Coronation Street double episode review, Monday July 16

There was a definite mis-match between the mustard coloured candlewick bedspread on the bed at the B+B and the 'big exciting adventure' that Peter is planning. Simon's muttering that he doesn't 'even like going on a pedalo' doesn't bode well. As expected really, when Simon is given the choice he opts for Leanne. Though some of the acting in the Peter/Carla/Leanne trio was a little melodramatic, there was no doubting the strength of feeling from Leanne. Jane Danson, who plays Leanne has become a fine actress and is utterly convincing in her role as Simon's mum. As ever, The Street brings to our attention the debate as to whether you can love a child just as much, even if you are not the biological parent. Michelle did her bit tonight by trying to make Carla see sense by talking about Ryan. She tells her sister-in-law that Leanne is going out of her mind and that it is wrong for Carla to be a part of this  .

The matchmaking didn't go so well either but at least viewers could see that Marcus is not interested in Maria, at least not in a romantic way. Tina tried her best but, despite her organisational skills, her 'tan' made Tommy look positively ghostly. As Kirk, Tina and Tommy, then Marcus 'had to leave' Maria still hadn't quite twigged. Jason was perhaps a little hasty in his putting an arm round Maria, but at last it dawned on her that the evening had been a set-up. Does she have a romantic interest in Marcus? In the salon she was complaining about his untidy habits, but that said, I've yet to meet a woman attracted to a man because his underpants and socks found their way to the laundry bin each evening.

Not everyone is a fan of Mary, but the scenes with Roy and Mary are proving for some to be a highlight of recent episodes. Tonight's chess session was notable for Mary suggesting that she might have worn a 'lower cut blouse' which might have disrupted Roy's concentration.She speaks of Sir Edward Elgar having touched parts of her no other man could reach and Roy is even moved to say that she is 'pleasant- looking'. Mary explains that the love she felt for her father is probably the reason why she is drawn to men with gravitas, like Norris!   Particularly poignant were Mary's tears over the father she lost at a young age. Some of the writing here was particularly impressive as both Roy and Mary appreciated Elgar's cello concerto. Roy described it as 'soaring, always reflective, melancholic and truly a piece one can lose oneself in.' Mary speaks of how this piece has fed her soul and 'helped drown out the sounds of mother's snoring'.

Sadly Rob remains unconvincing. Maybe with big sis absent for a while he'll make his mark, but he does have some way to go. In the meantime, living arrangements for Ryan, Michelle and Rob will be interesting.

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