Coronation Street Episode Review Friday 3 February 2023

Welcome to what I think was a little bit of a mixed bag episode.  I cannot remember if we knew that Tyler Sam was being bullied at school but having taken some boxing lessons from Damon, plus being instructed on the power of threats, the young lad decides to threaten his oppressor with a telescope thumping.  Sam is sent home and explains events - with Damon getting the blame. 

Meanwhile Damon is masterminding the next drug delivery for Monday lunchtime and Nick is getting ever more rattled.  To the point where Leanne demands answers and Nick (to my surprise) actually tells her what is going on.  It takes Leanne a while to get her head around the money not coming from Sam's inheritance.

Daisy and her stalker are not getting on well - so Daniel seeing him on deliveries, delivers a piece of his mind.  Justin talks him down and over a brew they exchange some back story - apparently Justin's mother is in a hospice suffering from cancer - a story designed to gain Daniel's sympathy. Daniel believes Justin agrees not to see Daisy again.  Which lasts just long enough for Justin to walk around to the back yard of the Rovers and he uses the knowledge to tell Daisy that he knows why she cannot hurt Daniel and that he is prepared to wait until they can be together.  Daisy recounts her encounter to Daniel, explaining that Justin knew which buttons to press having researched their family histories.  They agree to report him to the police and we have a sit down with Craig who seems not to have made it out of uniform yet. The approved solution is a log of all future interactions to prove that Justin is a threat, to enable the CPS to prosecute.  Subsequently Daniel and Daisy agree to continue as normal - but it looks like it will be strenuous.

Eileen returns and Mary is trying to bring order out of chaos although the toilet might not be fit for use at present. Sadly Eileen is early and perfection has not been achieved.  Breakfast at Roy's Rolls enables Eileen to distribute presents and for us to see Alex hard at work.  Eileen has brought Muay Thai training gloves and handguards for Todd - a present soon allegedly confined to the bin - but once resurrected, an impromptu session leads George hitting Todd who suffers a broken tooth. The only dentist with space is of course Laurence. Todd does not trust Laurence and initially refuses but the family talk him into it.  It is fixed without charge.  Todd almost admits that perhaps Laurence is suitable for Sean.

Relations between the Dobbs and the Sutherlands are still at a low ebb and in an effort to put things right Kirk and Beth are invited for a brew (and pink wafers - Kirk's favourite) this evening and a proper talk about recent events.  Beth looks unaccountably shifty at various times and seems particularly discomfited when Hope arrives and objects to her presence in the house.  Hope storms out and Beth follows her - to our surprise to apologise for smacking Hope - for once the girl was telling the truth.  Beth also hands over some cash.  Beth thinks it is all over, Hope doesn't and calls Beth a cow.

In the absence of Dave cancelling his golf date Devendra decides to take Bernie for a round as there is an important competition shortly.  Inevitably she plays him off the course and is soon taking calls from Gloria Gullon, the Ladies' Captain, asking her to join some trials next week.  

Rita wanders into the Bistro and asks if that wonderful Danny Boy could be contacted and asked for his recipe for sticky toffee pudding.  And we get to learn more about Danny than we ever knew whilst he was on the show.  Leanne agrees to text him.  Apparently he was a lovely lad according to our Reet!

Leanne has summoned Damon to the Bistro to sort it out.  She proves that there is a power in threats as she will summon the police if Damon does not back off.  Leanne tells Damon about Oliver and she is not frightened of anyone.  Despite everything Damon tells them the drop will happen on Monday - but that is the end of it, as they are simply too much hassle.  Leanne has a bigger problem than trusting Damon to go away - can she ever trust Nick again?    

Written by David Judge and Jan McVerry.  Directed by John Anderson.

Kosmo

@Kosmo100

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7 years of Billy Mayhew!

Today marks 7 years since the arrival of Reverend Billy Mayhew onto the cobbles, played by Dan Brocklebank. Since then, Billy has been a calming influence on the street, as well as causing a few serious shockwaves. In celebration, I have compiled 7 (of my) highlights of Billy’s time on the street. 

1. Reverend Mayhew arrives in Weatherfield

How would one predict the introduction of a vicar? A series of weddings and funerals that phases the vicar in slowly? A long-lost relative who turns up out of the blue? No. We first met Reverend William Mayhew in a Manchester night club where he chatted up Sean Tully. Off the bat, we knew Billy wasn’t going to be an average clergyman. Billy’s introduction to the actual street was perfect- a frankly chaotic dinner party with Sean, Eileen, Todd, and Julie. From Julie’s ramblings to Todd’s cynicism, Billy took it all in his stride and very quickly became a great addition to the No.11 dynamic. 

