Ashes to Ashes

Whatever the Joe McIntyre storyline was like, his death has been the most entertaining I’ve ever seen. His funeral Monday was an absolute gem. The memory of it will stay longer than any recollection of Joe himself. A diamond made from his ashes, you might say.

The ‘fun’ in ‘funeral’ started with the gathering of the mourners on opposite sides of the street when the cortege was forming. Norris and Dev, like a Greek chorus, intoning “decorum” as they observe the hostilities.

Then, in the chapel, the interruption of the solemnity by the noisy arrival of Graeme, late because he had to catch a bus to the chapel. Next, the almost as noisy departure of Tina because she couldn’t stand the sight of Gail in the pew across from her.

Then the cat fight between Gail and Tina, with Audrey taking up the “decorum” motif.  Then the moment at which I broke up laughing – the physical fight in the aisle when David is going for Tina and Jason is trying to stop him.

The poor minister, hissing “start” at the organist and trying to get everyone singing nicely. Oh my, too funny for words. I watched it in two time zones and again on tape.

Church events often are very good in Corrie, but usually the chaos occurs in weddings. (Remember Karen and Steve’s?) This time it was poor Joe’s funeral. And Gail doing a little public service announcement for mental health issues in her impromptu eulogy! If I were Tina, I’d have gone for her just for that.

Simon and Rita home

More impressive scenes, also on Monday – Simon turning up at home safe and sound. A relief certainly, also a surprise. I don’t want to complain about a missing child story having a happy ending, but. The subsequent wrap-up was very quick, with Simon’s “two trains and a bendy-bus” explanation of how he got back, and George’s contrition and promise to leave Simon and the Barlows alone. After the previous days of mounting tension in Blackpool, I felt like telling Simon myself, “don’t ever ever do that to me again! I was worried sick.”

The story seemed truncated to me. I’d thought maybe there had been a last minute reshoot or cutting of whole scenes. It seems there was, according to what I read on line from last year. Anyway, Leanne leaning against the doorframe crying with relief and Peter hugging Simon to his chest saying “my baby” brought me to tears.

And a black taxi pulling up on the street, and the glorious Rita getting out of it. Looking fabulous in her white fur coat, saying “it’s good to be back.” All I could say to the screen was “well hello Rita, it’s so good to have you back where you belong.”