I will confess first of all that I actually love the Windasses. I've liked Steve Huison, who plays Eddie, ever since I saw him in The Full Monty. I like Mikey North and Debbie Rush, and I think there's a lot more to their story. For instance, why AREN'T Anna and Eddie married? Where are their parents? I'd like to see a story whereby Anna's parents disapproved of Eddie and they ran off together to Gretna Green but never went through with it. They're quite young, aren't they? Was Gary an unplanned pregnancy? Why don't they have more kids? I'm an only child so that's not weird to me, but I bet there's a reason behind Gary being their only one. I'd actually love to see Anna fall pregnant with a later-in-life child, and come to terms with it. I think she'd rise to the challenge admirably. Eddie? Well...
I honestly think that they're one of the more believable new families of recent times (let's not mention the Mortons), and I think there's a lot more to be said about them. I only hope that the new Producer can see their potential too.
So, with all that in mind, I don't mind telling you that I was quite moved by Gary's reasoning for joining the army. As he said, there aren't many opportunities for an ex-con in a place like Weatherfield. The army does provide food, shelter, money and a trade, like he said. Sadly, I know and am from far too many places that are exactly the same; where young men have no options other than dead-end jobs or crime, and where they do get out of their heads on a weekend to avoid having to think about their lives. I know young men like Gary; in fact, I have them in my family. He's right, the army is a good option. Or, it was. Not to get all political but with the wars in the Middle East right now, Anna is right to be concerned. The military isn't the 'safe' option that it was even just a decade ago. I can't wait to see where this storyline goes because I really do think it's very true to life. I want to know what they'll do with it.
I loved the scene between Anna and Eddie in the back garden, talking about Gary and about how they had to let him go and do what he wanted. Surely every parent faces this, and surely every military parent out there knew exactly what they were feeling. It was lovely that Gary overheard and knows how proud of him they are. Eddie's right, he is clever, and he could really go far. I am loving this whole storyline!