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Remembering McDean: Happy SE Day!
Published Saturday, Sep 19 2009, 12:00 BST | By Kris Green | 63 comments
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So I thought 'Why not?!'. After all, DS forum users campaigned relentlessly for months to secure the Sunset Ending (SE) that John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) and Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) quite rightly deserved.
So how did the SE come about? How did the story develop?
Like you all need telling. But in a nutshell...
6 September, 2006 - the date that John Paul first met Craig on our television screens.
With John Paul as best mate and Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley) - wannabe model and fellow student - as his girlfriend, things were looking up for Craig. However, an 18th birthday party took an unexpected turn when John Paul confessed to a stunned Craig that his feelings for him ran deeper than just friendship.
A confused Craig maintained that they were only mates, but a drunken kiss between the pair resulted in John Paul finally admitting that he was gay and finding himself a boyfriend in Spike (Tom Vaughan). As a result, Craig was forced to slowly admit that he had reciprocal feelings for John Paul.
An intense four-month affair ensued and was eventually exposed in true soap style at Craig and Sarah's engagement party. Forced to choose between John Paul and Sarah, Craig chose John Paul. However, his inability to be open about their relationship led to John Paul ending it at Liverpool airport, leaving Craig to fly off to Dublin alone.
Fast forward a year and Craig's return to the village saw John Paul on the verge of breaking up with his fiancé and former priest Kieron Hobbs (Jake Hendriks) to get back with Craig.
Their reunion, however, was marred by Niall's brutal murder of Kieron but in the end, John Paul decided to follow his mum's advice and not waste his life wondering about the things that he hadn't done.
19 September, 2008 - the date that John Paul ran off to Dublin to begin a new life with his one true love, Craig.
That said, here are two of the most iconic clips from the story:
I still love that escalator scene.
I digress...
A few weeks ago, I managed to bag a copy of the SE script and so I thought I'd drop in a couple of the most notable lines from the episode here.
§ JP: I really loved him, Mum. Just... (vulnerable)... not like I love Craig, it's different.
§ The train doors close. A whistle sounds. JP springs onto the platform, dodging passengers... But he's too late. The train pulls away. JP's frustrated. JP curses himself, helpless, as the train disappears out of the station. Then... He stops. Something has taken his eye. Standing on the opposite platform, still waiting for his train, is an oblivious Craig. Their eyes meet. Craig stares at JP, motionless. JP, on the wrong platform, starts to run.
§ JP: Craig, you've got no idea how much you've hurt me... so I just wanted to say to you, before you walk out of my life forever, that... I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world.
§ JP: I don't know how we keep finding ourselves here, I really don't... but the one thing that I do know, the one thing I'm sure of is that I love you... I really love you.
§ Craig: I love you, JP McQueen.
And on that note, here's that moment in video:
Credit must go to Bryan Kirkwood for immersing himself in the whole crazy experience and listening to the fans. Without him, the story would never have happened. Oh, and of course the McDean fans!
Happy Sunset Ending Anniversary Day, McDeaners.
Your Views
63 Comments
Your Responses
Lily, Manchester, on October 30th, 2009
Most amazing ending ever. I liked JPK but in my opinion McDean was better from day one. Best written soap storyline of ALL time in my opinion. Thanks Kris.
Most amazing ending ever. I liked JPK but in my opinion McDean was better from day one. Best written soap storyline of ALL time in my opinion. Thanks Kris.
Sara, California, on September 30th, 2009
I love that moment in SE where JP thinks he's just missed Craig's train only to find it was the wrong one, and they reunite happily. As sweet as the moment is, to tell you the truth, I also like imagining what would have happened if he'd gotten there, like 3 minutes earlier and gotten on the train. I'd like to think he'd have looked out the window and seen Craig, still at the platform, realized he'd gotten on the wrong train and been like " OH SHHIIIIiiiii...." as the train speeds away. LOL. :D
I love that moment in SE where JP thinks he's just missed Craig's train only to find it was the wrong one, and they reunite happily. As sweet as the moment is, to tell you the truth, I also like imagining what would have happened if he'd gotten there, like 3 minutes earlier and gotten on the train. I'd like to think he'd have looked out the window and seen Craig, still at the platform, realized he'd gotten on the wrong train and been like " OH SHHIIIIiiiii...." as the train speeds away. LOL. :D
Beatrice, Canada, on September 28th, 2009
Why do we have to talk about "best" or "worst"? That's a formulation that's garanteed to spark an argument, and not a debate. (because that's what it is, isn't it?). In any case, I loved the SE. McDean is probably my favourite couple, and in my opinion, they deserved their happy ending. JPK did nothing for me.
