Coronation Street fans have reacted as the ITV soap has aired some harrowing scenes as Betsy Swain’s major new storyline kicked off.
Tonight’s episode opened with an ambulance rushing to the hospital. Although it wasn’t received who was in it or what had happened until five minutes in, when Carla Connor-Swain ran into A&E.
There she ran into Ryan, who told her that he didn’t know what happened, only that he “found her” on the kitchen floor with the tap still running. Carla said “she was fine this morning”, the dialogue purposefully keeping it ambiguous over whether it was Betsy or Lisa.
As the episode went to the first ad break, it was revealed that Betsy was the one who had been taken in. Lisa sat beside her unconscious body in bed, holding her hand.
As she told Carla and Ryan that doctors were planning to take Betsy in for a MRI scan to find out what happened, the youngster woke up.
Panic washed over Lisa’s face as soon as Betsy started speaking, as her words were slurred. Later on, the doctor confirmed that she’d suffered a stroke, and Lisa and Carla couldn’t believe it.
“She’d not had a stroke, she’s not had a stroke,” Lisa could only repeat as fell into Carla’s arms in tears.
As the episode continued, Betsy’s situation went from her responding well to having a second stroke. The doctors managed to remove the clot on her brain, but were at a loss as to what happened, other than knowing she’d suffered damage to an artery in her neck due to a temporary loss of circulation.
When the doctor asked Betsy to recall anything that could have happened, she revealed that while she and boyfriend Dylan Wilson were having sex, she asked him to strangle her as part of a kink.
She insisted that it was “normal” and “everyone does it”, but Lisa was insistent that it wasn’t. When Liam arrived to give Betsy some dry shampoo, hand sanitiser and other gifts, Lisa launched at him.
“You did this. You put her in here. You had sex with and you choked her, why would you do that? You’re an animal! How about I choke you, see how you like it?!”
Fans were full of praise for the hour-long episode, citing the powerful performances from actors Sydney Martin and Vicky Myers, the choice to handle such a topic, and the sensitive way it was addressed.
“Acting masterclass,” tweeted one viewer, who added: “Actually breaking barriers and doing taboo subjects never covered before! It was Handled with care! I’m so glad soaps do not shy away from these stories!”
“I really think they picked the best family/actors to play out this storyline,” another wrote. “Betsy’s story will be one of those in years to come I will say I remember that.”
A third fan said: “This episode is a prime example of why the soaps are amazing. incredible performances that feel SO real- i was so emotional watching i cant cope… vicky is a powerhouse, i truly think she gives such raw and unique performances, shes like no other.”
“#corrie really went there I didn’t think they would but I do think it is important to tell this,” wrote another, while another fan said: “Was not expecting THAT subject for Betsy’s stroke storyline in Corrie!! Hats off to all involved, i am seated!! Fabulous episode tonight.”
“Sydney Martin’s acting of a stroke victim in today’s #Corrie has been fantastic,” a fellow viewer enthused. “So well performed. I guess the issue being highlighted here is how choking is becoming normalised, b/c of internet pornography, & how dangerous that is.”
Another fan tweeted: “Some tv entertains, & some tv makes you stop and reflect long after the credits roll. Today’s #Corrie did exactly that. A courageous, poignant, and moving episode that handled a difficult but vitally important subject with such care and authenticity. Outstanding acting.”
One fan even called it “the best episode of #Corrie that’s happened in a long, long time.”
For more on this storyline, Sydney Martin has spoken about her shock about learning how dangerous strangulation during sex can be, and how the soap is portraying Betsy’s post-stroke state going forward.
