Corrie's Christmas present to the viewers is a an Xmas day episode written by Damon Alexis-Rochefort. Low on trauma, high on awkward situations as Billy and Paul eschew visitors for some alone time and Chesney jumps to the conclusion that Paul has had a fall so he (and Todd) burst in on the arch deacon in nothing but a Santa hat with Paul wanting to, erm, fill Santa's sack. On St Baby Jesus's day as well! Gemma has nicked a load of holly from the Red Rec and the house is full of Xmas cheer inc. a pre-recorded Zoom chat with Bernie from chokey.
Talking of nicking, Evelyn lets herself into the shop to get some last minute bits, leading to other residents thinking that it's open and doing the same. Peter is after some smoked salmon for Carla, 'cos she's a classy bird, although I'm somewhat surprised that Dev sells that kinda thing. Does he have a Dev's Finest section just off-camera with truffle oil, wagyu beef and caviar? Evelyn, Mary (who gets the best line of the episode - she likes sherry "as much as Orson Welles at a stag do") and Roy cook Xmas dinner and Roy presents her with the first edition book he put so much effort into getting. Great to see Winifred Holtby getting a bit of love, although Roy could've got the novel from World of Books for £3.50. Is this the beginning of romance for Rovelyn? I do hope so, although I'd like the writers to put Mary and Brian together first. Roy taking the paper bag wrapping away from Evelyn for re-use was just brilliant.
Meanwhile at the Bistro, the Platts and the Franklin-Websters are disappointed that there's a set menu. Wouldn't they have found this out beforehand in case the Bistro had gone vegan or something?
No set menu at Speed Daal (turkey biryani and sprout bhajis perhaps?) where the Baileys and Nazirs gather, Ed feeling terribly guilty about his sins, especially when he receives the engraved watch from Michael and Eliza not having caught on yet that her dad has gone for good.
At no.1, Daniel and Adam turn up as they can't be bothered to cook for themselves, so end up with a plate on the knee on the sofa. The family dissipates quickly with the bachelors disappearing, Amy going to see Asha, Simon going to the pub ("There are other pubs!") and leaving only Ken and Steve. An irritable Tracy goes to the florist to steal the bottle of wine she gave to Mary and bumps into a rather handsome Tommy O buying a last minute present. He gives his card to Tracy as he's now a painter and decorator following his retirement from lower league football. Could be worse, he could be a murderous gangster like his brother. But I suspect this isn't a one off visit, what with Tracy and Steve quibbling with each other. New year trouble ahead for the Barlow-Mcdonalds.
And talking of couples splitting up....
Carla gives Peter a plane ticket so he can go off to Majorca and crew the boat he keeps banging on about. I know the writers want to give Peter a good send off, but honestly his complaints about sleepwalking through life and every day being the same won't change when he's on a boat. That's just middle age, mate.
Rachel Stevenson - on twitter
