Showing posts with label nina lucas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nina lucas. Show all posts

Thursday, 2 September 2021

Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 1st September 7.30 & 8.30 pm


Tonight it's the Corrie courtroom drama, and as the trial begins, I'm hoping to feel less of a hankering for classic nostalgic Corrie of old, as we enter the court for the opening day speeches. Monday night was very good although it felt slightly surreal and a bit Hollyoaks in places. I'm also unsure of legal parlance so if I get anything wrong in this review, please remember I am reviewing Coronation Street and not Crimewatch. It certainly felt like the latter, in some places though!



Taking to the stand, Nina's distraught gothic attire gave her ‘suddenly remembered’ statement a lot of credence, the key witness statements were somewhat surprising, and the replay of Seb’s heart-wrenching audio hit the spot. Grilled by Sabeen over the graphic novel evidence (how good is Imran’s ex!), I think the 117 days gap in memory was a fair point. 



Unsurprisingly, Asha’s take to the stand was nuanced and not at all in Corey’s favour. I do wonder if Asha’s feelings for Nina would be relevant in terms of a murder case? That said, that was probably the most Corrie thing that happened tonight and the (rarely seen) serious side of Dev was something else entirely - what a treat!! Also enjoyed seeing Corey’s true side come out in front of Sabeen during the courtroom break. Will that side of him appear under questioning? A bad boy always shows his colours in the end - that's the Corrie rule, don't forget. 



The former bad boy, Simon Barlow, was also at court (forgetting his drug scandal) and his defence of Kelly is admirable. A future romance maybe? You’d hope Kev’s warning would hit home but I doubt not. And what about Abi? I will stand in any court and defend our Abi Franklin! Just like Nina, this story has been truly driven by both characters, brilliant performances from both, and I am keen to see the post-trial fall-out for those two. It's just the court scenes, legal parlance, and procedural stuff I have trouble with. 



And what of Imran? His performances throughout this drama have been brilliant. The reality would be a legal conflict of interest of course (as Kelly’s foster parent) but I think we can put that to one side what with his convincing characterisation and delivery of top-notch writing. That scene between Dev and Imran on Victoria Street was episode defining for me and was an exceptional piece of drama. That aside, a few of the directional twists from Monday also seeped into tonight; swift surreal scene shifts, different directional style, and quite a bit of it felt very unlike Corrie for me.


My hankering for Corrie nostalgia may have to wait for another few episodes!


@rybazoxo 







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Friday, 18 June 2021

Coronation Street Episode Review; Thurs 17th June 9 pm



Why anyone would want to watch 90 minutes of blokes kicking a ball around is beyond me, but here we are. With the schedules all akimbo for the next few weeks, I shall be writing episode reviews that are nearest to Wednesday and shan’t be watching any of that en-ger-land guff. That is of course unless Weatherfield County qualifies and then I’m watching Tommy O score for England. That’s how it works, right? 

That said, it appears that County’s star striker is otherwise busy representing Corey to his agent. Corey may have criminal charges hanging over his head but there's still time for his footy skills to be recognised, which is exactly how football works in the real world!



Preparing for a factory presentation, Nina is still visibly grief-stricken, slightly hungover, and the young designer is struggling to get a grip of reality. Using alcohol as a coping mechanism is a well-worn soap trope but it certainly helps convey the awfulness of her situation. Nina has given up; hitting the self-destruct button, walking out of Underworld, and daytime drinking with a random slimy older man in The Rovers. Her behaviour doesn't go unnoticed by Daisy nor Abi and Daisy explains that Nina has left with the Irishman and gone back to his hotel (Debbie Webster’s gaff). Abi is riled by this and also heads to the hotel.

Meanwhile, Nina bumps into Corey and Tommy O who are there to chat with the football agent. Thinking she wants a selfie, Nina drunkenly confronts the hooligan and tells the agent and player all about the attack. Abi soon arrives to try and make Nina see sense, and the girl soon sobs at her loss of control. Back at Roys Rolls, Abi apologises for past behaviour and it's clear these two are sharing common ground. Later, Corey tries banging the door down at Roys Rolls and confronts Nina while mouthing off at her. Roy comes out and tells Corey he’s breaking bail conditions and the police soon arrive.  


Tyrone has truly hit a mid-life crisis peak now, hasn't he? I think it’s clear that’s where this story is heading. With Emma arranging a girls cocktail night at The Bistro to support Curtis, Maria rallies around the ladies but unfortunately, no one told Fiz that, and Alina and Tyrone soon turn up. Awkward animosity aside, Ty is visibly struggling with his toy girl's youthful culture but still finds time to confront Fiz. Maria rips him over his ridiculous skinny jeans and velvet shirt. 


