Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 22nd of June 8 pm

Remember when Kelly was persona-non-grata after Seb died, before retribution, and then we liked her again? Jacob, the county lines drug dealer, hated by all, but now Amy's comedy fodder boyfriend? It sounds familiar and especially where Max Turner is concerned. Reeling from being cornered in this internet blackmail plot, should we viewers feel sorry for the lad? It's a little bit too familiar for me to be bothered, and tonight, Max discovers that his sleazy classmates from the PRU are behind the blackmail plot. He tells them he can't give them the grand, but they humiliate him in a very public bullying submission. Max retaliates with Shona being caught in the crossfire, taking a punch on the nose. I hate to say it's a good thing, but Shona has been brilliant as part of the Platt clan these last few months, stands out in this storyline, and is perfect for keeping Max and David in line.  

 

Talking of the Platt’s (N0.1 family spot at the minute) Audrey’s alcoholism, and hugely unlike Peter’s case, appears to continue to fall towards comedy? Tonight, Aud’s bashing the Rover's door down at the opening time, fails to coerce Rita into another booze-up and seems hell-bent on growing old disgracefully. Taken aback by her friend's advice, Audrey decides to return to work at Trim Up North, and the boozy barbers are the perfect tonic for her! Some of the #Corrie online fan fraternity seem to have forgotten this place has a bar, but I distinctly remember it, although the clientele does seem to swing from Male/Female depending on the plot, cast, or content. A unisex rebrand is required, maybe? David spots his Gran's pickled personality and bans her from picking up the scissors. Audrey then continues getting drunk, taking another tumble over that ominous Thai elephant ornament, and bangs her head. 

Why does Audrey always fall over? Maybe the alcoholism explains that. She fell over outside the rovers about 22 years ago and nearly had those cobbles concreted over. Audrey drunkenly sacks David, Kelly, and Maria - has a good go at Gail - and then clears out the barbers so she can continue drinking on her own. Later, the Platts meet up in The Rovers (irony, I think), Sarah vowing to research the perils of old age drinking. I think the comedy element may now be disappearing to be replaced by some more sobering content. Later, as Audrey is readying to leave, she falls over again and gets trapped under the shop prop motorbike. I remember the bar and the weasel, but not the motorbike? 

Meanwhile, Tim and impotency problems see him and Sally meeting a sexual therapist tonight (the Donkey Sanctuary comedy bypassed me - I'll be honest) I do like humour, and these two are funny, but I think Tim and Sally can carry the seriousness far better. Those laughs they shared in those final scenes seemed far warmer, genuine, and humourful. I think that made my point. 

Meanwhile, Maria’s kept busy tonight as her successful petition to get Weatherfield Council into introducing recycling bins, causes the refuse collectors to call a strike. This is no place for political insight (although I do watch Question Time, Kirk) I doubt Corrie could have timed that one any better! Easy to forget that socially realistic dramas tell a story of our modern times: this is a prime example. Anyway, I digress. Maria is aghast at the militancy of it all, Coronation Street residents debate the good and bad of echo policies, and news reaches the Weatherfield Gazette.    

Elsewhere- Peter is losing his battle with Dr Thorne, and Carla wants new flooring, so I hope we see Barlow flat soon. Ryan Connor reappears for a haircut - where has he been? I know we have a new influx of returning characters, but there are a few regulars we rarely see these days! I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 18th of May 8 pm

Despite some initial trepidations from yours truly, I am now really starting to warm to Tim’s impotence storyline. It’s a good mix of seriousness, whilst also delivering full-on 'Carry On Corrie' innuendo. Tonight, Tim and Sally head to the hotel ( it’s called Chariot Square, as I found out on the Corrie tour). Tim keeps the pills a secret from his wife and heads to the hotel whilst waiting for their delivery to N0.4. As the couple get amorous, Tim realises he needs the pill, driving quickly back to the street, still in his dressing gown, explaining to Gail that he's collecting a present for Sally (guffaw)! Those scenes of the Metcalfe’s in bathrobes, sipping gunpowder tea, the aquatic blue lighting, and Sally’s observations at the hotel were hilariously high-camp!...loved it. Although this is a sensitive and potentially serious subject, Tim’s medical reaction to the tablets was lightly done but served a purpose. It meant that he had to tell Sally the truth, so in the end - a point was raised - it just wasn't Tim's (ahem). The fact that these two were at it like rabbits from the beginning of their relationship (we viewers were always aware of it) means that the storyline does have solid ground to spring from and didn't seem fudged for some awareness week or other. 

