Roy's Roles

spoiler alert: this post makes reference to the August 31 episode on CBC

Roy Cropper has many talents (train spotting, toilet roll replacement, fastest full English in the North etc etc). More to the point, on the Street, he is the touchstone of civility, knowledge and fair play. So what's he up to with Tony (besides getting wet)?

Well, it seems that Roy is playing two distinct roles. First, through sheer coincidence and luck, Roy happened to be by Tony's bedside in the ICU when Tone decided to make a deathbed confession.This puts Roy in the position of confessor, reluctantly hearing Tony admit that he killed Liam.

Second, it seems that Roy then took it upon himself to play the role of Tony's conscience (it's a tough job but someone's got to do it - ed). That unenviable task seems to involve ringing Maria's doorbell every five minutes, sitting on the Maxine Peacock memorial bench, standing outside in the rain at night (couldn't he at least use an umbrella? - ed) and yelling at Anna Windass (well at least there are some perks! - ed).


So far, so good but one thing puzzles me.I understand Roy's actions, but why is Tony reacting this way? Since when does he listen to his conscience (since his conscience has a manwife? - ed). Why has Tony has given Roy so much latitude and allowed himself to be terrorized by the Spectre of the Anorak™.  It doesn't really fit with TG's mcmodus operandi. Why wouldn't Mr. Gordon just look up Jimmy's number and give Jimster a dingle on the cellphone? Bingo bango and before you can say 'Weatherfield Historical Society', Cropper comes a cropper... if you know what I mean. Distasteful? Yes, but distasteful is what Tony does best.

Oh, and, a message to Joe McIntyre: SELL THE DAMN BOAT! (Sorry, I just had to get it out of my system)