Poor old Eileen Grimshaw. What has happened to her? The vast majority of Corrie fans seem to have gone off our Eileen in recent times.
Yes, she's been saddled with some less than exciting storylines, and yes, she's been saddled with a rather less than exciting on-screen boyfriend, but I think the problem lies deeper than that. I've always loved both the character of Eileen and the actress who plays her. Sue Cleaver has been a part of Coronation Street for thirteen years now and some might already consider her a stalwart. However as far as I am concerned the spark has left her character.
When Eileen first appeared she was strong, opinionated and stood her ground. She also frequently showed great comedic potential, particularly in the wonderful cab office scenes with Steve and Lloyd. However men have always been her downfall. I guess the truth is I've never really liked Eileen when she's been involved with someone long term. It's just not quite the same.
The Eileen Grimshaw I love is the battling single mum, standing up for her boys and supporting her friends. Some people have said the character should be scrapped, but I think that is far too drastic. Eileen is one of the most human, realistic characters the Street currently has. We all see "Eileen's" every day. And that is what Corrie is all about.
I think Eileen's grit and spirit need to return. We all know Jason is going to become embroiled in Karl's dodgy dealings again, so wouldn't it be nice to see Eileen supporting her son and standing up to Karl? Hopefully Todd's imminent return to Weatherfield will also put a smile back on his mother's face too. And with Brian Packham set to leave Corrie in the coming months, wouldn't it be good to see Eileen being the supportive, caring half-sister Julie really needs?
So those are my suggestions for Eileen, moving forward. What are yours?
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25 comments:
To be honest, I’m more upset about Brian leaving than Eileen’s personality. Such a good comic character, a shame he’s decided to leave.
Julie & Eileen living together would be a hoot!
I cannot stand this character anymore. I used to like her especially when she was giving Gail a right telling off. If it were up to me, they'd get the idea of her 'needing' a man in her life. She can be just fine on her own. But the constant sappy face and whining and snappy snarky comebacks have got to go. She was coming around at one point, looked proper smashing with a new wardrobe etc, but now is just a lump of misery. Maybe she has bi-polar disorder that hasn't been diagnosed. Maybe she'll brighten up when Todd returns. Hoping anyway
Eileen lost a lot of sympathy when she started her relationship with Paul while Lesley was still alive. There was no discretion and they were all living under the same roof. The writers made a mistake by letting all her friends support her and Jason was the only one who thought it was wrong. It was out of character for Eileen and made her look desperate.
I have always liked Eileen and unfortunately the writers have not given her a better role. She can be very funny and with all the drama that seems to be constant now on the street, we really need some relief and Eileen is the person. Get rid of her poor choices of men for one thing. Either find a great guy for her or forget it completely. Maybe CS needs some new writers - writers that can put English life back into the Street and stop trying to cater to the American taste.
I enjoy Sue Cleaver's portrayal of Eileen. However, the character has lost some her feistiness. I think she should become a Granny with either Todd or Jason embroiled in an ugly custody situation. That should spice things up, maybe demonstrate how Dads can make good stable single parents (unlike Peter or Ken Barlow, Mike Baldwin, et al). A relateable storyline for many, and a good vehicle for "Eileen" and her mama bear personality.
Cheers!
I've always loved Eileen, but whole Paul and Lesley thing felt very wrong. I'm looking forward to Tod's return and I'm hoping we'll see the old Eileen back on form. Sad that Brian is leaving, I think Eileen and Julie are brilliant together, so I'd like to see more of these two together.
I love Eileen, and thought that Dennis was the love of her life. Too bad he met his end.
She is one of the best comedic characters on the street and the writers need to recognize that.
Bev
I agree, Eileen and Dennis were great together!
I love Eileen. Time to get her back on track.
What about the best comedy writers cultivating an Eileen, Deirdre and Liz trio a la Ena, Minnie and Martha
Eileen needs someone exactly like Dennis and too bad he was killed instead of Les. Agree that the Alzheimer storyline was a detriment to her character and it only went downhill from there. Eileen is worth saving.
I think Eileen and Llyod need to fall in love :)
I agree that Eileen and Lloyd should get together; he's such a good man and could help bring her personality back from the brink! It would also be nice to see Eileen and Julie living together and have Jason (another good man) get together with Maria while Marcus falls for Todd (and the two of them take over headquarters at Eileen's place, causing Sean no end of grief).
All the comment just above sounds right on!!
Hope Todd is not boring on return.
I started watching the show when Eileen and Dennis were together and I loved that Eileen. I also loved the Eileen when Todd and Sarah were going through all their stuff.
I think the character of Paul has really pulled her down. With Paul and Mandy leaving, maybe Eileen and Lloyd could become an interesting couple. I also think it would be nice for Eileen's home to stop becoming the place for everyone to go when they need somewhere. I think it's time Sean heads out on his own.
They need to remember the family tie between her and Dennis Tanner.
Eh? What family tie between her and Dennis Tanner??
Have to disagree with practically everyone, I know I'm in a minority but I have never liked Eileen, ever.
I think the character is pointless and is played by what I shall generously call a poor actress.
They are apparently distantly related as Elsie was originally a Grimshaw...I think it was Julie who discovered that
I'm not sure Lloyd and Eileen would be any less weird than Lloyd and Liz. I don't think she needs a man at the moment
She drowns any man she is ever with, totally emasculates them!
The writers seem to have given Eileen the same affliction that has befallen several other women "of a certain age" on the program. Deirdre was the most extreme example when she was conned by Jon Lindsay and became the "Weatherfield One". She said at the time that she was alarmed that she had become so needy and desperate that she allowed herself to be so gullible. Since then the same could be said of Audrey and Rita with Lewis Archer, to some extent Sunita with Karl, Eileen with Paul (and others?) and now Sally with Tim. It's as though the writers can't manage to give the older women a love life without it being somehow pathetic and demeaning. This is offensive to me, and, I suspect, to many other female viewers.
p.s. Gail's in a category all her own where men and desperation are concerned!
Anonymous, you do have a point - there is a clear pattern there!
That's so true, the 'strong northern woman' becomes a whimpering wreck where men are concerned, I don't think it's necessary.
How do make up get eikeen to look so old for her age
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