Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 22nd February, 8 pm

Here we are for another Coronation Street Blog review in which I will try and avoid discriminatory language, violence, and scenes of panic or distress, which ITVX warned me of before I watched tonight's show. I normally take ITVX’s warnings with a pinch of salt but tonight’s certainly made a lot of sense. Some dark drama from Corrie this week, and as much as I enjoy reading Corrie fans tweet about their annoyance, and longing for days of old, I love this show a lot more when they delve just that bit deeper into Weatherfield’s darkest corners and modern society’s taboo subjects. 

We shall start with stalking. Tonight, Justin’s weirdo voicemails and texts continue but Daisy’s waylaid with her influencer wedding arrangements whilst Daniel is teaching Max’s English lessons at the young offenders unit. Daisy’s suddenly not keen on social media, with all things considered, and reopening her phone, she decides to take the latest batch of messages to show the police. again. It makes no difference so Daniel offers to screen Daisy’s messages for her until she realises the police officer has ‘liked’ all of her Instagram pictures as well! two words; met police. 

At the STC, (young offenders/grooming/grassroots racism strand) Daniel gives Max some Larkin to read which is an interesting choice, and kudos to Corrie for That literary reference. With Ken off-screen, it's nice to know we've got Daniel and Roy to keep the high brow on it. Daniel is forgiving of the young lad's predicament and tells Alya that she should pay him a visit. 

She responds by making it very clear that she’s still struggling following the stabbing, but Ryan manages to change her mind. As with all Corrie prison visits, the visit itself is only a few scenes further on (unrealistic or for dramatic purposes?), and she read him the riot act, though not the victim statement itself (which I expected at this point) whilst Max could only listen. Later, he calls David to tell him all about his braying from Alya and it seems her words have helped. He wants his family to pay him a visit. 

Fuelled by her opening up, Alya decides to take the statement and read it out at Blake’s sentencing. I expect we won't see that particular scene as we got to hear the statement tonight instead. I didn't take note of who wrote Alya’s words but that was an astonishing piece of drama and my scene of tonight, if not this week. I am going to disregard this carbon copy of the very recent Sam / Harvey prison face-off due to the top-drawer drama. This right-wing story really took up the majority of tonight's drama in fact. 

Spider is still trying to track down the mystery right-wing benefactor and decides to pay Griff a visit in prison to see if he can press him for information. Another prison scene. That's all I’m saying. Spider admits that the police have found Griff’s burner phone which could lead them to Griff's paymaster. Meanwhile, Maria is perplexed at councillor Len’s sudden change of opinion, just as Spider reveals that the police have a warrant ready to make an arrest. Spider tells Toyah that once the case is over, he may return to normal policing. I hope this means the return of his blonde boss!! David did try to get things back to normal tonight with Shona, but although she made peace with Maria, her husband was still in the doghouse and he even got an earful in the pub!  

Elsewhere, Billy and Paul announce their re-coupling, and I'm pleased Todd had a nice part to play, just annoyed that the Archdeacon appears to be avoiding church for another week! Also glad to see Evelyn back and bringing some comedic light into this week's darker drama. 

What did you think of tonight’s Corrie? Let us know in the comments box. 

I am @rybazoxo cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 25th January, 8 pm

With Speed Daal readying to host the refugee Q & A drop-in session, the Coronation Street right-wing radicalisation storyline continues to run through my Wednesday night episode reviews- and I'm here for it! With Max now 100% Nazi, and his pal Blake seemingly the same, I knew this episode was promising something. Having seen zero spoilers, and writing this on a Friday night due to being busy at my new job, I sat at the laptop with trepidation wondering what was to come. A few days ago, I read on the national news website about a northern UK teen being jailed for radicalisation, so fair play Corrie for being current, relevant, and supplying high-end drama. 

We start tonight with Darryan handing out flyers for the gig, and Maria busying herself, much to Gary’s worry and frustration. It's good to see Gary and David at loggerheads again, right? Maria remains worried about Max’s temperament and decides to invite the youngster to the drop-in session. Max, however, is watching Blake’s online racist vlog live-stream and it's made clear that Blake is heading to Speed Daal with violent action in mind. David steals Max’s phone and tells him to go to the drop-in to try and change his views. 

