Sunday comments, February 28

Lines of the week:

• Ken "It's a marraige of convenience. It always was!" (for you maybe)
  
• Ken "If i'm being selfish, it's about time!" (Eh?????? he's spent a lifetime being selfish!)
  
• Peter "You'll see him (Simon) later when you come back round the corner with your little suitcase. You're ridiculous." (And he was right)
  
• Blanche "We'll all be just bones at the end of the day" Deirdre "We're nearly out of teabags" (those little conversations that Corrie does so well!)
  
• Peter to Ken "I know how much you value honesty in your relationship." and "Me dad's not averse to a bit of scandal!" and "You don't do brave, old man, you never have, you never will"
  
• Jason "Whatever he's done, he's my grandad"
  
• Deirdre "Do i need you? Do i need you looking down your nose at me? Do i need to compete with a fantasy?" (Go girl!) and "You were too spineless to leave. Maybe I'm too spineless to throw you out"
  
• Blanche "Deirdre's chosen her philandering two-timing husband over me!"
  
• Kirk to Blanche "Are you going on your holidays?" Blanche "I'm going to hell in a handcart!"
  
• Amber "The art will do the talking" (oops!)
  

Will he? Won't he? Did he? Didn't he? Why break a habit of a lifetime, Ken? He bottled it. He ran for the hills, dragging his little suitcase behind him. He was too scared to face his loved ones to say goodbye but he was even more scared of the big world that was at the end of the Street after all. Even Ted knew what was happening and gave him a little touch of support but in the end, it was back to Deirdre and the security of the Street he never could bring himself to leave. Just as well. Even after all this, he still ended up lying to Martha just like he always did. He couldn't admit he's not told Deirdre and scarpered behind her back and then he scarpered behind Martha's back, not able to face her either. Coward! Peter managed to snatch the letter before Deirdre saw it but Ken let the cat out of the bag anyway. Why on earth did he give her the letter? So that Peter wouldn't tell Deirdre first i guess. Maybe he feels he deserves the guilt and anger? And why on earth didn't Deirdre throw him out? She knew down deep there was something wrong for a long time. It's one thing to say ok we're even, after her fling with Dev, but her fling with Dev was a one night drunken stand. She wasn't going to leave Ken for her "soul mate" like he was going to do.

I was surprised to see Uncle Albert's photo standing back up but since Peter nicked the letter, he probably sorted out the photo, or Deirdre or Blanche did when they came back in. Well, at least Deirdre's troubles gave Eileen a respite from her own! And she's got a point. Ken told Deirdre so he could get it off his conscience. Selfish B@stard. Now we get to hear Deirdre give him a few pieces of her mind, too. The worst thing about it all was Blanche finding out which i don't think either of them wanted. And i do think Deirdre overreacted to Blanche's reaction by throwing her out. I guess she did that because she wouldn't throw Ken out and she said it was because she couldn't bear to hear Blanche throwing it back in her face forever. And Blanche landed on Peter's door. Now that ought to be a hoot!

Poor Julie just wants a family. She and her mother were on the outs so she wants to get to know her father and you know Julie, always thinks the best of everyone. And Jason, he really is a nice lad isn't he? Unfortunately, Eileen can't stand the sight of Julie because she reminds her of everything. Paula admitted to a crush on Colin when she was 14 and in her youthful wisdom thought they were in love. Colin, as we know, was just flattered and never took it seriously. Eileen softened somewhat and went to see Colin in hospital but she's not ready to forgive him yet. I expect she will eventually, given the chance. Poor Julie is really on the emotional roller coaster with her mother. Make up to break up etc.

Leave it to Eddie to rip off Roy. Now i'm sure Roy has been coming to the cash and carry for a good many years. You would think they would all know him by now wouldn't you? David seems to be cooking up some kind of plan. He's got Gary interested now. Spider web and fly, methinks. Mary is certainly getting aggressive isn't she? Not putting pressure on NOrris but insisting Rita is ready to move on and is very intent on isolating Norris in that camper van and getting him all to herself. She doesn't seem to want to take No for an answer.

Michelle has clearly changed her mind about Peter. Saying she didn't know what to feed Ryan for his tea was obviously a hint and Peter happily took her up on it. Leanne who? Peter's just as jelly spined as his father when it comes to women.

Tara's revenge plan is coming together. Poor Dev isn't going to know what hit him. Promising he has absolutely no secrets was signing his humiliation warrant. He figures proposing to her in front of the neighbourhood is a grand romantic gesture. Do you think a simple No is going to suffice? She wasn't too happy to see Amber, maybe she doesn't want Amber there to witness the revenge plan. And what is it? A building sized poster of a naked Devster with LIAR scrawled across his dignity. You know, I really think she went wayyyyyyy overboard. A one night stand with someone she knew (who doesn't seem to be as close a friend as she makes out) while he thought they were broken up really doesn't deserve this grand gesture. She really is her mother's daughter, isn't she?

Where the heck does that street or alley go, the one that was behind the DJ at the street party?

Sunday comments, February 21

Lines of the week:

• Rita "Don't ruin everything now Norris" (and he didn't, and he didn't say I Told You So)
  
• Jason "Steve down on one knee? He'd get repetitive strain!"
  
• Colin to Rita "Just let me explain"
  
• Julie "I always wanted a dad... but not like this"
  
• Eileen "The best thing he could do for us all now is die" (SOPOD ALERT!)
  
• Julie "We're stuck with each other, me and the truth."
  
• Eileen "As soon as I set food out that door i'll be deafened by the whispers"
  
• Colin whinging "They call it a mid-life crisis these days. A young woman wanted me, unlike your mother. Is anyone thinking about you?" (quite a bit actually, but not in the way you want them to)
  
• Ken to Peter "I'm glad you're not making my mistakes" Peter "No need. you're more than capable on your own"
  
• Roy "Pricking sausages somehow seems less arduous when discussing the great events of the day"
  
• Jack "I was just telling Connie she knows how to handle a bird" (ooh er!)
  
• Blanche "I'm old, i'm fragile, i've got a dodgey hip. I've got to take me pleasures while i can"
  

So yes, quite the revelation, wasn't it? Colin doubled over like he was kicked in the gut when Paula screamed out that Julie and Jason were related, like he just realized what the truth was. He did say he never knew about the baby and it seems that's true and he couldn't deny it. I felt so sorry for Julie who really felt all her life that her mother didn't want her and when she found out the real reason, she and everyone else went into shock. Eileen got the shock of her life and the gossip mills have fuel for months on that one! And Jason sure was heaving a sigh of relief to find out he didn't actually shag his auntie! No wonder Paula was so upset about Julie and Jason! And i tell you one thing, the actress playing Paula is REALLY good! And Eileen!!! Attacking Paula and accusing her of tearing her own family apart. Then tearing her father's photos up. Whereas poor Paula spent a lot of years blaming herself too, but then realizing Colin was the adult and should have known better. At least Eileen and Paula made their peace. Colin has a stroke, i wonder if Eileen will get the chance to make her peace with her father or if she gets to suck up the guilt over her statement about wishing he would die.

Julie, as she does, always tries to see the bright side. She's thinking she's got more family now though it's been tough on her too. She wonders if her mother did all the running but Fiz protested that was no excuse. Just like John jumping into bed with Rosie...she might not have been underage but he was old enough to know better as well. Colin tried to excuse himself to Rita, and to Eileen, saying Paula was precocious, it was a one off. I can't understand Rita telling him to go away. I could smack Norris (though that's a regular urge) for making nasty remarks about Colin to Jason. He's still the lad's granddad! What a fabulous storyline! I've written a bit more about this whole storyline over here, have a read!

Rita said Yes and then she said No! Well, wouldn't you if you found out your intended got an underage schoolgirl pregnant, the best friend of your daughter? Norris was right in his element, too, and snapped it up as an excuse not to travel with Mary. Well... he still has feelings for Rita and she did need all her friends around her. Wonderful scenes between Norris and Rita, both when they talked after she said Yes to Colin and after she chucked her ring in the cash drawer. Norris is so upset about the whole situation and how upset it's made Rita. Nice juxtaposition with Rita feeling old and stupid while in front of a photo of a young and beautiful Rita. But she wasn't much smarter about men then either.

Sheesh, Ken is such a sourpuss old man isn't he? In a way i wish he would go off with the perfect Martha. He's no fun and i can't imagine Deirdre having any real fun with him. I see he found Martha's boat. Looks like it is pretty much in the same place as it was before, by that bridge. With all the angst over the Grimshaw storyline, Ken's self indulgence seems even more navel-gazing than usual. Poor Blanche missed out on all the gossip and expected Ken to tell the tales? What was wrong with asking if Rita was ok? Sanctimonious Prat. Well, he insisted up to now that his relationship with Martha was platonic. It sure isn't now! He was like a dog with two... er... well anyway, he was pretty peppy when he left that boat this week. No wonder he wants to go back. Meanwhile he still looks like a deer caught in the headlights when Peter confronted him. Will he leave Deirdre? It looks like he might, getting all maudlin about all his memories of the street he never could manage to leave before. Did you see him laying Uncle Albert's picture down so he couldn't "see" Ken's guilt. Well he didn't have to worry about facing Uncle Albert's figurative disapproval, he has Peter's instead. Peter caught him about to scurry off with only leaving a letter. So will he stay or will he go? Find out Monday!

