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#1: Discontinued storylines Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:42 pm
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Hope that this makes sense and doesn't sound too waffly! Understandably, there are various future plans mentioned in the books which then come to nothing because they'd seemed like a good idea at the time but didn't later on, e.g. Joey going to Belsornia, but for which an explanation for the change of mind is given. However, there are some storylines which just fizzle out without explanation: they can all be explained away by saying that people had changed their minds or that circumstances changed or that the ideas were only casual ones in the first place, but it seems odd that no explanation's given. Just wondered if people thought that this was EBD being forgetful (especially as most of them seem to be in the later books), or if she just changed her mind and didn't say anything, or any other theories!

For example:

1. In Problem, we're told that Gisela and Gottfried were definitely moving to the Platz; but they never did. (We were also told that Herr Mensch senior had passed away, but he'd been miraculously resurrected by Coming of Age so that probably was due to forgetfulness).
2. In Genius/Fete, Jack suggested that Elisaveta should move to the Platz and she seemed very keen on the idea, but nothing ever came of it. It wasn't a definite plan, but it seems weird that it should've been mentioned and then just left.
3. Neil Sheppard's friend in Reunion seemed quite interested in Con and normally in CS-land a slight interest means that marriage is on the cards at some future point, but he was never heard of again ... unless he was going to reappear a few years later when Con was older.
4. Ros Lilley as Head Girl - OK, she was always going to be pushed out to make way for Len, but why on earth weren't we given a reason for her departure? Mary Burnett was "needed at home" when EBD wanted Joey to be HG and Loveday Perowne inherited an estate in Argentina (as you do) when EBD wanted Bride to be HG, but Ros just disappeared.

Will stop waffling now Embarassed

#2: Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:00 am
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5) Carla von Flugen coming as children's help to Joey. There's a big fuss about this in Coming of Age and again in Trials, but we never actually see her appear at the Platz.

6) In Summer Term there is a detailed paragraph devoted to the situation of Emilia Casabon, who is never mentioned again.

7) Marie-Claire de Mabillion is adopted in Summer Term and then vanishes from Freudesheim completely for two books, to reappear in Althea.

Cool

Way back in the Tyrol books Kurt and Wanda von Gluck are supposed to be posted back to Innsbruck, but I don't think that happens.

any others?

#3: Author: macyrose, Location: Great White North (Canada)

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:32 am
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In Challenge it's said about Evelyn and Jane Carew:

Quote:

Finding the other girl so friendly, Evelyn began to plume herself on the fact that Jane must have been greatly struck with her from the first. She was by no means lacking in self-esteem, and natural gratitude for the other girl’s kindness and was to grow rapidly into an assumption that Jane belonged to her – and that was to cause trouble.

But no trouble over this is mentioned later.

#4: Author: Laura V, Location: Merseyside

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:21 pm
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In one the later Swiss books it mentions that Tom has some exciting news but we never learn what!

#5: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:59 pm
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Oh I forgot the Tom one - that drives me mad! And there's one about someone unexpected turning up to one of the St Mildred's pantomimes, but we never find out who it is.

#6: Author: Joyce, Location: Hong Kong

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:10 am
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I get the feeling that Con was supposed to marry Dr Shepard later on but EBD never gets round to writing it.

My guess would be that Con does her degree, returns to the Platz to write/research, meets up with Shepard who is now working at the San who remembers her and 'she is now grown up' and they get married.

It follows the typical Chalet School scenario of much older man admires younger girl, years go by, he realises she is no longer a 'girl' and marries her.

The Tom hint drives me mad too. Probably really boring like she's getting married and chucking in the social work after she'd made such a success of it.

And the one about a stranger commenting on how lovely the ballet is in the pantomine. Someone (I think Miss Annersley) turns round and the stranger is vaguely familiar to her, but we NEVER find out who she is!!

Famous ballerina perhaps? And she takes Felicity away for training?

