Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again where I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
From the sad passing of The Vivienne to ITV1's gripping new drama and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
PLAYING NICE
ITV1's new psychological thriller had me gripped
Imagine being told that your son is not biologically yours and that when they were born you left hospital with the wrong baby. That’s the gutwrenching news that the four leads in ITV1’s new psychological thriller Playing Nice had to hear.
Launching on Sunday night and set against the beautiful cornish landscape, episode one saw both couples agree to keep the sons they'd raised, whilst also agreeing that the boys should be in each other’s lives.
However, it's not long before true motives are revealed and all four leads see their lives turned upside down with life-changing consequences and plenty of twists and turns across the four episodes.
The two boys in question are Theo, who has been raised by stay-at-home dad Pete and restaurant owner Maddie, played by James Norton and Niamh Algar, and David, who has been raised by successful architect Miles and artist turned full-time mother Lucy, played by James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay.
A great story is nothing without a great cast and thankfully Playing Nice had both and whilst Miles might start off playing nice, he's clearly the villain of the piece and James McArdle's performance left me feeling unsettled and uncomfortable, which I think is mission accomplished.
Also, a special mention to the two actors playing Theo and David, Alban Guo and Fraser Cornelissen who were both phenomenal. It's not easy to have a young cast who are able to deliver the emotion that these two did and often a lot was being asked of them, so well done to Fiona Weir, who's responsible for casting them.
It's safe to say that I was gripped from the outset and whilst all four episodes were availabe to stream on Sunday, I decided to patiently wait until 9pm on Monday to see how the story would continue. But once episode two ended, my impatience kicked in and I logged in to ITVX almost immediately and streamed the rest of the series that evening. And I have zero regrets.
Of course, I don't wish to spoil how it ends, but please go into episode four knowing that your heart may well stop for a few minutes as you find yourself on the edge of your seat. Was it a satisfactory ending? In my opinion, yes it was and I'm so glad I stuck with it, because many people, going by comments I've seen online and certain reviews, haven't.
Whilst a lot of people are enjoying Playing Nice and it's sparking conversation, I was surprised to go online after the first episode aired and see a number of negative comments with viewers switching off. The main reason given, was the unbelievability of the story.
However, I'm always of the opinion that if the characters themselves are believeable enough then we should allow the story to push in directions that aren't entirely believable. And I firmly believed each character in Playing Nice.
We watch television to be entertained and for me that's exactly what Playing Nice did. Was it far-fetched at times? Absolutely. Did I let that ruin my enjoyment of what was a gripping story, brilliantly told? Absolutely not.
Playing Nice continues Sunday and Monday at 9pm on ITV1 with all episodes available now on ITVX
2
REST IN PEACE
The Vivienne is remembered after dying aged 32
On Sunday night, we learnt the incredibly sad news that Drag Race UK's first ever winner, The Vivienne - James Lee Williams, had passed away at the age of 32.
The news broke via their manager who described James as "an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person." Going on to say how "Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career."
Tributes poured in from the likes of Michelle Visage, Rylan, Lorraine Kelly, Ariana Grande and of course RuPaul who said he "joined the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne - an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being."
After winning Drag Race UK, The Vivienne was the subject of her own BBC Three series The Vivienne Takes Hollywood which saw her joined by celebrity friends to see what it takes to make it in Hollywood. And in 2021, The Vivienne made a guest appearance as themselves in Emmerdale, to officially open the village's first Pride.
Then in 2023, The Vivienne took part in Dancing on Ice, becoming the first drag queen to ever do so, finishing third with their professional partner Colin Grafton. And tonight (12th January), Dancing on Ice returns to our screens for a brand new series and will pay what promises to be a fitting tribute to The Vivienne.
3
CORONATION STREET
Mason's devastating death was beautifully done
Monday's powerful episode of Coronation Street, in which 16-year-old Mason Radcliffe lost his life having been stabbed by his older brothers Matty and Logan, has stuck with me all week.
