Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 16th of March 8 pm

It’s often said that pride comes before a fall. Just how much or how far remains to be seen for Adam Barlow, but, with Loony Lydia's campaign near completion, Adam seems to have admitted defeat. Tonight, the sabbatical solicitor ‘lays low’ in the Rovers (hardly out of the way, is it) gets blind drunk, chats up some random women, and then tells her that his wife is dead. Daisy’s selection of silly expressions, upon hearing this ridiculous lie, was the only comedic tonic in tonight’s hour. 

The remainder of the episode being dedicated to unfit Mother's, and Corrie's other slippery solicitor. Imran now knows about the baby and still doesn't see fit to tell his doting forgiving fiancee. No, he’d rather hang around his drug-abusing, walking car crash, baby mamma, Abi instead! He seems to have changed tact now she is the Mother of his child. Just what is it about the morality of Coronation Street’s solicitors? Lydia’s online scathing reviews may have been fictitious, but they can't have been that wide of the mark when you think about it! Busily faking legal services for Abi, Imran now has an excuse to see his son, but Abi still has to face Kevin, Jack, and Debbie.

Tonight, Abi's story is front-page news for the Weatherfield Gazette, and as word spreads around the cobbles, this is the perfect time for Kevin and Jack to reappear. I could question Kev’s hypocrisy on discovering Abi’s infidelity and illigitimate baby, but I’m actually on his side here. Abi hasn't been married for five minutes, yet she’s used his house as a drugs den, stolen a car from his business, and delivered an illegitimate child!! Oh yeah, she also tells Kev that the baby is Tez’s, so she can’t even be truthful about Alfie’s paternity. Kev still offers to put her up at N0.13 whilst she fights custody, and as Abi leans in for a kiss, it seems she mistaken kindness for something else. As I say, you can't blame him!

Meanwhile, at N0.3, unfit Mother N0.2 a.ka Grace continues to haunt Ed and Aggie, with this baby blackmail plot. I do like Grace, and even if it’s only because she causes mayhem for the Baileys, I’m pleased she’s returned and demanding more money. Tonight, Ed struggles to raise another £10K to pay her off, and, after being tempted to gamble, Aggie decides its time they halted the birthday party preparations to tell Michael the truth. They do tell him, and Michael’s devastation is clear to see! 

Confronting Grace, she at least tells Michael the truth, admits her maternal failures, and clears off for good. She is clearly unfit to be a good mother, and blackmail is a heinous crime, but when you put her up against Abi, Grace just seems a bit troubled, eh? With Grace out of the way, Abi also decides to flee Coronation Street, but not before guilt-tripping Imran first! 

Elsewhere in this hour - Amy and Jacob continue with their clandestine romance, Nicky fails her T.A interview at the School, and Kevin tells Jack the truth about Alfie’s paternity. 

Overall, It was a grim hour for Corrie tonight. What did you think? 

 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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Nicky Wheatley returns to split up Daisy and Daniel? Kimberly Hart-Simpson Interview

The last time viewers saw Nicky Wheatley, the sex worker was helping the grieving Daniel come to terms with the loss of his wife Sinead. Having met Nicky by chance at the Weatherfield hotel, Daniel would pay Nicky to wear Sinead’s old clothes to comfort him. Realising they shared common ground, a relationship (of sorts) began. But as Nicky’s feelings for Daniel developed, she became increasingly uncomfortable with living in Sinead’s shadow and Daniel realised he wasn’t ready for a romance so soon after Sinead’s death. After Nicky found herself in hospital, having been beaten up by a punter, Daniel stole Geoff’s money from the solicitors to give to Nicky so she could start a new life in Lytham, and Nicky left Weatherfield for pastures new. 

In the meantime, Daniel has become a teacher who is embroiled in all kinds of school life at Weatherfield High. Not settled with such dramatics (he is a Barlow even if not in name) he has now rekindled his on/off relationship with social media harlot come barmaid, devious Daisy Midgeley. As Nicky Wheatley returns to Weatherfield, Daisy is immediately threatened and goes on the attack. The threat deepens even further when it's revealed that Nicky is applying to be a teaching assistant at Weatherfield High! Does Daisy have reason to feel threatened by Nicky? Does Nicky still have designs on Daniel, and will Daisy enact a plan to keep her man? Corrie recently teased a few press shots which would suggest so... 

