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EMMERDALE | 12.09.24

#emmerdale #charity dingle #so so so true

i've finally caught up and i'm so so so sad for charity. i find it particularly interesting how they're mirroring charity and laurel in a way that i find so thoughtful wrt to the specific link they're making that 'reputation' still so deeply impacts and isolates women today and makes them vulnerable to abuse.

just like, the way laurel has been keeping her relationship with ross secret because she knows how people are going to react - and it's not going to be the outcasting of 100 years ago, but it's still judgement, and judgement she's afraid of. and then, of course her fears are confirmed when her defensive furtiveness backfires with kim and lydia getting the wrong idea and publicly shaming her as a homewrecker. but even when that's cleared up, people still accuse her of being with a man young enough to be her son - which is ridiculous, it's not like she's sleeping with one of arthur's school friends - and then gabby lashing out and slut shaming her - mostly as a result of her own humiliation -> but it still goes to show that charity is not crazy for the way she's been keeping this situation mostly to herself when you see how brutal people are being to laurel, who:

has a far better reputation in the village than charity generally

has also slept with ross barton

isn't even pregnant with his child

hasn't passed that child off as a different child

and yet has still:

been accused of homewrecking (although for charity this would be her own home)

caused a deep rift with her step-daughter due to a perceived betrayal (as opposed to her granddaughter)

been accused of sleeping with a younger man (charity and laurel are the same age and both slept with ross)

had her entire dating history thrown in her face as though it was evidence of something wrong with her

and obviously the stakes in laurel's storyline are much lower, but ultimately it really does show how terribly people treat even respectable women - let alone women like charity when they do something even very, very lightly outside of what is deemed acceptable.

i've seen people complain that it's unrealistic that charity has been raped again, in her 50's and at a time where she is as far removed from her unstable past as she's ever been - married, raising age appropriate children, a successful owner of a business central to the life of the community - but doesn't the parallel with laurel serve show that you're never too old or too settled or too conventional to be castigated and discarded for your indiscretions? and for someone like charity, what people don't understand is the thing that makes you most vulnerable to abuse is isolation - not physical isolation but social isolation. not having people to confide in, or being terrified of the reactions of the people that you do have to confide in. and that's what's put charity in this position - she wasn't afraid that she was going to be abused, as she says it didn't cross her mind at the time. but what exposed her and made her vulnerable to the abuse was her fear of being judged and abandoned by her loved ones for her 'indiscretions'. and the laurel storyline (but also of course her entire history on the show) shows us she's not wrong in this fear.

shippingsincebeforeyouwereborn

I was going to just comment, but I think you analysis calls for amplification.

I hadn't made the connection to Laurel, but I like this analysis a lot. Charity's isolation is absolutely about reputation -- not about sexual respectability, but it is about how her family and friends see her and the risk the baby secret poses to her identity. It is about the social and self-image she has wrestled tooth and nail to build - and has been washed away over and over - since she was a literal child. That's the leverage that Todd had over her. It wasn't just "oh so and so will be mad" -- it was that there would be a mudslide of all the love, relationships, and self worth and Charity would be left with nothing.

Interestingly, for me at least, there's been a fair amount of real vitriol about the abject violation of this woman (I think I'm not supposed to say the actual four letter word for fear of something or other) not because its a horrific thing, but because it would somehow be a get out of jail free from the consequences coming to her for having gotten pregnant with the wrong baby, and then trying to cling to the sacrificial act of love that had been her intent. Basically proving Charity's worst fears -- and Todd's worst villainy -- right.

I abhor that the producers have included sexual violation in this story. I am a softy and squeamish. And I'm not convinced this is really an "issues story" as opposed to a story beat that could be used to do some awareness in what is a larger character-based examination.