Why do we have to talk about "best" or "worst"? That's a formulation that's garanteed to spark an argument, and not a debate. (because that's what it is, isn't it?). In any case, I loved the SE. McDean is probably my favourite couple, and in my opinion, they deserved their happy ending. JPK did nothing for me.
Gemma, London, on September 28th, 2009
You know, it's funny, but I watched Hollyoaks in 2007 and 2008, and I definitely saw clues that JP wasn't 100% happy with Kieron - like him rejecting him after they shagged, like him telling Hannah no one would ever match up to Craig, like him being unable to say I love you for ages, like him challenging his family/ friends to tell him it was a bad idea and being disgruntled when they didn't, like him wanting to go to Ibiza not build churches in Tanzania, like his obvious proposal on the hoof. I also watched Hollyoaks Later, and I saw Craig upset that his lover was struggling to cope with the death of his sister, the near death of his whole family, and the death of Kieron, but I certainly didn't see Craig say JP wasn't over Kieron, or anything resembling that. In fact, after the church, I saw JP desperate to get back to Dublin and his happy life (happy after Kieron's death). So, I think the producers made it pretty clear, to me anyway, that JP never wanted to marry Kieron, always wanted Craig but thought he would never be his, and was struggling like any normal human to cope with all the horror he saw from September - November. Hollyoaks Later also made it clear, to me, that Craig adored JP and wanted to help him through an understandably difficult time. As for him "sleeping with the Scottish nudist", well, it didn't happen on or off screen, as far as I'm aware. So not sure what that's all about. Turning to McDean and the SE. I wouldn't have written it that way. Most McDeaners, starved of JP and Craig for a year, would have made it two weeks of them kissing (lol!), but a year later, I don't wish it was different. Because the end was beautiful. It was funny and romantic and hopeful and full of joy. And it makes me smile every time I think of it. But people not liking it, the characters, the story is perfectly OK!! It's a debate that appears not to want to grow old, and I guess it's all credit to everyone involved that people in all camps still care enough either way to talk about it.
You know, it's funny, but I watched Hollyoaks in 2007 and 2008, and I definitely saw clues that JP wasn't 100% happy with Kieron - like him rejecting him after they shagged, like him telling Hannah no one would ever match up to Craig, like him being unable to say I love you for ages, like him challenging his family/ friends to tell him it was a bad idea and being disgruntled when they didn't, like him wanting to go to Ibiza not build churches in Tanzania, like his obvious proposal on the hoof. I also watched Hollyoaks Later, and I saw Craig upset that his lover was struggling to cope with the death of his sister, the near death of his whole family, and the death of Kieron, but I certainly didn't see Craig say JP wasn't over Kieron, or anything resembling that. In fact, after the church, I saw JP desperate to get back to Dublin and his happy life (happy after Kieron's death). So, I think the producers made it pretty clear, to me anyway, that JP never wanted to marry Kieron, always wanted Craig but thought he would never be his, and was struggling like any normal human to cope with all the horror he saw from September - November. Hollyoaks Later also made it clear, to me, that Craig adored JP and wanted to help him through an understandably difficult time. As for him "sleeping with the Scottish nudist", well, it didn't happen on or off screen, as far as I'm aware. So not sure what that's all about. Turning to McDean and the SE. I wouldn't have written it that way. Most McDeaners, starved of JP and Craig for a year, would have made it two weeks of them kissing (lol!), but a year later, I don't wish it was different. Because the end was beautiful. It was funny and romantic and hopeful and full of joy. And it makes me smile every time I think of it. But people not liking it, the characters, the story is perfectly OK!! It's a debate that appears not to want to grow old, and I guess it's all credit to everyone involved that people in all camps still care enough either way to talk about it.
bekzj, on September 28th, 2009
It makes me laugh how het up people still get over this, jesus it was just a love story with a happy ending! *rollseyes*
It makes me laugh how het up people still get over this, jesus it was just a love story with a happy ending! *rollseyes*
Rachel, São Paulo, on September 28th, 2009
I loved the Sunset Ending! My favorite couple got together and Kieron died. Seriously...what was not to like? I really miss Guy and James´chemistry though!! Come back, guys!! :)
I loved the Sunset Ending! My favorite couple got together and Kieron died. Seriously...what was not to like? I really miss Guy and James´chemistry though!! Come back, guys!! :)
Cyrilandshirley, Derby, on September 27th, 2009
Wow. Not sure what some of you guys watched. What I watched was a soap (yes, not real). A love story which broke a few boundaries (and won a Stonewall award for it). And a rare happy ending, in which two people, who'd tried to move on with others, realised they had to be together. Not sure what there was to hate in that. Anyway, thanks Kris, the blog was a bit of fun. Shame not everyone felt it, but that's life.
