Want You Back (From The Dead)

Halloween traditionally was a time to remember the departed, in particular the saints, before the actual celebration of their faith, life and death on November 1^st. Over time and with the influence of various religions, cultures and cults the feast took on a more sinister meaning and now we revel in the possible return of the undead on October 31^st whilst loading up on sugary treats and filling our homes with bizarre plastic decorations.

A couple of years ago, before the pandemic, I gave in after a lifetime of resisting and finally dressed up for a Halloween with my family. It’s also my birthday so it marks my turning another year older and being another year closer to my own death. Which is nice.

Anyway I chose to dress up as my favourite Star Trek character at this party so I excitedly donned a stretchy silver catsuit in the style of Borg goddess Seven of Nine and checked myself out in my sister’s full-length mirror. This Blog, written at the time, will explain why I had to take the costume off immediately, and why somebody in Weatherfield suffered a similar Halloween fate.

The spookiest time of year is almost upon us again and to avoid any costume nightmares I won’t be dressing up this year, but it looks like some of our Corrie favourites will be. There’s a huge storm, an explosion, more sinkhole drama and some dangerous and unpleasant people returning to the cobbles so it looks like an exciting few episodes await us at the end of the month. We may even be treated to a bit of death.

Coming soon (run)...

In keeping with the ‘return of the dead’ (or undead) theme, I was thinking who I’d like to see back on the cobbles at Halloween. The Sanderson sisters returned to cause havoc in the brilliant Hocus Pocus and Michael Myers still can’t stop coming back to terrorist people at this time of year in the ridiculously scary Halloween films. Corrie does go a bit mad with its storylines from time-to-time, admittedly not zombie-mad, but why not embrace the supernatural for a few episodes?

Ivy Brennan is an obvious choice for a Halloween comeback. Already deeply spiritual in life, Ivy’s Catholicism often caused friction within the family. She died when on a “religious retreat” and after her death Vera Duckworth claimed to have bumped into her ghost on Don’s landing. An exorcism soon followed. Ridiculous.

"I see dead seamstresses"

The most perfect Halloween return, for me, would come in the form of evil (and recently cremated) Pat Phelan. I can just see the horrified faces of all those that hated Pat as he appears out of the October darkness seeking revenge. Eileen, half terrified and half unsurprised he’s come back would have to kill him again. It would be brilliant.

Norris Cole once held a séance after being convinced the Kabin was haunted. While it turned out not to be evil spirits but a bit of damp, perhaps he’s now floating about the place, trapped between two worlds, unable to leave Rita. Time for Gemma to get the candles back out and see how Nozza’s getting on since he crossed over?

I also have this image of Fred Elliot coming back from the dead like the Jacob Marley in a Christmas Carol but instead of chains he's got loads of strings of sausages holding him down. 

Fred. Dead.

Anyway it looks like the buildup to some the the Halloween and autumn/winter storylines has already begun. You can read more about what’s in store on the Blog HERE and on the Corrie website HERE.

Have a good one.

@StevieDawson

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Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 24 September 2021

Activity tonight largely centred around dear departed Norris Cole.  The Street's resident busybody was never going to pass up the opportunity to have the last word - on everything.  So with the great and good - Ken, Rita, Audrey, Claudia, Freda, Gail, Mary as Princess Leia, Gemma (eventually) and Roy gathered in the church for Billy to step in as vicar of the day to say farewell the old curmudgeon who had the service he wanted, playing music (Rivers of Babylon) he hated because he wanted to force it into the hearing ears of his friends.  After Rita (who spent more time with Norris than her husbands)  had an opportunity to say a few words Billy then revealed that he had a final letter from Norris which Norris had requested that Roy be asked to read.  Ken had expected that he would be doing this!

Roy reveals Norris feels like Eva Peron - Don't Cry for me, Argentina" - before Norris saying that generally he had a wonderful life.  First Norris remembers Freda and the twilight years they have shared and enjoyed have been very special and that he should have said it more often to her when he was alive - Freda responds above.  

