Shannon drama a tough watch
MOORSIDE, bbc1
Should the case of the faked abduction of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews have been made into a TV drama?
The show’s writer clearly wanted it to be not so much about Shannon’s 2008 disappearance but instead how the community rallied round during this terrible time.
I can’t have been the only one who didn’t exactly enjoy the second part. But I couldn’t tear myself away, either.
Shannon’s mum Karen Matthews was portrayed almost as a victim, like she couldn’t really help what she’d done. Can we really sympathise with her?
That felt a bit too much of a stretch on reality.
We can never know the full details of what went on in her head. But portraying her as a victim doesn’t tally with the police’s description of her at the time of sentencing as “pure evil”. She served half of her eight-year sentence.
Whether or not you agreed with the show’s take on the whole situation, we can probably agree on one thing – the performances of all involved were outstanding.
We’ve come to expect nothing less of Sheridan Smith, who was fantastic as community champion Julie Bushby.
But the whole cast were fantastic. That made me keep watching – even if it was an uncomfortable experience.
cORONATION STREET, ITv1
I’ve watched Corrie for decades. But recently, it’s been truly terrible.
Phelan has been a bad lad for way too long.
The decision to bring back Rosie Webster has seen some truly over-the-top ham acting from everyone involved. I’ve seen better am-dram.
And the storyline involving the grooming of Bethany Platt is just stomach-churning.
It was fun while it lasted, Corrie. But we’re through. It’s not me, it’s you.