2. Making friends

With the introduction of any new character, they must fit in with our regular cast. As viewers, we are innately protective over existing characters, so it was important where the show placed Billy in his early episodes. In a simple yet effective way, Billy found himself befriending street stalwart Emily Bishop. Since Emily told Billy his first sermon in Weatherfield was “shoddy”, they were a helping hand to each other within the parish and a port of call for each other until Emily shipped off to Peru (which Billy helped organise). It wasn’t high drama, but it felt like Corrie. Two characters having real conversations about their everyday lives. Billy’s friendship with Emily also integrated him with the likes of Norris and Mary, which cemented him as a light-hearted, breath of fresh air character. 

3. Rescuing Marta

It wasn’t until early 2016 that Billy got given his first major storyline. Eva had her suspicions that Marta Zarek was being kept as a slave, and so she acquired the help of Billy to put a stop to it. First of all, this started a wonderful friendship between Billy and Eva that continued until Eva’s exit. Despite the serious nature of the story, we had some comedic scenes between Billy and Eva, including Eva going through the random crap Billy had in his car while on a stakeout. Natural, everyday conversations are the backbone of British soap, and it’s something that Billy has always been a great fit for. 

Given this was Billy’s first big story, it gave us the chance to finally see how Billy held his own, away from the comforts of the street. Billy was the perfect character to place into that story. His compassion, determination and level head counteracted Eva, keeping her on an even keel when she got carried away, but supporting her whenever she had another idea on how to help Marta. Dan and Catherine Tyldesley also had fantastic onscreen chemistry, making them a much-loved duo. 

4. Billy’s relationship with Todd

In the summer of 2016, Billy packed Sean in when he realised his feelings for Todd ran deeper than deep. To the surprise of probably everyone, this was a turning point for Todd’s character as their relationship became something very loving and pure. It was a breath of fresh air to be honest in the world of soap relationships. There was no backstabbing, no cheating, no point scoring. Billy and Todd gradually got closer during the storyline of Callum’s murder and so their impending feelings for each other was a very natural conclusion. With their personalities so vastly different, they mixed surprisingly well, and each character brought out different sides of each other which was very pleasing and refreshing to watch. 

In 2016, Corrie received 170 Ofcom complaints after a rather saucy scene involving a hotel bed. These complaints were swiftly rejected, but it started huge conversations around the basis of the complaints and it boils down to one thing: Corrie dared to show two men kissing at 8 o'clock in the evening. Ridiculous, isn't it? Nevertheless, after a torrent of bigotry on social media, I was very pleased to see Corrie continue Billy and Todd as they were. They didn't dial down any aspects of their relationship in response to the complaints, and the two characters eventually moved in together and became the street's first same-sex parents- a huge milestone which was a great step forwards in terms of representation on British soap. 

5. Fighting the church

By the end of 2016, one thing about Billy was abundantly clear: the church was one of the most important things in his life. He is utterly devoted to his job and his faith, and it’s part of what makes Billy Billy. Over the years, Billy’s relationship with the church has been strained a couple of times, but none more so than when Billy actually quit the church after they proclaimed he could not live with Todd. This story went on for quite a while as Billy started a long and drawn-out fight for his basic rights, and it includes a wonderful scene between Billy and his bishop. In an impassioned speech, Billy talks about how the church doesn’t tolerate discrimination, yet he is unable to bring his male partner home and is frustrated by the church’s unwillingness to budge on the subject. It’s moments like these where you remember that sometimes, Corrie is so much more than a soap. It pushes on real-life, emotional topics, ones that start conversations in living rooms across the country and sometimes, it just might make a change. To some people, myself included, just to see Billy, a fictional vicar on telly fighting for his rights, it gives you hope that this change is on the horizon. 

Ultimately, Billy went back to the church after deciding he couldn’t live without it. But did Billy stop fighting? Did he ‘eck. He worked it out so he could go on living with Todd as well as serving his community as their vicar. These issues with the church have kind of been forgotten about now. Especially with Billy’s engagement to Todd last year, I was hoping we’d see Billy once more fight for his right to get married in the church, after he has made several comments over the years about not being able to get married in his line of work. Perhaps we would’ve seen this if Todd wasn’t such a scheming so and so, or perhaps it’s in the pipeline for Billy’s future. 

