Who knew
that Katie Price’s You Only Live Once
would not only be chosen by Yasmeen for her book club, but serve as a theme for
this double episode in which Kal worries about Zeedan’s future, Eileen toys
with the idea of meeting a fictional online crush, Faye mourns her freedom, and
Liz wonders if Weatherfield holds anything for her anymore. Coronation Street
can surprise us, and the biggest one tonight is that Anna Windass’s
behaviour could become any more deplorable than previously seen.
“I’m 47 years
of age, I’m all on me own; do you know what? I didn’t sign up for this” she moans
at Tim. The reality is that this is exactly what she signed up for when she
sent Owen packing and insisted that her 13 year old daughter keep a baby she was
honest enough to say she didn’t want.
She refuses
to let Faye attend a school trip, but infinitely more understanding Tim offers
to look after Miley so she can go. On finding out, Anna walks out of Roy
While Anna rightly apologises to Roy, from whom
she could learn even a modicum of understanding, she refuses to say sorry to
Faye for what was an unforgiveable performance. Her language is as vile as her
behaviour as she orders Tim to get something irrelevant into his “thick skull,”
and describes how Faye “dropped the sprog” and I honestly didn’t think I could
like her less than I already did.
“Faye
should’ve wanted to be there with Miley at the doctors” she tells Tim, and
again I’m reminded that Faye told all that she didn’t want to keep the baby.
What kind of social worker fails to make a return visit after such an admission
on the part of a child with a parent who clearly has other ideas? Faye demonstrates that she has more sense than her mother when she tells Anna that part of the struggle is her attitude.
If the
display at the school serves any purpose, it at least appeals to
Todd appears
frustrated to learn that Adrian has stayed the
night and ramps up operation Jeff by sending Eileen a message to say he’s
coming to Lancaster Adrian
He’s not
the only one planting seeds in the minds of those who should be happy with what
they have. Tony takes the credit for saving Liz from the assault he set up, and uses it to try
persuade her out of the business. As she dreams of her time in Spain
This certainly
appeals to her as she wonders why she’s staying in Weatherfield. After she has
enjoyed champagne and pampering at Audrey’s, Ken walks into the Rovers to find himself faced
with a Manet in the form of Liz. His comment on her low cut top and ripe oranges was hilarious and
delivered as only Ken can. Technology was certainly being put to use in Weatherfield tonight, and Ken conjures up
the picture of Un bar aux Folies Bergere on his phone to show her. Liz looks at the painting, and it’s
as if she’s faced with her own reflection, noting that the barmaid looks
miserable. At least a bit of culture with Ken has her feeling momentarily
better, but she is left pondering foreign shores which will suit Tony down to the
ground. Will she end up painting herself into a corner?
Kal’s concern for Zeedan isn’t unfounded as he is fired by Tony for having Simon with him on a job and breaking a television. Leanne impresses Kal and Yasmeen by taking matters into her own hands. I’m not normally a fan, but seeing her smash up Barlow’s Buys in lieu of the wages Tony was refusing to pay him was oddly satisfying.
On the whole, Anna Windass's behaviour made this pair of episodes a difficult watch as she was so dominant in both, but in the main I enjoyed the rest of the scenes, and really felt that Ellie Leach in particular shone throughout.
By Emma Hynes
Twitter: @ELHynes
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