Coronation Street double episode review, Monday 13th May

Whatever viewers feel about Stella, you have to hand it to her that she does not suffer from job snobbery. 'It's a job, it pays money, money's what we need.'  Up go the sleeves, on goes the pinny and out comes the mop. Stella sets about her new job at the bistro with energy and  determination until Gail, realising that Stella is using her mop, stops her. A letter G for Gail is there on the mop handle. Gail appears genuinely upset by her mop being in the wrong hands. Oh dear. This scene was pantomime and poor pantomime at that. The predictable clash of the mothers-in-law just did not work. We need quality humour, not fobbing off with what verges on the ridiculous.

Understandably David is anxious that the baby may inherit epilepsy. So much so that his rice crispies have been ignored and allowed to go soggy. This anxiety though feels like a plot device, through which we are presented with a variety of worried looks and anxious glances between Nick and Kylie.which serves as a   reminder that the baby could be Nick's. At some point, surely, somehow or other, Leanne will find out that Nick and Kylie slept together. David, later, asks Nick and Leanne to look after his children if he and  Kylie should both die.

So finally Roy decides that he will read the letter from St John Cropper, the father who deserted him all those years ago. Before he decided to read it, Sylvia, conveyor of so many good lines, adds another to her repertoire. She speaks to Hayley about Roy and whether he's going to read the letter. 'You have to suffer while he has his existentialist crisis!' Read it now!' orders Hayley. Roy replies, 'What happened to don't do anything you don't want to?' Fair point Royston. After he's read it, Roy's conclusion is as generous as it's possible to be. He says, It's an old man seeking some form of redemption' and this statement is followed by a determination to get in touch with Mr Cropper senior. But he's moved - he did so a year ago. Roy states that he will find him.  

Of course, it's been coming for ages. Clear for us all to see, including Izzie, is that Gary is attracted to Tina. During the meeting in the pub to remember Quinnie, Gary explains his situation and shows the photos of both Tina and Izzie to his mates.The mates go overboard about Tina, a little bit too much to be credible perhaps, and Gary becomes quite angry as they try to work out his 'freaky Jeremy Kyle sex thing'. He heads straight to Tina's and accepts her hospitality and has a cup of coffee.  Then he makes a move on her. Brilliant acting by Michelle Keegan! Her outrage is palpable and is a strong candidate for the best few minutes of tonight's double episode. This is particularly effective in the light of Anna's words of comfort to Izzie about Gary. 'He's solid, he's dependable and he loves you and that little baby that you're having.' Somehow, especially after Anna has given that vote of confidence to her son, Izzie is bound to find out about Gary's attraction to Tina. Find out? She knows already.

Talking of finding out, how long will it be until Karl's crime is discovered?
    
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