Corrie Comicals week ending 25 October 2019

It is reportedly going to be hard to avoid the Sinead story this week and so I will kick of with her obvious enjoyment of "snow" for her "Christmas".  Her Christmas followed the pattern many experience come the day itself - a huge build up as the anticipation kicks in; a huge lunch (surprisingly therefore there is always some pud left over which goes to Bethany; my preference is for the cold turkey) and then inevitably the family row (best avoided if possible) but here setting Daniel off.  He is convinced Sinead is tired (and she is) but let her go to sleep with the family around her rather than causing further disagreement.

In a recent prison visit Shona confirmed that the wedding is on 7 November (although events may derail that); looking at the size of the "bump" being "hidden" by the cushion which Shona clutches as a tightly as any safety blanket as she moves around one has to hope that the ceremony will happen before her departure!  David is suffering in a prison riot and there is not much comedy in seeing a prison block - even a closed one which is regularly used for filming purposes - being destroyed.

Leaving aside the carefully placed washing basket there was a moment of warmth for the Platts household after Shona suggested that Max (who apparently skipped most of the day at school) might do some homework rather than play a computer game and he observes that returning home was "totally the wrong choice".  But all were grinning!

Whilst well known for his blistering delivery of the single word "What?!" this was a slightly gentler delivery than normal from Ken as Daniel confesses his misbehaviour and his plan to tell Sinead in line with the soap promise of no more secrets!  Ken is hardly one to judge Daniel's activities given his own history!

A shout out to the older members of the cast who are bringing their years of experience to work with the younger ones.  Bethany has told Audrey what happened and so Audrey climbs the stairs twice in one day - a struggle she says - to ensure that her great grand-daughter is not suffering too much.

Thursday night extra was entrusted to Jonathan Harvey to handle the inevitable reconciliation between Sinead and Daniel.  In the scene prior to this one we have seen Daniel being found on the canal-side - Beth of course goes onto say "... and he can lie in it".  Sinead's riposte that she would prefer him to be lying face-down in a ditch ... somewhere just about sums up where he almost was.  However the key element tonight, in an elegantly written segment, was delivered by Sinead as she video-recorded a message for Bertie which I am sure will re-appear at some point in the future.

Earlier in the week it was reported that the nurse was incapable of making a decent cup of tea and Ellen Taylor who took the writing job for a very difficult Friday made it clear that her other responsibilities were also not keen on the quality of her tea!  Obviously we (apart from Daniel) all know that the end is imminent.  So much of the episode was around when Sinead was awake with a fade to black when she was slipping asleep.  So finding lighter moments takes some doing.

On the right above is the back of Gail's head and hopefully you can see the plait in Gail Rodwell's hair, but I think we all know that she is Gail Platt really!

The clan gathered, left to right, Aunty Beth, Granny Nancy and Mother Arlene.  I hope that this is not the last we see of Mother and Granny.  And in a sad footnote Juliette Kaplan who played Great Gran Agnes died on 10 October 2019.  Even at the end Arlene demonstrated her parental inadequacy and we all noted that whilst Beth may not be the best mother in the world there are worse!

See you next week with a little more cheer!

Writers: Joe Turner & Owen Lloyd-Fox (Monday); Jayne Hollinson & Debbie Oates (Wednesday);  Jonathan Harvey (Thursday); Ellen Taylor (Friday)
Directors: Tim O'Mara (Monday); Michael Lacey (Wednesday & Thursday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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

Coronation Street Episode Review 26 October 2018

Now here is the nicer side of the Street.  Emma wants Chesney.  Chesney wants Gemma.  Gemma has decided to see a lot of Spike (too much of him from Rita's point of view as it is putting her off her chipolatas for breakfast).  So Emma devises a little plan.  She gets Chesney to invite her on a "date" at which she explains to him how he should treat an attractive lady he is wining and dining and later how they should kiss goodnight.  Sadly Chesney has still not got the message by the end of the "date".  I suspect she could invite him to bed and take all her clothes off and he would still not get the message!

Tracy is back but has left Steve behind in the desert and has brought his passport back as part of his punishment.  She hears the police are interested in the damage to Michelle's car and they have reached the conclusion that drug dealer Ronan paid drug consuming Abi Franklin to sabotage the car whilst it was being serviced. (DS MacKinnon is famous for arresting the wrong person).  Abi gets arrested (above).  Earlier Tracy had "lifted" Abi's keys to the garage and Tracy then removed the laptop with the CCTV evidence that she had damaged Michelle's car.  Tracy later returns Abi's keys.  Abi is freed but remains under suspicion as not even Kev will stand up for her.  When Abi punches Kev on the nose in the Rovers he has no choice but to sack her.  Tracy has now really dropped one of her best mates right in the doo-doo.

Following the dramatic return of Nick last week his imminent departure has been the theme of the week, along with numerous phone calls and messages to his phone from "E" who is allegedly one of the chefs at his restaurant in Nottingham.  (Simon gets a look in and makes it clear that he thinks that Leanne still loves Nick).  Shona keeps giving Nick the evils and eventually Nick is told by David of the events with Josh and how that matter is solved.  After a rocky start Nick is also worming his way back into Leanne's good books (and her pants?).  How many times have those two been together, split and later been re-assembled - are we into double figures yet?  Shortly before the phone call above David and Nick had buried the hatchet (consequently Gail is over the moon) and Nick was saying he was off back to Nottingham.  However the phone call above commenced in the flat he has rented for the Battersby sisters whilst he was charming Leanne and it looks like Gail's illness is simply not improving!  Poor "E" is being fed a pack of lies.

Talking of liars Ange is convinced that Jude has gone forever and will not turn up at the hospital for George's appointment.  If Jude can lie about being a marine biologist and so many other things I wonder if like Andy Carver / Gavin Rodwell he was never Mary's son at all?

There is a touching moment where Roy is able to thank Ali for saving his life with the epi pen following the bee sting.  He refuses to let Ali pay and says he considers it an inadequate gesture of gratitude for doing a job for which Roy is sure Ali rarely gets thanked.  Sadly Roy then says a few words about Jude and his lying which inevitably upsets mary who is behind the door screen.  Mary feels she has sent away her little baby for a second time and moves to Roy for comfort who despite having his hands full of plates he manages to hug and pat her.

Now at the less attractive end of Street events we turn to the Barlows.  Sinead has a "turn" and makes light of it to Daniel but word reaches Ken who knows the truth and to help he has also told Claudia.  Sinead is invited around to tea and this gives Claudia (who by the way has the most marvellous hair - my wife assures me is it not a wig)  the opportunity to provide some words of motherly wisdom to the effect that it is Sinead's decision as to what happens. 

I realise that Sinead and Alma are a long way apart in time and telling different stories but given Sinead's decision so far I think there is only one end to her story.  But maybe things will change next week.  I have no doubt that Tracy will find a solution to Abi's problem without dropping herself in the doo-doo.  Who will Chesney end up with - Gemma or Emma?  And when will the mysterious "E" appear on the Street; if (s)he does who will be cooking in Nottingham?  And will Nick and Leanne be back together?  I reckon Steve will have a very deep suntan when he does get back from his sojourn in the desert.

Next week MsKelstar will be here in this slot.  I hope to be back in two weeks providing the medical bits all go smoothly.

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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