Peter is alone in the flat again. Now that he's on his own, will he be able to stay away from the bottle? Ashley was a good friend to help distract him on his first night. Laughed at the pseudo-Monty Python conversation, about Blanche and her cronies arguing about who was the poorest as a child.

Oh good. Tell Amy the truth because that's better and then tell her to lie to her friend, the bully, that her mom is out of prison and is going to get him! Very good. Why on earth would Roy trust someone nearly brand new to the cafe with his cash and carry password? Because we have to have another storyline with Eddie taking the mick that's why. Sheesh.

Laughed at Becky and Eileen stringing all those little cocktail sausages together. And i chuckled at Betty deciding men weren't worth having to share the telly. Where did Julie sleep? In a bunk bed with Chesney? She said Kirk gave up his bed. Tyrone isn't too happy about this new-found friendship between Jack and Connie.

Shocking!

Coronation Street has dealt with underage sex in the past. Sarah got pregnant at 12 and gave birth at 13 by a schoolmate. Rosie and Craig had sex before they were 16 but didn't just leap into the sack, they thought about it and waited until it was right for them, even if Sally and Kevin nearly went beserk! Now Sophie is making a vow of chastity because she didn't want to end up as slapper like Rosie who continued on her merry way shagging her teacher once she turned 16.

Yes, her teacher, John Stape, currently in prison for kidnapping Rosie. He was in his 30s and wasted no time in giving into temptation when Rosie seduced him. She was barely 16. When you think back, Fiz couldn't have been more than 16 either when she was first with John (though he'd have been in his 20s then) because she came back to Coronation Street after she left school at 16 and has been working at the factory ever since. That, of course, is a rewrite of history for the character but we'll put that rant aside for another day. That came close to pedophilia but Rosie, and presumably Fiz, were of age.

Now we dive into the topic further. Turns out, Eileen's friend Paula had sex with Eileen's father when she was 14 and Julie was the result. That was most definitely illegal and he could have been prosecuted for it but Paula's parents didn't want the attention and left town with their pregnant daughter. As Eileen says, it was a different time and appearances mattered. Eileen's mother seems to have been aware of the situation, at least the affair, and left her husband soon after but Eileen didn't know what happened. She stayed with her father because she thought her mother just didn't want to be her mum anymore and she felt sorry for her father. Her father now insists he didn't know Paula got pregnant.

Her father reappears in her life, though i think she's probably had continuing contact, we've just never met him. Jason certainly seems familiar with his Granddad. We are told he's a bit of a scallywag, a gambler, a bit of a liar and a womanizer. He certainly made a beeline for Rita though his affections seem real.

Enter Paula, Julie's mother. Eileen only just realized that Julie's mum was her old best friend from school. Paula has worked at Freshco for years. I find it hard to believe that Eileen never ever saw her or ran into her there but we'll suspend disbelief on that one for now. Paula was evasive but eventually admitted that her parents moved because she got pregnant very young but was not very forthcoming as to who the father was. Clue 1.

Paula and Eileen's dad, Colin, finally came into contact with each other. Colin clearly recognized her but pretended he didn't remember her and Paula froze. Other encounters had Paula reacting rudely or sarcastically towards Colin. Clue 2.

Paula and Julie seemed to have a bit of a contentious relationship which hit the fan big time after she found out that Julie spent the night with Jason, Eileen's son. She even admitted she resented Julie sometimes. You might think that might be normal for a teenage pregnancy anyway but her over the top reaction about Jason seems to imply that it's more than that. Clue 3.

It all blew up at the birthday party when Paula, drunk, staggered in and blew up the bomb. Colin is Julie's father! Colin couldn't deny it. He tried to blame Paula for coming on to him, which she did but he was the adult. It was up to him to say no. Teenage girls are often very flirty and get crushes on older men. They feel they are grown up now and their hormones are telling them they are women and they want to try it all out. Most fathers whose daughter's best friend tried to seduce them would very firmly and hopefully gently reject the girl and it would be all over bar a few tears and dramatic diary entries. Colin had no will power and a very large ego and this was the result.

Rita was Colin's new love but she won't have anything to do with him now. She feels stupid but how on earth would she ever have guessed? Norris gets to gloat but unusually, at least at first, he doesn't because he's more concerned with Rita, as he should be! And he uses Rita's upset as an excuse not to go traveling with Mary. We all know if Rita had said yes, Norris and she would have been married and we all know he still loves her. Rita isn't going to forgive the mistake Colin made over 30 years ago (32 to be precise). Would you? It would be difficult to live with someone who made such bad judgement. Even if they've never done anything similar since, even if it was a one off, could you trust them? He might not go after a young girl again, but if his ego was fed well, would you trust him not to cheat on you? Rita obviously can't and I can't blame her.

Eileen is horrified and wants nothing to do with her father and she blamed Paula too, for the breakup of her family. All those years she blamed her mother and now realizes it wasn't that at all. But she and Paula made up once Eileen got over the initial shock, agreeing that Paula was just a kid at the time. That's good anyway. But Colin thinks Eileen should forgive him. That's a tough one too. Mistake it may have been but he should have known better rather than give in to temptation. If he'd hung his head and apologized, taken on all the responsibility, Eileen might be able to forgive him in time. But nooooo... he seems to think Paula should take on part of the blame for being all "Lipstick and confidence".

Now Colin has had a stroke from the stress. Eileen said he'd be doing them a favour if he died, back when she first found out. If that isn't a Soap Opera Phrase of Doom, i don't know what is. He's bound to pop his clogs after a statement like that. And think of the guilt Eileen will feel on top of everything else! Jason feels bad for his Grandad but i suppose he doesn't feel as betrayed as Eileen does. I'm not saying he approves of what Colin did but seems more willing to put it in the past.

Julie is shocked at first but is delighted to have a new family. and Ever the Optimist, she's willing to let bygones be bygones, put a mistake in the past, too. Julie is nothing if not fair. She probably wished all her life for a dad and the one she's got will just have to do... and a sister! I think it's going to be funny seeing the perky and optimistic Julie trying to make a team player and bezzie friend/sister out of grumpy Eileen. She'll probably be very maternal towards her new nephew Jason (and no, they were too drunk on the night they spent together. Nothing happened. Incest is just a bit too close to the bone for Corrie!)

Colin is ill. Eileen can't forgive him and is having a hard time dealing with it all, as you would expect. Paula has had to defend herself and now just doesn't want to talk about it at all. Julie just wants it all to be Happy Families. How is it going to come out? I'll say one thing, this storyline was well set up and well executed and quite good. Hopefully once it's all over, they won't just drop things and forget that Julie and Eileen are sisters. I think there could be some funny stuff pairing these two. What have you thought of the storyline?

Sunday Comments, February 14

Lines of the week:

• Rita "I enjoyed that (Norris groveling to pay his bill to Roy) Shall we go watch the tapes in back?"
  
• Tara "Revenge can be quite exhilarating" (I think you might have to eat those words)
  
• Tony to Tom "I don't know if you lost your touch, or if you ever had it in the first place" (ouch)
  
• Blanche "She has a routine, sort of. Every two years her father changes his girlfriend"
  
• Maria to Tony "There is a difference between wanting advice off someone and getting in bed with them, in a business sense..." (Hmmmm)
  
• Norris "Consider me a rat deserting a sinking ship" (sour grapes much?)
  
• Becky to Roy "Thank you for being you" Roy "I find it hard to be someone else." Becky "Me an' all. That's our problem."
  
• Julie to Paula "You're like a joy-seeking guided missile"
  
• Teresa "Has Minnie chucked in her pinnie?"
  
• Eileen to Jason "What did you say about Viet Nam?" Jason "I dreamt i was there fighting for the King Kong"
  
• Tom to Kelly "There's a ginnel outside with your name on it" (oh. Classy.)
  

I don't think Deirdre had any right to say yes to taking Amy to see Tracy before clearing it with Steve first but we all know what Tracy's like for manipulating her mother. Becky thinks Amy needs to be told about Tracy and probably she should. Lies are doing her no favours and then the schoolkids spilled the guts on the playground. Becky was backed into a corner and seeing as she doesn't believe in lying, out comes the truth. I think she did the right thing. Amy isn't very old but she's old enough to be told i think. Can't blame Becky for getting narked at Steve. He's pulling rank over his fatherhood but it's ok to pawn the kid off on her when it's inconvenient for him.

Now he thinks Becky's a liability and he didn't think he should apologize for his rudeness. Tsk. Even Lloyd thinks Steve is in the wrong. Well they made it up in the end. The Truth is out there and there's no taking it back. Time to move on and help Amy cope with it all.

