Coronation Street (4th December)

This is actually my first time watching Corrie, so I had absolutely no clue what was going on. Also, I don't know what any of the character names are, but then if I met 10 people for 20 minutes I probably couldn't get their names anyway.

One of the major plotlines was clearly the affair going on between the girl who works in the shop and the married man with two daughters. I liked the way they did it, it was obvious without being absolutely spelled out. He has troubles of his own, with one of his daughters about to sit her GCSEs and also, I think, about to be baptised. She feels like she never gets any attention, whereas her tearaway sister does. I would guess that this plotline is going to end up with the man's wife finding out about the affair, and much heartbreak for all involved.

Another is the golf rivary between the shop owner and another guy (sorry about the lack of names, I just really couldn't catch them!) which offered some comic relief from the more serious stories.

There was more comedy from the two girls preparing for the panto, who were great friends while acting (there were lots of actor-friendly jokes about warming up the facial muscles etc) but who quickly wound up fighting once they'd had a few drinks. I reckon their rivalry is a long-standing thing, and that they have never really gotten along and have only recently buried the hatchet.

The other main plotline was about the man wanting to open a pub, and the obstacles to that. He is a recovering alcoholic, and his father is set against his plan. George, the ex-alcoholic's son, Simon's, grandfather I think, is quite wealthy and has offered to invest in the business, but the other grandfather is jealous of his wealth and thinks this is just an attempt to buy Simon's affections. At the end of the episode there has been a big fall out, with the other grandfather threatening to do anything he can to stop his son from opening a pub, and the son accepting George's money. I can see this story continuing for a very long time, possibly months as the pub is opened and character's motivations become clear. I want to believe that George is being genuine, but who can tell? This is the sort of slow-burning suspense which draws you into soaps, you have to watch for a very long time to see the pay-off.