Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 12th January 7.30 & 8.30 pm

The current pace of Weatherfield life is fast, dramatic, 100% top form, and only has me asking questions about what is coming up next - I'm enjoying 2022 Corrie (so far) tonight being no different. My highlight of this Wednesday week was watching Jenny Bradley expel her ‘new romance’ glow everywhere and having a little catch-up with Rita and Sally. It's classic Corrie territory, and although we had a lot of going off tonight, it was a reminder of the shows illustrious history: being a good mix of the old and the new.  

Joseph's lofty poverty problems (see what I did there), may well have been skirted over by a distracted Ches and Gemma had it not been for (hellfire) Hope’s involvement. Bullying is a serious issue, as is the socioeconomic consequences of 5 kids in a working-class backstreet, so him going missing, and hiding in Fiz’s loft, is a surprising turn of events. This could open a few more storylines, and I imagine, it could garner online headlines too. I am thinking, of course, of a working-class kid that went missing who was found (alive and well) under a divan bed. Without mentioning names, could that true-crime story have been the inspiration? I *think* I can see where this is going.   

I don’t half miss my Corrie visits to Salford Quays, so I appreciated that location shoot outside Trafford War Museum, which incidentally, is bang next door to Corrie studios. They won't have travelled far, and it looks like Brian and Cathy are doing the same with their UK staycation holiday.  Shona's descent into madness (just me?) continues tonight with a sudden interest in working at The Kabin. We haven't seen the inside of the place in months and rarely do we see Cathy and Brian either, so is this 'holiday' signalling an incoming change for the street’s newsagents? 

Although Rita sold everything, there’s no slowing the sprightly octogenarian from still being involved in the shops running. As Brian and Cathy plan to be away, Rita needs a hand, and Shona seems to have roped in to help out?! ‘Why the secrecy?’ Rita asked, somewhat confusingly, and I thought the same! It's a strange one, that. Coronation Street did have a longstanding story arc, starting with Mavis, which had our Reet having a longstanding assistant/confidante (Leanne, Sharon, Tina) that ended with Norris. Is this strand about to be restarted? 

Elsewhere on the street; Trouble continues for the Nazir’s, Summer’s offer for Oxford causes her more pressure, and Tim carries on hiding his health secret, causing more suspicion for Sally.  

 

I am @rybazoxo Your self-styled cobbles connoisseur!

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 4th Dec 8.30 pm

I feel so sorry for Roy. He hasn't had much luck when it comes to family (Carla and Wayne aside, not biological anyway) and finding a kindred spirit in half brother Richard, his sudden death has taken that away, but has Roy gained a niece in Nina? Offering her a place at Roys Rolls, the goth teen is reluctant but doesn't seem to have any other option as she's been orphaned. Roy blames himself for the carer not turning up and promises to resolve it.

Michelle and Vicky are also kindred suddenly, and with a firm offer for the bistro on the cards, can Michelle resist a quick £70K? A sudden attack of guilt seems a tad late, and especially for Michelle!. Vicky, however, is keen on a quick buck and a quick start, but will the baby drop before the bistro sale does? Visiting Adam for advice, Michelle decides to cut her losses and sell-up sharply.

Also seeking that quick buck, Ryan is unknowingly duped by dropping a package off to private eye Lenny (a trap obviously) which he seems to pass with flying colours. Can Gary trust Ryan with more sinister collections or loan sharking maybe? Ryan's a bit flakey though, right? he may also be scared as a threat from Gary cannot be ignored, as we know.

With Weatherfield's winter wonderland also a colourful affair, Micheal seems distracted by a lack of Tianna or Grace. I think Rita needs to give the wonderland a visit to cheer herself up as Gemma is otherwise occupied with 4 babies and has no time for her either - go figure. I'm glad they brought up the baby milk/breastfeeding issue though. As a dad myself, even I know you can't possibly feed four kids from just one woman - if you get my drift...

Later, Rita is on her own again and flicking through her photo album, the tears roll.

With the Winterland in full-swing, Micheal is also heartbroken as Grace fails to bring Tianna for a visit. Aggie almost relishes in Micheal's sadness but Ed and James rally round in support.

Maternal isn't ever a word you associate with Carla Connor but with Baby Bertie and newly orphaned Nina, Carla does seem to have developed a mothering instinct? Nina doesn't take Carla's new demeanour too kindly though when she's told the social worker never turned up and Roy left her dad on his own to die! Carla may not be the surrogate Mum for Nina, but can Roy be the uncle she needs and finally get him some family on the street?

What did you think to this Wednesdays Corrie? let us know in the comments section.

If you enjoyed this review give us a follow @rybazoxo over on twitter, your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 18th Dec 7.30 pm

After my spot-on prediction last week that Vicky and Michelle were in cahoots against Robert (and no one had committed murdered) I wonder what delights my Corrie detective brain can decipher this week? Well, I for one, know that Christmas is around the corner so  Micheal's Weatherfield winter wonderland is ready for opening! Ed has been getting jiggy with it for Aggie whilst dressed as Santa, so hopefully, his loins have cooled down for the kids - that's not appropriate in 2019! Evelyn's disdain and sour sarcasm (once again) is in fine tune with my feelings about this festive 'fever'. I get the feeling though that Michael is doing all this for Grace and Tianna so that's alright actually.  Is he setting himself up for a fall?

