The tenderness she succeeded in conveying in her expression, tears and especially the kiss that she planted on the baby's forehead, were utterly convincing and deeply moving. It served as a reminder of another great performer, Raquel, played by Sarah Lancashire, who for some time, after having left The Street was said to be the most highly paid actress on television. It's possible that the extremely talented Michelle will follow suit and The Street, sadly, will be the weaker for it. That said, no one character is bigger than The Street. Bet Lynch, Reg Holdsworth, Curly and Raquel, The Ogdens, The Duckworths, Ena, Martha and Minnie, Elsie... well you get the point.
So, back to tonight and a closer look at Eileen. Still this story doesn't quite convince. She's irritable, not sleeping well and as a result, as Lloyd so tactfully points out, she 'looks like a blood donor who can't say no.' Later, and in a rather contrived moment, Sean rushes in telling Jason that there is a 'massive' fire nearby. Of course Eileen overhears this and Sean attempts to downplay his report. Paul arrives home very soon after and he senses Eileen's relief. Depressingly, he says that they must do something to sort this out, which of course implies that this story will continue... not too long please.
Audrey was great tonight. The expression of disbelief was highly entertaining when she overheard Rob telling Tracey that they would have to graft. As Audrey says, 'Hard work is hardly your forte.' Rob defends Tracey saying that she is,'bright, talented and ambitious,' to which Audrey, ladling out the sarcasm, asks if that is the reason Carla sacked her.
Later, we see Tracey kitted out with phone and headphones, beginning her 'grafting' which is selling bathrooms. Of course, somebody has to do it and snobbery over people's day jobs can be wildly irritating, but because Tracy is so unbearable and prone to pretension we see that even her own mother is cackling outside the door as Tracey fails to charm her potential buyer.
Tina's mind is made up -she is going to keep the baby. The only hurdle here is informing Gary and Izzie. 'I've decided to keep him,' says Tina. A row ensues causing the premature babies nurse to chide them and tell them to row elsewhere. Quite rightly she tells then that her 'priority is these babies.'
Of course, Rita will be involved as Tina's moral guide and surrogate grandmother. Anna, understandably upset at Tina's decision, tells Rita that if Tina goes through with this decision, she will not be responsible for her actions. Anna also calls Tina a 'nasty little cow.' Tina is the legal mother but on moral grounds surely little Jake belongs to Izzy and Gary.
Maria is likened to a hamster on a wheel by Audrey, 'squeak, squeak, squeak.' What she means of course is that Maria is wittering on, going over the same ground when, according to Audrey, there are no real problems between Maria and Marcus. So often in films and television, a man produces a box and the viewer believes it's an engagement ring but it turns out to be a different piece of jewellery - and so again tonight.
Dev continues single-minded and determined to clear Sunita's name. I suppose we know he will succeed but Dev's intensity is impressive as is Karl's continuous expression and body language in expressing his anxiety whenever Dev appears. Karl's visit to Dev, informing Dev that people are regarding Dev as 'unhinged' must make Dev smell a rat and the words that he, Karl and others are worried about him have a hollow ring. How much longer can you remain free, Karl?
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