n yesterday's blog post about the ruination of Michelle Connor, someone mentioned that Becky was in danger of being over-exposed as a character as well. I sort of agreed with that but with reservations. I got thinking about the character, as you do, and I decided that there's a vast difference between the characters of Becky and Michelle and how each has been handled by the Powers That Be. Up to now, it's been a fine line.There have been a lot of major storylines featuring Becky but, at least to me, she doesn't feel over used and I'm not tired of her nor am I starting to dislike her. I realise that liking any character is purely subjective, but she's always been one of my favourites whereas I was always kind of meh about Michelle but am now starting to actively dislike her.
Anyway, all that aside, I've written another essay along the same lines, examining the differences between the two characters and why Becky *could* be in danger of over exposure and why, so far, I don't think she has been. Agree? Disagree? Meh?
I liked Becky when she first appeared as a thieving jailbird, and thought the character went sadly downhill when she got involved with Steve - spookily similar to what happened with Michelle in fact!!
ReplyDeleteThe truth is if you really like a character then it's hard to accept that they are used too much, but in recent years there's been a tendency to overexpose whomever is the current "flavour of the month" - Sean, Michelle, Becky being the most recent ones. Not only did they have one storyline after another, but somehow they always seem to encroach on other character's storylines as well. And as a result, in each case I've ended up absolutely hating the character.
ReplyDeleteNow that both Sean and Michelle have been used more sparingly, I really don't mind either character, so I wish they'd do that with Becky as well (although unfortunately it looks like she'll be over-used for some time to come)
Something else that really bugs me about this character is that she never seems to wear the same outfit twice. Would she really be able to afford endless new clothes on her salary. And if she's simply using Steve's credit card, how come he hasn't mentioned her over-spending?
I think they're overused due to the number of episodes in a week. When it was just twice between 1960 and 1989, you had a variety of characters in each episode and so they weren't overused.
ReplyDeleteI live in Canada, so I've had less exposure to Becky than others...even so, I don't find the character over-used to a fault. The main difference between Becky and Michelle, for me anyway, is how enjoyable it is to watch Becky and her reactions to situations, versus Michelle who always seems to have her nose up in the air and that sanctimonius sneer. I just want to slap her most of the time. It's pretty bad when a character has been cheated on and I still can't sympathize with her and am instead gleeful that she's been brought down a peg.
ReplyDeleteThe other big thing Becky has going for her is her relationship with the Croppers. No one is as protective of and loyal to them as Becky is, even though almost everyone on the street owes them a debt of gratitude for something or other the Croppers have done for them. The storyline with Hayley's son (overall opinion of that one aside) really cemented me on Team Becky when she confronted Hayley's son in classic Becky style, her tears and hurt all on behalf of Hayley and the pain she saw her best friend going through.
Say what you will about Becky being overused, but comparing her character to Michelle Connor is like comparing a snow-capped mountain to a dunghill.
I liked her until she took up with Steve. It was so farcically done.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John, if you like a character then you will not mind if they are overused, and Becky is a character who seems to always have a storyline. I used to like Becky, but I cannot stand her anymore. As an over the top, 'in your face' character, she worked better in small doses with Roy and Hayley.
ReplyDeleteMichelle can be a hypocrite and does often have her nose up in the air, but Becky hasn't really done much to make me like her or sympathise with her either. The character was obviously a bit of a rebel to start with, but even after she settled in under Roy and Hayley, she smashed up a few shops after getting drunk and then tried blackmail Steve into lying for her in court. She also had an affair with him so I think she has got a lying and cheating streak. Becky may be loyal, but only if it suits her - if I remember, she was quite good friends with Michelle before the affair, but this didn't stop her going off with Steve.
Her storylines so far haven't done her any favours in my opinion. The weddings 'saga' was cringeworthy and although the Hooch drug plot had potential, the sketchy details surrounding him suddenly dropping the charges didn't ring true. I agree with Rebecca too, Steve and Becky don't make a good couple. There appears to be a sort of trend that female flavours of the month/year should be paired with him. (Karen, Tracy, Michelle and now Becky)
Katherine Kelly is a good actress, but ultimately, I feel Corrie need to tone Becky down and give her less screentime - not everyone likes her. Sorry for the long post!
Hrmmm, I think possibly the biggest difference between Becky and Michelle for me is that Becky is simply more likable than Michelle.
ReplyDeleteThey both have had storylines that I don't particularly care for, but I prefer Becky over Michelle simply because I like her more.
Becky is like the tart-with-a-heart and Michelle's, well, just a tart.
Becky has the advantage of being acted by a proper actress. I do feel that she's very to if not being over-exposed. Michelle was a definite, Becky is in danger, she seems a norm on any given ep.
ReplyDeleteacted? sorry i wrote that when drunk (i still am but less so) i meant played.
ReplyDeleteBecky is getting a bit overused. Enough already, both she and Steve are grating on my nerves.
ReplyDelete