Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Thursday 22 November 2012

How do you solve a problem like Deirdre?


Poor old Deirdre. What has happened to her? I have noticed that her character has become less than popular on this blog, and this is in no small part down to the delightful Tracy Barlow. It would be true to character for a mother to support her daughter through various troubles and heartaches, but her constant, unflinching support of Tracy no matter what the dirty deed is wearing more than a little thin. The unrelenting unpleasantness of Tracy Lynette has spoiled Deirdre, who was once a great, classic Street character. 

Apart from Tracy, what does Deirdre have? Ken? A man who has always had his own, very separate interests (and no, I don't mean Wendy flamin' Crozier). We know Deirdre works at the Medical Centre but as far as I'm aware, she's never had a decent storyline there. I think the character has also lost something since Blanche died - Blanche was often the only character who could put Deirdre (and Tracy) back in their boxes! Since Liz McDonald packed up her unsuitable wardrobe and tottered off (yet again), Deirdre has been without a close female pal to confide in. And what interests does Deirdre have apart from the fags and red wine? Stuffed marrows and dodgy pottery? And whatever happened to that? So what does Deirdre need? 


Well I think it's too much to hope that Tracy will be waving goodbye anytime soon. Personally, I would love for Deirdre to have her own, stand-alone story to play out (and by that, I don't mean another affair). Come on writers! Think out of the box and help breathe new life into this character before it is too late! 


So what are your ideas for future Deirdre storylines? From the sublime to the ridiculous, and none involving Dev please, let's have them! And sorry, I couldn't write about Deirdre without dredging up a couple of awful photos from the Dev and Deirdre lurve archive...

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15 comments:

Humpty Dumpty said...

It's a sad state of affairs. Deirdre and Tracy are the couple in the Barlow family with Ken becoming a grandfather figure.

Possibilities might be: Deirdre comes across some of Blanche's diaries and finds out about family heirlooms/relatives/other. She becomes obsessed with discovering more about them. Or she gets involved with a patient's family (not romantically!)- maybe a child caring for sick mother and missing a lot of school. This would also bring Brian in. Deirdre tries to get social services involved but the family doesn't want people interfering. Or, on a lighter note, she's convinced she's brilliant at pottery and starts (not)selling at craft markets.

Anonymous said...

Noooo... not THAT photo again!

I would like to see Dreary and Ken tackling something together. A cause maybe, or maybe starting up a local project. It would nice to see them working together for something rather than against each other. Maybe Dreary could find herself moved by coming into contact with a particular predicament of one of the patients at the surgery and launch a fundraising campaign with all sorts of creative ideas, with Ken backing her up and helping with the organisation of events. Maybe they could start a food bank to help families suffering in the crisis. Or maybe Gareth Malone could come to Weatherfield, start up a choir and find a star bass voice in Deirdre! Or maybe, instead of moaning about Ken being on the computer, she could become addicted to th'Internet, or become fascinated and follow courses, eventually starting up a silver surfers group.
I must say, though, that I do enjoy the bad pottery and stuffed marrow moments!-NN

Anonymous said...

Tracy is the reason I don't watch this show very often. This character needs to be gone, or a least pay for the cold-blooded murder of her boyfriend, and not just a wee stint in prison either..we're talking the big dirt nap.

Anonymous said...

Deirdre could buy a piece of pottery cheaply to serve as a model for one of her own efforts. Ken could spot that it might be a "Janice Mount" and Deirdre could make a few hundred, leading her to believe she has an eye for art and to drag Ken round boot sales. She and Ken have a huge argument about buying an arty nude piece which Deirdre thinks is obscene. Ken buys it and Deirdre tries covering it up when someone visits and she schemes on how to get rid of it.

Deidre could also go back on the Council. Some of the street residents could complain about noisy people leaving Nick's bistro and Deirdre could get involved in a campaign to prevent Nick getting a licence extension.

Janice said...

Just like Frank Fosters mother, Diedre could kill off Tracy because enough is enough. I can see cancer story for Diedre with all her chain smoking, making her re-evaluate her life and priorities. perhaps she embarks upon a health kick to try beat the cancer.

Joseph said...

Like Janice, the first thing that came into my mind when I saw this post was a cancer story - possibly lung cancer.

They could turn this into a redemption arc for Tracy as well, y'know? I mean, instead of Tracy chasing Steve like she's done the past 10 years, she can see that life is short, and maybe she should start doing some good. Yeah I know, it's cheesy. But it's that or Deirdre murdering Tracy. And while many people would wanna see that, it's not really a plausible storyline. Now Ken, I can see...

