The End of Harper & Phil (It's awful)

[@CWazBroadwayBandGeek]

Queer ships that have INSANE chemistry only to be destroyed by a writer’s room that simply doesn’t understand queer characters seems to be a universal problem across the world.

[@melodiefrances3898]

Very accurately put.

[@nairaaraujo7325]

concordo plenamente! abandonei a serie assim que vi que a historia de phil e harper nao iria decolar, achei ridiculo o que fizeram cm elas,uma quimica otima e jogaram no lixo, tambem abandonei a serie a um mes eu acho ou mais. e nao quero mais ver, prefiro outros casais agora, tem muitos muito bom, p perder tempo com isso, pois harper e phil, foi morto por eles, infelizmente

[@KateMcKenzie-r1f]

Holding out hope for Carla and Lisa in Coronation Street. From what I’ve read, the producer is a queer woman with a wife, perhaps kids, so let’s see how that one plays out.

[@chiaracalenne7911]

it is the worse lesbian storyline ever seen. The victimization of the husband, tons of episodes dedicated to his tantrum and Harper completely dedicated to be mistreated by him.

[@DeborahVerret-yp9fp]

I'm done with Shortland Street and I have been for some time. They suck at writing. The only way I will come back to this show is if Phil and Gia have a chance at a story line. What about Nicole? I felt there was nothing else they could do with Maeve and Nicole.

[@100percentshipper]

Long time viewers have said this year has been particularly bad with the writing so I don't think it's always been this bad, but yeah, terrible writing.

[@danieladzhorgova4121]

Well, I hope the writers won't put Gia and Phil together, I don't see chemistry between them, so, prefer just a friendship. 🙂

[@VamLiberdade]

Acho que em 2024 que vocês fazem preferi tirar a vida não matou a vergonha continua aqui vocês deram um exemplo aí com as crianças belon foi um dono como mata a vergonha preferiu que era a vida da da velha eu acho né uma tua vergonha tem vários vídeos aí desde a transição o mediante e as crianças você faz com que as pessoas sabem É o tempo do hospital é uma coisa a gente ficou eu não consigo entender por que as pessoas

[@IreneRelph]

Thankyou for your work you are so right a big fan of harper and Phil from the UK

[@nodoboho]

Thank you for that honest and well-written critique. Well done! My disappointment in all of it is mitigated by being so tired of the awful behavior of both Harper and Nicole the last several months that I wasn't terribly sad to see them go, even though I agree with everything you said about the writing and their (lack of, or twisted) character development. I am still so taken with Phil, and also Maeve and Gia--their characters smartness, sweetness, and strength--and those actors' considerable talent and attractiveness, that I suppose I will continue to watch the excerpts. I hope all three are given nice, supportive Sapphic relationships in 2025. I'm so tired of all the over-the-top angst, guilt, and obnoxious men getting in the way. I look forward to more of your intelligent and "real" analyses and will explore whichever other shows you have reviewed favorably. Thanks again for your quality content and guidance in navigating the waters these Sapphic ships sail on.

[@100percentshipper]

I do hope they give both Maeve and Phil some good story but I haven't been loving Marvel's behaviour to Cassie, have to say and Phil keeps being put in an unflattering light. I do love her consistency with how she really loved Harper. I'll prob casually keep up via NicoleZara's channel but I won't be watching live any more.

[@BineW.]

Wieder ein wunderbares Paar, das vom Regebogenhorizont verschwindet, wie traurig. Es spiegelt irgendwie die weltweite Rückentwicklung wider, die überall spürbar ist. Deine Enttäuschung und dein Frust ist wirklich rüber gekommen und es tut mir so leid, dass dein Lieblingspaar nun Geschichte ist. Vielleicht liegt es aber auch daran, dass sich Rhea nicht mit dem Rückschritt in diese toxische Beziehung abfinden und deshalb aussteigen wollte. Da ist ein Tod ja auch wirklich endgültig. Andernfalls wäre ja noch eine andere Entwicklung möglich gewesen. Wie auch immer - es ist soo traurig und ich fühle mit dir. Leider kann ich die Serie nicht sehen aber das schlimmste ist, dass sich die ganze Welt in die falsche Richtung bewegt. Liebe ist Liebe - dafür sollten und müssen wir weiter kämpfen.

