Coronation Street - Double Episode Review; Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of the Coronation Street Blog, and tonight's double episode review.

With Britain languishing in an endless summer scorcher, Corrie resident Bethany must be feeling rather hot in the garage, after being kidnapped by Kayla. BFF Craig meanwhile, has a debilitating bout of anxiety and is also very sweaty (albeit at Weatherfield General).

Following the shocking news of his mother's death, Tyrone mourns for Jackie and with Fiz by his side, the couple and their young family, are finally reconciled.

With Maria being given a fortnights reprieve at the salon flat, the return of Audrey hairdressing nemesis Claudia Colby is right on time!. (read my interview with Rula Lenska HERE).

Will Audrey reconcile with Maria or has Claudia stolen her best stylist for good?.

Back at Weatherfield General, Kayla finally reveals the truth about her Dad and she threatens action, leaving a panicked Craig frantically worried about Bethany's safety. Upon returning to her garage, Kayla promises to unleash violence on a bound and gagged Bethany.

Over on Victoria Street, Prima Doner, a newly unemployed (ex-headteacher) Brian, suddenly realises that he was actually a teacher once. Unleashing his babysitting services on Hope & Ruby, I think I know where this is heading?

Can a hardware store idea sow the seeds for a Corrie creche?

Meanwhile, the news of Bethany's disappearance and Craigs OCD attack reaches the street.

Warning -the next part of this review may contain depictions of violence!

As harrowed CSA victim Bethany re-lives the worst of her nightmare, she tells Kayla that Neil was worse than Nathan in his nefarious activities. As the pure drama continues, I think us viewers are then lured to believe that Kayla is as much the victim of Neil, as Bethany is? (once she has slapped Bethany with a viscously realistic ferocity).

Craig, upon arriving at Kayla's, reveals his (previously unheard) mobile voice recording of Neil's admittance of guilt. Kayla reels from the reality and loses the crow braw, subsequently softening any further blows (literal or figuratively).

What next for Craig & Bethany. Will the best friends survive more trauma?.

Have we seen the last of Kayla?. Does Kayla deserve a reprieve?.

In other news, Tim finds an extra £1000 in his bank account, Gemma & Henry scout out The Rovers Return, Mary & Tracy imagine Coronation Street in 2048, and Eva kisses Adam.
And that's me done until next Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Until next time Corrie fans...

TARA!

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

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Corrie Press Day (Part 6) - Eva Price leaves Coronation Street!

Welcome to interview No. 6 of my visit to the Coronation Street set, and my day caught in a flurry of exclusive summer storyline interviews.

A character who has had a stormy seven years on the show, Eva Price is about to depart Coronation Street for the foreseeable future. Stepping onto the cobbles in 2011, Eva slowly broke away from the Price clan and formed a 'sisterhood' with half-sibling Leanne and Leanne's half-sister Toyah. A tumultuous relationship with Aidan Connor resulted in her daughter Susie, and we know how much heartache this has caused several residents of the Street.

As actress Catherine Tyldesley enters the Corrie hub for today’s press release interview, she appears a little upset. The actress has in fact just filmed Eva’s final teary scene on the set of Corrie, and she begins our interview apologising for looking a tad emotional. I am now hoping to hear that addictively more-ish laugh that Catherine gave to Eva!

As a mother yourself do you get emotional at the thought of your child being taken away from you (when Johnny kidnapped Susie)?
“Yes. Absolutely. I can’t begin to imagine being in that position, I personally can understand why people would give their children away but it's not something that I could do”

If Toyah hadn’t have confessed to Peter, do you think Eva would have taken Susie back anyway?
“Yes. She said to Toyah, 'I want to move out so you can be a family with Peter and Susie' but it's breaking her heart seeing Susie every day. But yes I think she would have taken her back anyway 100%”

How does it feel to be leaving Coronation Street?
“It's surreal. I feel like I’m trying to absorb everyone more than ever. I’m trying to get every last bit of it in and I love it here, I’m not unhappy, so it's going to be really emotional.”

Eva isn’t being killed off so would you ever consider a return?
“Of course, yes, I’d consider it. We don’t know what the future holds but Corrie has been like a home to me,” she enthuses. "Ever since I was small, I’ve dreamed of being on Corrie, it was a dream job. I would love to see Eva come back to wreak some more havoc.”

Are you happy with your leaving storyline?
“So happy. Kate Oates has been wonderful; the writers have been wonderful and I’m really grateful for the stuff they have given me. It’s a great exit storyline”

Why does Eva think it's better to move away from Weatherfield?
“Because of Johnny, and for Toyah’s sake. She can see how hard it is for Toyah to be seeing Susie every day. It's just heart-breaking. She actually isn’t being selfish, she is doing it for them and a fresh start for Susie. She has her Mum and Gran in France so feels she has the security she needs there”

I for one will miss Eva on the street. For me, I think she represents that northern strong female character that Tony Warren created at the show's inception.  All the best to Catherine, I say.

Would you like to see Eva Price return to the cobbles in the future?

I am @rybazoxo and I write Wednesday night episode reviews for @CoroStreetBlog Follow me for more content on Corrie’s summer storylines. coming soon.

