of the network, Michael Grade, made no secret that he despised [[SciFiGhetto science fiction television]] and went about screwing with the latter show's slot times, scheduling and the formula itself before he eventually cancelled the series in 1989. The former show comes into the mix because he clearly favored the soap over the anthology series (to the point of calling it "quality television") and it took the rap from their fans for their show's downfall.