Summer’s studying problems are causing Billy to worry so the student arranges a facetime with Dr. Gaddas. Buckling under the pressure of exams and Seb’s death, the Dr diagnoses stress and refers her to counselling, but is that the problem?


Nick, Leanne, and Simon have arrived home and are struggling to adjust to life back in Weatherfield. Still looking to change their statements, the police pay a visit and Leanne denies all knowledge of any pressure from Harvey or his gang. Can a few more drug casualties help change her mind? Leanne explains all to Nick and it’s clear the pressure is getting to her. In prison, Harvey is questioned by the police about suspected witness intimidation and is warned about tampering with the upcoming trial. Leanne later tells Nick that she isn't going to change her statement. Harvey is soon on the phone with Sharon, telling her to heap more pressure on Leanne, but by doing things differently this time. 


Elsewhere in tonight’s episodes; Gemma and Chesney have a BSL lesson for Aled and with the cochlear implant issue clouding over the couple, he (predictably) misses the appointment. With 5 kids and numerous work hours, the pressures also seem to be increasing for this couple too! 


                                                                             ***

The schedules may be all akimbo but Corrie is definitely still better than Any football match!

Another fantastic episode; well written, well played, and well-executed. A strong back four of Abi, Roy, Nina, and Leanne. Roy scores a winner in the last minute of the episode.  

Back of the net! 

@rybazoxo  your cobbles connoisseur who's definitely not a football fan.






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Friday, 4 June 2021

Coronation Street Episode Review; Thursday 3rd June 9 pm



A dark cloud has hung ominously over Weatherfield during this special week! Can we expect any more macabre machinations before these late-night episodes conclude? 

After Seb’s funeral on Tuesday, in which Abi overheard Corey's blusterous phone call, tonight’s episode begins with Abi being deterred from glassing the thug with a broken bottle! It may have only been by Asha’s self-serving rationale, but still, a close call. However, and as we all know, Abi is a tinderbox at the best of times. Before long, we see her meet a shady character down the back alley. What is she up to? 


Meanwhile, playing to Corey’s machismo, Asha coaxes the murderer back to their old flat for a few beers, a pizza, and a night of reconciliation. She soon gets a pizza delivered, and directly to the door...  Lax security at Victoria Court? 

Meanwhile, Nina is upset following the funeral and tells Roy she's off for a walk. Later, she spots Abi skulking around the back alley and assumes that Abi is back on the drugs, or looking to score some. Abi then admits she has scored some drugs, but only so that Asha can spike Corey and go through his phone!


Sarah and Carla have teamed up to steal back Underworld’s stock from Lucas’s bust factory. Narrowly avoiding being caught by a slack security guard, they are later questioned by a policeman - but only about the shot being fired! Meanwhile, their respective other halves meet up at The Bistro and Adam tells Peter that he doesn't want to take the transplant test any further.  Later, after finding out about Adam pulling out, Sarah and Carla confront some home truths. 

Upon admitting her truth to Johnny, Jenny tells Ronnie that he has to move out of The Rovers and right away - it looks like her marriage is over.  Later, and with Daisy’s delicious duplicity in the air, Johnny also leaves the pub and heads out to confront an expectant Ronnie. 
Elsewhere in tonight’s episode; Maria and Gary make amends after the near-miss shoot ‘em up. As one marriage ends, is this one going to be reconciled?  

Back at the flat, Corey shows some suspicion about Asha’s sudden warming to him but he’s soon comatose from the drugs, pizza, and booze overdose. Asha seems smug at the plan's success, accessing his phone by taking a photo of the slumbering killer. However, Corey stirs, wakes up, and angrily realises that something is amiss! 

A shooting, an affair exposed, and a factory robbery! Sharon's tasering seems lighthearted compared to some of this week's subterfuge! It's been quite the week for Corrie crimes, and it looks there's still much more to come before this week concludes!







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Saturday, 15 May 2021

Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 14 May 2021


Good day; I am away next week so Ms Kelstar and I have done a swapsies and I get to to tell you about the comings and goings on the Street on Friday night.  Tonight was largely dominated by the after effects of Seb's death but to provide some relief Sam was drafted to firstly irritate David by wanting to discuss the deeper significances of Treasure Island - which David has never read (has David read any books, ever?).  Arising from a discussion in Roy's Rolls which Daniel overhears David coerces Daniel to do some Sam sitting which morphs into Sam setting Daniel a test on verbal and non-verbal reasoning!  Sam is dismissive of his test answers but still offers Daniel the job of tutoring him for the Oakhill entrance exam.  Daniel considers Sam a bit of a pain in the neck but when Sam (above) agrees to £35 / hour (over £60k pa) a rate at which I can see Natasha blanching ever so slightly Daniel can see this as a good way of funding his studies to be a teacher - as it is more than he pays for Bertie's babysitters!