Wow. Not sure what some of you guys watched. What I watched was a soap (yes, not real). A love story which broke a few boundaries (and won a Stonewall award for it). And a rare happy ending, in which two people, who'd tried to move on with others, realised they had to be together. Not sure what there was to hate in that. Anyway, thanks Kris, the blog was a bit of fun. Shame not everyone felt it, but that's life.
Angie, St John's Wood, on September 25th, 2009
I didn't know soaps only made sense if you "analyse" them correctly, it's Hollyoaks, not Hamlet lol. I watched what was shown on screen and what I saw was John Paul happy and in love with Kieron and not missing Craig in the slightest until Craig came back. Then I saw a few scenes which seemed to be left over from the previous year, of John Paul and Craig arguing crying and having sex with their vests on, followed by John Paul crying over Kieron for a week before apparently deciding during an ad break to go to Dublin with Craig. Very odd story-telling indeed ???
I didn't know soaps only made sense if you "analyse" them correctly, it's Hollyoaks, not Hamlet lol. I watched what was shown on screen and what I saw was John Paul happy and in love with Kieron and not missing Craig in the slightest until Craig came back. Then I saw a few scenes which seemed to be left over from the previous year, of John Paul and Craig arguing crying and having sex with their vests on, followed by John Paul crying over Kieron for a week before apparently deciding during an ad break to go to Dublin with Craig. Very odd story-telling indeed ???
Sarah, Italy, on September 24th, 2009
@HK...Supportive?..did we watch the same SL? Craig told him, (aggresively imo) that he wasn't leaving without him! All we saw of Craig was me,me,me! He hadn't learnt anything and took advantage of a vunerable boy who had just lost his fiance and sister...he should have stayed in Hollyoaks with JP at least till Tina's funeral. That would have been support!.. How you can all be fine with what you got is frankly so sad. Five minutes of what?.... Even when Craig came back for the late night he made it clear JP wasn't happy..and in his words "be careful for what you wish for"...says it all and if you are all happy with that..fine but it's laughable and really an insult to all those of you who campaigned...if you cant see that well *delusion* springs to mind. Mind you I saw what was onscreen and didn't analyse in depth and within their proper context???? Oh my! Anyway what we saw on screen was lots and lots of JP/K happiness and snugly scenes which i'm sorry but you didnt get. It was all angst and snott and tears and do I really need to go on?..Happiness surely not..I certainly wouldn't want that in my life... It was a really really bad exit for one of the best actors in soap...shame imo... BTW what happened to that script of the LN scene with Craig and the nudist?...
@HK...Supportive?..did we watch the same SL? Craig told him, (aggresively imo) that he wasn't leaving without him! All we saw of Craig was me,me,me! He hadn't learnt anything and took advantage of a vunerable boy who had just lost his fiance and sister...he should have stayed in Hollyoaks with JP at least till Tina's funeral. That would have been support!.. How you can all be fine with what you got is frankly so sad. Five minutes of what?.... Even when Craig came back for the late night he made it clear JP wasn't happy..and in his words "be careful for what you wish for"...says it all and if you are all happy with that..fine but it's laughable and really an insult to all those of you who campaigned...if you cant see that well *delusion* springs to mind. Mind you I saw what was onscreen and didn't analyse in depth and within their proper context???? Oh my! Anyway what we saw on screen was lots and lots of JP/K happiness and snugly scenes which i'm sorry but you didnt get. It was all angst and snott and tears and do I really need to go on?..Happiness surely not..I certainly wouldn't want that in my life... It was a really really bad exit for one of the best actors in soap...shame imo... BTW what happened to that script of the LN scene with Craig and the nudist?...
Rebecca, Durham, on September 24th, 2009
@Penny - LOL, you seem to be forgetting that Hollyoaks is just a soap, not an Oscar nominated WW2 epic.
@Penny - LOL, you seem to be forgetting that Hollyoaks is just a soap, not an Oscar nominated WW2 epic.
Nathan, Manchester, on September 24th, 2009
The one thing I always found strange was they had a year to plan the SE so why did it resemble something that looked like it had been discussed over a pub lunch & written on the back of a fag packet?
The one thing I always found strange was they had a year to plan the SE so why did it resemble something that looked like it had been discussed over a pub lunch & written on the back of a fag packet?
