If Corrie had its King Ken, then Deirdre Barlow arise, for you are our new Queen of Coronation Street. How good has Deirdre been in the last few weeks with no Ken to hold her back?
Last night, throwing Rob and Tracy out of the house and then dishing up advice to Carla: "Just think of me as Switzerland in glasses", Deirdre really shone. And she rescued Roy from the Red Rec last week: "I thought it was one of them nutters but then I thought, hang on, no, I know this one!"
Anne Kirkbride is an absolute joy to watch as Deirdre and while Ken's away, let's hope Deirdre gets a chance to shine up her jelly mould and play her harmonica with pride.
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21 comments:
Deirdre's renaissance is very true to life. Women often suddenly come into their own after their husbands die. OK, Ken may come back but surely Deirdre wouldn't climb back in the cupboard. After years of compromising and no communication, she may realise that her 'rock' was actually weighing her down. Now she can live the life she wants without Ken's silent disapproval. How quickly a character can turn around given the right treatment. Well done, SB.
I agree completely - I worried she would suffer in Ken's absence but it's as if she has come into her own. She's become very funny again and it's good to see her standing up to Tracy for a change.
Much like the Deirdre of old! She just needs a proper storyline of her own now
just wait till Liz McDonald returns - her and Deirdre will be on fire!
She was magnificent! Goes to support what I'm always saying - don't write off a character as 'out of steam' or 'come to the end of their road'; all they need is the scripts. I suspect some of that scene with Peter and Trob was originally destined for Ken, but, as with Brian the other day, Ken's absence really seems to be benefiting other characters.
Totally agree with Nora about the prospect of Liz's return. If Tracy can move into the old flat above the bitchers (I assume that will be the pawn shop?) we can watch Dierdre and Liz grow old disgracefully together.
Ooops! Sorry about the typeo in my post above. That was genuinely meant to read 'flat above the butchers', I swear!
Considering it's Tracy we're talking about, "bitchers" is more appropriate ;)
Abso-bloomin'-lutely! Deirdre has had some marvellous scenes in the past few weeks and I love how Anne Kirkbride makes every line count - her delivery is brilliant. Every scene with her in it last night was a joy. She's like a younger Sylvia!
I'm so glad Deirdre has got her sense of humour back.
May I say that I certainly hope that William Roache is cleared of all of the charges having said that watching here in Canada I'm not missing him at all. I'm loving that Deidre is really starting to shine!
I tuned into the 8.30pm episode for the first time in ages and found Corrie much improved. The "Switzerland in glasses" comment made me laugh and I can't remember the last time I found anything in Corrie funny.
If the programme is going to focus on great characters like Deidre, wonderful writing and small stories like last night then there is a serious danger that I might start watching it again. Maybe the Collinson wilderness years are finally over? Hoorah!
Completely agree. Deirdre is brilliant!
Even though she came out with hilarious one liners like 'Switzerland in glasses' - I don't know about anyone else but I for one found her scene with Carla quite touching. I thought there was a lovely moment when Deirdre told Carla that she was 'part of the family now' - you could see that Carla wasn't expecting it and she didn't quite know how to react. Both actresses were excellent in that scene and I really hope they interact with each other more.
I'm so glad Deirdre is getting a chance to shine without Ken.
I have to say Deirdre was never one of my favourite characters but since Ken has gone (hopefully for good) she really has come into her own.
The telecommunication scene last night was so funny as the Switzerland comment. The writing is getting better and better for her and I'm now anticipating her scenes. I love her!
I must say, I do think this would've happened with Ken around as from his interview it is clear Blackburn really understands the long term characters.
Finally..hopefully we see the end of dishrag Dreary..she has cojones..tossing Tracy and Rob out..good on ya. I really love what the writers are doing with her sans Ken..she's not whimpering and fawning all over Tracy.
Ken who??
Deirdre has been absolutely crackin' of late. So glad that TPTB have given her more than "Oh Tracy, love."
I have always loved sexy specs. Its true that she shines without ken but if and when will roache returns, and I really hope he does, she can still be just as goos as can you imagine ken rolling his eyes as she cpmes out wit lines like last night?!- Micky
It has been great to see Deirdre come into her own personality and comedy. I don't care about William Roache in the least but I genuinely hope that Ken will suddenly die and never grace the screen again. The other characters really do seem to benefit from his absence.
Hmmm. "Shining up her jelly mould" sounds like a new sexual euphemism.
Flaming Nora - agree that Diedre and Liz will be on fire when she returns - can hardly wait! If Ken does reappear, hopefuly the writers can get him involved with Dennis/Rita/Sylvia/Audrey instead of having him sitting reading a book, grunting out replies to Diedre.
Deirdre is wonderful and has been great without Ken. Will be brilliant seeing her as a single woman and being the head of the Barlow family and hopefully she finally puts Tracy out. Makes such a change than old Ken always rolling his eyes and looking down on her and acting like he is fed up wit her. I doubt Ken could survive on his own without Deirdre.
These last few episodes have made me REALLY realize how oppressive and priggish Ken could be, fancying himself the intellect of the street, condescending to Deirdre, etc. I hope we will be keeping Brian too; I think he works really well as the 'educated but somewhat daft' man and he brings a wonderful whimsy to it which fits in well with the revitalized street. Ken always seemed to be squinting and shaking his head at people.
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