Tragic Mike Spoiler

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pad.

15-11-2005

Quote:
“TRAGIC Mike Baldwin will believe Bet Lynch still runs the Rovers as Alzheimer's rips his world apart next year.

Writers sought advice from support groups for the illness so they could make his harrowing deterioration sensitive and convincing.

"They will be some of the saddest scenes ever screened on Corrie," a source said. "To see Mike, who's always been a very strong character, losing it will be heartbreaking.

"It will obviously strike an emotional chord for all those who have been touched by this dreadful illness."

Mike (Johnny Briggs) first shows symptoms after lover Penny King (Pauline Fleming) rejects his marriage proposal.

He storms out their flat and goes for a drive in Weatherfield but gets lost. He stops to ask directions but cannot take in what he is told.

He stumbles on the Rovers and, relieved it looks familiar, rushes in. But he does not recognise anyone until he spots Corrie stalwarts Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) and Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) in an alcove.

Referring to busty barmaid Bet, the former landlady, he says: "Hi Rita. Is Bet around?" Bet (Julie Goodyear) left in 1995 to run a bar in Spain although she made a brief return in 2002.

Rita thinks she has misheard and Mike is asking for barmaid Bev Unwin (Susie Blake). Gesturing behind the bar, she tells Mike: "Yes I have. She's stood over there." Mike turns smiling expecting Bet, and is confused to see Bev. He is rescued by the arrival of Penny who takes him home.

The source added: "Mike is in denial and insists his memory is fine. To try to prove his point, Mike glances quickly at the dining table before turning back and successfully recalling everything that was on it.

"His joy is short-lived when tearful Penny asks, 'Okay Mike. But tell me what day it is'." His cocky grin fades when he realises he does not know.”

that sounds very sad indeed

Money Money

15-11-2005

Boring really it is no doubt EE is beating Corrie in the ratings all the time now.

Streetcars

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Money Money:
“Boring really it is no doubt EE is beating Corrie in the ratings all the time now.”

It's quite a sensitive subject actually and, if done correctly, should be a masterpiece.

If EE was doing this, you would probably think it would be brilliant too so don't judge a book by it's cover

Pink Mouse

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Streetcars:
“It's quite a sensitive subject actually and, if done correctly, should be a masterpiece.”

I agree with you, sounds like they have done thier homework too, the post above reminds me very much of my nan in the early stages, thou there were lots of little things that happened with her before she started thinking people from the past were still here.

Drathro

15-11-2005

Mike has been making mistakes for months, they have been building up to this gently.

eastenders12

15-11-2005

I think it will be quite a good storyline if they do it with time and do it properly...but if they rush the subject then it will be to fake!

den_watts_lives

15-11-2005

i like mike i dont want him to die :'(

eastenders12

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by den_watts_lives:
“i like mike i dont want him to die :'(”

But really, He has been in it for a very long time, He has done eveything he probably needs to do! Perhaps he is getting tired of coronation street!

den_watts_lives

15-11-2005

well he is really old, 70 i think? (the actor who plays him i mean)

Slushccool

15-11-2005

Well done to Corrie for doing this. It's a very sensitive issue that touches many people's lives in one way or another. You're right when you say they've been making him forgetful slowly over the months, and I think that this will really be a truly well written storyline.

The Corrie writers are usually good at handling these kinds of issues well. I also lkike the fact that they have consulted some of the Charities and research groups involved in the study of the disease.

Well done.

fimbo1977

15-11-2005

I read first that he was going out un 2006 to makr 30 years in the show, but then saw where he'd said he had no plans to quit, as now Danny is in running the factory, he can play a much smaller part in the show.

eastenders12

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by den_watts_lives:
“well he is really old, 70 i think? (the actor who plays him i mean)”

70!!! Yeah i think he probably is...

Evannah

15-11-2005

This is going to be a very touchy storyline and very sad indeed. It's not going to be 'boring'. I hate it how people are so insensitive to real life things. This is a really hard illness to come to terms with, for the person and for the people around them. You shouldn't base storylines like these around soaps and how it will make it boring etc. That's just pure nastiness.

dancing_barbie

15-11-2005

oh no, that sounds like it will be a sad one, dont think i will cope with this and nana moon leaving

Money Money

15-11-2005

But the problem is Corrie cannot do issue lead storylines so this will be a washout.

Lippincote

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by eastenders12:
“I think it will be quite a good storyline if they do it with time and do it properly...but if they rush the subject then it will be to fake!”

They started this storyline many months ago, so they can't be accused of rushing it. I'm really pleased they are giving it the time it needs - I think it will be very sad.

fimbo1977

15-11-2005

Frankly I find storylines like this and Nana Moon more interesting and worthwhile than the run of mill who's shagging who storyline .

Bill Fan

15-11-2005

I know this has been going on for a while as Mike has been forgetting things gradually. I wonder if it will be well paced as Mike not recognising many people in the Rovers sounds very serious and he will have to be very far gone I guess.

It will be an excellent storyline and I'm sure Corrie will do it right, then again the Alma death proved to be very unpopular with some viewers - I don't really remember it though so I can't say anything.

Uncle Fester

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Money Money:
“But the problem is Corrie cannot do issue lead storylines so this will be a washout.”

What the hell are you talking about,Corrie has had the best drama around, remember Alma and all the other deaths on the street,they have been done so well by first class actors

Money Money

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Uncle Fester:
“What the hell are you talking about,Corrie has had the best drama around, remember Alma and all the other deaths on the street,they have been done so well by first class actors unlike EastEnders ”

Not really EE much better actors which is why they are top of the ratings.

You can't have it both ways can you. Corrie has roven its self unable to handle big issues.
Last edited by Money Money : 15-11-2005 at 14:02

Uncle Fester

15-11-2005

I am sad that Mike is going out that way but it does happen in life,I would have much prefered that an olld stalwart of the show could have been given a better send off

Uncle Fester

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Money Money:
“Not really EE much better actors which is why they are top of the ratings.”

Yup ,they all come from the School of the Wooden Tops

and ratings to me mean sod all

Money Money

15-11-2005

Originally Posted by Uncle Fester:
“Yup ,they all come from the School of the Wooden Tops and ratings to me mean sod all ”

Well being a corrie fan you would know all about wooden tops la la Dev

HellBoy

15-11-2005

very sad, but I'm looking forward to it.

Babe Rainbow

15-11-2005

Does this really have to descend into an EE v Corrie insult-fest ? The original thread is about a storyline in Corrie, nothing to do with EE - can't we all play nicely, accept that both have something to offer and be kind to each other - it's not that hard, surely

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