I was discussing Coronation Street with Judy at the Tim Hortons and the topic of Sophie Webster came up. I was saying how much more I liked Sophie when she was a studious, motivated young student excelling at her studies and being a clever counterpoint to Rosie's foibles. Why, I asked (while eating a Kruller), did Sophie choose to drop out of school, get a dead-end job at the corner shop and hang around whining all day long with Sian? Why could she not be a go-getter, improving her life, expanding her horizons and aiming for a bright future?
Judy just sighed and explained to me the facts of Coronation Street life. Sophie cannot be a successful young woman and live on the Street. To be on Coronation Street, young people have to drop out of school, work at local jobs, get married young and oscillate between the caf and the chippie. There's Chesney. He was a bright young kid who suddenly dropped out to work in the market selling dog accessories. Now he's living with Katy and expecting a sprog. And what about Amber? A promising, charming uni student in London who returns to the street after dropping out and now pursuing a career as a skiver and a not-very-nice person.
I had to agree with Judy. That seems to be the way of the Street. The only young people who went to uni in pursuit of bigger and better things (Toyah Battersby and Todd Grimshaw come to mind) are not on the Street anymore. Of course there's grandad Ken. He's the exception to the rule. He had lofty ambitions and a university education and is still on the Street -- but he's one of a kind.
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A shout-out to Coronation Street fans in Brandon, Manitoba who are welcoming the four touring Corrie stars to the Centennial Auditorium this evening for Tales of The Street. Enjoy!
I have been thinking the same thing myself - anyone with any academic potential manages to sabotage themseleves - Todd giving up Cambridge for Sarah, Rosie choosing to become a dumb sexpot, Chesney leaving school to work at a market stall, Amber leaving Uni to become a conniving creep and now Sophie.She's probably going to pull Sian down with her. Bring back the old Sophie! She was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I too prefer the old Sophie and I particularly prefer the old Amber. Before she went away to London, Amber was one of my favourite characters, now she's one of my least favourite... Oh well, there's always Simon (if he can survive his dysfunctional upbringing).
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