[@roziebear4596]

I am gutted! 💔 I really thought Harper & Phil would have got back together. 💓💓

[@theflashthefastreviewerali8319]

Also the end of nicole and maeve but at least nic is still alive so she can come back

[@amyt2035]

I also thought it was poor writing to build up such a long love affair only to kill it completely and have Harper and Phil act cold and like strangers towards one another. To have Harper end up back with Drew seemed to make it all pointless, and I agree it was unnecessary to kill off Harper considering they had already lined up another reason for her to leave with the US job. But I would even have forgiven all of that if they had just added a montage of Harper and Phil as Harper was dying. The fact that the flashbacks were basically all about Harper and Drew really was the last straw. At least if there were some final flashes of Phil in Harper's mind it would have validated that it had all meant something and given fans that final realisation that she truly did love Phil on some level. It could have been a beautiful moment, but no.

[@jp171756]

First, thank you for introducing me to Harper and Phil. I was obsessed. But now I am just angry. Why did they kill Harper? Sending her to New York would have been enough. I understand that the show is making deep cuts and perhaps the actress herself wanted out but that was just cruel. And I agree, why did they invest so much into that storyline? Maybe they were up in the air about the actress staying. While I love Phil. I will not be continuing with Shortland.

[@__HAVOK3___]

I never watched the show but would only watch clips of Harper and Phil and loved it and thought maybe they have a chance of being together in the future until I saw what happened 🙃…

[@lindluv8518]

What I've learnt from all of this: don't invest any time into soap couples. (How is Charity still with Mack?? ) Soap operas are only geared towards drama and chaos. Seeking anything meaningful there is self punishment. I'm currently enjoying Alison King's phenomenal performance but I know that Swarla isn't going to last either. Lisa needs therapy and if she continues on this path, I hope Carla ends things. She deserves better!

[@kirstyrogers40]

I am addicted to Swarla! I had never watched Corrie before but seeing clips of them on YT has gotten me obsessed! And I am in awe of Ali King’s in her portrayal of Carla Connor. Though I agree with you, Lisa definitely needs therapy and I’m worried about the path she is on. I really want Swarla to last but I won’t hold my breath!

[@KateMcKenzie-r1f]

The producer of Corrie indicated that Swarla is in it for the long haul. Lisa is dealing with a lot - her grief, a high pressure job, and a rebellious teenager grieving for her mum. It also makes sense that she’s insecure about Carla - she’s only ever married and dated men, and quite a few of them. Lisa has been showing some growth since, and I know it’s early days, but so far they’ve dealt with all their issues like mature adults. My only gripe was that jealousy episode - not sure if the writers went for comedy, but it missed the mark.

[@kirstyrogers40]

I agree with you about the jealousy episode, I actually found it really difficult to watch, it was just cringy.

[@lindluv8518]

I think they find writers on fanfiction sites. The crazier the story, the more likely that person will be hired to write for a soap. None of this made sense. I stopped watching when Drew's tantrum exposed their affair and Harper cowering

[@jamakaya1332]

Thanks for this update. Very disappointing outcome. I'm glad you gave them a scalding.

[@lesbrookes]

Beautifully stated. Perhaps Shortland could hire you as a writer?!! Heartbreaking, they ended it this way with no chance to explore women empowerment and love further. I'm done.

[@100percentshipper]

I'd have a few opinions to share with that writers room...

[@jenniferelliott5043]

I absolutely agree with everything you said, the writing and character development this year has been particularly bad although the track record with sapphic relationships has never been great and they have never known what to do with them after they got together. However i have been watching this show for 15 years plus and Nic and Harper have been a part of that so even though their characters have both been pretty shitty this year (and off and on shitty for Nic quite a few times before that) it still feels incredibly sad to have ended like this. For Harper especially as that door is completely closed now she has been killed off and i am going to really miss seeing them on my screen. I get the feeling from social media posts that neither Sally or Ria were particularly happy with their endings and that maybe it wasn't their choices to leave. Ria especially has been liking and sharing a lot of posts that highlighted the Phill and Harper relationship so it seems maybe she wasn't such a fan of the Drew is the Golden Boy narrative that was put forward by Shorty either ......

[@MarieHenry-u4o]

Thank-you for this update. I really wanted to know what Ria’s take on the shambles. Why act your socks off for it to literally go nowhere nor have an actual plot. ❤ I was totally devastated and highly frustrated (after being totally dumbfounded) by the “writing”.

[@charlotteweuts3318]

Honestly the moment I saw Drew and Harper were not getting a divorce after all and she died my reaction was exactly this. Why write the affair with Phil and spend so much time with it if it leads to nothing? As you said they could have as well not written it cause it didn't add anything in the end.

[@Kaltagstar96]

Literally the only saving grace about the ending was the performances of the cast, the actors of Phil, Emmett, Esther and Maeve all showcased their grief outstandingly but in different ways. It shows that, no matter how god awful the writing of Shortland Street can be, the acting is pretty fucking good.

