Novels by Coronation Street Blog Editor Glenda Young

Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heroes. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 May 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week

Time to look once again at who has been good and who has been bad in the streets of Weatherfield this week. This week was dominated by one particular story yet again, however there was thankfully a few other more interesting developments too. And finally, my beloved Audrey got some screen time!

So first of all to my hero of the week. A difficult one to chose this week as there wasn't exactly a groundswell of good deeds on the cobbles. In the end, I've decided to go for Anna Windass. Yes, I know she can be incredibly annoying with all that bleating at Gary, Faye, Owen and well, anybody that will listen. And yes I know her current position as Salford's very own Mother Earth is a long way from the character that first arrived back in 2008, but I do think poor Anna is coping rather well in the face of multiple misery.


She had it on all fronts this week. 'Orrible Owen was battling Beige Stella in the fight to save t'Rovers. Gary was deceiving girlfriend Izzy while becoming increasingly creepy towards surrogate mother Tina. And Tim was obviously starting to struggle with the reality of being a dad to nasty little Faye. Just your average week then. However despite all this, Anna clung on as the rock of the family. She stuck by Owen in his feud with St Ella, and told her a few home truths along the way (Go girl!) She told Gary straight when he was openly lying to Izzy. And she handled the Tim/Faye situation just right, while standing up to bullyboy Owen in the process. Not bad, all things considered!

Now to my villain of the week. I'm afraid it has to be Karl Munro. The character makes my flesh crawl. It says plenty about St Ella that she's taking this nasty piece of work back and is prepared to overlook all his past misdemeanours. So much for building a relationship with long lost daughter Leanne too. Mum of the Year Stella has let cheating, lying, arsonist Karl come between them all too easily.

I'm hating the way Karl is stuck to Stella like a limpet in every scene. I know the truth is bound to come out but honestly, how much longer can the writers stretch this out for? It's a shame really as Karl had great potential as an honest, every man character. Of course the writers had to muck about with that almost immediately. I am dreading scenes this week that see Stella don the cleaner's tabard at the Bistro while the delightful Karl continues to do nothing but buy cans of Stagg Ale from the shop owned by the man whose ex-wife he is responsible for burning to death.

I have a horrible feeling there will be a big revelation just as vile Gloria walks Stella down the aisle. I wonder what colour her wedding frock might be?...

So those are my choices, what are yours?


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Sunday, 5 May 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week


Yes it's back! Once again it's time to discuss your Corrie heroes and villains of the past week. I found the past week in Weatherfield fairly tedious however there were one or two bright spots as we shall see.

I very nearly went for the delicious Deirdre Barlow as my heroine mainly due to the touch of comedy she brought to the episodes this week. Yes, Deirdre was back in the kitchen attempting coq au vin (from scratch) and passing off Freshco's "Best" chocolate cake as her own. She was rumbled by Carla who quite clearly smokes her own salmon above the Bookies. It was great to see Deirdre sharing scenes away from Tracy-luv - her support for Eileen was great this week.


Anyway, in the end I went for David Platt as my hero of the week. Clearly impending fatherhood is the making of Demon David. He has proved to be a great step-dad to Max and quite obviously dotes on Kylie. This week we saw him man up and take on Kylie's shifts at the Bistro while also taking time to go and buy a cot in preparation for the new arrival. I reckon we should enjoy this new improved placid David as he is sure to hit the roof when the truth is revealed about Nick and his dutiful wife. I just wish he would cut the apron strings and move his young family out from under Ivy Tilsley Mark II's feet!

So now to my villain of the week. Rob Donovan. No contest really. Rob irritates the hell out of me every time he appears on my screen. I really expected more from a character created to play alongside the fabulous Carla Connor. Sorry, but as far as I'm concerned Rob is just plain awful! His is a character we've seen replicated many times before - Joe Carter, Luke Strong, Liam Connor...the list goes on. He is not fit to follow in the footsteps of Mike Baldwin and I hope Peter Barlow soon sees him off.

All he does is wind Peter up continually and it's becoming very stale very quickly. He is all mouth and no trousers <shudder>. And now he has Tracy hanging off him in every scene I just loathe him all the more. Please can someone call Streetcars and have them drive Rob, Tracy and Ryan as far away from Coronation Street as possible? 

So that's all from me, now it's over to you. Let's have your hero(ine) and villain(ess) from the past week in Coronation Street!


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Sunday, 24 March 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week

It's time to discuss our Corrie heroes and villains from the past week. This last week has been dominated by the Rovers Return going up in smoke (again). In the end my reaction to the fire episodes was a little luke warm (pun intended) although it wasn't all as bad as I expected. I still think the 1986 fire is by far superior, despite the special effects of today. 

For me there weren't any stand out performances this week, although both St Ella and Sunita were very good at playing unconscious. I always think big dramatic events or disasters tend to overpower acting performances.