6. Taking Summer in

In 2017, Billy’s next challenge came in the form of his 12-year-old goddaughter, Summer Spellman. It took a little while for Billy and Summer to bond after the death of Drew, but now they have such a lovely relationship. They are undoubtedly there for each other, and Billy always does his best to be a supportive father figure. I’ll skip over the part where Billy gave her up to Geraldine when he got addicted to heroin if you don’t mind, please and thank you. Earlier this year, after kicking Todd out, Billy proclaimed to Summer that: “From now on, it’s just you and me, kid.” I hope Billy keeps this promise. They’ve always been a good team, and it’s something I want to see lots more of. 

7. A Calming Voice 

Rounding up everything I’ve just talked about, one of Billy’s best highlights is the calming voice he has been to many residents over the last seven years. It doesn’t happen as much anymore which is a real shame, but Billy has offered an ear and sound words of advice to anyone who needed it. During the story of Callums’s murder, Billy was a pillar of support to Sarah, offering her advice or just listening to her, as well as offering a friendly ear to Todd. Billy tried to help Jason grieve for his dad, and he had wonderful scenes with Sinead in her final days. Billy also has a large tendency to stick his nose in where it’s not wanted, but we’ve all got flaws, right?

As part and parcel of being a vicar, Billy has also conducted many a service, including Deirdre, Kylie and Norris’s funerals, Michelle and Robert’s (abandoned) wedding, and Jenny and Johnny’s hospital bedside wedding. Billy conducts each one with grace and poise, which I’m sure is mostly down to Dan's nuances as an actor, and it culminates into something warm and inviting, which just feels like Corrie.

Before I finally end this blog, I must also say that the casting director got it spot on when casting Dan Brocklebank as Billy. He brings so much life to the character and plays every single scene, every emotion, every story, with such heart, passion, and conviction. 

That’s it! I could’ve rambled for a lot longer, but I hope you’ve enjoyed reliving Billy’s highlights from his time on the street so far. As for Billy’s future, there’s a lot I want, so I hope the Corrie gods are listening. I want to know where Billy’s religious epiphany came from that made him want to be a vicar. I want to see him gain a friend or two, nothing too crazy. Or maybe, his mum could come and find him? I also want to see him back in a bring and buy sale, back in the community. It’s what drew me to the character in the first place and I’d like to see a bit more of it, please. 

Billy’s done a heck of a lot of stuff over the last seven years, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Weatherfield’s very own Archdeacon. 

Sophie Williams

Find me on Twitter @sophie_writer1

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Every Todd needs a George

Done right, a soap partnership has the potential to be hilarious, heart-warming, and all-round excellent. The best of them will be able to have a laugh, rip each other to shreds, fall out over trivial things and make it up again over a hotpot. It's also worth noting that the actors must have exceptional on-screen chemistry to tie all this together. 

Friendship is at the heart of Coronation Street, and I believe they have struck gold with the latest duo: Todd Grimshaw and George Shuttleworth. 

An unlikely pair, the friendship of Todd and George snuck up on us, but that's where the best erupts from, isn't it? The most unexpected are usually the most wonderful. 

As soon as I read that Todd would be working in the undertakers with George, I knew we were in line for some great comedy. However, while we have undoubtedly had comedic scenes, especially with Eileen thrown in, we've also had some truly heartfelt and wonderful conversations between the two. 

A notable scene which comes to mind is from a few months ago. George had sacked Todd for taking advantage of the bereaved and besmirching the Shuttleworth name. To give Todd some hindsight, George orchestrated a meeting where Todd would have to accompany a parent visiting their young child in the chapel of rest. However, George was unaware of Todd's own loss, and thus ended with Todd opening up to George about his son. 

I loved this scene because for starters, Todd doesn't talk about his son very often, so it's a nod to his history, and nice to see that his past hasn't been forgotten. On top of this, Todd doesn't like to show vulnerability, so when we do see him pull his walls down occasionally, it's like a gut-punch, and an essential reminder that he is capable of human emotion. Still, this scene created a bond between George and Todd, and they vowed to not only be colleagues, but friends. 

Most recently, after his psychopathic behaviour was revealed to the world, Todd was ready to pack it all in and flee Weatherfield (again). George offered him his wages and an ultimatum: take the money and run, or stay and try to make amends with everybody he's hurt. 

I'm not being dramatic when I say this was one of my favourite scenes in Corrie for a long time. Gareth Pierce and Tony Maudsley, paired with a wonderful script, created a superb, character driven scene that was full of gut-wrenching emotion. Despite everything he'd done, my heart broke for Todd, and I loved George for not kicking him to the curb like everybody else, even if he did deserve it. George's ability to see through Todd's forcefield, made up of sarcastic quips and hurtful comments, is so interesting. Paired with his comment about not always being an "upstanding gent", I can't help but wonder what on earth did George do in his past? 

