Would it have been a Wednesday in March, maybe? that's how long it’s been since I last wrote a Corrie double episode review! I’d seen a Morrissey gig in Leeds and then that was that. To quote Hamilton the Musical 'the world turned upside down', but hey it’s good to be back and diving deep into Weatherfield's post-COVID drama. So where are we now?
Kel Hinchcliffe is dead. The predatory paedo has left this mortal coil via Weatherfield canal. A body found and positively identified, but of course, this leaves conflicting emotions for Paul. Stockholm syndrome has long since been discredited, however, victims of grooming / sexual assault will commonly feel emotional ambiguity towards their oppressor. The police question Paul about the death, yet, are we meant to think he finished him off? I’m not sure. In fact, and here’s an idea, has Todd Grimshaw killed him? We know he was around that area, assuming the girl with his mobile was telling the truth. Am I right?
New character Klaxon! Corrie has a new undertaker. George Shuttleworth, son of the late great Archie, has Mary flustered with his flowery funeral requirements. It’s a nice introduction. Is this a new love interest for Mary, maybe, or are we due a few more deaths?
Addiction issues tie Abi and Peter together and it’s a shared connection that not many other street residents would understand, but are the fires about to reignited between these two? Old foes Debbie and Sally gossip in the shop about Abi’s flakey behaviour and Sally defending her seems to put paid to any of Debbie’s suspicions. It seems though, that Abi is still looking for her next fix and fails to contact Peter for guidance. Lost and seeking redemption, I wasn’t expecting her to confide in Debbie, to be honest, so I kind of wonder where this is going now? These kind of affairs aren’t ever conducted in honesty, so is the Peter & Abi story arc just insinuation?
David’s sinkhole worries worsen, with the developer going bust and spurious insurance claims, Adam also offers little in legal advice. With Shona not wishing to move, David tells Ray that he’s not selling, after all. Will Ray really stop there with his dodgy property acquisitions? I’m very doubtful.
With Oliver’s sudden deterioration, the heartbreaking scenes at the hospital lend certain dark undertones to post-COVID Corrie, yet paradoxically, I’m enjoying it? The acting I mean, as a parent myself, you just couldn’t imagine. Nick’s taking it particularly hard and appears to be blindsided now that Steve has stepped up to the plate. Suddenly discovering he has a Son of his own, well, the weight must be a heavy burden. He has however found time to find an experimental treatment that could help Oliver which reignites Leanne’s desperation. Is Nick going to tell Leanne about Natasha’s revelation, any time soon? It’s small fry in relation to Oliver’s diagnosis, with doctors admitting he’s now terminal and advise turning off the little mite’s life support. Nick tells Natasha that he can’t be there for his biological son, at this point. It’s understandable but I’m guessing it won’t end there. This story is going to get a whole lot darker but huge kudos to Corrie for being brave enough to do this justice, an incredible ensemble cast performance.
As the reality of Oliver’s condition hits home, I’m reminded again of Hamilton the musical, I think the song ‘Dear Theodosia’ would be worth a listen for Leanne.
I am @rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur!
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