 I also enjoyed seeing Gail and Sally sit in the rovers discussing the finer points of Tim’s pill-popping - some real Corrie gold from longtime show scribe Damon Alexis-Rochefort (he was also a pop star you know, talented fella) Fans of Classic Corrie will be familiar with Sally and Gail being longtime friends, but in our modern-day version, we seldom see them together. Tim confiding in his comedy partner, Steve, and leading to them bickering like an old married couple, worked on two levels, and Steve’s advice was surprisingly good. Tracy and Steve in tandem with Tim and Sally - more of that please, writers! 

Daniel's Platt pact with Max has firmly pitted him against his own family, and when Tracy is in your family, that's never a good move. Tonight, Daniel is left defenceless, in the absence of Nicky, and upon having a chat with Ken, he’s confronted by a fuming Tracy and Amy. It’s not what he needs, especially when preparing for a job interview at Weatherfield High. Tracy threatens to tell Mrs Crawshaw all about the spiking cover-up. Tracy also visits David to try and convince him that the cover-up needs reporting, but the hairdresser is less enthused about dragging up the recent past. It takes Amy to straighten Tracy out, and alongside Ken’s advice, she seems to lose sight of revenge, for now at least. Daniel, on the other hand, has had a full barrage of stress from the Barlow’s and Platt’s, and by the end of tonight’s episode, it looks like he’s questioning his future career.  

Fiz’s past continues to catch up with her tonight, as news of John Stape’s murder spree becomes gossip for underworld staff. Was that really over a decade ago?! The clever thing about Corrie’s 60-year history is that there aren't many shows that can do this. At Underworld, Michael’s true-crime enthusiasm upsets her, as does Beth’s typically harsh attitude (I loved that leopard print top, by the way) and Fiz storms off in floods of tears. Later on. Fiz confides in Phill about John’s past, and Phill takes an ominous phone call. 

Meanwhile, Toyah softens to Abi’s recovery and decides to let her take Alfie out for the afternoon. In that controlling signature style of his, Imran overreacts, has a go at Toyah, and immediately gets on the phone with Abi. Baby Alfie is returned home in perfect condition, but the damage to Abi’s trust and self-worth will surely be more harmful. By the end of the episode, Abi is seen on the phone ordering a fake passport! 

Elsewhere tonight - Shona’s random monologues are becoming a hidden Corrie gem, and Max enjoys his first day at the pupil referral unit. 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 19th January 7.30 & 8.30 pm

In the week that a real-life cost of living crisis has engulfed the U.K, you cannot fault Corrie for this Joseph storyline and its epic timing. The Brown/Winters clan are a family of working-class adults with multiple kids and scant funds. It's a storyline that would resonate anyway, now so, more than ever. Remembering that whole supermarket/promo plot from the past, I think this current strand gives the reality of their situation much more credit, and it does have legs for longevity during 2022. Tonight, with a reporter on their toes, and money woes in droves I think I may be right, and I'm also becoming a fan of Clint. Tonight’s line of the night went to Chesney ‘I could have kissed that Clint!’ It’s a bit early for that kinda talk, but I do hope we see more from the hippy, who has an element of Spider Nugent about his person, which I quite like. It's also worth mentioning that more Bernie screentime is a good thing too. The moral dilemma and display of matriarchal pride is a long-held corrie story arc. It has long been tried and tested, and this is my favourite storyline of the year so far.  

Tim and Sally’s marriage woes are entertaining! but, is it overshadowing this serious issue of triple-heart bypass surgery? Life on Coronation Street is very issue-heavy at the minute, and if we're having to add humour to a middle-aged man's health crisis, isn't it time to slow down the pace of such storylines? I’m unsure why Tim hasn’t told Sally yet, nor Faye come to think of it, and Sally’s drunkenness (alongside phone tagging/stalking) has been a little out of character for her. I’m assuming Steve’s Christmas visit to that castle in Wales has kept him off-screen, which is why Peter is playing BFF for this storyline. My main concern is when Tim will finally admit the truth? 