So here goes. If you had to pick one Coronation Street character who you particularly love at the moment and one you particularly hate, who would they be? Only one each please, and remember I am asking for characters, not actors! 

My heroine this week is the gorgeous Eccles. A true heroine of the Rovers fire drama, she played her part superbly and definitely suffered for her art. On top of this, she also coped admirably acting opposite Tracy-luv Barlow all week. And on top of all that, Tracy even had a cold. Poor wee Eccles. In Tracy's defence, she showed a rare tender moment by going back into the Barlow residence to rescue the dog. So yes, more of Eccles in the future please, and less of Tracy.

My villain of the week was whoever came up with the idea of the strip show in the Bistro. What an unedifying spectacle, and oh boy did it drag on! If I lived in Weatherfield that would mark the last time I ate in the Bistro! I don't know who's idea it was to choreograph in all the bumping and grinding but all I can say is both Sean and Rita must be awfully easily pleased! And I agree with other posters here that the local GP would definitely not have become involved. I get that it was supposed to act as a lighthearted story to balance out the fire drama, but personally I could have done without it!

And if they were determined to go ahead with a strip show, why may I ask was the lovely Gary Windass not included?! Ahem...

So let's have your Corrie hero(ine) and villain(ess) from the past week in Weatherfield. Right,  I'm off to prepare myself for another hour of post-inferno Corrie drama tonight.



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Sunday, 17 March 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week


It's time to discuss our Corrie heroes and villains from the past week. This last week has been all about couples splitting up and getting back together again. There has been lots of unhappiness for poor Chesney and happiness of a sort for Dev and Sunita. Let's see how long that lasts. I found it very easy to decide on my hero and villain this week as you shall see if you read on.


So here goes. If you had to pick one Coronation Street character who you particularly love at the moment and one you particularly hate, who would they be? Only one each please, and remember I am asking for characters, not actors! 

My heroine of the week was remarkably easy to choose. Who else but the Salford Songbird herself, Rita Tanner. Just when you think Rita will never sing again, up she pops out of the blue and gives a performance Dame Vera Lynn herself would be proud of. Our Rita has a long history of singing in Corrie. Originally a backstreet nightclub singer, we were often treated to her dulcet tones in The Capricorn Club (where brawls were not uncommon) and then t'Gatsby, again a lively venue. My personal favourite of Rita's performances came at Christmas 1972 when she wowed the Rovers Select with her impression of Marlene Dietrich.

Rita can always be counted on to belt one out, whether it be the Millennium street party or in the aftermath of the tram crash in 2010. You can relive her rendition of A Winter's Tale here. In all seriousness, I do love it when Barbara Knox gives her vocal cords a good airing - it's a tangible link to Coronation Street's rich past and a song from Rita normally brings us moments of true Corrie community spirit. Seeing Rita, Emily and Dennis reminiscing together in the Rovers by candlelight was just lovely.

Now for my villain of the week. Not a difficult one for me, it's Ryan Connor. I could start by asking just what was he thinking? However I honestly don't think he had a thought in his head! What a selfish, unpleasant young man he is. I haven't really enjoyed his story with Katy as I'm not a fan of repulsive Ryan or daft young Katy. I felt so sorry for Chesney on Friday night, and I have to say Sam Aston played a blinder. I am also so glad that someone (Izzy) finally told it as it is to Katy. One minute all Katy wants is a baby and a family around her and when she finds out how difficult and exhausting that was she realised she wanted another life. 

You could see Katy instantly regretted the whole thing. Incidentally, can anyone tell me what the ladies of Weatherfield see in Ryan, because for the life of me I can't! In a short space of time he's had a cocaine habit, put Sophie Webster in hospital, tried to steal from his mother, had doings with Tracy Barlow and now attempted to ruin Chesney and Katy's relationship. 

The character of Ryan is without any moral compass whatsoever as far as I can see and therefore has no place in Coronation Street. I still don't buy the mother and son relationship between him and Michelle - it just doesn't work. Don't get me started on the huge plot holes surrounding his return either. Where is Alex? Nobody seems to care! He needs to be ditched, and fast!

So let's have your Corrie hero(ine) and villain(ess) from the past week in Weatherfield. Right,  I'm off to relive the Rovers talent show from 1972 - what better way to spend half an hour than in the company of Rio Rita, Betty, Bet et al. I wonder if the new Rovers will have a Select?


You can follow us on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog and Facebook: CoronationStreetBlog

And you can follow me on Twitter @Edgeof31

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Sunday, 10 March 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week

It's time to discuss our Corrie heroes and villains from the past week. This week has been fairly eventful and Friday's episodes alone gave several subtle hints that we are building up towards major fireworks involving the residents of the Rovers Return. I wonder what that could be? Anyway, my hero and villain(ess) this week both come from the same family!

