Does Corrie feel more like Corrie again?

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N (edited to remove a spoiler) on the Coronation Street Blog in June 2013.)

Have you ever wondered what might happen on your average Sunday afternoon in Weatherfield? I can only speculate of course, however I see it all unfolding something like this...

Norris Cole nervously eyes up poor old Emily as she struggles through another portion of Mary's roly poly pudding. Norris, suddenly aware that our Emily has appeared in Coronation Street since January 1961, realises she may not be around forever and frets about his own future in the show. Emily's demise threatens the return of  Geoffrey "Spider" Nugent - calm down Flaming Nora! Even more of a worry, it dawns on Norris that he may have to explore the vulnerability that lies behind the malicious frontage we've come to know and loathe.

Over at the cafe, Royston has spent another night hiding on the floor behind his pinny trying to catch out nasty Beth. Poor Roy stands no chance against this alarming CIlla/Janice concoction. If Les Battersby was still around, he'd think all his Christmases had come at once. Roy must also battle through this slightly bizarre yet wonderful storyline, giving the magnificent Croppers some much needed airtime.

Back on the Street, the unpleasant mob that is the Windass/Armstrong clan queue up to take turns at smacking selfish Tina Mac in the face. It might not get them their money back, but by gum it is satisfying, both for them and for us. Tommeh D watches from Rita's chintzy living room of mismatched soft furnishings, panicking that he may have to utter the words "breast feeding" during Monday night's double bill.

Of course young Katy Armstrong is not present in the long line of Windass/Armstrong slappers as she has her own boring storyline to concentrate on. Ah yes, how to fit Steve, Michelle, Ryan, herself and that baby into the smelly kebab shop flat and conjure up interesting stories. The writing was on the wall for Katy that fateful morning when she woke up bright orange. Weatherfield history shows this to be downward spiral of unbelievable stories and unwatchable melodrama.

In all seriousness, I've really started to enjoy Corrie of late. I think there has been a marked improvement in a lot of what has played out on screen. Deirdre has become watchable again. The Croppers have come back to the fore, with Sylvia proving an integral part of this. I love all the stuff with the Platts, even if David's reaction to Nick and Kylie's deception is a bit like Groundhog Day. I even loved Emily's modest return to our screens after too long an absence. And I hope Sinead Tinker is here to stay.

Yes, there are still things I don't like - Eileen's recent storyline has been hard to watch and I can't wait for the surrogacy nonsense to come to an end. However, I don't know if it's just me, but Corrie just feels more like Corrie again.

Do you agree?

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