Two main stories dominated this evening with Peter getting the programme started by fitting (above) on the floor of Number One to be discovered in the grip of the fit by Ken. After the obligatory visit to hospital Peter sums up his situation as follows - if he drinks he will die; if he stops drinking suddenly he will die; there are no rehab beds available; they do not want non-covid patients in hospital - so he has to go home and wean himself off the evil drink step by step. [The good lady wife advises me that Amy Winehouse died because she went "cold turkey" instead of reducing intake gradually.] Ken asks Roy to hide the whisky bottle and each day Ken will collect Peter's allowed "medicine". When it is time for Peter to take his medicine Ken has a funny (and I don't mean haha funny) turn. He cannot remember if he took his blood pressure tablet this morning - but if you ask me Peter's problems are going to give Ken some health problem.
Having mentioned Peter we find that it is Carla's lucky day as Lucas materialises from Devon and in some well constructed scenes over lunch in the Bistro (where Carla is again drinking red wine) we are finally allowed to find out what Carla was doing during her absence - unwise Tinder dates are mentioned; a particular evening when Carla did not get jumped by Lucas - he had a girlfriend Lucy {Lucas and Lucy}, now dead but drug addict during their time together; the Shovels where Carla had given up wine and was drinking Seville Orange flavoured gin. Lucas is opening boutiques in Yorkshire and wants local supplies - knew Carla was involved in Underworld and has booked a hotel room for the weekend - with a spa plus some magnificent views and a huge bed. Would Carla like to join him? She packs a bag, does her face and is heading for the tram stop when Peter catches her and admits his errors and asks Carla to stay and see him through his difficult time, even though he has no right to ask. She heads onwards to the tram stop where Lucas lays out his offering (above) and whilst telling Lucas she is conflicted with her "its complicated" relationship status she goes in with him and they head off for the weekend together.
Debbie is up to no good according to Kev - she only ever looks after Number One - not Ken's house - herself. Sorting out the various properties is proving interesting. Claudia has splashed out on a cruise and Maria cannot afford to buy back Audrey's. {Wild prediction here - Natasha Blakeman will re-appear shortly from London and the salon will be added to Natasha's empire}. Tracy has the paperwork for StreetCars and the flat, although as the money was spent it is not clear how Steve will buy them back. Tracy has decided they are not moving back into the flat as they are staying at Number One. When she hears David telling Shona that the money they had from Ray has gone on the mortgage and the overdraft and getting a new mortgage is not that easy (well would you lend money on a sinkhole which is going to swallow the house any minute?) and he keeps stalling Debbie. Tracy asks Debbie for an inspection and says that if David fails to take up first refusal she and Steve would fancy having somewhere larger with a garden - and above we see her peeking over the back gate of Number 8 - the former Platt residence - and looking at the garden of her new mansion. Tracy then tells David and Debbie she is throwing her towel in the ring (which usually means giving up the fight) when she actually means hat!
Intertwined with the above are Roy, Nina and Asha. Dev asks Nina if she can suggest any way of helping Asha concentrate on her studies as she is clearly still wound up by the split from Corey and is simply not studying. Nina suggests she uses a table so that there are people around here and she (Nina) can keep an eye on her working and not playing with her phobile moan. Dev accepts the offer and we later see Asha in the cafe; Nina suggests that perhaps Asha clears and cleans a couple of tables and so Asha put on an apron and lends a hand. When Roy returns he is railroaded by Nina into offering Asha a couple of evening shifts (which was rather more successful than a high volume approach by Shona to Daisy demanding five pub shifts a week to help get money in to meet the non-existent mortgage). Dev feels that if Asha wants to work she should be working in the family businesses but accepts that it may be better for her to work in the cafe. But does Nina have an ulterior motive? With Roy gone Asha thanks Nina for the kind things she said - but Nina then adds "And gorgeous with it". In these days of #MeToo a man saying that to a woman would be sent packing! No doubt we will see more of this relationship.
Talking of relationships Todd his back to his wily game in attempting to split Billy and Paul. On Wednesday Billy declared that Ajay's surplus piano would move in with them over his dead body but he is not aware that Todd put Paul up to collecting it and it appears in the middle of Street where Billy cannot resist having a tinkle and Summer is entranced. I do not even want to contemplate how it arrived in the first floor flat - but I know that my parents had to hire a very large crane and remove a window to enable their piano to be hoisted out of a first floor flat. It is a magical piano - it has remained in tune despite being moved - an almost amazing failure of the laws of physics based on my experience! Billy is soon vamping along to "When the Saints go Marching In" as a tribute to my beloved football team. Todd is totally unimpressed by the solidity of Billy and Paul's relationship so deploys the Willy weapon. Initially Paul rejects Will's calls and when he finally answers it he gives Will short shrift saying he has to phone the helpline and has to speak to Ajay and his number will be blocked. Todd is unamused but wants willing (providing he gets his dosh) Willy to do just one more thing.
Why was Roy out of the cafe leaving Nina in charge? Earlier Carla had departed glammed up to the nines for her business lunch with Lucas and Roy with all the emotional intensity of a robot (Peter's words) felt that Peter should be made aware of his need for Carla and equally her need for him. He tells Peter that he and Carla have both behaved badly to each other - but Peter needs Carla's support and first, in the same way as he needs to admit and deal with being an alcoholic he is told that it is essential that he admits to himself his need for Carla by his side. This was what led to Peter's despairing chase after Carla which I mentioned earlier before she headed inside the tram stop to leave all of this behind her. Or did she?
No of course she didn't - she has just overheard Peter saying that he should have forgiven her, he should not be trying to kill his father and now it is just too late - except of course it isn't and Carla is back by his side - but at least 2m in line with the best physical distancing guidelines!
For those who read my posts you will be aware that I actually believe that the programme is on great form at present - some lovely one-liners; none of the preaching stories which I sometimes find a struggle and tonight there were some longer scenes as Carla and Lucas gave us the lowdown on her time in Devon. Stories driven by the characters interacting and giving of their best. If you can please watch - let us get the viewing numbers up to reward good programme making. Ms Kelstar will be here next week.
Tonight was written by Debbie Oates and directed by Becky Wild.
Tonight was written by Debbie Oates and directed by Becky Wild.
Kosmo
2 comments:
I was beginning to warm to Nina but I went off her yesterday, her attitude to both Seb ( a paying customer) and then Roy was not nice.
Jeanie (anon): I agree--suddenly she's acting so precious and self-engrossed. And why can two people never just remain friends? Can't she just help Asha out out of the goodness of her heart and because she cares for people, as opposed to its being a romantic interest?
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