Lancashire Fusilier

That was the most fabulous wedding I’ve ever seen on Corrie or any other show. Roy and Hayley on a Lancashire Fusilier. I can’t possibly pick one scene – every one was great.

The singalong on the bus: evocative of old Corrie episodes where they’d rent a bus to go to Blackpool or somewhere. Those participating in the moment, and those sniping. Norris grizzling about everyone being so silly. Sally at Claire about everything, and Rosie getting digs in at John the tour leader.

Roy as John and Ches blindfolded him to take him to the train. Roy obviously never played any trust games – he did not take well to being blindfolded and relying on others. But his pleasure at seeing a Lancashire Fusilier waiting, and hearing that he’d be riding shotgun in the engine – wonderful.

Faster, faster

Roy and Ches in overalls in the engine, Roy shovelling coal into the burner and Ches saying “faster, faster.” They both were having so much fun.

Mary, not a guest at the wedding although her dress was there, stole every scene she was in. Her good wishes to Hayley when the bridal party was leaving the Street was frightening, guilt-producing, yet touching. Double meaning in everything she said so you felt both fear and sympathy for her. Hayley conveyed that confusion of reaction beautifully.

Mary’s motorhome following the wedding bus was ominous. Mary sitting by the tracks waving, hand on a train lever was not a good sign. Later, in the Rovers, worried about the wedding, her comment to Ciaran about what her mother always said was heartbreaking: “our Mary will never even make bridesmaid.”

And Sophie and Sian

Sophie was obviously tormented by the denial by her and Sian of their relationship, and that she was allowing Claire to be called “mad” and a child abuser. And the cock crowed three times.

Later that night Sophie told her father that what Claire said was true, that she and Sian were together. Good for you, Sophie. Sean’s reactions were great too, first when Claire made her announcement his sidelong surprised look at Sophie. Then later, when Sally was going on about her daughter being “normal,” Sean’s questioning of her definition of normality.

And, after the bride and bridesmaids realized they were stranded in the countryside, no longer with the rest of the train! Hayley, gown blowing behind her, standing on the handcar as her bridesmaids pumped the handles – priceless. They sped along the track, getting Hayley “to the church on time.”

The scene that made me cry, though, was Roy’s speech, with Sophie and Sian in the background, denying the ‘outing’ of them that Claire did. Roy talked about the world catching up to him and Hayley.

Eleven years earlier, he said, he and Hayley wanted to legally commit to each other but the law did not allow it. “We have remained still and the world has turned to meet us… The world can change its rules, its laws and its opinions as frequently as it chooses but I will remain standing beside you. That will not change.” Perfect.