Let's hope the writers and producers can stay focused on Charity - and not spin off into "how a woman's violation affects her husband and family." If they can, it will be an emotionally harrowing journey, but maybe one worthy of Charity Dingle.

leiannam

also, this story line and who is the victim and who is the abuser is so important and interesting and complex on so many levels (i don’t know what was the writers’ intention and what not, but it’s what i can see and what the context of it all tells us) - and some comments i have seen regarding this story line and charity (and how supposedly the assault is used to “absolve” her from her responsibility for her own wrongdoings) make me so so angry…and shows how much work there is to do for people/ the wider society be able to grasp the notions of power relations, abuse if power etc. but anyways, the story line shines light on following aspects

1. the myth of the “perfect victim”: the only “perfect” and thus trustworthy victim is the one who is supposedly respectable, nice, pleasant, likeable, perfect, immaculate, never done anything wrong - if not, they’re not believed or there are questions like “what did they do to provoke it?” etc. Charity with her history and past (questionable) behaviour challenges all those stereotypes about the perfect victim and makes her vulnerable to people NOT believing her. Luckily they portrayed it in the show as the police and Mack believing her…let’s see how the rest of the story line plays out. And Dr. Todd uses her knowledge of Charity’s past to taunt her with it and shame her - a huge power imbalance (symbolic violence ? - as it touches credibility, worth, who is considered worthy and worth protecting and who not…)

2. Power Relations and Abuse of Power:yet again, the abuser, Dr. Todd, is a “respected” authority figure, a doctor who is supposed to help/ save lives and not harm or destroy. And Dr. Todd assaulting her is not only horrible and terrible because of the act itself, but also because she ia perfectly aware of her position in society and community and even says it herself “who will believe a cheating whore over a respected member of society” (or something like this), like she is conscious of this dynamic and also is actively exploiting her power AND Charity’s past. She knows perfectly well how people/ the system works and uses it for herself.

(Like, bad enough that Dr. Todd uses her position of power to blackmail people for her own personal gain - if it was about morals she could just have reported the false paternity or something- but she really brought her abuse of power to another level)

Also, i read some comments on episodes (from before the assault) where people were kinda enjoying the beef/ conflict between Charity and Dr. Todd when Dr. Todd was blackmailing her. And while I get that Emmerdale is a soap and baddies, conflict, drama is part of that, I went back and watched some scenes between Charity and Dr. Todd from when Dr. Todd was blackmailing Charity and I have the feeling there were already hints that something sinister/ horrible would happen, and there already were hints at the sexual violence. The one scene were Charity and Dr. Tood talk at Vanessa’s house (scene from 22nd May) and Charity was getting angry and Dr. todd was making sexual innuendos/ weird comments about how attractive Charity was when getting angry. Typical patriarchal tactic (often uaes by men) to bring a conversation on that level. This brings me to the next point

3. Patriarchy/ Sexism/ Misogyny - and a very interesting and weird mix of it which i’m not quite able to name perfectly: Apart from all the black mailing, Dr. Todd is basically slut-shaming Charity over and over again, making her feel less-than and worthless for her past as a sex worker (if you can even call it this way when charity was basically a child) - purity culture is calling….but at the same time is repeatedly “flirting” with her and making inappropriate comments, i would class it as some form of subtle, hard to catch sexual harassment/ sexual abuse. (And people were writing “hahah, they should have hate s** hahah”). Like, Dr. Todd is simultaneously denigrating her while also making lewd/ inappropriate comments and wanting access to her? (The same the day of the assault, the way Todd says that Charity is making the mad, drunk woman look attractive. I feel like Charity already had clocked Todd and how she used these comments because she made that face of having to puke when Todd said taht and made it clear she knows people like Todd.). And ultimately sexual violence / abuse in its most explicit form (ra**/ sa) to subjugate/ conquer/ brake the victim.

Also the way Tood tries to kiss Charity and beforehand looks at charity in that strange predatory, arrogant way, but also amused at charity’s antics? - this whole interaction is just so strange and uncomfortable, like Todd was playing with her prey. Also, the way she uses Vanessa (and her body and trust) to get back at Charity.

