Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 30 Oct 7.30 pm

Chesney Brown the 'Kebab Cassanova' has (finally!) realised his true love in life (it's not Kebabs)? Shaken into action by Sinead's sad demise, the 'Quadfather' has decided to propose to the gestating Gemma. Unsure as to why, what with her mad Mother, her paedo fella, and poor Paul, but hey, this is soapland after all.

Failing at the first (engagement) hurdle, and with the local press on their tale, cuckolded Chesney decides to whisk the heavily pregnant Gemma away, to the Welsh paradise of Llandudno, in October. Who said romance was dead?. It's ok though as he's acquired a ring too.

Could a cable car trip be the perfect location to pop the question?

Stressed out with her own wedding arrangements, Shona's thinking of cancelling the big day, as the deposit is due on the Viaduct Bistro buffet. With little assurance from Gail's newfound new-age attitude, Shona's day is about to get worse, when she finds out that David is being charged with attempted murder. Relaying the news to Nick, can his big brother/ enemy, come to his aid?

Over a pint in the Rovers, Gail and Nick debate the families latest drama, but quick frankly, I'm blinded by Nick's big beard and Gails post-holiday hairdo!

I'm also going to guess that Yasmeen has come to Geoff's aid, in him buying shares in Speed Daal? Surely the ex-hospital DJ /magician/waiter hasn't had that kind of money stashed away? Readying himself to announce the news to Tim and Sally, Geoff still manages to be annoyed with Yasmeen, anyway. Very subtle with the subterfuge, isn't he?

With the kids on school holiday, Jade seems to be getting her feet under the table around at Fiz's, and Fiz has her feet under Gary's (at the antique emporium). It's almost harmonious, until Fiz receives more bad news, that Cilla is ill (don't be killing off Cilla, Corrie!) and she has to leave to tend to her ailment.

With Fiz disappearing again, Jade seems eager to fill Fiz's shoes whilst shes away? As Hope threatens to raise hell (or the factory to the ground), will Fiz actually leave?

Meanwhile, Chez pops the question in the cable car, and drops the engagement ring overboard, disaster!. But it only gets worse, as Gemma (predictably) goes into labour. Hilarious!

Will Gemma give birth in a cable car?

More from me with the 8.30 pm episode review, and hopefully we can find out.

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur. Give us a follow on twitter.

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Corrie Comicals week ending 25 October 2019

It is reportedly going to be hard to avoid the Sinead story this week and so I will kick of with her obvious enjoyment of "snow" for her "Christmas".  Her Christmas followed the pattern many experience come the day itself - a huge build up as the anticipation kicks in; a huge lunch (surprisingly therefore there is always some pud left over which goes to Bethany; my preference is for the cold turkey) and then inevitably the family row (best avoided if possible) but here setting Daniel off.  He is convinced Sinead is tired (and she is) but let her go to sleep with the family around her rather than causing further disagreement.

In a recent prison visit Shona confirmed that the wedding is on 7 November (although events may derail that); looking at the size of the "bump" being "hidden" by the cushion which Shona clutches as a tightly as any safety blanket as she moves around one has to hope that the ceremony will happen before her departure!  David is suffering in a prison riot and there is not much comedy in seeing a prison block - even a closed one which is regularly used for filming purposes - being destroyed.

Leaving aside the carefully placed washing basket there was a moment of warmth for the Platts household after Shona suggested that Max (who apparently skipped most of the day at school) might do some homework rather than play a computer game and he observes that returning home was "totally the wrong choice".  But all were grinning!

Whilst well known for his blistering delivery of the single word "What?!" this was a slightly gentler delivery than normal from Ken as Daniel confesses his misbehaviour and his plan to tell Sinead in line with the soap promise of no more secrets!  Ken is hardly one to judge Daniel's activities given his own history!

A shout out to the older members of the cast who are bringing their years of experience to work with the younger ones.  Bethany has told Audrey what happened and so Audrey climbs the stairs twice in one day - a struggle she says - to ensure that her great grand-daughter is not suffering too much.

Thursday night extra was entrusted to Jonathan Harvey to handle the inevitable reconciliation between Sinead and Daniel.  In the scene prior to this one we have seen Daniel being found on the canal-side - Beth of course goes onto say "... and he can lie in it".  Sinead's riposte that she would prefer him to be lying face-down in a ditch ... somewhere just about sums up where he almost was.  However the key element tonight, in an elegantly written segment, was delivered by Sinead as she video-recorded a message for Bertie which I am sure will re-appear at some point in the future.

Earlier in the week it was reported that the nurse was incapable of making a decent cup of tea and Ellen Taylor who took the writing job for a very difficult Friday made it clear that her other responsibilities were also not keen on the quality of her tea!  Obviously we (apart from Daniel) all know that the end is imminent.  So much of the episode was around when Sinead was awake with a fade to black when she was slipping asleep.  So finding lighter moments takes some doing.

On the right above is the back of Gail's head and hopefully you can see the plait in Gail Rodwell's hair, but I think we all know that she is Gail Platt really!

The clan gathered, left to right, Aunty Beth, Granny Nancy and Mother Arlene.  I hope that this is not the last we see of Mother and Granny.  And in a sad footnote Juliette Kaplan who played Great Gran Agnes died on 10 October 2019.  Even at the end Arlene demonstrated her parental inadequacy and we all noted that whilst Beth may not be the best mother in the world there are worse!

