Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 31st of Oct 8.30pm

As promised, here is the part two review of this Wednesday's Coronation Street. A spooky double?...
It's certainly a scary one for Tracy. As Steve pours over the CTV footage, his new wife finally admits the truth.

With Abi's future on the line, Sinead is also scared in what the future may hold. Hiding her pain behind optimism, Daniel confides in Chesney at the Kebab Shop. In his absence, Sinead receives a call from the hospital and decides to delay further chemo sessions.

Tracy debates the consequences of her actions, and after stealing the laptop, has a sudden (uncharacteristic) attack of conscience. Steve unsubtly destroys evidence (outside the cop shop, no less)  and Abbie suddenly has no case to answer. After punching Kev, it seems Eileen has a new colleague when Steve offers Abbie a new job, which means (the elusive unseen) Brenda may be about to lose hers!.

As The Specials seminal classic 'Ghost Town,' reverberates from The Rovers jukebox, the Halloween party is soon in full swing, raising funds for Sinead. Liz is dressed as a witch (subtle Jenny, very subtle), and Gemma as a sweet looking 'Snow White'.

In other news; DC McKinnon visits the Connors and closes the car crash case, and Kirk is actually the grim reaper (makes sense, sort of).

Anyway, that's me for another week.  I hope you've enjoyed my mid-week paean to the drama of Coronation Street.

I'm @rybazoxo  - your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.
Join me next time, for more Wednesday Weatherfield Wisdom!.

TARA!

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All the Single Ladies

There are several single ladies at this moment on the cobbles. Some newly single, others have been single for a while. Let’s start with Liz. At one point something seemed to be happening between Amy’s friend’s dad and Liz but that must have fizzled out though I don’t remember when or why.

Her last significant relationship was with Tony and I thought they went well together. Naturally it had to end because of Tony’s deceit and relationship with Tracy. Remember how well Liz tricked Tony and everyone else into thinking she was going to give him another chance? Sheer class from the landlady of The Rovers.

Who is there for Liz? I had wondered about Vinny, the villain. She is attracted to bad boys, is our Liz. Is he with anyone? Even if he was, I cannot see Vinny being morally troubled by a little adultery. Is there anyone else suitable for Liz amongst the current residents? She needs a new arrival. And I don’t mean Leanne’s baby. Odd how she seems more interested in Leanne’s baby than she does Michelle’s. Is that just the natural reaction of human psychology? The one less available becomes the more tantalising?

Some might say that Maria must have had a moment of insanity when she dumped Luke. After all, what is not to like about the tall, dark handsome man? What is going on in Maria’s head? Does she have her heart set on Aidan, after their night of passion? He has made it clear that it was a mistake but Maria did seem a little put out by his rather ungallant attitude in making it clear that it was indeed just that and nothing more – a mistake. Maybe there will be a follow up after all.

Sarah has been single since her relationship with Callum and has been very delicate mentally since his death and Harry’s birth. She now seems to be getting stronger and there is a certain Gary Windass who may well ask Sarah out. Gary and Izzy’s time is done and they have agreed to take Care of Jake as best they can, despite their not being together. Sarah and Gary? I think that could work. We’ve already seen Izzy watching the 2 of them talking. Will Izzy find someone else too?

Mary now feels that she is nothing short of an expert on broken hearts after her fling with married cheat and ghost hunter Brendan. She has taken on her woman of the world role with great gusto, thereby producing further comedic moments for the massively talented Patti Clare.

But the question is - who will be Mary’s next love object? There has been speculation that a new man will arrive on the cobbles and that love develops after friendship. I hope It’s true. I’d love her to find a decent man but not at the cost of a reduction of eccentricity.

Tracy has been single for a while since her split with Robert. Is it possible that the 2 of them will reconcile? At the moment it seems unlikely, though who knows what set of circumstances the writers will create to put them back together. To be with Tracy is not an experience for the faint hearted and there is no sign of an orderly queue forming at her door.

Since Gary and Alya split over her night with Jason, Alya has not had a romantic attachment. Alya is beautiful, intelligent and ambitious – in short a good catch. However, she may well be enjoying her life as a working single woman and contrary to what many believe it is possible to lead a fulfilling life without a significant other.

Are Rana and Zeedan back on? Why was Rana so cagey as to why she didn’t want her parents to show up for the Nazirs anniversary do?

Gemma, a definite marmite character, had a fling with Jason, and we saw from that Gemma’s lack of confidence, despite her general gobbiness. She did reveal a while ago that she loved Callum, but it wasn’t crystal clear as to her meaning. Was it romantic love she felt or strong friendship?

Caz, Kate and Sophie are all currently single. Caz has clearly developed feelings for Maria, but there’s no chance those 2 would work as Maria is into men. Kate and Sophie, who are also single, appear to enjoy each other’s company so maybe after Brooke Vincent finishes her theatre run, Kate and Sophie will get together.

