A wry David Platt is always a pleasure as he gives Michael a
good dead pan ribbing over his enthusiasm at becoming a Grandfather. Michael is
perhaps being a tad previous shopping for baby clothes, and when Steph and Gavin (AKA Andy) confess that there is no baby, he really is a sorry sight in his ‘World’s
Best Grandad’ t-shirt.
News that Kylie has used her bank card in Freshco’s prompts David
to approach the store who naturally won’t permit him access to the CCTV
footage. He contacts a missing persons charity for assistance which is strange considering
he reported her missing to the police who would surely be well placed to help. As
he asks Michael why Kylie has abandoned them, I find myself answering through the
medium of television for the umpteenth time, “because you sent her packing, and
it was non-negotiable.” In an effort to convince Kylie to come home, himself,
Eva and Max all leave voicemails for her.
There isn’t enough work at the Community Centre for
Mary frustratingly continues to reject him despite his remorse and efforts at making amends. “There’s no rift that can’t be
repaired over time” she reckons, but why should he wait around for her to decide when that's to be? He’s worth far more than that, and she's a fool not to recognise or appreciate this. It’s moving, and a tad exasperating, to hear him reply, “to lose your
friendship would be unthinkable”, and it makes me even angrier at her.
The suffering continues in the aftermath of the bus crash
with many trying to come to terms with what happened. All appear as obsessed with what page two of the Gazette has to say as the crash itself. As Sinead prepares for an
emergency back operation, she could do without Beth standing over her declaring she hopes the surgeon doesn’t lose concentration. After a tense few hours, Sinead emerges
and they’re told that while it went really well, it’s still too early to say if
it has been a success, leaving her worried that she may never walk again.
Despite being oblivious to the crash at the time, Gary’s
observation that Tracy’s polka dot blouse is fitting of the Tour de France’s
King of the Mountain isn’t far off the mark in either style or substance, as she is celebrated as a hero by
all. Privileges include ordering her breakfast from Ken on the house phone from
her bed, and being visited by a humble Carla.
Sean has walked away from the crash with cuts and bruises,
but is nevertheless swathed in self pity as he cries into Eileen’s blouse that
nobody wants him. She secretly puts Billy wide to the crash and this results in
a visit during which he reveals that he has been kidding himself about how he
feels about Sean, and suggests a proper date.
Gary and Jason know nothing of the crash after spending the
whole night out together. As Zeedan berates Gary for turning up at Alya’s bedside 10 hours too late, and
Eva asks Jason where they were, I’m left wondering if this pair have phones. As
Alya arrives home, Zeedan orders Gary
to finish it and stay away from her.
Poor Steve is in everyone’s bad books except for Michelle, for
once. As she rightly blames herself for treating him badly and missing all the signals,
Carla’s pity is non-existent as she spits, “Tracy
flamin’ Barlow had to save my life,” and Eileen goes a step further by laying
into the man himself at the bar. Meanwhile Steve has been to the doctor and has been
prescribed tablets and counselling. Michelle offers her support and assures him
“I’m here for the long haul” as they get back together. Hopefully this will be the end of her dreadful treatment of him. Eileen also sympathises with Steve once the truth is revealed.
There is a lovely scene with Steve and Roy on Maxine’s bench
as they declare themselves public enemies number one and two. “Well aren’t we a
pair” sighs Steve as Roy
observes that the best way to cope is to find a way to make amends. One of the
wonderful things about Roy
is that there isn’t a situation from which he doesn’t learn something. The conversation prompts him to call up to Gary and
offer him a job in the café, pointing out that there’s something in it for both of
them.
There was some lovely writing from Simon Crowther and Mark Wadlow in this pair of enjoyable episodes, and while the subject matter was heavy for the most part, they proved that the appropriate amount of light relief can work wonders in lifting the mood.
By Emma Hynes
All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
20 comments:
What strikes me with Mary's rejection of Roy is that it shows a kindred spirit. She is just as hard on him as he is on himself.
Although,I'm no fan of Gary's I did think Zeedan was out of line.They both had separate for the evening.What was Gary supposed to do,stay home in case 'Princess'Alya needed him at beck and call?I don't remember seeing Alya at his beside immediately following the incident with Roy,she visited him the next day.
As for Michelle,it's about time she takes responibility for Steve's illness!
Zeedan huffing and puffing, he is the biggest waste of space on the street right now. Not much of a job, no friends, no prospects and a lousy attitude. It isn't as if he has any success to prop himself upon. Time to leave for a stint in the Army, Z. Wish Kal would force that issue.
Interesting that she conveniently forgets that she abducted Norris and kept him prisoner a few years ago but yet has the nerve to treat Roy as if he is a serial killer or some such.