At the hotel room, Vicky is on the phone to Michelle whilst grabbing at her stomach. My detective skills deduce that this baby is due, and anytime soon - maybe Christmas week? I also wonder how short-lived Maria's pregnancy will be - can we expect a full-term like Vicky? Meanwhile, new baby daddy Gary is busy with underhand loan shark tactics and collars Ryan for another payment (Maria's handbags, high-end flats, and 4 wheel drives won't pay for themselves)! Ryan offers to be Gary's lackey in lew of payment. 

Vicky also seems intent on fleecing Robert, by taking some sort of share in the Bistro sale.
Tyler visits his Mum to discuss the plan, which proves that he is also in on the act. Perverting the course of justice? I imagine he would be the 'fall guy' in this little set-up. I envisage seeing Michelle & Vicky heading off to Ireland together after the baby is born? The £70K offer (although £30K short) seems too good offer to turn down and the 'mystery buyer' seems a tad suspect? I've seen spoilers that confirm my suspicions but I'm not revealing that here...

Over at Richard's flat, Roy is on hand to attend to his brother's needs as the health visitor is due for the first appointment. I've really enjoyed these two fine actors together on screen and with his illness being terminal, its a shame this brotherhood will be short-lived. I wish I had a brother like Roy actually, talk of trains and factual anecdotes -  it sounds great. My brothers just watch football - how droll! anyway, I digress. With Aggie on hand at Roy's Rolls, the freezer packs in, and Roy is called back to work. Later, and with Nina at college, Richard's left alone and gets caught in a coughing fit, collapsing into unconsciousness.

Rita is also on her own (again) and failing to entertain Evelyn in the rovers snug gambling den, her mood remains unchanged. The street icon looks to be caught up in some serious, and rather unseasonal, solitary sadness. We can guess that this another issue-based story on the horizon. Do we need the realism, or would you prefer faux festive cheer?

With seasonal cheeriness in mind,  Roy heads back to the flat but is too late when finding Richard unconscious -yet he still calls the ambulance. The paramedics arrive yet struggle to stabilise Richard and Nina arrives home just in time to hear her father being pronounced dead.

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Well, my detective skills are still struggling to decide whether this year will be a winter wonderland or a miserable Weatherfield Christmas. What are your thoughts?

Stay tuned and we will find out in my 8.30 pm episode review!

I am @rybazoxo your (self -styled) cobble connoisseur!

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Corrie Comicals week ending 13 December 2019

You settle down to watch 30 minutes of your second favourite fly-on-the-wall-docudrama and find you are still there an hour later - this week we appear to have moved to hourly episodes!  The difficulties of a new relationship are being negotiated by Gary and Maria.  Suddenly there is a whole new family tree to learn.  Who is Peanut with the new coat?  Beth and Kirk's dog - reminder Kirk and Maria are siblings, although it is not mentioned often and remember Beth & Kirk are not married because of the last time a bigamy story walked the Street.  And new partners need to know if one or other drinks the milk out of the carton - Gary denies he does this but we know that he drinks orange juice from the carton!

Now I am seriously worried that there is something wrong with the universe.  Firstly Norris does not want a gin and gossip session - merely a swift half and Rita is not invited.  Emily has something wrong with her chest and secondly we have an entire Norris scene without any evidence of humour at all.  And why the hint that that Norris and Freda are moving away from Edinburgh and Emily?  There is something wrong (and it is not just Rita being lonely - there is more to it than that).  Explanations below please in the comments.

Wednesday was notable for a couple of appearances.  First up was the return of Big Garth (Victor Maguire) promoting a "Winter Wonderland" - nice little cameo appearance and apparently Santa is watering the reindeer at Tebay services which are in my opinion the best services in the UK.  Hopefully there will be a another little appearance from Big Garth.

A real highlight however was the appearance of "Trolley Dolly" Charlie Wood (Sian Reeves), above, who has arrived as Timbo's first wife in a bigamy storyline with a wedding consecrated in Las Vegas and consumated at length apparently the same night.  Love this actress - most recently in Mount Pleasant and I have a feeling there is rather more to this story.  I feel she could be an interesting permanent addition to the residents on the Street - and her leg pulling of Timbo, asking for £10k for the divorce was absolutely classic.  I demand TPTB give her a long term contract please.

Elves provide some entertainment this week working for Big Garth in Winter Wonderland (soon renamed Winter P***-up and Getting High Land).  They do of course have names: Good Elf, National Elf, Elf and Safety and Elvish Presley.  Elf and Safety is in charge!

Poor Sally has not the faintest idea that she and Tim are not quite married thanks to his previous entanglement with Charlie and as everyone keeps telling Timbo she will probably not kill him when she finds out.  Tim is desperately trying to find a solution to the problems and decides to lighten the atmosphere by asking Sally to marry him - which gets him the death stare above.  Anyway she says yes and Tim's plan is a vow renewal but in reality it will be a wedding with new photos and a new marriage certificate.  Given that half the Street already know his predicament I cannot see the secret being kept for long.

I will have more not to say about Geoff and Yasmeen when I review Friday but generally this has been a pretty good week all round.


Written by: Simon Crowther (Monday); Chris Fewtrell (Wednesday); Susan Oudot (Friday)
Directed by: Sean Healy (Monday & Wednesday); Tim O'Mara (Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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