Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 6th of April 8 pm

As Laura's young life slowly ebbs away due to stomach cancer, I ponder what kind of cancer it is, how is it caused, and can we viewers read anything about it for awareness purposes?!! Anyway, the answers to my questions seem ever distant tonight as Laura's life, and cancer battle, are near their tragic conclusion. Tonight, Kelly’s still fraught at her Mum’s killer confession, and Gary rushes to Laura’s hospital bedside, to be told by a doctor that she has just days to live. Kelly puts a brave face on it by burying her head in the sand and readying for the hairdressing competition. Simon and Gary both try to persuade her to consider her Mother’s impending death and Father’s murder, but they fail. Can she see sense before Laura dies? Let's hope Kelly has more luck in being adopted/fostered than what little Elsie’s future is now looking like!  

 

You've got to feel sorry for Imran, haven't you? Nope, that's right, he brought this all on himself and deserved everything he got tonight. Toyah needs so much better, and losing gorgeous little Elsie (no, you are broody) in the process, is just too harsh. Tonight, Imran meets Toyah who tells him they will lose the little girl, and that he’s been reported to the Solicitors regulators for the huge conflict of interest. I’m glad about that, that was my gripe with last week's court case (aside from the other obvious legislative misnomers) I'm guessing Imran is going to hold onto Alfie, now that Elsie is leaving, so another fight beckons, I feel. 

 

Ah, it seems so so long ago now. It was pre COVID times. Reliable family man Tyrone Dobbs had a liaison with Alina Pop, Fiz then met Phill, and N0.9 Coronation Street rocked to its yellow & blue foundations. Fast forward a year or so  -  Fiz is now ready to leave the street entirely, taking the girls to start a new life with flash Phill, with Tyrone destined to sell up. It has been a lengthy storyline employing a plethora of soapy dramatics, and as a Ty and Fiz fan, I have loved it. Will Fiz leave the cobbles after 21 years? Tonight, Fiz tells the factory girls about her new posh abode, whilst Ty nurses a maudlin pint with Kev. Kevin then tells Fiz that Tyrone is putting a front on the girls, rather than feeling pleased about her new life. The exes discuss their shared past and probable future with some nostalgic emotion. I'm unsure if this is the end for the Dobbs and Brown clan? That scene of the two of them sharing a drink in the Rovers was my highlight tonight. I would love a two-hander of just those two, please Corrie!

Elsewhere on the street - Sam's prodigal chess championing continues to excite(!). Faye admits the truth to Jon, prompting Emma to confirm a future in Australia. Faye and Craig learn they had a false pregnancy test. Grim. 

Even though she wasn't in the episode, I think Debbie Webster got the best line of the night; 

Tonight was a grim affair saved only by Fiz and Tyrone’s story. What are your thoughts?

 

 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 30th of March 8 pm

Can you imagine trying to defend Abi in court? The sheer gall required to persuade them that she's a fit mother and definitely not an ex-junkie, jailbird, borderline alcoholic, cokehead, pyromaniac, car thief, who disposed of two kids, lost a third, and given birth whilst under the influence! Oh yeah, and she abandoned the newborn as well. No judge in the real world would let her access that baby, not a chance mate. So what about soapland? Tonight, Abi faces the court hearing, and Imran realises what he is up against - not only in court - but as the baby's secret father. Toyah turning up at court makes the slippery slimeball solicitor squirm further. Inside the hearing, all of Abi’s dirty laundry is aired, Weatherfield Social services play a blinder, Imran is clearly out of his depth, and an interim care order is placed on the child.

Abi’s emotional upset is visible, as is Imran's, and Toyah soon becomes suspicious. Imran worms a way around it and lets Toyah tell Abi that he can't deal with the case anymore. Abi retaliates and makes sure that Imran can’t see Alfie anymore. 

Facing the truth, Imran decides that he needs to be on the birth certificate, and he arranges another solicitor to fight Abi’s cause. I'm sorry, but Imran is such a slimeball! We also get a scene of Kevin and Abi tonight, reminding us that Kev, just like Toyah, is unaware of what the truth is here, and both of them deserve better! In light of recent cast news, I’m interested to see how this story unfolds, once the inevitable truth comes out. Could we see Kev and Toyah together in future, perhaps? 

