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This week's update written by Vivienne Smith as Glenda was away
I apologise profusely for the lateness of this update. I'm
afraid that I misjudged the amount of time necessary to type all
of this. Well, to be truthful it was watching all the episodes
twice that almost finished me off. I would normally enjoy a double
helping of Corrie but some of the scenes this week almost sent
me into a catatonic trance. At one point the local Neighbourhood
Watch looked in the window and thought I had slipped into a coma;
however as soon as I awoke and explained that I was rewatching
Jim and Liz having the same conversation over and over again in
the visiting room at the Big House, they understood perfectly
and offered their deepest sympathies for my predicament.
I know that in real life people do have the same conversations
again and again. Couples in trouble or about to split up say the
same old things to each other until they realise they are getting
nowhere. Then they split up. BUT, if I wanted to look at real
life problems I'd save the licence fee and join the Neighbourhood
Watch. Then I could look in other people's windows for free!
Fortunately, it wasn't all doom and gloom this week, thanks
to some superb writing from Mariam Vossborough, David Lane and
Peter Mills. Also some sterling performances from the regular
cast with a few deserving an honourable mention. And finally a
new character played with hypnotic awfulness; he's so bad he's
good!
Anyway on with the show which I divided into storylines rather
than try to do this chronologically.
At the beginning of the week Les and Janice are still apart
but it is obvious that Janice is weakening, partly because she
is feeling guilty about Dennis fancying her and partly because
she seems actually to love her repulsive husband. Les has persuaded
Toyah to let him stay at the Rovers but is caught leaving in the
morning by Liz who makes it clear that it mustn't happen again.
Toyah tells him that he must talk to Janice and sort outtheir
problems. In the bar later on he tries for some sympathy from
Dennis but his advice is the same "Talk to Janice and show
her you've changed". In the cafe Vera notices Janice looking
thoughtful and tells her she's sorry to hear about her and Les
splitting up. Vera tells her that it is her own feelings that
are important not what other people will think if they make up.
Janice says Les has promised he'll change. Vera tells her that
men don't change, after all Jack hasn't but she can't imagine
life without him. "Some people" she tells Janice "are
meant to be together". Later that evening as Janice, wearing
her work overall as usual, is ironing there is a knock at the
door. It is Les, come to plead his case one more time. Her promises
that he will get a job and make everything up to her. He will
even sleep on the sofa until Janice forgives him. Surely Janice
won't fall for that load of old *&$£()%*. Unfortunately,
we know that she probably will. Les asks Steve for a job on the
taxis but Steve says no chance. Later (after Eileen has put the
boss straight!) Steve says he does need a driver two nights per
week, providing Les can pass the knowledge. Les has also managed
to get a job filling in for absent staff for the Council. For
probably the first time in his life Les has two paying jobs!
The time has come for the grand opening of Elliott and Son,
Master Butchers of Victoria Street. A small crowd of locals turn
up, but only because the meat is half price on opening day. Unfortunately,
the mayor of Weatherfield does not turn up, having double booked
himself with Fred and a supermarket opening across town. Maxine
saves the day by dashing across to the salon and getting Councillor
Audrey Roberts to do the honours. Audrey says some very nice things
about Fred and his business and wields the scissors to cut the
ribbon and declare the new butchery "OPEN".
Maxine is still wearing out poor old Ashley is her attempts
to get pregnant. He goes into the shop on Sunday morning with
the excuse that there is work to be done, but Fred later finds
him having a kip behind the bacon slicer. Ashley tells Fred that
he is worn out by his wife's ceaseless demands for rumpeh-pumpeh.
"She won't leave me alone". Fred points out that there
are a hundred men in Weatherfield alone who wish they could say
the same thing! Later in the Rovers Fred gives Ashley something
to keep up his ... er ... strength. It is Ginseng which Fred claims
is Chines for "lead in your pencil". He warns Ashley
to keep quiet about it though. He doesn't want people to know
that a butcher is recommending herbal remedies. Fred says he has
a reputation as a meat and Cumberland Ring man to keep up. (That
reminds me CP is doing next week's update - something to look
forward to!)
Jim is 'celebrating' his birthday in prison. His treat is a
visit from Liz. Although they had previously agreed to try again,
he has now spoken to Steve who does not approve and has persuaded
Jim that he will be better off without Liz. Liz however will not
take her dismissal easily and, grabbing Jim by the tabard, forces
him to listen to what she has to say about their future together.
At her next visit Liz has a surprise question for Jim. Will he
marry her? Jim says yes.
