Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 7th of September 8 pm

The Rovers Return V The Flying Horse is steeped in Corrie folklore, dating back to the early days of the shows airing, and aside from a cricket match ( I think), in this past decade, it's been a while since these rival pubs have met. Whether cricket matches, tugs-of-war, Pram races, to pub Olympics: these two Weatherfield watering holes have a history rich in competition, and tonight football is the chosen sport for the rivals to compete in! The episodes are often teemed in classic corrie comedy and are revered by the Corrie fanbase!

Tonight's pre-match build-up saw the rovers team doing a warm-up on the cobbles with Jenny rallying the players together. Chesney became a sub for an injured Brian, and Tim was super-subbed for footballer James. Tim was unimpressed with Peter’s 'stiff opposition' gag and cried off playing, moaning to Aggie and sharing lunch with her instead of them both going to the game. These two seem to share a friendship, but can a soap keep a relationship like this platonic? On the indoor football pitch (I'd rather not have seen the match itself), the female referee (obviously) blew the whistle for the game to begin. Dev’s high-jinx was funny, Amy and Ches scored - and Shona was fierce in goal. A level playing field until James Bailey collapsed, resulting in Micheal giving his brother CPR whilst Ed rang for an ambulance. 

It's all very issue-based, but I can't knock Corrie here. My Dad had an unexpected heart attack a few years back - awareness is vital. Later, and at the hospital, James is stable but moved to a coronary ward - his heart stopped for a few minutes. Ed is mad at Aggie for missing the match and goes home. Tim then turns up offering her advice and support. The doctor then tells James that he requires further heart tests: his football career looks to be ending. On the less serious side, Sam gets together with Jack, Liam, and Hope to play some online footy (good idea, less running about) which is a distraction for the little fella - he’d rather pen letters to his chess-based girlfriend. You can't blame Sam. I’m a big Weathy County fan, but I can't abide football either. Having seen Sam’s letters, Nick is encouraging of his son’s romantic endeavours.

With Griff being let off for the protest, Toyah’s loyalties shifted tonight, and she wasn't interested in any apology from married-man Spider. The local media weren't that interested in following it up either, which seemed to prick the interests of Nina and Asha, who then went into a rather interesting discussion on conspiracy theories. Toyah discusses her position with Peter, who explains that Carla isn't as capitalist as we were led to believe. 

Griff seems to have brought a lot of sociopolitics into the Corrie scripts, and I did enjoy tonight's pub booth discussion, although Carla wasn't pleased with Peter keeping such company. Faced with the option of a meal with Carla or Question Time with Griff and Toyah, Peter left the pub. He then headed off to the taxi office and made amends with Tim. Carla talks to Leanne and tells her to keep an eye on Griff and Toyah. Leanne then tells Toyah to keep away from Griff, with Toyah telling her sister that Spider is married. 

Stephen Reid continues to worm and squirm away around his family's businesses tonight, with his eyes clearly on Audrey’s money, and maybe even Underworld. Sweet-talking Sarah is one thing, but when Audrey catches him at the salon, and on the phone with Gabrielle, he continues his succession of lies to cover up his £200,000 embezzlement, Seeing Audrey’s signature, Stephen spots a chance for fraud. It’s very suggestive. Later, Stephen has a secret rendezvous with Gabrielle and tells her he can get cash - it's just an issue of paperwork.  

Elsewhere, Coronation Street’s am-dram play is now well underway. With ‘'Roxanna'’ parts being decided for Mary, Wendy and Brian, it seems Ken and Evelyn are not in the cast. Mary’s theatrical flare ( we never did see that one-woman show) is longheld, and tonight even saw the return of her old friend, welsh-man Nigel as playwright and director of ''Roxanna'' It was good to see the same actor back! Later, Nigel visits Ken and asks him to be his script editor, which causes Wendy to think. 

A mixed-bag episode. Very fast-paced but still very enjoyable. 

Let us what you think in the comments section! 

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

---

---

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

Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 30th of June 7.30 & 8.30 pm

As football fever continues to grip the nation, I'm proud as punch that Corrie took advantage of Pride Month, and the superb writing of Damon Rochefort, for Weathy County star striker James Bailey to finally and publically come out.  I cannot feign any enthusiasm for blokes kicking a ball around for 90 minutes, but 60 minutes of mid-week Corrie waving the rainbow flag - I'm here for that! 

Tonight, and with his career on the rise, Danny’s return seems to have spurred James on in his coming-out story. A black footballer coming out is brave territory (although it shouldn't be) and statistically speaking, you know there must be a few amongst the international players. But with misogyny and homophobia rife in that so-called sacred of sports, I can only commend Corrie for doing this. It's just a pity the real world hasn't caught up yet. Anyway, I did envisage this being terrace hooliganism and James being outed pitch-side but covid put paid to that, so the social media angle and the press conference worked better, I thought. 

