Coronation Street Weekly Update - Nov 6 2001

NEW FOR KINDLE...
Corrie weekly updates from 1995, 17 years in 17 e-books
All the wit and warmth of Weatherfield, none of the waffle
Available from amazon.co.uk or amazon.com
 
Check out the Coronation Street Blog - it's FAB

This week's update written by Janet Penny as Glenda was away

Greetings again, dear Streeties! It's been quite a noisy week up here in Yorkshire with all the fireworks and practice sessions for Bonfire Night, but I did escape for a few days as I had some business in Germany. Thankfully the video recorded the most important parts of my viewing week, and the football match didn't run over to interfere. Which brings me to a very important point ñ if Match of the Day has been booted out of its Saturday night spot for Cilla and Blind Date, then why can't the Football Association change its schedule so that they plan matches for nights when Corrie isn't on (though lately that isn't often)? There's quite a contingent of "No footie on terrestial TV" United supporters who are fed up with Corrie being booted around the schedule for a bunch of overgrown kids having a bit of a kickabout, though I personally wouldn't go that far ñ keep footie for Saturday and Sunday afternoons and leave the rest of the viewing schedule alone! Right, rant over and I am now feasting on some delicious German choccies and wine as the Corrie Update for October 31 ñ November 5 rolls out.

It's Hallowe'en on the street. The Corrie Coven (ie Blanche) is in the Kabin buying some spare replacements for her broomstick whilst generally spreading gleeful cheer. She announces that with all that red hair, Rita would have been burned at the stake a few hundred years ago. Rita casually flicks said hair off her face and casts a spell on Blanche to make her really mean and catty (oops, too late ñ someone else got there first). Paying absolutely no heed, Blanche stormed ahead, consigning Gail to the flames, though I'm not sure what the charge would have been ñ bewitching all her children so that no one on the Street notices that they have suddenly changed into completely different people, perhaps.

Jack is escorting all and sundry across the road in his official capacity as Lollipop Man as Vera tries to talk about Terry. However, Jack points out that they row every time they do, and he's not prepared to discuss their son.

Gail asks Vera how Terry is coping. He's not doing well ñ he's been in prison before but this time it's different, this time he is innocent! But, she's going to do the best for Ower Terry by hiring him a lawyer. "But aren't lawyers expensive?" puzzles Gail. Well, yes, but Terry will have some money put aside, and what better way to spending yer money than by proving yer innocence? Gail doesn't look convinced.

Vera goes to see Mike and asks him about hiring his solicitor, and hang the cost. After trying to talk her out of it (though it's evident that Vera believes that Terry will be paying), Mike finally gives her the details.

Jack suggests to Vera that they go for a drink after work, but she's going to be busy going into town. Jack assumes she's off to purchase a little something for his 65th birthday later this week. He's all for a miniature TV he can put into his little shed on the allotment to watch the racing, but she's not impressed. The next thing, he'll be wanting a microwave and then he can just live there! It's obvious that Vera has something more family-oriented in mind as she is thrilled when the solicitor (sorry, I didn't register the name) agrees to take her case on. There's going to be some sort of celebration to mark the occasion and, as Vera invites Rita to join the festivities, Norris yawns that he's not busy Wednesday night, and will mark it in his social calendar. The looks on both ladies' faces was most amusing!

Charlie confides to Matt that she has A Plan to get Luke and Sarah together. Matt is a bit sceptical, but Charlie bets him a full body massage (the hussy!) that it will.

Luke and Sarah turn up for their detention at the library. Charlie instructs them to sort out a pile of books and take posters down off the walls, then leaves them to get on with it. Sarah is still annoyed that the only person to care about not wearing her school uniform was Mrs Ramsden and Luke provides the reason for his detention. Unfortunately, he mangled his words so badly, I didn't have a clue what he was saying, even though I played the tape three times. Sarah is obviously more experienced in teen mumbling than me and all of a sudden, the two are looking at each other in a different light. In pops Charlie to tell them it's getting dark (no kidding, I think sunset is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 4:40 these days) and they should be getting off home. Luke's chivalrous nature comes to the fore; he offers to escort Sarah, and she accepts.

