There are characters that we love to hate. And there are characters that we just hate. Rob Donovan is definitely the latter as far as I'm concerned. There are some characters that get under my skin thanks to good storylines, sharp characterisation and brilliant performances. Rob sadly isn't in any of these categories.I just can't stick him one little bit. Ryan Connor is bad enough, but Rob is just plain awful. I expected a whole lot more from one of Carla's siblings than what's been delivered so far. He's irritating, smug and big headed. The storylines he's involved in are poor and he really does have to go. I keep waiting for something to happen that makes his presence acceptable or worth the screen time, but I'm not holding my breath.
As for his relationship with Tracy Barlow. Need I say more?I also think these factory storylines are wearing rather thin. Some people question whether a factory like that would still exist in a back street in 2013. Whatever you think of that, what goes on at Underworld is a very poor imitation of the glory days of Baldwin's Casuals. I've always liked Carla, but please spare us any more of the dreadful Michelle. I still don't buy her amazing business acumen. Where did that come from?
Anyway, my main beef is with the truly awful Rob. I say he serves no purpose so the powers that be should get rid. Do you agree? Let's have your thoughts on Rob Donovan.
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24 comments:
There is something in Rob that I like. Maybe he's a love to hate kind of character.
I do agree that the age of sweatshops like Underworld is over. Why don't they close the factory and do something else. What about making it into a community centre, and then get a sense of community back into the street?
Don't know about a community centre again, but perhaps the industry could change up for jobs there in Weatherfield.
Completely turned off by Rob. In fact, you mention three characters that cause me to mute/turn off/pack in the episode: Rob, Tracey, Michelle.
He was brought in as beefcake but by my standards he is far from that. I feel it is the lack of acting skills why we hate certain characters. The writers provide the dialogue and plot but it is up to the actor to provide nuanced emotions, unexpected gestures that reveal a subtext, and charisma. I think he chose the wrong profession.
There was a glimmer of the Rob I wanted to see in a few episodes. One was when he first found out about what happened to his sister (just before Carla and Peter's break), and then again when Carla came back from L.A. for good, and he became the protective brother; questioning if she thought it was a good idea getting back together with Peter after he had made a pass at Leanne. And I also loved the look he gave Peter right after they 'shook hands' and agreed to put their differences aside (how long that lasted eh?), was very much one of a protective brother who clearly doesn't think his sister's boyfriend is good enough.
We get glimpses of this side of Rob which I like, a side that very much says to the world: "I can treat my sister however I want, but she's my sister and no one else better try to hurt her."
However, the way he treats Carla is quite appalling, but apparently it stems from their issues prior to her becoming a Connor.
These are supposed to be explored in upcoming weeks according to an interview with Alison King here http://www.soapsquawk.co.uk/news/corrie-interview-carla-knows-shes-been-scammed.php#.UZ0jKlfhfTo and it explains why she can never seem to turn him into the police.
I think if properly explored, his character will be a good one. :)
Here's hoping!
-Lily
He is a dreadful character and even worse to watch with Tracy Barlow. Rob's sense of entitlement is shocking! Carla owes him nothing.
He gets out of prison and his sister gives him a job, then he cons her and instead of reporting him to the police, Carla gives him a share of her business because he was practically blackmailing his own sister. All that and it's still not enough for him.
Kept hoping he would improve - have given up all hope now. In fact rapidly giving up on the whole thing, despite 30 years of viewing. I feel the producers no longer wish to appeal to my age group. Based on recent experience (eg the renewal of the dreadful Stella's contract), he will probably be given a 3 year rolling contract.
I can see why they paired Rob with Tracy, trying to make them in to a Bonnie and Clyde. Unfortunately, they're both very weak actors and really there's no sparkle when they're on screen. Rob doesn't look the part of a tough ex-con and it's very hard to care what happens to him. If he had turned up in the beginning with a bundle of their mum's photos and they had reminisced together, perhaps we would have understood their relationship a bit more.
HUMPTY Well said! I can't stand the character and his nasty haircut! Hooking him with Tracey -ugh! Time he leaves and takes Tracey with him. High time to shut down that old sweatshop factory and bring new business onto the street.
Totally agree. I tune out everything he says at this point because it's all the same... want him gone.
I agree 100%. The character has never worked on any level and is hugely irritating. I would say he is the worst character since the dreadful Lauren Wilson:( Even Stella is less objectionable than Rob - and that's saying something. And without wishing to personally insult the actor - can't he get a better haircut?
Much as I try to not blend the character into the actor, I think the big problem is the actor's acting of Rob the character, or lack of. I see the same with Tracy's and Michelle's characters also -- poor acting skills. This is only my opinion. The actor has to make the viewer care about the character whether the character is good or evil.
I am surpised by all these negative comments- do so few people like him? His acting is way, way better than Ryan's or Tracy's. The insight into the sibling issues has me intrigued...of course his character is deplorable but that is the role and I think he carries it off...
I think it should become a community centre too - so there could be a creche, with all the babies we have on the street, Gail could be the receptionist and giving her sense of purpose. Next to the Creche, it could be a hall, where everyone could hold a party, wedding reception, meeting and so on.
Frosty did like Rob at first and thought he had potential but this moaning and sense of entitlement over his 'sis's' business is now purely irritating. As I said before he was an armed robber that did 8 years in jail, now he is businessman of the year - reminds me of the deluded show offs on Alan Sugar's Apprentice show. Having the revolting Tracy draped over him is not making him any more endearing either. As for the ridiculous stuck in a timewarp "faktray" and the just as ghastly Michelle - well - enough said!
He really is rubbish, a complete waste of space. He should marry Stella.
He's a classic sociopath. But the character hasn't developed into much worth keeping. Maybe Tracyluv will blackwidowspider him :).
Too smug, too whiny lately, too up himself. Perfect for Tracy, then. ;) As one or two others have said, if they explore a bit more of his and Carla's past, they may have something but trying to make him into a mini-Mike Baldwin, if that's what they're trying to do, doesn't work.
Oh no Flaming Nora - no need for that!! Rob and Stella!!
I agree Tvor - he's no Baldwin. Even when Baldwin was doing naughty/down right bad things, the character was still always likeable somehow! Rob just isn't
I think Rob would have been better suited to being Stella's brother, rather than Carla's. Both are completely self-involved, have a strong sense of victimhood, and have absolutely no sense of humour.
Rob is just Frank Foster reborn and a poor copy at that.
Am I to understand that you want every unlikeable character removed from Corrie? Where would the drama be then?
Good heavens....eventually you would only have Rita and Emily and noone else. lol How boring would that be!
I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting we can do without unlikeable characters. Of course the show needs them. But they should be interesting, compelling, believable (to some extent anyway) and well-acted. Rob Donovan does not tick a single one of those boxes:(
I have said this before, about one or two other characters, but it's true for Rancid Rob, too. Being a dislikable character is all right, but he has no redeeming qualities; he's one-dimensional. He's smug and smarmy and mean-spirited AND he's aligned himself with Tracey Luv Barlow.
I'm hoping that the silk robbery scam will imprison them both. What a shame it is that the thief didn't knock her block off instead of merely give her a cut lip!
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