Want You Back (From The Dead)

Halloween traditionally was a time to remember the departed, in particular the saints, before the actual celebration of their faith, life and death on November 1^st. Over time and with the influence of various religions, cultures and cults the feast took on a more sinister meaning and now we revel in the possible return of the undead on October 31^st whilst loading up on sugary treats and filling our homes with bizarre plastic decorations.

A couple of years ago, before the pandemic, I gave in after a lifetime of resisting and finally dressed up for a Halloween with my family. It’s also my birthday so it marks my turning another year older and being another year closer to my own death. Which is nice.

Anyway I chose to dress up as my favourite Star Trek character at this party so I excitedly donned a stretchy silver catsuit in the style of Borg goddess Seven of Nine and checked myself out in my sister’s full-length mirror. This Blog, written at the time, will explain why I had to take the costume off immediately, and why somebody in Weatherfield suffered a similar Halloween fate.

The spookiest time of year is almost upon us again and to avoid any costume nightmares I won’t be dressing up this year, but it looks like some of our Corrie favourites will be. There’s a huge storm, an explosion, more sinkhole drama and some dangerous and unpleasant people returning to the cobbles so it looks like an exciting few episodes await us at the end of the month. We may even be treated to a bit of death.

Coming soon (run)...

In keeping with the ‘return of the dead’ (or undead) theme, I was thinking who I’d like to see back on the cobbles at Halloween. The Sanderson sisters returned to cause havoc in the brilliant Hocus Pocus and Michael Myers still can’t stop coming back to terrorist people at this time of year in the ridiculously scary Halloween films. Corrie does go a bit mad with its storylines from time-to-time, admittedly not zombie-mad, but why not embrace the supernatural for a few episodes?

Ivy Brennan is an obvious choice for a Halloween comeback. Already deeply spiritual in life, Ivy’s Catholicism often caused friction within the family. She died when on a “religious retreat” and after her death Vera Duckworth claimed to have bumped into her ghost on Don’s landing. An exorcism soon followed. Ridiculous.

"I see dead seamstresses"

The most perfect Halloween return, for me, would come in the form of evil (and recently cremated) Pat Phelan. I can just see the horrified faces of all those that hated Pat as he appears out of the October darkness seeking revenge. Eileen, half terrified and half unsurprised he’s come back would have to kill him again. It would be brilliant.

Norris Cole once held a séance after being convinced the Kabin was haunted. While it turned out not to be evil spirits but a bit of damp, perhaps he’s now floating about the place, trapped between two worlds, unable to leave Rita. Time for Gemma to get the candles back out and see how Nozza’s getting on since he crossed over?

I also have this image of Fred Elliot coming back from the dead like the Jacob Marley in a Christmas Carol but instead of chains he's got loads of strings of sausages holding him down. 

Fred. Dead.

Anyway it looks like the buildup to some the the Halloween and autumn/winter storylines has already begun. You can read more about what’s in store on the Blog HERE and on the Corrie website HERE.

Have a good one.

@StevieDawson

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Art Imitating (MY) Life

Corrie had a Thursday episode this week which meant I was already out of sorts when settling down to watch on Halloween night. It was a light-hearted trip to the cobbles as the aftermath of Gemma and Ches’s trip to Llandudno saw reality set in for the shell-shocked new parents. After the harrowing Sinead episodes last week these scenes were a welcome change in direction. The intensity grew a little when Imran pleaded with the courts to grant David bail in order to get married. The judge refused and David pondered a much longer spell behind bars for attempted murder. But nothing shocked, entertained and amused me more than seeing Gary reenact the experience I had at a fancy dress party over the weekend to celebrate Halloween early.

COMEDY GOLD

Picture the scene. Kids giddy with excitement. Sweet treats scattered across the dining table and spooky decorations hanging from every piece of furniture. Plastic skulls, headstones and glowsticks adorn every nook and cranny. Extinction Rebellion would be in UPROAR. Booze is flowing for the grown-ups and even they have made the effort and attempted to dress up for the occasion. One grown up in particular has gone the extra mile, sporting a shiny spandex sci-fi number. There’s only one problem – EVERYTHING is on show. This of course describes what happened at Tyrone’s Halloween party as Gary fronted out the embarrassment of the outfit with a carefully placed cricket cup. Google it. My Halloween suffered pretty much the same fate…

THANKS MARY

I however, couldn’t face the shame – or the social services turning up to a house full of kids with Uncle Ste making a “show” of himself. My shiny spandex number came right off before too many people saw it (after a few selfies of course). I must have set a world record for getting undressed at speed, it was like peeling a banana. I sheepishly rejoined the party wearing the bottom half of my silver sex-pest-suit and a t-shirt with my Star Trek comm badge pinned to it. There was to be no sexy cyborg at THIS party. 