I’d be veeeey interestedon your @doyouthinkhewouldsquandersouls and your @shippingsincebeforeyouwereborn take on this whole complex mess this is :)

4. And on top of that, it’s a queer woman, a lesbian, assaulting another queer woman. Something that clearly rattled Charity because she never thought a woman would do this or that Todd would go that far

#emmerdale #charity dingle #caitlin todd

desicinema

MAJA MA (2022), dir. Anand Tiwari

soberscientistlife

kudos to the women bikers

jmflowers

Swarla Kisses Rated [x] part 2 | part 3 | part 4

1. "Don't get dressed." (22nd November 2024)

The loud noise that occurred at the moment this kiss aired was the sound of an entire population's proverbial panties dropping. Has there ever been a hotter line spoken? This is the power-necking the soap community taught us about. Swarla started off SO strong it's frankly terrifying. 14/10 Carla knew what she wanted.

2. "Have you?" (29th November 2024)

When the most confident dyke on the cobbles asks you if you've changed your mind about your feelings for her, you are required by law to stubbornly keep your hand on your hip. Even if she pushes your hair back from your face as delicately as humanly possible??? If Lisa Swain ever looked at me like that I would burst into flames. 11/10

3. "Is that better?" (16th December 2024)

We reached the domesticity era of their love in 0.2 seconds flat and I for one am not upset about it. The way Carla nuzzles in? The tilt of Lisa's head? The repetition? I was not expecting more kisses so soon in their story. The only way this could've gotten better is if they'd eaten each other's faces after this had been a clearer angle. 7/10 Carla Connor saying, “I want you.” plays on loop in my head at all times.

4. "Mmm... truffley." (20th December 2024)

The prolonged eye contact???? The dazed look on Lisa's face immediately after?? The fucking giggles???? The sheer power Carla Connor has and wields for good (ie. my own entertainment). Coronation Street said y'all deserve this. 10/10 Carla can hand feed me any day of the week.

5. "See you later." (20th December 2024)

Have you ever seen anyone look so peaceful about a decision before? Carla Connor said, "Today's the day I kiss my girlfriend in the street." I know y'all were waiting for that Live Sally Reaction and it did not disappoint. I hope they kiss each other goodbye constantly forever. 6/10 The way she analyzed Lisa's entire face before leaning forward made me scream both internally and externally.

6. New Year's Countdown (31st December 2024)

If you thought I wouldn't lose my mind over the image of them off in a corner of the pub in their own little world, you were wrong. I need to know if this was a scripting choice, an acting choice, or an editing choice for reasons. I'm never going to get sick of the way Lisa pulls Carla closer by the shoulders (almost) every time they kiss. Lisa closing her eyes like that makes my heart stop beating. 8/10

7. "Ooh, your lip!" (31st December 2024)

You ever just get aggressively snogged by a woman who's falling in love with you (while your lip is busted open from fighting bad guys)? Superheroes really don't get days off but they do get the girl. I miss the power-necking (literally a month ago?!?), but this was still so cute. 9/10 for the sheer fact that Carla needed a New Year's like this considering she dies like 12 hours later.

8. "Won't take that long." (31st December 2024)

Carla Connor isn't the only one who nearly fainted shortly after this kiss. Lisa said let me flutter my drunk eyelashes at you. The way Carla opened her mouth?? The breathy, "Shall we go to bed?" from Lisa??? The fucking forehead lean???? I am too goddamn gay for this to be on my screen. How did we get a month into this relationship and already reach 8 kiss scenes? 10/10 thanks Coronation Street for the gay rights.

9. "Please don't leave me here." (1st January 2025)

The fact that Lisa could walk away from Carla in this moment is frankly mind-blowing; her face is the same colour as Betsy's shirt. Lisa, woman, OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES. Someone said Carla looks like she died 3 hours ago and they're not wrong. 3/10 because I'm a sucker for the domestic nature of this but also I want to punch everyone in the face for not protecting our sick baby. Gold star for the Corrie makeup department and their highlighter collection.