Poor Maria really freaked out seeing that mask and i can't blame her but she didn't hold it against Luke. She is also avoiding having her scans even though the first one was ok. Tony seemed to be sucking up to Maria to keep her off the track, but now, do you think he's actually starting to like her? or like the idea of a sweet young thing and a baby. He's certainly getting more involved with Maria and pushing Natasha to one side. Not that Natasha was every more than a convenience for Tony anyway. Tony also put the boots to Luke, he might not be able to take clients away but he's a client too and contributes a big chunk to Underworld's business. Luke had no choice but to back off.

Meanwhile, Tony is sweating all over the hospital after Maria's scan. More guilt! Tony is also upping the pressure on Maria to oust Tom. It's working but Tom at least got one more shot in by tattling about Tony's offer for Ladrags so Tony had to do some fast and charming backpedalling. And Tom took his frustrations about Maria and decided Kelly was, well not Ms Right, but definitely Ms. Right Now. So tacky, really. Tonsil hockey against the bar and then up against a wall in the ginnel. Classy.

Tara lured Dev to a fancy photo shoot and then talked him into a nude shoot. But notice, she didn't strip for any equal opportunity photos? He looked ridiculous posing for the camera, too, with those Sears Catalogue facial and body poses. He really is a conceited pillock isn't he? And she's soaking him for the cost of the "public art piece" which is clearly going to be part of her revenge plot.

Julie finally landed Jason but they were both so drunk they probably didn't get very far when they ran up them stairs! Eileen and Sean were shocked and Her mother was horrified! Colin was more concerned with his own surprise for Rita at his "surprise" birthday party which of course, he already figured out. Paula was adamant that Julie not see Jason anymore and wouldn't really say why. It was a horrible arguement and Paula's lifelong bitterness came out. Wished she'd never had Julie sometimes? Julie just thinks her mother doesn't want her to be happy but there's more afoot than that. Have you guessed where this is going? But first.... Colin's asked Rita to marry him! Will she say yes? Under other circumstances, they actually might make a good couple. Norris will be horrified and make a bee-line for the camper door now if she goes through with it.

Something tells me Norris will not be able to tear himself away from Weatherfield. And he gave Emily flip flops with mops on the bottom? I'm not quite sure that says someting from the heart. Maybe she won't miss him as much as she thought lol! I really dislike that hairstyle that both Becky and Julie are sporting with the big puffy back combed lump of hair up the back of their heads.

Connie seem like a very nice lady. She could be a good friend for Jack though he's finding it difficult to admit he likes her. It's not been long since Vera. Tyrone is pretty against his new friendship, clearly though Molly thinks there's nothing wrong with it. Why is Fiz wearing jeans miles too long for her? She's a sewing machinist, surely she could hem them. And wouldn't she be carring ID in her wallet all the time? Chesney needs the themes of Doctor Jekyll... surely he can get that on the internet and Fiz doesn't have to go to John. Sheesh. Oh you can see where this is going, can't you. He certainly wants her back and is willing to do anything to lure her back with sweet words and kindness. She's fighting her feelings.

Sunday Comments, February 7, 2010

Lines of the week:

• David to Gary "I just want a quiet life"
  
• Theresa "I just popped in for me wages" Minnie "You don't work here!" Theresa "I know but i used to!"
  
• Audrey to Ken "There's a woman waiting for you" Ken "REALLY??????" (oh. Deirdre)
  
• Peter to Ken "Toast spread with a veneer of guilt and freshly squeezed lies?"
  
• Luke to Dev "I didn't break anything did i?" (But Dev was throwing it in the trash! does it matter?)
  

Oh Wow was the show good this week!

Hmmmm David didn't stitch up Gary when he had the chance. He's definitely up to something. Meanwhile Joe's back is still painfully painful and his temper is flaring up. He really can be a nasty w@n**r when he wants to be, when he's in pain or under pressure. I don't like that kind of temper in someone. Can anyone else see Joe getting dependent on those painkillers? He's already borrowed from loan sharks. Can drug dealers be far off?

Tara is bent on taking over Dev's life. Cheeky of her to grill Umed about when he's leaving so she's can take over the spare room. Can't she use the gallery? Theresa's back and not very sober either. Dev is backed into a corner so he allows Theresa to stay in his flat because it gets Darryl out from under his roof and away from Amber a bit too. Now Dev has to try to keep his fling with Lisa quiet but Tara is all BFF with Lisa now and Poppy is all BFF with Tara (though we've never seen them interact any more than ordering a drink across the bar) so Poppy told Tara (Surely that's against the Barmaid Code of Ethics?) and Tara is out for revenge. Overreact much? She told Dev they were finished. Yes it's a bit tacky for him to bed hop that very night but he thought he was a free agent until she walked in the next day as if butter wouldn't melt!

Tara didn't waste any time confronting Lisa but no matter what Tara said, you'd think Lisa would warn Dev that Tara knows about their fling, wouldn't you? Tara isn't that scary though i suppose if she sicced her mother on Lisa, that might put the fear into her. I think there's a lot of Tara's mother in her and i bet Dev's blood would run cold if he could hear her plot. And it's true, he did a stupid thing over buying those photos from her gallery but it wasn't *that* big a deal. Yes, he shagged her mother before he got together with her and lied about that but again, prior to them being together. And finally, Yeah, he's pretty stupid for not owning up but he's Dev. He's not my favourite character but he's fairly harmless. I really dislike Tara.

Martha and Ken may be split up but Audrey has discovered something is going on. Can Ken talk Martha back into his life? He uses every excuse but the fact remains that he was infatuated, he grew to love her but let her think he was a free agent. That's a huge trust issue. Will Ken leave Deirdre? Will Audrey tell Deirdre first? If you thought Ken was an insufferable prig before, he's even worse now. He wouldn't until he knew Martha would take him back. Will he have the bottle to do it? Leave his family just when his son needs him? Deirdre thinks Ken just has a lot of worries. Well that's true but not how she thinks. But Peter knows too (Audrey had no business telling him, though) and won't stop digging at his father. I suppose it's hypocritical of Peter to take the high road, considering he's a bigamist but i truly am enjoying Peter winding up Ken. Ken actually admitted to Ted that he wanted his cake and eat it too! Wanted more and wanted what he already had.

Norris is being an annoying little prig as usual, jealous of Colin's affections for Rita. Hmmm conumdrum. Tracy wants to see Amy but Amy doesn't know her mummy's in prison.

Still wondering why Roy and Hayley don't have their sights on Pam for stealing their business in sandwiches away. Other than a bit of huffing and puffing by Hayley, nothing seems to have been said. Could the PI be any more indiscreet with a camera and lense the size of a bulldozer? This guy makes Inspector Gadget look like James Bond! I laughed at Blanche paying Simon 50p to clean her room and he came in with the duster and rubber gloves on!

Bwahahaha!!! Blanche in the aviator hat and goggles!!!! Jack lost his birds but someone brought them back! She's Connie and it looks like Jack has a new friend, someone that likes pigeons as much as he does! Poppy is getting awfully annoyed with Betty lately. This can only end in tears and i'm betting they'll be Poppy's. Molly is taking to marathon training like a duck to water. Do you notice that Umed keeps dropping famous names and telling tall tales? Methinks he's making it all up!

Is Claire going to turn into a rabid footie mum? Is Tom going to stop whinging? Ok, to be fair, yes Tony is manipulating to push Tom out but all Tom's doing about it is whining and mooning over Maria. I can understand Maria wanting Tony's input on the business. Neither Tom nor Maria have any business sense at all. That was Liam's area. Tom was the website techie and perks lover. Tony totally embarassed Tom by exposing his crush on Maria and lying and saying Maria was embarassed by it. Guaranteed to push Tom even further, straight back to Luke and he spills the beans about the PI. That leads Luke to wind up Tony using the mask left over from the fateful stag night. That in turn freaks out Maria and Tony both but Luke only feels bad about Maria. Are you still with me? Meanwhile, Natasha, who's finally got a storyline, is getting the short end of the stick with Tony who's clearly using her.

Sunday Comments, January 24

Lines of the week:

• Tony to Luke "You had to go back for the rabbit" Luke "I always go back for the wabbit!"
  
• Julie to Kirk "You're warm, and loving and loyal" Kirk "If i had a tail, i'd make a good puppy"
  
• Rita to Tina "Go easy on him. For once, it's not his fault"
  
• Ken "Deirdre's my wife" (FINALLY!) and "When i'm with you, i wish i was single" (pig)
  
• Martha "I mistook caution for integrity" (got it in one)
  
• Umed to Dev "You are a nutcase"
  
• Tom "I go for the unobtainable ones" (like Maria)
  
• Ken "I think Peter's turned a corner" Blanche "Let's hope there isn't a pub on it"
  
• Julie "I think i need a man" (but not in the way you think!)
  