It is good to see the Bailey squad all back together! Tim and Steve in matching shirts livened it up a bit, and of course, James got a kiss from Danny. Back of the net!

Gail and Natasha are the duo that Corrie really needs, amirite? I must admit, although I love Leanne, I think Nick has got his priorities all wrong in this drugs debacle storyline, and selling his factory shares can only be further undoing too? Tonight, the family stress caused predictable trouble for Gail. What with Sarah's shrieks about the factory development, and David’s persistent pestering, it wasn't a surprise when Gail succumbed to a heart attack. I noticed Sam on the sidelines there too, when Gail took a funny turn. Is he Damian from The Omen? Seemingly poindexter ish, all innocent, but if you think about it since he arrived on the street,  it's been utter carnage! I mean he is a Platt (ish) and David is his Uncle, after all. Just putting it out there... 

Recovering in hospital, Gail relayed the news via Audrey that she has decided to leave Weatherfield for good! Surely Gail can have a season (or a few episodes) away to recuperate! We need more scenes of Gail and Natasha chewing the fat over a few glasses of prosecco! A Corrie star striker the show can't do without I think. 

Tyrone and his mid-life crisis have surpassed any estimations I had about this storyline. Alina’s pregnancy and Kirsty’s death (R.I.P, I had a minor crush on that character) have really taken it up a notch! With his ex accompanying him to Kirsty's funeral, tempers between these two have now cooled. Could a reconciliation be on the cards? The only stumbling block is the pregnancy, and a vengeful Evelyn would be only too happy to stir the pot by telling Fiz. Surely it can't be too long before she finds out?  

Elsewhere in tonight's episodes; Jenny and Johnny toast a drink to old times when it's revealed he's moving to Mawdsley Street. Meanwhile, Ryan wants to resurrect his DJ career and is egged on by a flirty Daisy. Does Alya agree with her boyfriend's reignited love of loud techno? I'd be interested to see where this goes, to be honest!... 

                                                                             ***

In a Corrie game of two halves (half-hour episodes) there were one or two highlights tonight. Surprise return appearances from Audrey and Agie, Ty substituted Alina for Fiz, Sam assists an injured Gail, and James scored a winner! What did you think?  

@rybazoxo

---

---

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

Nathan Graham interview: James makes a big decision about his future

After footballer James Bailey told Bethany Platt he was gay, he shortly developed feelings for Danny Tomlinson back in 2020. However, their relationship was short-lived as James wasn't ready to have a public relationship. We chatted to Nathan Graham about how James feels when Danny returns to the street, and what ultimately leads James to tell the truth about his sexuality. 

As it stands, James's inner circle are the only people who know he's gay. Nathan said: "It's just his family and his close friends that know. He's still definitely living part of a lie. He's still hiding away from the general public." 

Until Danny's return, Nathan told us that James is happy with a limited amount of people knowing. "I think that he's at a point where he's kind of just comfortable in that space. The people that know, I think that's what matters to him the most. After that, it's not really a problem or an issue for him. I feel like he's in a very good space."

This week, Danny is the last person James expects to see, and while he's shocked to see him, past feelings are brought back to the surface. "He clearly has strong feelings for him because he wanted to be with Danny," Nathan told us. "But then obviously, Danny kind of gave him a dilemma, a deal-breaker type situation, and he wasn't ready for that, so he just had to keep those feelings tucked away and try to forget about him." 

After James and Danny catch up, it's clear they still have feelings for each other. When James suggests they give their relationship another go, Danny still isn't happy about keeping it under wraps, but James is insistent. "I think it's just the fear of the backlash of how people might respond. He doesn't want that from the fans and the general public. I think that just weighs very heavily on him.

"Even though he's in a good space mentally, he's not necessarily ready for that added pressure that might come with being in a relationship that's out there, and then everything else that comes with it. You have to navigate your way through the relationship, and if this is all on top, then that might affect the relationship as well." 

With this playing on James's mind, James has a lot to think about regarding his future. "I think he's automatically fearing the worst of the worst situation. He does have the support of his friends and family, but it's just the fear of what will happen. Obviously, he knows the club are not going to get rid of him, but then, with the fans and stuff, he feels there's too much pressure there. Would he still want to play football himself; would he still want to be in that environment? There's lots of different things that weigh on his mind."

Danny makes it clear to James that he doesn't want a secret relationship, and this again is a cause of conflict between them and their differing opinions. Nathan said: "I think he understands to a certain point because, I think he wants to be like Danny in the sense of not having a care in the world about what anybody thinks and cares about if they were out and seen together.

"But, there's also that thing where: 'You have to see it from my point of view, I haven't been fully out there as long as you have.' There's a lot at stake that maybe Danny doesn't quite understand." 

