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Hollyoaks: Enjoy the Ride

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Enjoy The Ride is a storyline from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, broadcast between 12 and 16 November 2012 on Channel 4.

Creation and development

The Daily Star announced the storyline on 21 October 2012. They reported that "lots of lives will be lost in the tragedy – the biggest Hollyoaks has seen". A show source told the Daily Star that it was a "huge stunt" and that "a lot of money has been spent making it look as realistic as possible. A team of stuntmen and women were brought in and bosses hired some of the best special effects people in the business. The bus crash will be a disaster no one will ever forget".[1] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy announced that an upcoming storyline would feature "another tragic storyline twist" as "wedding day joy turns to horror for a number of the soap's characters".[2] The episodes were said to feature the double wedding of Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) alongside Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and Doug Carter (PJ Brennan). Jono (Dylan Llewellyn) and Ruby Button (Anna Shaffer) also plan to elope to Gretna Green so steal a mini-van. Bart McQueen (Jonny Clarke) and Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks) try to stop them eloping by forcing them to stop the mini-van. Driver Maddie Morrison (Scarlett Bowman) is distracted and almost runs over Leah Barnes (Ela-May Demircan), but swerves off the road to avoid her. Maddie drives in to Tony, Cindy, Ste and Doug's wedding venue, crashing the mini-van before it explodes.[2] Kilkelly explained that the event would "change life in the village forever". It was also revealed that "at least two characters are expected to be killed off in the momentous episodes, but their identities will be kept closely under wraps until transmission".[2] Brennan said that Doug is "definitely in danger" as is "anyone who is at the wedding is in danger considering that a bus ploughs through the venue".[3] Soap expert Susan Hill, writing for the Daily Star noted that Tony, Cindy, Rhys, Ste, Doug, Ruby, Maddie and Neil Cooper (Tosin Cole) were all possibilities for to die in the storyline.[4]

Daniel Kilkelly explained that the storyline was created to "reveal secrets and lies that many had fought hard to keep hidden".[2] Brennan said the crash comes at the "worst time possible" because there is a "gigantic reveal between Ste and Doug" before the crash. He added that the secret that Doug "has gone behind Ste's back to take out Brendan".[3] Tony initially plans to reveal Cindy's infidelity during the service but does not. Waring told All About Soap magazine that Cindy decides to "run away" with Rhys which is witnessed by Tony but then "she looks up and sees the bus coming right for them!" The actress said Cindy "has a load of secrets" and that there will "be a lot of repercussions" following her deciding to run away with Rhys.[5]

Several factors lead to the crash of the mini-van. Shaffer said that the mini-van's fault brakes and the dangerous behaviour of Esther and Bart are largely to blame. Shaffer explained that Esther and Bart are doing it out of the "goodness of their hearts" and are not being malicious in trying to stop the wedding but "a certain amount of blame does have to lie with them!"[6]

Brennan explained that the storyline is "really dramatic storyline" which is a "good reflection of the direction that we're going in at Hollyoaks. We're going back to the show's soap roots and doing some big, bombastic storylines".[3] Brennan felt that the scenes included the "hardest day I've ever had at work when I was filming this week of episodes" due to the filming demanding "so much in terms of the depths of emotions I had to go to". He added that audiences could expect "big emotions" due to the large number of characters at risk. The scenes become "very, very dramatic for many characters in the village".[3]

Moss told What's on TV that the crash and following explosion is "the biggest stunt that I think Hollyoaks have ever done and we've all pulled together to make it the best. It's shocking!"[7]

Production

Brennan revealed that the on-location scenes were filmed over a full week with two days "devoted two days to the actual stunts". He added that the cast and crew worked from "8am to 8pm every day".[3] Shaffer expressed that the filming of the scenes was "long hours" and that the cast members involved in the mini-van crash "got knocked about doing some of the scenes in the van" which resulted in her receiving "huge bruises all over". Shaffer added that they used stunt doubles and dummies for the "more serious stuff".[6]

