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

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Gold Star Corrie

When I noticed the writing credit for tonight's Coronation Street given to Jonathan Harvey, I knew we'd be in for a good episode. He never lets me down and so it was thus. Tonight's Corrie was a joy all around, with wonderful dialogue and excellent acting. I'll try not to do what amounts to an episode summary because that's not my job! It's difficult not to, though.

Jenny Bradley is back and while she might be over the worst of it, she is still shakey and defeated.  Sally Ann Matthews was excellent tonight as was Barbara Knox. I was immediately drawn in by them. You could really feel Jenny's depression weighing her down, and Rita's loving support. I really felt for Jenny and just wanted to hug her!

Brendan found an hour away from the wife and Mary took full advantage for a bit of afternoon delight. (Oh, my eyes!) Brendan really makes my skin crawl and I feel bad that Mary has been sucked in by his false ways. I do like that Erica is so kind to Mary and when this all blows up and Mary's heart is in bits, I think Erica will do her best to help. Can't fault the acting, though,  Ted Robbins  is doing a top job as the love rat Brendan!

Elsewhere, it turns out that Jamie has been nabbed by the police and "sang like a canary". I wonder if he could get charged with attempted murder in addition to assault? I liked that Steph apologized to Carla even though, of course, she had nothing to apologize for, but it was so very Steph, I thought.

The other main thrust of the episode was Audrey and Ken, circling around each other. Sue Nicholls was superb, as Audrey, touchy, out of sorts and feeling awkward around Ken. Ken has  been following her around like a puppy since Nessa left, that should have been pretty obvious to Audrey that he has feelings for her! Then Audrey collapsed with chest pains and was terrified she was going to die without telling Ken she loved him! As you do. Judging from the smile on his face, I don't think he minded at all! Some wonderful acting from Sue Nicholls tonight, especially!

Nobody was shouting, nobody was making a big dramatic mountain out of a molehill, nobody was even plotting revenge, for once. I'm not sure I was even watching the same show that aired on Monday night! I'd like more of this, please! I don't mind a bit of dramatics but when it's 90 miles per hour all the time, it doesn't half wear you down now and then!

Top marks all around to everyone!



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17 comments:

Alison said...

I did enjoy much of the episode, however I thought the acting in the ending scenes with Audrey and Ken was really poor. I do generally like them both, but that scene seriously made me cringe.

Stevie said...

It's difficult to fit so much into twenty-odd minutes of an episode, and sometimes Corrie lacks what it gave us tonight - hats off to Jonathan Harvey. True Corrie- comedy, emotion and drama squeezed into a short Wednesday ep. Lovely.

Anonymous said...

Your last paragraph summed it up perfectly, I hated Monday's episodes - last night it was full of drama but with Corrie warmth and humour not EastEnders nastiness.

Anonymous said...

There are only a few good writers left on Corrie's books - a comрlete overhaul is long overdue! It's so obvious when you see the exрerience of jonathon harvey and then comрare it to the likes of ben tagoe, рerry balthazar and martin allen (to name a few incomрetents) - bring the writing team back to it's best and the fans will return!

John McE said...

As much as I enjoyed the Rita and Jenny scenes, I can't help wondering why, if Rita still cares so much for Jenny, she's had no contact with her in all the months since she was taken into Psychiatric care?

Glenda Young said...

It was a good episode, but odd in parts. I really don't want Audrey and Ken to get together (I might be the only Corrie fan who doesn't?) and the reunion between Rita and Jenny was bizarre. It's how it should have been done the first time Jenny came back and it's almost as if Corrie are saying 'ok, we got it wrong first time, here we go again with Rita and Jenny - take 2'

Tvor said...

I would prefer Audrey and Ken not to get together romantically. I wish it wasn't so soon after Deirdre died, even now it's been 6 months. While I enjoyed the awful Nessa, it really put a bad taste in my mouth the way Ken succumbed to her chasing so quickly. It wasn't as if it was love at first sight or a friendship turned to love. It was kind of tawdry. But with Audrey, who isn't tawdry ;) at least it's more meaningful in that way and Audrey does respect his relationship with Deirdre which Nessa did not.

