Homelessness is rife in Manchester and everywhere you go in the city, including the canal walkways, you see people sleeping rough, of all ages. So well done Corrie, for highlighting how you can be sofa surfing one minute, and on the street the next. Poor Sean has been beaten up, and realises that because he has no home, he also has no power. When the nurse treating him, tells him he can claim in his insurance, he looks really despondent, as he is fully aware that he has almost become invisible.
Sean's new friend Carol introduces him to homeless community who welcome him. This is incredibly well researched, as this group live in tents in a beautiful spot. Many homeless people in Manchester live underneath bridges and by canals, hidden from society and they are less likely to be attacked here. Sean is also shocked, as he never expected to be living this way. Antony Cotton is great at showing the gobby public face of everyone's favourite barman, alongside the private, frightened and vulnerable version of Sean. I know some viewers do not like Sean but he is a great character, as he has no family near him and has made friends his family, but pride means that they do not know just how desperate he has become.
This story also means that baby Susie is not mentioned for at least three minutes, but she will be soon, as Aidan's inquest is coming up. Johnny wants Eva there so that he can see his granddaughter. Kidnapping her and taking her to a hotel was not enough for him. I understand how desperate this character must have been, but I am tiring of the Connors as a clan. They have become quite nasty and I am not surprised that Eva has fled. Will she make an appearance at the inquest? Sure she will, then her much-loved character can enjoy a proper exit, fit for a Corrie queen.
Carla is a canny business woman usually. So I am quite surprised that she is getting involved with Maria's dodgy hairdressing business proposal. Methinks that Lewis might be behind the mastermind, Claud, who is doing a great job of winding up our Aud. Maria has a long way to go, if she thinks that a few scribbles on some lined paper constitute a good way to get funding. But, Carla is in away, as Maria is a Connor. And the Connors have become like the Fowlers in Walford, "They're family!"
Billy has put his addiction behind him, but he has developed another one, the need to help others, once he has made their lives a misery. After informing a new beau that Josh was trouble and that he was a rapist, the perpetrator has become the victim. So, Billy is now praying for his recovery. I prefer Billy cleaned up and helping others, but I'd liked him to help Sean, as opposed to trying to paper over the cracks of his well intentioned good deeds/gone bad.
Gemma's training stint behind the bar is not really working out. I think this story needs sorting quickly, she is a great well rounded character, but she needs a new challenge. And being the new landlady of the Rovers is not it. It will be short-lived I know, but she needs a romance with Chesney and quick, as I am tiring of Dan-ead (Daniel and Sinead) discussing their sex lives and now cooing over another a new baby, who will probably be named Heathcliff.
At the end of Wednesday's second episode, I came away with full admiration for Antony Cotton. If you felt moved by this storyline and want to do something, there are many charities who are in need of support. Shelter and Barnabus are two that Antony has plugged on twitter. And there is also coffeeforcraig
More details here: Barnabus http://www.barnabus-manchester.org.uk/ Shelter https://www.shelter.org.uk/ Coffee for Craig https://www.coffee4craig.com/
Have a good weekend!
Glenn Meads
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Nice review, Glenn. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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ReplyDeleteGreat review, thanks. I loved the comment about not going to Sean's house for Christmas dinner!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite fond of Sean and I had hoped that he might finally find his true love. We got this instead!
I have said this before but it bears repeating. We do not know Sean's backstory but have the sense that his birth family rejected him at a young age. I think that needs to to come out at this juncture because a man in his situation would turn to his parents or siblings as a last resort before sleeping under a bridge.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Glenn.
ReplyDeleteSean's real father did not know about him as he was the result of a one night stand..His mother allowed him to believe her husband was his dad.
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