The aftermath of Paul's death [Part 2]

[@GlaswegianBR]

His acting makes it very evident he's playing Phil Mitchells son.

[@jamesswann6576]

Glaswegian BR he channels Steve McFaddens acting very well

[@Mythologoumenon]

Watching the aftermath videos has made me realize how the trauma of paul's death shaped ben in all his glory and his malice, down to the present day. Made him. and broke him.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yeah sadly true

[@pendafen7405]

Yes, No matter how you cut it, Paul really is the centrepoint of Ben's life beginning--and by that, I mean, living. Before Ben met and loved Paul, he wasn't living, only existing as a hollow shell or a puppet controlled by his family's wishes. That's why sadly Callum, or any other man who comes after, can never completely supplant Paul as the first real big love in Ben's heart and soul and Being (though arguably there's a little corner that's Johnny's, too, if only because he was Ben's closet key and he came before Paul).

[@ssian5678]

It was so upsetting watching Ben shout at Johnny. Ben was out of order slinging mud at him like that, but to be fair he wasn't thinking clearly and was too blinded by his hurt and fear and rage to realise he was needlessly trashing someone who loves him. Thankfully they made up a few months later, and even became lovers and close friends which was heartwarming.

[@karlsmith4168]

I'm new to the EastEnders party, only started paying attention because of #ballum. The young Ben featured here did very well. It feels like watching a younger Ben. He fits nicely with the current Ben. And his rage and raw sorrow matches up with the current version as well

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yeah harry reid did a great job as ben and max Bowden definitely is brilliant as the older version of ben

[@F4keFelipx]

Same! I started watching because of Ballum too, but he mentions Paul a lot so I came back to watch old scenes

[@pendafen7405]

@@F4keFelipx it's a relief to hear that Paul still gets mentioned and plays a part in Ben's psyche, because he's massively important to the Ben character as an adult. Rare good continuity from EE.

[@colorlessrainbow8269]

Ben dropping the wrench and his anger disappearing when he saw Jay bleeding is the reason I am in love with his character. He cares about people so much, yet he rarely shows it due to the way he has been brought up. It was really heartbreaking seeing him push everyone away, knowing how badly he really just needed someone to hold him through this whole tragedy.

[@celtictarotreadings333]

Like heather

[@adamclark8994]

Ben showed his best acting with this storyline. 'Bail?!' haha

[@adamclark8994]

@Stoneryoda 937 You mean Harry Reid? Yeah maybe so.

[@Rapha2587]

@@adamclark8994 No, it wasn't. He didn't want to leave, his character left the show (another stupid decision of the new producer at the time) and when they brought him back, they simply recast the role without saying a thing to Harry Reid about it.

[@adamclark8994]

@@Rapha2587 Oh right.

[@xxwhispersxx2856]

@@Rapha2587 Wasn't that the same producer who killed off Ronnie and Roxie too? Didn't Harry leave a few months later?

[@mollymacdonald999]

RIP Paul ❤️

[@transportenthusiasticman26]

I love ben's reaction "I ain't a kid"

[@tw9977]

Poor Ben :(

[@Charlotte-wx4jz]

Such a shame they didn’t bring Harry Reid back. He did so well with this story.

[@pendafen7405]

Yes, he worked so hard on this s/l. It looks emotionally exhausting, draining and depressing to act through this.

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

​@@pendafen7405if i had a boyfriend like the 2nd Johnny i wouldn't cheat on someone that good looking

[@limitlesssoul2882]

I love coming here after #ballum and seeing familiarities between Max and Harry in regards to physical acting, dialogue and delivery.

[@emjaysmile]

Current Ben is the best and I'm happy he's with Callum..

[@LunaMinuna]

I think this is the only series to actually make me cry and feel dead inside. This is the results of homophobia. He died due to homophobic assholes. I feel for Ben. Everything he’s feeling I feel right now

[@xoxotv56]

After Ben sees Paul's body I laughed not at Ben crying, but when they showed those blank looks on Billy and Jay's face like ben was crazy I laughed hard.

[@mwcovers8367]

Ikr

[@mahreenbilal1650]

This ben is 100 times better then other bens its true

[@dannni17x]

I know this storyline Harry Reid did was truly moving😢 did anyone else laugh though when he shouted at Phil? Even Phil was like omg….😮

[@pendafen7405]

During this arc, Phil for the first time began to wake up to the monster he created in Ben.

[@suzawilo]

Who's watching these older ones before venturing onto the new Ben's storyline?

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

so powerful

[@danotoriouskc]

Hmmm...some powerful acting from the actor that plays Ben!