10. "Are we okay?" (8th January 2025)

Lisa Swain's affectionate eye roll immediately after Bobby interrupted them is like 1/1000th of how we all really felt. She lingered on this kiss for so long. The hand coming up to cup Carla's head? The forehead lean again? Carla's little smile when she realized what was about to happen? Give these ladies a room that isn't in hospital or full of their children. 9/10 we're watching f/f hurt/comfort fanfiction live on ITV.

11. Comforting Hand (9th January 2025)

We're deep in the trenches of this hurt/comfort storyline now, kids. I hope Lisa plans on sitting vigil at Carla's bedside for the rest of their damn lives (yes I'm wearing my clown makeup while I watch this soap). 4/10 because my self-deprecating baby pulled away from the love and support she deserves.

12. Good Luck (13th January 2025)

As far as kisses go, this barely passes the test, but THEY ARE FAMILY. Carla, proper bricking it. Betsy, also bricking it. Good thing Lisa Swain swooped in to wish her wife girlfriend good luck with the most vanilla cheek peck known to man. Someone get them a room and a dialysis machine whirring to drown out all their kids, stat! 5/10 cause I respect the domesticity.

13. "We'll make it happen either way." (17th January 2025)

At the precise moment that Carla Connor's head settled in against Lisa Swain's shoulder and her eyes closed and she smiled that little smile while Lisa declared them a 'we', my heart officially stopped beating and I passed away. Rating this soft head kiss an 8/10 from the grave because (whatever entity you believe is on the other side) agreed with me: that's the Connor-Swain family!

14. "I'm not scared. I'm not." (20th January 2025)

Carla Connor is absolutely not scared. And she absolutely did not inch forward slightly so that Lisa could be the one to decide to hold her and make her feel safe. Absolutely none of that happened. I'm going to forever be soft about all these forehead kisses and collapsing-into-each-other hugs. Rating this a 9/10 for the utter loving, vulnerability of it all. Now, go make sweet love about it!

15. "Ugh, in my dreams." (5th February 2025)

DOMESTICITY ERA IS A GO. They greet each other with kisses, y'all. We're really in it now... we've made it! Coronation Street said have all the vanilla lip pecks you desire, cause they live together. 7/10 Because all I'm really thinking about is them staying up all night in the glow of the dialysis machine making sweet love.

16. "...the best possible future I could imagine." (5th February 2025)

Lisa Swain: Certified Softy said I'm gonna stick by you so hard, Carla Connor. Through sickness and in lunch break. I'm obsessed with how committed she gets to these hand and forehead kisses; how long she hovers on the moment, making eye contact, making sure Carla knows what she means. 8/10 This is what love looks like.

17. "Just introducing myself." (10th February 2025)

Listen, I know y'all went feral for this show of dominance kiss (and it was really such a dyke power move), but this had literally nothing to do with Carla and everything to do with Lisa and Rob's dick-measuring contest. Carla didn't even close her eyes. Do we know if she consents to public displays of affection in front of her estranged, murdering little brother and his prison guard? Grab your pitchforks cause I'm giving this a 2/10

18. "...I want him fit enough for the transplant." (10th February 2025)

Lisa really said, "I know who your brother is now, but I'm still soft for you," and we respect her for that. Even if Carla in this moment thinks she literally doesn't care. Can you hear the cogs turning in her head, Carla? Let a woman scheme. Rating this a 5/10 cause she's got a Carla-shaped space in her arms and I'm mush about it even when they're too focused on kidney transplants to kiss sloppy-style.

19. "Oh, I love you. Thank you." (12th February 2025)

A barely audible "I love you"?!?!?! I nearly didn't believe it myself. But if anything warrants such a declaration, it's Lisa running Carla a bath. This whole scene was so domestic and life-partner-coded that I could implode just thinking about it. 7/10 cause there's hands and whispering and that's like gay kryptonite.