The Seb story has various strands.  The police advise Abi that Eli Higginson and Jason Dowling have pled guilty to GBH on Nina and that Kelly Neelan has been charged with GBH in connection with Nina and with the murder of Seb.  Meanwhile Corey has been placed at the scene of the crime and remains a person of interest but has not been charged.  One of the accused has indicated that the attack took place because Nina was a goth!  The good news is that as charges have been brought Seb's body can be released for burial.  So the next we see is of Abi is at Shuttleworth's where George has had this amazing idea for the funeral utilising some goth aspects.  Abi wants none of that and storms out of the undertakers.  She takes her anger out on a car bonnet with an extra large wrench (above).  


The next strand revolves around Kelly who has a bail hearing this morning.  Laura Neelan (Kel Allan reprising the part) is laying the law down to Imran that he is to get her bail so that Kelly can live with her and she is going to see Social Services to organise it.  At the hearing Imran tries to get Kelly released whilst Abi glowers from the back of the court.  The judge is having none of it and Kelly is held on remand.  There are two outcomes to this Laura gives Imran a good telling off for failing to get Kelly released.  Outside Underworld Toyah (above) tells Kelly it is her fault for disappearing leaving a scared teenager in care.  Imran also has to tell Toyah that in the light of events Social Services will not be returning Kelly to their care - but he is determined to defend her as he is convinced from her reaction that she was not involved.  Earlier Toyah had said that Kelly returning to the Street and their care was probably not a good thing - but she seems less certain later on.  She and Imran agree that they have to help her and Imran tells her he loves her, especially when she gets her knickers in a twist outside an underwear factory.


Nina has had a dream and she thinks she is recalling events - and that Corey was definitely there - but she cannot remember much more.  She is however ready to leave hospital and Roy has brought her favourite dress and makeup.  She recounts the story to one of the policewoman who seems to be running the investigation - but she does not even know the names of those pleading guilty.  The police are blaming the CPS for not charging Corey rather than the absence of evidence.  Nina carefully re-applies her makeup before leaving hospital (above).  Even now she has to be herself.


Summer is caught up in all of this which gives Paul and Todd to have a shout at each other for no good reason.  She has bunked off school because she cannot face it - and admits as much to Todd and Billy when she gets home.  Todd however does find Paul and apologise - the latter was right over Summer and Todd admits it (above).  Paul apologises as well and they talk about Summer and Seb.


It is with deep regret that I have to report on the Bailey's.  Ed has bobbed off to see Aggie now the staircase is finished and Ronnie is hanging around like a bad fart.  Ed gives Michael the keys to the camper van and later Jenny gets Michael to go into the Rovers for free (Ronnie paid and Jenny insisted on cash - not payment in kind) drinks enabling Ronnie to get the van keys out of Michael's pocket (above).  Ronnie wants to re-establish himself within the family by getting the camper van ready for Ed and (presumably) Aggie's return.  Jenny and Ronnie seem to be enjoying some gentle flirting and interaction - Ronnie is no doubt about to be very disappointed.


Once she and Roy arrive on the Street she sees Asha and wants to know if the latter is still giving Corey an alibi.  Asha says she is not - with Nina calling him a scumbag and suggesting it is Asha's fault.  Abi emerging from the undertaker tells Nina that Asha is not to blame - it all started because of the way Nina looks with her stupid clothes and make up.  Abi tells Nina she is to blame for Seb's death.  If Nina were normal Seb would not be in the morgue according to Abi.  Abi carries on telling Nina "you ain't wise, you ain't woke, you're a weirdo".  Nina runs away and then Abi tells Asha to grow up - everything has consequences.  Roy goes to look for Abi as Nina explains to Carla what was said and the latter goes to the garage to get Abi to see some sense and apologise to Nina.  Abi does not see sense.  Roy finally finds Nina (above) and she is feeling the weight of Abi's accusations.  She cannot remember more and she wants to tell Seb she is sorry.  Nina is even asking herself if she is a freak as everyone has said for years.  Nina adds that she loved clothes, loved art, loved being herself, but perhaps she and Roy are the freaks after all.  Roy manages to get her to come home and once there Nina washes off the makeup, removes her dress and re-appears in the cafe in torn jeans and an old woolly of Shona's trying to be normal - and as everyone says she does not look like Nina (below).


As she says Seb was killed because of what she looked like, so she is not that person any more.

Written by David Isaac and David Proud on a first outing to the Street and directed by Peter Rose.

Kosmo







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