Status: EDITED (Last Edit: 08.09.06 10:17pm)
It’s been a while since I’ve written anything about 7de Laan. I blame this due to the fact that I am so busy being sucked into the lives of the Hillsiders and the news that 7de Laan is currently starting to film it’s final season! (the shock, horror and backstab from the SABC) Yup that’s right folks as of April 2007, there will be no more 7de Laan!!
Okay well I was lying about the last part, but some drama never killed anyone. Let me just say that 7de Laan has been renewed for another series and isn’t going anywhere. Especially since August 10, 2006; 7de Laan reached it’s highest rated episode!! This show is fastly growing and hopefully one day it will reach the number’s Generations pulls in! This is something I can forsee!
No 7de Laan is NOT getting Cancelled!
Okay enough ramblings from me! What’s been going on in Hillside?!
Madel, Nicholas, The Migraine and The Terrible Book Cover:
A month back the Nicholas Scott’s name was brought up by Dezi (who by the way, I am loving her new “I am no longer blind” look!) when she read something about him. Ever since there I have been victimised to watch Madel in bliss as she realises that she might have feelings for this “Nicholas Scott” whom I never believe it was real! Could someone really actually love Madel? Was this possible? And were they still alive to tell the tale? Okay well right up and until the other evening, when Nicholas Scott; who has a terrible English accent from living abroad, looks very shady and something’s not right; walked into the Book Shop and announced his return to the Laan have I started believing this man does actually sadly exist. Wasting no time, Madel, who happened to visit the Book Shop for no apparent reason- probably to pass time because she’s bored with her life- anyways Madel walks into the Boek Winkel and immediately after ‘all these years’. “I was young and you…you were reckless” Oh how those words (spoken in a terrible sinister English accent) from Madel made me cringe and want to change to Isidingo immediately (and see what hell Siyanda was causing for Barker in her return—yes I can multitask even with Television!) Anyway I lived through it. After a short reunion, Madel must have realised that she still possessed feelings for this man, but being the women she is, still insisted on inviting Nicholas and his wife Renate to dinner (oh how noble and lovely of Madel [the sarcasm]). One last look in Nicholas’ horrific eyes and Madel couldn’t take it much longer and realised that she still has feelings for the old bag. Madel rushes out, but in a classic event Nicholas calls out her name, in a strained and tired tone. She immediately turns around and hopes that the line, “Please don’t go, I love you, I always have. I’ve never stopped loving you, and thought about you every day since I last saw you. Don’t leave me my love!” would follow. Oh how wrong she was when he said, “I don’t think you have my number” and proceeded by giving her his business card. At that moment it hit me that Mrs. Terrblanche is in fact an old lady when she ran up the two or three stairs to exit the Book shop but felt she needed the support of the wall to help her get up. This was extremely humorous to me!
One thing amazed me; Hillside is an Afrikaans community and the ‘Boek Winkel’ stocks predominately Afrikaans books to cater for an Afrikaans community. So why the hell is Nicholas Scott’s “It Started Small: or whatever he called the book (the cover had 150 thousand terrible things on it and looked like a last minute job from a 5th grader!) Anyways I was just wondering about this. So indeed Emma frantically like a headless chicken starts panicking when she hears that the speaker flying all the way from some European country was stranded in the busy airport and that--- shock—gasp—he could give an opening speech. Immediately, Ryno, who saw the dear old Mrs. Terrblanche and Mr. Scott chat in the Book Shop the day before, suggested that she ask Madel to do. Emma all enthusiastic at saving her job (oh like this could ever happen since she her boss is her husband!) Anyway let me not side track here! Emma goes over all sweet and tries to convince Madel to say a few winged words at Nicholas’ Book Launch, something personal about his life. Madel continued to refuse the poor Emma and after Emma even giving her a *Free!* as if she could not afford it, copy of the book, Madel took the book, looked at it and still refused on doing so. Emma knew her place, smiled and knew not to back chat, question or double ask the dragon, errr, I mean the sweet old Madel.