20. "You're gonna be here when I get back..." (14th February 2025)

The arm grab. The reciprocal I love yous. The fact that they're STARING INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES AS THEY KISS. Listen, I am a weak woman and this kiss nearly took me out. Not that unlike how Mandy took Carla out of the hospital like 24 hours later. 8/10 cause I'm about ready to propose on their behalves.

21. "You tryna get away without a little kissy?" (12th March 2025)

Carla Connor certified fucking loser when it comes to Lisa Swain. Honestly, she could've said anything and that's really what she chose. But then she yanked Lisa to her by the neck and hummed through the entire thing and I very momentarily stopped dreaming about the day they'll kiss like it's November 2024 again. 8/10

22. "We can't keep around Betsy 24/7, lovey, can we?" (17 March 2025)

The pat on Lisa’s head moments before this kiss occurs will live rent-free in my mind for all eternity. Carla Connor said, “down, girl.” I’m just over here thinking about the weeks of Lisa comforting Carla with head and hand kisses and how Carla is now returning the favour. It’s about balance, folks. 7/10 for the sheer number of places they’re physically connected in this scene.

23. "Well, that's your department, missus." (17 March 2025)

Lisa Swain popped like a damn balloon with one touch from Carla Connor. You know when you’re cuddling with someone you love and you’re suddenly so exhausted because you’re so at peace? That’s this moment to me - even if Lisa’s brain is still positively swirling with stress and Carla’s is run rampant with guilt. They’re safe together and that makes this kiss pure. 6/10 for the way Lisa’s eyes close and her little smile appears.

24. "I shot my own daughter." (26 March 2025)

Thank goodness for this camera and this lens, but fuck this angle. How am I supposed to dissect kisses for ratings when I can’t even see them, Corrie?!?!? Carla’s first response to Lisa’s confession being to pull her closer makes me feel so many things all at once. They really said they’re a team, y’all. 3/10 cause I’m not heartless, I just want some words with the director and DP and editor of this episode.

25. "Tantrums and hormonal breakdowns?" (28 March 2025)

It’s so gay of them to have lasted all of 12 hours in a fight before they were collapsing into each others’ arms, crying and professing their love. I’d like the look of relief and exhaustion and peace on Lisa’s face in this moment tattooed on the inside of my eyelids so I can look at it while I try to sleep. 7/10 cause I need all of their scenes shot Big Brother style for my sanity.

26. "...we can get through anything." (28 March 2025)

There’s a vine somewhere that makes the exact squeeeeing noise that’s been playing on loop in my head since the moment this kiss aired. The fucking sound of them kissing! The eyelashes, the tears, the l o o k i n g. The SNIFFLE. 9/10 I never expect to be as gay as I am about them, and then moments like this occur and a god damn pride flag pops out of my mouth.

27. "Come 'ere." (28 March 2025)

Thank GOD Alison King is a soap queen who knows how to work those camera angles for her own coverage. I’m sick with the Sappho from the way Lisa looks up at Carla as she is pulled into this kiss/hug combo. They’re so everything I could literally die. Bury me beneath the cobbles, Corrie; I’m here until the end of this couple. 8/10

jmflowers

Swarla Kisses Rated: Part 2 | based upon | part 1 | part 3 | part 4

28. "Oh, what do I know, Lisa?" (2 May 2025)

I'm actually obsessed with comedian Carla Connor cracking jokes one minute and then going full serious a second later when she kisses her girlfriend's head. The swipe over Lisa's hair to smooth it back down (or remove the remnants of her lipstick?) made my tumblr dash feral for 3 whole business days. 4/10 don't tell me you don't think about stroking Lisa Swain's hair, too.

29. "Mick did, babe. Mick did." (23 May 2025)

I could get so fucking sappy about this moment, this conversation, the comfort in such a low-lit scene. But this list is not for that! So, know that Lisa holding her breath until Carla kisses her cheek dislodged a few of my brain cells and all the rest were left thinking about Carla's pretty, pretty manicure and post-bath waves. 6/10 sue me, I love women especially when they're so undone.

