This double bill highlighted the great things about this programme - the big stories coupled with everyday people, and also the worst things about the programme - the deadwood, stereotypes and predictability.
Just like EastEnders, this programme is totally unable of portraying young people in a positive light. Simon is an ungrateful little shit and I hope Leanne hands him his arse. The way he spoke to Dev, Alya and Leanne was disgusting. And then throwing the remote itself made me even more angry. I never agree with giving big storylines to child actors, but especially not to the boy playing Simon. He can't act. Leanne didn't deserve it, and Jane Danson doesn't deserve it. Aside from Alison King, she's the best actress on the show and she deserves a story so much better than this. It has only just begin and I want it over already. End it before it gets worse, Corrie.
Todd Grimshaw could be one of the most unpleasant characters on television right now. He is callous, insensitive, and frankly just a giant twat. Telling Jason that his behaviour was 'banter' made me hate him even more. I still find it ludicrous that he's been back two years and we still have no idea about what happened in London to make him this twisted. I've been saying this for two years now, but it really does needs to be explored because at the minute it seems like Todd's sudden personality transplant is there for storyline reasons, rather than character development. I was glad that Jason told Todd he was dead to him. Hopefully that's foreshadowing that the evil prick might have his life prematurely ended soon.
As the night started, I enjoyed the budding friendship between Eileen and Michael. Two characters who have been dealing with people pretending to be someone totally different. The rest of the great Gavin masquerading act were getting used to life without keeping their secret. Let me say now, that scene in the Bistro with Gail, Andy and Steph was awful. Either the script for that scene was very poor, or Helen Worth just fucked her words up. And then later Gail goes to visit Michael, trading insults with Eileen whilst waiting. Boring, done a million times before. And so Michael gets drunk. Let's just say that Les Dennis really did take his acting to new lows at this point. Making a high pitched squealing voice does not make a convincing drunk. Eileen was damn right when she told Gail that she should be ashamed. Surprisingly, I think Eileen and Michael do have some chemistry, and worked well together tonight. I hope they remain just friends though. Affair storylines are overdone. Michael collapsing was a rare strong point for Les Dennis, who was very believable. On an aside, I like Steph and Andy together. Hope they don't split up any time soon, although both characters have a shelf life after their recent actions.
I like that Liz is preparing revenge for Tony. I've never been much of a Liz fan, but she's really come into her own lately. Her putdowns of the eternally hateful Sean were delightful to watch, also. Was that Tony I saw in the background as Gail went to Eileen's door? Might just have been an extra who looks similar. I keep forgetting that Sarah works at the Rovers. It's good having her there. I should also make the point of how good it is seeing Liz throw things around in that room.
Sophie's right onto Jenny, and Jenny is shitting bricks. I don't know if I'd say that Jenny is a psychopath, maybe more of a sociopath. I'm really enjoying Sally Ann Matthews' performances lately. She's very convincing as an eery, insane villain. I also loved her and Michael's conversation. That was one of the best pieces of humour in the show tonight.
Finally, Maria, Kirk and Sean stink the show out. They need to leave.
A good start to the week. Unspectacular and some frustrating moments, but solid nonetheless.
STAR OF THE SHOW: Sally Ann Matthews
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Sue Cleaver, Jane Danson, Beverley Callard
SCENE OF THE NIGHT: Eileen talks to Michael about Todd
LINE OF THE NIGHT: 'It was like something from Scooby Do when the villain's unmasked at the end' Eileen Grimshaw
RATING: 6/10
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