The next morning Madel, through her son Jan-Hendrik, which is lately becoming more tolerable to watch, announced that she got a migraine and will most probably not be attending the Book Launch. Yet later it is revealed by Dezi (did I mention how stunning Elma Potsma is looking lattely?) that when she came home, Madel was listening to music—classical I can imagine. The dumb and brainless Jan-Hendrik (from now on JH) commented that it’s not a crime to, but missed the point that when you have migraine, you don’t listen to your iPod (ok they didn’t say iPod, but just imagine Madel with an iPod!) JH quickly tries to stand up for his mother again and they leave. At the Book Launch, Nicholas who announced that he previously met Dezi and JH at some ‘do or another’ questioned them about Madel’s whereabouts, claiming that he hasn’t seen her all evening. Dezi and JH finally also got the opportunity to meet Renate. While I can imagine JH must have met Renate long, long, long ago when she was friends with Madel, but Renate insist that she met JH and Dezi already before, but where I do not know?! The evening progresses and Renate makes it clear to Dezi two vital important things; A) She is not the femme fetal that broke up Madel and Nicholas’ relationship (as if Dezi actually cared Renate!) and B) She is not as old as dear old Madel. This came about after Dezi stood on Renate’s toes asking whether Renate went to Varsity with Madel. Renate claims that when Nicholas and Madel had their relationship, she was in diapers. I don’t know why the writers sentenced us to such a gruesome image in our head an image we would have to endure till the next evening as the ending credits rolled up.
The next morning, Madel who claims to be cured of her migraine to the suspecting Dezi, still looked very ill. This could be the stress below her eyes. JH commented that Nicholas Scott and Renate had two or so days in Joburg before moving down to Durban- La Lucia to their retirement. So why don’t Madel invite them for dinner. Of course, without a fuss or anything, Madel without the slightest hesitation agreed. As soon as Dezi and JH exited, Dezi sporting a very stylish pair of Jeans that seems to make a regular appearance (yes I am looking at you Wardrobe and Costume Stylist) anyway, Madel runs over to her very empty handbag and get Nicholas’ business card. Madel picks up the phone and immediately makes arrangements for dinner that evening at 6:30pm. Nicholas agrees but claims to check in with Renate.
Madel, I can imagine must have spend the whole morning trying to come up with conversational topics such as GauTrain (which was used prior to the dinner) but ran out shortly when she must have realised she doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on around her except in the Terrblanche house. (This is all done off screen!) So Madel rushes over to the Book Shop and invites Emma and Ryno over for dinner that evening—claiming the more, the better the conversation; Trying to obviously avoid personal interaction with Nicholas. Madel also states that she invited the ‘should be’ adopted son, Carlos over as well.
That evening Madel must have made sure Evelina prepare her best dishes and she get the best Makeover with a new outfit and a brush up on the now slightly visible grey hairs to compete with Renate. The house is ‘spick and span’ and everyone looking good. Madel could be seen to have made the extra effort. Madel starts worrying that she doesn’t know what Renate drinks but JH assures her that she has enough drink to book her into AA for life. (This of course could not be added because of the SABC Censors)
I am beginning to get tired of writing so much about Madel—people might get mistaken and think she is my favourite Hillsider, when they are completely WRONG. Madel is the opposite.
The night progresses and we are forced to watch two or three scenes of the Terrblanche’s dinner. Madel and Nicholas have “moments” where both stare at each other with their old and aged eyes of wisdom and knowledge (hey I got to seem to be nice here) but Renate picks up on these moments and in her fake and irritating manner (this women is been on for two or three days and she’s already competing with Madel for ‘Most Annoying Character You Want To Slap’)
What was the point of being put through three dinner scenes- well for the writers to show us that both Madel and Nicholas have feelings for each other and that is because they just simply cannot stop staring at how outrageous each other’s outfit is and how badly they have aged.
Dear God, I pray that they do not make Nicholas a regular as this means more screen time for Madel, unless they plan for a quick relationship and they move overseas and fly off into the sunset, never mentioned and seen of again. Then if that so by all means; Bring it on!
Paula, Altus, Mata Hari and Boerboel With The Cherry on the Top:
After numerous failed attempts of meeting, Mata Hari and Boerboell decide to meet. This was by far the most dramatic and anticipated moment for me. Paula, really beautiful and ravishing walked into Cherry on the Top or was it O’Malley’s (who cares) and spotted her Prince Charming (Altus was standing with his back to her). Paula walked around but from the side noticed it was---- gasp ---- ALTUS!! What was she to do! She immediately turned around and his sum guy with beer and spilt it all over her dresses and dropped something. She immediately went to down to pick it up. The commotion caused Altus to look over and see his beloved Mata Hari. Although Paula has his back to her, Altus must have known it was Paula and immediately turned around and like a little school boy hid his face behind his hand. Quite a funny moment if I might say so. The simplicity of her acting made me for a second feel Paula’s pain as she turned around to see Altus having his back to her. I could feel that Paula felt that her world and dreams had just fallen apart as she rushed out looked heartbroken and devastated. Paula and Altus are in shocked that each of them is the other one’s internet ‘lover’ and insists that the other does not know. Aggie tries to convince Paula to go on with things as normal, otherwise Altus will suspect something and at the same time, Marko is convincing Altus the same thing.
