So here we are then! Dawn of a new Corrie era (ish). A new timeslot, and the first (of many, I hope) episode reviews from me, on this 8 pm one-hour shiny new schedule week. Can we expect many changes? As this new dawn breaks over Victoria Gardens, I wonder what further changes the show has in store? I mean, we’ve already had the promise of the much-discussed 'Weatherfield Precint' new set being built, so will this be another new shop for Dev, perhaps? Is Jenny going to open a trendy micro-pub, or a Weatherfield Greggs branch, perhaps? Lots of promise of new storylines, characters, and 1960s modernist architecture, as we look towards the larger Weatherfield horizon! However, over in Coronation Street itself, some things change very little. Abi’s well-worn addiction battle continues at an alarmingly fast pace tonight, with the unexpected baby still in hospital and soapy secrets looking likely to soon spill. Seen suspiciously moping around the street by various residents, Abi’s poor attempt at going incognito fails miserably and only causes alarm for her friends and family.
After abandoning the premature cherub at the hospital, the responsibility fell onto Aggie Bailey to uncover the truth. Tonight, she swapped her nurse uniform for a Sherlock Holmes outfit, and upon heading over to Kevin's house, Aggie sees Abi’s little red-riding hoodie, and realises that it was she who dumped the newborn baby! Confronting Abi, Aggie attempts to get her to see some clarity, telling her that she has no choice in reporting it to her medical superiors. However, before Aggie can tell the news to the Hospital, Abi is beaten up by druggy Dean over the stolen car issue, and in her haste, Abi tries to retrieve the car, subsequently crashes it, and lands herself back in medical care. Woah! slow down a bit I'm trying to write here!
With Toyah also worried about Abi, (and blindsided by Imran's paternal inadequacy over a Weatherfield powercut) she heads over to the hospital to check on her friend, only for a doctor to tell her that Abi has injuries consistent with post-labour. Toyah has already figured that the baby isn't Kevins, and probes her friend for info. Abi insists it is Tez’s baby and opens up to Toyah, admitting that she doesn't want it anyway, due to her traumatic past. I wish Toyah would be a counsellor full time, instead of working at the factory, as very she’s good at it, changing Abi’s mind about everything. However, a social worker also visits and reminds her of her lengthy charge sheet, maternal failings, and addiction. Will Abi tell Weatherfield that the baby is Imran's?
Over at Victoria Court, Kelly’s troubles continue as Laura’s terminal cancer spreads its metaphorical wings into Gary’s murky and murderous past. Maria’s offer to move Laura into their flat seems a nice gesture (her echo warrior tendencies are showing a softer left-wing side to the stylist) and well, it will undoubtedly bring the Rick murder story to the surface? I can't say I'm pleased about Laura’s demise, nor the seemingly light (and issue/awareness) free use of cancer. However, this story has been a long-time coming, and Laura’s intro to P.I Lenny (who she is using to track down Rick) was funny, if not a tragi-comedy kind of way? I like Lenny, and his misunderstanding about their living arrangements and his previous investigation, had me giggling like a schoolboy! I love a Corrie double-entendre and it reminded me of Coronation Street’s legendary humour.
I think the same could be said for Daisy’s Nigella impression? She’s a little minx, isn't she! Tonight, she returned to form when bumping into Nicky Wheatley (Daniel’s ex) who has just arrived back in the area. Daisy told the flighty former sex worker that Daniel had moved out and moved on from Weatherfield - and no more was seen of her. Nicky then left Daniel a voicemail which was conveniently heard first by Daisy and deleted. Daniel and Daisy’s blossoming romance has had some trouble in the past, but following their valentines day reunion, the rocky road to true love seems to have straightened out for them. However, if this is Nicky returning, I guess Daisy has a few more things to cook up once she realises the history she has with her boyfriend.
Elsewhere in this hour - the Baileys barter over Grace's disappearance and Sam’s chess gambit against his Dad continues.
That is all from me - I’m back next week. The new hour made little difference to me, but I do feel that we've entered a new Corrie era somehow. I’ve already imagined the precinct and what new Corrie drama this could bring. What are your thoughts?
Speak next week,
Ryan
I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur
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4 comments:
Since they opened the new Victoria Street set with the community gardens, it seems like all the outside scenes have been shot there in order to get the sponsor's shopfronts into the background of the shots. Coronation Street itself is barely seen anymore! I predict this trend will increase with the new precinct set - more shops means more sponsorship opportunities after all!
It feels like we're treading water with random storylines until the precinct is up and running with new characters and their back stories. A case of out with the old and in with the new? Can't see how Abi can be redeemed so she'll be off with an explosive exit - with or without Imran. Lydia was pointless. She was brought in to break up Adam and Sarah, probably to give Sam Robertson a reason to leave but he's changed his mind now. One thing I applaud Corrie for is Kelly's remark to Simon: "I'm on my period". I've never heard a Corrie character say it so directly. There's a media campaign to destigmatise menstruation and soaps can help through casual dialogue without making it an issue.
The Baileys are as boring as ever. I had to laugh when Michael said (on Monday?) that baby Glory had "gone over to her friends" at nursery. Very impressive as she's not yet one!
The last 2 years have been filmed under Covid restrictions, therefore Corrie couldn't be filmed off set. This is why the community gardens had been used for all outside scenes. They were able to socially distance and keep safe. They had no alternative but to film there, not to get more shots of sponsors
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