 

The other entertaining (?) strand to tonight’s episodes *I think* is Faye and Emma’s crime story - or have I got that wrong? Is the crutch of this story a literal crutch, and not the (drunk driving instructor) hit & run death of an old man! Craig’s policing skills are a long-held joke, so maybe that is what this is? I am a fan of Faye and did hope for retribution for her (Kelly Neelan style) so this crime malarky is a bit of a letdown, and to quote our Faye tonight - ‘It’s a bit weird’

Summer’s diabetic / eating disorder/uni application issue fest now has added upskirting and going viral into her heady mix of sensitive woke soup. Women’s lib remains a highly contentious issue and I even enjoyed the feminist education slant. I always thought Pankhurst was the horse one too! although I do appreciate my educational tips from Roy Cropper if I’m honest.  However, hasn’t Summer got enough (or not enough) on her plate, already? Talking of Miss Goody two shoes, Amy Barlow, being uncharacteristically rebellious (even with her parentage) is also what I'm here for, and more Tracy on our screen is always a gift! 

 

I think these heavy issue / woke storylines are relevant, gleaned from the headlines, and what today’s audience expects. Mixing the older / legacy characters into things means a confident start to Corrie in 2022, and I'm enjoying these Wednesday night reviews! Let us know what you think! 

Elsewhere on the cobbles (or, stuff I don’t find too interesting); The Nazir saga continues, Dev and Bernie have a lovers tiff, and Shona tells Abie about Tim and Aggie’s secret liaisons. 

I am @rybazoxo cobbles connoisseur!

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 4th Nov 7.30 & 8.30 pm

Now we know that secret property developer 'Roxy' is Debbie Webster, and in cahoots with Ray's skyscraper scheme, more residents on the posher side of the street are becoming involved in the storyline. I'm guessing the old Victorian houses of Coronation Street won't be part of the plan and would still be in situ whilst this skyscraper goes up? It's a daft premise, BUT plenty of drama, comedy, and subterfuge so it's all good. Smoothing things with David, and giving Geoff a run for his money, Debbie's next target is Sally & Tim, and the current family feud is ripe for picking. Debbie’s duplicitous sweetening of Sally and adding fire to Tim’s ever-growing rage is a humorous farce. I also enjoyed the chiminea camp carry on. Riling the waring father and son to fluff Ray’s property nest is a dangerous game but of course, it works. The match for this skyscraper caper has now been lit, but are you enjoying it? 

Last Wednesday’s focus was on Evelyn and Arthur’s twilight years romance, so in true Corrie equilibrium, this week is Asha and Corey’s troublesome teen tryst and the subject of teenage sex. I can’t think of much to write on the subject but I do like it when Dev’s (less than perfect) parenting skills come to the fore. Less of the Yoda impressions and more tactfulness I think? It was good that Amy’s pregnancy scare resurfaced for depth in the plot, I liked that, and it does show that she hasn’t forgotten that abortion she had. Asha’s being sensible, and a sensitive issue well raised, but you just knew Dev was going to blow up.

 

Talking of which, Faye had a lot of similar girly teenage trouble a few years ago (remember baby Miley?) so you’d think she’s offer advice too, but, after being dumped by Noah, BFF ‘bodyguard’ Craig is ready with a platonic ear. Are these two going to be the next Corrie pairing?  

Sean's late with his rent after Dylan’s football treat and his post-match wallet is empty. I guess Sean and me agree on the popularity of the so-called beautiful game but the football-mad young lad overhears his Dad’s gripes to Eileen. I wonder, is Dylan going to take umbrage at his father’s poverty and persistent preening, maybe? 

 

Steve is visibly struggling and that's where I have found myself anchored in this Oliver storyline. As a father myself, it’s an unimaginable situation if your child is critically ill. But what about his daughter Emma and the dirty money? Toyah is often the morality go-to when trouble calls (like a young Emily Bishop) but Imran is of course career biased. Emma cant be heading for the dock too, can she?  

 

A successful day of scheming for Debbie, but is the even-numbered side of the street facing the bulldozers? Will Sally and Tim depart for good? I do like Debbie, she's brilliant and I even like Ray, he reminds of Mike Baldwin. It would be sad to see these too depart when the scheme fails but rather that than our beloved street in ruins, eh?  

What did you think of this midweek Corrie double? 

@rybazoxo your Corrie connoisseur  

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