Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 30 May 2025

Good evening.  Tonight we say bon voyage to Julie and and I shall not carp about the send off she is given with funeral car and a right royal drinks session in the Rovers later.  We open with George in touching mode telling Julie that the day is about her and that Eileen will pull through.  There is a pot bellied pig to accompany Julie as she was mad for them and for the Beautiful South.  Apparently Theo is tied up with a job so will not join them at the wake (he is needed in Ambridge for his 40th birthday party next week too, but the rumour is that he will not make it).  [I had not previously noticed that Hays Travel has gone and the unit is boarded up with only Sainsburys having a presence.]  Eileen has found a letter for Brian in Julie's documents.  After the service, back in the Rovers, we discover that whilst in Wrexham Julie was playing netball and learning Welsh.  Eileen is kicking herself for not seeing her.  There is a special memory book behind the bar.  Theo arrives.  Brian confronts Eileen with the contents of the letter - which includes the life assurance policy which previously Eileen did not admit to receiving.  Why did Eileen lie?  Tracy weighs in suggesting the Eileen buy them all another round.  An argument blows up out of nothing.  Tracy reminds everyone about the attempted embalming - so the money was to be split three ways.  This winds up Eileen enough to throw a glass of prosecco over Tracy.  George advises that the Wrexham Girls have gone home for a match and all of the funeral plans are worthless observes Eileen her tone of voice blaming George who is feeling like a punchbag.  Anyway Julie has a game she wants them to play.  Tracy whispers something in Steve's ear about her and Tommy and he departs immediately.  On the next round George turns to Eileen and proposes marriage.  She does not respond as there is a new rover returning - Jason has arrived and Eileen gives him a huge hug.

Brody and his mother discuss Mick's plea hearing.  Mick does not want Brody present.  Apparently Brody is about to sit his GCSEs and should be revising.  The hearing is also discussed between Kit and Sarah - the former only wants to hear Mick confirm that he is guilty as he cannot deny it.  Mick reveals to Lou that Kit hired the hit men who did him over.  Kit will want to get to know Brody and then rekindle matters with Lou - which seems unlikely to me.  Later Lou is able to tell Bernie that Mick is pleading not guilty.  She also tells Bernie that Kit had Mick beaten up.  Lou tells Brody she will deal with Kit.  Lou arrives at Kit's front door to deliver a piece of her mind.  She says that Brody is not Kit's so he is to stay away from Brody.  Sarah has not taken the news of Kit's fatherhood well.  Lou warns Brody to stay away from Kit and not exact any revenge, but he is not listening.      

Maria is surprised to hear that Liam is at the builder's yard as he should be revising for his GCSEs.  Gary is ambivalent.  He has Ed working for him from today and is not sure Ed will take well to having a kid around.  However it might be a better experience than with Mick and Maria suggests that Liam should be Ed's gopher.  Ed decides to send Liam to get a tin of elbow grease but Gary catches it before it gets out of hand and Lian reverts to hiding in his bedroom from all these workplace bullies.  Gary later phones Liam to apologise but it goes to answering machine.  Ed is able to reassure Gary that Liam looks up to Gary and his tool belt.  He adds Liam will be all right.  

Carl is suddenly under cars at Kev's garage and his new found colleague Fiona is soon on the phone saying that there is a car available for an MoT.  Tyrone is having to look after Dorin so Kev (who has had his hair cut short) is willing to have Carl working there.  Later Abi makes it clear that she does not believe Carl is doing this for Kev.  They argue and she goes to get him a pasty so he can phone Fiona and get the car delivered - FD61 DWY.  Abi returns with a very hot pasty and catches Carl looking at the MoT forms - as if he knows what he is doing.  Later she watches him not doing very much to the car and it seems Fiona has another car needing attention already.  

Noah, the clerk at St Saviour's who has helped Billy with the funeral arrangements, comes into the Rovers prompting Theo to leave to make a call.  It transpires that Noah was one those who prayed over Theo during his conversion therapy.  Theo and Todd are polite to Noah - although Todd is clearly seething.  Eventually Noah departs so Theo can calm down.  Todd follows Noah into the street and challenges him.  Noah responds that he hates the sin not the sinner but Theo is displeased by Noah and his holier than thou attitude.  Noah is taking a taxi home and asks Steve if he can hire the Community Centre and asks about embalming the body before the autopsy and that possibly Eileen did alright on the life insurance so it might look dodgy.  Steve takes his fare away.

