There are some strange couplings occurring in Weatherfield at the moment - Peter and Tina, Dennis and Gloria - and now it would appear, Todd and Marcus. It looks like Todd's persistent unpleasantness is about to finally pay off.Yes, Marcus and Todd are going to get it on. I think we all saw it coming as soon as the newly nastified Todd reappeared from that London with a chip on his shoulder (sadly not from the much missed Jackson's Chippy). The Marcus and Maria pairing was a brave attempt at trying something different, instead of the now standard coming out storyline, we had a going back in plot instead.
However after the initial bluster of sulky Sean and a Rovers brawl it all seemed to die a death as they quite clearly didn't know how to develop them further.
I think it was clear that sooner or later Marcus would question his sexuality again, it was bound to happen. I think he loves all the aspects of life with Maria - they get on well and have the family life he craves, but there is something missing. I don't think any of us thought it would end up being Todd in his current vile, manipulative variation. I hope at some point in the future we are given an explanation of what has happened to Todd to turn him into such an unpleasant character. I really liked him the first time round even though he was initially saddled with Sarah-Lou. I think it is really interesting to see how much Jason has matured while Todd has become quite the opposite.
So what could possibly attract Marcus to Todd? It's not his sparkling personality and Emily Bishop-like benevolence that's for sure. Part of it could be Todd's relentless pursuit - I guess many people would be susceptible to that. However it does seem quite far fetched that one minute Marcus and Maria are playing happy families and planning their life in a new home and the next, Todd is inviting Marcus up the Grimshaw staircase. Marcus is a sympathetic, empathetic character at a time when Corrie isn't exactly chock full of them. He's also always been portrayed as smart and well-educated. Would he really not see through Todd's mind games? Or is the truth that he has seen through them and wants to go for it anyway?
I guess time will tell. However the one thing we do know is that this story will end with us saying goodbye to both Marcus Dent and his portrayer, Charlie Condou. This is such a shame, although I understand why Condou might want to try other things. Marcus has been another character with great potential that has sadly never fully been realised, mainly due to a lack of screen time. Let's hope this final storyline does both the character and the actor justice.
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