Later that day Altus and Dezi have a meeting with the Hillside Times concerning The VonkelVrou and Paula is required to attend. Things get heated between Paula and Altus and a mini argument erupts between the two. Paula storms out and leaves. The next day, Paula dressed in a bright green to cover her sadness comes into the office and when Altus makes and appearance to drop of something she realises she still loves Altus. Altus runs out into the Heights and realises he made the biggest mistake of his life and he still loves Paula. What I really admire about 7de Laan’s writing compared to that of other soapies is the writer’s creativity. At every corner the writers get creative and getting Paula and Altus back together was no exception. Paula goes home and with a box of tissues is crying enough tears to form a national river in South Africa and enter Karien who feels sort of distant these days. Karien, who you swear didn’t live with her asks Paula what’s wrong. All I can ask Karien is “Where the hell have you been in the past few days” to ask what’s wrong! She should have known! Anyway Paula spills her whole heart out and makes no sense at doing it, but we somehow understand where she is coming from. Long story short, The MataHari-Boerboel Saga made Paula realise that Altus is her One and she still is deeply, madly and truly in love with him. But fears she can no longer face him as if he finds out the truth (little do you know my friend, he does) that he will hate her more. Paula however manages to pick herself up and put her back together and go over to the office. There she is greeted with a mysterious email from an unknown sender instructing her to go to the Book Shop and get a Poetry Book. Obviously Aggie is part of this plan as she persuades her that it might be a Front Page story. Paula moves on and goes to the Book Shop. Aggie phone Emma and let’s her know that Paula’s on her way and before Emma can even put the phone down Paula’s at the Book Shop; which makes one wonder, how big or should I say small is 7de Laan really?
Emma holds Paula in suspense for a while then finally directing her to the book. In the book, Paula gets a message to go to the Deli as there is a basket waiting for her. Paula questions a very suspicious Emma and leaves the Book Shop- - - with THE BOOK, Without PAYING! Yes, I know about up and until 6 months ago, Emma and Paula were room mates, but that doesn’t give Paula the right to steal, though she will defend her self and say “borrowed” the book from the shop!!
Emma phones Hilda and before the she can say Paula is on her way, Paula arrives at the Deli, which bags the question, “How small is 7de Laan?” Anyways Hilda not knowing what to do puts down the phone quickly and acts very suspicious but mumbling and not knowing what to do. Paula questions them whether there was a basket left for her and notices a huge basket with wine, cheese, chips, dips and other exotic type foods nicely packaged together with a note. The note instructs Paula to go to the Boutique for a present for her. Paula, using her new found power of Premonition pulls an ala Phoebe Halliwell and immediately hopes it’s that lace number she’s being eying. Paula faster than you can say Mata Hari storms over to the Boutique (no phone call here- seems like Telkom didn’t pay the full sponsorship fee!) And Inge who pretends to know nothing directs Paula to—yes—that little red lace outfit she loves. Paula more charmed by the outfit that the message reads it and is captured by the words “Girl of My Dreams”. She’s instructed to wait at her flat for their big meeting. No guesses now whose this from.
Later that night, Paula looking ravishing once again and the table prepared with the goodies from the basket and the laptop is on and Paula is online with no dial up connection though. Anyways while reading the poem, Paula receives and email in her Freemail Box which she instructed Aggie a few days ago to delete. Anyway she receives and email from Boerboel and it says that her ex-boyfriend of hers was a jerk for not forgiving her. Paula responds by asking where is he, she is waiting. Boerboel rights back, is that an invitation? I can be there in 5 seconds. Paula runs outside looks around and see Altus sitting on the steps with a bunch of flowers. She immediately asks Altus if he forgives her, and he says, only if she forgives him. It’s a nice touch for Paula and Altus to be reunited infront of the flat in the Hallway the same place they were united at Connie’s party! Paula and Altus kiss as the camera pans to the bunch of flowers Altus has in his hands and drops to the floor revealing Altus is wearing some old pair of sneakers with his outfit- nice touch man!