• Headmaster "I prefer child initiated conflict"
  
  

Very good stunt work and effects with the fire at Peter's flat!! But at first, there seemed to be an awful lot of smoke for just a few flames! Poor little Simon was still smart enough to call someone for help and Tony and Luke saved the day! Luke even went back and saved Leanne the "wabbit"! Do you think Ken being neglectful of his family yet again and not being there for this crisis is going to make him realize what he's doing? Seems so and he FINALLY admited to Martha that he was married. (Did you want her to smack him one??? I sure did!) Peter's wake up call was pretty profound too but i reckon he's still got a long row to hoe! It's not going to be as easy as he thinks.

One short insight that Ken realizes how judgemental he is and he thinks he shouldn't be like that. It won't last. Ken has admitted his real situation so Martha rightly doesn't want him around anymore. He's told her all the truths and she's shocked and appalled. I don't like her one bit, she's too perfect, but she doesn't deserve this either. (and neither did poor little Eccles!) He says he didn't set out to deceive her but he did from the first day he met her.

It didn't take Dev too long to get busted, did it? He's a terrible liar, isn't he? Made copies of the exact three that were sold? Coincidence? She storms out, he thinks she's left him so what does he do? Shag someone else who also happens to be someone Tara knows. They were on a break, right? Well she did say it was over and they were finished! It could have been pushed under the blanket (so to speak) but Poppy let the cat out of the bag which wasn't her place to do. She claims Tara is a mate. Since when?

Rita and Colin seem to be getting closer don't they? She's organizing a surprize birthday party for him. Hey, what were the sleeping arrangements in Number 5 anyway? Kirk and Ches used to have bunk beds and i thought Fiz has the old master bedroom. But then Kirk and Julie probably had that so did Fiz sleep on the other bunk? She must have because Kirk offered Fiz the big bedroom back.

My gosh! Kirk actually acted like a responsible grown up! He talked honestly to Ches and the told Fiz Ches was bunking off school straight away. Chesney is "hating school" and Fiz found out why too, Ches is being bullied again and the headmaster is dating the bully's mother! That's really going to make so much of a difference. Sheesh! Chesney wants to leave school and the head master's attitude got Fiz digging her heels in and now she's got to figure out how to get Chesney schooled at home. I hope they don't make him into yet another troublemaker. Oh dear heavens. Fiz has turned to Prisoner 666! (Who knew you could get a prison visiting order in an hour's notice?) And i don't know about you, but that smirk on his face when she left? I wasn't the least bit surprised and i don't trust him one inch. And yes, of course Fiz still has feelings for him but very mixed ones, too, i should imagine. This is not going to bode well, mark my words.

Poor Kirk, even he could see Julie was unhappy and he started to realize that they really were a bit too opposite. I like that he was the one that did the ending of the relationship and that he pointed out that she often treats him like he's not good enough or like he's stupid. Fiz would often do that too but she was a lot nicer about it :) You know, it was one of the most realistic yet touching breakups on telly i've ever seen.

Lloyd's back. Liz's gone to take care of Andy. Joe.. Tina... Tina... Joe... Blah blah blah. Very clearly Joe likes his feet under Gail's table. Capital L Loser!

Poor Mary lost her mum. Norris barely touched her arms when he "hugged" her. What a pathetic hug! Norris could be a good friend to her if she didn't fancy the pants off him! But he was good support after her mother died. I'm sure Mary loved her mother but i am also sure she's probably relieved of the responsibility. All the stories that came up seem to indicate her mother was a bit of a millstone around her neck. Now there's not mother involved, Mary has a clear road and she's hoping Norris will join her on it. He says he will. I have my doubts. He's only going because he's been usurped in Rita's life by Colin.

How late does the corner shop stay open? Simon was in bed ages before Peter's cig started the fire yet everyone was still in the shop (when Tara discovered Dev's subterfuge). Laughed at Graeme drooling over the remains of the fire, breathing in the charred smell but wishing he'd seen it. You forget he was an arsonist, don't you!

Sunday Comments, January 17

Lines of the week:

• Tony "I may be a lot of things, Natasha, but i'm not a murderer" (oh yes you are!)
  
• Natasha about Tony "He's not one of those cards on the table blokes. Only lets you see a little. like an Iceberg" (and they were dangerous, too!)
  
• Ken "This old codger has to abandon ship"
  
• Ken to Martha "Perhaps we could spend the rest of our lives together here reading" (Oops that's the start of the slippery slope!)
  
• Natasha "Me gusset's still a bit damp"
  
• Dev "What can possibly go wrong?" (SOPOD ALERT!)
  
• Kirk "If I was a boss, i'd deffo be giving a job to a bloke named Bobby Dazzler"
  
• Maria to Natasha "If you behave like a slapper you'll get treated like a slapper" (so says the voice of experience)
  
• Blanche "Oh here we go again. Another day in paradise!"

I thought the empty shop of Dev's that was turned into a gallery was in Chorlton, not "round here" as Tara said. But obviously she was a tad ambitious and Dev's going to take a loss. Umed thinks Tara is sponging off Dev and sucking his money dry. Meanwhile he has no problems freeloading off Dev, and raiding the shop for free cigars! I know Umed is annoying now but trust me, he'll grow on you.

Peter is drinking more and more and poor Simon, little as he is, seems to be trying to take care of Peter. Deirdre went on the sly to have a nose around the flat and found all the bottles, of course Peter's defensive. And drunk. He's got bottles stashed everywhere! Deirdre's right to be worried about Simon and though she did bluff Peter into thinking she called the Social, it is a very valid threat. And Ken's nowhere to be seen most days when he does bother to come home, he criticizes Deirdre for worrying and interfering and points out it's his son not hers. But he's too self involved to be bothered, either and the little boy is the one that's going to suffer. Peter might have pointed out that Ken and Deirdre both had alcohol on their breath but they aren't likely to abuse it like he is. (Although Ken downing a bottle and a half of wine with Martha ought to have had him reeling!)

IT's odd that Blanche can be pretty quick to slag off Peter but then just as quick to defend and make excuses for him. The writers need to be a little more consistent. Michelle has disappeared and Peter's under more and more pressure. The more he drinks the nastier he gets, to most people in particular his father. Oh dear, there's Peter staggering around the flat, drinking and smoking and listening to old 70s music. And yep, there goes the cig right into the carpet!!!!

Oh dear. Pam is selling "gourmet" sandwiches. I don't think Roy and Hayley are going to like that much, cutting into their business. Why on earth would Sally want Tyrone and Molly to come "to dinner" (not tea). So she can slag off Molly? She was certainly at her snobby best, wasn't she?

Paula seems to have taken an instant dislike to Eileen's dad. But did you see his face when he first saw her? She'd have known him when she and Eileen were kids together, and though he pretended he'd just met her, it seems like he recognized her.

Natasha has been a spare part on Corrie since she arrived. Now she's actually got something to do, it turns out she's just another chick with loose underwear. And her gushing the next day seemed to make Maria uncomfortable, too. She might say she's treating it casually but she's acting a bit clingy just the same and yet still making eyes at Tom. And Tom is most definitely jealous of Tony, and i think he fancies Maria rotten on top of resenting Tony's better business acumen. Tom's going around scowling and pouting for England and Natasha is going around doing something else for England lol But it's funny how Tony barely acknowledges her when he's on the Street or in the salon. In the mean time, he's got a PI on the trail to dig up dirt on Luke. I wonder if he'll find anything? Luke does seem too good to be true!

Oh heck, back to the barge again. We had a nice week or two Martha-free. Ken is still waffling about whether to take it to the next level and still too cowardly to tell her he's married. *And* he apparently has keys to her boat!

Aww Julie thought she was pregnant, Kirk was absolutely delighted. I'm not entirely sure he'd make a responsible dad but he'd sure love the kid. I also thought it looked a bit like Julie might have a glad eye for Jason. She's far too old for him. Or he's too young for her. And it definitely looks like the shine is off the apple as far as Julie's adoration of Kirk goes. Poor Kirk is having a hard time getting a job and says he's really a grafter when he gets the chance (which he is so I'm surprised he's not found something. Then again, Ashley always said he'd hire Kirk back when things got better. They did and he didn't, he hired Graeme instead). Anyway, Julie's attitude seems awfully off hand and it looks as if Kirk's brain is finally suspecting something's up. Chesney's hiding letters and Prisoner 666 is writing Fiz from the nick. Kind of looks like Ches is skipping school too.

Sunday Comments, January 10

Lines of the week:

• Steve to Becky "Things didn't go according to plan"
  
• Becky to Liz "Shut it., Barbie's grandma" Liz "Dracula's Daughter!"
  
• Lloyd to Steve "You passive aggressive twit!" (and he is!)
  
• Eileen to Lloyd "And you wonder why you've been single for so long!"
  
• Sean "What's the male equivalent of a cat fight?" (a pi$$ing contest!)
  
• Ken "Maybe I'm a coward" Ted "Maybe you're not as interested in Martha as you thought you were" (No, Ken's got it right)
  
• Umed having a drink "I find art more palatable when slightly out of focus"
  
• Tony "You know what goes with carrots? A great big stick!"
  

