Holy Crap, that was exciting for the most part, didn't you think? The only part that made me want to stick pins in my eyes was that absolutely cringeworthy performance of Dev's in hospital, triple sniffing over Sunita's body while Karl was stood behind him aching to pull her life support plug! Or maybe he wanted to wrap it round Dev's neck, I don't know.
Aside from that, I thought everything was very well done. Nice touch having a ladder from the builder's yard and Stella coming out of the same bedroom window that Bet did in 1986. It was strange not seeing Roy and Hayley manning the teapots in the cafe, when everyone went to the Bistro instead.
For more observations, and to find out what Peter's line of the night was, look over here.
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It was nice to see Norris not being a nosy beggar for once!
ReplyDeleteDid they do it because theyre moving to the new set soon?
ReplyDeleteThe move to the new set isn't going to happen until the end of this year or into next
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will take that long to rebuild the Rovers?
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see Norris the Friend and Nice Leanne again. And that famous Wethy General magic was back, too, with Karl up and about after what should have been pretty severe smoke inhalation and a nasty looking burn to his hand.
ReplyDeleteA lot of unexplained absences but very enjoyable. Thank you, Peter for the line of the week! Year?
Why would Dev allow Karl, of all people, in Sunita's room with him?
ReplyDeleteWhat was Dr. Carter doing in the Bistro - as a doctor shouldn't he be at the fire to assist with casualties? LOL at Dev's pig like snuffling over Sunita wth barely a trace of tears - must have been hard for the other two actors to not burst out laughing! Nice little scene with Norris and Rita.
ReplyDeleteI watched Mon & Wed episodes together so my comments really go to both....
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or was Karl the creep everywhere!
Looming in the cafe listening in to Stella & co who are talking like he wasn't even there. Then next thing he waltzes into the pub and it's not even opening time, leaning on the bar & putting in his 2cents worth and this is the guy who "kidnapped" her only a week or so beforehand! Then they all head on into the back room & leave Karl standing there in the pub that's not even open....I felt like yelling at the tv...."look behind you....he's over there" in true panto fashion!!
I did however find the bistro scenes hilarious with Rita, Beth, Eileen & Sean etc when they were watching the show. Predictable innuendo & one liners but still funny as to see them all having a laugh, especially Rita.
What's amazing to me is that actors who don't show that much range in their characters, like Michelle Keegan (bullish Tina) and Alan Halsall (bewildered/lugubrious Tyrone), keep winning all these soap awards when the statues should really go to John Michie. It must have been all that time on Taggart that has allowed him to jump off of the screen. I never thought I could feel sympathetic for slimy Karl Munro, but here we are. When he asked the nurse how Sunita was, Michie's double duty of expressions and seriousness convinced me that Karl is still human. Three cheers for John Michie for reminding us all that some soap actors truly cherish their craft.
ReplyDeleteWell, look at the upside, Stella's beige clothing is probably incinerated.
ReplyDeleteAgree about John Michie, his portrayal of Karl from loveable work shy bloke to a deranged arsonist/killer has been excellent! Compare that to the pathetic snivelling of Jimmi Harkishan around Sunita's bed, the woman who not 24 hours since he rejected her plea to take her back and be a family again to the twins because the Beige Landlady told him not to! - someone he has known all of five minutes! why oh why didnt the new producer use this oppotunity to write the whole family OUT? At least Kylie and Gail seem to be building briges.
ReplyDeletewhere was Dennis? Why was he suddenly "away" and not with his wife? Perhaps he has gone off with Dreary and Ken.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think Dev was too bad in the hospital bedside scene, but I didn't go much for Gloria's outpouring. One, because we know that Stella will be up and about before you know so that rather takes the suspense out of it. Two, and I know it's hard to tell the difference between Stella alive or dead, it would have had more impact if she gave her speech to a slowly recovering Stella.As it was, I was vastly unmoved.Karl is becoming very Tony Gordon and I hope his evilness builds over the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if so many characters were *away* because of health and safety risks on set.
It seemed odd to have some of the cast missing that are normally there but though it does seem to leave you wondering, i generally overlook that. Shooting schedules etc.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about John Michie's performance. Karl might be a creepy stalkery scumbag but Michie's portrayal is wonderful.
Since there has been so much conflict between Stella and Gloria, I thought that bedside scene was good, shows how Gloria really does feel.
Yeah i wondered why Dev didn't seem to mind that Karl was there unless he really didn't take it in.
What bothers me is where most of the episodes will take place until the new Rovers is ready.
ReplyDeleteA vast majority of the scenes are in the pub, even ones that seem totally illogical, like Emily having a lunchtime drink. Please don't move things over to the Bistro! The pint drinkers wouldn't go in a place like that, it'd be too expensive for the factory girls and on top of that I can't bear the thought of months of smarmy Nick, plus there'll be Gail in her Mrs Overall tabbard wiping up after everyone.
AmandaB
The absence of so many of the regulars was extremely obvious. Since it was months in the planning, I am surprised they didn't include more of them, even if it was just to establish their presence.
ReplyDeleteI really thought Dev's acting couldn't get any worse, but he excelled himself last night. And should he really have been gripping Sunita's clearly bandaged (and presumably burnt) hand?
Surely Dev's acting WILL get even worse......just imagine what he'll be like when she dies.
ReplyDeleteAmandaB
Loved the scenes with Rita and Norris - you can see deep down they have a deep meaningful relationship.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to agree that many key characters were missing. You'd think the actors would know when those scenes would take place. Why didn't the Barlows return immediaetly when they heard about the fire? Where was Sally, Sophie, Anna, Owen, David, Steve, Lloyd, Fiz, Chesney, Maria, Marcus? And for continuity reasons why wasn't it mentioned that Dennis was going away. It seemed odd at first that Rita was with Norris whereas she has a husband now.
And while Dev's crying was questionable, I have to praise Sue Johnston. Gloria's been very nasty in most of her scenes, but her vigil scenes last night were brilliant. That's what we need from her - a bit of heart!
Phil Collinson stated that he cut corners wherever he could for the fire scenes. By leaving out so many cast members during the fire episodes, he must have saved on salaries for those actors paid by the episode. And for those actors on contact who didn't appear, they could have those days off. At least that's my best guess. It was all about the money.
ReplyDeleteMeant to write actors on contract, not contact
ReplyDelete