As we prepare to contemplate what biscuits to dunk during tonight’s double Corrie, here’s a recap on Wednesday’s.
Furious Steve visits Jim in prison to let him
know he’s aware that he was only being used to get to Liz, but Jim flatly denies
the accusation. Unconvinced, Steve asks him
what he’d know about the truth, having made out that he was going to be behind
bars for years while all the time knowing that wasn’t the case.
He accuses Jim of
attempting to get Liz to pick up where they left of by reeling her in and
gaining her sympathy. Failing that, he’d resort to threats to enable him to carry
on beating up Peter. “We’re all sick of your poison” Steve spits before demonstrating
that two can play that game by informing a prison guard about Jim’s phone. As Jim
is dragged away, his truly menacing side is revealed as he snarls “You must be the lowest form of pond life to
betray your father”. Steve is quick to respond, “You? In an open prison? Look at you, you’re a joke”, and his vicious father swears he'll "have" Steve for this. Great performances by both Charles Lawson and Simon Gregson made
this a powerful scene, and while I hate to see Steve suffer, I welcome the fact
that Simon gets to convey another side to his character.
Liz’s ensures stubborn Tony is in earshot as
she flirts on the phone with Greg from the brewery, and his jealousy is enough
to prompt him to make a reconciliation. I like the
chemistry between this pair, and both can see the funny side when
Michelle reveals that Greg is in fact gay.
Things turn sour however when Liz asks
him to move in, provided Michelle doesn’t mind, and completely ignores Steve who
has to cough to remind them of his presence. We’ve all despaired at Steve’s ongoing
treatment at the hands of his loved ones, and he finally tells them what they've long needed to hear; “You treat me like a joke half the time, pestering me, talking
behind me back.” He asks if they know what it feels like to dob their own
father in, and notes Jim will probably get an extended sentence as a result. Michelle
reminds him that she asked if he wanted to talk and he said no, but Steve sees confiding in her as futile. “What’s the point when everything I say and do is wrong?” he
asks, “I mean it’s obvious you think I’m some kind of waste of space. I may
as well not even exist.” All are stunned by these home truths, clearly only finally realising the impact of their behaviour towards him.
The Kabin will undoubtedly have sold out of the
Weathefield Gazette as it appears in several scenes with 'GUILTY' splashed across the front, and Ken despairingly reads aloud from it. After returning from the prison, he delivers a truth
bomb to Tracy and Rob; while they have Peter's blessing to go ahead with the
wedding, he needs
to sell Barlow’s Buys to raise the money for an appeal.
Roy still fears being alone and is delighted to
be invited to dinner with Fiz, Tyrone, Chesney and Sinead, bringing the ham
they love so much. He also happily agrees to cater for Beth and Kirk’s wedding as his gift to them. Fiz calls
him a “national treasure”, and despite his troubles at the moment, he continues to
be a ray of sunshine courtesy of his good heart.
The happy gathering is
interrupted however as Cilla’s strident knock assails the door and she barges
in, overnight bag in tow, fresh from Wolverhampton .
She claims her reason for visiting is to see her children and grandchildren and
the cast on her arm is the result of a bang.
You could cut the atmosphere with
a knife as she dishes out questions, and faces are disbelieving at her comments on the importance of good parenting and family life. While it appears business as usual at the outset, a softening of her character can nevertheless be observed as she is respectful in her condolences to Roy at the news of Hayley’s death. Fiz is naturally cynical about her reasons for
returning however, declaring, “there’ll be something, don’t you worry”.
Driving confidence restored, Audrey continues to wax lyrical about Luke. Kylie is notably distracted and
brings her drugs to the salon, flipping out when Liam takes a snoop in her bag.
Maria demands an apology which results in an argument concerning
child discipline. Audrey demands both take themselves home and come back in a better mood.
Agitated Yasmeen irritates all and sundry about
the opening of the community centre but at least Roy
Finally, a mention for two blasts from the past courtesy of Liz who notes “We haven’t
sold bottled mild since Annie Walker’s day,” and David who recalls Audrey having worked for Archie Shuttleworth. It appears the powers that be have been listening to calls for more connections with the past. While David's memory was a logical one however, I was a bit perturbed by Liz's remark considering she didn't appear in the show until 6 years after Annie's departure. But perhaps there are connections between the two of which my learned Corrie historians may be aware that might explain why Liz was able to make this observation.
By Emma Hynes
Twitter: @ELHynes
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7 comments:
I too noticed the reference to Annie Walker. The only explanation I can find is that it was on the Rovers stock book what spirits they kept in Mrs Walker's day. Another possibility is probably that Liz heard it from Bet or Betty once upon a time. Who knows?
Annie Walker is folklore as far as the Rovers is concerned. As well as Bet and Betty, the old regulars will have talked about Annie to such an extent that Liz may feel she knew her personally. I've worked in many offices where an employee long since retired is still talked about and their catch-phrases, for example, still used.
Liz would have heard the legends about Annie Walker over the years. In her first stint working in the pub, Bet Gilroy and later, Vera Duckworth both kept the photo of AW in the back room. Yes, Betty would have talked about her as well.
Did you catch David talking about ARchie Shuttleworth as well?
I really liked the scene between Jim and Steve even though it was tough watching how hard it was on Steve. Excellent acting and chemistry.
Is that the last we've seen of Jim do you think? The idea of him going to an open prison perhaps leaves the door open for a more permanent return?
Steve didn't want anything to do with his dad in the first place. So why such hurt and disappointment when he surmises that his dad is up to his old tricks of emotional blackmail, lying --- the usual cowardly tricks he's been playing for years and years? I found this part too contrived, designed by the writers to fuel even more of Steve's emotional downward spiral when really none was needed. The only bright spot was the re-introduction of a character I loved very much, the one and only Cilla!
I actually clapped for Simon G after Wednesday's episode. No gurns, no pranks, just raw emotion. And a lotta spine.
Many comedic actors are also fantastic drama performers. In the 'biz', they will tell you that drama is easy. It is comedy that is actually difficult.
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