I know what you mean, FN, about Jenny and Rita but I still really enjoyed the scenes.

Anonymous said...

I don't want Ken and Audrey together either. Sounds like a good idea but really? Audrey sort of came off, to me anyway, as if she thought Ken was a bit of an upstart..punching above his weight..acting like a King dressed in paupers clothing. I've always found Ken to be a snob and a chronic womanizer too..why he's held in such high regard is beyond me.

Clinkers (David) said...

I loved the episode but agree that the Rita/Jenny scene was a little clunky with Rita donning her 'Earth Mother' persona which doesn't suit her. The only sour note for me was the awful scenes with Mary and Brendan. Really not enjoying sexual Mary! Unlike Brendan . . .

C in Canada said...

I have yet to see the episode, being in Canada, but as for the Jenny/Rita scene, I can only speculate that the first reunion had to deal with the past, and the bad blood that those memories conjured up. Now that the past's been dealt with, now they can focus on her mental illness and be more supportive.

I DO like the idea of Ken and Audrey together, they seem very suited, but I will agree that it does seem too soon. As was Ken's fling with Nessa. Tawdry is the correct word for that.

I wish they'd give Mary a decent story instead of making her into some slimeball's bit on the side. She deserves better than that.

Does anyone know whatever became of her motorhome? I'm sure she wouldn't just abandon it. ??

Anonymous said...

Mary's motorhome is only one of a thousand "whatever happened to......" on the show. Maybe one of these fine days we will received at least a handful of explanations. Enquiring minds need to know.

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy JH episodes. Loved the Steph and Carla scene. I loved Mary telling Erica that she shouldn't take any notice of what people say about her. IMO Erica is still a pointless character and no one would miss her if she left tomorrow.

The Ken and Audrey scene was quite sweet but like others, I'm still not convinced that they should be a couple. Surely it would be better for them to be close friends who love each other.

Tvor said...

Todd registered a complaint against the motorhome out of spite and it was towed away. The council was demanding that she have to keep it in a registered lot or something similar and she couldn't afford it so she had to give it up. It has never been mentioned if she sold it though one might assume so, if they didn't confiscate it altogether for non-payment of fees or fines.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the writing but think the plots are still poor. Ken and Audrey seemed to struggle with the stupidity of the storylining.

Beth said...

I have lots to moan about the street but I do like it when they throw in a surprise friendship like Erica and Mary. I don't like Erica on her own and Mary is an odd bod and it depends on which way the writers write her from week to week. But this is the kind of thing I do like about the show is strange little things like this. Much like Tracy and Todd. I dislike the two of them alone, but together they work.

C in Canada said...

Thanks for the answers.
Tvor - I wouldn't think that they could confiscate an entire motorhome for non payment of fees....motorhomes are NOT cheap (not in Canada anyway), the worth of the motorhome well outweighs any fees she incurred due to nasty Todd.
I had remembered he complained about it, but there was never an explanation after that as to it's fate.

Anyhoo, I think the friendship with Mary/Erica will work, unlikely though it seems, in the same way that the Roy/Carla friendship works. Opposites attract and all that.

Zagg said...

I'm still not sure how I feel about Ken and Audrey. I am leaning towards them just being great companions. To think of Audrey being really "in love" with Ken at this point just doesn't feel right. It is only 6 months or so after Deirdre died. And they are kind of making Ken look almost desperate to find a mate.
On the other hand...maybe when you are in your late 70's, early 80's you feel time in a different manner and choose not to wait for what others perceive as a right time.
My sister's 80+ year old father-in law was a very social man and when his wife died, he wasted no time at all and had many women suitors. It was hard for the grown children to handle but he said he needed the companionship as he was so used to it after 50+ years. I get that.

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