The next day in a true 7de Laan style, Altus informs Paula that they are going on holiday. It seems that after a long or major storyline 7de Laan rewards their character by sending them on holiday and giving the actors/actresses a short break. Let’s just hope Paula and Altus return happier than ever and neither one does anything to screw up their relationship.
The Brother’s Meinjties & The Girls Who Cannot Dress:
The Vince/Felicity/Xander saga has been going on for far too long and things are reaching a climactic close.
Xander comes to terms with his feelings towards Felicity which are really strong and wants to tell her the truth, but every time he attempts on doing so, his interrupted by something. Obviously the whole situation is getting to him when Xander packs up and goes to the Berg for a few days in an attempt to clear is mind and find clarity in the whole situation. It was also nice seeing Xander in casual clothes and not in a suite! Xander returns and decides that he will has nothing to gain by keeping quiet and should stand up for himself. He feels that he will never know until he has told Felicity how he feels. With a bit of peer pressure from Marko, Xander finally calls Felicity and asks her to dinner at a Pizza Place. There the two share a moment and no words need to be described about their feelings, the chemistry is there and it is noticeable. Things get hotter when Xander puts his hands on Felicity and tells her not to deny her feelings. Scared and confused she gets up and leaves.
Felicity and Xander for the next few days avoid each other until they finally meet----- in the Book Shop, yes the same Book Shop Madel and Nicholas met in, the same book shop Paula got the books from Altus from, the same Book Shop Ryno proposed to Emma and the same Book Shop that will start something between the two. Well at least they start talking, that’s before Felicity runs out like a little school girl or Vince interrupts the two.
A few nights later, Xander out at O’Malleys with the boys decides to see Felicity and how’d he guess she was working late, I do not know. Anyways he goes to the Boutique and there he sees Felicity in confusion crying and convinces her of his feelings and they kiss—yes they kiss and the credits roll.
23.5hours later Felicity pulls away from Xander saying that it is wrong and he and Vince are brothers. What is she trying to say? If Xander wasn’t Vince’s brother she would jol with him? Even more devastated and confused (and not only about her sense of fashion) Felicity is torn between the Meintjies brothers.
The next day, Danny who has been neglected lately gets an 84% for something and Karien insists they go out to the Club to celebrate. Inge manages to twist Felicity’s arm, who seems to be running into middle age as she wants to go home and sleep early, to join them at the club. Reluctant at first, Felicity finally agrees to come along.
Whilst delivering something to Oppiekoffie, Vince spots Tertia, the girl he had to ditch at the club a week or two back because Felicity busted him. So he plays the Smooth Operator Mr. Charmer in him and gives her a rose and insists that he takes her to the club that evening for drinks. Tertia agrees.
Later that evening while at the club Vince shows Tertia that he doesn’t just wait around and immediately starts kissing her in the most open table in the club and at the moment enter Felicity, Danny, Karien, Inge and Alyce. The girls are ordering drinks at the bar when Alyce turns around and has a pretty Daydorn moment and for a couple of seconds tries to think that “that guy” (she’s looking at Vince) looks familiar. It isn’t until Inge turns around and says “Oh hell” and they both realise it’s Vince. Felicity turns around in horror and shock and wants to leave but drops something, this gets Vince’s attention and Inge runs and pulls Felicity running into Danny and the two leave. Not even a “Goodbye Danny, sorry that your sense in fashion sucks, come past the Boutique tomorrow and we’ll make a plan!” No instead they leave quickly and Vince stands up and give a look that says, “What the f!&#” to Karien and Alyce like, “How could this happen!”
The next day Xander overhears Vanessa give Vince a piece of her mind about what he did to Felicity and Xander butts in and demands to know what happened and tells him that he shouldn’t have hurt Felicity. Some words are exchanged and Vince comments that his (Xander) is just jealous because he stays at home every night. Xander immediately gives Vince a punch we’ve been waiting to see and it actually looks like Vince was slightly suspended because of that punch. A fight breaks out between the brothers as everyone watches on. Luckily Marko comes into the Deli and stops the fight between them.
Later that day Vince comes into the Boutique wanting to see Felicity with a feeble excuse. Finally Felicity proves she’s more that a walking Fashion Nightmare and breaks up with Vince. “It’s finally over” she utters and this ends their relationship. What the future holds, I don’t know. I’m hoping Felicity will find comfort with Xander but the writers will not push her towards Xander that he becomes her ‘Rebound Guy’.
