Upper crust Downton Abbey may have beaten working class Eastenders in the Christmas Sunday night ratings, but Pat Butcher’s death left many dedicated viewers in tears. Pat was original to Eastenders and remained the same over time, whilst the series has constantly changed, always trying to reflect current social issues through their story lines.
Some of the earliest issues Eastenders dealt with at the soap’s launch in the mid ’80s were quite shocking for the time. Bold depictions of homophobia, prostitution, and mixed race relationships raised a few eyebrows. Michelle Fowler was a young pregnant teen thanks to Dirty Den. Domestic violence was another issue which made many viewers uncomfortable.
The ’90s included a host of even more challenging story lines. Mark Fowler developed HIV, whilst abortion and adoption became more openly discussed. Previously taboo illnesses were incorporated into story lines. Joe Wicks developed schizophrenia, Peggy Mitchell was open about her struggle to beat breast cancer, and her son Phil struggled with the alcoholism that eventually destroyed his marriage.
By the start of the millennium, some of these issues had been developed further and were taken to a new level. Phil’s addiction moved on to drugs, and mental health issues broadened to highlight the needs of carers. Sexual abuse by a relative and child grooming were topics depicted, that would have been too disturbing and distasteful to broadcast in previous decades. Keith’s adult illiteracy and Adams’s struggle as a handicapped teenager encouraged acceptance and understanding. Dot and Ethel dealing with the controversial issue of euthanasia was a majorly discussed story.
Throughout the series there has always been an ethnically diverse cast. However in 2002 the Commission for Racial Equality argued that Eastenders was not a realistic representation of the ethnic makeup of the East End of London. Eastenders took this criticism on board and the Masoods from Pakistan moved to Walford, soon joined by the Fox family who represented London’s Caribbean population.
Eastenders has always included national events such as jubilees and royal weddings. Billy Mitchell will soon carry the Olympic flame in real time through Walford, and reality and fiction will briefly overlap.
For 25 years Pat’s unchanging character provided a secure thread, whilst Eastenders has moved with the times. Yet viewers find it reassuring when some things never change. Well, we still have Dot Cotton …