[@upsykimsy]

I'd love to see Johnny come back one day. Would love to see him and Ben reconcile

[@pendafen7405]

Yes! They had such a sweet caring strong connection, both as friends and as lovers. They weren't the grand swooning teen romance of Ben/Paul, no, but they had something special all of their own. I think in future they deserve a shot at a mature relationship, perhaps in their 30s or 40s when they've both settled more in life and calmed down.

[@Keibro]

Kate Oates needs to bring Ben back

[@dylanakani_play8018]

Jay : Maybe it was the Wrong House Ben : Richie Wouldn't Do that

[@celtictarotreadings333]

The actor who played Ben here is phenomenal

[@foren1951]

After Ben sees Paul.s body laughed not Ben crying,but when they showed those blank looks on Billly and Jay,s face like ben was crazy laughed hard.

[@roshaanali1571]

Florentino Gob quotes

[@jecka1982]

Why was Jay's nose bleeding at the end? Was he ill?

[@kylie9687]

jecka1982 on drugs

[@criminallyautistic8372]

@@kylie9687 I would've thought it was from stress. That's happened to me. Mom and I was taking my cat to the vet for a checkup but I got so panicked that I had to go sit in the car and have a good cry and suddenly my nose began bleeding

[@paulawilson5612]

Amazing acotor Ben

[@pendafen7405]

Paul is the centrepoint of Ben's life beginning. Before Ben met and loved Paul, he wasn't living, only existing as a hollow puppet controlled by his family's wishes. That's why sadly Callum, or any man who comes after, can never supplant Paul as the first real big love in Ben's heart and soul and Being. Though arguably, there's a little piece of Ben that's Johnny's, too, if only because he was Ben's closet key and he came before Paul (and later helped Ben come to terms over Paul's passing).

[@astrogay220]

well i hope for part 3

[@eyeruschannel5064]

What happened to Ben after this though? Did he date another one or not? Couldn't find anything about that.

[@jamesswann6576]

He dated his mothers rapists son Luke and then he got beaten up by him and Phil got Luke killed then.

[@controversyqueen8951]

And God knows if he dated anyone while he was missing. The new Ben is good looking.

[@zxcbyyyy]

@@controversyqueen8951 Actually the new story looks pretty good now but should start at part 23.

[@rosieposie0426]

@@jamesswann6576 I forgot about that!

[@ziadahlutale1760]

How did Jay's nose bleed

[@thomasorourke2865]

Ziadah Lutale cocaine abuse

[@donnakawana]

Thanks Thomas O'Rourke I couldn't find the next episode.... Thanks!

[@WidowOfOfficerDavis388]

Please let him be angry I hear you kid 😭😭😭😭😭

[@josephcollins6033]

How old is Ben when with Paul? Thanks. I'm stunned, only know about Callum!

[@liana3008]

This Ben and Callum would've been great to be honest

[@xxwhispersxx2856]

I always wondered how it would have been like to see Harry as Ben with Tony as Callum - or Max as Ben with Jonny as Paul.

[@dasmoumitadas2770]

8:25😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@vickyprice6958]

😂😂😭😭😭😢😢😭🙁🙁🙁

[@sbaker8787]

They should have got Jay!

[@nicolepoppy9230]

I always thought he hit Jay but he didn't that's not why his nose bled

[@CharlieShrig18x]

Why was his nose bleeding? I'm scrolling the comments to find out 😅

[@maryjoysanderson]

BAIL

[@NephthysNoir]

I prefer this Ben ( harry Reid) I really can't get used to this new Ben. And as a gay guy he ain't even that nice looking not like this ben in the video

[@faith6833]

So all gay men must ne "nice looking"? How stereotypical of you.

[@beccacostelloe04]

Max Bowden is way more gorgeous in my opinion. 😍

[@sbaker8787]

I much preferred this Ben he and Jay had such fabulous chemistry they really played off one another well. Yes Harry Reid was much nicer on the eye.

[@pendafen7405]

Both actors have their charms and strong points, and both work well and work hard playing Ben. My personal preference is Reid, as I think he's a more credible Cockney and has more emotional depth and breadth to show onscreen (useful for soap acting), but I understand those who prefer Bowden.

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

​@@pendafen7405of course every soap fan is different(i know i don't watch the soaps but i read about the storylines in magazines) like the 2nd Johnny is good looking(that's my opinion) i remember Max as Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road

[@jonathanbarron8311]

I really hated this Ben, he annoyed me, awful acting, the Ben we have now, is wayyyy better