So, shall we all congratulate Sah Brockner on working what must be the longest notice period in Holbyverse history? Most characters don't even seem to work one at all.
Putting the jokes aside: I thought Casualty was brilliant tonight. Faith not being in it went some way to making sure of that - I'll savour this moment, I'm sure it won't happen again for months - but it was also just very well-written and well-acted. Also, it had plenty of the social commentary that Casualty needs.
I am going to miss Sah very, very much. I have to say: I am very sad indeed about Sah leaving. I don't think I've been so "I get why they left but I'm also incredibly sad they can't stay forever" about a character since Jade. Sah has been a great character - they've been quiet, sarcastic, a bit socially awkward, sometimes cold but deeply caring when it comes down to it, occasionally stubborn, a fast learner, passionate about what they believe in and willing to stand up for others. (I also interpreted them as autistic.)
Oh, and they happen to be nonbinary.
Casualty has done a lot for trans representation with Sah and for that I will always be tremendously grateful. Has everything about how their character has been handled been perfect? No. I've critiqued things about their portrayal before and those still stand. But, as you can see, I just wrote a whole paragraph describing who Sah is without having to mention that they're nonbinary once - because while it's a significant aspect of who they are, just as something like their mum not being around for them or them being a carer for their dad has been, it's not the only trait Casualty gave them.
There are many, many trans characters out there who may have been well-meaning attempts at representation but are nonetheless tokenistic portrayals with few to no personality traits or stories beyond being trans - which doesn't exactly do anything to change the stereotype that we push our "lifestyles" on everyone all the time, does it? (I think stories about being trans can absolutely be worthwhile, so it's mostly the characters themselves I'm talking about: IMHO, they need more to describe them than just "oh, they're the trans one!" to be good representation.) But Sah was different. I don't know that I'd say Sah was groundbreaking, but they've certainly been meaningful representation to me. For one thing, they've been written in a way that has let them have stories that are about them being trans and stories that have nothing to do with them being trans, which is great.
I'd also like to say that Arin Smethurst's acting as Sah has been great throughout their time on Casualty! It's been very lucky to have them.
I thought how Sah leaving was handled in the story was very well-done too. It was very believeable and didn't feel too sudden or anything like that at all. Their faith in the world and in their profession was so very shaken - I can understand why they would just want to get out after that.
Their last scene was particularly excellent. Obviously, I was jealous when they got a hug from Jacob. Their hugs with Jan and Iain were also so cute. And the silent farewell with Teddy - that just got to me. I've read Sah and Teddy as being in love with one another for a long time now, but even if they weren't romantically in love, there was clearly a very deep love of some kind between them so this last scene was just so sad to see.
Speaking of which, there seems to be a running theme now of characters leaving because they just can't take it anymore. Now I'm wondering if that's how Charlie will leave. I'd think that more impactful if there hadn't been a fakeout version of it quite recently, but oh well.
After all this time, a proper storyline for Jacob! I'm sort of sad that Sah left this week because it means I had to type all that out instead of getting to put Jacob at the top when he finally gets a proper story, lol. He was brilliant tonight, absolutely brilliant. I cannot say enough how much I love him. And we got an allusion - a subtle one, but I thought it spoke volumes - to his trauma. I love it when the writers remember things like that, especially in contexts like this Stevie story where it's definitely needed. As always, Charles Venn was so good!
The story with Habid was, I thought, one of the best patient storylines in a long time. A very emotionally impactful storyline - it made me cry, even - and much-needed social commentary. It's a story I'm glad Casualty told.
The Max, Jodie, and Stella scenes were very good, as was the scene with Max and Stella alone. Nigel Harman was incredible in that scene between Max and Stella. I'm so sad that Max will be leaving so soon. And I'm sad that his backstory almost certainly won't get to come through properly before he does.
I like that Jodie is unsure of what to do about Max. It feels very realistic.
I keep saying Max is like a neo-Henrik, and once again it was very clear tonight. That scene where he was basically telling Jodie he didn't know what he was doing but he did want the three of them to get to know one another as family - that was so sweet.
I did think the story with the other woman Jodie was treating was a bit boring, but I get why it was there - so that Jodie would think everything with Max over a bit more.
The camerawork in some scenes made me feel somewhat dizzy, but as usual recently, that was probably the point so I don't particularly mind it.
Stevie's characterisation was very interesting. I can't wait to see where this goes for her. Her interactions with Jacob were fascinating, because it made me think back on Jacob last spring, in a somewhat similar situation - both Stevie and Jacob respectively are/have been blaming themselves for something, but Jacob ran from it and switched professions, while Stevie is gripping on as tightly as she can to any sense of control. She was very unlikeable at some points tonight, which is something I wouldn't normally say as a Stevie fan, but I'm sure it's intentional.
I don't like Harry. I can't tell if we're supposed to like him. I hope we're not, because I don't.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm vaguely interested in the Natalia and Iain storyline. It sort of makes sense that she'd feel an unrequited interest in him. I mean, it's cliche if that's where it's going but it also makes sense. I think Natalia wants comfort and a nice, present parental figure more than anything else, but will misinterpret her feelings as romantic. I've had similar moments, so I can relate to that. Seeing how he responds, and when he inevitably has to turn her down, might be interesting. I just want Faith herself to be kept out of it.
So, yes, tonight was great. I have no idea what's meant to be happening next week. I hope Jacob's in it again with another proper storyline.
areudirty
tangentwithtanner
gracieabrams
gummygunk
vaporwave
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
prguitarman