So here goes. If you had to pick one Coronation Street character who you particularly love at the moment and one you particularly hate, who would they be? Only one each please, and remember I am asking for characters, not actors! 

My hero of the week is the lovely Jason Grimshaw. Bless him, our Jason wasn't exactly at the front of the queue when they were handing out the old grey matter but he has matured into a rather well-rounded (behave!) young man. He's a good friend, a good son and a good boyfriend. Although in my opinion he's far too good for St Ella and it will all end in tears. Jason has been unlucky in love more times than I can remember but his eternal optimism always sees him through. I do really think he's an often overlooked character and I'm glad Ryan Thomas has stuck around as long as he has.

He's my hero this week for two reasons. First of all, I love the way he stuck two fingers up to bullyboy Owen and struck out on his own. It's good to see a younger Corrie character trying to make something of themselves and I only hope his business succeeds, despite Karl's best  efforts. Also, I like the way he stood up to Karl in the Rovers during the week. Karl is turning out to be an excellent baddie and he thoroughly deserved that slap from Jason. I only wish St Ella realised how lucky she is to have Jason on her arm. For me it's always written in St Ella's favour - as if everyone else should thank their lucky stars they are able to share the same air as her. Anyway, I'll stop this mini-rant. Jason is my hero this week.


Which brings me to my villainess! I really did love Eileen Grimshaw during her first few years on the show. Sue Cleaver is particularly good at comedy and I love the chemistry between Eileen, Steve and Lloyd in the cab office. However, over time I've found myself liking Eileen less and less. Eileen's nadir as far as I am concerned has been the Alzheimer's story with Paul and Lesley. What started out as a great storyline turned into a distasteful farce with Paul and Eileen's affair under Lesley's nose verging on the unwatchable. A real shame as the issues involved were important and Judy Holt was terrific in every scene as Lesley Kershaw.

The relationship between Eileen and Paul has never taken off and we know Tony Hirst will be leaving soon. The main reason for Eileen's appearance in this post this week is due to her most recent behaviour. I can understand she has been hurt by men in the past but her childish, jealous behaviour (with the increasingly irritating Julie in cahoots) had me shouting at my screen. She really doesn't deserve Paul. We saw them get engaged on Friday night but we all know this won't last. I hope, when it all falls to pieces again, that someone close to her can talk some sense into her and we see a return to lighthearted, funny stories for Eileen. 


So let's have your Corrie hero(ine) and villain(ess) from the past week in Weatherfield. Anyway, I wonder what Jason would get Eileen for Mother's Day? I'm sure if he's stuck for ideas he could ask girlfriend Stella. After all, Stella and Eileen must be about the same age...

...I'm off to pinch one of my mum's chocolates! 


You can follow us on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog and Facebook: CoronationStreetBlog

And you can follow me on Twitter @Edgeof31

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Sunday, 3 March 2013

Your Corrie heroes and villains of the week


It's time to discuss our Corrie heroes and villains from the past week. It's been yet another eventful week in Weatherfield, although when have we ever seen a quiet one? Some interesting performances and plot developments this week so plenty for us fans to get our teeth into!

So here goes. If you had to pick one Coronation Street character who you particularly love at the moment and one you particularly hate, who would they be? Only one each please, and remember I am asking for characters, not actors! 

My heroine of the week has to be the deliciously awful, Doris Babbage. Helen Fraser was an absolute delight as the barnstorming Doris, and in my opinion completely nailed her character, which considering her limited screen time in one episode, was quite a feat! 

Doris brightened up the aftermath of the Eric storyline no end. The dialogue was sharp and funny and she definitely had potential to be a great classic Corrie character. She is my heroine mainly for playing Gloria at her own game, coming out on top and making Glo see sense. Here's hoping this is a turning point for Gloria and we see a softer side emerge in the weeks to come. Personally, I'd love to see Doris return. I think she would make a wonderful Rovers Return landlady.

So now we come to my villain of the week. I was very tempted to make Karl Munro the villain of the week, however as I know there is more to come from him, we'll leave him be for now. I'm just glad they are giving John Michie something to do at last! Anyway, my villain of the week is Julie Carp. She has really started to grate on my nerves over the Tyrone business. How could she be so stupid? What kind of friend is she? 

She has known Tyrone and Fiz for years but still sides with the unhinged, deranged Kirsty regardless. I never thought I would turn against Julie - maybe her association with half-sister Eileen has turned her bad? I cannot wait for the truth to come out, as it will, and I hope Julie, Eileen and the rest are made to grovel and eat large slices of humble pie. Who needs friends like these?!

So let's have your Corrie hero(ine) and villain(ess) from the past week in Weatherfield. I'm off to start the Bring Back Doris Babbage campaign. Antigua's gain is most definitely Weatherfield's loss! 


You can follow us on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog and Facebook: CoronationStreetBlog

And you can follow me on Twitter @Edgeof31

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