Good day. After weeks of no Friday episodes we are back to normal tonight. The drama tonight centres largely around the Platts, the Websters and Carla whilst other stories are on the back burner. Max is hiding out in the closed (and sold) builder's yard and yet everyone apart from the police knows where to find him. Lauren gets out of him his plan to go on the run to Belize and Aunty Becky but Shona tells him to think it through carefully. Eventually he ducks out of the hide and disappears - but Shona and David track him down to the police station where not only is he helping the police with their enquiries but he is answering all of their questions in very full detail. Shona brings Lauren up to date. Max is going down and Harvey is promising to make his life interesting already.
I am not sure David is cut out to be a criminal; he tells Shona what is planned before it happens and word reaches Nick who hauls him out of the getaway vehicle (which sits outside the precinct for hours as Andy does not have the tools so is bound to be on CCTV somewhere) when he is told that Max is missing. He appears all flustered in front of his mate, Andy, who is organising it and David cannot concentrate. Nick decides that he will find the money they need to get Harvey off David's back. Shona and David continue to argue repeatedly.
Roy travels with Carla to hospital and we are given a couple of the excellent scenes these two can produce when paired; while waiting for the operation in the hospital Roy is explaining the invention of anaesthetics and how operations were performed prior to that. The wait has been caused by Rob demanding a word by word explanation from Lisa as to how his murder conviction will be erased (remember he is in good company - Tracy managed it) - largely it seems because Detective Marsden may be light on actualities at times - allowing a crowbar to be applied to the evidence to expose a can of worms. Rob wants insurance and insists on recording Lisa on his phone (how does he even have a phone?). Eventually the operations happen and all seems well except that suddenly Officer Mandy Waring is summoned back to base and Rob will be back in the Big House on Monday.
Chesney keeps seeing a silver van and we find that Gemma's new bestie Lou has a husband, Mick, who drives a silver van - what are the chances? And even better they are moving into Mawdsley St - right across the ginnel along with the three unseen children who apparently like the quads never need looking after by their parents. For a new family arriving this is low key compared to the Battersbys!
Kevin breaks the bad news to Jack that he has testicular cancer, that it is not terminal and that there will be an operation on Monday followed by treatment. Jack is very adult and gives his father a hug and tells him he loves him. Abi tries to cook Kev a special dinner which goes wrong and is rescued by Debbie and the chef at the Bistro (I thought Debbie was no longer involved in the Bistro?) with a meal for two including burrata (a type of mozarella which is a cheese, Debbie explains). Debbie takes Jack off to the Chariot Square Hotel for his tea. Abi and Kev sack off the chicken breast in miso butter to go to bed and work up a thirst.
Steve makes his peace with Leanne and she joins him and Cassie at the bar where Leanne makes it clear to Cassie that Steve is not such a bad person and perhaps they ought to make a go of it. They share a few drinks before Steve and Cassie depart to number One to watch some Scandi-noir and they later retreat to bed together (well it is Valentine's Day as evidenced above - and Glenda is with Michael isn't she?). After Leanne has told the entire Rovers that she is not an arsonist, she and Yasmeen talk, the latter reminds Leanne she is still a family member needs to be put her anger aside. As Leanne leaves the Rovers she crosses paths with Sam and in a very brief exchange she promises that the anger has gone and she wants to mend her ways and perhaps be friends again. Cassie is noticeably drinking orange juice throughout.
The Steve McDonald view of women - a bit of a challenge, bit of an edge, not full-on Loopy Lou, but just a challenge. At which point Cassie goes in for the kiss.
There were also cameo appearances from Ryan plus Adam with Alya. For those who missed Wednesday and tonight Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) stole her scenes. I have to record that however good the story and the journey it will be a poorer place without her around. Her return was long desired and most of it has been wondrous and has been particularly bright this week.
Written by Susan Oudot and Mark Wadlow. Directed by Gill Wilkinson.
Kosmo