Simon, Liverpool, on September 24th, 2009
Wow, DS "reporting" at it's very best...... *ahem*, no wonder everyone at Hollyoaks was desperate to get rid of this SL with the likes of DS encouraging obsessives, the very word "McDean" probably makes James, Guy and anyone else involved in it shiver! Horrible SL!
Wow, DS "reporting" at it's very best...... *ahem*, no wonder everyone at Hollyoaks was desperate to get rid of this SL with the likes of DS encouraging obsessives, the very word "McDean" probably makes James, Guy and anyone else involved in it shiver! Horrible SL!
Lucy, Manchester, on September 24th, 2009
Obviously I was out of the loop or too stupid to not realise such things, thanks for correcting me!! Still doesn't change the fact that SE was poorly written, rushed and totally disrespectful to the story that had been so beautifully told the previous year. No wonder James Sutton refused to do the LNHO given the dreadful exit he was given.
Obviously I was out of the loop or too stupid to not realise such things, thanks for correcting me!! Still doesn't change the fact that SE was poorly written, rushed and totally disrespectful to the story that had been so beautifully told the previous year. No wonder James Sutton refused to do the LNHO given the dreadful exit he was given.
Penny Lane, Liverpool, on September 24th, 2009
@ Lucy, Manchester - Just because there was no indication on screen that JP missed Craig or that he was unhappy with Kieron doesn't mean it's not true. You can't judge the SL by what happened on screen, you have to take into account the wider picture, and analyse the scenes in depth and within their proper context to see it the way the writers intended. Or something...
@ Lucy, Manchester - Just because there was no indication on screen that JP missed Craig or that he was unhappy with Kieron doesn't mean it's not true. You can't judge the SL by what happened on screen, you have to take into account the wider picture, and analyse the scenes in depth and within their proper context to see it the way the writers intended. Or something...
Gemma, London, on September 22nd, 2009
Wonderfully un-biased reporting there, the professionalism award is on it's way! [Can't I express an opinion in a blog? - KG]
Wonderfully un-biased reporting there, the professionalism award is on it's way! [Can't I express an opinion in a blog? - KG]
Lucy, Manchester, on September 22nd, 2009
At first I was so happy to find out that Craig was coming back to take JP back to Dublin but in the end I was disappointed by what we were given. Guy was right he should never have come back for such dross. JP never showed any indication of missing Craig once he and Kieron got together properly & it wasn't until conveniently the day before Craig came back they showed he was unhappy with Kieron. I'm sorry as much as I disliked the JPK story in the end JP should have been allowed to leave with Kieron because that was the only thing that made sense & I was always a McDeaner!! BK should have ignored the people who gave McDean a bad name on the forums & allowed JP to move on because for me that travisty we were served up ruined McDean A very unhappy McDean fan
At first I was so happy to find out that Craig was coming back to take JP back to Dublin but in the end I was disappointed by what we were given. Guy was right he should never have come back for such dross. JP never showed any indication of missing Craig once he and Kieron got together properly & it wasn't until conveniently the day before Craig came back they showed he was unhappy with Kieron. I'm sorry as much as I disliked the JPK story in the end JP should have been allowed to leave with Kieron because that was the only thing that made sense & I was always a McDeaner!! BK should have ignored the people who gave McDean a bad name on the forums & allowed JP to move on because for me that travisty we were served up ruined McDean A very unhappy McDean fan
Maria01, on September 21st, 2009
The perfect ending ... thanks Kris
The perfect ending ... thanks Kris
Maria01, on September 21st, 2009
The only ending that made sense ... thanks Kris
The only ending that made sense ... thanks Kris
TK, London, on September 21st, 2009
I loved this storyline from start to finish. I wasn't wild about the John Paul/Kieron SL, it felt like a rather shallow retread of JP and Craig. To me, the story ended the only way it could have -with John Paul and Craig together!!
I loved this storyline from start to finish. I wasn't wild about the John Paul/Kieron SL, it felt like a rather shallow retread of JP and Craig. To me, the story ended the only way it could have -with John Paul and Craig together!!
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I was searching for Laura Pausini's song It's not Goodbye in the YouTube when I saw a version showing the story of John Paul & Craig. Never heard of this British show before... but having seen part through this song....I went through all the episodes via YouTube. There was a time when I watched it from 9:00pm till 9:30 the following morning. Even up to now I couldn't get over it... I love this beautiful couple.... and its happy endings.... At age 62 I feel like a crazy teenager. Best wishes to Guy and James.