I'm a huge lover and supporter of soaps (which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me) and will always defend the genre when it's unfairly looked down on. One of the many things soaps are especially brilliant at, is tackling issues that really matter, and Monday's devastating episode of Corrie was a shining example of that.
Luca Toolan, who played Mason so brilliantly (can't wait to see what he does next) only joined the soap in September 2023 and in a relatively short space of time has really left his mark on the cobbles, having been at the centre of a number of brilliant storylines.
Early on, he stole Tyrone's car, knocking over Stu's granddaughter Eliza in a hit-and-run, he then became "friends" with Liam and Dylan, leading to Liam being hospitalised after being forced to try a vape and Dylan being forced into selling vapes for him.
The bullying storyline which followed, was brilliantly handled by Corrie and its younger cast especially. We saw Liam considering to take his own life and Dylan pleading guilty to possession of a knife, having been set up by Mason.
But since July, having now left the detention centre, Mason had begun to turn his life around. With nowhere to live, he was initially helped by Stu, who eventually convinced Yasmeen to let him stay at No.6. But that didn't last long and Mason was forced to find shelter in Tim and Sally's shed. Until he was discovered and they too, took him in.
After rebuilding his friendship with Betsy, things soon turned romantic between the pair, but once she discovered that his brothers were driving the car that killed Becky, that soon fizzled out. On Monday, we saw Mason apologise to Liam for bullying him as he looked forward to a new life and a fresh start in Germany. However, the tragic events that took place in Monday's episode meant it was sadly, never to be.
Wanting to take photos of his mum with him, Mason asked Dylan to help retrieve some from the family home. Feeling like he needed protection, Dylan retrieved and later carried the knife he said he'd gotten rid of and it was this decision that led to Mason's death. When Dylan was confronted by Mason's brothers and felt like he had no choice but to pull out the knife, which was then taken from him and accidentally used to murder Mason.
What I particularly loved about this episode was how it showed the wide-reaching effects carrying a knife can have, with multiple characters from the street affected by Mason's death.
Abi, who lost her own son Seb to a vicious assault was the first to find him, yelling for help and trying to stem the blood with her scarf. We've already started to see, and will continue to see, how the events that took place have brought it all back for Abi.
That moment when Asha has to break the news to Betsy and Abi that Mason went into cardiac arrest was truly devastating. All respect to Sydney Martin who plays Betsy, for delivering a performance that broke my heart in two. And then it broke again when her mum, Lisa, played by the magnificent Vicky Myers, saw her daughter weeping into Abi's arms, inevitably bringing back memories of when she was told that Becky had died.
And as if the episode hadn't already broken me enough, the episode ended with a powerful monologue from Tim, reminiscent of the one Gail gave when Aidan died by suicide.
Alongside scenes of all affected, Tim is heard correctly identifying how it's not just the person carrying the knife, or the life/lives lost that are affected by knife crime. It's also their family. It's all who cared for them. And as we see David Platt looking out onto the same street on which Kylie was stabbed, it's also those living in fear, thinking they're next.
For all the heat Corrie is getting at the moment with reports of multiple cast members leaving the soap and dwindling viewing figures, let's not allow that to distract from what was an incredibly powerful and beautifully crafted hour of television, highlighting how important and wide-reaching soaps, but also television in general, can be.
Coronation Street is available to watch on ITVX
4
EASTENDERS
EastEnders reveals a soap first as we get to make a big decision
We've known since September that during EastEnders' 40th anniversary week, we'd be getting the chance to decide the outcome of a love story but only this week did they reveal who that love story was between.
In February, we'll have the power to decide whether Denise reunites with estranged husband Jack or picks secret lover Ravi instead in an interactive Walford first. And if you're anything like me, you've spent all week thinking about who to vote for and your decision has changed many times.
My heart tells me she belongs with Jack, but then seeing her with Ravi in this week's episodes, I'm thinking that maybe they're what each other needs. EastEnders hasn't revealed how we can vote yet, or when, but we do know that it'll be revealed during a special live episode during the soap's anniversary week.
Who are you going to choose? Full story, here.
EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer
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