George does not get his answer - Eileen thinks he is joking and later tells him that she has not wanted to hear the proposal because she does not want to marry him.  Jason has been dumped by Lynsey he reports and Mary is organising karaoke.  Jason does not appear likely to be waiting long for his next conquest as Glenda makes her availability abundantly clear.  Mary and Brian tunelessly launch into "Islands in the Stream".  Billy introduces Noah to Todd and Todd's boyfriend Theo and they all shake hands with neither Theo or Noah referring to past knowledge of each other.  Eileen makes a brief speech about Julie and then stumbles so Todd steps in to reference Julie's reunion with Brian and her support for Theo as Todd's boyfriend.  He finishes with saying Julie will be really missed. And proposes a drink in her honour.  After a failed apology by George, Eileen decides she has had enough and goes home.  George eventually follows her and promises not to talk about the proposal but cannot help himself.  Eileen is honest  in saying that she did not want to hear the proposal because she did not want to hurt him - but she does not want to marry him, she wants to feel that she should want to marry him - but she doesn't.  George is of course very hurt.

Good to see Jason back, obviously we all know that it is not going to last but I hope that he and Eileen can enjoy the next few days.  Noah is obviously the next baddie on the Street - for some value of "baddie".  And given all the people who know about Kit's involvement in Mick's assault you wonder how long the secret can stay that way.  Of course Gary murdered Rana and Rick Neelan and has yet to pay the price (unless you count being married to Maria).  It was also odd that Noah seemed to know about the allegations about Eileen / George etc as the contretemps happened prior to his arrival.

Before I go I may or may not be here for the next two weeks.  I am heading for a week in the Azores and fitting in writing these reviews may not be possible or at least one of them will be very short.

Written by Jan McVerry and Steven Fay.  Directed by Gary Williams.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 23 May 2025

Good evening.  We are in a timewarp this week as all of the action since Monday has been on a single day in the life of Kit Green.  So we open with Mick having taken Bernie hostage and parked on some wasteland behind Marchand Street, whilst over at the hospital Craig has died and Kirk says he cannot - he is only 26.  The news soon reaches Swain and Green that the constable has died.

Bernie keeps phoning Kit - but he is rejecting her calls as he assumes it is about the quads and not that she is in deep trouble.  Mick insists that the only copper he needs is Kit as he has his uses.  Mick continues to drink and then he binds Bernie's hands with a tie.  Bernie mentions Craig and Mick remarks that the pig got what was coming to him.  Mick claims his life was ruined the day he met Kit as he is a cheat and a liar.  Mick rages.  In an attempt to calm Mick Bernie agrees with him, she let him down and Kit has not forgiven her.  

Tim has put Joanie and Shanice to bed when he lets Lou in.  She explains that she went to look for Brody - but I am not sure Tim believes it.  No-one seems to know where Brody is.  Lou asks Tim if he can look after the girls for a while as she knows they will be safe with him.  She admits she is desperate and he agrees providing she promises to return.  She promises.  

Gemma is looking for Bernie as numerous police cars roll to a halt on the Street and Kit issues instructions to visits all residences.  He spots Lou and asks why she left the hospital.  Kit asks Lou where to find Mick.  He tells the uniform officers to arrest her for assisting an offender.  He tells Tim that she was helping a murderer to escape - revealing the death of Craig.

Mick hauls Bernie out of the van and waving his baseball bat takes her inside an adjacent building.  Mick remains convinced that Kit will call him back and as if by magic he does.  He tell Kit to get there or his mum will be sent home in bits.  Mick is sure it will work as he knows Kit too well.  And his "lie detector" bat will work out if Kit has any feelings for Bernie.

In the Rovers they are re-assuring themselves that Craig will be like a Weeble and will soon be back amongst them.  Gary comes in and tells the regulars that Craig has died.  

Kit arrives at the wasteland.  He checks the van and then goes to look at the building from which Mick and Bernie emerge.  Kit and Mick exchange barbs concerning Bernie being a worthwhile hostage.  Mick goes to hit Bernie and Kit attempts to get closer - but Mick merely feints and it shows that Kit does care about Bernie.  So he does have a bargaining chip.  Mick tells Kit to go to his home, get his passport and put him on a flight out of town.  Kit does not move and says he refuses to assist Mick.  Mick reminds Kit that he is owed for the year he spent inside.  And Kit took his girl whilst he was inside.  Kit says they were both kids and he is sorry.  Mick says the year inside is what messed him up.  Kit is not buying it.  Prison did not turn him into a criminal - he was one already.  Kit tells Mick he messes up lives and now he has taken Craig's.  Mick says Kit is lying - but slowly Mick grasps that he has killed a copper.  And courts do not like cop murderers either.  Kit suggests Mick hands himself in.  