As well as dealing with Danny's return, James is elated when Tommy Orpington announces his retirement, and James is promoted into his position. However, James is faced with invasive questions about his personal life during a football press conference. "I think it's a case of someone keeps asking and asking, and everybody's chipping away at you and it's a point of, how long can you, as a person, deflect and not answer these questions. In his mind, he's fully at a crossroads in that moment in the case of: 'Which way do I go, what do I do here? Do I keep sticking to my plan, or do I just think, I'm just going to do what needs to be done and see what happens after that.'" 

It's at this moment where James decides to tell everybody the truth. Nathan explained: "I think Danny definitely has a big part in that because he's come back and they still have feelings for each other, and then Danny sort of says he can't do that, so then it's a point of, what is more important to James at that point. Does he hide away and the potentially not have something with Danny, but then if he does come out, then are him and Danny going to get together and be happy?"

While Ed took a while to come to terms with the fact that James is gay, he's now very supportive of his son, and this is a huge comfort for James. "Having that support and that foundation, no matter what happens, you're still surrounded by the people that love and support you. It's really uplifting for him, and it gives him that inner strength more so that he can do it, and if anything does go south, then he's got his family to protect and help him through those moments." 

It's important to highlight the issue of homophobia in football, and Nathan said it was also important to show that it was James's decision to come out. "Whenever it's a big decision, it should always be your own decision," he said. "Even if people do put pressure on you, ultimately, we have to follow our gut instincts and go down the path that we think is right for us, and I think that was very important for James to go down his own path and not be too influenced by other people." 

From James telling Bethany Platt he was gay in 2019, this storyline has been two years in the making, which Nathan says, "brings an element of truth to it." He also said: "Sometimes, if some things happen one after the other straight away, for the character arc, he wouldn't have fully digested all the situations and all the scenarios that he's been through in terms of coming out to certain people. It's a process. People might go: 'I thought he already came out', but that was just one hurdle.

"There's so many hurdles and different people to tell. I'm guessing this is the final hurdle, the biggest one. It's like the high jump for him. He's going to take that leap and we'll see where he lands." 

Sophie Williams

I'm on Twitter @sophie_writer1

---

---

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

Corrie Comicals week ending 29 May 2020

Monday is the start of another day and Shona is back with us, well it is the same body but the mind is somewhere else.  The Paul Robeson Estate was where the Dog and Gun was located - along with Clayton, Callum and originally Gemma etc.  My apologies for implying recently that the estate had changed names - obviously the Hylda Baker estate is an entirely different estate to Paul Robeson.  Come to think of it what  a double act - Baker and Robeson - no I can't see it working either!  The first we actually knew of Shona was in a nightclub stealing David's wallet and having had a recent link to Nathan (boo! hiss!) although I always thought she was too old for him.

Waz standing in front of James has been making some stupid comments and no doubt thinking of recent events James decides to put him in his place.  I suspect Tommy Orpington was in on the reveal - given the environment this was a powerful statement - the issue is not going to be ducked.  I am sure Tony Warren would be proud.

Poor Tommy Orpington - he does not have the faintest idea who Kirk is until he explains their past - and all Tommy can remember is the time that Buzzer was entangled in the goal net.  It is all that anyone else remembers about Buzzer as well!  Poor Kirk.  And where is Tommy's hat - I thought he was addicted to hat wearing?

So there we have it.  Best computer whizz kid on the entire block is Bryn.  Capable of posting a vlog!  It is a bit far fetched and no doubt just like fat girl stuck in a turnstile it will go viral and Gemma will be lauded to the rooftops and back.  I honestly do not think he could reach the keyboard but I suppose anything is possible.

Friday was a new day and this amused me.  Tim has brought Steve into the hospital coming into shot from behind the ambulance so the car is presumably parked away to the far right somewhere (in a multi storey car park).  Tim is collecting Geoff, front of picture.  Tim wanders over to Geoff, checks he is ok to walk and they then start walking towards the camera shooting this view.  A totally different direction to where the car is parked.  Director not thinking straight!

Shona is visiting the Platt residence and so David has been hiding out a Roy's.  He decides that it is all wrong and the way for Shona to recover her memory is to see him in the family surroundings.  Roy has tried to stop him leaving several times and David eventually has a meltdown (above).  Roy's response is to merely indicated that David has left his coat on the back of his chair! 

Also on Friday Evelyn who suffers over exposure round here told Mary that they were merely acquaintances and she did not discuss her romantic life with mere acquaintances! 

Written by: Joe Turner (Monday); Emily Gascoyne (Wednesday); Owen Lloyd-Fox (Friday)
Directed by: Steve Finn (Monday & Wednesday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

---

---

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