Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 6 September 2024

We opened this evening with Cassie delivering a soft-boiled egg to Ken - who admits that perhaps he no longer needs assistance but he is lonely.  It does not take much for Cassie to accept a slightly changed role in being a friend to Ken during the long hours when Steve is at work, Amy at college and the house is painfully quiet.  Where are you now Wendy, Pip, Jackie, Martha, Susan, Nessa, Elaine and no doubt many others I have overlooked - can we have a campaign for Elaine to return please?  Later Cassie and Tracy argue and the latter is convinced that Cassie is chasing Steve - which she denies - and just why is Tracy so concerned given her footballing dynamo in Spain?  

In a particularly educational moment David, on a day off, is bugging Shona in the cafe and they fall to discussing sultanas, raisins and currants.  All dried grapes - so why are they different?  The recording was paused and we consulted ipads until we know the answer.  I know it is silly - but Corrie throwing a curve ball like that makes it Corrie.

Nick is hoping he can keep a lid on the revelations of his infidelity.  Leanne has no such compunctions having decorated a wall at the Bistro with the photographs of her husband and sister enjoying each other's company (and allegedly Toyah's assets on display).  So they have to tell Sam (and to be honest I felt that this was not handled well) what has happened.  Leanne spent the night in a hotel but did not sleep, so tonight she will be in her own flat and gets the locks changed in record time (so fast we did not even see Ed at work).  Now I understand that Leanne is upset - but as I recall they "shared" Imran at one point.  l,ater Toyah returns  to find she cannot enter the flat either.  Leanne however has to admit that telling the Institute about the baby was a step too far.  Eventually Leanne apologises to Toyah - but she is not going to forgive her either.  She may have lost Nick but she has no intention of losing her sister as well.  

Carla meets a supplier in the Chariot Square Hotel where she espies Joel sharing lunch with a lady - it is not clear if she is his client as a solicitor or is soliciting him in a much older profession.  Carla feels she should brief the girl about Joel and Lauren and the girl is soon heading off.  Meanwhile Betsy has been missing at college since the start of term and has now gone missing completely.  Joel comes to the factory to give Carla a piece of his mind and just before Carla attacks him Lisa Swain appears and the two are rock solid again him.  Betsy then turns up at the factory and mis-interprets matters between Carla and Lisa as they discuss Joel's visit with Lisa seeking to comfort Carla so Betsy storms out again. Lisa tracks her daughter down in Victoria Gardens and Betsy tells her that Mum has only been gone three years and it is too soon to be "moving on" - which Lisa denies as Carla is straight - although as Betsy points out so is spaghetti until you boil it (and remember Tracy).  Also Betsy tells 'Lisa' that Carla is a hard faced cow who knocked a boy off his bike and drove off; 'DS Swain' is interested.  

And in a particularly hilarious moment Brian sits down in the Bistro with Rita to undertaken her "performance review" utilising a questionnaire from that there internetty webby thingy.  Rita does not have time to consider her gender identity as the papers have to received at 5!  Brian then asks where Rita would like to be in 10 years' time!!  We are promised Rita's review of her employer's performance but regrettably it was squeezed out of the episode!

In a particularly educational moment David, on a day off, is bugging Shona in the cafe and fall to discussing, sultanas, raisins and currants.  All dried grapes - so why are they different.  The recording was paused and ipads consulted until we know the answer.  I know it is silly - but Corrie throwing a curve ball like that makes it Corrie.  These last two scenes are so Corrie.

Paul continues to decline but with Bernie to look after him he sends the male family members for an evening out - David (having given Paul a "mint" haircut earlier), Todd, Kit and Billy have a great evening in the Chariot Square hotel bar (which Debbie has given a makeover).  Billy really does not want to go but Paul insists.  Eventually after some shots Billy opens up saying that he knows the clock is ticking and that these last few months are difficult and he cannot guarantee Paradise for Paul.  However the others manage to get Billy to laugh.  Later Billy returns home, probably a little drunk and collapses on the sofa - possibly to get a rare good night's sleep.  The Street is a community and here it was on top form.

Nick earlier told Sam that he had feelings for Toyah - with Leanne present.  And Toyah admits to Nick that she does have feelings for him - but cannot be with him - she loves Leanne more and that is the end of it.

Written by Damon Alexis-Rochefort and Jonathan Harvey.  Directed by Clive Arnold.

As the opening credits rolled I spotted that the writers tonight had been chosen with purpose and as I hope the above comments have made clear this was a real doozy of an episode.  All of the Corrie writers can turn in excellence - but not all seem to be adept at both the wit and drama at the same time.  Corrie is intended to entertain - so alongside the drama keeping us laughing needs to happen.  My thanks to the entire team who led us a merry dance this evening.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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