At the police station Lou is being interviewed.  She claims she hit her head when she fell.  DS Swain gets her to confirm that there was a "nothing" domestic earlier but she does not know where Mick is now.  Lou knows nothing helpful - they are just an ordinary family.  DS Swain lists the problems in the last 24 hours including a son, just out of STC who is already back in a police cell.  A little later DS Swain tells Lou she is free to go - so long as she does not go far as they will be in touch.  She asks if she can take Brody home - but as he remains drunk he stays where he is until he is interviewed.  DS Swain makes it clear that Mick will be going to prison.  

Bernie wants a last word before Mick lays into her.  She tells Kit she tried to make contact with him - but his other mother sent her away.  And then his adoptive mother died and Bernie did not want him thinking badly of his mother.  But he was not completely abandoned.  Kit knows - he found the note.  Bernie asks if he knew why did he make her suffer?  She runs to Kit and starts hitting him.  Mick follows and separates them which gives Kit a chance to grab the baseball bat.  However Mick recovers and hits Kit's leg - so Bernie can get to her phone and summon the police.  Kit and Mick tussle - but Mick again gets the upper hand standing over Kit.

Sirens howl, distracting Mick whom Bernie rushes at and once he is on the ground Kit recovers sufficiently to formally arrest him for murder.

Grief - Tim is crying but then has to amuse the two girls.  Sally cries.  Chesney and Gemma are overjoyed that Bernie returns safely.  Kirk is stunned, he is still holding Craig's lucky tie.  A glass is raised by Glenda, Sean, Steve, Asha, David and Gary at the bar.  Music plays in the background as Corrie goes into montage moment.

At the police station Kit apologises DS Swain and acknowledges he should have been with Craig.  In an interview room DS Swain lays out the events in which Mick has been involved and suggests he works with his solicitor to formulate a statement confirming his part in the death of PC Tinker and his subsequent attempt to run.  The interview is suspended.  

Ches, Gemma and Bernie discuss events and whilst Bernie is saying little even Gemma works out that there is something between Kit and Mick.  Bernie denies knowledge - or at least it is not her story to tell.  And Gemma is not to ask Kit.  

Sal has phoned Sophie who is shocked.  Shanice and Joanie are asleep again and Lou is at the door.  They tell her Mick has been arrested.  Lou says she has been home but Mick has trashed the place and she does not want the girls to see it.  Tim does not want to disturb them and Sal accepts that they should be with their mother tonight.  She can stay one night - Lou cannot believe they are so kind.  

The police interview restarts and Mick reads his statement.  He admits being stopped by PC Tinker who told him that he was not over the limit and could proceed on his way.  The officer was alive and well when last seen.  The further allegations made by DC Green are wholeheartedly refuted.  He was assaulted and handcuffed when quietly minding his own business.  He has been subject to a campaign of harassment from the detective going back over 15 years.  He will be making an official complaint.  DS Swain says that it is a shame that he does not have an alibi.  Busking it Mick assures her that he does.  He explains that after he parted company with PC Tinker he met his son Brody and they were together until he met Kit and Bernie later.  DS Swain considers this interesting since his solicitor is aware that Brody has been in a cell at the station for most of the day.  Mick is to be charged with murder.

In another parallel universe Craig is meeting the girl at the table and they will eventually marry, have many children and be important players on the Street for the next sixty years.  Kirk takes on the job of explaining events to her.  Later they discuss Darryl the rat who was named after Beth's layabout ex.  Kirk cannot get hold of Beth to tell her.  Maria assures Kirk that to everyone locally Kirk is Craig's father.  Kirk's phone rings and he has to tell Beth the news.  

Tim is going to call Faye.  Sal meanwhile is concerned what the neighbours will think about them giving a room to Lou.  But Tim knows that Lou has also suffered at Mick's hands.  Sal knows local people will be angry - but Tim says that is for tomorrow.  

Lisa returns to the flat where she breaks down in tears.  Carla gives her a huge hug.  A little later they sit on the sofa talking about Craig and what might have happened and a career which killed him.  Carla acknowledges it is all so horrible but it was Mick who killed him.  

Sarah and then Bernie visit Kit.  He is telling Sarah nothing and she departs but Bernie needs answers.  Bernie has come to deliver Kit's birthday present.  Kit admits that he has kept the little green elephant which was with him.  Bernie has not seen it for 30 years.  Kit hoped it might tell him something about his origins.  His parents looked after him - but an adoptee always wants to know about a bit of their personality which does not make sense.  He says he never really fitted in and Mick took advantage of that feeling.  He still feels lost.  Bernie apologises.  However Kit also admits he is at fault for Craig's death.  Bernie moves to hug him.  

Across at Carla's Lisa is saying that people cannot put off those things which they should do.  You always think there is more time - and sometimes there isn't.  Carla observes that if you spend living every day as if it is your last then you just burn out.  Lisa looks at Carla and says "Marry me".  She repeats it and the credits roll.  