It took Steve an awfully long time to tell Michelle to shut up and Liz tearing a strip off her in the pub after spilling the beans to Becky. Poor kid. It wasn't bad enough that she was humiliated in front of the whole pub by the one person that could rightly lord it over her. It was adding insult to injury, how stupid she felt about getting so drunk the registar wouldn't marry her and forgetting the whole thing. Steve is working hard to get Becky back and oh great! His dinner a deux ended up being a foursome with his mother and considering how not-well she and Becky have got along, it was inevitable that it was a disaster. There was no reason either couple couldn't just change tables. God, behave like adults will you all? Aw never mind, Becky and Steve are off on their non-honeymoon after all.

And Lloyd might say he's in a loving relationship with Liz but he said nothing to her and booked a boys' trip to Ibiza without even letting her know before he booked. Not like had had to ask her if it was ok, but it would have been nice if he'd kept her in the loop. I don't blame her for being upset. She wasted no time trying to get Eileen on her side but rightly, she kept well out of it. I think Liz should have borrowed Poppy's rubber gloves to give Lloyd a taste of the airport security for his punishment!

Aw poor Sophie, isn't it awful being a teenager and your parents show up to meet your friends! At least Kevin and Sally can see that the teens are being well supervised. Sally and Kevinstill think Sophie's doing the church thing to be with her friends, not for a genuine reason. Nice to see Sophie talk about her doubts with Emily. Sian has a crush on Ryan and he's a couple of years older. That's a lot at that age. She seems so naive. One little kiss and he's wanting her to "go somewhere" though i'm sure he's not that aggressive. Looks like Natasha has taken a fancy to Tony and she overheard Luke tell the worker bees that it doesn't look like Carla is coming back. Looks like she's on a mission and when you persue a man with that much focus, and considering the man and his circumstances, it can only end in tears. And between the idea of losing control at the factory and Natasha coming on strong via text, and seeing Rosie from behind and thinking she was Carla, Tony is starting to have anxiety attacks. What's his solution? A private investigator who looks like a Basset hound. He looks like the type of PI that takes mucky photos of cheating husbands and wives rather than business espionage.

Oh Gail!!!! Desperation isn't pretty, woman! Letting Joe move back in and letting him use Sarah's room? You just know she figures once she gets him back under her roof, she'll have him back in her bed before long. The sad thing is, she's probably right. David went spare, as expected and chucked Joe's stuff down the stairs. It's all about him. Gail is right to stand up to David because it's none of his business. He might have better luck if he talked to her about his concerns like an adult instead of having a temper tantrum, but even so... she's wrong about Joe. I think he's a loser. David went sulking off to his father's. I guess he figures his mother will come crawling. she won't, you know. Now, Joe's going to get tangled up in loan sharks. You can see where this is going can't you?

Luke and Tony are most definitely at odds. Tony seems to be passive aggressive and Luke isn't bothering to keep Tony up to speed and it's going to cost them money if it keeps up. Luke's apparently buying out Carla making him the boss officially. Will Tony put up with it because he's not best pleased. Carla's also given Maria her share of Ladrags. Sounds like she's really cutting all ties.

You would think the builder that wants the kitchens would be the one that buys all the supplies for the kitchens. Joe shouldn't have to, should he? Speaking of builders, Bill's business might be in a slump but Audrey wants her money back, the money she loaned him to buy the yard in the first place.

Norris only got an hour and a half up the road. He used the excuse that the nursing home called but it wasn't an emergency. He just jumped on it and made Mary come back. Eileen's back and everyone in the cab office is leaving! Tara's plowing through Dev's money and Umed isn't happy about it. The gallery opens, and man, Jason sure got that renovated and ready in record time didn't he? In fact, he seems to have worked miracles. That was one of Dev's empty shops but it seems to be awfully large with various rooms! Umed creeps me out with his flirting with every woman in the pub and on the Street! Seriously though, i think he might have a point about Tara. I think she jumped into the gallery without really thinking about it. None of the photos have sold yet and Dev is doing the typical Dev thing, manipulating and lying and getting someone to buy some photos to make Tara feel better when the whole thing is going to end up a big loss.

How long has there been a side door to exit the Rovers and where is it? It must be in the kitchen. Cornflakes with a whiskey chaser for breakfast? Peter!!! He's not coping as well as he says he is no matter what he tells Deirdre. And Michelle's sudden absence didn't improve his mood. He was probably gagging for a drink and he probably has a stash in the office anyway. Shouldn't Minnie be wearing some sort of net around that long hair while working in the kebab shop?

Sunday Comments, January 3

Lines of the week:

• Tina to Joe "You're a flamin loser!"
  
• Gail "Go to your room" David "I'm 18!" Gail "I'm 50. Go to your flamin' room!"
  
• Ted to Ken "Certain opportunities are easier to grasp than others"
  
• Audrey to Gail "Why do you get yourself in this situation time and time again!"
  
• Becky about Roy "he only wanted me to do the right thing. Nobody ever did before so i never gave a toss either"
  
• Jason to Becky "You want your wedding cake and eat it too, you!"
  
• Becky to Kevin "Toast the bride! It's the Law!" Kevin "You seem pretty toasted already!"
  
• Luke "The soon to be Corpse Bride on me roof!"
  
• Registrar "This is Weatherfield. Not Las Vegas!!"
  
• Steve "Why does nothing every go right for me!!!!" Liz "Because you're an idiot"
  

Happy New Year to you all!!

Joe has just made an enemy of David. For life. He nailed it, too, Joe did take the job and he did put pressure on Tina to change her story but he also did it because he didn't want her to perjure herself in court. I think the financial side of it was the larger motivation. I agree, i think Joe is a loser and he's got a volatile temper too. Well the Platts hollered and accused back and forth and allllll the dirty laundry came rattling out of the closet with all the skeletons. Gail finally threw Joe out. I wonder if it will stick. I figure Tina came for her stuff when she knew that David would be there so that they *could* talk. I hope that they do stay split up because though she was good for David in the start, it hasn't really changed him and he's dragged her down. Just like i think Joe will drag Gail down. Ted as always tries to play peacemaker. Now that she knows about the depression she's feeling all sorry for him again and is taking him back after finding him shaking in the lockup under an old blanket. Don't take him to the doctor, or anything, oh no. Just a nice hot cup of tea and he'll be fine. ;) Audrey doesn't like Joe and has no time for him anymore.

Well it looks like Tony has Maria convinced. He's clever that one, admits everything to her but makes it sound as if it was all a fairy tale, something Maria's imagination conjured up. But the more he gets his hooks into Maria and the business, the more Tom looks resentful and sulky.

Ken's worried about Peter and hopes he had more about him than his father. I doubt that very much. Peter is a bigamist and can't seem to stay faithful. Out of sight, out of mind. He's equally as weak. But at least he's got Simon a bunny. This one is a boy bunny but Simon wants to call it Leanne.

It's wedding week! Hen night? Stag? Hayley has an odd way of promoting a good marraige. The occasional hair wash? But even so, both of the Croppers are clearly happy together and Becky clearly does love them even if Roy can barely tolerate her group hugs. Blanche has a bet on with Eddie that the wedding won't happen and others are putting on bets too and the hen night went up the spout. Lloyd at least owned up to joining in. Becky took it all surprisingly well, far better than Steve who finally told everyone off in public and declared his love.

So the wedding. Becky actually looked nice, i liked the big pink fluffy dress on her. She didn't get the cleavage she wanted but she still looked good. It was very Becky. However it all went kind of wrong, aided and abetted by first Liz sending champagne and Blanche who put temptation in the bride's way via a large bottle of cider. Mind you, she started off on her own, with dutch courage. It was quite touching, her chats with Jason (aw poor Jase, did you see his lickle face when he saw her in her dress? and why didn't Natasha come get her?), and with Hayley and it was quite funny, spraying champers off the roof of Underworld and staggering up the aisle. Typical Becky. And Hayley lied through her teeth so the registrar would go back and conduct the ceremony, she who couldn't normally tell a lie if her life depended on it. (But what on earth was she wearing!) And the music for going down the "aisle"! Bonnie and Clyde with a curtsey at the end!!!! Brilliant! She didn't even get through the ceremony but doesn't realize it! Steve as usual, too spineless to tell her. Ok, yes, i know it was over the top but i still loved it all! Especially where she was so jubilant on the roof, screaming about overcoming all the people that said she'd amount to nothing, because she's officially loved!

Bloody Liz, she almost made a new fresh start with Becky but the wedding fiasco sent her back down Sarcastic Road. Becky went into a panic because she thought she lost her wedding ring. I don't know who Liz was more angry with, Becky or Steve! Even worse, though, Michelle was the one that spilled the beans to Becky about the non-wedding and you know, as much as she was the wronged woman, that's really below the belt after she already told Becky about the ring, too. Still, that was also down to Blanche who promised not to say anything to Becky, only she didn't promise not to tell anyone else and telling Michelle, knowing Michelle would be likely to take the opportunity for revenge yet again, that was below the belt too.

