The Corrie Review: 29/3/13

Tonight's episode demonstrated exactly why I watch soaps. Most of it centered around the conclusion of the court case and it was DRAMATIC and AWESOME and SOAPY. It was so awesome, I'm forced to break the cap locks out. AWESOME!!!



One of the things I've loved about the domestic violence storyline was that Kirsty was never completely evil. Sure there were times that she was scary and/or bitchy and/or crazy but not evil. In part this is to do with the writers (although they're not perfect; even this storyline had its flaws) but mostly due to the amazing acting of Natalie Guemede. It feels like I say this every blog post but her performances truly blow me away. I wish her well in whatever she chooses to do next.

And of course Tyrone, Fiz and Ruby got their famous happy ending. It was a little cheesy but Tyrone deserves a bit of happiness. He's been put through the wringer the last year or so, so he needs a bit of happiness. Why on earth he would choose to spend that happiness with Fiz is for another blog post altogether.

To be honest, I almost didn't care about the other storylines but off the top of me head, let's briefly summarise what was hot and what was not about tonight's episode (excluding the court case. I've done enough gushing about that!)


Hot: Sylvia's ongoing drug storyline

Five words I never expected to type. But this is just hilarious. That scene on Wednesday when she was high and playing with bubbles. I haven't laughed so hard at a Corrie scene since the infamous Blanche AA debacle of 2009. And her caginess over the cannabis brownies tonight was also fun. I love it!


Not: Tina and Gary at the Bistro

Not the scene exactly; more the 'I can see where this is going and I hate it.' Mostly because, um, I can see where this is going etc etc.

It kinda felt like torture actually because for the majority of the episode, they featured Tina and Tommy together and I'd forgotten just how much I liked them. And when they said goodbye to each other, there was chemistry there. In conclusion, I prefer Tina with Tommy and Gary with Izzy. Don't go there writers! Just don't!


Hot: Chesney flirting with Eva

Ches is gonna wake up in the morning, remember this, and want to kill himself. Seriously we've all been there; had a seriously embarrassing moment while drunk.

I think Eva was vaguely amused though. And it's probably a compliment in a way. Mostly though, their exchange was hilarious. Not quite as hilarious as the Sylvia incidents but hilarious nonetheless.


Not: Gloria



I liked her first time round but ever since she returned last month (or was it January? I've forgotten), she's been nothing short of a vile shrew. And you have no idea how much I despise having to call a character played by the awesome Sue Johnston what I did.

I mean seriously. To call out Dev for daring to sit beside the woman he loves? Granted, Gloria thinks Sunita set fire to her home but come the hell on! It hasn't even been proved yet! I just hate Gloria. Hate. Hate. Hate. And to think the character had so much potential when she waltzed onto the Street. To think I was actually looking forward to her character. What a naive little fool I was.


I think that's it. Anything I can't remember wasn't important (at least that's how I see it). Overall it was a great two episodes. However I'd rather next week was back to normal. With the big fire last week and the court case this week, Corrie's been hella sensationalised. Let's get back to the lighthearted soap we all know and love. Leave the darker stuff to Eastenders!


The two pictures are both from ITV.com. Picture 1 can be found in the picture preview gallery here and picture 2 can be found in the character bio here

The Corrie Review 15/3/13

How good was tonight's episode of Corrie? Answer: freaking good! I've not enjoyed an episode like that for a while. There were things that I never expected to happen (Jason Grimshaw a pub landlord??? Who'd've thunk it?) and some amazing scenes which I shall get onto presently. Worth missing the Vicar of Dibley for!

Chesney/Katy/Ryan

Look, I'll be the first to tell you that I haven't enjoyed this storyline but that didn't stop tonight's scene between Chesney and Katy being nothing short of fantastic! But more than that, it gave Sam Aston another angle to play instead of nice caring dad, and he reminded us all what a cracking actor he can be. He plays anger really well (in fact, he could have been good in a descent to bad boy storyline but unfortunately they gave it to a recast Ryan) and if I wasn't on Chesney's side at the beginning of the evening (which I was), then by the end of the evening he had my full 110%.

And even before that scene, a great showdown between Gary and Ryan with Katy in the middle. And yes I cheered when Gary punched Ryan. In fact I could enjoy an episode with people just randomly punching Ryan. He's a 

douche! He deserves it!

Jason/Stella

Doesn't the pub look nice by candlelight? Not certain if they're actually allowed to be open with no electricity but with the atmosphere, and the wonderful Barbara Knox singing (still fantastic at nearly 80! Voice and looks!), I'll take it!

And Jason wound up getting a job at the pub in a move I didn't expect this character to go in. He's been a builder ever since I started watching Corrie so I'm not sure if I want this to last but it does seem refreshing, even if I'm not an advocate of the Jason/Stella relationship.

On the whole though, not really a lot to comment on here. Just a whole bunch of setting up by the writers. And there's more below.

Dev/Sunita

You guys! I'm trying not to get invested in them because I know what's going to happen on Monday! But I can't do it! Dev and Sunita were so good together tonight. Not many people like Dev but I'm in the minority. He was completely selfless tonight as he offered to start a completely new life with Sunita. We all know how much his little empire means to him. And yet he chooses to give all that up for the woman he loves!