Well as far as I can recall we never did get the end of the story where Chesney found out that Mick knew all along it was him that was tormenting him.  Unless I missed it during my holiday.  The two girls appear to be older than I expected - but maybe I missed that explanation as well.  I wish Colson Smith every success with his future career - what ever it may bring.  And will Carla accept that proposal?  Carla Connor-Swain?

Many thanks to all those who kindly explained the little green elephant last week.  

Written by Alasdair Morrison.  Directed by Duncan Foster.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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Coronation Street Episode Review Thursday 9 January 2025

Well this is a surprise, not only am I back but it is not Friday either (well it may be now - but it was Thursday when this episode aired).  Dev and Bernie are ideologically opposed on the subject of the hoax call made by Jospeh - Dev would have him strung up immediately whilst Bernie says kids always get up to high jinks.  The police have given him a youth caution.  Dev is then so impressed by Evelyn's desire to leave his service (he declares a day of national mourning) that he leaves his cake behind in the cafe which leads Bernie to deliver the forgotten package to the shop.  They have a deep and meaningful discussion; Dev proposes and Bernie accepts despite the earlier ideological difference.

In developments which move faster than greased lightning Evelyn has strapped on her rocket shoes and in short order tells Dev she is leaving his employment NOW and not at the end of three weeks' notice period, takes on the rental of a room in a mature student accommodation (really - she is of an age where I would have thought relocation to Still Waters would be more likely), taken a little job in the college library, packed her bags and cannot even be bothered to explain why she is leaving Hope and Ruby who will probably never miss her.  Dev complains about employee loyalty - but it works both ways and he was not particularly supportive to Ches when the kebab shop had to be closed down for a deep clean.  Roy pops along to allow her to cuddle Freddie one last time and also explains "Beer Pong" to her - but by the end of the semester she will have converted them to "Brandy Pong".  There is then a subdued farewell in the Rovers (obviously cast costs need to be kept down) before she heads off to her new life.

Over at Kate Oates Memorial Weatherfield General Hospital a doctor pops by to tell Carla that the sepsis has done for Aidan's kidney and once they have dealt with the infection she will need regular dialysis and will be added to the transplant list.  She admits to Lisa that she is not looking forward to undergoing another transplant.  Bobby and Ryan are present when the news is delivered with the former intending to wave his magic wand to provide a solution he pops along to Highfield prison (none of this nonsense over visiting requests and so on) where the killer of Tina McIntyre now resides - Rob Donovan returns again - and of course he is Bobby's father.  Rob has been lacking any external contact since Bobby cut him off - and now here Bobby is grovelling for help.  Just before the credits roll Rob reverses his earlier decision and is prepared to donate a kidney to 'Auntie Carla' despite the poison she has been spreading about him killing Tina when it was all self defence from a madwoman.

Sean talks Adam into taking on Dylan's case and whilst Adam believes the story Dylan recounts it is obvious that without some evidence it is likely that the Ratcliffe brothers will simply point their fingers at Dylan given his previous antipathy to Mason and his prints being on the knife.  Abi spots Dylan talking to Adam and leaving Alfie to swing she decides to award Dylan a piece of her mind.  When she turns back Alfie has decided to play hide and seek and is not found for about half an hour - until Toyah returns him.  Abi dishes out some more of her mind to Toyah screaming at Toyah to leave her and her son alone.

Luckily Shona is in Freshco car park (avoiding David who is being a pillock says Sarah) when the Radcliffe brothers park up next to her as they need some shopping and she phones Kit who is trying to eat lunch on the Street.  Sarah overhears the call and tells David that Shona phoned Kit - but not why.  Kit leaves in high speed (his windscreen appears repaired) followed by David at even higher speed in Sarah's car.  Kit is about to apprehend the Radcliffes when David shouts at him and they do a runner.  Kit eventually traps Matty against the wall of Nuttall's brewery (arches in the background) and almost breaks his arm before securing him with handcuffs and invites him for a chat down at the station.  Logan however is clean away.  News of the arrest spreads like wildfire.

Following all this activity there are signs that mental 'elfs are on the loose.  Sean has a breakdown in t'Rovers - he seems more upset than Dylan - and is comforted by George.  Along at the Sebastian Memorial Garden Abi recalls her argument with Mason, her loss of Seb and she is slowly losing her mind.

I realise that she has not gone, even though she has and I ought to say a few words about Maureen Lipman - but what can I say?  I believe it has been an incredible pleasure for us to see a National Treasure spend so long on the Street (7 years and over 500 episodes) and I hope she enjoys taking it a little easier in the future.  No doubt her family will give her cause to pop back and provide us with commentary on Hope's and Ruby's activities in the future.

Written by Carmel Morgan and Ella Greenhill.  Directed by Kodjo Tsakpo.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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