Welcome to another slice of Weatherfield wondrousness. In a packed programme the prime story is about the lying and deceit of two brothers - first up Ronnie has splashed the cash oNewton and Ridley shares but due to the sudden unexpected departure of Old Mr Newton (see the pic caption above) the shares are in free fall as the market is not sure who will be running the outfit.
Meanwhile Edison is in total ignorance of that and not having the brains of a lightbulb decides to submit a bid on the development land without actually telling Ronnie, who then admits that they do not have the cash. They get on so well they should actually work for the same business.
And the entire nation shouted "No Jenny, Just NO". Jenny invites Stephen on an away break. Tim chimes in on our behalf - and puts Elaine's flat on the market, making Stephen homeless. However, once Jenny is apprised of Mr Newton (Senior)'s departure she starts worrying that the deal selling the Rovers may turn out different to the one she believed she was expecting.
Henry Newton arrives at the Rovers and knows even less than those who have read the paper! After speaking to his father he can report the offer is a "Corleone" - one you cannot refuse. In a private conversation between Ronnie and Henry, the former lets slip that he knows Waterfords are involved.
Henry returns from the Board Meeting where (in reference to Succession) he was treated like Kendall Roy and the news is not good - the deal is done - L S Waterford Food and Drink Incorporated own everything and a woman called Lydia Flint will be doing the rounds of the public houses. Jenny is positive - Elon Musk bought Twitter and that turned out all right, didn't it? Henry is not even sure he has a job, let alone needs a PA.
Ty is off to Kettering to do a mid-way pick up of the girls from Fiz. He suggests to Cassie that she gets some frozen pizzas to feed them on her return and he hands over £20! Ty gets Evelyn to mind the girls when he returns as he has a dental appointment and Ty effectively admits he does not trust Cassie. Evelyn kindly sets about the dirty washing which the girls have brought back with them whilst Ty reports that Kettering is apparently grim. When Cassie returns she has a somewhat battered pizza (and it has not been deep fried - it looks soggy and defrosted to me) and seems slightly "over-refreshed" - but she finally gets to meet Hope and Ruby. Apparently the job centre was shut due to staff shortages. Ty offers Cassie a job answering the phone in the garage - with full training.
Simon is at work - using a wet teaspoon in the sugar jar. That lad needs some training! Stephen asks Carla for some time off to go away with Jenny, and Carla wants to know how long he has been knocking off her step-mum! Sarah is convinced that Stephen is spending the Nippersnapper payout before they have received it instead of repaying Audrey's equity release - which Stephen denies. Later Carla confirms to Roy that she is progressing the drugs test. Stephen discusses his imminent homelessness with Sarah - whilst a "not eavesdropping" Kirk offers him the use of Peanuts' room - the dog can sleep in his bed.
However for Stephen, moving into the B&B room at the Rovers with the potential for cross-landing padding has rather more appeal. Sarah again warns Stephen against spending the Nippersnapper money on anything other than the mortgage.
Eliza gets to meet her father, Dom, at the precinct and the latter has forgotten to bring his wallet so is unable to buy the ice-creams - leaving Stu putting his hand in his pocket! Dom seems keen to spoil his daughter and Eliza lets slip that Stu is minted - and Yasmeen is on her way to Pakistan.
Bernie is shopping and Dev sees a message on her phone from Big Garth arranging a meeting and Dev accuses Bernie of cheating on him. Her only solution is to tell Dev the entire story about Shelly and the computers which need fencing. However they are interrupted by Tim in search of a cauliflower for cauliflower cheese. Dev does not take the explanation at all well given that fraud is involved - and Bernie admits it could be the end of their involvement. Dev later arrives at Number 5 with a bunch of flowers for Bernie. He tries to get her to tell Paul and says it will end with Bernie inside - but Dev will not tell anyone - Bernie is so desperate to provide for Paul, to whom Tim later mentions the tension between Dev and Bernie.
Although Henry had indicated that it would take 6 weeks before Lydia Flint (Christina Tam) materialised she has decided that the Rovers Return would be an ideal starting point and Jenny shows her around. Her marketing idea is to have positive quotes on a chalkboard, plus getting the staff into their uniforms. She gives Jenny the impression that all jobs are safe and that the Waterfords do not rock boats. Sean is not so sure.
Debbie hears that Waterfords acquiring Newton and Ridley has been completed (and frankly when it is completed the shares are delisted, plus for a quoted company it takes weeks) but is able to tell the Bailey Bros that the shares have shot up in value and they are quids in as per the original plans. The Baileys share a pint and then Ronnie departs leaving Ed to read the paper - and he espies the Racing page and we are left wondering if his ancient interest in the odd flutter will return.
I remain underwhelmed by the Bailey family. There, I have said it. There seems to be confusion over the status of Newton and Ridley - it is a quoted company or Ronnie could not buy shares. Henry refers to it as a family-run business and yet we know it is quoted. Quoted companies have extensive rules over "approaches" from potential bidders to avoid the risks of insider trading - and would ensure any CEO leaving would be properly managed with a formal succession plan in place. So unrealistic characters against an impossible storyline translates into total disaster.
Now can Carla prove her drug intake and might she mention it to Sarah who knows about the equity release and can Jenny remember Leo's mysterious disappearance whilst we know Lou wants the investigation into Rufus's drug overdose to be investigated so would LSD floating around Underworld be relevant? Is a noose forming or with one bound will Stephen be free?
Kosmo
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