Autumnal changes in the Street?

It feels like it has been a good week for us, the viewer, as far as Corrie is concerned. Emotions have been all over the place as, to begin with, we got used to the ill but determined Hayley. The reactions to her news rang true. People either didn't know what to say or engulfed the poor woman in a fog of irrelevant waffle. Human nature to the fore! The edgy discomfort surrounding these scenes was spot on.

The grand finale of the Karl storyline opens up new possibilities for the rest of the year. We know that ultimately, St Ella will turn her back on the back room. How soon she goes and where she ends up is another matter. The character will be with us for the best part of a year so she and the ever-awful Gloria will need to live somewhere. I've heard Belgium's nice . . . No, seriously, are they going to pitch up in Kevin's house again? Will Stella end up working as a barmaid for Liz (counting down the minutes until she returns . . . he lied)? Ultimately only Eva will still be around by this time next year so teaming her up with Jason seems a good idea. Jason needs to settle down. Like many of the other Corrie blokes of his age, he has the vitality and spark of someone older than Rita. Where's the fun? Lighten up and let's see him and Eva have a few laughs!

How do you solve a problem like Dev? You don't. Dev is Dev is Dev. Nothing is ever going to change that. While ever he is on the Street he is also the face of the Corner Shop, a venue which is now only used for set pieces and showdowns. There is always that nagging feeling that the shop should be run by a middle-aged woman with a penchant for gossip and good service. People are not going to pop in and have a bitching session with a wild-eyed booming fog-horn.

One of the real joys of the week has been the blossoming of Beth Tinker. As I've probably droned on before, there was always the worry that Beth would be a 'Cilla-lite', a one-dimensional gob-on-a-stick character. The last few episodes have shown us the turmoil she faced as Craig's slough of despond deepened. Lisa George and Colson Smith are a convincing mother and son act.

Will Sally rid herself of the feckless Tim? The woman's radar for unsuitable men is quite incredible. Murderous Frank, fey Greg, creepy Ian and even back in the mists of time, the horribly serious Joe (remember that grim holiday in the Lake District?) Even more creepy though is Jenna's sudden interest in Sally. A bottle of wine, a DVD, an afternoon on the sofa. I really hope this isn't going in a certain direction. Brookside did this years ago and it wasn't a popular departure for two leading characters. Don't go there Mr Blackburn.

Maybe Kevin will be back before Christmas. Comments posted during the week would suggest that if he does, he needs to return revitalised and not the same angry, downbeat character who left in the Spring. Here's a great opportunity to hit the re-set button and push Kevin in a new direction. He needs a new woman and preferably not another return to Sally. She will probably have moved on to Chesney or Marcus by then anyway.

Do we feel that the future is looking bright (or orange in the case of Tina)? I feel that it is. With Deirdre in the ascendant and Hayley's bucket list to be ticked off, there's plenty to keep us watching as the winter nights approach.


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