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Lucy Allan on Clare Devine's return
Published Friday, Jun 5 2009, 19:00 BST | By Kris Green | 9 comments
Regular readers of this blog will know that I previously expressed my concern about resurrecting Clare for the climax to Warren (Jamie Lomas) and Justin's (Chris Fountain) stories.
Granted, her episodes last week were great, but her exit tonight was just...well, a little rushed. Oh and the highly predictable "I'll be back" line at the end didn't quite cut it for me, either.
I've said it before, but I adore the character of Clare and Gemma Bissix's superb effortless portrayal of the village superbitch. I just think they let her down on this occasion - a rushed and forced return which should have been shelved until they found room for a permanent comeback.
What's the betting she's back again before the year's out, though?
As you've probably already seen, I caught up with Hollyoaks' new series producer Lucy Allan at the end of last month. During the interview, I asked about Clare's return and here's what she had to say:
Why did you only bring back Gemma Bissix for a short stint? Do you think it compromised her 'Best Exit' win at last year's British Soap Awards?
"Ultimately, she was pivotal in the culmination [of Warren and Justin's] storylines that feature in Stunt Week and I think it would have been a disservice to the story and to the characters to have not featured her in it.
"It was a really good exit and the moment she walked into that airport lounge was real high drama, it was fantastic. The reality that it was well over a year before she came back into Hollyoaks and that she served a story in the way that she did, she adds to the exit, rather than diminishes it."
Now that you've seen it, what did you think to Clare's comeback? Let me know your views using the usual form below.
Your Views
9 Comments
Your Responses
Izzy Wilson, Warwickshire, on June 26th, 2009
I think Clare was the best thing that ever happened to Hollyoaks. ALL the best storylines have involved her in some way or another and her exit was simply outstanding. However, i agree with the majority vote here, i think her 'comeback' now was under-exaggerated and lacked so much potential. All the stunts were great, but there wasn't the evil twist that usually comes with Clare. Sasha punching her didn't work at all, it ruined that part, and her being arrested! WHAT! she needs to wriggle out and escape the police, return for good, and cause some more havoc. I hope when the time comes (hopefully very soon) that she has some good storylines to carry out, Clare is the best character. I hope she comes back in style this time.
I think Clare was the best thing that ever happened to Hollyoaks. ALL the best storylines have involved her in some way or another and her exit was simply outstanding. However, i agree with the majority vote here, i think her 'comeback' now was under-exaggerated and lacked so much potential. All the stunts were great, but there wasn't the evil twist that usually comes with Clare. Sasha punching her didn't work at all, it ruined that part, and her being arrested! WHAT! she needs to wriggle out and escape the police, return for good, and cause some more havoc. I hope when the time comes (hopefully very soon) that she has some good storylines to carry out, Clare is the best character. I hope she comes back in style this time.
Callum, on June 11th, 2009
Is that it? Her being arrested was the last bit of her return? I have been waiting to see like her police interview, the court case etc. and i was expecting her to wiggle her way out of it and be found not guilty. By the way, I'm assuming now though that Clare has been found guilty of Warren's murder, so in that case cant Justin come back? His exit didn't really make sense then because he ran away because people thought he was guilty of the fire. I was disappointed if I'm honest. I think they did rush it. There should have been a massive build up. She was only in it for about 2 and a half episodes! Hopefully though, i think she will return again.
Is that it? Her being arrested was the last bit of her return? I have been waiting to see like her police interview, the court case etc. and i was expecting her to wiggle her way out of it and be found not guilty. By the way, I'm assuming now though that Clare has been found guilty of Warren's murder, so in that case cant Justin come back? His exit didn't really make sense then because he ran away because people thought he was guilty of the fire. I was disappointed if I'm honest. I think they did rush it. There should have been a massive build up. She was only in it for about 2 and a half episodes! Hopefully though, i think she will return again.
