Coronation Street: Goodbye Charlotte Bronte

(Monday 24^th – Friday 28^th February 2020)

Tracy is livid to learn that Ken really is putting his house on the market and immediately competes with Peter to buy it. Carla doesn’t want to buy the house anyway and at first, Peter accepts it but a row with Tracy spurs him on to fight for it. They agree to a silent bid but when Tracy catches sight of Carla’s bid, she is able to sneakily bid £5,000 higher – without Steve’s prior knowledge.

Paula does her best to reassure Kevin and Abi but they hit a snag when Ray reveals video evidence from a dash cam of her actually torching the car. He requests that Abi sleeps with him in exchange for his silence. Aware that Kevin is in serious trouble otherwise, Abi agrees.

Abi is prepared to sacrifice herself for Kevin…

Disgusted with herself for what she has to do, Abi turns up at a hotel and gets changed into the clothes he has provided, unaware that he has photographed her in the process. When it comes down to it, Ray rejects her rather unkindly, telling her that he doesn’t want her, he just wanted to know how far she would go. He then turns to Kevin, demanding his business in exchange for dropping the charges. Kevin and Tyrone reluctantly hand it over.

Just as he leaves, Ray drops the bombshell about his encounter with Abi, who brokenly attempts to explain. Frustratingly, she was going to tell him the truth anyway but thanks to Ray, it is now too late. Any hope that Kevin, who was so kind to Anna when she was forced into the same situation with Pat Phelan, would understand, are immediately dashed. Kevin rejects Abi until Sally quickly puts him in his place. Kevin admits to Abi that he loves her and they get back together.

Bethany is in turmoil when she doesn’t get onto the writing course but is offered an internship with a magazine in London. While Sarah is thrilled for her, Bethany is reluctant to leave Daniel behind. She really needs to let him go. He’s not over Sinead. I mean, how could he be? She’s only been gone a few months. He’s using Bethany (and a lot of alcohol) to numb his pain. Bethany needs to take that job and move away and start a new life away from all the terrible things that have happened to her in recent years.

When Adam lets slip to Daniel about the job, Daniel sets his heart on moving to London with Bethany instead. Beth interrupts Sarah’s hen night to shout at Bethany about the plan, which leads Sarah to interrupt the stag night to lay into Daniel for ruining Bethany’s life and also argue with Adam for supporting the idea. Well that doesn’t bode well for a happy marriage!

Cathy takes Gemma to mother and baby class where she is thrilled to make friends with some other Mums. They invite her to a baby yoga class, which she thinks goes well, not realising that a couple of the other women are talking about her behind her back.

Alya starts working at Speed Daal again, which immediately puts Geoff out. When she notices that Yasmeen has a bad back from cleaning, Geoff is forced to show compassion and send her home, leaving Geoff and Alya to snipe at each other all day. Geoff also lies twice about bad reviews about Alya, which he presumably writes himself.

At home, Yasmeen is worried about her favourite chicken, Charlotte Bronte who is not eating properly or laying eggs. Geoff insists that Yasmeen stays at home for another day, leaving him to continue sparring with Alya at work. When Geoff arrives home, he is furious to find that Yasmeen has been too caught up with Charlotte to have cleaned the house properly or cooked dinner and when she does prepare their meal, it’s not good enough as she couldn’t afford to buy any meat on the meagre money he provided her with. He angrily throws the food in the bin and orders her upstairs.

Then comes the moment we all dreaded but knew would inevitably come. He joked about it months ago, remember? The evil bastard kills Yasmeen’s beloved chicken, Charlotte Bronte. Then he serves her up on a plate and lets Yasmeen start eating her before telling her the truth. Yasmeen is sickened, not to mention heartbroken. It’s an absolutely sickening moment, the worst so far in this storyline. I’ve read a lot of objections to this storyline, a lot of complaints and a lot of people saying that they are turning off. We must not switch off. We must face up to the truth of coercive control and domestic abuse. We must be able to recognise it. We must be educated. We must not turn our faces away because it’s upsetting and uncomfortable. It’s not supposed to be comfortable. That’s the point.

Yasmeen breaks down furiously at Geoff who remains unrepentant. He has the audacity to blame her for making a mess of dinner the first time around. He cruelly tells her how hard it was for him, mentioning that Charlotte put up a fight. It’s a truly awful series of scenes. While he storms out, Yasmeen sobs in the garden, only for Gail to find her from the other side of the fence. Yasmeen hurries off, denying that there is anything wrong but hopefully, this might be a turning point as Gail is concerned enough to mention Yasmeen’s distress to Alya. But perhaps Charlotte has not died in vain if it means that Yasmeen will find the courage to escape from him. Also, Cathy, Gail, Eileen and Alya are all concerned about her now. Let’s hope Geoff’s days of abuse are numbered now.

Coronation Street airs on ITV on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30/8:30pm

Neighbours: Mardi Gras!