Mary used to badger Norris to prepare for his funeral and once to silence her said that she must wear her Princess Leia outfit at the event - but as he observes above even Mary is not daft enough to fall for that.  Poor Mary (above).

Roy continues by telling the congregation that there is something precious hidden inside the paper boy outside the Kabin.  Norris' last word is addressed to Rita - the "Sunshine of his Life" (another song he cannot stand).  He winds up Rita about the sexual tension between co-workers implying it was between them - but he assures Rita that she made his life better.  And he will take one secret to the grace with him - he will never tell another soul that Rita used to go to Claudia to get her colour done (above).  Audrey is dumbstruck believing that Rita did it herself as Gail had told her so!

The only other story of note was Max getting up Daniel's nose.  And frankly Daniel is not going to make a teacher if he carries on like this.  He randomly accuses Max of stealing his wallet and imposes an immediate detention.  Max plays on his phone and eventually Daniel has to go because Tracy is sitting Bertie.  Max refuses to leave the classroom and Daniel throws his bag into the corridor - breaking the lasagne therein which was the Platt family tea! Daniel later tries to apologise to Max but they soon argue again.  David catches them arguing in the Street.  Later David tears a strip off Max - who reckons it is worse than North Korea.  Then Shona tears a strip off of David.  All is not well in the Platt household.  Daisy is in the Street and tries to calm down Daniel pointing out that he could lose his job.  David turns up at Daniel's flat and the argument continues.  David believes Max is innocent and Daniel is convinced of the lad's guilt.  Daisy gets no thanks from Daniel by trying to get him to see sense for most of the afternoon.

Ed Bailey is sorting out the snagging at the house for Grace and takes Paul back on - but gives him instructions to do the painting before they do the carpentry.  Apparently the list of jobs Grace wants done is huge and she is not letting him do anything else.  James Bailey is back in training and seems recovered; Aggie is going to make marmalade chicken wings for dinner to celebrate and chef Danny offers to help with cooking so they should get a decent meal!  Aggie crosses paths with Grace and above she almost gets to call Grace some thing very rude - but Danny appears before the sentence was finished.

Audrey and Rita exchange words at the wake and Gail tries to calm them down - but Claudia wanders by and Audrey continues to be stroppy.  Otherwise Mary is talked into forgiving Norris.  Gemma and Freda also try to settle their differences from earlier in the week.  Aled's operation will be rescheduled for a few weeks' time.  Rita recalls Audrey's poor hairdressing and eventually Ken has to calm the ladies down.  Mary and Ken leave the wake to check on the paper boy.  Mary collects a chainsaw from Paul and Brian (because he is sober) puts on the protective gear and attacks the paper boy.  Inevitably there is nothing inside the paper boy.  Then Rita recalls that Norris always hated the figure as he reckoned the eyes used to follow him when sweeping the street!  Freda starts laughing - Norris has played his final trick, conning them into destroying the paper boy.  Led by Mary they all start singing "Good byeee" and the camera pans over some of Norris's famous moments.

What can I say?  Malcolm Hebden has been with the Street on and off since 1994 as Norris and deserves a decent retirement and his character was given an excellent send off.  Tonight also gave the older cast members opportunities to remind us of why they continue to be given stories and make contributions to the entertainment that Coronation Street provides.  I might often snipe and carp but tonight was right and proper and my thanks to all involved in bringing this to our screens and especially to Malcolm Hebden for his huge involvement over nearly 30 years.  

Written by Damon Alexis-Rochefort and directed by Michael Lacey.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 15th September 7.30 & 8.30pm

‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night' is one of my favourite poems by Dylan Thomas. A famous poem about death and not dying quietly is almost certainly a strange start to a Coronation Street episode review, but tonight I feel it has resonance. When I began writing for this blog, this was a day I never envisaged. The most powerful episode reviews I ever wrote, would be the aftermath of Aiden’s suicide, but I think tonight is a close second, with the death of Norris Cole. The 'Corrie Icons' special aired on Monday night was our clue of course, but that made tonight's episodes no easier. I was kinda hoping for a final deathbed cameo from Norris, but from a drama writing perspective, I think that’s where the pathos comes in. Tonight’s episodes were penned by Jonathan Harvey, (who also wrote that Aiden aftermath episode) and those closing moments, Norris’ final moments, were written with that great pathos in mind. 

