Coronation Street double episode review, Monday November 5

As the opening credits fell away we saw Lewis and Nick, both be-poppied and looking pretty damned dapper. They were bemoaning the fate of council cuts on Bonfire Night, suggesting that Simon will probably have to make do with a sparkler on the balcony. Then, behold Gloria, or Mrs. Guy Fawkes as Lewis dubbed her. Lewis tells her that he even shed a tear for her when he thought she was dying. To this she replies with the platitude that we are all dying. Come on Gloria! It was hard not to feel sympathy with Lewis when he told her that her shenanigans had made a wonderful relationship go up in smoke. They'll get back together won't they, Lewis and Audrey?

Of course we must be left hanging - the writers cannot satisfy the viewer so speedily, though it was worrying when Lewis said that after he'd paid Audrey back, he would have to go to pastures new and less complicated. 'It's over, she's done for us,' he states with what seems like finality - but no, it can't be. Whoever thought Lewis would be quite so vengeful? His final words to the wretched Gloria displayed no pity. 'You're an out of control buffoon.' Is that it then for Gloria? I know many will hope so. As the double episode finished, Gail was in Lewis' sights. What he has in store for the 'ringleader' as he has named her, time will tell. Watch out Gail!

The whole Lancashire Leisure pub of the year story was a bit tedious and predictable. So Gloria was outed and Lewis took advantage with his old mate Roger, chief features writer for The Gazette. Stella cried, the granddaughters looked suitably sad and so on.

Did others notice the love-lorn look of Marcus as Maria spoke to Jason on the phone? We're ready, writers! Bring on the Marcus/Maria affair. Might it be that Aiden will go to London and leave the opportunity open for Maria? As Aiden told Maria he could not imagine life without Marcus, Maria, wistfully agreed. But what about Jason? How many broken hearts will that be? Anyone keeping count?

And so to Wendy Crozier, 'a bitter woman with an axe to grind,'  we must not dwell on the image Tracy conjured up of her 'heaving bosom'. Taking Rita along was a good idea, though to be likened to Angela Lansbury would not have pleased Rita. Tracy's comparison of Cagney and Lacey would have been better received. Interesting analysis of women of a certain age and how they are supposed to feel. Thankfully, not every woman feels the same and believes that married men are fair game.That said, many still feel young inside despite the appearance of the outer casing!

It was amusing to hear Wendy describe Ken as holding a torch for her, like the Statue of Liberty in a lambswool sweater. Good one Wendy. She tells him she can't bear the thought that he does not fancy her, but perhaps Ken was a little harsh when he told he it was worse than that and he didn't even like her. It looks too like she will do the right thing about her false claims concerning Ken and also resign from the governing body.  But will she?   

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