I want Mary to sort things out with Roy so they can both work on the culinary classes together; it will give them both something productive and platonic to do... not to mention providing some comedic relief.
Not impressed with the way Mary's character is going right now..very ugly and spiteful. Time to turn her around or move her out, one or the other.
Mary's behaviour is making me very uncomfortable of late. She really is not a very nice person and is she still living in the camper van? In reality the Council would have moved it on years ago.
And what a buffoon they are turning Michael Rodwell into! buying baby gro’s and World’s Best Grandad tshirts when his “son’s” girflfend of 5 minutes says she is expecting, Then when it’s a false alarm collapsing in a heap in the chair with yet another woebegone face. He is turning nto a ridiculous old fool which is a shame as he was such a promising character at the beginning.
Michael is becoming a really weird character.I get that he was worried he may not have been around when the baby was born, but buying a t-shirt made him look ridiculous. Gail was equally dim by joining in with the congratulations.
What Roy needs is a really good male friend. Atm, he only has women friends who are 'caring' for him and there's few of them right now. It would be nice to see him go off,for example,to a railway convention with a pal. The writers could redeem Norris by giving him that role. It would be good for Roy to make real friends, apart from the woman we already know about, through the allotment - maybe Sharif.
Humpty what a fabulous idea for Roy. Shariff I think would be a fine friend for Roy. I would love to see that storyline.
As for anonymous's comment above about Mary and Roy and a platonic joining for the cookery classes...
Why is Mary not allowed to find love? Why is Roy destined to be alone for the rest of his life? Roy and Haley have had their day but the actress chose to leave permanantly. If this were real life...would we want Roy to be forever alone tied to a ghost? I am frustrated that someone like Mary who has so much love to give is relegated to a side kick never find love kind of character. I think she is long overdue. And to be honest I do not see anyone but Roy appreciating her as she should be.
Am I alone in this thinking?
Sharif cannot be a friend to Roy because of their religious beliefs or lack there of in Roy's case.
Newly Pearl,I also like the idea of the two lonely souls,Mary and Roy becoming a couple but alas there will be those like Fiz for example who may not approve of Mary taking Hayley's place in Roy's life.
Anonymous,I think regardless of their differing beliefs,Sharif and Roy can be good friends.They're both genuine intelligent characters who may have a lot in common.
The idea of Mary getting her hooks into Roy doesn't sit well with me. I think she can be a good friend to him (when she isn't being spiteful or possessive) and agree that she ought to find love, perhaps with someone as quirky as she is. It does seem like some characters (Steve, Sally, Leanne, Fiz, etc.) are allowed to have stable relationships (at least for a while, in Steve's case) while others such as Eileen, Lloyd and Mary are destined either for disaster or not even a sniff of romance.
Mary is going to snap and do an Annie Wilkes I think. Just wondering who her victim will be.
Dear god, think of the way Mary is treating Roy right now - why on earth would anyone want him saddled with her as a romantic partner?
Mary is not a nice person. I would like to see Roy eventually find someone new, but I would prefer his new partner to be as kind and generous as he is.
I also agree about this idea of him getting a male friend - Sharif or maybe even an old friend from the past who reconnects and ends up becoming his roommate, making for interesting storylines.
I can't see why religion would stand in the way of Roy and Shariff's friendship Anonymous....afterall it is not in her religion to celebrate Christmas yet Shariff was persuaded to play Santa! lol
Why are people in such a rush to pair Roy up with someone? He just lost the love of his life.
My husband died 7 years ago of liver cancer ... and I don't want anyone else.
Just sayin'.
~JB in Canada
Ken was always a good friend to Roy and they haven't really brought that back into the show since Ken's return, not much anyway. I agree, Mary and Roy should not be a couple. Mary is far too volatile. She says she's loyal but she's too quick to turn on people, even "valued" friends. Roy may indeed be destined to be single. He's the type of person that finds it difficult to connect with someone on an intimate level and has always felt himself to be an outsider as did Hayley.
Oh, and I forgot to add - Mary would be the LAST person I'd want for Roy! She's nuts. Even though I can't stand Norris, I can't forget her kidnapping him a few years back. Who'd want that kind of person for dear Roy???
~JB in Canada
Mary needs to go. She is a horrible character like something out of a 1960's Bette Davis movie or something. I'm just waiting for her to completely snap and hold Julie hostage. Her cloying and ridiculous crush on Dev is sickening, her holier than thou attitude with Roy is disgusting.
No one would want this whackjob around their kids. And no one would want her as a friend. She is a backstabber and not loyal at all.
Dear anonymous (jan 25 16:02):
Since when can 2 people who share differing beliefs not be friends? That is a very closed minded statement that promotes misunderstanding.
Personally I find someone who has different opinions than me MORE interesting and enjoyable to talk to - plus you gain the opportunity to possibly learn something knew.
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