Initially I wasn't sure of her character. Her first stint was bogged down by the fairly terrible storyline involving her romance with The Man From Uncle, Milton Fanshawe. However since Sylvia has returned to Weatherfield, her character has just grown in stature. Sylvia Goodwin now has light and shade. Yes she is capable of the withering putdown and the sharp aside, but she is so very much more than that.
Sylvia very obviously loves good old Roy very much - theirs is a touching relationship of many layers, both funny and achingly sad at the same time. Roy, Hayley and Sylvia have certainly meshed well as characters and they have been a joy to watch of late. It's just such a shame this trio will be broken up early next year with the departure of Hayley.
When Sylvia first arrived she was positioned as a Blanche Hunt replacement. I guess that's why it took me a while to warm to her. There really is just no replacing Blanche. The closest we'll get to that is through her daughter Deirdre - and that would seem like a natural development to me. Sylvia has become her own character and that's why it works. Unlike the other big name of a similar ilk which sadly hasn't. The difference between Sylvia and Gloria Price is like night and day. It's really odd that this has happened as Sue Johnston is just as talented as Stephanie Cole. I guess these things just work or they don't.
So tell me, what are your views on Corrie's Sylvia?
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I think she's fantastic. I love when a character with bite is also shown to have a softer side. It's been a pleasure watching her relationship with Roy grow.
ReplyDeleteSylvia had an epiphany and rebuilt her relationship with her son and his wife. The character didn't work as a selfish, thoughtless woman, and that's the problem with Gloria. Sylvia has the chance to interact with other residents in the café but so does Gloria in the Rovers. She doesn't, though, and only hangs around her family. Sorry to say this yet again, but Gloria's downfall is that she is only seen with Stella/MC. They don't bounce off each other the way Stephanie Cole and David Neilson do. It's a terrific trio in the café and will become almost like 'Steptoe and Son' when Hayley leaves. Agree, Sylvia is Corrie gold and I hope she stays.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't enough good descriptive words for Sylvia! Whoever is responsible for hiring her should get one of those medals the Queen hands out - pure genius!! However I have read that Stephanie Cole does not like to stay more than 3 yrs in one place and that is why she left Doc Martin. Hopefully Corrie can change her mind. Love her to bits!!
ReplyDeleteLove Sylvia now they have softened her a bit and she isnt just the spiteful old harridan which she was originally and she has developed her relationship with her 'different' only child. The problem with bringing in excellent well known actors is that they are in demand and wont commit to staying long term as they can pick and choose which is a real shame for us viewers.
ReplyDeleteBoth Sylvia and Gloria spend most of their time with family, so look at what they have to work with. Roy is deep, damaged and complex and Hayley is loving and supportive. Stella is a shallow busy body, Eva is an airhead, and Karl is a manipulative leech. Any story the Croppers get into will involve emotional stirrings; anything involving the Prices is as empty as they are and flits from one scene to the next with little regard for anyone else. Sylvia and Gloria fit well in their respective families, I just can't stand the Prices.
ReplyDeleteEven when Stephanie Cole left Doc Martin, her loss made a great story; the funeral was one of my favorite episodes. I do hope she'll stay, she truly is gold, and she makes a wonderful double act with Roy.
Sylvia is a total gem. I adore her. The scriptwriters are very generous with the fantastic lines they give her and Stephanie Cole delivers with such aplomb, it's a joy to watch.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I don't care for that character at all. If she loves Roy, she has a rotten way of showing it. When Hayley goes, we'll see if her nurturing side comes out.
ReplyDeleteShe's brilliant. I love the way she chides Roy..wonderful one liners that he totally ignores or gives one right back. She's right there to defend her boy though whenever anyone else (Tracy, Beth) tries to bad mouth him. Loved her giving Tracy a shot of tea in her lap. Great stuff!! At first I did not like her at all but her character seems to have developed nicely and it will be interesting to see how her relationship with Roy grows once Haley is gone (boohoo).
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about her either, but I have definitely warmed up to her. The other night when she spilled tea on Tracy was gold. And when she stepped in when Roy yelled at Hayley and said she didn't raise a son who yells at women, that was such a tender moment between them. I really hope she's still around when Hayley leaves the show, I think that will be more opportunity for Stephanie Cole to knock our socks off.
ReplyDeleteSylvia is awesome! Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI liked Stephanie Cole in Doc Martin, but LOVE her in Corrie. Let's hope she sticks around for a long while.
ReplyDeleteBev
Sorry I must be in the minority I am not a huge fan. She is just really full of one liners and trying to be funny. And this Roy storyline is just boring with him being over dramatic. Totally ruined his character.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with every single positive thing already mentioned in regard to Silvia. I love her!
ReplyDeleteShe has earned a spot forever in Corrie as far as I am concerned. Audrey is there for her family, Rita is there for Tina, but as for Emily - I think she is only there now out of habit? loyalty?
Emily has not had a storyline in years where she is actually emotionally involved in anyone's life. So Let's take her dead air time and give it to Silvia! lol
Spot on with your comments Graeme - as always:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Njblas!
ReplyDeletePearl - I'm glad you agree about Sylvia, but I still love Emily too. Her current storyline with Norris is great!
ReplyDeleteSylvia is the best new Corrie character in years. In Stephanie Cole's hands, virtually every line sparkles. As soon as she appears on screen, you know you are in for a treat.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that Hayley will be leaving soon, as her, Roy and Sylvia make such a superb family.
I was very skeptical of Sylvia at first but she has been a joy in the last few months. Her partnership with Roy and Hayley just work and she is a much kore rounded character than her first appearance when she was far too much of a battle-axe.
ReplyDeleteI expect the Croppers will be the stars of the show this year.
I think poor Sylvia will have her mothering skills tested and stretched to their limits this year as Roy is stressed to breaking point. If he's showing such symptoms as are currently on display with his struggle over his father's death, what will happen when he loses Hayley?! I'm dreading having to witness his suffering. I don't think he'll be able to survive it. His mother may love him, in her own constrained way, but she's not very good at emotion. (Watching her with Roy has explained a lot about him.)
ReplyDeleteStephanie Cole did say when she first started as Sylvia that she didn't envisage being in the show long-term, but since then I understand that she has said she loves being part of the show and has no current plans to leave. So long as the writers keep throwing her such quality material (the zingers AND the deeper relationship stuff), hopefully she'll be happy to stay around. I've always loved her, but I adore her as Sylvia.
ReplyDeleteSylvia is a fantastic actress enjoyed her in Doc Martin too. Heard she is ill hope she get's well soon she is one of my favorite actress's of all time enjoyed Helen Mirren too as well as Meryl Streep.
ReplyDelete