Yahoo News Why Corrie's grooming plot has been so great
Warning: The following article contains discussion of grooming and sexual violence that some readers may find upsetting.
Coronation Street's controversial grooming storyline involving Bethany Platt has been one of the most talked-about soap plots of the year.
Sleazy salon owner Nathan Curtis has manipulated the vulnerable schoolgirl for months, making her fall for him, isolating her from her family, making her reliant on him, then ensnaring the unsuspecting teen into a sick sex ring and forcing her to sleep with other men at sinister "parties". As Bethany became trapped in her abuser's web, it's made for grim but gripping viewing.
Early controversy questioning whether a soap should even be tackling such topics has given way to widespread praise as the plot has unfolded, even in the broadsheet press, and drawn attention to a difficult and sensitive subject.
As the story reaches a dramatic peak this week, here are five reasons why it's been one of the most compelling – and important – soap stories of 2017.
1. It's tackled an important topic
Sexual grooming of young girls is not a ratings-grabbing, sensationalised soap fantasy – unfortunately it's a very real thing. Charities including the NSPCC have commended Corrie for showing how predatory older people like nasty Nathan abuse young victims such as Bethany, showering them with flattery and attention to reel them in before turning on them and revealing their true agenda.
The storyline was inspired by real-life cases that hit the headlines, such as the Rochdale scandal (also the basis for recent BBC drama Three Girls), where underage girls were groomed to be part of a child sex ring and the local authorities did nothing for months.
Hopefully, Corrie's story will encourage victims to come forward and seek help, and increase awareness of the dangers girls like Bethany are at risk from.
2. It's been a masterclass in brilliant storytelling
Talk about a slow burner – the roots of the storyline stretch right back to Bethany's bullying and crush on older guy Gary Windass last year, as well as her body and self-esteem issues and use of diet pills, which led to the overdose at Christmas where she collapsed in the ginnel, which led to Nathan finding her... And that was just laying the groundwork.
Corrie is telling a story in a way unique to soap by taking its time, digging deeper into the characters' motivations and making the audience more emotionally engaged.
Months went by as we watched charming Nathan woo Bethany and while there was clearly something off about him, we – like his victim – failed to see his true colours until it was too late. Nathan's chilling calculation into slowly getting vulnerable, innocent Bethany exactly where he wanted her has been mirrored by the perfect, precision plotting.
When questioned in private about proposing to Bethany, Nathan casually smirked how the engagement ring "will be on another dumb kid's finger in a month". He's known all along where this story has been going – right up to the terrifying moment this week when he planned to sell Bethany abroad into sex slavery.
3. It's tapped into the history of the Platts
Delving into the Platt clan's past has put Bethany's situation into context, making her manipulation more tragically believable. With all the goings-on at No.8 in recent years – Callum Logan's murder, Sarah's breakdown, Kylie's death – it's no wonder Bethany felt lost.
Meeting suave older man Nathan, she was desperate to prove she wasn't just a little kid, but it was that emotional immaturity and need for affection that allowed her to be taken advantage of.
Viewers were also reminded of how Sarah fell prey to an online pervert when she was around her daughter's age; vulnerable at being a mum at the age of 14, lonely Sarah met a paedophile online posing as a teenager and ended up being held hostage in his house. Having gone through a similar experience, Sarah's guilt at failing to protect her daughter has been heartbreaking.
4. The acting has been phenomenal
Lucy Fallon has come into her own at the centre of all this and deserves all the awards and praise surely coming her way. Taking Bethany on a difficult journey from wide-eyed innocence, to the flutterings of first love, to finally fragile fear as the haunted victim of coercion and sexual assault, she's made fans care so much about the character that we've been shouting at the screen as she fell deeper into danger.
It's also reminded us how great Tina O'Brien is – a kid herself when she portrayed Sarah's teenage pregnancy all those years ago, it's interesting to see her coping as the mum of a young adult in a horrifying situation.
But perhaps the hardest job has been Christopher Harper's, who has hit just the right notes as evil Nathan. Charismatic, seductive, sinister and terrifying – sometimes all in the same scene – it's been an amazing, unnerving performance.
5. That scene with Mary...
Special mention must go to Mary Taylor stealing the show and almost saving the day – Monday's emotional exchange between her and Bethany as the kooky florist relived her own experience of being raped as a teenager was brilliantly handled and responsibly showed support is out there for anyone in Bethany's situation.
Who didn't cheer when Mary took on Nathan as he bundled scared Bethany into his car? While she couldn't stop the girl getting away, it was undoubtedly Mary's wise words that made Ms Platt question this sinister scenario. And again, fine work from Patti Clare, showing there's more to "mad" Mary than killer one-liners as she's tying a posy at Preston's Petals.
For more information on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and how they can help you or someone who you know is in need, please click here.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in Bethany's storyline, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Coronation Street homepage
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Coronation Street gossip, as Aidan and Maria's affair is finally exposed, while Phelan has a bombshell to drop.
You Might Also Like
