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Coronation Street episode review: goodbye Vera Duckworth

January 18, 2008 Comments (20)

20-Jan4.jpgDouble episode written by Peter Whalley and Lucy Gannon
Jack and Vera had had a nice trip to Blackpool to see their new home and measure for curtains. Jack gave Tyrone some money to put a bet on before they went. When they got home, Paul had left a present for them - a framed photo of them when they were young and carefree and afraid of nothing. Vera told Jack she'd never loved anyone except him, and he, in his gruff way and with a bit of prompting from Vee, said he'd never loved anyone except her, and he'd go and fetch her slippers. Then he went for a swift half at t'Rovers, like he'd done so often over the years.

But this time, when Jack got back Vera was dead. Apparently she'd passed away peacefully in her sleep, sitting in her chair. Jack held her hand, told her not to be afraid, gently sang to her, "If you were the only girl in the world."

Molly and Tyrone came home, to the back door because they were bringing drinks out of t'Rovers for Jack and Vera to celebrate Blackpool. They found Jack in the back yard, watching one of his pigeons. Vera had always pretended to hate the pigeons, Jack said, but he knew that she sometimes came out and talked to them. Tyrone and Molly realised something was wrong, and they went inside. They were both shocked to find Vera was dead. Tyrone went to get Paul - Jack wanted to "hold the world at bay for a few more minutes," and let the people who loved Vera most say goodbye to her. Later on, paramedics came, and said that it had probably been Vera's heart, and that she hadn't felt any pain. Neighbours came to see why an ambulance was at the door - Rita, Roy, Emily, Betty and Dev. Molly couldn't get the words out to tell them what had happened, so Jack did. He said it had been "such a smashing day," too. Rita told him she'd tell everybody the news, and leave him in peace. A church bell sounded, from somewhere, as Vera's body was taken away.

Other things did happen in the episode - Ryan was still missing and Michelle and Steve went to Nick's to try and find him. Carla booked a double room for "Mr and Mrs Connor" for a forthcoming business trip. The factory girls had their knicker party at Janice's. And David introduced Tina to his gran.

But it was Jack and Vera's episode. The end of an era.

Sue H

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  • Dianne

    As another staunch Canadian Corrie fan for decades I added my share of salty tears to the Atlantic Ocean over the course of Vera's demise and Jack's subsequent homage to the love of his life. Another Corrie cornerstone for so many years has left. Now if the writers could add a bit of levity ,I think little Sophie is a closet comedienne and they should give her a chance to shine as how many street tarts does one show need?

    Will miss Vera as I miss Hilda Ogden's antics and her "murial".

  • S COISH

    The show featuring Vera's death just aired here in Canada. We had heard that it was coming but still nothing prepared us for her going so quickly. She was dressed in her best, nails done too....happy to be moving, retiring at last. Life can be so unfair, so short. We wish Liz Dawn good health & thanks for so many wonderful years. You have always been our favourite!!!

  • Scot

    How desperately moving were these two episodes? I didn't see them on the Friday because I was at work - but I did watch the omnibus on the Saturday - and I cried nearly non - stop. That scene where Jack sang to Vera had me in rivulets. If Bill Tarmey doesn't win a Best Perfomance award there's no justice. He excels everybody else off the screen. Well done, Bill.

  • Chris Savvides

    Sorry but I have to disagree with the majority here. I was astonished by Vera's demise. Bill's acting was the only thing that stood out to be exact as real life as it could be. However, Tyrone and Molly's acting was poor to say the least. It didn't look natural at all and didn't stand up to the intensity of such acting.

    The story itself could have been better too, not dramatic though. It was good but could have been better. How she died was probably right for Vera, how people were told though, very bad. Fiz running round the pub casually asking "have you heard Vera's dead?"

    Then Vera's old mates of 30+ years find out. What do they do? Lets go back to the pub for a drink says Rita to Betty...Not something I'd do if my friend of 30 years had just passed away.

  • Scot

    What a terribly moving episode! I didn't see it on the Friday night as I was at work - but I did watch the omnibus on Saturday and I cried nearly non - stop when Vera slipped away and Jack sang to her. If Bill Tarmey doesn't win the Best Performance Award this year there's no justice. Bill acts everybodt else off the screen.

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