I was just thinking about how much I'm enjoying Peter Barlow on Coronation Street these days. I think he's a brilliant male character. I would almost say he's the best in Corrie at the moment. Chris Gascoyne's got that saturnine, Heathcliff-type look going on, which is very engaging. He's someone with a pretty awful past (bigamy, anyone?) but he's tackling his alcohol problem and is genuinely trying to provide a good life for little Simon. I loved the dynamic between Peter and Blanche - the scenes around the Barlows' dining table when Maggie Jones was still with us, were just a joy to watch. And I think Peter and Leanne make a great couple.Chris Gascoyne "does angry" really really well, and I couldn't wait to see his reaction when he found out Lewis had scarpered with his four grand - however, I wasn't entirely comfortable with the way he snapped at Leanne in recent episodes. I know he was under stress, and that this was setting up the relationship betwen Leanne and Nick, but I felt it was just a bit out of character, given that he and Leanne have been such a solid couple. That's just a niggle though. Anyway - my top three Corrie males at the moment, are Peter, Eddie Windass, and I'm preparing to run for the hills after saying this - John Stape! anyone else got any faves just now?
14 comments:
I think Peter Barlow is a great character and excellently portrayed by Chris Gasgoyne. Flawed but essentially a decent guy albeit with demons. Does suffer from Napoleon syndrome.
Yes, Peter Barlow is a great character. Greatly flawed, but very human, always wanting to be better and do the right thing (even, I think, during the bigamy story). Love Peter and Leanne together, particularly because Leanne is also so flawed and yet very likeable. A great pairing. I hope they don't split them up.
Still can't see the Eddie Windass thing but I am also enjoying the Stapester at the moment. Another favourite is Lloyd. I think Craig Charles portrays him very well and I find myself rooting for him constantly.
They give Peter some classic "dry drunk" moments ... written either by a social worker or someone with gritty experience. Well done.
Peter and Leanne are also my favorite parents at the moment. In part, they are blessed by a terrific actor playing Simon. But they are also the best at relating and engaging with him, actually doing things with Simon instead of just taking him places.
As far as favorite males go, Eddie Windass, okay, but only in very small doses, like a secret spice. He's still a slacker and I can't abide people who won't get of the couch without a kick. I'm a John Stape fan, so bring on baby, can't wait.
One more man in the making to watch is David. He was a great spark throughout the Lewis affair (and was the first to remember his gran's money was at risk), a decent brother to friendless Nick, has taken on, clumsily, new responsibilities at the salon, and when he screws up, like the red hair on a blond, he reacts maturely when Audrey takes over. He still has his demon side, but I like this better balanced David.
I agree with the above - David is coming along really well as a much more engaging character - still ahs a wicked side, but it's more balanced as you say. re. Eddie Windass - I have faith in the entire Windass clan, and I'm HOPING they will come into their own with the army storyline. There are glimpses of a human, more mature side to Eddie as a dad - I must say though, I really enjoy his grossness.
I always liked Chris's Peter. He's just got that charm in spite of his character's screw ups. Not a man that can easily say no and clearly there's issues with his father which came from Ken more or less abandoning him and Susan after their mother died when they were so young. I really like he and Leanne as a couple and i really hope they don't break them up for good with Nick sniffing around. I know they are supposed to get married and probably the road to the church will be rocky but here's hoping Peter and Leanne will go the distance.
I, too, am growing to appreciate Eddie. Notice i don't say "like" because he's not that likeable but the character is quite good, feckless and lazy and grubby. Far better than the Les Battersby type i think he was initially modelled after. Kudos to Steve Huison.
I always liked Steve McDonald, too. I"ve watched him from the age of 15 growing up through all his troubles and schemes and now he's a responsible parent and business owner (who still screws up sometimes). He might come across as goofy sometimes but he's got a good heart.
Funny this; yes, I really like Peter but we were just discussing what a wonderful character Leanne has become. Despite her dodgy upbringing, and those little aspects of her past I'm sure she'd rather forget (arson, drugs & prostitution!) she's turned out a genuinely warm, caring person. Carla treated her like crap, under the mistaken impression she'd slept with her husband, yet she was there for Carla when she needed a friend and even surpressedher own residual feelings for Liam to encourage Carla to say yes to him. More recently we've seen her go out of her way to be caring and supportive for Natasha, despite the latter's snottiness towards her. And what a great step-mum for Simon. Love her smart, business-woman look she's sporting these days too. This little family really work and if Leanne is in that winebar when that tram comes down, I for one am going to be really pissed off!
Peter and Leanne are a great couple and Jane Danson doesn't get the recognition she deserves. Has she been nominated in awards? Much better than Kym Marsh, Michelle Keegan and Katherine Kelly. I like all the males myself: Steve, Lloyd, John, Roy, Norris, Ken, Peter, Dev, Ashley and the women: Rita, Emily, Audrey, Betty, Sally, Claire, Deirdre.
My faves are David, Graeme and Lloyd. I also really like Norris, Dev, Roy, Steve and Jason. Ken has his moments, as does Eddie. I miss Vernon.
Chris Gascoyne plays Peter really well, and was brilliant throughout the alcoholism story (as was Jane Danson) but Peter's never been one of my favourite characters. He's been annoying and irritating lately, the way he's been blaming Leanne for stuff that isn't her fault, and Audrey, who doesn't owe him any money!
Peter Barlow is great. I've always enjoyed his scenes and story lines - good one with the battle with alcoholism. Maybe some more scenes showing more struggle? (I.e. I think it is a dreadful disease and pretty hard one for the afflicted to conquer.)
More scenes with Blanche (to make me laugh) would be good too. Have her move in with him again - and produce even more great moments between her and Leanne.
Chris really is a top flight actor. Does he have a meaningful acting career outside of Corrie?
Erm ... Anonymous, do you not know that both Blanche, and Maggie Jones who played her, are both now dead? I'm guessing you must be watching the show abroad, some months behind. If so, then relish every glorious Blanche scene you still have to come. The rest of us would dearly love the chance to have seen more.
@anonymous - from what I've read online, Chris seems to have been working consistently in a lot of popular TV dramas right through the nineties and to date - the Bill, the Royal, New Street Law, Adrian Mole (!!)to name just a few - there's nothing to say he's done any theatre but I'm not sure. I think he'd be really good in a film.
I love Peter, and love when he's on screen.
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