Pickard said the explosion was "the biggest explosion I've ever seen in my life". He explained that he "watched from a safe distance" but he could still feel the heat due to the size of the explosion. Pickard added that the cast filmed on location at Knowsley Hall which he felt is a "very grand setting for a big Hollyoaks disaster".[8] Commenting on to what extent the scenes use special effects, Brennan said: "it looks fantastic given that it's a mix of real-life people and CGI effects. I don't think you can really tell when it comes to the special effects. It's a perfect blend. Hollyoaks have invested a lot of money and time into this storyline, and I think it's paid off". The actor added that they used stunt doubles so that a large ammount of the human involvement in the accident is "genuine". Brennan said that "there were a couple of injuries" amongst cast members while filming the scenes.[3]

On filming the explosion, Bowman said "all the crew were put about four miles back behind cones, then the stunt double team were put about 10, 15 metres from the explosion, and then the sixth formers, including me, were the same distance as the stunt guys". She explained that she had to face away from the explosion and that the director instructed her not to "mess up" the contunuity of the scene. She was instructed to "leap away from the explosion" which she initially felt would be easy but when the explosion played out she "just flew". Bowman explained that she could not see and could only feel the "burning heat" and hear a "horrendous explosion".[9] Moss was situated behind the cordon but said while watching he could feel the explosion which was "literally like a blow to the stomach, even from that far away". He added that everything the audience see durint the explosion is authentic.[9]

Moss revealed that while filming his death scenes he had to stay "laying on the floor outside, in the rain" with filming of the scenes lasting for two days.[7]

Promotion

A promotional trailer was released by E4's official Hollyoaks' website before it began airing on television. The song Last Goodbye by The Kills was used in the feature. The trailer did not feature clips from the storyline and was instead featured clips filmed especially for the trailer. It featured characters involved in the storyline standing together in a hall dressed for a wedding. Rhys and Cindy look at each other while standing with their respective partners before holding hands. The back wall of the hall explodes, throwing the characters away from each other. Cindy and Rhys are torn apart as they reach to each other, Ste and Doug float through empty space while holding each other and Maddie drops in to darkness. The advertisement ends as Jacqui sits in the wreckage of the hall, crying.[10] Brennan explained that the "promo is all about the subtext" so that it does not "really give anything away" or revealing any clues to the fates of the characters involved. He added that the trailer is "more artistic than anything else".[3] The scenes were filmed over a day.[3] The scenes were shot on-location in London and a set was built specifically for the shoot.[11] Wires were used to elevate cast members during the filming and a smoke machine was used for effect.[11] Davis explained that to simulate an explosion "a full bag of dust" and "gold stuff" was fired at the cast who had to throw themselves on to crash mats as the explosion happened.[11] Cooper explained that her part in the trailer shows her character as the "realisation of what has happened" sets in. Cooper explained that the trailer closes with Jacqui as an "abstract tear" rolls down her face which was added using a "dropper" after the scene was filmed.[11]

Reception

Digital Spy chose the wedding day crash as their "pic of the day" feature while Radio Times made the episode their "Soap pick of the day".[12][13] Inside Soap critic Sarah opined that fans "won’t want to miss a moment of the explosive action in Hollyoaks tonight". She added that she "loved it so much" that she wanted to see it again and that viewers should "tune in to C4 tonight to see the spectacular episode in all its glory". Continuing, Sarah commented: "There’s no expense spared as the minibus loses control and ploughs into the wedding venue, crashing straight through and out the other side. But the biggest drama is yet to come! In the aftermath of the crash, we’re treated to everything you could possibly want from a soap. There’s drama as the minibus explodes in a ball of fire. There are moments that will make you gasp with shock as something completely unexpected happens. And then there’s heartbreak as we’re forced to say a premature goodbye to much-loved characters – and I defy you not to cry along with the devastated loved ones they left behind". Sarah said "there are standout performances from some of my all-time favourite Hollyoaks stars, including Claire Cooper, Andrew Moss, Nick Pickard and Stephanie Waring. And whether you love or loathe the sixth-formers, they certainly have their part to play as the drama unfolds over the rest of the week". She concluded that it is "Hollyoaks at its very best. So buckle up and enjoy the ride".[14] Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail said that there is a "spanner in the works" on the wedding day in the form of the "much-publicised crash, as a bus careers into the venue. I don’t remember ever seeing a bus on the show before, so it seems rough that, when one appears, it’s about as controllable as a Dalek on acid". She added that due to a large number of the cast becoming "indistinguishable from one another, I’m not sure I’ll know who’s been injured/killed. But at least that means I won’t care, either".[15]

