Coronation Street double episode review, Monday 12 August 2013

Baby Jake's Welcome to the World party in The Rovers tonight, was always going to be very difficult for Tina, and the vast majority will appreciate and understand that.

Most surrogate mothers would not be serving drinks to the very people she had handed the baby over to, so there is much sympathy for Tina who is present at baby Jake's party. That said, it's impossible not to feel some sympathy for Tommy, who is doing his best to show Tina he cares and for Rita, who rightly points out that Tina is her own worst enemy and can be pig-headed at times.There is, of course, a qualification to be made here on the compassion front and that is Tracy's presence in The Rovers. Tracy is not keen on any young, attractive woman, particularly one who can give her a run for her money. Tracy tries to take advantage of the party and grab a glass of free wine, but Tina swiftly points out that the wine is only for invited guests.

Perhaps by way of reprisal, Tracy takes it upon herself to do her very best to humiliate Tina in front of the whole pub, by saying that she doesn't know why they've brought the baby into the pub, pointing out that Tina might try to snatch the baby. Deirdre tells Tina and others to ignore Tracy, and with a degree of feeling states clearly that Tracy 'is really not worth it' and as viewers we can only agree.

Tracy keeps going, this time clearly stating that Tina only did it for the money. Deirdre again has no defence for her daughter, quite the opposite in  fact. 'No, ' she states, you just tried to sell your own child.' How the nation cheered though when Tina threw the drink over Tracy. Yes!!! When Tracy informs Gloria and Eva that Tina has thrown a drink all over her, and demands to know what they will do about it, Eva laughs and suggests, 'Give her a bonus?'

Tracy tells her mother that she, Deirdre looks like a 'bulldog chewing a wasp', and informs her that she would have more fun shaving her legs at home. Rita tells Tracy that she is a nasty piece of work and Deirdre tells her own daughter that she makes her feel ashamed. Tracy tells Rita that Tina sold her baby and that Rita should get real. Presaging future events, Rita tells Tracy that she's never agreed with violence, but for Tracy she would make an exception.

As Tina knocks back the vodka, she shows she's not one to be messed with and sees off with great courage (Dutch or otherwise) the three would-be attackers, who, when Rita goes looking for Tina start to attack Rita. Pretty distressing to see Mrs Tanner at the mercy of these thugs.

Other matters tonight included Brian, who brings some light relief when he comments that all babies, to him, look the same - squashed up.Deirdre again, and this time she offers, 'Like Pekingese without the hair.' Good to see Julie back who has been looking after her mum and says that her mum makes Anne Robinson look like a pussy-cat.

Huge praise to Jane Danson tonight. Her anxiety and grief were superbly acted, thus were wholly believable. Touching too were the words exchanged between her and Gail, who have had, at best, a somewhat difficult relationship. Neither Gail nor Leanne is 'right', but the different approaches to how people deal with anxiety over serious  accidents or illnesses were very credibly presented.

Further praise tonight too for the brilliant trio of Beth, Craig and Kirk. So Beth is anxious about Craig, so much so that she frisks him in the street. She also searches his room, looking for drugs, finds none but the search is not wasted as she discovers, socks, a jar of bus tickets and 10 apple cores. A further discovery is the purpose of a valance. Sinead adds to the humour too by trying to ease her aunt's mind, suggesting that Craig is at a funny age and confessing that she herself had gone through a holy phase and that she wore a tea towel on her head pretending to be a nun. Great writing and acting!

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