[@nctodc]

I understand that there are a lot of changes going on behind the scenes at Shortland Street but did they let go all of their competent writers in addition to cutting their longest tenured actresses? Because, my goodness, that was terrible. Nicole realizing that she actually had killed Louisa and turning herself into police. We're left to believe that she's on her way to prison, leaving her son and wife behind. Except that's not how this works, that's not how any of this works. Nicole was found not guilty. This isn't some obscure law, "double jeopardy" is a concept that anyone who's watched a basic procedural knows. They just decided to ignore it so they could push Sally Martin off the canvas (her IG post didn't sound like it was her choice). I'm still undecided about whether I'll continue watching. As much as I want to keep up with Gia and Phil, I fear what's coming down the road...namely a hook-up between Phil and Drew. I'm not sure I can take that.

[@ladybansheesilver7640]

That thing with Phil and Drew was my thought exactly😮

[@liteo57]

Another example of queerbaiting. Phil shouldn't been written into the show, the writers shouldn't have bothered with the Harper-Phil storyline. What a waste of time & effort!

[@kathrynsheehan7727]

Bury your gays? How depressing

[@JulianaSantostitiaju]

Thank you for saying so well what most (if not all) of Shorty viewers thought of this last episode. Really sad for how badly it was managed. But, it's time to mourn a wonderful character as Harper and go on. Not sure if I'll keep watching it though.

[@tpatriciabinet1515]

Bonjour merci beaucoup pour cette magnifique vidéo j'ai vraiment apprécié et beaucoup aimé merci beaucoup continuez vous le mérité énormément je vous enbrasse très fort Patricia de la France ❤💋❤🤗🥰😘😉😊❤❤

[@terriglasno]

Thank you for not letting me down and saving me from the heartache. This past year's story line has felt like a frat boy's wet dream, with his frat boy hero winning in the end. It almost feels like our community is only aloud yo be visible as long as it is in yhe background.😢

[@Jo-jo4do]

I've never watched this show, but thanks to your round-up, I hate Drew.😂

[@nicky711-zh6ri]

Even if the actress that plays Harper. Wanted to leave. Or if they really wanted Harper to go. They could have done it better. Like harper trying with Drew again oke. But then Harper realised she does like Phill. But because of all the shit that had happend she needed some time for herself. She tells Phill she loves her but needs some time and space but will come back and want to be with Phill. And then she leaves on the bike and the accident happends. But this ending it sucked. Imo. Ahwell...

[@SunnyXGL]

I stopped watching after Drew's attempt. I knew that Harper and Phil could never happen after it. Just another grab at sapphic views boost it feels. So sad to see them end like this.

[@msmith4427]

I love watching shortland street. Very very disappointed that the writers have killed off Harper. Her relationship with Phil was great, they may eventually have got back together. Harper would have been better off with Phil, Drew doesnt treat her nice always saying she lets him down. If the writer needed to cut back on costing i think they should have got rid of some others instead of Harper and Nic. Its a mans world right enough, big big mistake. Not sure i will watch anymore. UK 😢

[@Selenee77]

Well I guess this is a goobye. I was invest I two ship in this show Rebekah/Maeve and Harper/Phil. I’m done but it was fun to watch😂

[@joanronson9857]

Doesn't these writers realized they had a strong storyline going with two strong women. They should have gotten rid of Drew a long time a go he's been bringing it down for to far to long. I agree with you the writers made a bad choice. I'm done but oh well it's just a matter of time before it's cancelled.

[@digitalmyrth1]

I'm right there with you, goddamn sinking ships. I feel like we should drown our sorrows, so disgruntled lol. Brilliant vid as always. Meet you at the bar

[@100percentshipper]

I, like Harper when the affair came out, have been living at the bar and I'm feeling quite drunk.

[@nwambagrace5675]

She suffered so much before dying am pained and am not watching no more I feel really sad for haper and phil

[@kellyharvey]

I'm totally done with it. What a disappointment.

[@firefly24601]

They could EASILY have had Drew learn something from his attempt at killing himself, and ALSO maintain his me-centric nature by having him divorce Harper and leave to "go find himself." That would get him off the show (even with possibility to return!) and Harper and Phil could continue guilt-free. But no, "bury your gays" is a much more time-honored tradition. Great job Shorty.

[@notamoskyto]

Gosh, the saddest thing is that this video sums up and shows Harper's life in a better light than the show. When Harper died, shortie only showed Harper alongside Drew. It's so revolting. I'm disgusted w the writers. I'm afraid SS will become a str8 conservative pit and I just can't watch it live ever again.

