When the idea was mooted that Sally might stand for a council seat, there was a sudden flash of recognition in Sally’s eyes. This is what she is born for – this is her raison d’etre – this is her true calling. No one can claim that Sally lets the grass grow. No sooner has she made a decision than she is talking policies and relishing her role as a potential Weatherfield Councillor on an Independent ticket.
So how suited is Sally to the role? A councillor needs to be hard working, ambitious and energetic. Sally has all of those three attributes. A councillor also needs to be able to build up a rapport with the people he/she represents. It is this aspect of Sally’s character that might be off centre.
In Monday’s episodes she was initially suggesting that Weatherfield residents should be under contract to keep their gardens tidy, then a little later was putting forward the idea that hanging baskets should be made compulsory. Clearly, Sally wants people to take a pride in their area, but is not hitting the right note for persuading people to her view. She needs these people on her side, so should avoid annoying them. Unfortunately, her nannying approach may turn people against her – the very people whose votes she needs.
She also approached Steph and Andy who were enjoying a quiet drink in The Rovers, talked politics at them and had the audacity to ask them if they planned to have children. Steph reflected that she had come for a relaxing drink, not an edition of Question Time.
For viewers, these suggestions make for great comedy, but if Sally wants to be taken seriously as a councillor, then she needs to think about more pressing needs concerning hospitals, schools, potholes, waste disposal and all the other local issues that matter to people.
Ken, after initially agreeing to be Sally’s campaign manager has now backed out which is good for viewers because the comedy potential of Norris now having gained that poisoned chalice, will be far greater. They are bound not to get on, both having huge egos and less than reasonable personality traits. Sally chose Norris over Mary, viewers will remember. Neither Norris nor Mary seemed particularly suitable, but had Sally chosen Mary it might have helped Mary distract herself from thoughts of Brendan.
As Mary and Norris waited in Sally’s house for her decision as to which of them Sally would choose, Tim was wanting his house back and for it all to be over. Massively exaggerating her own importance Sally told Tim that she had to make them wait, make then sweat a bit.
Should Sally succeed in her ambitions to take up a role in political life, it will be interesting to see how it might affect her work in the factory. Will she have to be demoted or work part time? Council meetings are frequent and often long so it will be hard to see the Connors tolerating too many away days. That said, the machinists might be relieved to have less of her.
And how will it affect Tim? Will he be resentful that Sally is breaking out of her conventional wifely role? More household tasks for him? Might he be full of pride that his wife has secured a seat on the council?
Whatever the outcome, these three things are a must :-
1.More screen time for Sally
2.More screen time for Tim
3. More screen time for Sally and Tim
Ruth Owen, twitter @Ruth1722
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13 comments:
It was a stroke of brilliance, this storyline. I think Sally would have the right personality to be a councillor but she just doesn't quite get the political issue aspect. Hanging baskets really don't matter to most people as you say. She's a bit at sea, not really knowing what she's doing, floundering to find out what being a politician really means and it's very funny watching her do it. She changes her mind on an issue depending on who she's talking to, hoping to win their vote and that's not going to work, is it? :) If she managed to get elected, I do think she'd probably make a mess of it but if she did persist and put the hard work in to learning the job, she'd probably be good at it. She's certainly got organizational qualities and the tenacity to stick with it. She even has good ideas (the night bus, something Manchester could probably use, except the transit systems are all privatized so it would be an uphill battle).
I won't call her "thick" because she's not, but this is outside her realm of experience. I still maintain that if Deirdre could do it and Audrey could do it, Sally could, as well. Both of those women were a bit flighty and were inexperienced when they were elected, too. Audrey was probably more in it for the perks and status than Deirdre but Audrey didn't seem to do a bad job of it in the end.
I agree wholeheartedly with number 3 above, and I do like Sally very much but I think they could push the snootiness thing too far and overdo it, then it becomes less funny. I guess she will win the election.
In fact I agree with 2, possibly more so. Tim has some brilliant lines.
Were she serious about tackling real issues she ought to run on a zero tolerance of crime platform. That street is a regular crime hub. She should aim to do something about the shortage of contraceptives in Weatherfield also.
I find a little bit of Sally goes a long way. She can be very cruel and insensitive for example the way she has been treating Jenny in the Canadian time line.
I agree with Anon 17:56 Sally should tackle crime starting with getting rid of Tracy Barlow - second concentrate of contraceptives and the women of Corrie having babies on the street, not in the hospital.
Crime and Contraception should be Sally's slogan, not Whistling the People's Tune. If the writers were clever, they'd have thought of that one awhile back. However, since Sally seems to be staggering into her platform, there is still time for this humour to take hold. Sally could spend a whole afternoon of the Council's time just rattling off all the crime and surprise pregnancies! Goodness knows she could also shove Sophie at everyone in the hopes of gaining the gay vote... and as an example of the tragic undereducation and underemployment of youth!
Sally should investigate the emergency services and why are they always stuck on the ring road when there's an emergency. Women in labour, pubs on fire, flats on fire, tram crashes...
Although Sally for councillor has great comedy potential, it would be a shame if Sally D couldn't show her talent for drama, as well. I hope she stumbles across a situation which she genuinely feels passionate about. Could be anything: poor housing, lack of play facilities, care for the elderly. This might not be too far from the truth in real life politics. Councillors get elected on a 'can't be any worse than the other lot' ticket and end up being pretty good.
Although Sally for councillor has great comedy potential, it would be a shame if Sally D couldn't show her talent for drama, as well. I hope she stumbles across a situation which she genuinely feels passionate about. Could be anything: poor housing, lack of play facilities, care for the elderly. This might not be too far from the truth in real life politics. Councillors get elected on a 'can't be any worse than the other lot' ticket and sometimes end up being pretty good.
It's been a fun storyline but would be better if we had a good competitor for Sally, ideally someone she annoys with her campaigning and decides they could do a better job.
I am enjoying the comedy factor but I hope they don't let her win. It would be far better for her to be defeated.
If I read correctly she is buying into Streetcars....this should cause other opportunities for her to play Lady Muck.
I've a feeling Norris s going to enter the fray and stand against her, after they fall out over the letter about the superstore. That's not a spoiler - just me guessing. Could be great.
I feel she should tackle the dearth of storyliners' ideas on the show (behind the scenes of course ;) )
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