Another one I’m interested in is Laura admitting fake guilt for killing Rick. Tonight, Laura faces a plea hearing, and Gary’s guilty conscience is at its peak. Gary tries to convince Kelly to make her peace, Sarah overhears, and of course, Gary’s ex knows the truth about Rick’s murder. Gary then visit’s Laura in hospital, and makes a final plea of his own. Laura cries her heart out, and for the life of me, I can't quite fathom why she’s covering for Gary? Also, I know mention this every week, but where is the cancer awareness? If you've been affected public service broadcast info is missing. Why? Anyway, Kelly has no interest in Laura’s plight, Sarah lambasts Gary for his murderous lies, and he tells Maria that it’s time the truth came out. Where is this going to go? I am enjoying this storyline, I’m just sad that Laura’s demise is incoming. I guess we get to keep Kelly though. I'm a bit old for the teen stories, but that young lady is a superb actress!

I’d forgotten all about Summer. The recent Corrie teen strand has focused on Amy Barlow’s flighty romance, but now that Jacob is out of the bag, I guess it’s time to re-focus on Corrie’s resident brainbox (and possible, bulimic?) diabetic student. Tonight, Billy (Weatherfield’s archdeacon, remember him?) struggles to reign in her fervent study regime, and the mock exams are causing the teen some stress. Even Todd is showing concern, and I’d also forgotten about him too. Busy with death, I imagine, but I am glad to see these three back on screen. It’s been a while. Todd and Billy both express concern for their daughter and it’s nice to see. A rare and unique blended Corrie family. Untraditional and modern. More from these guys, please, Corrie! 

 

Elsewhere in this hour - Craig rejoins the police. hurray(!) Sally and Tim's cringe sex-life storyline continues, and Emma takes things further with Jon. Bye! 

 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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

Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 23rd of March 8 pm

Remember that fall we talked about last week? I was, of course, writing metaphorically and had no idea that Adam's demise would be a physical push from Lydia, nor that the fall would actually be literal. With Adam's metaphorical fall from grace complete, tonight the repercussions reverberate for all, albeit with a happy ending. Even though he’s suffered enough already, Adam still has to undergo serious eye surgery, and Lydia makes a bedside appearance before he's reunited with Sarah. Redemption and enlightenment are admirable for a former love-rat but I'm not sure he can still be a solicitor, now he’s had such an evangelical epiphany! Naughty men, eh! That's the corrie rule, half kill them off and then they see the light! I wasn't expecting Lydia’s confession, however, nor for Adam to let her off the hook of the law. Does this mean we have seen the last of shameless Lydia? I hope not. I do love a Corrie bad girl. 

 

Subterfuge, corruption, redacted reports and lies - it's just like a real-life election campaign, isn't it? Maria's eco-based manifesto has stretched out for months and with the voting day here, tonight's Corrie has Maria in full electioneering mode; including having a campaign photo with Gary, and thanking Phill for his whistleblowing exploits. Meanwhile, due to meddling in council matters, Phill finds out he’s at risk of losing his job, and Kirk is facing a firing as buzzer the bee. Weatherfield Council may soon be featuring in Private Eye 'Rotten Borough' awards, I reckon! Later, Phill announces that Wethy County has decided to change their plans, and are now building on the old brickworks brownfield site instead. It's good news for Maria, but bad news for Gary, as that's where Rick’s body is hidden! 

This leads us nicely into Laura’s cancerous demise. I shall freely admit to this storyline causing me a Corrie itch, and it's one that needs a scratch, therefore, I must ask this again. Where is the awareness campaign for stomach cancer?? This poor young woman is dying, and is rapidly declining before our eyes! Tonight, Laura reaches for the booze again, Aggie dishes out more medical advice, but Laura continues boozing, and it’s all a bit lightly done, isn't it? If this was Abi with cancer, it would be mass media, tv interviews, and a sponsored run around the street to raise national awareness. Kelly is dismayed to find Laura drinking through the terminality, and tells her to leave their flat! With Gary’s persuasion, she does successfully change her mind, and Laura then tells Gary she’d like him to be an unofficial father figure for her daughter.

 

Elsewhere in this hour - Tracy gives Amy a job at the Florist, yet still struggles to keep Jacob away. Craig is depressed with factory life, and Faye struggles to keep it together. Emma arranges another date with John. 

