Mother’s Room: Thu May 6, 2010 Corrie Episode Review

Written by Peter Whalley, directed by Stuart Davids

Emily tells Leanne and Peter about how people died back in the day and when her mother died she was in their front parlour for about a week with people queuing up to see her. Thank goodness for refrigeration! Norris hobbles out on his bad ankle and requests that Emily walk him across the road to the Kabin but Peter offers to take him instead. Norris is very rude about having to wait 45 minutes and says that it’s to bad about Blanche but least she got to an old age – no complaints! Wow, it’s easy to see who Blanche’s curmudgeonly successor will be.

Norris is having a grand-ole time telling everyone about the news of how Mary kidnapped him. Rita questions how Norris knows that she killed her mother. Rita doesn’t think Mary’s as evil or guilty as she is. Norris insists he’s been to hell and back, however. Norris hobbles into the pub and he and Rita order some well-needed drinks. Emily comes in and tells Norris that Mary’s called and says that everything’s been sorted out and she’s been released. Apparently her mother is alive and well and that the whole kidnapping fiasco was all a big misunderstanding on Norris’ part.

Ken and Deirdre are back from Portugal with Leanne and Peter welcoming them with tea. Ken says it was all a bureaucratic nightmare. When Deirdre’s out of the room – but in earshot – Peter asks Ken how she’s doing. Deirdre enters her mother’s room (“It’s like a sea-facing room in a boarding house. Winswept! That’s what it is! And it’s damp. And it occasionally rains in there.” – Blanche) and immediately leaves in sadness as she’s not ready to face it yet. Ken and Deirdre tell Peter and Leanne how they met Arnold, Blanche’s boyfriend. Ken says he was very nice, a retired engineer of something and very fond of Blanche. Deirdre is having trouble understanding how her mother was in Portugal since “gentle, kind and understanding” just don’t sound like traits she’d characterize her with. Arnold told them that Blanche told him that it was difficult to cope in a house where there was so many rows going on. Deirdre was personally insulted by this. Deirdre wonders if she knew her mother as much as Arnold did and is probably feeling somewhat betrayed.

Liz stops by to see Deirdre and Ken excuses himself with things to do (re-planning Blanche’s room for his coveted “study” I’m sure). Liz can’t believe that Blanche is gone. Me neither. She’ll always be in Portugal to me. Ken finds himself in Blanche’s room and starts reminiscing. He opens Blanche’s dresser drawer and finds some old photos and among them an envelope that says “to be opened after my death.” I surely hope it’s not pictures of Rita in her singing days. Ken brings the letter down to Deirdre and Deirdre gets mad at him for going through her things. Well, surely he’s got to start clearing out for his new study. Deirdre gets him spot-on by accusing him of making plans for her room. Deirdre takes out her anger over her mother’s death on Ken and blames the two of them for pushing her mother out so she had to die so far away with strangers.

It’s morning in the Platt house so David is right where he should be: on the couch eating cereal and watching cartoons. Nick isn’t happy when he figures out that Graeme has been sleeping in his mother’s bedroom – I mean, “one of those rooms meant for sleeping in…” Graeme complains that the couch is hurting his back and the bed looked inviting. Nick warns David that his little friend has one life left – then he’s outta there. David tells Nick that if Graeme goes, Natasha goes. When Graeme and David leave, Natasha says that if both the two of them leave they could have the house to themselves! Nick says he doesn’t prefer that since he wants his mother back there, and then they wouldn’t have the house to themselves. Once again, Natasha puts her foot in her mouth. Nick’s uncomfortable as Natasha suggests cleaning Gail’s bedding and how she’ll do it later – someone’s moved herself right on in.

In the pub later, Graeme feels bad still about sleeping in Gail’s bed. Why doesn’t David sleep in Gail’s bed and then Graeme can sleep in David’s? If it’s really an issue. Kirk complains to David about how he’s screwed up his chances with Izzy and wonders if he can’t get her back.

Becky’s nervous about the social worker’s visit tomorrow and doesn’t feel she’s ready yet. Tomorrow is the day after today, after all. Steve finds Peter and asks him if he’d like one of the World Cup tickets, he, Ashley and Tyrone being the other buyers. Only one condition: not a word to the wives and girlfriends. Trev comes into the pub with Janice later and Steve tells him “on a scale of 1 to 5, he’s at a 3.5” and Janice asks if they’re free masons or something. Peter comes in later and buys the ticket from Steve who reminds him again – not a word to the ladies. Steve immediately tells Trev that it’s “4.”

Steve tells Becky of how Claire is coming around to do a social worker interview rehearsal. Claire comes ‘round and when Becky asks her if she’d like a drink she’s already in character and asks if she often drinks in the afternoon. “Dawn” (Claire) asks Becky what her reasons are for adopting and she tells her that she can’t have kids of her own and she wants ‘em. Claire’s only one minute in and already Becky’s starting to boil. Dawn/Claire asks if Becky’s had trouble with police and she admits she has and when Dawn/Claire grills her further she blows her top! She knocks the paper out of Claire’s hands and Claire says she was only trying to be realistic. Now Becky’s more afraid than ever.

HIGHLIGHTS

- I thought Claire was funny imitating the social worker. She’s not my favourite character, but I don’t despise her either. She’s good as an accent character, but we’ll not have that chance soon enough so I might as well enjoy her while I can!
- Did anyone else think that Liz looked great today? I’ve noticed her looking better and better lately.
- Steve and Trev talking in “code” in front of a clueless and confused Janice.

LOWLIGHTS
- Emily’s little tale about her mother’s corpse in their parlour for a week, *shudder* gave me bad images.
- Natasha consistently putting her foot in her mouth around Prickly Nicky. Why are these two together?
- Poor Deirdre. I imagine these scenes must be hard for Anne Kirkbride as well.

Overall Episode Review: 6.5/10
Drama: 8/10, Humour: 5/10, Classic Coronation Street: 8/10, Wow Factor: 5/10