The VonkelVrou: Dazzling Disastrous Dame Competition:
After discovering some cheating done with the votes, Matorne decides to let Dominee (please someone send in some decent spectacles for this man as those ones are ridiculous. God alone knows what his congregation think!) I don’t know how Matrone was able to explain her theory of Hilda’s cheating when she would have to reveal how she knew which would mean she would be liable of cheating. But we’ll pretend she claimed to have a tip off. Hilda of course is very excited, knowing from her ‘sixth sense’ (aka Maria) that she will win because she has the most votes. Hilda all excited already practiced her expressions, her reaction to the news, her speech and a little reception to thank all those involved at her flat (I wonder, did she ever have it anyway). Matrone is now happy that Hilda has been exposed and obviously now that she has seen the votes is pretty sure she has won. It was news to her ears when they announced there would be a revote. Hilda started panicking.
Judging from the other finalists and their titles, I wonder would it be best if 7de Laan made one of them a winner instead of either Matrone or Hilda? It hit me the night when Matrone went to see Mandla at the Hillside Times and when he told her that Hilda was leading in votes. The expression on her face made me realised that that is all Matrone has going for her. Hilda has a husband, the deli and is liked by all of Hillside. Matrone has nothing- well besides her old age home and although it isn’t fair I felt bad for her and was slightly happy for her when she won. Her expression and sincerity was true when they announced the winner. This does not make sense though, does this mean that Hillside likes Matrone more?
Hilda is baffled as to why she didn’t win and wants to see Neville Meintijies and demand answers. Unbeknownst to her, Septimus now knows that Maria cheated for her. As soon as Hilda finds out she feels ashamed and embarrassed and refuses to leave her flat vowing to never show her face to the world again.
Matrone is starting to worm her way into my good books. It takes someone special, as she pointed out, not to rat Hilda out for cheating and still invite her to her little reception she is having. I have realised that deep down, maybe there is a good heart down there.
Blast From The Pasts:
Alyce is back. Yipee! But she brings her unemployment sadness with her. Unfortunetly I don’t have much to write about her. Except if Alyce is selling her car so she can eat (I doubt she is that poor, judging by all that make-up) then why don’t she sell some of her “Executive” type wardrobe? Must she dress so elegantly?
Yipee!! I cannot express how happy I am- Neef Gert is back. But something is awefully wrong. All of a sudden the man’s got cash? What syndication is he in now that he can pay rent, but presents, get a new car and some new clothes (which still is hideous btw)!
And now, sporting a new hair do, sexy (and boy I don't know how that got past the SABC censors!) hand bag and a much more meaner look (judging from Thursday’s episode) Midge (aka Cheryl is back!). These two will once again cause chaos in the Laan, or not, who knows!
************* ADDED Friday 08/09 ************
I knew this would happen! And No, I'm not talking about the fact that a day after I add publish this column, two great things happen on 7de Laan!
1) Renate makes a comment that it looks like Madel had a Nip there and a Tuck here. Ha ha ha. The funniest line I've heard in a while, but how true it actually might be! Madel is like 80 something, she does look awefully young!
2) I knew this would also happen. Things don't happen for nothing on 7de Laan and so Emma coming across the article about Inyamma Bay and Tokkie being brought up by Inge to Alyce wasn't just to pass the time, but yes Tokkie is back in the Laan and made quite an appearance (looking good for this age--- maybe he can give Nicholas Scott some tips and advice). His name was also featured along with the regulars in the ending credits, so he wont be having a short visit I assure you!
This and That:
1. I really thought Neville and Charmaine where getting back together, but their storyline was hi-jacked by Madel’s apparent Migraine crisis/Nicholas Storyline!! Damn her!
2. Please give Danny, Tessa, Kabelo and Jean-Marie (the new girl in T&T- I think that’s her name) some solid lines and a storyline!
3. Please let George and Karien get married?
What the hell am I complaining about here for, not like anyone who works at 7de Laan reads this!
Well until next time—enjoy!
** I apologise for the length of this column! (Next time it will be short and sweeter!)
7de Laan
Mondays – Friday
18h30
SABC 2
Updated/Edited:
08.09.06 (10:04pm): "Blasts From The Past" Madel & Tokkie
08.09.06 (10:17pm): Minor Gramma, Spelling and Wording Changes