Last Wednesday, Corrie put me off a bit, I admit. The misery porn, Natasha's death, grief, guilt, and drunkenness. A cacophony of Corrie miserablism that would have put Morrissey off watching!. So much so I didn't watch Friday's episodes until the following Monday. I needed a breather, which is unlike me, to be honest. Like Tim and Kev love Wethy County, I follow Coronation Street until my dying day, but it did worry me a tad. Will I be singing its praises following tonight's episodes?
When originally mooted, Kev and Abi's wedding looked full of fun. Sally and Tim both jostled for roles in the ceremony, tomboy Abi grumped over wearing a wedding dress, and some classic comedic Corrie was on the cards. Fast forward nine months, however, and things look a lot different. To say Abi has been through the mill is understating it somewhat (the collapsing sinkhole being a gun-toting finale). Debbie knowing about the gun means Kevin had to find out, the tearful confession was as expected. The ceremony did eventually go ahead in the end, but is another smoking gun waiting to go off in the newlywed's faces? I would predict so. Corey disappearing will have ramifications for all concerned. Aside from Abi's running away trope, I thought it was such a sweet wedding ceremony. The humour wasn't needed in the end, and the Buzzcocks soundtrack was a wonderful addition.
No wonder Maria is feeling a bit out of her depth, but going viral on the internet seems to have fired up the hairdresser in her quest for Corrie COP26 infamy. We know this is a tie-in for national televisions climate conversation, and I am passionate about the urgency, it's just Maria's not that convincing? Would Nina or Mary have carried this storyline better? Anyway, the council are keen on flattening the Red Rec for a Bypass, and Coronation Street's rammed with cars, so the time is right for another resident protest. It was quite a catchy rally rouser to sing; air pollution's not a lie, please don't let our children die!
Depending on whose camp you sit on, this is either inspiring or propaganda*. For me, it's the former, and Ian Kershaw’s intelligent and astute writing made sure the message was clear! Aside from the residents camping up a tree, or calling Emily back from Peru, surely this would be the perfect time to bring back our favourite (and only) eco-warrior character, Spider? Toyah needs support right now - it would make for perfect timing! Corrie writers can thank me later.
On that note, I was pleased to see Tracy Barlow back on the street tonight too. She did look pretty (!) and whilst dishing out her trademark acerbic put-downs. It roused me from a brief Corrie slumber and I am now back in the game! Let us sing it from the terraces - 'Air pollution is not a lie, please don't let our children die!'
Elsewhere on Corrie; Zeedan’s money laundering via a food van, Curtis proposes, and Maria decides to stand for the local council.
*For anyone suggesting this story 'isn't Corrie' Ken went on a Ban the Bomb march in 1961. The political polemic has long been part of Coronation Street's illustrious history. Long may that continue.
@rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur
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