They are lazing around the Medical Centre when Sarah asks about the graffiti and is shocked when Luke reveals that Charlie is his half sister. Suddenly, it all pours out about how she was adopted and looked for her birth mother, only it turned out to be his mother. They gaze into each other's eyes and Luke asks her out. Sarah happily accepts.

As Charlie and Matt cross the street to the Rovers for the big Hallowe'en Event, Charlie spots them and immediately claims her prize, though I personally would have waited until I was back in the privacy of my own home.

Next morning, Candice and Sarah Lou stroll arm in arm to the bus, the former trying to convince the latter that the date with Luke should be turned into a foursome, but Sarah Lou's not having any of it. Who would have thought that Miss Platt would be grateful to Charlie Ramsden for giving her detention!

After school, Candice wants to know what Sarah and Luke talked about at dinner time, but Sarah tells her to stop pestering her about her love life. Candice takes her comment semi-seriously ñ "Wot ñ you luv 'im??? Sarah Platt, behave yourself, you've only known him five minutes! My mother was right about you ñ you'll get a reputation!" As Sarah rightly replies "Wot, another one?"

Under the watchful eye of Gail, Luke comes to pick Sarah up for their date and makes quite a good impression as he's a natural with Bethany.

Round at Molly's, that little homemaker Kev in is rehanging her curtains, not very well it has to be said. There's a loud noise, and Kev realises just how scared Molly really is. He won't take no for an answer ñ she's coming home with him and joining the Hallowe'en party with the girls. Visibly relieved, she allows Kev to take charge. Perhaps this is all Kev requires in his life to make him a better person ñ to be needed ñ as Molly does seem to bring out the best in him. The party foursome is in full swing and a grand time is had by all.

It's morning in the Webster household and Molly walks in to find Kev buttering toast. No honey, but Molly will make do with marmalade. She appreciates him letting her stay, but its time for her to return to her own flat.

Later on, Gail and Molly have a drink in the Rovers. If Molly is uncomfortable staying with Kevin, she can always check into Chez Platt, but although Molly is scared stiff, she's adamant she has to go back to her flat and the sooner she does, the better. If she doesn't conquer her fear now, she never will as she just doesn't have the money to afford anything better.

Gail has a private word with Kev to let him know that Molly was singing his praises and that she's petrified about moving into the flat. He asks Molly if she's sure she wants to move back; she insists she's ready to go. But Kev persists and asks her to move in with him ñ as a friend. "My saviour", Molly cries, throws her arms around him and packs up the few treasures not swiped by the bandits.
When Kev breaks the news to Rosie and Sophie that Molly is going to become part of the Webster household, the little one beams and asks if she can be a bridesmaid as she still has her dress from her mother's aborted wedding (perhaps she didn't use exactly those words!). As uncomfortable as if she'd just asked him a question on S-E-X (though one would have thought that the revolving door that's her mother's bedroom would have provided her with all the information she needed on that particular subject), Kev explains that Molly is a mate and there's no wedding. Well, not yet but I suspect that something may eventually happen down the road. Rosie just wants Molly to paint her nails, though it's apparently something Sally has banned.

Molly hooks up a container filled with streamers over the door. Unfortunately, it's Sally who is first through to be dumped upon, though everyone else finds it hilarious. Molly apologises and Sally not-so-graciously accepts. She's more than a little surprised to see her there and hear the news about Molly's new home; her face tells the story in volumes far louder than words. And she's also not best pleased about the nail varnish.

When later in the day Kev and Molly spot Martin and Sally, she goes over to apologise once again. At our house, jaws dropped to the floor when Sally actually has the gall to declare that when you have children, you have to be really careful about who you let into their lives. The little hypocrite! At least the gurrls already knew and liked Martin, but what about that hunky mechanic (the one who left to make it in the music world and didn't), Danny and absolute walking disaster known as Greg Kelly? She'll be lucky if Rosie and Sophie aren't emotionally scarred for life.

Martin notes that Molly and Kev aren't actually living together in that way and Sally responds that she wouldn't really mind if they were, but Martin is distracted by Luke and Sarah mid-snog outside the Ramsden's.