Lizzie Borden said...

The term Dreary and Ken refers to the pair. Her problem is him as well. We are tired of them, both so long on the shelf they are moldy. Have Tracy pick up a axe and hack them into pieces. When the rest of street discovers what she has done the whole lot gang up and tear Tracy into shreds. The Street, the writers, the producers and the viewers agree to never speak of this ever again.

ChiaGwen said...

Why can't they integrate Anne Kirkbride's painting talent into the character of Dreary. Maybe Simon has left some paints behind and being bored one day Dreary picks up a brush and amazes herself and everyone else. She and Ken could open a little book shop selling dusty old books and a few of her small paintings. Dreary does need a pal - Mandy?? We need some stories involving Rita/Dennis, Dreary/Ken, Audrey and Lewis - maybe starting up a Senior Centre together?

Kiwifruit & Cheese said...

The best thing to come out of the "Wendy" story line, was Ken telling her in no uncertain terms that he could never leave Deidre, that they just go together, and him looking totally affronted at her suggestion of it.

I think they've got to that certain age where having affairs is not what we want to see and personally, nor is a serious story line like cancer/health scares.

Please oh please make it something lighthearted and with a comedic twist. I love some of the ideas above for a Deidre-Ken story line, something clever that Deidre stumbles on without realising it, and Ken sees the potential of would be great. Whether it's good deeds or hidden talent, I don't care. Something funny, & with them on the same side for a change would be wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Deirdre is best placed in the corner shop. Never an obvius gossip, she was always at the centre of opinions when placed there and lets face it the shop could do with someone who likes a chat. The cancer storyline will never happen as it is too close to the bone for the actress. Perhaps instead she could get more involved with some of the younger mothers in the street, like Fizz, as she was a single mother herself. By building up a decent relationship it would ring bells for her as to how awful her own daughter is and maybe her eyes would open up a little to the monster she has created.

Perhaps she could form a friendship with another 'potter' and just when she thinks she has found someone to replace Liz as a new best mate discovers its Charlies mother! The guilt would get to her as to what she has created in tracy when she sees how the womans life has been destroyed?

I love Deidre and cannot imagine the cobbles without good ol sexy specs- Micky

Billy Niblick said...

On a visit to Weatherfield Zoo, Deirdre strays into an experimental compound where she is bitten by a radio-active baby hippo. Soon, she finds that she has developed hippo-like powers, and is able to swim the entire length of the cut underwater from Rosamunde Street into Canal Street. She resolves to use her powers to fight evil, in memory of her murdered toyboy Samir, and is soon bringing criminals to justice the length of Weatherfield, having sewn herself a stylish "Hippo Woman" lycra suit, complete with integral big specs and built-in chicken-gizzard neck.

She is thrilled with her new powers, but keeps her double life a secret from Ken, Tracey, and her other family members. Until the day that Ken walks in on Deirdre guzzling a bucket of river weed.......

Anonymous said...

I thought her and Rita were teaming up but I guess that was a one off. Tracy's near death experience a couple of months back has shown one thing. She is not redeemable and the only way out for this character is feet first. How about a boy's home for Ken and Deidre..sort of a boarding house ...I can see Ken spouting words of wisdom while the ever suffering Deidre cuts back with clever jibes..it might be fun. Anything is better than having Tracy Barlow around anymore.

Anonymous said...

Funny Niblick

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see Deirdre come to a decision that she needs to focus on a job that she is passionate about and heading off to art college, full-time at first and then some night classes. I also enjoy the idea of Ken and Deirdre setting up shop on the Street - he with his books and writing, her with her various art, and a little space for frocks and fashions created by the plethora of stitchers in the neighbourhood! That'd give Ken and Deirdre a connection to the other business owners on the Street, the Council, as well as art/literary customers and their fashion creators and purchasers. Heck, they could even have a book club and stitch-'n-bitch get togethers. Definitely a way to mix new and established characters, young and old characters. Emily could even stop by to ask for donations for the Church fundraiser. Plenty of room for gossiping too, both for Deirdre and Ken. Best part? They'll be too focused on their new business and relationship(s) to give a fig about Tracy - let's pray she quickly fizzles out and leaves the show.

Anonymous said...

I think that some of the Corrie writers must have been contributing, judging by the suggestions of cancer and hacking people to death. I loved reading the everyday story suggestions - let's hope the new Producer brings in more stories like this.

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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