So what happens in circumstances such as these? Have the writers forgotten to explain the reason why Todd returned home? Or have they decided to shelve it and when we have all forgotten about it, a big reveal will come our way. It is frustrating either way, if one of these is the plan, as the viewer may lose interest in the reason for his return, as it was so long ago. If either of these possibilities is the case, then we have lost a moment of great drama. There could have been a conversation between Todd and his mum, maybe with Jason and Sean also partaking, as Sean is like a brother to both Grimshaw boys.
When I interviewed Bruno Langley, who plays Todd, at the old set in 2013, the revelation as to what had brought Todd back home was trumpeted as a great thing to come. Not so much a trumpet then - more a broken penny whistle.
Regarding Todd himself and his role and development in the show, we will all have noticed an improvement. His support and concern for Sarah during her pregnancy has been heart warming, all the more so because there is nothing that he can gain from helping her. His motives appear to be wholly altruistic - a wish to support his ex-girlfriend and to give her strength after the tragedy of their baby Billy's death.
His concern for Bethany has been impressive too, albeit that Gemma's 'see off the bully' technique far outstrips the more gentle methods.
At one time it was hard to believe that there was any good in him at all. Taking a brief look back, he stated an affair with Marcus when Marcus was with Maria. He even admitted to Jason's dad, Tony, that he was using Marcus.
At the building yard Todd cut corners to make the job cheaper, resulting in Tyrone falling through the cheap floorboards and sustaining serious injuries. Todd's family took umbrage but Todd tried to make amends by taking his family out for a meal. They didn't turn up, and Todd blamed them for his assault, that same evening, by a gang of thugs who stole his phone, beat him up and caused a permanent scar on his face.
Todd, out of vindictiveness and revenge decided to ruin his mother Eileen's relationship with Adrian, who Eileen liked. Todd adopted the identity of 'Jeff' online, and 'Jeff' said he would meet Eileen in the Bistro, as well as promising her the earth. Todd relished the moment when he was able to humiliate his mother. 'Oh you stupid old bat,' he said.
In revenge against his brother, Todd was at least partly responsible for the breakup of Jason and Eva, a relationship in which the two of them seemed to be most suited.
Then again, it does bear remembering too, that Todd, on hearing that Jason had been beaten up by Callum Logan, went to the hospital to ask about kidney donation when he believed his brother needed a kidney. In the end, Jason didn't need a kidney, but it does show that like most bad people, he is not ALL bad. An exception here may be Tracy Barlow.
So what now for Todd? Is he really going to carry on working at Preston's Petals with Tracy as his boss? Viewers will remember how well he was doing at school and how Eileen believed that Sarah Platt was holding him back. Both Eileen and Todd had hopes of a university education for him in one of the best institutions in the country.
It may well be that Todd's best work is yet to come. Already suspicious of Phelan's motives regarding Eileen, Todd may be the one to ward his mother off him after witnessing a dodgy Phelan action. It may well cause a row between Todd and Jason and Todd and his mother. But isn't that par for the course?
Todd is worthy of redemption and we are worthy of discovering just what did happen in that there London. Pleeeaaase...
by Ruth Owen. Twitter @ruth1722
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13 comments:
Although Todd did make up Jeff,Eileen ruined her own relstionship with Aidan by going after 'Jeff 'in the first place,believng he was better than Adrian because he was 'rich'.
Since Todd seems to be suspicious of Phelan,I wonder if Eileen will heed her son's warnings?
Yes, as mentioned in the post, Todd may well be the one to save her from Phelan's machinations.
Personally, I don't think they really ever had any back story about Todd in London. And at this point, I think the majority of viewers don't really care. It's too late to work up empathy for him. However,I am glad they toned him down.
I didn't like what they did with Todd, I hope now they've toned him down he will meet someone nice and become a better person again. I'm so fed up with all the nasty characters now.
I have to agree with Zagg and Ancient Corrier. Who cares what turned Todd into Toad? If he's irredeemable, get rid of him. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's tired of so many grotty characters in Corra at the same time. Bring back the joy!
I invented my own back story in which Todd found his father in London but was rejected by him. The writers didn't go that route which would have given Todd a bit more depth. Now, as Zagg say, nobody really cares anymore. I wonder if he will be affected by the Tracy/Carla storyline. If the florist shop shuts, then Todd will be without a job.
I take all your points about no longer caring what happened to Todd. However, at the old set where I interviewed Bruno Langley, it was strongly hinted at that we would find out.
Also, I don't really like incomplete story lines. For me it ruins the suspension of disbelief. Thank you anyway for your comments.
Humpty excellent suggestion for a back story! I am growing quite fond of the new Todd. I really wish he would find someone to love.
Where is Todd supposed to be living these days? He moved out after the internet dating fiasco but where to? Eileen commented that her son who no longer lives at home uses her washing machine, where is his home?- Micky
I was wondering the same thing-if Todd moved out then, where is he living?
My guess is he contracted HIV. Small town boy moves to the big city and goes crazy with freedom. Having fled the shackles of convention in Weatherfield, he experiments and makes one terrible mistake. Comes home without having resolved all his anger issues around making himself sick, starts blaming others for his misfortune. I have long said that in this soap the only consequence of unprotected sex seems to be a pregnancy scare. Well here in the real world in 2016 it also includes catching HIV. He is keeping it a secret because of the stigma and the weight of that is warping his personality. I can stand watching him in a way I can't stand watching Tracy because I think Bruno is very easy on the eye.
However, with his stint in the hospital that would have been discovered. Could have been a good storyline though.
I agree with Ruth Owen above: I DO want to know what turned Todd from a nice somewhat sensitive boy to a complete rotter. Corrie should know by now that fans have long memories!
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