In the Rovers, the Halloween party is on the way. Duggie introduces the Great Orlando, hypnotist extraordinaire, though no one actually believes (s)he is susceptible to that sort of nonsense. Orlando says that he can hear a voice calling him from the other side. With a sideways look at Mike, Fizz maliciously sings out "Oh, Lin-da!" Mike tells Betty to forget about his Scotch and walks out. After a bit of help from the audience, Orlando determines that it was Edna trying to get in touch, probably to complain that it's not hot enough.

Back at his flat, Mike is stunned to see "You're Dead" written in lipstick on his living room mirror. He immediately jumps to the conclusion that it was Jimmy Sykes (though personally I think that's more a female ploy, plus I've never actually seen Jimmy pull out the lippy for a quick touch-up).
In the Rovers, Orlando hands Curly an onion, tells him it's a juicy apple and Curly hungrily bites into it. Bit of a shock as I've never actually seen anyone eat fruit (or veg masquerading as fruit) on the Street. It's a wonder they aren't all suffering from scurvy, particularly the Webster children. For all her other faults, at least Gail does provide a well-balanced meal for her offspring. The amount of fish sticks, baked beans, burgers and sweets Rosie and Sophie go through is astounding. In an earlier episode, even Sunita remarked upon it when asked about Sally - "Her who buys all them fish sticks!" And, I'm beginning to think that Sally suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder the amount of times she orders the girls upstairs to wash their hands. They must have the cleanest digits in the UK!
But I digress. Meanwhile he goes over to Blanche and asks who her movie idol is. "You'll" she replies, a bit confusingly. "I'll what?" he ponders. "Yul Brynner" she sighs. "Oh look," Orlando suggests as Norris enters the Rovers, "there he is. What do you want to do?" Kiss him all over is her reply. Orlando encourages her to act out her fantasies. Without pausing for breath, Blanche is all over Norris who is aghast at this unexpected turn in events!

Meanwhile, Les, Janice, Dennis and Eileen are seated at a table. Les callously pushes Dennis' head into the water as he bobs for apples, and jeers at all the happenings. Orlando then veers over to them and hypnotises Les into revealing the most exciting moment in his life. "It was my wedding night," Les beams and there's a little smile on Janice's face. "That kiss was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced, and I didn't know how far it would have gone had ower Leanne not walked into the Ladies' bog at that instant." Janice looks a bit bewildered. "Oh, Janet!" Les cries out, hugging himself (Note: though there are a few men who would no doubt be delighted to provide glowing testimonial dinners for me, I have no hesitation in stating that Les Battersby would never have been one of them!). "Oooh Ö Janet!!!!" Orlando smiles at Janet as he tells her she's made her husband very happy. "I'm not Janet" she glares. "That's my bleeding sister!" Hurt beyond belief, she throws a pint of beer over Les and runs out of the pub sobbing.

Next morning, Les is appreciative that Dennis let him stay at theirs, but Dennis points out that it's time for him to be moving on. Les asks Dennis to talk to Janice for him as she'll listen to him (and how!) ñ she respects his opinion (and much more). Dennis will do what he can.

Les pleads with Toyah to talk to Janice ñ he's been faithful to her since the day they wed, but as Toyah points out, that's only because no one else will have him. Toyah wavers during Les' apparently sincere protests.

The private detective hired by Mike has discovered that Linda hasn't taken any money from the accounts nor made any phone calls, both of which Mike knew already. Mike tells him he needs to try harder as the police are breathing down his neck and he's getting desperate.

Hoping to cheer her up, Fred, looking quite svelte I must say (wonder what his secret is), tells Eve that Mike's hired a private investigator to find Linda. He feels it's not the actions of a guilty man, but unbending Eve claims it's the actions of a guilty man trying to cover it up.

The plods come back to tell Mike that they have a witness who saw him at the river when his car was fished out. Mike's astounded, but is told to present himself at the station in the morning to stand in an identity parade.

In the Rovers, Mike confides his concerns about the upcoming identity parade to Fred. He's innocent, yet what will happen if she picks him out? Fred commiserates until Eve walks in, then he scuttles over to her side. He can suck up to her all he likes, but she's not impressed.

Audrey asks whether she can join Mike in the booth (ooh, this combination never occurred to me before!) as she's somewhat annoyed that someone else has become the Street confidante. She tries to cheer Mike up, but he's sure that if this witness doesn't pick him out, the Bill will only look for something else. He reveals that he has hired a detective to find Linda and pooh-poohs Audrey's suggestion that the lipstick message on the mirror is Linda. Mike replies that he doesn't know where she is, but he's sure that Linda is a long way away. Not as far away as Edna, though and she left a message!