This is why I never dress up for Halloween, despite it also being my birthday. Too stressful. But props to Gary Windass, and actor Mikey North for staying in character and spandex. I laughed -  despite the flashbacks. 

I am on Twitter: @StevieDawson

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 31st of Oct 8.30pm

As promised, here is the part two review of this Wednesday's Coronation Street. A spooky double?...
It's certainly a scary one for Tracy. As Steve pours over the CTV footage, his new wife finally admits the truth.

With Abi's future on the line, Sinead is also scared in what the future may hold. Hiding her pain behind optimism, Daniel confides in Chesney at the Kebab Shop. In his absence, Sinead receives a call from the hospital and decides to delay further chemo sessions.

Tracy debates the consequences of her actions, and after stealing the laptop, has a sudden (uncharacteristic) attack of conscience. Steve unsubtly destroys evidence (outside the cop shop, no less)  and Abbie suddenly has no case to answer. After punching Kev, it seems Eileen has a new colleague when Steve offers Abbie a new job, which means (the elusive unseen) Brenda may be about to lose hers!.

As The Specials seminal classic 'Ghost Town,' reverberates from The Rovers jukebox, the Halloween party is soon in full swing, raising funds for Sinead. Liz is dressed as a witch (subtle Jenny, very subtle), and Gemma as a sweet looking 'Snow White'.

In other news; DC McKinnon visits the Connors and closes the car crash case, and Kirk is actually the grim reaper (makes sense, sort of).

Anyway, that's me for another week.  I hope you've enjoyed my mid-week paean to the drama of Coronation Street.

I'm @rybazoxo  - your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.
Join me next time, for more Wednesday Weatherfield Wisdom!.

TARA!

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 31st of Oct 7.30pm

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of the Coronation Street Blog and the first of tonight's two episode reviews.

As Halloween dawns on Coronation Street, will tonight's double bring any ghouls and ghosts to the residents?.

It may not be ghosts, more ghastly illness, as Sinead's recent diagnosis news starts to spread across the cobbles.

Beth races to the hospital to console her niece, as the couple announce they will keep their unborn baby.

Over at Sally's, a smitten Gina is playing surrogate wife to Tim. Less impressed with the sandwich offering, Tim later has a hotpot with Steve at The Rovers (not a fan of bananas Tim?).

A couple less ready to play, however, are Steve and Tracy. Back from his Mexican meander, Steve is still on Tim's sofa, hankering to return home. Tracy threatens an annulment but is obviously more preoccupied with Abbie's garage drama.
As Steve finally gains entry to the flat, he finds the garage laptop. Is Tracy's secret out?.

At Underworld, Peter's deadline extension causes more animosity with Carla, as the girls get busy with Sinead's designs for the fundraiser.

Back at Weatherfield General, Sinead and Daniel contemplate chemotherapy, little realising that it must start immediately. The fast pace of cancer shows Sinead little respect. Harrowing, harsh, and a reality that is far more scary than any Halloween.

In other news; Ali is called into work, Jenny plans a Halloween party, and Chesney breaks the sad news to Joseph.

Keep your eyes peeled for my 8.30pm review, coming to the blog later today.

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

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Coronation Street's Halloween Hauntings and Horrors

It's Halloween - that most spooky day of the year. Well, if you like that kind of thing. All right, you might not. But if you do, then you might like to take a scary little look at some of our Halloween blog posts!

You might like to read...

The Haunting of Elsie Howard

Coronation Street's Halloween Howlers

Horrible Halloween Corrie pics

And how about listening to Craig Charles reading his Halloween poem called Scary Fairy
Listen to it here.

Read more Corrie news, interviews, gossip and spoilers  

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