Coronation Street double episode review, Monday 18 November

Julie's anxiety is almost tangible tonight, so keen is she to succeed and be accepted as a foster carer. Julie's character has come in for some criticism at times, but we need people like Julie, if only as an antidote to people such as Tracy and Rob. She can be irritating because she's always so intense, but her heart is positioned in precisely the right place. She can be comical too- she plans to change into something 'mumsy' thereby hoping that the social services will look upon her more favorably. She is so keen to do well and impress, saying that she can't understand why Brian was late. 'He's almost O.C.D. about punctuality.'  But Brian! What a let-down! Why was he not more up front with Julie? Well the obvious answer is that he did mot want to upset her, but, as it is easy to say in retrospect, it would have been far more courageous and honest to tell her he wasn't keen on fostering children. And what a sneaky, underhand way to tell the flat inspector of his reticence to foster, under the guise of walking her to her car. I hope there aren't too many headteachers who, like Brian want to strangle their charges.

Marcus's role as Jiminy Cricket, the conscience of Brian, perched on his shoulder, was very interesting. It appeared as if Marcus, the younger man, was playing the father role and Brian the wayward son. Marcus's role as a nurse in addition to his mature, compassionate character, make Marcus someone to whom people turn..

Talking of fathers, just what was Peter up to tonight? Of course Nick should not have shouted at Simon, but he has had a brain injury and it's not as if the inappropriate shouting was an inappropriate beating. So, Peter, what's going on? He took it 'on the chin' when Leanne reminded Peter of his less than perfect parenting, about which he really had no choice, but it just seemed odd to come into the bistro, over a relatively mild offence, knowing that both Nick and Leanne are working.

As already said, Nick was wrong to snap at Simon, but what joy Nick brought to us when he snapped at Gloria. In fairness though, Gloria dealt with it well and advised that Nick didn't speak to the customers like that or else they would all be out of work.

Still on Peter, it is now becoming more and more noticeable that Peter is attracted to Tina. It also seems less and less likely that if the wedding does go ahead, Peter will merely be going through the motions, so as not to disappoint Carla. Carla seems irritated by Peter's drum roll at the beginning of the announcement as to who has won the stitching competition. The dress caused problems too. Inauspicious signs pre- wedding...

Sally has been gaining ground in terms of her popularity quotient just recently,  but oh dear, tonight she blew it and is in the relegation zone. Anyone who sees fit to mock, ridicule or deride anyone who is less intelligent than themselves is the lowest of the low and tonight Sally made an ugly remark about Kirk's intelligence. When the announcement was made as to who had stitched the most knickers, Fiz was very disappointed at coming third. When challenged, Kirk said, 'I never cheat.'  In response to this, Sally said, 'You haven't got the brains for it.' In addition, when Kirk said that his favourite subject at school was counting, Sally asked, 'As well as what? Colouring?'   Just nasty.

So Karl gets 25 years. Justice? It doesn't seem so to Dev, who reminds us that Sunita is still dead.

A greatly executed scene tonight was in the Kabin with Emily, Norris and Mary. Mary is a latecomer to the discussion but as she bursts into the Kabin as Emily and Norris are talking about the electricity bill at Number 3. Emily informs Mary that since Norris has been the bill payer he's become an eco-warrior.Highly amusing in itself, Emily then speaks of how going to the lavatory would become a race against time if Norris has his way and installs a timer. She wonders what would happen if she was plunged into darkness? Mary interjects and says that Emily doesn't need that pressure at her age of nearly ninety, to which Emily objects, despite Mary's disbelief. Somewhat cruelly though, both Norris and Emily turn down Mary's invitation for a meal.

Cooking in her motor home, stones are thrown again. She launches herself into the cafe and asks Anna, 'Do you know where your daughter is?' Mary is vulnerable, afraid and lonely.The sooner that girl Grace is shopped the better. Tonight, Grace even said to Faye that she, 'Could be such a geek sometimes.' Faye is obviously uncomfortable with Grace, but friendships among young people are complicated affairs and the lies about having gone to dance class will come out soon.

Thank goodness for Dev, who, even on a day when he would no doubt have preferred to hide himself away,  kindly accepts Mary's offer of a chicken casserole and what's more, even invites her in to share it. What a guy!  

Follow Coronation Street Blog on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog and Facebook: CoronationStreetBlog


All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License