Janice unlocks the door for Dennis who, instead of walking straight into her arms, tells her he's on a mission for Les to convince her to take him back. She wants to cuddle instead, but mid-snog, there's a noise at the door. It's Toyah, who's also there to plead on Les' behalf. However, Janice doesn't "curr" anymore ñ it's over.

Orlando comes in for his payment from a pleased Duggie. Les spies him and begins shouting the odds as Orlando is responsible for breaking up his marriage. However, Les has a cunning plan ñ Orlando can make up for it by hypnotising Janice to make her forget what Les said! Orlando refuses and to stop Les' haranguing, tells him that if Les doesn't leave him alone, Orlando will have him barking at the moon and screaming like a monkey every time he comes into the Rovers!

Duggie finally convinces a Les wallowing in self pity to go home. Dennis comes over to break it off with Janice but she's back to cuddling as she wants to be with him forever. He feels the same, but he can't see a happy ending. She's in his arms as Les breaks in through the back door. Dennis claims he was there to talk Janice into coming back. Dennis tells her in front of Les that she has to take him back. In a small voice, she agrees. Les is jubilant, both Janice and Dennis are miserable, but he doesn't notice.

The next morning, Les, tastefully attired in boxers and socks, brings Janice breakfast in bed. He thinks he's cracked it as he's even made her soldiers to go with the boiled egg! He is shocked when she tells him she's slept on it, and isn't willing to go back to the same routine. It's her turn to be stunned when Dennis tells her that they have to finish as he loves Eileen, and her too. Janice is thrilled as she's wanted him to say that, but tells him that she'll make it easy for him and she'll finish it instead. The next thing you know, Dennis cries out in emotional pain and tells her he can't do it ñ they'll work it out somehow.

After the success of the Great Orlando, Duggie presses Sunita to provide her opinion on a Quiz Night for the Rovers. She screws her face up in that way people do when they're trying not to tell you the truth as she searches for the right word to describe it. Eve jumps to the rescue with "Stimulating". Duggie asks Sunita for dinner so they can discuss it further, but she's promised to go clubbing with Vik and Bobbi. "There's no rush" Duggie replies, "we can go clubbing." Sunita is somewhat surprised that the OAP is up for it, as she didn't think it would be his kind of thing. However, her kind of thing is now his kind of thing!

Later on, Sunita and Peter come in the Rovers, both looking quite glam. Duggie asks if he is dressed right for the night. Peter enquires where they are going? "Clubbing!" Duggie proudly replies. Shelley smirks. "You can come along too, if you like" he continues. Peter sniggers that he's too old for clubbing. Swinger Duggie does the geriatric twist (the one where you don't move too much, just snap your fingers) and says you're never too old for clubbing. Shelley tries to control her amusement, with only limited success.

The next day, Shelley is giggling as Duggie has sent her out to buy a therapeutic rub for his aching joints. Sunita thoughtfully considers her future with a wrinkly, particularly when they meet outside the shop and he does that silly little swaying dance that men of a certain age without any rhythm do. It's obvious that Duggie's days are numbered.

With Audrey's support (she has accompanied him) but against the solicitor's advice, Mike agrees to take part in the identity parade. If I had been the witness, I would have picked him out immediately, as he kept fidgeting, looking around and generally behaving in a most guilty manner, but the witness can't be sure it's him.

The next day, he's back to his old self, escorting a mystery woman out of her car and into the Rovers. Eve is absolutely beside herself when she sees Mike with his hand on her knee and slates him in a very loud voice for not only what he's done to Linda, but for starting up with another woman young enough to be his daughter while hers is still missing. Turns out that she was a potential buyer that Mike had been buttering up, but she'd only gone to lunch with him to satisfy her curiosity about the rumours going round. Mike starts to become concerned about his reputation, as well he might.
Now I don't know about anywhere else, but on Sunday night, there was something called Mischief Night in parts of Yorkshire, sort of the opposite of Hallowe'en, where tricks are handed out instead of treats. It carried over to Bonfire Night on the 5th of November, which was celebrated over the UK with fireworks, for all you Canadian viewers who had been asking if it had been cancelled.

