Well, it looks like the ominous word 'outsourcing' has finally come to Weatherfield - only ever previously mentioned when Craigie goes to the chippie and is "out saucing" his fries) (That's quite enough. Get on with it - ed).
Anyhoo, seems that the factory is in financial trouble (dodgy roof, Nick as partner, low margins, Nick as partner, low productivity workforce due to cake runs, Nick as partner etc. etc.) The solution is, of course, to outsource the sewing to robots in... China? No. Taiwan? No. Milton Keynes? Yes.
So Underworld then becomes a distribution centre where the (warning: technical jargon ahead) "packing" takes place. Question. Why can't the robots in Milton Keynes do the packing and distribution as well?
But I digress. Nick finds out about the plan. The workers (and I use the term loosely) find out and it's time for a strike. Beth is on the outs with the others because it's discovered that she had a sweetheart job protection deal with Carla in exchange for her silence. And, to top it all off, someone with a grudge threw a brick through Carla's car window.
That could be Robert who has been roaming around in a drunken stupor since Michelle broke up with him (due to a conflict about whether or not to have a baby).
Trim Up North is doing really well in terms of volume but, again, the margins are thin thanks to the lingering "one pound for a haircut" promotion. Worse, Natalie who helped Nick steal Audrey's money is back, looking for a job or more cash. Worse still, Gail wants a job there.
Lolly is turning out to be another street pyscho. She overhears Kate and Rana complaining about her during the hen do, then tries to kiss Rana, then ruins Rana's dress.
Elsewhere, an astute reader pointed out that Jan and his fellow construction workers are Bulgarian, not Polish. Thanks for catching that and my apologies.
Anyway, Seb is still on a slow boil after getting fired by Gary and Gary is on a slow boil because he can't find any decent paying jobs. One bright spot is Jan (Bulgarian fella working for Gary) who is attracted to Eileen (a step up from her last paramour: Phelan). He calls her Malty (because she's like malt vinegar) and she calls him Salty (can't remember why).
Elsewhere, Evelyn is back and it looks like she's going to stick around despite her ongoing feud with Tyrone. Peter Barlow has decided to buy another boat and do that boaty-thing. Possible name: "Better luck this time".
And now for a few lines from the week that was:
Evelyn to Gail:
"You're brusque. No one likes brusque"
Evelyn to Gail:
"You're brusque. No one likes brusque"
(Evelyn should know)
David's three rules for Gail while looking after the barber shop:
"Don't cut anybody's hair.
Try not to put off any potential job applicants.
Stop doing my head in."
(the third rule is the most important)
David's three rules for Gail while looking after the barber shop:
"Don't cut anybody's hair.
Try not to put off any potential job applicants.
Stop doing my head in."
(the third rule is the most important)
Maria's nickname at school, possibly because she organized a charity cyclethon:
"Bike ride"
"Bike ride"
(hmm)
Sally doesn't think much of Carla's outsourcing plan:
"You and your robots will be raking it in"
Sally doesn't think much of Carla's outsourcing plan:
"You and your robots will be raking it in"
(but mostly the robots)
Jenny tells Seb that he should expect Gary to be a bit annoyed:
"You did try and diddle his missus"
Jenny tells Seb that he should expect Gary to be a bit annoyed:
"You did try and diddle his missus"
(fair point)
Eileen and Jan exchange pleasantries:
"Hi Malty. Hi Salty"
Eileen and Jan exchange pleasantries:
"Hi Malty. Hi Salty"
(Please stop. You're doing my head in)
***
Well, fellow Corr- inthians, so ends another week. I'm worried about Carla. She's under a lot of stress. And she's also under a dodgy roof. And what's so great about Milton Keynes anyway? Sounds like Westworld with knickers. I guess we'll find out. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing my feeble ramblings. Have a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment