For me, Corrie is always at its best when it offsets light and dark. Not sure whether it was some kind of Shakespearean metaphor in tonight's episode that, as the factory was plunged into darkness, so too was Tyrone's life.The writing was exceptional but special mention has to be made of Natalie Gumede's performance as the dangerously neurotic Kirsty. Juxtaposed against her joyous highs were the thunderous, dark and brutal mood swings. Kirsty - a woman who ties herself in jealous knots over Tyrone's relationship with a woman long since dead. For her though, the horrible knowledge that the violence meted out by her father is now hers to administer.
Plaudits should go to Natalie for not playing Kirsty as an out-and-out baddie but as a woman with competing personalities. Another Tracy Barlow would have had viewers turning off in droves. Kirsty still retains enough humanity for viewers to sympathise with. Yes, she's a violent bitch but there's still a frightened young girl somewhere inside.
While we are dishing out praise by the bucket load, let's also raise a pint of Newton & Ridley in the direction of Alan Halsall who must be relishing every script that lands through his door. Again, we could have seen Tyrone sink beneath the waves of the torrent of abuse coming his way. Halsall's portrayal strikes just the right note though - there's enough inner steel to propel Tyrone forward. Add to this the resurgent Fiz (Jennie McAlpine rising to the challenge of a worthy storyline) and we have one of the meatiest, most compelling yet desperately sad stories of recent years. Its outcome is unknown but with acting of this standard, it's going to be one heck of a journey to its conclusion.
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Natalie's portrayal of Kirsty has been brilliant and as you said given just enough humanity so as not to be perceived as totally evil. She gives Ruby just enough attention to dilute the many excuses she has for leaving her mainly with Tyrone. I'm loving this storyline and can see Fiz discovering she still has feelings for him as she tries desperately to help him. They all deserve some kind of recognition for their acting.
ReplyDeletebrillent !!! credit where credits due well done to all concerned xx
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree.I find nothing likable in Kirsty at all. When she hyperventilates before her rage she reminds me of the David Williams character on Little Britain who hyperventilated before puking all over someone. If her father did not spare her after beating his spouse, we can be sure Ruby will get it after Tyrone one of these days. How is that more likable than Tracy?
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. It's a great storyline, much better than the dead-in-the-water surrogacy and ridiculous Stella/Jason union.
ReplyDeleteOh, the only likable thing about Kirsty is the way Natalie Gumede plays her. She's psychotic, terrifying, and played perfectly at both ends, at least for dramatic purposes (I'm not a psychiatrist and not qualified to comment on reality). Right now, she's got her tracks covered, making a few friends at work. I'm not sure Eileen, who knows something's up, would believe Tyrone, and no one trusts Tina, Tommy or Fiz. I wish they had held back on the Fizzy/FiTy/Tyfiz/whatever we're going to call it, but this story is great.
ReplyDeleteI hope Alan isn't getting hurt and that Nathalie hasn't had dreadful life experiences to draw on. This is such juicy stuff they've been dishing out.
Agreed! Tonight's episode made me tear up because it was so real; people deal with this on a daily basis and the actors were perfect, not too over the top. Although I'm looking forward to the end, I will miss Natalie's acting, for she's been superb. Great storyline that has touched the hearts and souls of Corrie fans as well as people who have dealt with a similar issue.
ReplyDeletePowerful episodes but think it's time for the soapy fairy to Emily Rita and a few other regulars will finally find out the truth of Kirsty's terrible treatment to Tyrone before it's too late. I pity Ruby as this cycle will continue....
ReplyDeleteThe only real problem I have with this story line is that on the Wednesday December 19th episode they put the information for Mankind Initiative in the credits.
ReplyDeleteIt has already been established that the information Fiz gave Tyrone about his options for getting his name on Ruby's birth certificate were wrong so to include the address for an organization that helps men in situations like this is misleading.
Men who have seen the information provided on the show might be put off from contacting the organization because they think there is virtually nothing that can be done based on the information that was provided.
Collinson has again ignored legal realities to push his storylines which is a pity, he has the chance to do something worthwhile and again comes up short.
What a brilliant and well-written review and I have to say that I agree with every word totally and utterly. Alan Halsall and Natalie Gumede have been brilliant since this storyline first started and more recently, again as was already said, Jennie McAlpine has also been showing what she can do when she has a decent script to get her teeth into. She is often so under-used I feel so it's nice to see playing such an integral role so well. Congrats all concerned.
ReplyDeleteA good story and acting sacrificed on the ratings altar. Kirsty needs little excuse to fly into a rage, but Fiz has to parachute in to drop birthday cards and offer cups of tea so that she can be gassed for Christmas. Giving the nation the impression that fathers have no rights to their children in such circumstances just shows the lack of concern for the effect on the audience.
ReplyDeleteMy concern for poor Tyrone is that Kirsty has been so devious in making enough friends and playing the doting fiancee in public that who is going to believe him? Even in front of Eileen this week it was Tyrone that came across as the baddy and Fiz is well established as the evil one. Surely there should be some little doubts here and there creeping in by somebody?
ReplyDeleteAgree Beth, Kirsty even lied to the girls at the factory that Tyrone destroyed all the birthday cards. Which says to me this not simple mood swings or jealousy on steroids. It is as calculated as Tracy's murder of Charlie.
ReplyDeleteThink they're painting Tyrone too 'perfect' a victim by adhering to the real-life advice for these situations in that the victim must never be tempted to 'hit back' or the abuser could turn the tables on the victim with a complaint to the police themselves.
ReplyDeleteBy that I mean, surely to goodness, in the depths of his agonising pain, and wishing it to stop, Tyrone would forget his vow to 'keep Kirsty sweet', to ensure the marriage plan works and simply, instinctively, lash out/push Kirsty forcefully/violently away, not in retribution but in an instinctive, primal-like, survival bid to stop the pain of the attack.
You can't fight instinct, and I think Tyrone would not have been able to prevent himself from pushing Kirsty forcefully away in a desperate attempt to stop the accumulating pain of the attack upon him.
Of course with Kirsty sporting bruises of her own, the story would twist yet again, and I do want to see this saga draw to a close by the year end.
Then again the writers research mught dictate that men who 'put up' with this sort of abuse are not the same to retaliate as a James Cagney type might (grapefruit pushed in the face).
James Cagney???
What?!? . . . Oh just Google!