Soapwatch with JACI STEPHEN: Who’s the poisoner?
CORONATION STREET
The Christmas curse that affects everyone in soap land has come early this year. As Gemma prepares for her family’s Christmas lunch – organized in case her mother Bernie is jailed on December 25 for handling stolen goods – young Joseph collapses and has to be taken to hospital. Then comes the shocking news that he has been poisoned.
With the Christmas lunch finally in full swing, a real dampener descends on proceedings when Chesney returns from hospital with a child protection officer, who wants to interview Gemma.
Of course, Joseph has been complaining for some time that he feels ill. Did Gemma poison him on purpose? Are we heading into a Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy storyline here? Let’s hope not.
How much more can a family handle? Sexual abuse, quads, debt, prison, motor neurone disease. The story of the Winters makes Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale similar to Carry On Christmas.
This week, Joseph is taken to hospital in Coronation Street. When it becomes clear that he has been poisoned, a child protection officer is keen to question Gemma
Another lunch seems to be on a collision course when Nina tells Asha it’s time they get to know each other’s friends.
So how will Nina react when she arrives at Speed Daal and hears Asha making her big as an aspiring fashion designer, as they head off to reunite with Isla and her senior colleague Miles?
Asha has been bored for the past few weeks and clearly enjoys talking about people almost dying on her ambulance shift more than the cost of a sticky bun at the cafe (why does everyone always order a sticky bun and never lick their fingers or wash their hands after eating it? I worry about these things).
Come on, Nina, you’re the one who got the raw end of the deal here; a Mogadon induced stun would give you more laughs than Asha.
And one more question: why would the foursome go to the alcohol-free Speed Daal, when Asha and Nina have been drinking bottles of wine faster lately than the vineyards of Bordeaux can save? You can almost hear the cries of vintners around the world shouting, “Slow down, ladies!”
OSTENDERS
The tension between Priya and Suki has been palpable from the start, and the situation looks set to get worse when Priya demands money – or she will tell Nish everything about Eve.
Suki manages to get £200, and Nish investigates when the Minute Mart cash register is £200 too low. And what does the camera surveillance reveal? Suki and Eva kiss each other. Finally the cat is out of the bag!
Nish’s response is to destroy the store. Forget the kiss; What about the matching outfits? Presumably they were dressed for Pride, which would explain why their embrace looked like an Opal Fruits clash.
The CCTV footage in the Minute Mart shows Suki and Eve kissing, which leads to Nish destroying the store
Psychic Jaci may have struck again. Over two months ago I mentioned that a relationship was brewing between Stacey and Jack, now that they had a granddaughter in common.
As they heart-to-heart about the past, Stacey is clearly touched by Jack’s support. I never thought Jack would forgive Denise for her betrayal, so keep an eye on this pair.
Make sure you get rid of Karen as soon as possible. That horrible hair, that smoking – yes, she’s leaving, but it can’t come a moment too soon.
Suki’s secret is out of the bag
It will be interesting to see how Nish reacts when he finally discovers the truth about Suki’s relationship with Burger Queen Eve.
“I think the heartbreaking jealous rage will consume him on so many levels,” says Navin Chowdhry (Nish).
‘The idea that he doesn’t know, when he’s such a controlling man, is humiliating for him. It’s a dagger in his heart.’ Dagger? I’d say Samurai Sword is closer to the truth.
EMMERDALE
Tracy can’t resist those risky kisses with Caleb
It’s a fine line between playing with fire and becoming a full-blown arsonist. That’s what Tracy seems to have planned, though, as she shares another passionate kiss with Caleb. Will this woman never be satisfied?
She is determined to put all thoughts of Caleb behind her, but her plans are thwarted when everyone gathers for Cain’s birthday. Sitting close to Caleb, Tracy can’t resist and heads to the Woolpack restroom, where Caleb follows her to share another kiss.
Tracey and Caleb share a kiss in the Woolpack bathroom
What’s with that cafe toilet? Many have gathered there and dealt with almost everything except what the toilets were intended for. And why take the risk?
The pair are almost caught by Cain, and yet that isn’t enough warning for Tracy, who follows Caleb as he leaves. This is not just fanning the flames of a hearth; it is the Dales’ response to the Great Fire of London.
It’s a bit of a lip-sucking time all around when Jacob and Victoria kiss, only to be spotted by a surprised David. His world shook, David later makes the decision to pack up and leave the village. Awesome. Maybe now they can turn that awful store into a wine bar.