I laughed at the teenagers. Sian is googly eyed over Ryan but when he finally asks her out, she's iffy about it, not wanting to seem too eager so Sophie accepts for her. Typical teens! THey're so cute! Someone who's not cute is Uncle Umed. leering at the women in the pub,

Dev is pathetic. And Jason is a miracle worker. From one episode to the very next, all of a sudden the gallery is taking shape! Tara is sure taking no prisoners spending Dev's money and Umed is not happy about that. Maria is back and forth about whether to sell LadRags. She's finally come round and doesn't think Tony's a murderer anymore and now he can start putting his little control feelers in. Partly he doesnt' want Luke to get any further roots in Weatherfield and partly it's to keep Maria off the track, I think.

Liz is ticked off at Lloyd for not admitting to Umed that she's his girlfriend. I'd be a bit upset too. I don't know why Liz was so upset at not going to the wedding anyway. She didn't think it would last and doesn't approve of Becky anyway.

Sunday Comments, December 27

Lines of the week:

• Mary "If the ladder falls on anyone, i'm sure we'll hear the scream"
  
• Norris "More mockery! More humiliation! This seems to be the season for it!" (Yes because it's so easy to wind you up!)
  
• 
  
• Becky "I want cleavage you could park a bike in!"
  
• Roy about Becky "She is the single best example of that old cliche. It's what's inside that counts"
  

Tina to her own self was true and she dropped David in it. It annoyed me that Joe was insisting she tell the truth or he would. On one level, he's right, it's illegal and she would have got in trouble had she lied, but we all also know he was being self serving with the kitchen contract. You know, i wasn't sorry at all when that smug git David had his smug look wiped off his face though it's true that Gary morally started the fight, he'd been pecking at David all day until he lost it. So the Windasses proceeded to very loudly rub the Platt faces in Gary's freedom. You have to wonder if Gary screaming "Got you Platt!" in court might have given the jury pause to reflect that maybe, although Gary didn't pull the first punch, that he really did instigate it. and David is sulking. Gail is pissed because Joe knew and because David's let her down again. A Drunken Anna's presence didn't help. And really, because David is all wound up and resentful towards Tina and pushing her away, Gary is going to win in the end, even if Tina doesn't want him.

So Tina gives David the push and initially, that's ok by him but it doesn't last. He's determined to woo her back. Unless Graeme persuades her to go out with him first. Nah. Didn't think so. Tina thinks David is insane and while he might not be, the boy does have some serious problems with anger. Meanwhile Joe is getting things together for the kitchens. Even though the warehouse is just a shell. No walls, no flats, nothing. Aren't kitchens some of the last things fitted in the interiors? Why is he doing it all now? And with loan sharks! Obviously he's going to get into even more trouble financially. It's so obvious and so contrived. He's also way too volatile. Gail, run away! She only wanted to give Joe money for the job so that he could hire David back on. David now hates Joe for A. not hiring him and B. being on Tina's side. But at least, this time, I think he's on the money, if that's not a poor choice of words where Joe is concerned but when David takes a hate for someone, things can get dangerous.

I wish someone would pour more than compost over Norris. Nasty little man. And he was fine after. But the next day he had the collar on and was whining. Rita's back and not too keen on the window box after all that palaver! I can't imagine what Mary must see in Norris and want to travel with him in a small, confined space? Emily said she'd miss Norris. But i could see the shape of crossed fingers in her pocket! Rita did seem upset, however. Norris says he's going to go but is that because Colin seems to have taken over Rita's life and Norris is jealous? Maybe he thinks there will soon be nowhere in Rita's life for him. Probably still has feelings for her. I can't imagine driving to China in a motor home, though.

Poor Janice, she's really struggling to study. Luke handled it really well. Send her on a first aid course to give her a start. She might never be a nurse but she might be a nurse's aid, who knows? Rosie is always a bossy cow and yes, i know Janice often slags her off but Rosie can be very infuriating, too and then gets all afronted when someone hollers back and takes offence! Ken always reminds me of a deer caught in the headlights when women are aggressive with him, making passes and kissing him and the like. He always went after the women but it always seemed passive aggressive, letting them make the first actual move. I guess then he can complain that "she made me!!!" I'll say she did ;)

Peter is finally home and proceeded to blow it big time. After rehab he went sailing with another woman. That man just can't resist a woman, can he? Whoever is near at hand it seems. He's not above using any emotional blackmail he can but it didn't work and rightly so. So Leanne is off to Leeds due to his lying but the reason is because the actress is going on maternity leave. I guess that'll be Michelle in the betting shop to attract Peter's attention next. Blanche is a funny old thing isn't she? She can slag off her family at the drop of a hat and then turn around and do what she can to try to get Leanne and Peter back together. Didn't work though.

Tara wants an art gallery/shop? So she'll be sucking money out of Dev for it, no doubt. He'll see it as an investment, to keep her in town. In the meantime, Dev's Uncle Umed has arrived. He's a funny/odd man isn't he? Kind of creeps me when he's chatting up the women though. Did you notice Dev's Indian accent came out of nowhwere when Uncle U came? Don't forget, Dev was born and raised in Birmingham though he doesn't have one of those accents either, come to think of it. Umed paid the taxi but conveniently forgot his walled at the pub. Hmm. All of Mary's "holiday of a lifetime" photos seem to be of either her or her mother. On the boat. I wonder if they actually went ashore! Hmmm... Lloyd seems to be avoiding being seen in public with Liz yet he doesn't have a problem with the age difference. Or so he says. But he didn't introduce Liz to Umed as his girlfriend, did he?

Becky is going for the wedding, full force. Pink satin and tulle and she's going to look like a Barbie doll! I can't get over how nasty Liz is being to Becky. She never wastes an opportunity to slag her off and makes a few as well. Good for Roy for telling her what for!

Can I just say I love Steve and Becky!

I know it came out of nowhere, and i know it seems a bit like a Karen-rerun but i still love Becky and Steve together. Part of me thinks maybe Steve went for Becky because Michelle was just dragging him down so it's kind of a rebound thing. Becky is certainly more fun than Michelle, that's for sure. Becky is going to be as high maintenance as Karen, really. Karen was gobby and so is Becky. They are both spirited and dominating. Steve has always prefered domineering woman and you know, maybe it's true that a lot of men go for women like their mothers, same as a lot of women go for men like their fathers. Liz is certainly domineering and gobby.

It's interesting that Liz has taken so much against Becky, same as she did Karen. I think it's probably like looking in the mirror for her because they aren't that different really. It bothers me that Liz is so nasty to Becky and doesn't hide it, even around Amy sometimes. It also bothers me that Steve doesn't really put his foot down with his mother and tell her to lay off once and for all. All she gets from him is a warning "mother!" but he doesn't go any further. No wonder Liz thinks she can get away with being so bitchy. Becky can hold her own but is obviously very hurt just the same.

Becky's got a strong shell but inside she's a scared little girl. She's had a pretty rough life from the stories we've heard her tell. Up to now, she's survived any way she could but the support and belief in her from Roy and Hayley have given her a bit of self esteem and she's bloomed. Now Steve loves her and maybe that will really be the making of her, who knows?

I always thought Karen was the perfect one for Steve but she was too much a loose cannon for him. Will Becky go the same way? She's got the potential but we'll be in for a roller coaster ride in the meantime. Steve and Becky are planning to get married on Friday 13th. Becky is highly superstitious. Do YOU think it's going to go smoothly? Nor do I.

Sunday Comments, December 20

Lines of the week:

• Ken about Martha's character "Fooling yourself to the very end" Ken "We all do that sometimes" (like now)
  
• Len to Joe "Everybody's got a price. Yours is dropping by the hour"
  
• Ted to Ken "I just feel you should be more honest with yourself"
  
• Becky to Steve "Do they all get rings as nice as this?" (um, yes at least one of them did)
  
• Blanche "That's the second fiancee to chuck it away. You'd be better off buying a boomerang!" and "And they said it wouldn't last!"
  
• Anna "I hope you know your lad's about to commit perjury" Gail "Really? At least mine can spell it!" (The smugger they are, the harder they fall!)
  
• Eileen "Rita's Royal R's, it's going to be the talk of the neighbourhood"
  

Hmm so Len is putting a lot of work Joe's way, 19 kitchens, if he gets Tina to retract her statement. Why on earth they'd be worried about fitting kitchens when the building is only an empty warehouse and there's no flats in it yet, i don't know. So will Joe stick to his principles to see the Windasses go down or will his state of finances win out. Yep...he led Tina into admitting she's lying. So now what? If she tells the truth, Gary gets off and Joe gets work. If he trusts Len's word. Does he get angry at David for putting his daughter in a situation where she has to break the law and lie in court? It must be a legitimate deal. There's a contract. We'll see if it's worth the paper it's printed on. Joe is taking advantage of Tina's admission, now, he'll push her to tell the truth because "it's the right thing to do".... yeah... for his wallet. Well they've all pressured her so much that she's taken off. Will she come back for the trial?

And so we end the week in the courtroom. Gail is all smug but we know the truth. Will Tina show up? Will Gary go down? Tina showed up. Ted told her to her own self be true. So.... truth or lies under oath? Find out on MOnday.

