Carla and Peter : A Classic Corrie Christmas Two-Hander?

It's November 5th as I write this, and with a deluge of rain and flooding in South Yorkshire having quelled the expected fireworks, I'm devoid of excitement. Therefore, I thought I'd start writing up the latest Corrie Christmas / New Year teasers to post on the Corrie blog. Rather than saving the best until last, my first article starts with the best at the front - that being a two-hander that celebrates/commiserates the end of Peter and Carla's incredible tenure, which is due to air during Christmas week. Coronation Street is giving the relationship finale the best treatment, with a seasonal special two-hander, exploring the ins and outs of this dramatic duo. You cannot beat a Corrie two-hander, and as 2023 draws to a close, this could be the pinnacle of a brilliant year on the cobbles.  

On October 25th, I joined an ITV press event to chat with Corrie producer Iain Macleod, to give you a little sneaky peak of what's to come. 

Hi Iain, following Stephen Reid's death, we know Peter is due to leave the street. Can you give us the lowdown on what's to come for Carla and Peter?

What we wanted to do with Peter, was to deal with the reality of a man who has demons, it's fair to say, with a history of alcoholism and depressive episodes. His reaction to what he did to Stephen and the kind of battle to get it straight within himself. (He wonders) whether it was the right thing to do, was it necessary and how much of it was to do with getting revenge for Carla!

Will Peter succumb to alcoholism again? 

We were very clear when we started the chapter of this story that we wouldn't want him to fall off the wagon again, so you won't see that. We thought it was important that as a transplant recipient, he wouldn’t drink again - that was an important message to send out. However, he will struggle psychologically with his demons and his happiness on Coronation Street. Carla becomes aware of his feelings - he’s not okay. It's a fork in the road for them, with their happiness appearing to be not reliant on each other.

Does this lead to a Carla and Peter showdown? 

It leads to a surprising Christmas day episode* - a HUGE two-hander between the two of them (they are pretty much the only cast on the episode) that picks over every single detail of who they are, what they've been as a couple, what they want for their futures, and what happiness looks like for them. As we know, this is leading to Peter’s exit, which will be bittersweet and is Corrie at its best. 

Has this been filmed yet?

It's filming right now (late October), and I cannot wait for you to see the results. If it's as good as the scripts, and experience tell(s) me it's always better, it will lead to a stunning Christmas episode for us. It's the culmination of a decade-long* love story, I think the viewers are going to love it! 

Thanks, Iain!

             

* The Christmas Day episode is not the two-hander, that's a full-cast ensemble. The two-hander will follow on Boxing Day. 

Corrie has teased this image:

Is this a double for the ‘Weatherfield North’ tram stop?  It makes a change from someone leaving in the back of a black cab, doesn't it?

*It's actually been 12 years since Carla and Peter’s affair began!

Do we have any current/new relationships on the street that could last that long? 

Let me know in the comments or @rybazoxo on X using #Corrie 

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 11th of May 8 pm

I’m unsure what Emily Bishop or Ena Sharples would have thought, but calling it a 'naming ceremony' does continue Corrie’s embracement of soap secularism, following on neatly from last week's Eid storyline. With neither of Alfie’s parents being holier than thou, a non-christian celebration is far more suitable, and seven deadly sins always make good storyline fodder. In tonight's episode, the battle between Abi and Imran continues. Imran is as slippery as always, and, after feeding Leanne a line or two, Battersby has the naming ceremony idea. I’m inclined to think this is all part of the solicitors' plan. Is it just me that thinks Imran is equally as evil as Dr Thorne? They all agree that Abi should be present at the naming ceremony, but Abi flatly refuses to attend, telling Imran that he will lose everything when she when eventually wins custody of Alfie. Imran then lies to Toyah about Abi’s non-attendance, and the realisation hits that Imran is all of the seven deadly sins combined. Thinking about it, I'm sure Ena would be happy it's a naming ceremony and not a christening after all. 

