You know how everyone bangs on about how funny 1989 Corrie is, and how they should make the current show more like that? They clearly haven't seen Derek Wilton threaten to fight a rival novelty salesman in the Kabin. It left me utterly stony faced as they went through excruciatingly terrible "humorous" scenes. Give me misery over that any day. Speaking of misery, Ivy Tilsley called a council of war to decide what to do about Gail's relationship with Martin. Don and Alf were very much of the "so what?" school of thought, Audrey wanted to sound a note of caution, and Ivy wanted to have her harlot of a daughter in law branded with a scarlet A and marched through the streets. Gail cut them both off at the knees, telling them to mind their own business, but it didn't stop Ivy smacking Martin in the middle of the Rovers. Most significantly, the wrecking balls came in to demolish the factory. Vera, Jack and Siobhan Finneran had a last minute loot, with the Duckworths running off with the time clock, while Emily sighed sadly as they knocked a hole in the spot where Ernie was killed. Change is definitely coming.
TUESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 25th and 27th September 1989
I actually recapped these two episodes in far greater detail back in 2014. Read that here then come back for the rest of the week!
WEDNESDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 2nd and 4th October 1989
The factory girls were at their bolshiest, as Emily Bishop lead them in passive resistance to try and get redundancy money from Maurice Jones. They stormed the building site and blocked a cement lorry. Their actions attracted the Weatherfield Gazette, but Ken was less keen to feature the story in the Recorder because Jones was a big advertiser. Jones piled on the pressure by telling him to control his wife, as Deirdre had taken up the girls' cause. Martin and Gail went public with their relationship, causing much amusement among the young ones of the street (including future best mate Sally). I mean, a woman of thirty one dating a man of twenty one: who can conceive of such horrors? Audrey and Ivy continued to sulk, while Gail herself got second thoughts when Martin started making himself at home. He even brought out a pair of moccasins to wear round the house. I'd have dumped him there and then.
THURSDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 9th and 11th October 1989
The first episode brought us the most swinging party in decades, as Sally and Kevin celebrated their third anniversary. Total guest list: Mark and some bird from the record shop, Jenny and that terrible Cockney from Tuesday's episodes, Curly (without a date, because Tina would rather pull pints than spend time with him) and Martin and Gail. The young people were shocked to discover thirty one year old Gail was actually a pleasant human being and fun to be around - who'd have thought? Rita, meanwhile, had buried herself at home and was refusing to come out ahead of Alan's trial. She also wore a purple sateen pantsuit, so her mind is clearly wrecked. Maurice Jones caved and gave the factory girls their redundancy, thanks largely to the efforts of Councillor Deirdre. She'd been so busy fighting the good fight she forgot to wrap Ken's birthday present. Because he is a revoltingly self-centred pig, Ken took this as a sign that Deirdre didn't care and went to bed with scarlet woman Wendy Crozier. The next day, Wendy said she couldn't possibly be his secretary and his mistress. So she gave up her job at the Recorder. TROLLOP.
FRIDAY - Episodes originally broadcast 16th and 18th October 1989
Nicky and Martin both had mumps, leaving Gail to shuttle between her two sick boys. (Why Sarah-Louise didn't get ill, we weren't told). Eventually Ivy turned up to help, but she only dealt with the children, and Martin was left to fend for himself. I hope he smeared germs all over her coffee cup. Wendy and Ken continued with the least sexy affair you have ever seen; it's like watching two plates of boiled ham and potatoes rub up against one another. It was finally Alan Bradley's trial; all Rita's friends told her to not get her hopes up, the police said she'd be a terrible witness, and Jenny was actively pulling for her dad to be released. Unsurprisingly, Rita was a mess, though she gathered her strength for trial day, only to be told she wouldn't have to testify. They'd changed the charges against Alan, reducing it from attempted murder to assault, and because he'd already done seven months in prison, they let him out. The episode ended with a whacking great freeze frame of Alan's evil face, like he was Goebbels was the end of The World At War. It didn't quite have the same chilling effect.
If you've been affected by issues raised in this week's Classic Corrie, tell them to me on Twitter @merseytart, because they haven't invented the ITV Action Line yet.
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Brilliant reviews, thank you! I am looking forward to the episodes to come soon. Unless my memory is incorrect Alan was under that tram by the end of 1989 so not long to wait! Also I think the McDonalds are going to turn up soon and when those new houses get built that will see the arrival of that Des Barnes and his wife who became Alan Partridge's girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteGail and Martin bought one, but I can't remember who had the third one. I know Fred Elliott lived there for a while but I don't think he was the first owner.
Ps just remembered it was Mavis and Derek.
ReplyDeleteIt was Mavis and derek Wilton who lived in one of the houses on the posh side of the street, later bought by Fred Elliott.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten what a sanctimonious jerk Ken was back in the day. Now when I watch current episodes, I am reminded why his children have anger towards him.
ReplyDelete