[@maureenheath7797]

Thanks for the memories ❤

[@megatronacepticon]

My hypothesis is that Sally didn't want to leave but got budget cut, whereas Ria chose to leave. If this is accurate then they probably chose Harper to die over Nicole in case Shortland Street somehow survives the recession and they can afford to get Sally back in the future. If the quite frankly abysmal quality of writing we've suffered for most of this year continues into next year I don't think the show will survive beyond next year, but here's hoping things eventually get fixed and Sally can come back to restore Nicole's character to her former glory after 6 months of the writers' complete and utter destruction of it.

[@lindluv8518]

I think they find writers on fanfiction sites. The crazier the story, the more likely that person will be hired to write for a soap. None of this made sense. I stopped watching when Drew's tantrum exposed their affair and Harper kept grovelling. It was sad to watch the whole thing unfold. It was hard enough watching an affair, when Harper said it meant nothing, it was an even tiger pill to swallow. I'm sorry for your grief and loss. They're fictional characters but they mean something to us and their loss is tough.

[@KateMcKenzie-r1f]

Oi! Don’t slam us fanfiction writers. Some of us are better than the ones getting paid to write these shows. 😜 Writing fanfiction for SS turned out to be a pain though. Sadly that didn’t stop my brain from conjuring up an alternative ending for Harper, Drew and Phil. Pointless now really as I think everyone has jumped ship.

[@cathrineb3001]

Why why😭I know she’s dead, but I’m still hoping it’s just a bad dream. why do all the people I like in tv show die why. They did not have to kill her they could just send her to the new job in New York, she would still be gone from the show but she would be alive and happy and she could come back someday if she wanted. I wanted more Harper and Phil storyline.

[@rodolfocaleon4617]

Paging writers please explore the idea of Phil and ghia getting together please please

[@Sola._.]

I'm also done with Shortie, Harper was by miles my favourite character.

[@pinetree333]

I think that they are going to use Harper’s death as foundation for dynamics between drew and Phil moving forward ?grieving together. Hopefully not something as gross as Phil and drew hooking up. But I will not watch in any case

[@abeillle80]

PREACH! You nailed it!

[@lucykitty6492]

They killed Harper! Grrr. Spot on review. SS where do you get these writers??? Shame for screwing up this storyline. Nic I can live without! So, there is that. I did love Leanne’s sapphic period and would have love more of them on screen. Until next time.

[@reneaohara-wx6qc]

I totally agree. I was not prepared for both to leave let alone kill Harper off

[@my_own_pace]

I’m in the US and didn’t start following Shortland until Harper and Phil got together. The one thing I hope they don’t do is put Drew and Phil together. I won’t be watching anymore though.

[@ydamor]

I will forever love Harper! Resilient woman! For about eleven years, we have seen Harper survive and arise from conflicts and scenarios no other fictional character in a soap from which any other could have ever returned with grace. I always thought her pairing with Nicole could have gone further, but their split did open the doors for other women-loving-women stories.

[@user-th9nm1ow2p]

Wow haven't watched in a while 2 major characters gone. But if the actors wanted out you can't really blame the show.

[@StephenHennessy-y8h]

All i can say is that's soap operas for you they write the worst lesbian storylines and what's the end result failure look at neighbours home and away pure failure they can't beat shows like EastEnders Corroination Street Emmerdale or even Hollyoaks no wonder why soap opera writers hate writing lesbian storylines because they can't think of anything else i hope shorland Street learns from this utter garbage at least put in a teen lesbian relationship at least people will watch something like that because older lesbian relationships are a pure joke

[@daphnefindley]

A handful of shows that has queer women in them has irritated me because of how poorly done the writing was and what could have been but everything about this show and how they did Phil and Harper dirty pissed me off. So much toxicity…. Everything about Drew just pisses me off. And then have everything happening Harper just runs back to him before the ending… yikes and the ending (like you’ve said) making everything about drew and then showing the memories of drew and Harper was extremely annoying. 🙄

[@FlickHerBeats]

eww gross. I did enjoy watching your vids about this couple, but glad i didnt get invested with another bury your gay

[@vanessacampos4928]

very sad😢

[@samantha_Louise_x]

I can’t say I am surprised, but I am appalled at the way harper, Phil and Nicole’s characters have been portrayed. None of the storylines even make sense and I don’t understand why they’ve ended 2 major characters who are both loved… and queer. Anyways what a waste of time. poor Phil having to stay in that weird show, she will be with drew next. Never ever watching it again. It seems like they were wanting to get more views with harper and Phil and then they aborted that goal and decided to crash and burn the whole show

[@HelenaThe]

Who’s idea was this 😭😭😭

[@AprHla]

🤨🤔🤐

[@NR-wg4cf]

Lol