A part of me now believes that George once used to be like Todd, and that's why he's always challenged his behaviour and doesn't take any rubbish from him. It could also explain why George is quick to be sympathetic. He's under no illusion the seriousness of Todd's actions, but he knows it comes from a place of pain and unhappiness. 

I really hope this means we'll learn more about George's past, and who he is. It doesn't need to be anything deeply traumatic, but it's a wonderful thing to understand a character on a deeper level and learn about their lives pre-Weatherfield. Tony plays George with such heart and great comedy, and he has so much potential for a long and rich life on the cobbles. 

With a character like Todd, there must always be a character who calls out their questionable behaviour, but who is also in their corner, even when nobody else is. George, on more than one occasion, has been this person for him. 

A two-hander episode with Todd and George would go down brilliantly, in my opinion. Imagine it: they spend the day working at the funeral parlour, and they talk a bit about George's past, a bit about Todd's past, as well as squeezing in some high-camp, high-comedy scenes. The idea of Todd Grimshaw working in a funeral parlour is still comical to me, so even some scenes of George training Todd up would've been well-received. 

I can't believe it's taken 17 years, but I'm so happy that Todd now has somebody like George to bounce off. In previous interviews, Gareth has explained how George has become a somewhat fatherly figure for Todd, and I can definitely see that. I also expect some high-comedy scenes if George and Eileen do eventually get together and George literally becomes Todd's stepdad. 

We're still in the early stages of Todd and George's friendship, but I absolutely adore them together. Now that Todd is crashing on George's sofa, I expect regular updates on how they tolerate each other in a social capacity. 

There's unlimited potential with Todd and George, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue to interact with each other. 

Sophie Williams 

I'm on Twitter @sophie_writer1

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 28th of July 7.30 & 8.30 pm

I'll admit it. Todd's twisting, duplicity, deceit, and devious mind games have had me rolling my eyeballs for a while. Less said about the Kipling kid, the better, you'd think I'd be glad to see that smirk wiped from his face? I like Billy a lot and he deserves much better than Todd, (and Paul to be honest), which I why I’m not overly excited about what’s to come. Will Billy get back with Paul and marry him, instead? Or,  will I be proved wrong? I hope it’s the latter and he ditches them both, marries God, takes a vow of celibacy, and becomes a proper Weatherfield community pious. I'm just saying! 

Tonight is the charity calendar launch! Aside from the cringe kiwi/knob jokes, I think this bizarre story has injected some much-needed humour into proceedings. From the off, things haven't gone smoothly, and what with Will switching laptops to air Todd’s confession ( there go the eye rolls again) Curtis must be close to having a heart attack already?  You can imagine him subtly eyeing up a plot at St Marys Church and giving George his coffin measurements! The community cohesion though - I do like that and it was Classic Corrie tonight when Todd was unveiled for his machiavellian campness. It’s just the Kipling Kid that grates on me slightly if I’m honest -it may be my age? Surely Summer will now see Todd for what he is? Props to Emma too! I loved her naivety and nervous presenting of proceedings. Also worth mentioning are Billy’s buffet options. No cutlery is required when you’ve got the G man on your side!

I think it’s unpopular in some circles, but this Alina, Ty, Fiz storyline has had me gripped for months now. Maybe because I’m a similar age to Tyrone. Unsure, but Ty’s continued flakey-ness is becoming very clear. Now that Todd the sociopath has been unmasked, I guess little Hope is next? She’s long since been unbalanced and of course, no kid wants to see their parents fraternizing with other people.  More Hope, I hope. Also, can we see a future Corrie spin-off with her and Glory Bailey as a crime-busting duo? ... You can guess the title! 

I also love Imran and Toyah as a couple. They are believable, both nuanced performers, and the perfect foster couple for wayward Kelly. The prison scenes tonight were a rare delight, and I mean that from a dramatic perspective. These three are a real treat and I wonder if Kelly’s abuse is somehow going to mitigate the attack, or, did she lead the attack on Seb? Unlike some of the teens, I think Kelly has longevity about her, as an actress, and character. More of this!

Some memorable lines tonight from the show, with writer Jonathan Harvey throwing in his unmistakable humour, one-liners, and clever character writing. 

Elsewhere on tonight’s episodes; James lodged his race complaint with Weatherfield police. 

@rybazoxo  

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