I get so angry that i shout at the screen when Martha keeps ragging on about how lovely and sensitive Ken is and he keeps on letting her assume he's widowed even when there are the perfect opportunities to do so. Ken gets home late. So much for Deirdre's nice evening together. Then he drags Ted into it using him as an alibi. Ted isn't fooled one little bit so he decides to go meet Martha himself to see what Ken is so enthralled by. Ken nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw Ted there. Ted poked and prodded and Ken finally admitted he was lying to everyone including himself.

Does Maria sell LadRags or not? Michelle has a point, LadRags could do really well if they put more effort into it.

Liz is really being underhanded and putting the knife in Becky's back with STeve. She insults Becky non stop and brings in MIchelle to take over Amy, which is only going to confuse the little girl. She finally leaves Becky in charge and look what happens. A bus load of Metal fans eating and drinking the pub dry. Poor Becky only had one set of hands. You'd think one or two of the regulars would at least offer to ferry sandwiches back and forth from the kitchen. Instead, Kelly the B!tch just made trouble for Becky and it made it look all that much worse on Becky in Liz's eyes. And Steve didn't do a whole lot to defend her either.

He's such a prat isn't he? All this sucking up and smoothing over the hurt edges caused by his mother and all the time he's pawning off on Becky the ring he bought Michelle that Michelle picked out. And Liz has some brass neck calling Becky a gobby mare and counting down all Steve's exes. Pot or Kettle, Liz? Anyway, Becky found out and i thought she was going to take Steve's head off. Only she aimed lower. Probably appropriate. His way of making up? Scheduling the wedding... for Friday the 13th! More superstition!!! I'm kind of surprised she decided to keep the ring, calling it recycling. But then again, it's worth 7500 quid, why not? And Michelle didn't want it, she chucked it in the garbage skip! Too bad everyone else seems to be against the wedding, as well. Even his mother, which was expected, but also Lloyd who, when he didn't think Steve was listening, agreed he didn't think it would last.

Eileen finally met up with her old school friend Paula. Paula has been avoiding Eileen so there must be a reason. If so, why would she be on the Street where she could bump into her which is what happened. Paula was 14 when she got pregnant and moved away. Thought she had to be pretty young. Eileen's dad decides to give Rita a flower box. Who knew Graeme was such a garden expert? The problem is Norris. As usual. What business did he have shaking the ladder under Graeme? He deserved to have the compost dropped on him and i bet he blames Graeme when he was clearly in the wrong.

Sophie's got Sally in a spot, you have to give something up for Lent! Booze? And Sally coerced Kevin into it too. Right, and how long did that last? 5 minutes, that's how long. Like they think nobody can smell the booze?

Ah the rigors of filming outdoors. The teenage girls were sitting on the wall while it was snowing! What on earth was Liz wearing? Those black and white patterned tights!!! GahhH! All of a sudden, Ryan is a guitar player and is in a band! When did that happen? He was determined to make a living out of gaming last i heard.

I forgot Michelle was away. Her hair sure got long while she was away! Extensions, no doubt.

Sunday Comments, December 13

Lines of the week:

• Steve to Liz about Becky "We're engaged." Deidre "Never a dull moment round here!" Steve "And she's moving in. Today."
  
• Sean about Jason's broken heart "What he needs is a good cry!"
  
• Kelly about Julie "I've seen nightlights brighter than her"
  
• Ashley about Josh "I bet he'll voice will crack before mine does" (*snork* lickle "in" joke there?)
  
• Michelle about Becky in a wedding dress "She'll look like a whippet in a frock"
  
• Tony "A helium balloon tied to a pair of high heels. Rosie Webster" Luke "Two helium balloons?"
  
• Ken "That 'We' that i'm never part of!!" (Because it's really all about you!)
  
• Blanche about Ken's behaviour "I hate to say it, but i feel another novel coming on!"
  
• Janice "Tony's nose is put that much out of joint he's got to go into another room to blow it!" (LOL i have to remember that one!)
  

It's bad enough that Michelle didn't know that the "other woman" was Becky, her friend, but seeing that Steve gave Becky the ring he'd bought for her? That's low. Mind you it's a fuzzy area. Michelle never did want the ring and chucked it into a garbage bin. It's not as if she wore it for any time before the breakup. It's a perfectly good ring. But morally, yeah, probably not the best idea Steve's had, is it? Becky took a thumping from MIchelle but she only gets one "get out of jail free" card and the next time she tries it, I am sure Michelle will have lost a few of those hair extensions to Becky's claws. Leanne decided that since Steve would be so uncomfortable if Michelle got a job in the bookies, she'd give her a job! You know, i really like Leanne. I always did. I got wondering why she and Steve never got together. They aren't that different in age, especially now that they're adults. Ah well. Just mates.

Liz Hates Becky. We get that. But even if Becky gives Amy too much breakfast and gives her pretend kiddie coffee, is it really a good idea to take the kid away from her breakfast altogether?

So intimidating Tina didn't really work, Len decided to try it on with Ted but he's not afraid. It gave Tina the shakes though she's not backing down. The more he pressures, the more she's determined to dig in her heels. Then Len turned around and arranged to have Joe's lockup robbed but made sure he was in the pub acting all Jack the Lad and loudly buying rounds for a firm alibi. And i wouldn't be saying out in public about putting the pressure on Tina until she changes her mind. Ted was, as ever, The Voice of Reason and the first real one on the show. (don't get me started on Ken bloody Barlow!) Poor Tina, more and more pressure. As the day in court gets closer, what is she going to do? But Gary's right when he told off his family. The more they interfere, the more Tina digs in her heels.

Then Gail spilled the beans about Joe's situation to Jason and Joe didn't like it. He doesn't like his dirty washing aired in public. That's because he looks like a loser. I'm beginning to think he is! He's got a quick temper if nothing else. Were you surprised that Len was behind a big kitchen refit job? What kind of deal is he going to offer? Stay tuned next week and see!

I feel terrible for Julie being under that kind of pressure from Tony. Mind you, if they were in a union, he could never get away with that. Even so, i'd be going to a tribunal so fast Tony's head would spin because if he sacked her because she wouldn't sack anyone else, that's very much unfair dismissal. And nobody is going to defend Julie. That's kind of unfair, too. She volunteered to get sacked but he still tried to force her to do it. I'd be quitting if that was me. Then i'd go to a tribunal. And get a solicitor. Anyway, guess what? She did tell Tony she'd be the one that was sacked (you get benefits in that case, you don't if you quit), and she was saved by the bell, so to speak. Luke Strong, appointed by Carla to run the factory (she has the majority share, remember?)

So Luke Strong. He's definitely going to be a thorn in Tony's side. Tony is NOT impressed by his appearance. I wonder if Luke Strong is really who he says he is. Does he have an agenda other than winding up Tony? He certainly enjoys doing that. He's making friends with the workers too. I think he's working up to a good cop-bad cop scenario lol Tony thinks he is a spy. He could be. I don't know. He *is* cute though. A nice bit of eye candy to look at. Mind you, Tony is easy on the eyes too. He comes across as too good to be true, though. Should we trust him? Tony certainly doesn't.

Liz and Lloyd on a dinner date with the Barlows? Ken, of course, wanted to go to Martha's play. after all Ken didn't even bother to go home when he returned from Peter's, he went straight to the barge lady. Of course she would have given a Tony award winning performance seeing as she's perfect. Honestly, she's so annoying because she comes across like the perfect woman. Ken's soul mate. I don't trust her. Does anyone else think she could turn into a stalker or scam him for cash or something? And if Deirdre thinks it's embarassing that Ken doesn't even want to be there, she ain't seen nothing yet.

He certainly got jumpy with the Beatles song Martha My Dear was mentioned and it turns out he's been playing it over and over all week. Just mates, he says. Blanche was a hoot, moaning about being shut in the cellar. And Ken balks at painting Blanche's room which would only take a couple of hours and kicks off that he's tired of everyone else arranging his life. Cripes! But buying wine at a corner shop in your own neighbourhood when you aren't going to be sharing it with your wife is an amateur's mistake. Ken's no amateur when it comes to cheating so it's kind of odd he would do that.

Graeme made a passable Fred-immitation. Poor Ashley first thought he was possessed by Fred's spirit and then though he was making fun! But why on earth was Fred's hat so filthy dirty? It wasn't when Fred last wore it and it's been hanging in the shop. It can't be that dusty in a food shop.

What a contrast, Steve and Becky all over each other, full of emotions and there's Roy and Hayley barely touching in public but you know Roy and Hayley are devoted to each other. It's nice that Sophie has a best mate to kick around with and it looks like it's going to be a foursome, Sophie and Ben, Sian and Ryan. Poor Chesney looks to be the gooseberry as always!

Sunday comments, December 6

Lines of the week:

• Deirdre to Ken (referring to the kimono) "You're on balloon duty, Grasshopper"
  
• Sally about someone on the telly "It's not a dimple on her chin, it's a belly button!"
  