30. "You did so well. So well today." (11 June 2025)

We're really in the era of Carla Connor's words of affirmation, folks. Lisa Swain being so fucking buttoned-up and on edge that Carla has to come all the way towards her rewired my insides the first time I saw it. I swear to god it looks like Lisa doesn't believe she deserves the affection. Something something about breaking down her walls and such. 5/10 cause I'm horny, not heartless.

31. "Well done, babe." (11 June 2025)

The rest of the something something about breaking down walls! Lisa Swain said if you're gonna kiss my cheek, I'm gonna kiss the air beside yours, too. Don't get me started on the way she fucking melts into Carla's hug, finally at peace. If this was on AO3, I'd be hitting that kudos button like it owed me money. 5/10

32. Rogue Lip Wipe (13 June 2025)

Listen, I know this isn't a kiss... but it's a kiss to me. That lip bite, the thumb stroke, that gaze - there is nothing but horny in love explanations for it, kids. I hope she ate out cuddled Carla Connor on a bed made of house listings after their tea cause it's what they deserve. 6/10 Lisa Swain can get it a future with Carla.

33. "Get your sexy bum into the shower, now." (18 June 2025)

I'm going to make one of those schedule-regulating apps but it'll just be Carla Connor bossing us all around until we shower and eat regular meals and such. And if we all get as flustered as Lisa Swain does in this moment, well... Y'all know I'm a sucker for the eye contact and face gazing and little smiles so this is a solid 8/10, with or without the pom poms getting whipped out.

34. "It's the beginning of you moving on." (18 June 2025)

I'm irritated that I even had to clip this scene and find the precise moment Carla's lips hit Lisa's head to gif it cause we can't even see the kiss! Realistically, I know this was probably an insert added to make the Lisa-going-to-counselling storyline flow properly (and after they'd already started dismantling the flat set, most likely), but they really did us dirty with this one. 1/10 Corrie said fuck your gay rights.

35. "I rely on you for hugs and red wine." (18 July 2025)

I'd like us all to focus on the nuzzle and the whispered I love yous and the way Carla's eyes close when she kisses Lisa's head and n o t h i n g else. This whole episode was like watching one of those action movie scenes where a bomb is ticking down and the hero needs to cut a wire to keep it from exploding... only, Lisa doesn't own wire cutters. 4/10 I wish Carla's kisses could save Lisa from detonation.

36. [Humming Kiss Noises] (21 July 2025)

Is this ASMR for queers? They both stepped into this kiss with such conviction I nearly had to search for survivors. The way Carla cradles Lisa's face and plays with her hair after and those damn cheekbones at work! Actually, forget what I said before: there were no survivors. 9/10

37. "Seriously, I'm dead proud of you." (21 July 2025)

Teeny tiny Carla Connor craning upwards to kiss the forehead of her even teenier tinier girlfriend... fuck, if that doesn't make you mush, I don't know what will! I'm thriving with all these comforting hugs and kisses in this time of emotional turmoil. 7/10 Lisa's safe place is right there in Carla's arms.

38. The Sliding into Home Cheek Kiss (30 July 2025)

Context aside, this is one of my favourite kisses from this year. The way Carla slides to the floor and into Lisa's side is fucking poetry to my eyeballs. God damn romance dance, y'all. Toss in Lisa's little FACE and I'm a fucking goner. Gimme two women comforting each other, world; I'm a simple gay. 7/10

39. "It's okay." (30 July 2025)

Counting the number of veins visible in Lisa's forehead is how I forget what she's crying about in this moment. I know some of y'all think Carla Connor has more patience than sense, but all I see on my screen is a saint of a woman and the pussy she's addicted to human bean she loves through good times and bad. 4/10 imagine if there wasn't drama on this SOAP.

