Lofty and Mary the Punk returned - for one night only. The lack of a murder, kidnapping, or illicit sexual bombshell meant the 34th birthday ‘celebrations’ were a non-event in EastEnders, by Jim Shelley By Jim Shelley for MailOnline Published: 22:10 GMT, 19 February 2019 | Updated: 22:14 GMT, 19 February 2019 Viewcomments EastEnders was 34 years old but didn’t celebrate the way you’d have expected, or wanted frankly. Although you couldn’t call it a happy birthday exactly, it wasn’t nearly miserable enough – which on such a special occasion is traditional in this series. There were no murders or devastating medical emergency befalling one of the most popular characters, no bombshells involving illicit sex or illegitimate parentage. Even the young children and babies all made it through without being run over or kidnapped. Scroll down for video Miserable: EastEnders was 34 years old but didn’t celebrate the way you’d have expected, or wanted frankly. Although you couldn’t call it a happy birthday exactly The soap had commemorated its 30th anniversary with a HUGE storyline - by revealing the identity of Lucy Beale’s killer. In contrast no 34 was so low-key the night was much like those awkward parties characters often organise for each other at the Vic or the club: where nothing really happens and it’s just the usual (local) faces - apart from a couple of people whose presence doesn’t really make sense (in this case the much-publicised return of Lofty and Mary). Turning 34 may not have been a major landmark but it downplayed things too far - basing the night around two sub-plots that were essentially just leftovers from the week before: Masood leaving Walford and the death of Doctor Legg. Keeping it low-key: There were no murders or devastating medical emergency befalling one of the most popular characters, no bombshells involving illicit sex or illegitimate parentage The latter in particular inspired the soap to commemorate the night with a lesson in the traditional etiquette surrounding a Jewish funeral: ‘washing and cleaning the body’ (as Sonia explained), closing the curtains around the Square ‘as a mark of respect’ (insisted Dot). All very admirable undoubtedly but arguably too Politically Correct. Whether viewers would rather have seen Phil Mitchell bundle Keanu into the boot of his Jag or Sex-Mad Max Branning snog someone he shouldn’t (Mel Owen for example) was debatable, but clearly didn’t matter that much. EastEnders wasn’t like the old days. In fact its anniversary/birthday show wasn’t even as dramatic as the average episode. Calm: EastEnders wasn’t like the old days. In fact its anniversary/birthday show wasn’t even as dramatic as the average episode Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility