Guest blog post from Tommy Cowell.
Follow him on twitter and have a look at his website.
When Steve McDonald sold the pub to Peter Barlow earlier this year, I thought it’d be interesting to witness how Peter would juggle his personal demons and a business that offers him a direct line to temptation. I really thought that’d be the storyline with the most potential. In a way; it was almost predictable.
When Liz left the Rovers and began working at the medical centre - suddenly, out of nowhere - the best storyline of the year was born. It’s not a headline story that’ll reach the covers of soap magazines, or even win any awards (unless it’s a comedy award) but it’s a storyline that’s fundamental to the DNA of the show.
It’s the storyline of Liz and her nightmare boss from hell, Moira.
I adore Moira. She’s every working person’s nightmare; having to survive a thirty-five hour week with this beast of a boss would break anyone. Liz McDonald, however, is not just anybody; we’ve seen her go through it all… heartbreak, loss and even Tracy Barlow. Moira tested Liz more than any of these. Liz, without her position at the Rovers, was no longer the Queen B… so to have a juggernaut like Moira pecking at her in every scene they shared was properly cringe-worthy viewing – in the best way.
Firstly, let me compliment the fabulous Beverly Callard. Her quiet frustration and subtle facial reactions towards Moira’s behaviour felt nuanced and real. You felt sorry for the woman; but couldn’t help laughing at the comedy of her situation. You could tell Liz just wanted to pounce on her boss in the good old fashion Corrie street-fight kind of way, but she couldn’t. This was Liz holding back and it was fascinating to watch.
Secondly, I want to praise the writers and storyliners. Moira was like a gift to them. Seeing how the team developed the two women’s relationship (from colleagues to flatmates and Moira and Steve’s potential romance). The raising of the comedy stakes really harkened back to the glory days of 1980s Corrie, currently being repeated on ITV 3. These two versions of the Street; the 1980s and the 2010s, sit comfortably together in the schedules as the same show.
And finally, to the great actress herself, Louiza Patikas. She only appeared in thirty episodes but she really made a lasting mark. Her character was the Ying to Liz’s Yang and it made for great viewing: it’s not many female characters who can topple Liz as the dominant force in a scene, but Moira managed to do just that.
On November 23rd, I was absolutely devastated when she sailed off into the sunset with boring old Colin. She deserved so much more than that. I want her back on the cobbles; causing trouble, infecting Liz’s life in new and intrusive ways.
Leave Colin in Stoke-on-Trent and bring back the glorious Moira.
Guest blog post from Tommy Cowell.
Follow him on twitter and have a look at his website.
Follow him on twitter and have a look at his website.
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1 comment:
Amen. Moira simply has to return. She was a fantastic character.
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