David has been collecting wood for a bonfire and has made quite an ugly effigy of a Guy, complete with a really repulsive brown checked suit, for burning. Richard is really getting into the surrogate dad role and suggests that he buy some fireworks. You can tell that David has been won over as he beams "Thanks, Richie!" instead of the usual "Dick". Initially, Gail isn't too pleased ("What about Barney and all the smoke?"), but as she's been outvoted (David suggests that Barney can stay in her room), gives in and at the Rovers, invites all and sundry to a party. Les is enthusiastic and, after Gail departs, offers to get some fireworks from his mate on the cheap. Richie's impressed and eagerly accepts the offer.

As they munch on a healthy snack of chips, Candice tells Sarah that she needs to copy her homework. What with working at the Christmas ornament factory and all, she hasn't had a chance to do it. Sarah tells her it's the last time and Candice promises she'll never ever ask again. Till next time, probably.
The food's out on the table, the guests have arrived, but there's no Les and no fireworks. Gail begins to worry and begins to give Richard the "I told you so" speech when Les shows up. Unfortunately, the fireworks go off like a damp squib. That's because they are damp squibs! Janice is fed up with Les showing her up yet again. Les stomps off to the Rovers, complaining to anyone who would listen (ie Duggie) that he was out of pocket by 10 quid, but did anybody care about him!

Matt leans over the fence to invite them all to share their fireworks. Maxine, wearing a fake fur hat that looks like a low-rent Liz Taylor number from the 70's isn't too thrilled with the Ramsden's taking part, particularly when Ash asks Matt for his opinion on a baby name!

David and his friend Simon are fascinated by the special firecracker Matt's saving till last, and quickly palm it when he's not looking. They then disappear as Simon tries to convince David it would be great fun to light it and shove it through a letterbox.

Now, is it me, or does anyone else think that Simon is the spitting image of the old Nicky Tilsley from about 7 years ago, before he went off to Canada, returning about eight inches taller with an impressive six-pack?

Anyway, there's a shot of Luke and Sarah cuddling in a way I never would have done at age 15, on a second date, in front of my mother. Candice whispers in Sarah's ear, and Sarah explains to Luke that she has to go and give Candice the homework. Todd, acting quite jealously for someone who is dating her best friend, tells Luke to make the most of it (so to speak) as he gives the relationship about five minutes as Sarah won't stay with someone who's not too bright. Luke retorts that Candice isn't the sharpest pencil in the case and reveals that she's indulging in the kind of activities which won't go down too well with Mrs Ramsden.

Janice has been watching Dennis and Eileen together and is getting more and more upset. She escapes to the factory, sobbing yet again. Eileen's a bit cold as she didn't throw on the extra layers that everyone else has been wearing the past few days, so Dennis volunteers to go home and fetch her something. He looks around for Janice and goes over to the factory. They can't resist and even though Eileen is shivering to death in the Platt back 40, rip off their clothes and get down to (dirty) business. They don't even notice when a firecracker is pushed through the letterbox and lands in a pile of best undies. It must really be hot lurve as it takes them quite a while for them to notice the smoke and flames. Dennis stretches for the fire extinguisher as Janice moans "Be careful!"

Gail looks around for David and Simon in the backyard (it didn't take long) and then wanders out front to spot the smoke and flames pouring out of Underworld. She screams and the rest of the guests, leaving the fireworks unattended in a massive breach of health and safety regulations if I may say so, storm into the close. Ash runs into the Rovers to get Mike who tries to go inside, but is held back. Les can see someone inside fighting the fire and just as Mike breaks away, Janice and Dennis cough their way outside after beating the flames.

Janice, between coughs, explains to the crowd that she says she was doing some paperwork and Dennis, seeing the flames, came in to rescue her. Mike accuses her of smoking but Dennis produces a burnt out firework. I wonder if Janice and Dennis will realise that they've just come too close to being found out far too often?

Both Matt and Gail suggest the boys were responsible, as Matt recalls their interest in the special firework which is now missing, but Simon opens his hand to reveal it still there.
The episode closes with Jimmy Sykes gloating as he stands apart from the throng.


Follow the Coronation Street Blog on Twitter and Facebook