Back in February, I was lucky enough to join a Zoom Coronation Street press day, for a chat with actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson, and to learn all about her return to the cobbles! 

Hi Kimberly, Welcome back to Coronation Street

What changes in life have brought Nicky back to the cobbles? 

‘Since being away she has learnt a trade, and taken a new direction. It's not necessarily the direction she would have taken, but she’s enjoying it all the same. She’s become a teaching assistant, which is more interactive and is now enjoying this new direction in her life’ 

Why has she decided to come back to Weatherfield? 

‘Her Mum is unwell and she’s taking a hands-on approach in caring for her, and she lives near Weatherfield. She’s decided to pop onto Coronation Street, whilst she’s in the area, to say Hi to Daniel - it makes sense' 

Will we see a different side to Nicky this time around?

‘I think you will see a different side to her, however, I would never say that she hid anything away, anyway. What you see is what you get with Nicky, there's not been a personality transplant, and she is who she is. She does have a fire in her belly now, seeing this teaching job as a way of improving herself. She does still have self-doubt, and about her previous life, I guess, but she’s standing strong and there is no stopping her now that she has a plan’ 

Previously, Nicky harboured some romantic feelings for Daniel. How does she feel about him now?  

‘I think a lot of gratitude for Daniel. It's become more about the two finding themselves and using each other as springboards to get to that, rather than love or lust, and they both had different priorities and more urgent things to deal with at the time. They are both now in a better place personally, but what that looks like to both of them, I don't know'

Upon returning to Weatherfield, she’s asking around for Daniel and bumps into Daisy who tells them he’s moved out of the flat. What are Nicky’s first impressions of Daisy?

‘She thinks Daisy is glamorous, she’s not seen many people like her on the street, or anyone around her age. She’s not someone she’s ever interacted with but she does seem nice and pleasant. initially, she’s gutted that she won't see Daniel and is knocked by it, but she’s happy for him and only wants the best for him’ 

Later on, Nicky finds Daniel and realises Daisy has told her a lie. Daniel scorns Daisy for the deception and Nicky realises that Daisy has a problem with her. How does she feel about that? 

‘It all suddenly makes sense to her, with the interjection from Daisy, and the lie it was based on. Nicky is very intuitive and knows every kind of person, so she realises what Daisy is doing. Nicky is a bit more mature than Daisy and has a daughter (Maisie) and has more responsibility in her life, so I think she knows how to put Daisy down and back in her place’

Do you think Daisy has met her match with Nicky? 

‘Ooh yes! it will be spicy. I think this is when Corrie can be at its absolute fiery best. They are both strong women who share quite similar traits, with similar interests, but I think Nicky has more life experience and will look down at Daisy’

Do you think they could ever be friends, or would you like them to be permanent enemies? 

‘I’d like to see them lock horns for a bit but, do you know what, I could see them as a powerful duo if they paired up and got a dynamic together’ 

What did you think about this returning storyline for Nicky, when you found out you’d be coming back to Coronation Street? 

‘I said, of all things you think of, when storyboarding yourself for a return, a teaching assistant was the last thing I would have thought. But when you think about it, and especially with all of the phenomenal younger cast and stories around on the show - it does make sense'

Can you see Nicky integrating with any other families or characters on Coronation Street? 

'Most definitely and I think that's natural for any character. If there is a link, who knows. I feel there are more characters on this show that Nicky could relate to and get on with?' 

We shall see...

Thank you, Kimberly! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Nicky back on the street! Can you imagine the fierceness of her and Daisy battling it out? An excellent choice of returnee! 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur   

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 23rd September 7.30 & 8.30 pm

Daniel's latest dalliance with Nicky (paid or unpaid) has certainly dismissed any platonic proposals that these two may have had for each other. Seemingly falling for the boy’s bookish Barlow charms, Daniel’s hopes of taking Nicky’s to Lytham St Anne’s have been scuppered by his hypocritical harpooning of her chosen career choice. Finally letting her guard down, is Nicky putting pride before a fall? I must admit, I like how they are they are treating the occupation of a sex worker, but is it all going a bit ‘band of gold?’ A sudden spark of a relationship and Daniel is suddenly running around on his mobile and hammering Adam for a wage sub so he can give the cash to Nicky. Too little too late though as Nicky returns from a job all bloodied and seemingly attacked by a punter. 