If Audrey and Ken are going to get together they are taking their time about it. Does she prefer Freddie? And there was that rather elegant looking silver haired woman in the Bistro…

Rita, I believe, is not looking for romance but you can never say never. How satisfying it would be if Queen Rita could meet her king and reign on the cobbles together. If someone did come along, he would have to be worth his weight in gold.

Ruth Owen, twitter @ruth1722

What Coronation Street Needs Now

Monday’s episodes this week were pretty damned good, I thought. And yet there were no tram crashes, no fires, no minibuses going off road and no murders. What was included was plenty of sharp, convincing, dialogue. It is this dialogue, this interaction between people, that is Coronation Street’s heart and soul. Mary’s lines were spectacular - sadness, poignancy, insight and humour.

Long ago though it may be, one of the best pieces of dialogue was Blanche Hunt speaking to Deirdre.

‘Good looks are a curse, Deirdre. You and Kenneth should count yourselves lucky.

And the inimitable Blanche again - this time it is Liz McDonald who cops it.

‘Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner and roots as dark as her soul.’

And once more  - this time to Tracy.

‘You’re remarkably chipper. Trod on a snail?’

Rita is always able to come upon a suitable comment when required, especially when it involves Norris.

Rita:      Did you ever run away from home?’

Norris: No, I certainly did not!

Rita:      That must have been a great disappointment to your mother.

Eileen too can produce the words when needed. Of Tracy Barlow she says:

‘Even her initials are a killer disease!’

It is, then, the sparkling wit of the dialogue that makes the show, along with great actors who can deliver the lines with conviction. It is the engine from which the show achieves its brilliance.  

Sally and Tim work so well because of the connection between them, helped by the terrific dialogue written for them. It is the way the two characters contrast too. Tim is largely easy-going and unconcerned about social standing. Sally is deeply concerned about social status and  how she is viewed by the outside world and revels in her position at Underworld, which often has her making unpleasant and patronizing comments to Alya, the young pretender. Private schools, sofas, Banksy, quinoa, kale are her concerns, even though she thinks a Vienetta has class. Long may these two continue to amuse us.

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Luckless Leanne

Tracy’s first steps to redemption, making breakfast and trying to make up with Carla, seemed to have the touch of sincerity about them. It is very early days though and her real redemption will begin when she confesses about having started the fire in Carla’s flat.

Robert is confusing. We know he’s married and he lied to his wife on the phone in The Rovers. I need to be convinced much more by this enduring love for Tracy, though. So far, it just strikes me as odd. He’s no slouch though and saw off the thugs in Barlow’s Buys.

Really though, Tracy aside, could things get any worse for Leanne? Simon is rude and offensive to her and yes he’s not the first  and he won’t be the last  adolescent to be rude or offensive to a parent. Simon though, has had much to deal with and he receives another wallop, this one from his dad, his very part-time dad, the dad who claims to love Simon above everyone. So, Peter has a job in Antigua! It may only be for six months, initially, but it’s hardly Stockport. 'It's good news really,' says Peter. 'What is it Peter?' asks Leanne, almost guessing, from her tone, that the good news will not be good news for her or Simon. Peter is non-plussed when Simon declares his intention to come with him. Leanne points out the impracticality of it and Simon throws this at her, 'You just don't want us to be happy.' Who said life was fair?

Leanne’s facial expressions speak volumes. Just when she needs support, Peter becomes unattainable. Thank goodness for Nick then, who is more of a dad to Simon, than Peter is. Simon’s aggression is going to deteriorate and Leanne will hopefully lean on Ken as she struggles with his behaviour. Just to add to her woes, while at work in the Bistro, Leanne gets a call from Simon's school to say he has been fighting and has been suspended.

Leanne is still grieving for Kal, too and the marriage that never will be. 

Then there is the charmless Dan. Is Liz so desperate for a man that she has to take up with this guy? Is he useful to her in that when Tony does return, she will be able to make him jealous? Granted, she doesn’t know about his violence towards Leanne when she was a prostitute, but Liz does know something is wrong as demonstrated when she was trying to make up to Leanne, but not understanding why Leanne was upset. 'Hopefully we can just put any misunderstandings behind us,' says Liz. Liz will find out though – she surely will.

Approaching Leanne in the street, Dastardly Dan shows his true colours. ‘I need to know that I can trust you,’ he tells her. Leanne reminds him that she had bruises from him as he tries to convince her that he has now changed. ‘You can’t tell her!’ he yells at Leanne. 'I'm not going to let some bitter little whore ruin what I have with Liz.' He grabs hold of her, and Leanne tells him to get off her. He then tells her that if she tells Liz about him, she'll regret it. 

Well, it might not be Leanne who tells Liz, it could well be Sarah, who was watching closely. Tell Liz, Sarah, exactly what you saw! The sooner the better!

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