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Coronation Street - Double Episode Review; Wednesday 18th of July 2018

Its early morning at The Rovers Return and baby Susie is suspiciously absent, alongside Toyah and Johnny. After escaping for a 'veggie hangover' meal, Toyah returns to the pub, minus the baby!. What with Jenny's continued emotional turmoil and recent history, you could easily blame her, but its an equally fraught Johnny, that's actually snatched his own granddaughter.

Over at Number 11, Abby and Seb hurriedly tidy up ahead of Eileen's swift return to the street. Upon arriving, it isn't long before Eileen is back in the cab office. Hearing the streets latest goings on, she decides on not returning to Bristol, belittles Steve about marrying Tracy, and lets Abby move in.

Also returning to the street is that charming cad and brewery heir, Henry Newton. Gemma, having seen Henry's engagement announced in the Weatherfield Gazette, is utterly distraught. Seeing a chance, reluctant Cassanova Chesney invites her out to The Viaduct Bistro. Underwhelmed by its lack of kebabs or grease, Gemma hits the beer. As Chesney is about to reveal his unrequited love, you can guess who strolls straight into the restaurant? yep, it's Henry. Unimpressed by his posh metaphors and Vodka, Henry finally wins Gemma over by breaking off his engagement and buying her The Rovers Return!. Gemma as the new Bet Lynch, anyone?...

With no sign of a break-in at the pub, Liz realises that Johnny stole her pub keys to kidnap Susie. When it's clear that Johnny has taken the baby but not his medication, the Connor clan quickly rally round. A swift press conference is called by (the usually incompetent)Weatherfield Police whilst Johnny remains hiding in the hotel. Ringing confidante and ex-lover Liz, she quickly finds him alone with the baby. Will Liz get caught in the crossfire?.

In other news, Angie & Jude's marriage reaches crisis-point, Victoria Street shop wars have begun, and Roy doesn't own a mobile phone.


PS - I think it's worth mentioning some great quotes in tonight's doubleheader;

Gemma - "Are you boozing or boring?",
Audrey - "I'm not as green as I am cabbage looking!"
or Eileen, with the deliciously prophetic "Its a good day to bury bad news" on hearing of Steve's engagement and Sally's exit from the Mayoral office.


Anyway, that's me done until next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Until next time Corrie fans...

TARA!

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

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

CORRIE PRESS DAY: Bethany’s attack! – Lucy Fallon Interview

Welcome to interview No. 4 of my visit to the Coronation Street set, and my day caught up in a flurry of exclusive summer storyline interviews.

Located just behind the new set extension (I think this was built at the same time), I hurried out of the TV studios ‘Corrie Hub’ for a final quick vape (breathing in ‘Weatherfield’ air, what a privilege) and headed back to the kitchenette for some water. Quenching my Corrie thirst for the final time on this amazing press day, in strolls the bright and breezy Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) to answer today’s closing set of interview questions.

As Kayla reaches a breaking point, will she seek revenge on Bethany Platt?

At what point does Bethany realise that Kayla might not be all she seems to be?

From the beginning the relationship hasn’t been great, she then starts to convince Craig that his OCD rituals don’t work, and Bethany starts to suspect.

Do you think Bethany is still dealing with all the emotional issues from the grooming storylines?

Yes, she is still dealing with that and we will always see those emotions come up in any storyline in future. When we spoke to survivors and victims, one thing they said was, it something that will stay with Bethany forever, and not something just disappears one day, she will always have that with her.

Would you like to see Bethany have a bit more happiness?

No, because I want to do challenging gritty storylines rather than the really happy ones. A bit sadistic maybe but that’s it.

Has Neil groomed his own daughter into believing he’s innocent or to attack Bethany and Craig?

He’s just forced Kyla to believe that he is a good person and that Bethany is the one that’s made it all up and she forced Craig to lie for her and cover it up, so yes in a way, he has groomed her.

Kayla does have a twisted streak though when she attacks Bethany?

Although Kayla attacks Bethany, it isn’t pre-meditated. Bethany goes to Kayla’s house looking for Craig and sees a picture there of Neil, so Kayla hits Bethany over the head, but nothing is pre-planned, it’s a panic reaction.

Could Bethany and Kayla actually become very close friends in the future?

I think after everything happens, when she gets hit over the head by her, Bethany starts to realise that Kayla is just as much a victim as she is. You’ll not see a friendship but Bethany wants to help her get help.

Do you see Bethany as a character that could continue on the street for a few more years?

Yes, I really love playing Bethany, I love the character. There are so many things you can do with the character. She’s just turned 18, so there are so many different things they can do with her now, and I really like playing her.

Interview over, I leave via the Studio back-gate with the journalist ensemble, heading towards media city tram stop. As the tram pulls away, I look across Manchester, and can still see cranes near the original and iconic Granada Studios set. I can’t help but wonder what press days were like back then...

I am @rybazoxo and I write Wednesday night episode reviews for @CoroStreetBlog.

Follow me for more content on Corrie’s 2018 summer storylines... coming soon.

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License