Cheers,
Joyce

#7: Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:26 pm
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I think the one that annoys me most is the bit in Joey and Co in Tirol (or it might be Future) when they go on a walk up a mountain somewhere (possible to see Joey's cave) and some strange men come along who look suprised and it seems likely that this is gearing up to some plot or other and then nothing happens.

#8: Author: miss_maeve, Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:50 pm
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Alex wrote:

I think the one that annoys me most is the bit in Joey and Co in Tirol (or it might be Future) when they go on a walk up a mountain somewhere (possible to see Joey's cave) and some strange men come along who look suprised and it seems likely that this is gearing up to some plot or other and then nothing happens.

Aren't those men the walking holiday students, who are thought to be a bunch of armed bank robbers? I have a vague recollection of Charles and Steve attacking them by throwing things over the balcony at them.

#9: Author: macyrose, Location: Great White North (Canada)

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:27 am
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Joyce wrote about Tom:

Quote:

The Tom hint drives me mad too. Probably really boring like she's getting married

I also thought the shock was that Tom was getting married because of what's written a few sentences back (in Jane):

Quote:

As one gentleman who went to inspect the Club and its activities remarked, "There are a good many small girls today who in later years should be thankful to Miss Gay for the husbands they've married!"

A very definite hint! Wink

#10: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:50 am
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Would anyone be interested in some kind of drabble challenge using these discontinued storylines? Very Happy

#11: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:20 am
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If the surprise was that Tom was going to be married, I'm glad EBD dropped it. Maybe she, or her editor, thought better of it? I don't think Tom was at all suited to domesticity, which seemed to be the fate of all EBD characters who got married.

I'd much rather she carried on with her work, and maybe eventually was ordained as a minister, when it became possible. To link this to another thread, I think Tom had a genuine calling to do the job she did, and would have been less happy doing anything else.

#12: Author: JackieP, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:26 pm
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JayB wrote:

I'd much rather she carried on with her work, and maybe eventually was ordained as a minister, when it became possible.

Oh - who was it who drabbled this - I can't remember but I know it was drabbled at one point...

JackieP

#13: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:08 pm
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For Tom's ordination, see RroseSelavy'sWhat Tom Did Next.

For more about Tom's early work/news, see Lulie's 'Tom's Boys.'
part 1
part 2
part 3
final part

#14: Author: Pado, Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:53 am
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Perhaps it was that Tom was converting, a la In this house of Brede...

#15: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:45 pm
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Mia wrote:

Would anyone be interested in some kind of drabble challenge using these discontinued storylines? Very Happy

Do you need to ask? Laughing

#16: Author: Hannah-Lou, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:39 pm
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Another one: Ruey's father's precious box, in Jo and Co. We never do get to find out what's in it! Oh, and the Rosalie chapter that was cut out in the paperbacks, from one of the war books (Highland Twins?)

#17: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:28 pm
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I think there was some thought that Con might marry Neil Sheppard's climbing companion, Hamilton (think his first name was Ian, but not sure) Neil Sheppard married Grizel. (see Reunion).

#18: Author: miss_maeve, Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:21 pm
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The triplets Canadian penfriends, who get mentioned in one book only, and are never heard from ever again.

#19: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:27 pm
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I married Tom to Rix Bettany in Invitations. She continued to work, but in the North East and was was of the first Anglican priest in England

#20: Author: Catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:06 am
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I've not got the book to hand and it's a while since I read it, so I'm not sure of the reference but in Althea, there seems to be a chapter or something missing ('missing' as in 'unwritten' as opposed to 'cut') to do with the trouble in Upper IVb

#21: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:53 pm
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Catherine wrote:

I've not got the book to hand and it's a while since I read it, so I'm not sure of the reference but in Althea, there seems to be a chapter or something missing ('missing' as in 'unwritten' as opposed to 'cut') to do with the trouble in Upper IVb

According to things I have heard half of althea was also written by phillis Mathesson (or whatever her name was).

