(Monday 10th – Friday 14th February 2020)
Ryan is relieved to pay off his debt to Gary at last but he is soon set on a mission to buy an engagement ring for Maria on Gary’s behalf. Stupidly, Ryan brings the ring to the house when Gary isn’t there and then quickly backtracks, making Maria extremely suspicious that her boyfriend is up to no good again. When she then sees Gary taking pity on an old client and giving him some money as a gift and not a loan, as he’s determined not to be a loan shark anymore, she misreads the situation and becomes convinced that he hasn’t changed at all.
Maria turns to Ali for comfort and he is only too happy to slag Gary off and console Maria, which of course leads to them sleeping together because in soap, nobody can ever have a hug! Afterwards, Maria lays into Gary for his behaviour. Begging her to believe him, Gary brings both Ryan and his former client to see her and explain the situation. He produces the ring and proposes. Ryan is then left with the job to break the news to Ali that Gary and Maria do not look like they are going to break up any time soon. I’d also like to give a shout out to Mikey North who looked very fetching in Maria’s dressing gown.
Ray sets his sights on Alya, inviting her to a business meeting at a hotel and making her extremely uncomfortable. He is furious when Bethany bursts in, filming them, determined to prove that he is a sexual predator. It takes a while for Alya to really accept that she was about to become his next victim but eventually, she is on board and vocalises how he made her feel. Taking things further, Daniel and now unemployed Bethany get hold of Ray’s private accounts and managed to work out that several of his past employees have NDAs.
Bethany publicly reprimands Ray for what he is, in front of Abi who had no idea and a journalist who doesn’t quite know what to do but privately confirms the truth to Abi. Bethany writes an amazing article about Ray for the local paper, destroying his reputation, although he still denies any wrong doing. Abi feigns faith in him and attends a charity event with him at the Bistro. However, he is horrified to realise that she has invited all the victims that she could find. She then makes a public announcement about his crimes. He throws her out of the Bistro, only for her to steal his car and set fire to it. Good!
Having spent so much time working together against Ray, Bethany and Daniel grow closer and end up in bed together. While Bethany is unsure, Daniel tells her that Sinead left him a message telling him to move on and be happy. However, Beth is outraged that he has moved on so quickly, especially with the girl he kissed when Sinead was dying. Despite what he says, I don’t think Daniel really does like Bethany in that way. I think he just doesn’t want to be alone. In the end, I think she will get her heart broken.
Sean and Mary have teething problems as they settle into living together at Eileen’s. Nick is dismissive when Eileen applies for a sales job at the factory but Sarah gives her an interview, where she loses her temper under pressure! It’s Alina the gets the job in the end and kindly Emma invites her to move into her and Seb’s spare room. Honestly, that girl is too kind for words! This has disaster written all over it!
David struggles to maintain family life alongside constant trips to Leeds to visit Shona, who doesn’t even want to see him anyway. Distracted and exhausted, David crashes his car and writes it off – with the kids in the back. Eventually, he accepts that he needs to slow down and focus more on the children, reducing his visits to the hospital.
Social Services decide that Fiz and Tyrone can supervise visits between Jade and Hope. Ken tells Peter and Tracy that he is thinking of moving into the retirement village but Claudia gets annoyed when he is vague. Peter and Tracy are mostly concerned that he may sell the house. James tests the waters when a colleague of Ed’s, Danny comes out to him. Ed isn’t horrible about it but he is awkward and struggles to let it go. Also, James and Danny clearly have history as the moment Ed’s back is turned, they’re all over each other!
Coronation Street airs on ITV on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30/8:30pm
The Soap Dish 