Over at Speed Daal, Maria gives a TED-talk speech on community cohesion, awareness, and woke Weatherfield, which seems to have been the button to press for Blake to reveal his knife, just as Max gets his phone back to retune to the live stream. Running over to Speed Daal, Max is aware of what could be about to happen, and (once again) his warnings of terrorist activity fall on deaf ears, and (once again), Alya comes off worse, and this time it's a stabbing! Gary and Darryan wrestle Blake to the ground, whilst Speed Daal is cleared, and the police are soon on the scene. Max is immediately a suspect cohort, whilst Alya's rushed into surgery. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Corrie spectrum, Fiz explains she's off to see her Mum, Cilla, for the night, and Evelyn worries about Tyrone being on his own. At the garage, he’s propositioned by the chinchilla blonde/pretty pet shop woman, which his granny spots, and tells him off for flirting. Flying off the handle, Evelyn tells Roy all about it, only to see Tyrone head out to his car all suited and booted. Evelyn suspects the worse so tells Roy to fire up his woody! At the Chariot Square hotel, we watch Tyrone arrive, and then the penny drops in my Corrie brain - he’s meeting Fiz! - after the spicy sex advice from street siren Sally! Yep, Fiz is in a blonde wig at the bar, with Evelyn and Roy springing Tyrone only to discover the newlywed's role-play sauciness! - love it. Corrie may encompass modern storytelling with the right-wing radicalisation thread but still gives us some light-hearted sauce that reminds me of just how good this programme can be.  

At the Rovers, Daisy gets another expensive gift delivered, and her Mum is charmed upon meeting Stephen whilst he lies to Jenny about Teddy and Leo. Following his disposal of Teddy, Stephen is buoyant tonight and asks Jenny on a date, only for her to dismiss his charms. Outside of number one, Daisy bumps into her Scottish stalker who admits to sending the gift. Later, Stephen is late night packing at Underworld when he meets Dick Haversham, an old work pal. He lies about his factory job and Carla shows him up. 

Elsewhere, Gemma’s childcare business meets its first client, which unfortunately makes her realise there's still a lot to learn. Gemma's trip to the kebab shop, whilst all hell broke loose on Victoria Street, was hilarious; just not sure if it was supposed to be. If Ches does a veggie option for that craft burger - I'm in!

Love! Dee-dee’s new hair, spotting the Weatherfield community hub branding, and Evelyn and Roy are the comedy detectives we all need! Could they ever be more than friends?

Also worth mentioning is some brilliant direction tonight, what with the camera work on Max’s running shot, and the speed daal stabbing aftermath. Some hilariously written and quite subtle innuendo made for top-tier Corrie tonight. What did you think? 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 11th January, 8 pm

Although things have calmed following Griff’s incarceration, the fallout from the bomb continues to feed several storylines tonight. Maria confirms the market will stay open until the 18th at least, despite the thwarted attack. Gary warns her of the council role (trolling, bombs, fake videos, protests ) but she remains committed to the job. Councillor Len tells her that (post-explosion) they are to record a TV interview for the local press. 

As Max and David struggle with their father/son relationship following the bomb blast, Jacob’s storyline gives us the same, but from the opposite spectrum. Dodgy Dad / Son / emotional strain. Tonight, Damon pushes his son, in more ways than one, with the Bistro drugs delivery acting as emotional blackmail. He's got no choice and hides his unease in the Bistro kitchen as a night of business opens. With the police retirement party on the premises and a sniffer dog to boot, Jacob’s nerves start to get the better of him, and as he keeps an eye out for the delivery, his nerves come unstuck leading him to drop drinks on Craig!

Luckily, he manages to get the dodgy consignment out of the Bistro by feigning illness and heading home. Unfortunately, the drug dog sniffs out a scent in the Bistro kitchen anyway. Leanne is immediately suspicious of Jacob so she sends the police to his place. Back at his flat, Jacob manages to flush the gear down the toilet, before the sniffer dog and police visit them. Amy is shocked at seeing this unfold and probes her boyfriend, who denies all knowledge. Jacob then meets his Dad, who tells him it was a £50K stash - he either leaves Weatherfield or stays to face dark consequences. 

On the other side of the spectrum, Max meets with Lauren again, who tells him she’s going to Devon and invites him to join her. He declines and tells David that he’s sticking around. At the market press jaunt, Len tells the interviewer that the open-door immigration policy isn't working, whilst Maria vows to keep Weatherfield woke. Gary tells Izzy about his worries.