But there maybe some things we think are missing cos of things cut from PBs

#22: Author: Katherine, Location: London, UK

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:47 pm
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Althea's uncut. Have heard discusion about it not being all EBD's work though.

#23: Author: roversgirl, Location: France

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:59 pm
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I thought it was Prefects was the one that wasn't all her own work. I'm sure there's an article on that in the GGBP edition...

#24: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:55 pm
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Prefects is the one most often suspected of being partly Phyllis Matthewman's work, or at least that she had a bif input into it. But recently there have also been questions asked about Althea too.

#25: Author: Lolly, Location: Back in London

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:16 pm
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I only have the pb and vague memory of it at that, but in Changes at the beginning there was a lot of discussion about keeping Diana Skelton's 'disgrace' quiet, and the fear that the one girl who knew about it (can't remember the name but was described as a 'leaky sieve') would tell the others. EBD is so heavy handed about it that you feel sure that the beans WILL be spilt by this girl.

But she is never mentioned again IIRC?

#26: Author: miss_maeve, Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:25 pm
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Lolly wrote:

I only have the pb and vague memory of it at that, but in Changes at the beginning there was a lot of discussion about keeping Diana Skelton's 'disgrace' quiet, and the fear that the one girl who knew about it (can't remember the name but was described as a 'leaky sieve') would tell the others. EBD is so heavy handed about it that you feel sure that the beans WILL be spilt by this girl.

But she is never mentioned again IIRC?

That was Marian Somebody-or-other (possibly Tovey?). And yes, I do believe she disappeared into thin air too.

#27: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:03 pm
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miss_maeve wrote:

Lolly wrote:

That was Marian Somebody-or-other (possibly Tovey?). And yes, I do believe she disappeared into thin air too.

Actually the other girl who knew about it was someone called Sylvia Peacock. I don't think she gets another mention in the series (or even in Changes itself), does she?

#28: Author: miss_maeve, Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:36 pm
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Of course she was ! *duh* Marian was just another annoying Tanswick pupil, wasn't she?

#29: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:02 am
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*lol* You can be forgiven for that confusion as Marion was the person who helped Diana wreck Bride's study.

#30: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash/Aberystwyth

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:56 pm
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It's not a storyline as such, but there's a part in New House that has ALWAYS intrigued me and even now I'm fighting off a plot bunny...

Quote:

‘We aren’t having parade this morning,’ said Frieda, as they fell in step with her. ‘It has been so hot; and there is the cricket-match against St Scholastika’s this afternoon. So none of the team go to Guides; and Miss Wilson has not been well, and Miss Stewart is very busy with examination-papers—she said so—so we have no Guides to-day.’
‘Oh, I see. What is wrong with Miss Wilson?’
‘I don’t know.’ It was Jo who answered this. ‘She hasn’t looked too fit of the last week or so. I thought she seemed better last Saturday when we were up the Zillerthal; but on Sunday she was in bed nearly all day. And though she’s taken her lessons as usual this week, she hasn’t been really fit.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Mrs Russell looked grave. ‘I must go and see her as soon as I have attended to the needs of my daughter.’

I don't know if EBD's intention is to show how fond Jo is of Bill - which she does at the beginning of the book as well - because she's decided by now that Nell is to be godmother to Joey's firstborn, but it could have been really intriguing and she just dropped it *sulks*

*swats away the plot bunnies again*

#31: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:04 pm
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In Gay, when Madge is introducing Miss Bubb, she tells the school she's going to make an announcement that she thinks they'll like. She's sent for to go to Josette before she can do it, but she writes a notice which Joey puts on the notice board for her. I don't think we ever find out what that was all about, do we?

#32: Author: LizzieC, Location: Canterbury, UK

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:17 am
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Gem wrote:

*sprinkles bunny food around Gem* Wink

It's a story I'd be quite interested in reading Smile

#33: Author: Billie, Location: The south of England.

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:16 pm
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*Adds to the bunny food.*

#34: Author: roversgirl, Location: France

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:30 pm
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Sounds like a great drabble - adds bunny food... Smile

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