The first two-hander that Corrie ever did was for the Millennium in January 2000. It featured Curly and Raquel as Sarah Lancashire returned for a one-off appearance in the show. It was heartbreaking, written by John Stevenson, and even just thinking about it now brings a lump to my throat.
And the second two-hander was in 2007. It was set in the kitchen at number one Coronation Street and featured mother and daughter, Deirdre and Tracy Barlow. This is one of my most favourite Corrie episodes, ever, written by Jonathan Harvey. Tracy confessed that she'd killed Charlie Stubbs and even though she knew her daughter was a killer, Deirdre vowed she'd stand by and even lie for Tracy in court. If you haven't seen this episode, I strongly urge you to hunt it down on YouTube, it's fantastic.
I think there's a value to the two-hander and it could be very rewarding for fans. My vote would have to include Rita in a two-hander as she's my favourite female character of all time. I think she'd been good with Norris. But I think she'd be even better with Gemma.
Which two characters do you reckon you'd like to see?
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Sinead and Chesney could reunite and relive the highlights of their riveting relationship...ratings would skyrocket!
ReplyDeleteLOL That made me laugh.
DeleteGail and David - both have the acting capabilities to pull it off and the writing would be superb.
ReplyDeleteTracy and Amy. They were separated for years when Tracy went to jail and since her return Tracy has slowly become a real mother to her. They obviously have grown closer (Amy is angry with Ken on her mother's behalf and Tracy would rather run than see her in trouble for assaulting Ken) but it's been left unsaid.
ReplyDeleteNow that Elle Mulvaney is old enough to carry a long script, a show where they have a heart to heart would be a turning point.
One with Rita and Jenny would be my second choice. Jenny is obviously still troubled but hasn't had a chance for us to know why or empathize. Rita is like a mother to her and is probably the only person who could get her to open up about that and share her life experience to help.
Steve and his father: they've both regularly sabotaged their lives but it's been shown as the result of womanizing or innate aggressiveness. Now that Steve has been diagnosed as having depression I'd like both characters to have a chance to relive their past with more depth and learn from it. Any excuse to see Jim :)
Two come to mind for me with the current storylines.
ReplyDeleteDavid and Shona - It could be Shona telling David who she really is and the fallout between them.
Bethany and Craig - Craig tries reaching out to Bethany to help her as he knows something isn't right with her and she finally confides in him about everything that has happened.
I'd like to see Roy with someone else. Makes me think of a scene he had some time ago with Anna, when he was telling her about a disastrous party his mum organised for him when he was young. As for the other character, maybe Ken? Or, someone who he wouldn't usually mix with - Gemma, Rosie....?!
ReplyDeleteI really think a character needs to earn his or her spurs on the show for this one, so I'd rule out Craig & Bethany as they lack the history to justify it. Ditto Rita with Gemma, but Rita & Jenny strikes me as a potent combination as they have so much history, not all of it good. To sustain interest, a Two-Hander really needs to involve conflict, recrimination, reconciliation &c. Steve & Jim could certainly fill this pattern, as could Todd & Eileen. she still doesn't know, though we and Billy do) what happened to him in London. She must wonder how her blue-eyed boy turned; and there's hardly anything ever said about Todd's father. Todd could certainly tell her a few home truths too.
ReplyDeleteJust out of interest, wasn't the episode where Gail confronted Richard Hillman ("Norman Bates with a briefcase") a two handed? Or was it just so iconic, I'm misremembering?
Thinking about Cobblestone's 'conflict, recrimination and reconciliation', Tracy and many characters she's upset come to mind. In particular, Roy. A two-hander where she tries to explain why she duped Roy into marrying her, telling him Amy was his, the appalling treatment he and his late wife had to endure from her and her begging forgiveness might finally rehabilitate the character.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Louby - Roy +1
ReplyDeleteMaybe it could be a character from his past or someone he meets on one of his fugues outside of Weatherfield, just an encounter that would change Roy's course and bring him back to life.
I vote for David and Gail. There's so much between them that's been left unsaid or only ever hinted at or vaguely referenced - both sides have grievances to air and the characters have been on the show for a long time.
ReplyDeleteIt could come about after Nick leaves, and David finds out who Shona is and realizes that Gail knew and didn't say anything - which is a pattern for her when it comes to David. Gail will be upset that Nick left, and be more likely to say what she truly thinks. It would be great to watch.
David and Gail would be very good. AS others have said, it has to have a history behind it, unfinished business or something that needs closure. David finds out his mother knew who Shona was, which is a good starting point there. Peter and his father finally putting things to rest might be good as well since Peter has never really been able to get past the fact that his father sent him away after his mother died and Ken does regret not being there. It would have to be more than just rehashing all the old baggage, though, they would have to finally forgive each other and themselves and be able to move on. Peter and Leanne might also be another pairing.
ReplyDeleteI miss Curley. He was a great character.
ReplyDeleteSo many good suggestions here! I think Peter and Tracy would be a good one. They have always been at odds and in a strange sort of competition with each other. They both messed up their lives in all sorts of ways. Perhaps a good heart to heart in which one of them confesses something that the viewers aren't aware of?
ReplyDeleteCobblestone - I wasn't aware that we had found out what happened in that London to make Todd so twisted, esp. towards his mother. Could someone let me know? I think Todd and Eileen and David and Gail would make the best two-handers.
ReplyDeleteIt emerged when Todd jabbed his hand on an abandoned syringe when helping Billy move an old sofa for a charity group. Billy took him to the hospital and while waiting to be seen, the truth came out - no build up; no fanfare. Todd just opened up. After waiting so long for it, it was rather jaw-dropping that it came so unexpectedly. Todd had been in love with a man who contracted HIV; Todd, having checked he was clear himself, loved him so much that he was planning to marry him: the guy left him for someone else. The revelation was beautifully played, and was a large part of Billy reconciling with Todd after their split.
DeleteMy first thought was Tracy and Amy. It would be interesting to find they both think the other guilty of hurting Ken yet the mother daughter bond makes them try to protect the other....but in that thinking the other thought them capable of it a lot of heartwrenching stuff could come out. Does Amy know Tracy tried to sell her? Does she remember the night she was taken from the house when Tracy killed Charlie? Tracy could realise just how much she loves and needs Amy, not having another person on her side like this other than Deirdre.
ReplyDeleteMy second choice would definitely be David and Gail!!!!!!!!!!!!
The person who pushed Ken and Ken himself.
ReplyDeleteHuh? Ken & Eccles? ;)
DeleteDavid and Maria where they decide to become a full fledged twosome as they relate their troubled pasts and vow to set good examples
ReplyDeleteFor their children.
Steve and Leanne would be great as well...come together as a strong couple for their children and run the Rovers and make Robert and Michelle look like the losers they are.
Daniel and Denise!! What really happened when he was 15???
Definitely not gemma - such an annoying character! My vote would be for Craig and Bethany, with a рroрosal thrown in for good measure! :)
ReplyDeleteNot Bethaney and anybody. Or Gemma and anybody. I couldn't take it.
ReplyDeleteOne thing of the most memorable Corrie scenes for me was the final very emotional confrontation between Carla and Rob. It took up a good part of the show and the acting was off the charts. It was almost a two-hander.
And now? Hmmm, maybe Peter and Tracey. They have long history and a LOT of family baggage and Kate Ford is really great when they give her something meaty to work with. Some of her best scenes were with Marc Baylis.