It's party time on Corrie, with do's at the Bistro, the factory and chez Brown-Dobbs. It's also present time as Tracy asks for something "not too cheap or understated" (or an eviscerated Cabbage Patch Doll) from Robert, whilst at the same time giving herself a little gift by visiting her bit on the side, or rather bit in the prison, Rob. I like the return of Mr Donovan, presumably taking a break from panto rehearsals, although I wish TPTB hadn't outlined his murky plans beforehand; his revenge would have made a good reveal, although I can't see how his actions towards Carla constitute vengeance. We've already seen Johnny acting fatherly towards Ms Connor (despite his not being there for her during all the terrible things that have happened to her since she first set stiletto on the cobbles).
Johnny is my fave of the nouveau Connors, although I'm slowly warming to Aidan and I think his respectful wooing of Eva (who knows how to, ahem, whip out her rod to fish in the company pond, in a stunning red dress with a can of beer for the boss) might be the making of his character, although I do wish one of the veteran members of the cast would take him aside and request that he a-n-u-n-c-i-a-t-e, but as for Kate, I fear that my eye will soon be taken out by her wardrobe from the 1974 Clothkits Catalogue. Dressed in this episode in a surprisingly tasteful festive jumper, I nonetheless worry that if there's another fire in Rovers or the factory, she, in her lurex jerseys, peasant blouses and polyester shirts, is going to go up like a Christmas tree.
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| Eva wins Who Wore It Best |
Talking of which, despite having insisted on a hefty beer ration for the Underworld Xmas party, Beth forgoes the factory shindig to decorate Fiz and Tyrone's front room with sparkly and shiny items bought with donations from the factory girls (and Sean, who gives a fiver and then looks askance at Sally when she takes £10 change for a twenty) to make it look like Kendall's window, even if one of the wise men has lost his head.
The other theme of the ep is lies: Tracy's to Rob and Robert, Rob's to Tracy, Michael's re: Dee (whilst True by Spandau Ballet plays on the Rovers' jukebox) He self-accuses: "I'm a thief, a liar, and a fraud", but he is saved from having to confess all to Eileen or Dee by her next door neighbour fingering him for the burglary. Didn’t Michael say that Gail's was the first place he'd attempted to rob? And wouldn't he have confessed to his other burglaries when he was repentant in chokey?
Robert plays Santa by presenting Tracy with flowers and poinsettias and the seed of an idea: to turn the pawn-shop into a florist. Also after job satisfaction is Zeedan, to whom Leanne offers some seasonal work in the Bistro.
Meanwhile, for the third year running, David and Kylie are at loggerheads at Christmas, Fat Brenda's on a shopping trip to York, Sinead and Ches are off to Portugal, Tim tries to undercut God for the window cleaning at the church, Kevin and Anna agree to compare dates, and we learn that Roy sells turkey and stuffing muffins (erm, yum?).
Rachel Stevenson, on twitter at @rachel_london
Rachel Stevenson, on twitter at @rachel_london
Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.
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