(Monday 24^th – Friday 28^th February 2020)

Jane confides in Susan about the catfish and although Susan is compassionate, she makes it clear that harassing students is not acceptable. Jane is suitably abashed. When Jane accuses Elly, nobody believes it. Eager to help, Paul sets Jane up with Private Investigator to help her find the catfish. Unfortunately, Jane then walks in on Paul talking to Dipi, exasperated over how Jane could be so foolish as to fall for it in the first place. Jane gives a heartfelt explanation which comes down to one thing: loneliness. It’s genuinely sad, especially when she tells him it’s even worse now as she’s broke and embarrassed on top of being lonely.

Thinking they are being burgled, Roxy attacks Paige who has come to visit. Roxy denies that she has any interest in Mark but is blatantly jealous over the obvious attraction between Paige and Mark. Paige privately admits that she and Jack are having relationship issues and she thinks he may be having an affair; he barely speaks to her and he is always chatting online to someone. Roxy calls Paige out on already knowing that Mark was in Erinsborough and having the full intention of getting back together with him, which she denies. I am Team Roxy on this one.

Terese is a good Aunt and interferes, bringing Jack to Ramsay Street to sort things out with Paige. He also brings with him none other than Mark Gottlieb! And he is just as annoying as he was in the nineties! He has given up the collar and is now a celebrity chef but met Jack on a Christian forum and has been counselling him. Paige and Jack finally talk. Jack explains that he needs to go back to the Priesthood. They have the friendliest and crappiest breakup in the world. It’s just weak. Paige and Jack fought so hard to be together during their last stint on the show and they worked so well. Presumably the story is to bring Paige and Mark together, a couple that never worked. They made a terrible couple. So now they’ve broken up a lovely couple just for the sake of this. I’m sorry, Neighbours but this is utter rubbish.

Mark G, meanwhile bumps into old flame, Lucy. One of the weddings we’re going to see during the birthday week, perhaps?

Pierce gives Chloe a random island he once bought to do whatever she wants with. You know, just a causal island. Who doesn’t have an island? And if you can afford an island and a hotel, of course you’d be living in a small house on a cul-de-sac, wouldn’t you? Anyway, the island is of course necessary for Neighbours’ birthday party so I won’t complain too much…

Sheila is furious with Gary for abandoning the house while she was away. He went to London to find Prue and soon after he returns home, Sheila and Harlow discover that Prue is also on her way to Erinsborough, having left The Order. Harlow is beside herself with anxiety over seeing her mother and then further upset to realise that she is actually coming to see Gary, not her. Sheila walks in on a rather naughty Skype call between Gary and Prue!

Hendrix admits to Pierce that he and Harlow nearly kissed. When Harlow confides in Mackenzie, her friend warns Hendrix not to mess her around. This finally gives Hendrix the green light to tell Harlow how he really feels. When Harlow is upset about Prue, he is genuinely sweet to her. I think this could be a lovely pairing.

Lucy asks Bea to be their hotel wedding singer for the Wedding Expo. However, she tells her that for the sake of the hotel’s reputation, Finn is not welcome at the event. Bea turns down the gig on principal. Finn is furious with Lucy for putting his girlfriend in that position and also for judging him on a past he doesn’t remember when he has changed so much since then. Finn continues to ignore calls from Trent.

When Karl installs a sensor alarm for Elly that keeps going off, he sends Finn round to fix it. But the sound completely overwhelms Finn to the point that all his memories are triggered. Everything that happened, everything he did and everything that was done to him – his relationship with Elly, posing as Patrick and using Bea, Susan pushing him off the cliff – everything comes rushing back. His whole memory has been restored. Leaving Kyle to fix the alarm, Finn rushes home, sobbing alone. His whole life has changed forever.

It’s Mardi Gras and Aaron and David set off to represent Lassiters! They have an amazing day (filmed the year before in order to show it on the correct day) where they wave and cheer on the float, have to run and hide from one of Aaron’s exes, Aaron makes a fool of himself in front of Jake Shears and they have a fabulous conversation with Courtney Act. This is probably my favourite Neighbours cameo ever. She is the just the best!

Back in Erinsborough, everyone gathers to celebrate Mardi Gras as a community and Lassisters is all dressed up in rainbows! While Mackenzie is overwhelmed to be in a situation to be in a gathering where she is actually being celebrated rather than tolerated, everyone is partying and looking forward to seeing Aaron and David on TV. I truly love the inclusivity of Neighbours. Long may it continue.

Finn attends the party, attempting to pretend that nothing has happened. He lies to Elly that he was just feeling overwhelmed as they were supposed to stay away from each other. Things take a turn when Lucy orders him to leave. He struggles to control his anger, following her out of the party where she phones Chris to talk to their daughter. The old Finn would have had no qualms in harming her. But he manages to control himself and leaves the party to go home. He confides in his video diary and is still desperate to be a good person. Well, the trailers reveal that that’s not going to work out…!