Daisy’s wedding planning and freebie blagging lead her to an event at the Chariot Hotel with Glenda and Gemma in tow. Daniel still can't commit to a 2023 date with his new job starting but Daisy ignores his reluctance and attends anyway, hoping to book this in-demand DJ. At the gig, Daisy's dressed to kill, and still fuming with Daniel, she gets drunk and is soon charming the handsome DJ, before posting a selfie with him on her socials. 

Later, after taking Summer for her diabetes check-up, Mike and Esther give her a lift back to Coronation Street. Leanne spots them together and tells Billy all about it, including that Mike tried to chat her up that night at the Bistro. Armed with some ammunition, Billy tells Summer this, which causes more friction between the father and daughter. Summer probes Mike about it, and he makes out it was just a joke, whilst Esther looks uncomfortable. 

Elsewhere - Alya’s bomb-induced injuries inspire Dee-dee to bring her friend back into the solicitors, and Ryan is still evidently keen on pursuing his ex.   

What did you think of tonight's Corrie? 

Let us know in the comments box. 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 4th January, 8pm

Happy New Year to all Coronation Street Fans! 

This is my first episode review of 2023 and the fast-paced, issue-based, high-intensity of Weatherfield drama continues in earnest. 

Wednesday night's episode began with the Victoria Street Christmas Market reemerging as the Peace Market. In this early morning episode opener, Alya and Maria are out and ready to get the market going. Alya clocks the speed daal van and thinks she sees someone in it. She doesn't, but viewers see Lauren’s Dad steal the van. Max then meets with the gang, who subtly hint at a peace festival protest, telling him they nicked speed daals van and ditched it in the canal. Reece warns Max that he and Lauren must stay out of the way of the festival. Later, Speed Daal's van reappears on the street - viewers see a homemade explosive device attached to its ignition!! With his conscience pricked, Max tells Lauren about the beating, Spider's undercover work, and the market protest plan (thank you, Max, I missed the Monday episode) 

Realising the gang's plan to blow up the van/market, Max races to inform Yaz and Alya about the unnoticed disappearing/reappearing van, but of course, they have no interest in heeding his warning. Checking the van, however, Alya spots the improvised explosive, and with Lauren having already called the police, our heroine decides to drive away with a bomb on board! Reece returns looking for Lauren but is quickly bundled into a car by Griff and his cronies and driven away.

With the clock ticking, Alya has to dispose of the van before the bomb goes off, and on a phone call with a panic-stricken Yasmeen, she resolves to head to a canal!

Meanwhile, Spider is still in the hospital following the attack, but Teddy has recovered and is released. With Jenny offering Teddy some convalescing in the Rovers, Stephen is panicking and stirs things up, as he always does. I despised! this character to start with, but the Hillman / Phelan undertone has been a masterstroke in Corrie's plotting. Teddy doesn't remember anything, and still thinks he met Leo in Canada, so Stephen's murderous manipulation continues. Later, Spider wakes up, explains the grooming premise to Toyah, and defends Max's predicament. 

On the street, news of the bomb spreads, and the Victoria Street peace market begin evacuation. Max and Lauren race to David to explain, with Max finally realising what he got himself into, and Alyla arrives on a disused wasteland, where the bomb explodes the van. Alya has been thrown from the vehicle, unconscious on the floor, but manages to stumble home, with the police finding her on Balaclava Terrace. The police then head next door and arrest Max. 

Elsewhere - Damon tells Jacob to quit the Underworld job to work at the Bistro full-time, which he does, telling Nick to double-pay his son, and it's clear that Damon is obviously planning something when he wants a mysterious package delivered. Gemma and Bernie are upset at Bessie Street's reluctance to take on BSL usage, so they head over to shout it out. The snooty school teacher ignores their pleas, so Bernie, Gemma (and Michael Bailey, randomly) decide to do a sit-in protest. With one Corrie cause celebre slowly nearing completion, they thought it was time for another. As someone who wears hearing aids, I get what this is about, so I am all for it. 

Elsewhere, I loved Roy's astonishment at the banality of mobile phones, memes, passwords, and emojis misuse. Brian needs to reintroduce those peace cakes to Mary. I’d love to see a modern retelling of the famous 2003 scene (episode 5581) where the old-guard patrons got stoned at Roy's Rolls. Peter’s barter storyline is also enjoyable. 

What did you think of tonight's Coronation Street? 

Let us know in the comments box. 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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