Coronation Street fans were left distracted by Lisa Swain and her therapist as the detective sergeant grappled with revisiting past traumas. Viewers had previously been clued into Lisa’s struggle, as she confided to her partner Carla Connor that she’d finally seek help after suppressing her emotions for years while focusing on her demanding policing duties.
An ITV soap episode broadcast on TV last month gave audiences a glimpse of Glenda Shuttleworth stirring up excitement with a vibrant drag event at Rovers Return, following her appointment as manager by Carla earlier in the year.
It was in the aftermath of the spirited night out, back at their apartment, that Lisa resolved to pursue therapy, prompting a declaration of support from Carla, who expressed she was “very proud”.
This decision followed Lisa being relegated to desk work post her arrest of Brody Michaelis, who subsequently suffered a seizure in his cell after he withheld information about the pills found on him.
This professional setback, compounded by her remorse over PC Craig Tinker’s tragic line-of-duty death — whom she had egged on to return to uniform in defiance of DC Kit Green’s scepticism — added to the weight on Lisa’s shoulders, reports Manchester Evening News.
During the July 10th show, Coronation Street regulars tuned in as Lisa, buoyed by Carla’s tender encouragement, took the daunting step into her initial counselling session.
“It’s not going to be that bad,” Carla reassured her. However, Lisa was sceptical: “I’m not really a snuggle up and talk about my feelings kind of girl, am I?”
Carla quipped with her usual wit: “Just so you know, you don’t snuggle up to your therapist. They won’t like it and neither will I, ok?”
Their banter continued, yet Lisa appeared resistant to heed her girlfriend’s sage advice, showing irritation at still being confined to her desk.
Later on, Lisa’s disdain for therapy was palpable as she balked at being in the session. Prompted to sit, she wryly expressed relief at avoiding the cliché couch scenario.
Unpacking expectations, Lisa joked with her therapist about envisaging a session spent lounging on a chaise and venting sibling grievances: “Yap about how your parents love your sister more than you…” When probed if this was her issue, she retorted: “I was the favourite!”
In the session, Lisa defiantly mentioned discussing her issues with Craig would be better with her partner, yet grew visibly uneasy when the conversation steered towards Becky.
But amid the drama, two aspects had Coronation Street viewers both chuckling and slightly distracted—the lighthearted moments provided a chuckle, while Lisa’s diminutive stature became a topic of amusement as she once again faced a towering male character, reminiscent of her scenes with DC Kit Green.
User @sukiswain exclaimed: “lisa’s so tiny next to her therapist, ohmygod” and @buffonias commented: “Lisa’s therapist being another tall man not at her level (height wise).” Meanwhile, @swarlanova said: “5’3″ Lisa and her 6’11” therapist.”
Elsehwere, @swarlascrisps couldn’t contain their amusement: “Cackling at them regularly having issues with Jacob and Vicky scenes because of height so they went out and found someone taller to play Lisa’s therapist lmao #swarla.”
User @Chez_Tops_Kim added: “Lisa fought for her life in that therapy session. That girl gave my defensiveness a run for its money. When she started talking about plants I absolutely lost it #swarla #corrie.”
Finally, user @_livgreenwood said: “Okay so one thing we did learn from Lisa’s therapy session today is that PLANTS make her feel guilty… Sorry but I was HOWLING for the entirety of these therapy scenes because she’s actually so funny and unserious, I love her. Amazing script writing #Swarla #Corrie”.