Ratings

The first episode aired on E4's first look service and achieved the best Friday first-look ratings for Hollyoaks in over two months with 0.554 million viewers.[16] When the episode aired on Channel 4 it was watched by 1.03 millon viewers.[17] E4's first look of the second episode achieved ratings of 0.567 million while it was watched by 1.06 million during it's Channel 4 broadcast.[17][18] The third episode of the week's E4 broadcast was watched by 0.684 million viewers while it's Channel 4 broadcast was viewed by 1.05 million.[18][19] The fourth episode's E4 broadcast which featured the deaths of three characters was viewed by 0.970 million. This was the highest E4 rating for Hollyoaks of 2012 and the most-watched multichannel programme of the day.[19] When the fourth episode aired on Channel 4 it 1.04 million.[20] The final episode of the week was watched by 0.780 million viewers on E4.[20]

Sources

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

References

  1. ^ Hill, Susan (21 October 2012). "HOLLYOAKS: 'Oaks Folk In Wedding Daze Drama". Daily Star. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Kilkelly, Daniel (21 October 2012). "'Hollyoaks' characters to die in crash horror". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Kilkelly, Daniel (7 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' PJ Brennan talks wedding day disaster - interview". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  4. ^ Hill, Susan (21 October 2012). "Hollyoaks: Rollcall Of Victims In Bus Crash Carnage". Daily Star. (Northern & Shell). Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Hollyoaks Cindy and Tony's happiness short-lived?". What's on TV. (IPC Media). 7 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  6. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (8 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' Anna Shaffer talks Esther, Bart crash antics". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Hollyoaks crash 'pulled' cast closer together". What's on TV. (IPC Media). 8 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  8. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard: 'Tony should dump Cindy'". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Bowman: Soap blast knocked me over". MSN. (Microsoft). 11 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Enjoy The Ride promo". E4. (Channel Four Television Corporation). 26 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d Martinovic, Paul (30 October 2012). "'Hollyoaks' bus crash storyline gets spectacular new promo - watch". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  12. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (14 November 2012). "POTD: 'Hollyoaks' wedding day disaster". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  13. ^ Brown, David (14 November 2012). "Soap pick of the day: Hollyoaks - the minibus explosion". Radio Times. (BBC Magazines). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Crash the Wedding!". Inside Soap. (Hearst Magazines UK). 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  15. ^ Stephen, Jaci (19 October 2012). "SOAP WATCH: Jaci Stephens gives us the ultimate insight into the week's soaps". Daily Mail. (Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  16. ^ Millar, Paul (12 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' achieves best-rated Friday first look in two months". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  17. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (13 November 2012). "'Coronation Street': Maria, Marcus, Jason drama pulls in 9.3m". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  18. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (14 November 2012). "'EastEnders' Cora plot brings in 7.5 million in Tuesday ratings". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  19. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (15 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' wedding deaths bring 970k to E4". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  20. ^ a b Millar, Paul (16 November 2012). "'Emmerdale' thrashes 'EastEnders' in Thursday ratings clash". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 16 November 2012.
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