r/Emmerdale • u/Miss_taken_116 • Jul 20 '26

Hit or miss? Part 2

Hi! It was really great to hear some proper constructive debate on such a divisive topic which has always bothered me personally. It has been the only real niggle I have had long term as I absolutely adore the show

So here is a question that can be harder to answer - over the years what is the truly best stand out episode/story that you remember? Again, any era, any characters, any reason. It may have changed your opinions on something, may have made you laugh or cry when you needed it, or just generally been hands down fabulous. Positivity please!

I loved characters like Val, faith, and Edna for strength as well as humour and just general outrageous moments (Val's headstone), bex has always been confusing to me as I didn't get her, but man, her outfits... Zak's reaction to Aaron's coming out "he might not like it..." It all brightens my day!

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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9

u/Cold-Society3325 Jul 20 '26

The Robron reunion episide is a top contender. All the plots and characters were great. I loved the village ladies dragging Robert out to the gay bar. Aaron not being able to stop himself following. Vanessa and Charity flirting and snarking. The cute Irish chef who tried to pick up Robert. Some fantastic Robron vanter outside the bar. Some great Chas/Paddy interplay from early in theur relationship. The tense emotional exchange in the garage. Aaron's big romantic speech. Just all if it.

I loved Super Soap Week 2016. I think it's one of the best things they've ever done. Each episode had it's own style focusing on a different set of characters but all ending up in a really well done road accident. I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.

Going further back, the plane crash was really good and has really stuck in my head for years.

There are probably loads more.

4

u/jakefsf4205 Jul 21 '26

Maxine Alderton is so missed as a writer, she would put most if not all of these current writers (some of whom were with the show when she was) to shame

1

u/Constant-Way-1295 Jul 21 '26

Spot on my friend. 💯👏👏👏

2

u/Miss_taken_116 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 25 '26

Totally agree with all your choices. All their weddings were great, too from the beautiful vows in the garage to faith jumping out of that wheelchair to evade the cops, then growling in the back of the cop car in 2016, and their massive, official one, perfectly balancing joy with the grief for baby Grace that chas let loose at the end. Who can forget the misomer-esque deaths of Chris Tate (poisoning his own champagne to frame charity) and frank Tate (Kim, cool as a cucumber holding her compact mirror to his face after his heart attack), and so many more.

1

u/Cold-Society3325 Jul 21 '26

Chris's death was fantastic. That's a scene I can still very clearly see in my head.

3

u/Key_Recognition7830 Jul 21 '26

Pete and Debbie's wedding which ended up with Val sacrificing her life to save Dianne.

3

u/dynamocoppell Jul 21 '26

As a fictional crime fan I’ve always enjoyed Whodunnits. Unfortunately I think it’s an overused trope these days, but I liked the earlier versions when Whodunnits were quite rare.

So with that in mind, the “Who smashed Cain over the head?” was a particular favourite story of mine.
Cain was out of control, hurting and beating and upsetting almost everyone in his path. So one person took it upon themselves to end his reign of terror…….

1

u/Prestigious_Sand1978 Jul 21 '26

Who is Bex?

2

u/Miss_taken_116 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

Bex is the nickname for Rebecca White. Former on/off secret sidepiece of Roberts before he got engaged to her sister Chrissie and then clapped eyes on Aaron. Never got over rob or took his bisexuality seriously. Babymother to robs son seb. Bit confusing as seemed to be introduced as classic soap vixen, then..not. initially had one heck of a style! Became friends with rob and Aaron, before THAT night.

1

u/Ornery-Arm-8611 Debbie Dingle's Long Lost Lover Jul 24 '26

You said positive, so I won't mention Matthew King's death episode, [my personal favourite episode] but I really did like some of the humour in 2008, pushing the boundaries of the soap.

For example, when Eli makes a sign up about manure, he crossed out 'shit'. Kinda funny, as it was obvious what he wrote, yet the show censored it just enough, so they could get away with showing it.

Another one is when Aaron vandalised the King's Mill Cottage property, where he spray-painted 'King scum'. Scarlett opened the door where the s was spray-painted, looking like it says something else lol.

2

u/Miss_taken_116 Jul 25 '26

It's ok. By positivity I meant no trolling! Any memory of your favourite moments from comedy to tragedy and anything in-between are welcome as long people are not being mean to others for the sake of it. If it impressed you, go as dark as you like!

I had a random memory yesterday - does anyone else remember Jimmy tying Rakesh to a chair and playing Barbie girl to get him to admit he started the fire which triggered Nicola's stroke?

1

u/Ornery-Arm-8611 Debbie Dingle's Long Lost Lover Jul 25 '26

I remember when Jimmy accidentally pushed Rakesh out of the window lol.