Equally as dramatic, but requiring a whole different set of emotions, is Summer’s continuing triad of issues. Diabetic, dia-bulimic, and seemingly body dysmorphia, I guess? It’s a litany of issues, and you’ll have to excuse my language here, it's a tricky thing to write about. Having overshared her issues with the potential new beau, Aaron tells Summer that he doesn't want to see her outside of the support group. Laying his cards out on Roy’s table, studious Summer is left bereft, and even Asha fails to lift her spirit. Later, we see Summer facing her bedroom mirror, in contemplation, and she scrawls red lipstick all over it. I think this is a visual metaphor, and we've more to come in this story. P.S Please can we have Billy THE ARCHDEACON being anything other than a sidecar in Summer’s diabetic vehicle?  

Kirk’s factory promotion is a comedic injection, and I quite like it, but are they using Kirky as comedy fodder for Jacob’s redemption? He’s been in the show a long time, Kirk, but I sometimes wonder where or if he fits in anywhere these days. By the end of the episode, he’s out of a suit and back packing underworld knickers, whilst Jacob lands a sales job. All I think about when I see these scenes, is wonder what Mike Baldwin would do. I know it's been 20 years, and maybe it’s nostalgia, but I do hanker for the days when it was a rough back-street sweatshop run by no-nonsense mouthy cockney! 

Meanwhile, Peter visits the Bistro and tells Leanne all about what’s happened, Dr. Thorne propositions Carla and then calls for a truce with Peter. I’d guess his posh white flag waving has some sort of dubiously sinister connotations behind it? The men reach an amicable agreement of sorts, but not before Peter has seen Carla’s text message, and Doctor Thorne takes early retirement, which Peter discovers whilst visiting the hospital to withdraw his complaint. Later on, and back at the bistro, Dr Thorne has arranged an impromptu retirement party, just as Carla has taken Peter out for a dinner. We then discover that Dr Thorne has only retired from the NHS, and has instead been offered a new posh job in America! Peter is fuming and promises repercussions. Is this going to be a Corrie class war? 

Elsewhere tonight; Fiz has settled into her new posh house, and seems too busy to talk to Tyrone, with Phill coming onto Coronation Street to pick up the girls. George confirms his sleep apnea diagnosis. Evelyn reveals that she uses her age as an excuse to unleash rude words. I know I'm only 40, but that's also my excuse!   

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 10th March 7.30 & 8.30 pm

It's one of my favourite expressions; familiarity breeds contempt. It means that you can have too much of a good thing. Even if you admire something, adore it, devour it, even over-indulge on it - you can still get bored of it. 

Yep, that’s right, I’m talking about the merry-go-round toxic charade of Carla and Peter's co-morbid relationship! 

Tonight, and with Peter back in a hospital bed, his closest family are adamant that he’s been drinking again. We viewers know he hasn’t of course but the Queen of morality, Carla Connor (sex with his nephew, gets drunk and lies about it, etc) seems to think she can enact some kind of moral superiority and ponder flouncing off back to Devon when letchy Lucas turns up at the hospital, offering to whisk her away!

Luckily, Steve is within earshot, but rather than defend his best friend, he tells Carla to leave with Lucas and forget about Peter’s disease! Even Ken pays a visit and is just as forlorn about Peter’s predicament. By the bedside, Carla resides herself to the fact that she can’t stop Peter from drinking, and tells him it’s over.

 Again.  

Elsewhere on the street, Sean’s further swayed by Rhydian’s flash motor and double-glammy lifestyle. Todd is less than convinced and investigates the car's background. Finding out it’s on a two-day rental lease, he tasks Eileen with telling Sean the truth. Rhydian ends up conning Sean even more and convinces him to co-present at a recruitment drive seminar, throwing in a flashy motor, and duping him. Sean is warned by Todd and Eileen but ignores them. 