See you next week with a little more cheer!

Writers: Joe Turner & Owen Lloyd-Fox (Monday); Jayne Hollinson & Debbie Oates (Wednesday);  Jonathan Harvey (Thursday); Ellen Taylor (Friday)
Directors: Tim O'Mara (Monday); Michael Lacey (Wednesday & Thursday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 23 Oct 7.30 pm

Matrimonial bliss is a rare occurrence in Weatherfield, and newlyweds Daniel and Sinead should by now be the exception. A young couple once utterly devoted, have been tainted by tragedy, and doting Daniel has succumbed to temptation in the arms of teenage temptress, Bethany Platt.

Monday's cinematic Corrie climax of prison rioting & adultery (that production technique has proved divisive online) only enhanced this weeks drama, in my opinion. David's revenge though; pushed by Abe or was it terrible Tez that stabbed Josh with the scissors?

Continuing from where we left off, both Bethany and Daniel lie awake in the early morning, rain hitting the window, as dawn breaks on a new day. Shona has also lost sleep; Radio Weatherfield broadcast the prison riot as their 6 am headline news. David is in custody now - we don't know who stabbed who here. This is all speculation, as Imran reminds the inspector,  while Josh lies in a coma.

Will Josh survive?

Audrey visits Bethany who's visibly tearful, her gran coaxes a confession out of her, without any trouble. Meanwhile, Daniels lack of sleep isn't lost on Sinead, and she apologises for their 'Christmas Day' argument. Struggling under the weight, I  truly wonder why Daniel kissed Bethany, and I struggle to comprehend it? I guess that's the point though. None of us knows how we could cope in such terrible times.

As the rain continues to fall on the cobbles, a frail Sinead puts her hand out of the window to feel the waters fall, as a (dripping wet) Daniel tells Ken that he must confess.  The weather is a motif here I feel, the rain is such a dramatic tool, I like what they've done there. Manchester rain or have they produced it? I'd be interested to find out (sad, I know)

Morally speaking, Ken is true to the character here. Let's not forget that this is the man who cheated on the beautiful Dierdre (R.I.P), so it's not unexpected when he tells his son to hide the truth and to simply not tell her. 'A burden to carry yourself' he tells Daniel. I agree with Ken (on this occasion, at least). Meanwhile, Sinead tells a stricken Beth that she would be best moving into a hospice. The finality of such a sad decision hits Beth hard.

Inside the prison, Shona is the first to visit David following his police interview. Admitting nothing, David's poker face is evident, and he tells his bride-to-be that he didn't do it. Later on, Max receives an email containing footage of the prison riot. Is David about to be incriminated, anyway?

By Sinead's bedside sits Bethany's story and it seems, although terminally ill, Sinead has still managed to consume the sordid 'dear diary' confessional / article. Write what you know they say, but it seems Bethany has taken that a little too literally! As Sinead realises the truth, Daniel cannot hide his actual feelings anymore and tells his wife that he and Bethany have shared a kissed.

Matrimonial bliss just doesn't last in Weatherfield, does it? even when the bride is dying of cancer it seems...

I've two questions now;

1. Who filmed David?
2. How did Sinead find Bethany's story?

More from me with the 8.30 pm episode review, and hopefully we can find out.

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur. Give us a follow on twitter.

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 16th Oct 8.30 pm

Luckily, its only concussion for little Harry, but Sarah's sobered up and realised it may not be a good idea to booze whilst you've got kids? I doubt she was seeking legal advice from Adam but I reckon the nurse would have smelt the ale on her? Reeling from Shona's booze-addled rage (I am joking...slightly) Max runs off and it isn't long before Shona has a visit from Callum's Mum Marion (soap head swap klaxon) who's heard all about the skirmish, from her grandson.  Reaching for the coffee, Shona's slurring speech doesn't go unnoticed and accusations are wildly thrown. 
Has Shona reached breaking point?

Gemma's also getting a lesson in motherhood at the football ground, by getting her pregnancy bump stuck in the turnstile. Hilarious? Over a check-up, everything seems fine, but Chesney will not let the blue cheese burger issue go, will he? Working in a kebab shop, you think he'd be used to big bellies and burgers!

Getting grim over a pint, Geoff cajoles Yasmeen further, and pushes her to agree in his investment idea for speed daal - the man is a narcissist! Yasmeen makes a call to Zeedan.

Meanwhile, Marion visits Adam Barlow to seek legal advice in terms of her having permanent access to Max. Shona admits to Sarah that she physically shook Max and that David should have probably have adopted him years ago. As Marion tells Shona she is seeing legal access, its no consolation when Lilly admits it was she who hurt Harry.

Feeling embarrassed by her sudden illness, Sinead is struggling to keep her usual optimistic persona (its no surprise is it) and hides away in the bedroom. Later, Beth plays the doting Aunt and tells her not to push the family away, in her final days. Spending family time with Daniel and Bertie, Sinead seems to have perked up, but they both acknowledge that they are on 'the home stretch'.

Phew! - a bit heavy for our first episodes after a week off but superb stuff, all the same.

What did you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

You can follow me @rybazoxo over on twitter, your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

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