I will confess first of all that I actually love the Windasses. I've liked Steve Huison, who plays Eddie, ever since I saw him in The Full Monty. I like Mikey North and Debbie Rush, and I think there's a lot more to their story. For instance, why AREN'T Anna and Eddie married? Where are their parents? I'd like to see a story whereby Anna's parents disapproved of Eddie and they ran off together to Gretna Green but never went through with it. They're quite young, aren't they? Was Gary an unplanned pregnancy? Why don't they have more kids? I'm an only child so that's not weird to me, but I bet there's a reason behind Gary being their only one. I'd actually love to see Anna fall pregnant with a later-in-life child, and come to terms with it. I think she'd rise to the challenge admirably. Eddie? Well...
I honestly think that they're one of the more believable new families of recent times (let's not mention the Mortons), and I think there's a lot more to be said about them. I only hope that the new Producer can see their potential too.
So, with all that in mind, I don't mind telling you that I was quite moved by Gary's reasoning for joining the army. As he said, there aren't many opportunities for an ex-con in a place like Weatherfield. The army does provide food, shelter, money and a trade, like he said. Sadly, I know and am from far too many places that are exactly the same; where young men have no options other than dead-end jobs or crime, and where they do get out of their heads on a weekend to avoid having to think about their lives. I know young men like Gary; in fact, I have them in my family. He's right, the army is a good option. Or, it was. Not to get all political but with the wars in the Middle East right now, Anna is right to be concerned. The military isn't the 'safe' option that it was even just a decade ago. I can't wait to see where this storyline goes because I really do think it's very true to life. I want to know what they'll do with it.
I loved the scene between Anna and Eddie in the back garden, talking about Gary and about how they had to let him go and do what he wanted. Surely every parent faces this, and surely every military parent out there knew exactly what they were feeling. It was lovely that Gary overheard and knows how proud of him they are. Eddie's right, he is clever, and he could really go far. I am loving this whole storyline!
I think it was very well done, too. And yes, the military can be just what Gary needs to turn his life around. He has no qualifications and was heading for a pretty rough life. This could prove to be exactly the thing that "makes a man out of him" as my dad would have said.
ReplyDeleteIt really hits home doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt's an excellent storyline, really spot on. Cannon fodder, that's all these young lads are and Gary Windass will be no exception.
ReplyDeleteI like this family, too. I think Anna is great!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was touching too. Great reflection!
ReplyDeleteThe Mortons were good once they settled in. The problem was that the show presented us with what felt like 18 Mortons at once, and most of them were dead ends, narratively speaking. Jerry and the twins were great, I thought.
ReplyDeleteI've also noticed that when we get new families introduced all at once on the street, there's often a hint that they're shady: the Harrises had a secret, the Mortons (or at least creepy grandad and at least one of the kids) were scammy, and the Windasses were, well, the Windasses. I guess they did the same with the Battersbys as well. When we get a family brought in slowly, like the Connors or Danny Baldwin's crew, they seem to have more staying power.
I have to agree that Anna is a sweetie, a very likeable character, forever the peacemaker. I like Gary too, but can't say that I have warmed to Eddie at all. Can't really see what Anna sees in him.
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