Alina Pop’s family dog has died. Visibly upset, she seeks solace in Seb who instantly dismisses her sorrow. Bumping into Tyrone, he offers Alina a socially distanced shoulder to cry on, and a warm friendship appears to be forming. Also at Roy’s Rolls, Corey finds out about Nina and Asha’s coupling-up and causing a scene. Later at The Rovers, Alina goes for a drink with Seb and admits she has feelings for someone. Could that someone be Tyrone? 

Back at the Hospital, Carla finds out that Peter wasn’t drunk, it's his liver failing, causing toxins to poison his system that makes his body mimic drunkenness. Irony aside, Carla admits she was wrong and tells Lucas that she’s going nowhere. Lucas doesn’t appear to be giving up though and decides to visit Peter, telling him to let go of Carla - assumingly so he can run off with her to Devon. 

Carla turns down Lucas, apologises to Peter, and it appears these two are star-crossed and vow to permanently be entwined. 

Again.

I do wonder if this merry-go-round is ever going to stop? 

Later, Steve apologises for betraying Peter, but Ken is unforgiving and tells Tracy it may be time for them to leave N0.1.

Elsewhere in tonight’s episodes- Kev and Abi’s choice of wedding venue gets gentrified, so Debbie offers to pay for a venue for them. Abi is not impressed but accepts anyway, vowing to avenge her future sister-in-law. 

@rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur 

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 27th Jan 7.30 & 8.30 pm

Peter’s suicide note is probably the last rights in this storyline, I think. The cue would be the ferocious scribbling, but trying to appease Carla and calling off the crossfire between them couldn’t be any clearer in conviction. In light of Gail’s hilarious fanny gag, Peter’s lament is a morbid juxtaposition, but still, it makes good drama. Once again, Roy steals a scene in the cafe, with those stoic words of warning about Hayley’s final days. I LOVE Roy Cropper and was hoping he would be in on the intervention at number one. It was unneeded though, as the emotional register went to 100% when Simon walked in. It must be Peter at his lowest ebb now, punching Ken has to be the absolute bottom, surely. 

Gail’s innuendo-laden search for Fanny has made this Corrie stalwart a focal for cheap gags just lately, but I now realise this is being used as a thin veil to bring the Eileen V Gail war out of the archives. It’s been a few years, so they might as well! The inclusion of the new undertaker adds a bit of freshness. Glad to see Audrey back too!

Debbie’s duplicitous trouncing of Ray Crosby is a victory for the women of the street. Not that I haven’t enjoyed this whole development saga, it has been brilliant, I just wish we’d have Ray on screen a bit longer! One thing though, I think these cast ensemble storylines must continue! I love seeing everybody, socially distanced, and out on the street, chinwagging over the local gossip - great stuff. What do we think of her subterfuge though and will Abi realise what is going on? Has Abi got this new policeman in cahoots, perhaps? 

I can imagine the corrie related social media feeds that will flow about this alcoholism storyline; this is depressing, this is so dark, not like corrie etc. In Corrie’s defence, Peter’s battle feels very real to me - I will defend it all the way. In light of this real-life health pandemic, people need reminding how poisonous alcohol is, in the wrong hands. The scenes at number one were outstanding pieces of drama, Carla’s absolute desperation at Peter’s helplessness conveyed with a rawness I haven’t seen in Corrie since Aiden’s suicide - incredibly high-end drama. The despair of an intervention is the beginning of the end for an addict, of course. The stark realisation of the pit Peter finds himself in. Drinking himself to death has to be the loudest cry for help possible, Corrie has outdone itself here. The suicide note acting as a visual helping explain the alcoholism and Simon’s comparison to Oliver’s demise - very hard-hitting. Dark certainly, but vital in our times. Here’s hoping that this is the start of Peter’s long road to recovery. 

Elsewhere in tonight’s episode; Todd meddling between Billy and Paul, and Grace moved into a jam-packed N0.3, even though it was just Emily and Norris for years!?

@rybazoxo your corrie connoisseur

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