Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 22nd September 7.30 & 8.30pm

As someone who always watches Corrie with the subtitles on, and wears hearing aids, I can tell you that tonight’s Corrie episodes spoke volumes to me. Some Corrie social commentators will denounce it as an issue-based shoo-in but believe me, this kind of understanding, and to a huge TV audience, makes all the difference. The use of BSL by Gemma is also highly commendable, and it certainly helped build up this cochlear implant story. Although obvious that Freda's worry over Aled’s future, grief, and funeral frustrations, would manifest themselves into her taking Aled - it most certainly drove the point home with some brilliant dialogue. 

Roy's briefly related hummingbird analogy was my favourite of those writing moments. It added a sweet poignancy, and aside from making me think about Norris as a resurrected bird, it was soon brushed aside by George and his constant funeral fluff-ups. Is he really a relative of the infallible Archie Shuttleworth? That guy knew your coffin size just by looking at you! No wonder Freda was pushed to the edge. This storyline was my highlight of the two episodes & it certainly put the old community centre set to some use. Are we going to see those smaller sets back on-screen as covid restrictions ease? 

Although showering the street in machismo with his fights, veiled threats, and back-alley beatings - I was glad to see Zeedan making amends with Ryan. It would be good to see him back with Alya. I like those two, they make a good duo and are a bit of light fluff in the fast-paced dramatics. Do we need Zeedan back on the street though? We seem to have an influx of new characters just lately, besides all of the new heads!

I was glad to see Gail Platt return and in a comedic hat! Will she notice that Max has changed head in her absence? The recasting of Max is an interesting one, neatly bringing the character into Daniel's teaching orbit. His merge into a modern-day Ken Barlow gathers pace. It shan't be long before he moves into No.1, surely! Is Max the new Aidan Critchley? Will Summer’s extra-tuition lead to a teenage infatuation, maybe? 

Gail and Audrey maudlin over Norris and the old photos was also poignant. It was a little scene again, but they added up tonight - giving the overall episodes a good mix of drama, humour, and pathos. Corrie is on a roll recently, and I'm here for it!

Elsewhere in Wednesday's Corrie: the Bailey’s continue to deal with Grace and her high demands. Gary grapples with Sharon and Kelly, and Bernie sings a good tune! 

 

@rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur 

---

---

All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

In Praise of Corrie - Mental Health Awareness Week 2019

In the past 12 to 13 months, Coronation Street has been predominant in bringing issue-based storylines into the Weatherfield world, with praise and abhorrence heaped upon them equally amongst us die-hard cobbles fans. Personally, I am quite the fan. In an age where social media (as opposed to tabloid sensationalism) can sway opinion and equally grab headlines, dramas that reach millions of people, several nights a week, certainly have an important role in modern society.

Working in my day job (in the disability industry), I am acutely exposed to ‘awareness days/weeks’ and their importance in raising awareness for minorities and (often underrepresented) health issues. This past fortnight, I think it's worth praising Corrie for serious awareness raised of two equally important conditions.

Where Carla’s psychosis and mental health storyline is rapidly developing during this week's #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek,  Freda’s reappearance, to coincide with the legend Malcolm Hebden returning to the cobbles, was actually aired during #DeafAwarenessWeek.  As a hearing-aid wearer (it has its benefits, trust me!), I was glad to see Freda back on the street and jovially winding up Amy’s efforts at BSL (British Sign language) and the character being so expressive with the signing.
Wouldn’t it be great to learn BSL?

With mental health now (finally) being at the forefront of the UK's social health agenda, Carla’s descent into psychosis and paranoia is also worth its weight in gold, when highlighting an issue that is equally troubling for both men and women. In 2018, we saw her fictional brother Aidan fight and lose his battle with mental health, and Aidan’s suicide was remarkable (without sensationalism) in highlighting how suicide is the biggest killer amongst men, under the age of 50, in the UK. Aside from opening discussion amongst the UK press, social media discussion, and with some brilliant charities involved, who can forget Gail's (Bafta nominated) incredibly moving monologue, written by Jonathan Harvey.

Carla’s demise then, during mental health awareness week, is not only timely, but will do wonders in raising more awareness of severe psychosis and how mental health is incredibly important to us individually, and society as a whole.  I doubt many of us will be embroiled in faux factory collapses, but, it is of course a metaphor for many a drama we all face as individuals and how we cope

Although issues-led storylines can come up for scrutiny, personally I think we can get more 3-dimensional characterisations from these storylines and I think it does help rather than hinder character development.

I wanted to write this to thank @itvcorrie cast and writers for raising awareness over the past fortnight of two important health issues within the UK.

With a promised special episode devoted to Carla's mental health still to come, it will be interesting to see how Corrie develops future storylines based on issues affecting modern working-class Britain.

What do you think?. Let me know in the comments section.

I am @rybazoxo on twitter, your (self-titled) 'cobbles connoisseur' and writer of the Wednesday episode blog reviews.

---

---

All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License