Michael and Toyah struggle to keep a client happy at the factory... I say factory, but is it now a sales hub? Some sort of SME, perhaps? I imagine they are all online because when was the last time we saw a sewing machine? I’d love to see a ‘Mike Baldwin’ type whip these millennials into shape! Michael cheers up with a visit from Grace, and it seems this couple are co-parenting just nicely. How long will that last, do we think? Also, why have the rest of the Bailey clan just disappeared? We know Aggie will be busy with COVID, but James and Ed? No sign of them!

Abi is not happy. The fall-out from her pass at Peter seems to be as troublesome as abstaining from the methadone!. The machismo of Kev facing off with Peter … can you imagine? It would be fisticuffs galore, I reckon! The drama lends itself to everybody finding out, so I am hopeful. How hopeful are we (or would we be) of Abi and Peter having an affair, though? I mean, addiction is all-consuming and they do have that connection! Denying all knowledge of Abi making a pass at him, Peter gets a telling off from Kev’s sister, Debbie, and surprise surprise, he heads off to tell Abi all about it. This could all blow up, you know, just like that boat did! 

Past misdemeanours are also prevalent when it comes to Billy’s tracking down of ex-lover Todd Grimshaw. The Private investigator tells the Vicar that Todd’s been messing with the local gangs, and has subsequently disappeared. Paul admits that he’s also made a call to the gazette in hope that a story raises awareness. Is it time that somebody told Eileen? 

Mary's floristry stories continue (it’s a bit of a thread this past week, I think) and having made things better with George, she's now haranguing Brian Packham over the cornflowers! Is this more flora flirting from Mary? Could Brian fall for Mary’s sweet eccentricities and leave Cathy, or am I getting mistaken, again? It’s the war of the (dog) roses, more likely! Barring Brian from the florist, Mary is banned from The Kabin too, and then so is Tyrone. Can Mary and Brian be Corrie’s new comedic duo? 

At the hospital, Daniel unwittingly meets Nicky’s Mum and is immediately chastised for his trouble. It seems her mother is also wary of her daughter's job and gives us a bit more of a character insight.  

Daniel’s grief over Sinead is still manifesting itself, isn’t it? Dalliance’s and dangerous liaisons aside, is Nicky a welcome (but troublesome) distraction for the grieving widower, or is she about to make things a whole lot worse for him? The messiah complex can't be helping, and Adam agrees. Helpless without the cash, Geoff leaves a wad at the solicitors office and it seems our question is answered! 

That's violent Geoff by the way, a man who also procures the services of prostitutes... 

I am @rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur 

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 9th of Sept 7.30 pm

Have Sally's sneaking suspicions done the trick in her quest to bring down Geoff? Stealing the laptop from N0.6 is one thing, but finally convincing Tim of his father’s nasty streak, well that’s a trick even Houdini would have trouble with. I’m sure Geoff has read that book but he’s not learnt about true deception! No magic trick can get him out this one - surely? Rather than letting Sally escape though, I envisaged him locking her in the box, if I’m honest. At least Sal managed to steal his laptop, but I thought Geoff had made that footage disappear? Anyway, sensing that Geoff has lax laptop security, Faye easily breaks into it and hey presto! The great magnifico’s vile abuse of Yasmeen is discovered!

At least little Lily didn’t magically disappear, what with Shona’s babysitting! The air of vulnerability lends a different side to this story and is a balance when we consider her most recent comedic ‘no filter’, scenes. It’s a balance that Corrie does well and I’m enjoying this story. What do you think? Daniel is another one who’s vulnerability is being subtly used to progress a story. As predicted a few weeks ago, I still sense that his friendship with Nicky may be leading into a relationship, but I wonder where it will lead? Is she the new Sinead, maybe?

In Dev's defence, selling the kebab house is probably a good idea. I think we can all agree he's going to need that cash for the school fees. Asha certainly needs expert tuition in feminism, if she’s serious in getting back together with that cad, Corey! The Alahan's troubles seem trivial though when compared to Leanne and NIck’s emotional plight. Arranging a trip away, I get the sense that this is either the last family trip, or it may not happen. So sad.

Less sad though, is watching jiggle it Geoff squirm as Tim tells him some home truths and the police come to arrest him.

I reckon Sally could be our next Corrie magician! I think we can guess that her next trick will be freeing Yasmeen?

I am @rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur

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