Anthony is preparing a meal for Rita in his rather large kitchen,
when they are interrupted by a visitor who is introduced as Isobel's
brother, George Docherty. He has heard from Evil Daughter Amanda
about Anthony's friendship with Rita. He has a go at the pair
of them and finishes by calling the fragrant Mrs Sullivan "a
trollop". This is too much for Anthony who shows him the
door. At this point I have to say that George is played by possibly
the worst actor ever to appear in the street. He stares unblinkingly
as he delivers his lines in a monotone. When he wants to stress
something he doesn 't change his tone, he just shouts a bit louder.
He does not change his faci al expression for the whole time he
is on screen. If my local amateur dramatic society were casting
a pantomime villain he would fail the audition. At least previous
non actors were sometimes a bit decorative but George fails in
that department as well. George returns the next day and tells
Anthony that due to 'business difficulties' he will no longer
be able to pay his half of Isobel's nursing home fees. (Boo Hiss!)
While Anthony is preparing Sunday lunch for Rita, Amanda walks
in with her usual sour expression on. Her father says that "thanks
to her sanctimonious bleating to Uncle George" her mother
will have to leave the home. He hopes she is satisfied. Anthony
visits his accountant who tells him that he can manage Isobel's
fees for six months, then he will have to sell the house and business.
Of course, it is only in soap land that people try and solve their
money troubles by selling their only source of income.
In the Rovers Geena is trying to drum up some enthusiasm for
the Karaoke night. She asks Dennis if he will sing something.
"Yes" says our leather-clad hero "'My Best Friend's
Girl'". "Shall I put you down then Dennis?" asks
Geena. "Why not, everyone else does." Aah. Poor Dennis.
It is up to Eileen to save the day and she looks Dennis in the
eye while she sings "That Old Devil Called Love". Unfortunately
the Karaoke night loses money, Geena's next idea is a Mr and Mrs
night.
Linda has confided in Geena that she may be pregnant. She is
worried because she won't know who the father is. And Mike won't
believe it is his without a DNA test, which may not give the answer
he wanted. By the end of the week Geena' has persuaded her to
take a test which is negative. Just as well because the thought
of being pregnant had doubled Linda's roll-up consumption.
Now that her own love life is sorted out, Janice tries to help
Eileen who has taken a fancy to Dennis. She invites Eileen for
Sunday lunch but Dennis is extremely off hand. We learn that Eileen's
boys are Jason (17) and Todd(15). After Eileen leaves he has a
go at Janice for trying to set the pair of them up. He is taken
aback to find that Eileen actually fancies him, and realises that
he had better apologise. He catches up with Eileen in the pub
and after a chat they realise they have a shared interest in bike's.
Gail has a letter inviting her for an interview at the Health
Centre for the receptionist's post. David doesn't think she'll
get it "'Cos you have to be young and good looking".
Sarah is very encouraging though. Gail is obviously beginning
to get back some confidence and it is great to see.
Candice has sent Glen a text message as though it is from Sarah,
asking for a date. He calls and they agree to go out on Wednesday,
with Candice providing the alibi.
Roy and Hayley are still discussing the pros and cons of fostering
versus adoption.
In the cafe Jack tells Sam and Pat about the five-bet accumulator
he has put £100 on. Four horses and a dog at an evening
race meeting. If it all works to plan he will win just under £60,000.
Vera calls across and reminds him to put the £100 she has
given him into the Building Society for Christmas. Oh dear. Methinks
there is a connection here!! If this bet fails, Jack is going
to be singing his Christmas Carols soprano this year. This was
a grand episode with regular scenes as the day progresses giving
updates on the bet. The first four horses win and everything is
riding on the dog. Everyone gathers in the Rovers in the evening.
Pat's mate Harry who works at the track agrees to phone through
a commentary. After a few worrying moments Patcalls out. "He's
done it! He's only gone and won". Vera is ecstatic, Jack
looks a likely contender for a return visit to the Cardiac Unit.
Drinks and Cheers all round. Vera asks what he wants to do with
the money. "What do you dream of Jack, when you put a bet
on?" Jack replies that he doesn't know. He's never expected
to win!
A great week of episodes and with the Anniversary to come there
are more good storylines on the way. Grand performances from all
but especially Eileen, Dennis, Janice, Jack, Vera and Candice.
I think that even at such a young age Candice is a star. This
actress was born to be in Coronation Street. Let's hope the powers
that be nurture her and don't give her rubbish storylines.
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