Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Friday 10 June 2011

Graeme/Tina/Xin: My Take


Now, I know there has been a lot of criticism of this storyline but I have to admit that for the most part, I have enjoyed it.

Although the ending has been very predictable, probably because Craig Gazey is leaving soon, it has been enjoyable and I think if this storyline was played on any other soap, it would not work.

Why? Because this storyline, played out on any other soaps, could have been totally serious. Now, I don't want to bash other soaps, but everyone knows that Coronation Street is the king of comedy in soaps, and this comedy has been shown throughout this storyline.

From hiding behind sofas, to staging fake parties and break-ups, there have been plenty of funny scenes.

There has been criticism of the acting of Elisabeth Tan in the role of Xin which I don't think has been fair, there are plenty of worse actors on the street!

Michelle Keegan, with all her sexiest female awards, is often ignored on the acting stakes but tonight she shone in the role of a broken hearted woman. Although we all know it was her idea for Graeme and Xin to get married, she would never have expected this to happen and all she wanted to do was help her friend.

Craig Gazey...well, all I can say is that he is going to be missed. He has had some great scenes and storyline's during his time on the street and there will be a comedy void left behind when he leaves the street for good next week.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...she would never of expected..." -- fixing for you: it should be "she would never HAVE expected". Writers... ;)

IamSimon said...

I'm not a qualified writer or anything and have never claimed to be, I'm hardly perfect, but thank you any way. I have corrected it now! :P

Frosty the Snowman said...

This story could have been done so much better and made us actually care about Xin instead of just paracuting her from nowhere as Tina's "best mate". The poor acting complete with stupid grin at inappropriate times just made the character annoying instead of sympathetic. It was hard to have sympathy with Tina with bullied and buldozed the easy going Grahame into a marraige he didnt want and was against the law. Now the inevitable has happened Tina is doing what she does best - feel very hard doneby, shout and act like a shrew and of course be full of bitterness and revenge. Nobody can deny Michelle Keegan is a good actress but she is just not a very nice character. Rita of course was fauning over her as per usual.

Steve said...

personally I think Elizabeth's acting has been fine but that is biased because I am in love with her. Yes I know I am married and yes my wife knows ha ha but she is so beautiful and I could listen to her voice all day. I wish she would stay and become David Platt after he has a sex change and a face lift operation and a personality injection.

zz said...

As much as I hate basing Corrie I'd say this is Corries second worst storyline after Me-Chelles Baby Mixup (which made me stop watching for about 6 months.)

Elizabeth Tan makes me cringe everytime she says lines and I can't wait to see the back of her.

Dolly Tubb said...

I agree with Frosty, it has been a poorly handled storyline which I hated from the start, but I have to say now it is near its end it is really warming up, and it's a shame it wasn't a better thought through plot line which really let it down despite Michelle Keegan and Craig Gazey's best efforts. I was surprised what a illustrious acting pedigree Elizabeth Tan has, she has really been a weak link in this story which is a surprise.

Adam Rekitt said...

To be fair to Elizabeth Tan, she has not exactly been given the easiest of jobs. The character of Xin has hardly been well developed, it's just so bland. There is no sense of Xin betraying Tina, because they never were credible friends, let alone best mates. I think Dame Maggie Smith would have had a hard job making anything of this part.

Was that Rita I spied telling Tina what a wonderful, kind thing she had done? Is that the same Rita who was in the Rovers weeping at Tina's betrayal of her and telling her how stupid she had been? I absolutely hate these inconsistencies.

Anonymous said...

As far as the storyline goes, how could anyone feel any sympathy for Tina? She created this entire situation by forcing Graeme to marry Xin in the first place. As much as I love Michelle Keegan, I think Tina McIntyre is a complete dolt.

The only saving grace in this whole thing is that Tina might end up with David. Doing away with the current Mrs. Platt AND her disaster of a sister (another actress I enjoy but character who has created her own misery and lost my sympathy) will do us faithful a world of good.

Humpty Dumpty said...

If the basis of a good story is that you actually care what happens to the characters then, for me, this Tina and co plot has failed. More comedy please like, for example, Mary making a play for Dennis Tanner to get Norris jealous. At least, Julie and Brian should give us some laughs. I still love Corrie. After all, we're a family and moaning about your relatives is allowed!

Anonymous said...

I think the whole Xin/Graeme/Tina triange was a mish-mash from the get-go. The acting was unbelievably bad, especially last night's episode..the only one who seemed to be even on board was MK. CG just sort of looked at his shoes and said 'sorreh' over and over again. Then Xin..'we're so sorry', WTF. I am so glad this storyline has come to an end.
IMO it was a huge waste of time and talent. SSSOOORRRYYYY

Tvor said...

I agree with Frosty and Adam Rickett's comments go along with it. If the story had been better thought out and Xin wasn't just dumped into it suddenly, we might have cared more about it. I've got nothing against the actors themselves, as others have said, they're doing the best they can with a story that's limping and staggering to it's end.

I also agree that Tina isn't very likeable anymore. She was good at first when she shook up David's life and she was ok with Jason at first too. Maybe we could blame her father's death for putting her in a downward spin?

Glenda Young said...

Hated this storyline with every fibre of my being. Such a waste of a great character in Graeme.

Lorrie said...

I think it's one of the best storylines of any soap's history! I love it! Brilliant!

The actors are terrific too.

I think the fact that it's so controversial, and it's either a "I love it" or a "I hate it", means it's a succuessful storyline, and the producers KNOW IT.

People may have hated it, BUT they still watched. Haha!

Bravo!!

Anonymous said...

One of my favourite Corrie scenes was where Tina and Graeme are talking next steps over the Rovers bar. Tina is plotting how they will act to put another sham - the breakup of Graeme and Xin - over on everyone. The look of shock on Graeme's face told it right there that he was done with her. He said, "You're really good at this, aren't you." He has led a shady past and I think saw Xin as a clean break - her charm and happy disposition - they way she fixed up the flat and taught Graeme how to cook. Compared to Tina's scheming and easy way with lies, no wonder he got turned off by Tina. So, that's what I think. I'll be sorry to see Xin and Graeme go. Would rather Tina and Dev go - nothing to them but agro.

But, it's only a soap, right? LOL!

Louise

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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