 

I am @rybazoxo Your self-styled cobbles connoisseur!

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

Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 9th of March 8 pm

So here we are then! Dawn of a new Corrie era (ish). A new timeslot, and the first (of many, I hope) episode reviews from me, on this 8 pm one-hour shiny new schedule week. Can we expect many changes? As this new dawn breaks over Victoria Gardens, I wonder what further changes the show has in store? I mean, we’ve already had the promise of the much-discussed 'Weatherfield Precint' new set being built, so will this be another new shop for Dev, perhaps? Is Jenny going to open a trendy micro-pub, or a Weatherfield Greggs branch, perhaps? Lots of promise of new storylines, characters, and 1960s modernist architecture, as we look towards the larger Weatherfield horizon! However, over in Coronation Street itself, some things change very little. Abi’s well-worn addiction battle continues at an alarmingly fast pace tonight, with the unexpected baby still in hospital and soapy secrets looking likely to soon spill. Seen suspiciously moping around the street by various residents, Abi’s poor attempt at going incognito fails miserably and only causes alarm for her friends and family.  

After abandoning the premature cherub at the hospital, the responsibility fell onto Aggie Bailey to uncover the truth. Tonight, she swapped her nurse uniform for a Sherlock Holmes outfit, and upon heading over to Kevin's house, Aggie sees Abi’s little red-riding hoodie, and realises that it was she who dumped the newborn baby! Confronting Abi, Aggie attempts to get her to see some clarity, telling her that she has no choice in reporting it to her medical superiors. However, before Aggie can tell the news to the Hospital, Abi is beaten up by druggy Dean over the stolen car issue, and in her haste, Abi tries to retrieve the car, subsequently crashes it, and lands herself back in medical care. Woah! slow down a bit I'm trying to write here!

With Toyah also worried about Abi, (and blindsided by Imran's paternal inadequacy over a Weatherfield powercut) she heads over to the hospital to check on her friend, only for a doctor to tell her that Abi has injuries consistent with post-labour. Toyah has already figured that the baby isn't Kevins, and probes her friend for info. Abi insists it is Tez’s baby and opens up to Toyah, admitting that she doesn't want it anyway, due to her traumatic past. I wish Toyah would be a counsellor full time, instead of working at the factory, as very she’s good at it, changing Abi’s mind about everything. However, a social worker also visits and reminds her of her lengthy charge sheet, maternal failings, and addiction. Will Abi tell Weatherfield that the baby is Imran's? 

Over at Victoria Court, Kelly’s troubles continue as Laura’s terminal cancer spreads its metaphorical wings into Gary’s murky and murderous past. Maria’s offer to move Laura into their flat seems a nice gesture (her echo warrior tendencies are showing a softer left-wing side to the stylist) and well, it will undoubtedly bring the Rick murder story to the surface? I can't say I'm pleased about Laura’s demise, nor the seemingly light (and issue/awareness) free use of cancer. However, this story has been a long-time coming, and Laura’s intro to P.I Lenny (who she is using to track down Rick) was funny, if not a tragi-comedy kind of way? I like Lenny, and his misunderstanding about their living arrangements and his previous investigation, had me giggling like a schoolboy! I love a Corrie double-entendre and it reminded me of Coronation Street’s legendary humour. 

I think the same could be said for Daisy’s Nigella impression? She’s a little minx, isn't she! Tonight, she returned to form when bumping into Nicky Wheatley (Daniel’s ex) who has just arrived back in the area. Daisy told the flighty former sex worker that Daniel had moved out and moved on from Weatherfield - and no more was seen of her. Nicky then left Daniel a voicemail which was conveniently heard first by Daisy and deleted. Daniel and Daisy’s blossoming romance has had some trouble in the past, but following their valentines day reunion, the rocky road to true love seems to have straightened out for them. However, if this is Nicky returning, I guess Daisy has a few more things to cook up once she realises the history she has with her boyfriend. 

Elsewhere in this hour - the Baileys barter over Grace's disappearance and Sam’s chess gambit against his Dad continues.

 

That is all from me - I’m back next week. The new hour made little difference to me, but I do feel that we've entered a new Corrie era somehow. I’ve already imagined the precinct and what new Corrie drama this could bring. What are your thoughts? 

 

Speak next week, 

 

Ryan  

 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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