Steph, Gosport, on June 8th, 2009
I think it was a waste and a rush to bring back Claire, It was obvious that it was Louise who was meant to come back but she changed her mind so they asked Claire instead, Louise taking revenge on warren for trying to kill her on her wedding day would have made sense, Having Claire return out of the blue after a year? they should have at least had her in there for a month before hand stalking warren rather than just drop her in for 5 episodes it was a waste and didnt do the story justice,
I think it was a waste and a rush to bring back Claire, It was obvious that it was Louise who was meant to come back but she changed her mind so they asked Claire instead, Louise taking revenge on warren for trying to kill her on her wedding day would have made sense, Having Claire return out of the blue after a year? they should have at least had her in there for a month before hand stalking warren rather than just drop her in for 5 episodes it was a waste and didnt do the story justice,
Cassie, London, on June 6th, 2009
sorry but quite frankly hollyoaks is getting silly with all of it's litte plot devices to try and get quick viewers. i think the fact that they didnt win a single award at BSA should make them see that sometimes simple SL's are easier SL's. like if Justin had just started the fire and hannah got caught by accident it would have given him a more concrete reason to go. also the diologue is far from believeable, there trying to be more Hollywood than Hollyoaks... "Ill be back" ? are they tring to make Clare the new terminator or something?
sorry but quite frankly hollyoaks is getting silly with all of it's litte plot devices to try and get quick viewers. i think the fact that they didnt win a single award at BSA should make them see that sometimes simple SL's are easier SL's. like if Justin had just started the fire and hannah got caught by accident it would have given him a more concrete reason to go. also the diologue is far from believeable, there trying to be more Hollywood than Hollyoaks... "Ill be back" ? are they tring to make Clare the new terminator or something?
Danny, London, on June 6th, 2009
If I am honest I think Clare's appearance in Friday's episode was disappointing, I didn't see much use of it. I thought that her appearance last week was amazing, but that too was still rushed. I think Hollyoaks should have left Clare from the scene at the airport as it was a truly amazing yet shocking exit. If not they should have left it with her red shoe in the flames from last weeks fire. As much as I love Clare, I dunno, I'm a bit iffy about it. There were a lot of unanswered questions and Clare could have more of a potential for a longer stint. I hope Clare returns for a longer stint in future and will never die or go to prison, she is too good for that. sorry, rant over lol
If I am honest I think Clare's appearance in Friday's episode was disappointing, I didn't see much use of it. I thought that her appearance last week was amazing, but that too was still rushed. I think Hollyoaks should have left Clare from the scene at the airport as it was a truly amazing yet shocking exit. If not they should have left it with her red shoe in the flames from last weeks fire. As much as I love Clare, I dunno, I'm a bit iffy about it. There were a lot of unanswered questions and Clare could have more of a potential for a longer stint. I hope Clare returns for a longer stint in future and will never die or go to prison, she is too good for that. sorry, rant over lol
Johnathan, Northumberland, on June 5th, 2009
I love Clare and thought he return was fantastic I just loved the fire episodes and Gemma was great as always but, personally I was let down by Friday's show it was far too rushed and almost ruined the drama and brilliance of Clare's return episodes. I would have preferred if they just left it with Clare's red shoe next to Hannah it would've had more of an effect.
I love Clare and thought he return was fantastic I just loved the fire episodes and Gemma was great as always but, personally I was let down by Friday's show it was far too rushed and almost ruined the drama and brilliance of Clare's return episodes. I would have preferred if they just left it with Clare's red shoe next to Hannah it would've had more of an effect.
Chelle, on June 5th, 2009
It was awful, Clare was used merely as a plot device and the character deserved so much more. There was very little shock that she was still alive and she hadn't have any scenes with the other characters she had history with. They've ruined what could have potentially been a massive comeback but that's the way Hollyoaks seem to be going at the moment, from one disappointing storyline to another.
It was awful, Clare was used merely as a plot device and the character deserved so much more. There was very little shock that she was still alive and she hadn't have any scenes with the other characters she had history with. They've ruined what could have potentially been a massive comeback but that's the way Hollyoaks seem to be going at the moment, from one disappointing storyline to another.
S Lloyd, Fife, on June 5th, 2009
I thought as well Clare's exit was rushed. Sasha Knocking out a full grown woman by one punch was pretty pathetic. Obviously she's going to return by the end of the year as a permanent cast member again so lets hope its soon.
I thought as well Clare's exit was rushed. Sasha Knocking out a full grown woman by one punch was pretty pathetic. Obviously she's going to return by the end of the year as a permanent cast member again so lets hope its soon.
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I think that Clare was brilliant