• Tony "Mrs. Connor has left the building and I'm not exactly brimming with the milk of human kindness"
  
• Steve "Gazumped by a builder in a fancy jacket"
  
• Becky "I can't believe two blokes want to marry *me*!"
  
• Eileen "One loves and the other is loved"
  
• Natasha to Poppy "Are blokes round here all complete idiots?" (yeah, pretty much lol)

Steve and Natasha? Nah. Pity, Natasha seems to fancy Steve but he's only got eyes for Becky. He didn't bother to change for their date, he insisted on a takeaway and the darts on telly. Nice. He used her hoping to make Becky jealous but she didn't bite. Becky came out the best though, two proposals including one Hollywood style! That was a fab gesture! (even if she did have pink rubber gloves on with chicken skin stuck to them!) Aw poor Steve, having to hear everyone laughing and celebrating while his heart is breaking. Then Becky has to decide... Weighing them both up seemed to put them both on equal footing. On paper Jason seems to be the better candidate, she knows him better than she knows Steve, but you know, Becky's heart really seems to be with Steve. I think his "dead twinkly eyes" are going to win out even if she thinks Jason has the advantage. What turned the tide? Eileen talking about how Jason was crazier about Sarah than she was about him. Becky knew. She just *knew* it was the same with her. She doesn't love Jason as much as he deserves to be loved. Aw didn't your heart just break for Jason?

I should think that even though the kebab shop security cam had no sound, seeing Tina cower behind the counter and throw him out would be enough evidence. Plus that short, sharp holler didn't look like laughing to me. You know, Tina is always so confident and cocky, you forget she's just a teenage kid. No wonder she was scared coming back to an empty house after the encounter with Len. I actually feel a bit sorry for Anna. She want's everything to work out and everyone keeps putting their oar in and making it worse. And Len's threats actually made Tina dig her heels in so it backfired. I dunno. Does Joe seem kind of pathetic to anyone else? He got all rough with Len after hearing about his daughter being threatened and then couldn't follow through. All mouth no trousers.

Graeme is a gardener afficionado? Who knew? And Kevin got all grumpy when he found out Sally paid Graeme to do the garden and pretended she'd done it. He went a bit OTT but then i can't blame him. Sally has always run roughshod over him. He don't get any respect. *sulk* And it sounds like he still feels unseated by living in a house he can't seem to feel at home in.

I'm surprised that Maria went with Leanne to talk to Tony after she was so against him. He only told her part of the truth, that Carla was in love with Liam and that's why she left. He didn't say that Liam was going to leave Maria. Now she's got to get through another first, their anniversary and surprise! She finds Tony at the graveside. Do I detect a thawing? I think it was another plan of Tony's to keep Maria sympathetic, he heard from Julie that it was the anniversary. He wouldn't have remembered on his own. I can't help thinking Tony's tears were either crocodile ones, or else he was still emotional over Carla more than anything. He wouldn't be crying if Carla had chosen him, would he?

It seems he's still taking it out on everyone though. Making Julie decide who gets sacked is mean and totally uncalled for. And the staff aren't making it easy. Either they're all really good or they're all slacking off.

Oh my. Sophie is going to go to church because of Ben. That's a turn up for the books. But she seems to have dove into it with flags flying. She's decided to take up religion and also to be celibate until she's married. Kevin doesn't think it will last but you know Sophie, she always dances to a different drummer. I think it's great that they're taking her down a different road than they did with Rosie. Rita is getting closer to Eileen's dad, Colin. Norris seems to be pals only with Mary but it's pretty clear that she fancies him and i think she scares him! And Julie seems to find Jason attractive but she still loves her Kirkey. Or does she? Julie seems to be getting annoyed with Kirk. He wants to be a stuntman!

I think Deirdre has been hanging out with Liz too much. What's with the cleavage with all that flesh wobbling about, and for a children's birthday party too!

Sunday Comments, Novmber 29

Lines of the week:

• Ted to Ken "When I say i'm a good listener, i mean i'm an insufferable busybody"
  
• Rosie about Ben "Ok so he's not a complete mutant!"
  
• Kirk "What sort of person fakes a mugging?" Eddie "I live here! I couldn't do a runner like I usually do!"
  
• Tyrone about Tony "He was well gutted, i could tell. He's such a bad loser" (uh huh)
  
• Steve "I'm exstatic!" Becky "Well I'm Euphoric!" Steve "That's a big word for a small girl!" Becky "You don’t work next to Roy Cropper for a year and learn nothin’”
  
• Carla "And what brilliant subterfuge it was. We even had subterfuge in my wedding dress"
  
• Tony "Grief is grief!! The only difference is i didn't have to mourn. I could do something about mine!"
  
• Carla "You're a good man" Tony "No i'm not" (you got that right!)
  
• Steve about the singles club "The only problem with the lights is that they're on"

Is a coconut macaroon a cake or a biscuit? That was the question this week and Steve and Lloyd had everyone on the street talking about it. That was a classic Corrie move, intersperse the tension and drama between Tony and Carla with light silliness. So cakes go hard when they're stale and biscuits (cookies) go soft. Allegedly. Or...If you believe Eddie Windass (and he's a master baker so if nothing else, he'd know this!) Cakes rise, biscuits don't ergo a coconut macaroon is a biscuit.

Tony's excuses to Carla about Jed, making out that his neck bruises was an attempt at suicide didn't sound very likely to me but Carla bought it. At first. Tony didn't waste any time and lit a fire under Jimmy to light a fire under Jed. And the sight of Jimmy lit the suspicious fires under Carla again. Jed plus heart attack plus Jimmy plus altercation. Yep, i'd be asking questions too and she went straight to the horse, Jimmy himself. He was non-committal. She didn't get a thing out of him but he's rattled.

How could Tony be looking down out the window at Carla outside the factory when she entered and came *down* a few steps to where he was waiting? Anyway, that was the start of an explosive confrontation! He started off trying to convince her his story was the truth but she didn't buy it. So he pretended he did know but thought he'd just wait it out. No dice. Man she really gave it to him! Taunting him with her affair, and her love for Liam, how much better in everything Liam was than Tony. He actually had tears in his eyes, because he'd lost her for good i suppose. And maybe a bit of guilt. She pushed and pushed until he lost his rag. Result. You know why she backed down again and told him maybe it was just lust...to lure him into confessing. And confess he did! In spades! One of the best episodes on Corrie, that was. Tony didn't sound very sorry or guilty at all about the murder though he did seem to have a flash of it when he realized Maria was pregnant. They were throwing it back and forth, each doing their best to hurt each other and it ended with Carla speeding off into the rain, Tony soaking wet on the cobbles calling her name.

Janice wants to be a nurse but needs school qualifications. Yet biology is too hard (you kinda need that to be a nurse) and there's just too much history to learn. Something tells me she needs to rethink her calling.

So Ken has spilled his guts to the neutral Ted who might be a busybody but he's also The Vault. He keeps saying Martha's a friend but his head is in the clouds and he hasn't told anyone else about her either. Ken in a kimono in a back street terrace house. Yes, that's the image i always wanted. Now Martha wants to meet his grandchildren, or family. Um, last thing he wants isn't it? He hasn't been honest and the longer it goes on, the deeper it gets buried.

Steve is still having a hard time accepting his mother and Lloyd's relationship. I think they work, actually. There isn't that much of an age between them really, less than 10 years. Lloyd tricked Steve into going to a singles night and who else was there? Bill Webster! And Liz couldn't stand it, she had to go see what was up, too!

This business over Gary and David is annoying. And when did Anna and Eddie own a nice car? It's a BMW! I thought they moved their stuff in a van or truck. Maybe it's Len's car? Anna is determined to try to win over Gail but you know Gail, her with the blinders the size of dinner plates on. Any of Anna's efforts are getting nowhere especially when Uncle Len skulks around the kebab shop with Tina, he's very intimidating as he meant to be. I'd be on the phone to 999 or anyone else, pronto!

Eddie's darts scheme was exposed for the scam we all knew it was. The guy that got the triple 20 in darts is apparently a famous darts player. And it turns out.... who'd have thought it... Eddie is a master baker!!! I'm not sure cakes are going to turn the tide though. Sophie's crush, Ben, seems very nice and awfully polite! No bad boy for her! And she's going to a Christian youth club. Is she about to be born again or is it just interest because Ben is in the club? Nice little touch with Rosie and Sophie actually not bickering and Rosie helping her get ready for a date. (It didn't last very long, though!) Ben sure seems like a fine upstanding and very polite young man! Makes a change from Rosie's fellas!

Leanne's looking a bit scruffy isn't she? Looks like her hair was cut with a hedge trimmer. A little aside, the bloke that plays Jimmy is the real life husband of Jane Danson who plays Leanne. Vikki has left to see her mother in Poland. That's because the actress is pregnant. Don't know if she's coming back or not. The actress that plays Leanne is pregnant and so is the one that plays Carla. Carla's now on her maternity leave and Leanne won't be far behind.