Sophie Webster turns 21 today and as of tonight's episode, owns a share of the garage. Let's forget for the moment, the complexities of who owns what of the business. Sophie has been lingering behind the counter of the corner shop for years now and many fans have continually bemoaned the fact that she's lost any ambition. She was a bright little spark in school and was in college when it all fell apart. The aftermath of the tram crash had its effects on her life and she definitely seemed to be experiencing post-traumatic stress.
To remind you: Her mother had just recently recovered from breast cancer. The aftermath of the tram crash revealed that her father had an affair with Molly Dobbs and fathered a child with her, a child his best friend and business partner thought was his. When Sally found out, the marriage collapsed. The media tends to use the word "reeling" to the point of it being meaningless most of the time, but in this case, Sophie really was reeling in the aftermath and found it difficult to focus on school. Her girlfriend at the time, Sian, became impatient after a while and Sophie soon left school altogether, to work in the corner shop.
Since then, she's been coasting. We fans have been frustrated that she never went back to school or done something more with her life like travel. I think she tends to be snappish, rude or "mardy" because she's probably not really that happy but now, as a part business owner, maybe this will be the making of Sophie Webster. I think it could be. She'll have those men whipped into shape in no time and have that garage running smoothly and efficiently. At the risk of sounding cliched... Go, girl!
It strikes me that she and her father are very alike, which is probably why they are close. She and her brother have affection but also have that sibling rivalry, a little sister always taking digs at her big brother, knowing exactly how to wind him up. I think she'd defend him fiercely if the situation called for it.
I'm looking forward to meeting Caz, her fiancee and seeing how that relationship dynamic works. Since Sophie is gay as well, the chances are that the Powers That Be are going to throw a romantic triangle in there somehow. Caz is in the military and is away a lot so perhaps that's the sticking point in that couple and Kate will find herself lonely and looking for company. While it does sound like a typical soap cliche, I think there might be potential in a Sophie-Kate partnership.
What I don't like about soaps is that these things are often thrown together. If this is going to happen, I'd like it to develop slowly. Kate is a few years older than Sophie but not a lot, like Jenna was. I think the two of them could be really good friends and I would like to see it start there and not turn into a romance for awhile. A much longer while than soaps usually play things. I'll probably be disappointed in that wish.
But you know, putting them together just might work anyway. Maybe Kate can give Sophie her sense of humour back. They're young and Kate, at least, clearly knows how to have fun and Sophie has needed that for a very long time. I don't think Sophie and Maddie had that. They always seemed so serious and earnest. It felt like Sophie always took care of Maddie who was younger and vulnerable after a rough upbringing. They were a sweet couple but I think Sophie and Kate could be really good together, as grownups, on a more equal footing. Probably the first relationship of that type since Sophie was with her best mate, Sian.
Right, then. It's very early days and this new relationship may or may not come to pass but at this point, this is me coming out in support of it, if it happens. Sophie has been floundering and I think her time has come. I think I could learn to like Sophie a lot and I already like Kate.
Bring it on.
Tvor (Twitter @tvordlj)
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8 comments:
I think I might like Kate more if she weren't at the Connor-laden factory. Zero business experience yet suddenly she's at the meetings and crowding the office? If Carla were around, no, never. Barmaid at the Rovers, corner shop clerk, anything where she could be something other than Daddy's 20+ little girl would be better.
I want to like Sophie and hope the switch to the garage is the making of her. She shoulda been the one to go on to a profession but if Kev can make something of her, I'll take it.
Great post!
I can't help wondering if Sally is partly to blame for Sophie's lack of ambition? It can't be easy when your parents are only interested in investing in your sister's future. Sally only really pushed Rosie, and Sophie was ignored most of the time.
I remember really liking Sophie when she was Chesney's best friend but it's kind of gone downhill since the Sian stuff. They had a nice friendship and were also believable as young lovers but Sophie then became bitter and lost the spark she had when she was younger. I can't say I've found her enjoyable to watch over the last few years.
I'm not against her getting together with Kate but like you said, let them build-up a friendship first (that's partly why Sophie and Sian's relationship was well received).
I really like Kate so far too so I hope she doesn't end up going the same way as Alya - who I think also started off as a very likeable character but then became very annoying.
I think Part of the problem with Sophie is that she is one of the characters who is unevenly written (Sean would be another) and it seems to stem from different writers having a different take on the character. We remember that sparky little girl who used to pretend to talk like a Jane Austen character; we all know the snarling, bitter Sophie of more recent times, taking against some people for no logical reason and not showing an ounce of Chrustian charity. But we've also seen another Sophie in her dealings with Faye and her pregnancy, in which she was kind, sympathetic snd supportive. That was a version I liked. But the unevenness of the portrayal/ writting makes her seem very moody. You never know which version you're going to get. The chance to see her finding her feet running an office and, as suggested above, in a relationship of equals, might just give her the consistency she needs. I admit, I groaned when I read of her forecourt squabble with Kate, but I think you've made a good case for things progressing in that direction, Tvor.
Cobblestone's got a point about the inconsistent writing which hasn't helped the character. You could, if you were being charitable, argue that the personality changes are true to life: a young girl slowly becoming ground down by the realities of life. If the writers went this way, it would be good to hear her tell Kate that she'd hoped for a better life but never had the guts to leave town like her sister. I liked Sophie when she was supporting Faye and hope to see more of her in a 'big sister' role. Maybe this will happen if Kevin and Anna ever get together. As for Kate, not sure yet. It's so easy to like a newcomer and then find the writers don't know what to do with them. Her character needs to do more than go out with Sophie and flap around the factory.
So far (watching in Canada) I find Kate a welcome addition to Corrie. However, having said that she doesn't fit in the factory at all. Her place is behind the bar at the Rovers now that complete waste of space Sarah has given her notice yay!
Kate is pretty, personable and has a lovely smiling nature. Please let the writers put in the Rovers Return and for heaven's sake don't let her near Sophie that will be the end of her!
Sophie's romance stories are always naff. Why can't two lesbians (or more) occupy the same neighbourhood without hooking up? I know it's soap and all but this new character comes with a partner so splitting them up just to give Sophie something to do is pathetic. I hope it never comes to pass.
I couldn't agree more with this article. As soon as I saw they cast Kate (before it was revealed she was gay) I said to myself that I think she would be a good match for Sophie. And I am glad Sophie is living up to her potential finally. Also not sure if anyone else realized but Kate was telling the factory girls she met Caz in a pub and had a fight with her then the first time Kate and Sophie meet they have a fight over the cars, I think that is a good way to connect them. And now they say that Sally and Johnny are going to butt heads at the factory so it might come up that they both have gay daughters and the girls will connect that way. The only think I am "worried" about is the recent announcement that Brooke Vincent is taking time off, I mean Sophie was just getting a juicy story and now Brooke decides to take a break.
I think we'll hardly notice Brooke is gone. She's only taking time out to do a play, very likely just a few weeks or a month maybe.
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