Coronation Street are tackling domestic abuse flawlessly.
I say that as a loyal viewer who considers Yasmeen Metcalfe’s (Shelley King) coercive control at the hands of the monstrous Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) one of the greatest stories ever told on the cobbles.
Just when you thought that the soap had nothing left to say on the subject, the producers, writers, and actors portray perfectly the day to day nature of what it is to be trapped in a coercive relationship.
From the perspective of Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), we see the terror of living with a bully like Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), who forever finds fresh ways to make their insecurities your problem. While Geoff was cold and calculated, Theo is pure white-hot rage waiting to explode at any moment. That’s exactly what happened over Christmas.
In the special found-footage episode told exclusively through police body cams, hidden cameras and a ring doorbell, Todd finally told Theo he didn’t want to be with him anymore. But when Theo wouldn’t get out of his face, Todd pushed him away to defend himself, sending Theo tumbling over the coffee table. All of a sudden, Todd looked like the abuser as the police took him into questioning.
Fans were left horrified, but hopeful that this was the wake-up call Todd needed to stick to his guns and get Theo out of his life for good.
Since facing the questions of concerned friends and neighbours, Todd was the subject of extreme love bombing from Theo, culminating in Todd getting down on one knee for a shocking proposal… which Theo accepted.
Of course it’s frustrating to watch. But the story perfectly captures the nature of an abusive relationship. The intense highs, the terrifying lows, never a moment of calm, never a second of peace. Just victim and abuser locked in a vicious cycle.
That cycle looks closer to breaking than ever before. In Coronation Street’s New Year’s Day episode, an awkward hangout with Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) has devastating consequences for Todd.
As Billy fields a grilling from Theo about a ‘mystery parishioner’ who’s been confiding in him about domestic abuse, Summer eagerly asks Todd about his proposal. But once they’ve left, Theo’s rage and insecurities explode as he violently kicks Todd again and again.
Bruised and broken, Todd manages to pack a bag and stumbles out of the flat. But a tearful voicemail from Theo soon brings him back.
On true narcissistic form, Theo gives a half-apology to Todd all the while gaslighting him into believing that they’re both as bad as each other, and they both have their issues to work on.
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Although Todd is starting to realise that a loving relationship shouldn’t be this painful, he still isn’t fully able to break free of Theo’s control and accepts his arguments somewhat. Tired and weary, he agrees to attend Debbie Webster’s (Sue Devaney’s) wedding with him as agreed and see where they go from there.
Back in ‘perfect boyfriend’ mode, Theo happily agrees and continues the love bombing by running Todd a bath. But as soon as Todd’s back is turned, Theo roots through the packed bag Todd was planning to run away with and swipes his passport.
Theo knows Todd is trying to run – and he’s determined to go to any lengths to stop him. Given the fact we already know that Theo, Todd and Billy are all passengers on the minibus heading into that fateful stunt in Corriedale, one can’t help worry that the happy ending to this story is still a very long way off…