As a fan of Classic Corrie, it was also a treat for me to see Ken and Rita chew the fat at Roy’s Rolls. I’m used to seeing those characters together in the 1999 nostalgia fest, and it worked well as a good intro to tonight’s tragic finale. Ken’s reluctance to revisit Norris at ‘Still Waters’ became ever poignant when news reached the Rovers return that Norris had collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. 

With Rita, Ken, Mary in hot pursuit they arrive at the hospital with Freda stood outside the emergency department. Even with that hilarious Princess Diana reference (fans of Harvey’s ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ will be familiar with that), Freda’s delivery of the sad news left a solitary tear in my right eye. Laughter and sadness in juxtaposition - That is Coronation Street at its height. Beautifully done!! 

As for the death of Ty and Alina’s relationship, I think we saw this coming, didn’t we?? Although Alina’s presence has been somewhat pernicious towards the hell-bent Hope, I think the writing has long since been on the wall (or on a graffitied portrait, perhaps)! Since Tyrone kissed Fiz, and Phill’s timely reappearance, Alina finding out about Hope and her previous arson attempts. was rather a schadenfreude moment, in aspects, I thought. The final nail in the coffin, delivered by the little hell-raiser herself - perfection! Alina's pregnancy is sure to cause more ramifications. 

I've always thought that ‘Still Waters’ was a great name for a Corrie retirement home, and as the ripple of Norris’s death inevitably reaches the street, I wonder if he has left anything in his Will for Ken, Rita, or Mary? 

‘Still Waters’ do run deep don’t they. How very poetic, I knew that was relevant! 

 

Elsewhere in Corrie tonight: George & Eileen’s rom-com romance continues in earnest, Craig's reinterviewed for James Bailey’s race case, and Adi and Summer discuss their future. 

 

@rybazoxo 

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 24th June 7.30 pm

With the (time-lagged) union jack flags waving proudly around The Rovers, the war-time dressing up theme was a welcome nod to corrie episodes of old tonight and that distinct air of nostalgia certainly helped set-up tonight's most memorable scenes. 

Finding out about the double assault in the gazette, Carla and Peter (both gorgeously dressed for the celebrations) argue about whether he upheld the threat so angrily promised. He denies guilt telling her he was at an A.A meeting when the attack happened. I did doubt him until we saw a close up of Scott’s scuffed knuckles. Any thoughts on what Scott is all about? Also at The Rovers, Norris, Ken, Audrey, and Rita reminisced about Weatherfield's wartime contribution. I love it when Corrie scriptwriters reference past characters and weren't it great seeing Norris again! I think there may be trouble over at Stillwater, though?

Shona's return and recuperation also brought back fond memories for her and David (well him at least) tonight too. Continuing to act completely out of character by making a pass at her support worker, then stealing Ray’s wallet, the latter was an intelligent nod to the characters past indiscretions and this reunion between them does seem to show promise? 

Talking of reigniting passions, is Alina ready to get back with Seb? The recent tension between the two is certainly obvious and I have a distinct feeling that Emma will again be caught in the crossfire?

Duly distracted, Emma is with the rest of the Macdonald clan who are taking Oliver on their planned day out. Leanne remains largely worried and even though Oliver brightens up when seeing the animals, the worry on her face, and Nick's, is plainly conveyed. Later, sharing the day's film footage with Steve, you can see how worried his parents are. It is disheartening but child illness was never going to be a jolly affair and I think we have a lot still to discover in this storyline.

Last week, I commented on Daniel 'pulling' another attractive blonde yet (as always) I was completely wrong and had not predicted that his latest blonde would be a sex worker. Aside from the slightly slanted view on the male cure to loneliness (beer & boobs), Nicky lends a friendly ear as Daniel opens up about Sinead, and shows a compassionate interest in our handsome widower. It may have cost him £220, but I'm starting to wonder if I was right after all? 

I am @rybazoxo your {self-styled} cobbles connoisseur

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