Finn’s world comes crashing down as his memories return…

Channel 5, 1:45pm and 5:30pm

Home and Away: No Happy Endings

(Monday 24^th – Friday 28^th February 2020)

Tori’s family wait with baited breath as Alex checks Tori over. She is verbally unresponsive but obeys instructions during Alex’s assessment. The family are disappointed when Tori rejects her daughter. Justin had pinned all his hopes on Tori waking up being the answer to everything. Eventually, Tori begins to become more herself but she just doesn’t feel like Grace is her child.

It’s Jasmine who steps up in the end, presenting Tori with the memory book she has spent the past few weeks putting together. At first Tori doesn’t want it but Jasmine begs her to at least look at it. Through looking at the photos and watching her baby grow through the pictures, Tori finally accepts that Grace is hers. Mother and daughter are quick to bond.

Justin makes it clear to Robbo that he can no longer take Grace away to live on the farm. Tori thanks Alex for looking out for Mason. Willow comes to visit Tori, purely to create an opportunity for Alex to make a remark about her next job, making Willow realise that her girlfriend’s stay in Summer Bay could be short-lived. Clumsy but necessary. Ironically, Willow was just talking to Jasmine about the double-edged sword of Tori waking up. For Jasmine, she has the joy of Tori waking up but she loses Grace. Little did Willow realise, she too has the joy of Tori waking up but it means she may well lose Alex.

Irene begins to worry that neither she nor anybody has heard from Leah since lunch the previous day when she took a phone call and left. She had assumed she went to the hospital but when, the next day, Mason confirms that nobody there has seen her, Irene begins to fret. This is not like Leah. Later, Justin realises that his girlfriend has been missing for a whole day. The man really can only focus on one thing at a time. He and Irene report Leah missing to the police, telling Colby everything they know. She has been gone for two nights with no contact.

Over drinks that evening, Willow, who had only just been telling Irene how happy she and Alex are, is not feeling very happy at all. She frets to Alex about the end of her contract, although Alex doesn’t seem concerned, certain that everything will be okay. UK viewers then see a kiss that was deleted in Australia. It’s really a very simple kiss. Of all the kisses we’ve seen during this storyline, it seems an odd one to cut out. Willow is still upset the next morning, working Alex hard at the gym. Alex continues to try and reassure her.

Mac is annoyed with Dean for going on a two day drinking binge during their trip away, which had been intended to clear his head. They bump into Colby. It’s as awkward as ever. Dean is annoyed when Mac refuses to serve him more alcohol. Willow is unimpressed with his behaviour. Or the way he smells! Dean is bitter; he tells Willow that people like them never get a happy ending. I hope he is wrong!

Still worried about her future with Alex, Willow frets to Colby. Making a decision, Willow visits Alex at the hospital and tells her how deeply she feels for her. She admits that she is scared of their relationship ending but that Alex is worth the risk. Channel 5 then show another kiss that was deleted in Australia and the end of the scene which shows Willow inviting Alex away on a trip for a few days. This explains a scene that will air later when I believe Jasmine mentions something like ‘lots has happened while you’ve been away’ that left all the #Willex fans in Australia wondering where on earth they had been!

Ben and Maggie visit Ziggy down at the track. They are worried about both her and Dean. Ziggy pretends that she doesn’t care about the man she loves. Giving in, Ziggy finally calls Dean, who has got caught up getting drunk at Salt and a random girl answers his phone. Understandably getting the wrong end of the stick, Ziggy hangs up. But while Dean ends up in a fight with the girl’s boyfriend and then getting arrested by Colby, Ziggy goes to a party with her new colleagues. While her driver, Alana quietly warns her not to let her husband, Kurt use her, Ziggy heeds the warning and invites another guy called Joe from a different crew back to her room. Always a good decision – go off with another guy when you don’t quite know where you stand with your boyfriend – that never backfires!

Ryder introduces Jade to Bella. As his girlfriend! Jade is not impressed! At the end of the night, Ryder spots Jade stealing again but this time, he is not having it. He insists that she tell Mac the truth or he will. When she doesn’t, he follows through and tells Mac exactly what happened. He is shocked when she calls Colby to arrest Jade. He had expected her to be more understanding. Later, Ryder and Jade both apologise to each other and end up in bed. But it’s all revenge for Jade who secretly films the whole thing on her phone. Before he knows what’s happening, he has been arrested, accused of putting a sex tape online without Jade’s consent. Poor Ryder. The only thing he’s guilty off is being gullible.

Meanwhile, Mac notices that Bella is right as rain while hanging out with Ryder and Jade at Salt but as soon as Colby needs to speak to Mac about Dean, she feigns exhaustion and suddenly needs to go home. Mac tries to warn Colby that Bella is lying but he doesn’t want to hear it. Robbo too has got Bella’s number. However, he has bigger problems. He receives Lance’s bloodied police badge through the post and a picture of a snake tattoo. We are hurtling towards what was the Australian Season Finale, guys!

(Channel 5, 1:15pm & 6pm (sneak peek, weekdays on 5STAR at 6:30pm)