Slam Poetry

Slammed by a poetry book. Poetic justice? Poetic irony? Slam poetry? Possibilities for wordplay are endless. But the dramatic tension was very real. This week Ken’s attacker was revealed. It was indeed Daniel. The weapon? That huge poetry book that Ken gave him as a congratulations on being everything he ever wanted in a son.

Now Ken is alone in a flat with Daniel, who is unravelling quickly. Might he just finish the job? He even has the poetry book there. Ken doesn’t know it’s not the copy he gave Daniel – that one had blood all over it. But Daniel copied Ken’s inscription into one he bought. Ken’s gift is hidden under the floorboards in Daniel and Adam’s flat.

On Wednesday, actors Rob Mallard and Bill Roache were fabulous. The make up people too. Daniel’s face did a Jekyl and Hyde as his stress and desperation increased.

You knew Daniel was guilty as soon as Adam was carted off to jail. Camera cut to Daniel, flinging his arm over Ken’s shoulder, watching the police car leave. You knew too that the whole thing would come out when Ken went to Daniel’s old flat with him. But someone would save him, someone would figure it out before long.

Ches was voicing suspicions of Daniel. Sinead was wondering what was going on, starting to get a sense something was wrong. They will come to the rescue, I thought.

Hi Mum!

Just as Daniel is seriously losing it, a knock on the door. It’s mum, back after all these years! And that’s where I suddenly felt deflated.

I knew Denise was returning, thanks to an online “as we all know.” But it wasn’t unexpected. There had to be a resolution to what happened to her. I can see the dramatic value of her return right at a critical moment. But that also may be the worst time and manner of bringing her back. It’s asking way too much of suspension of disbelief. Too contrived, yet also too easy. How do we get her to see Daniel? I know, let’s just plop her at his place. No!

Have her go first to Ken’s house. There’s a greater likelihood that he would still be in the same place than that Daniel would be. Have Daniel and Ken discovered by someone more probable – Sinead, Tracy, Peter. Have Denise turn up with them. Anything except her suddenly appearing at that exact moment as if she’d just returned from the corner store.

Aside from that, this storyline has been great this week. As too have the others – Shona, Bethany and the creepy men getting creepier, and three dads on a day out.