When I first heard about the "Maria is assaulted by a top client" storyline, I was really worried that Carla would be unsympathetic. She'll do anything to support Underworld, and I figured the scriptwriters would make her put Maria under pressure to keep schtum.
Instead, she did quite the opposite. Maria practically had to wrestle her mobile from Carla's hand to stop her from calling the police. Carla was caring, understanding and full of anger towards Frank and his actions. She didn't hesitate or waver; she stepped up to a woman in distress and supported her, no matter what decision she took.
And when Frank finally turned up, she was a seething ball of anger, back to the ice cold queen we love. Carla really is a classic character to me, cool and elegant and sexy, but with a strong sense of purpose and duty (remember her emptying her purse to pay for food and supplies following the tram crash? Or giving Sally whatever time she needed following her cancer scare?). I loved that she was firmly on the side of a woman she once dismissed, as a sister under the skin. She allowed Maria to do what she felt was right, and kept her own opinions to herself. Kudos to Alison King, and kudos to the writers for the way they handled it all.
17 comments:
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I'm with gummygobbler, perhaps not as strongly, not interested in this blog filling up with non-Corrie junk.
Carla was also wonderful with Fiz during the tram crash. She's a character I disliked for a very long time, but have grown to enjoy this year. All tough on the outside, with a warm spot you only see when you look for it.
Love this photo. Sums her up perfectly.
The whole Maria assault story was a joke, badly written, yea yea I know it had to be changed because of Kym's departure but she left weeks ago and the story wouldnt have been changed that much. I thought it just belittled women and took them back 50 years, how can women be taken seriously in the Boardroom when this sort of attitude is taken, oh flutter your eyelashes and show a bit of clevage, turn up dressed like a little tart and then cry rape when the bloke gets a bit heavy. Frank is a letch and a creep but he is human and he didnt lock Maria in or force her to do anything. Appalling writing and attitudes I am afraid.
The re-write meant the storyline was a bit weak in execution, but I thought the actors did a good job salvaging what they could from it. I was very impressed by Carla's response to what had happened and her support of Maria.
Carla does tend to be good in a crisis, mind. As well as the examples given above, she was also very good with Peter on the rare occasions they've been alone together since the tram crash - she set her own feelings aside and focused on being the good friend he needed, and remains the only person to both notice that he was struggling with emotional trauma as well as physical and try to do something about it.
Yeah, she may have been supportive after-the-fact ... but she's the supposed business savvy woman who put Maria in that spot in the first place.
She's the one who "instructed" Maria on what she had to do to seal the deal.
I agree with Marie (above) although the 50-year timeline should be more recent. I had to put up with all kinds of crap from bosses/managers, etc., and keep my mouth shut. Until I threatened a lawsuit - I got a very good settlement.
That storyline was VERY weak. And I suppose Chris will wonder why Maria is "off" and when he finds out, he'll likely beat the crap out of Frank. Again, a very obvious storyline. *sigh*
~JB in Canada
I'm not a fan of Carla, but I did like the way she supported Maria. They were good scenes. But Carla only did what any decent employer should do, especially considering that she was complicit in this. What impressed me more was Maria putting aside what happened for the sake of Underworld.
I think Maria seriously over-reacted to the situation.
And I don't like Carla anyway, so I have nothing good to say about her.
Carla's a pimp.
What a load of bollocks!!
Am I missing something? He leaned over and kissed her and started to slide his hand up her leg. She jumps up, gets upset (rightly so) and leaves. But I would hardly call it attempted rape.
Exactly Kim Colby, exactly! Couldn't agree more.
I usually really like Carla, but on this occasion I agree, she acted like a pimp. And yes, I'm just waiting for Chris to leather Frank etc. Blimey. What next.
Absolutely agree with Marie Celeste about the portrayal of Carla. She is a strong, well acted character, which makes it all the more disappointing that the scriptwriters seem to want her to be a pimp. Would Mike Baldwin ever have told a male employee to wear tight trousers and flash a bit of six pac?
As for those complaining that Maria overreacted, Corrie is on at 7.30pm for heaven's sake. What do you expect to see - graphic images of sexual violence?
The "pimping out" is another by product of the rewrites I'd say. If Michelle had been here all this time I expect we'd have seen her flirting with Frank on his factory visits, building up the idea there's an attraction between them, and Carla using this to her advantage. Michelle has always been a flirtatious person so it seems in character.
Carla had already pimped Michelle out in a more minor way when she made her go for a drink with Frank. Frank was flirting with her then, and Michelle seemed pretty uncomfortable about it all, wanting to be with Ciaran etc. So even if this was Michelle's storyline, I think Carla still would have looked bad with the whole pimping out. Anyway, at least Carla is trying to redeem herself by supporting Maria.
With regards to Maria, I don't think she was overreacting - it was sexual assault IMO. Frank made a move on Maria, she told him she wasn't interested and had a boyfriend. But he pushed her back down and forced himself on her. IIRC he had her arms pinned down, and then started moving his hand up her thigh. All of this was whilst she was screaming at him to get off her, and she had to fight to him off. She was understandably scared. Wearing a pretty dress doesn't excuse what Frank did, Maria said no and he didn't listen
Me thinks that Carla should be feeling very, very guilty right now. Not only did she tell both Michelle and Maria to basically let it all hang out but she let Maria go on her own on what was practically her first day. I think that's why she is being so 'nice' and 'understanding' as Carla Connor doesn't usually 'do' nice and understanding. Guilty concience.
***As for those complaining that Maria overreacted, Corrie is on at 7.30pm for heaven's sake. What do you expect to see - graphic images of sexual violence?***
Well of course not! It's Coronation Street for heaven's sake. But since there was no hint that other things went on off camera, I can only take her reaction as being to what we actually saw. According to what we saw, I would expect her to be upset (and being Maria 'extremely' upset), but I don't feel the accusation of attemted rape is justified.
And yes I'm sure Carla's concience is indeed troubling her, as it should.
I say...! OMG!!! Loving the sexy photo. Carla looking great and her game is strong!!!! No sure about the choice of whisky! Top Tramp fuel! Fuel up on that... Osborne can wack a tax on that fuel!
I see Carla will a nice bottle of single malt and a fine cigar!
I think Corrie has hit on that serious legal matter of 'girls calling rape(wolf)!'
In this situation, it's hard to known whether the girl is telling the truth!
Often, I have heard police saying 'did it really happen?' to one and another!
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