Which is why I did not like Stella interfering in the reunion process by basically talking Dev out of it. Out of order. I've been feeling indifferent to Stella ever since she joined but a few more moves like that will push me over into the hatred corner with the majority of Corrie fans.

Get em' off!

Comedy too to balance those heavy scenes tonight in the form of Eileen, Lloyd, and Steve. Eileen tried to convince Steve and Lloyd to do the Monty Python thingy and they accepted. But then apparently they said no later and now I'm a little confused as to whether they'll be doing it or not but who cares because this is an obvious ploy to get the characters away from the pub!

This may have been a great episode but I haven't been enjoying Corrie of late. However, from the few spoilers I've read, that could be all set to change when Blackburn takes over. He's made a few storyline decisions I've agreed with so far, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's hope he doesn't have the same penchant for breaking up happy couples for the hell of it as Collinson has. Because I am sick and tired of that.

However here's hoping!

All screenshots courtesy of the ITV preview pics gallery which you can find here

Radio Silence

Sorry for all the radio silence on this end. I could go into a series of excuses about how my husband turned out to be a serial killer who tried to drown me and my three kids in the Manchester Canal. Alas, that didn't happen. (Well... not this week anyway!)

The truth is... Corrie is going downhill in a kinda down-hilly sort of way.

There are literally just two storylines that make me tune in to this sorry state of a soap opera. One is the domestic violence plot, or more specifically Natalie Guemede's talent as an actress. She amazes me every time and the confrontation with Alison was the highlight of Monday's double episode. Unfortunately Corrie decided to axe one of the best things about Corrie and Kirsty's leaving soon. And if they kill her off, I will.... rage on this blog angrily!

The second storyline? Is the babydaddy storyline. Yes it's cliched, but it's a soap opera staple and the fallout when David finds out that the baby is Nick's (It's gotta be! Who can resist that story?) will simply be amazing. Plus I care about all the characters here. Kylie, David, Nick . Not Gail though but I've never liked Gail.

Everything else is just boring and stupid and contrived and stupid and bad storytelling and stupid.

Karl's sudden descent into villainy? Stupid! (although, and I'll continue to say this, John Michie is so awesome when he's playing bad!)

Katy and Ryan? Stupid!

Ryan's continued existence? Makes me pray for death.

And I've had a brain fart because I can't even remember any of the other plots. Which means they're all stupid. Bring on April 8th when the new producer material starts airing. A month tomorrow! Let's all stay strong!

The Corrie Review 1/3/13

Yes late again because I got caught up watching a great film on More4. Seriously they had Maggie Smith as the serial killer. If that isn't an awesome thing, I don't know what is!

The 'Make it stop!!!' storyline.

Dear writers

STOP TRYING TO MAKE KATY AND RYAN HAPPEN. KATY AND RYAN ARE NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

Love Regards

Joseph

PS: Shirtless Ryan scenes inspires me to vomit in my mouth. Make it stop.

The Truth About Eric

How deliciously bitchy was Doris last night? I really enjoyed some of her lines. Sadly it looks like she was only down for one appearance. But what an appearance! Her smugness and bitchiness kinda reminded me of Claudia actually. Bring back Claudia! Audrey needs a friend!

After Her Royal Bitchiness left the pub, Gloria and Eva decided to rise above their differences and met in the middle for what made to be a really nice scene. And yes it was a blatant 'Storyline's over folks! Move along to Katy/Ryan now!' by the writers but I didn't mind. They couldn't really have dragged this arc out any further even if I do wish we could have seen more Eric. But that's just a minor quibble.

Inserted here because it's related to this storyline but doesn't deserve a bold header status. How scary was John Michie as Karl when he grabbed and tried to kiss Stella like that. I actually thought Stella was in for another rape. That was a pretty compelling scene even if I don't agree with this storyline! Wow!

Flash Resurrected

Another storyline ending is the Flash! Tortoise story in which Mandy finally got her revenge. I won't recount the ways in which she did it because when I tried to do that, it involved the use of the phrase Flashes ashes.

But I do enjoy this pairing in the more comedic storylines. They remind me of George & Mildred back in the seventies, in particular that episode when George lost Truffles the Dog and bought a new one to try and fool his wife. Inspiration perhaps? It's an awesome place to get it from, since George & Mildred is one of the best sitcoms in the history of ever. (Yes I am old at heart! Live with it!)

Nicks and Nacks

• Erm... where's this Paul storyline going? I'm sure Tony Hirst is a nice man but the thought of seeing him minus clothes inspires the word eeeewwww.
• In fact, there seemed to be a lot of setting up on yesterday's episode. That little story above was probably an attempt to remind us of who this Paul bloke is. And of course, Tyrone is starting to get mentioned again after a suspiciously silent break. It's the trial in a couple of weeks so it's just setting up for that now.

So that's all that happened on Friday's episode. I so hope that this is Collinson's stuff airing because apart from the babydaddy storyline, I am not enjoying Corrie at the moment. Granted, I probably started this blog at the right time so I could mock the hell out of this but I'm not enjoying watching it. According to TV Times, Blackburn's stuff starts airing early next month so until then readers!

Onwards and upwards!