40. "I'm all yours." (1 August 2025)

Carla Connor's damn pillow fortress strikes again! Seriously, though, the sounds of this kiss, the tentative little smile on Carla's face while Lisa declares her commitment, the full body lean from Lisa to connect their lips... In another universe, we got them making out on the bean couch before they moved to number 6. I guess this'll have to do for this universe. 8/10 I want this version of them forever. 🤡

41. "Bye, darlin'." (11 August 2025)

THEY OWN A HOUSE ON CORONATION STREET, Y'ALL! And nothing says domesticity quite like a kiss goodbye while you hold the wheelie bin open. I'm waiting for the day we see Lisa walk Carla to work, holding hands the entire way. But until then, I'm happy for little moments like this one. 5/10 cause I'm surprised Lisa doesn't fall off the scaffolding she's calling her shoes. Someone get Vicky an apple box!

42. "What was that for?" (11 August 2025)

Lisa Swain chasing down Carla's head so she can kiss it is something that can be so deeply personal. This entire episode is the epitome of my hierarchy of needs pyramid: from physiological to self-actualization, kids. No wonder Carla Connor wants to propose approximately 4 and a half seconds later. 7/10 someone get Lisa a target with Carla's face on it so she can practice.

43. "That pink makes your eyes pop." (11 August 2025)

It's almost as if Corrie doesn't even care that I'm making this series of posts! I'll give it a pass because Carla's little hum and blushy smile before this kiss is impossible to resist. She's so proud to be a mother figure to Betsy that I could actually explode. 7/10 I'm looking at Lisa's silky blonde hair but I'd rather be examining this from 14 different angles like it's an episode of your favourite multi-cam sitcom.

44. "Did I just pie ya?" (11 August 2025)

Thank fuck they included this adorable, giggly moment in the episode so y'all could become unhinged on tumblr[dot]com about it. Nobody tell the editors anything I've ever said about them cause they've won me back over. There's nothing on earth more endearing than an actress knowing the regional lingo for accidental improvisation. 8/10 I'm down to watch them laugh into each others lips any day of the week.

45. "Good morning." (13 August 2025)

This! This is the angle I'm talking about! Nothing says "I'm making a series of very serious posts where I rate on-screen kisses" quite like a shot where we can see the precise movements of their mouths. The only thing that could've made this better would be a little tongue some privacy more domesticity less clothing more comedy a ring on that finger. 9/10 someone hurry up and hit a knee already!

46. The Distraction Kiss (1 September 2025)

I'm not even remotely exaggerating when I say that Lisa's lip bite as she steps away from this kiss gives me fucking butterflies. Cockiest dyke on the cobbles returns! Carla bending down so far to reach Lisa's mouth was for the gays and you can't tell me otherwise. I'm a sucker for any kiss where they keep their eyes open and stare at each other, so even though this is but a peck I'm gonna give it an 7/10. Either one of them could stare into my soul whenever they please, free of charge.

47. "'Course I'll flamin' marry you." (3 September 2025)

Is it November 2024?!?! The fucking GUSTO with which Carla Connor dives in for kiss number two is my god damn Roman Empire. The greatest crime Corrie's ever committed is cutting away from this shot to show us everyone else's reactions as if we really cared. 14/10 let them suck face like this for longer, ITV - I dare you.

48. No WLW Story is Complete Without a Spinning Camera Kiss (3 September 2025)

...is anyone else having flashbacks to other shows? The fucking butterflies of this moment, y'all. Corrie doesn't use music all that often, but when they do it hits like a freight train. How the hell did we manage to get here in less than a year and who do I owe money to for making it happen? 12/10 someone let Lisa's hand drift lower, just once.

49. "Well, you are. For life, wife." (3 September 2025)

Roy talking about his marriage to Hayley, Carla so fervently kissing Lisa's head, Lisa's little smile when she does... it's like a 3-punch knockout! Corrie said, "Here's another legendary, iconic couple on the famous Coronation Street," and I bowed at their feet in gratitude. 6/10 They both look so peaceful I could die or they might, let's be real.

50. "I love you." (3 September 2025)

If you thought for even a second that a full body shot of them kissing in front of the house they own wouldn't make me S C R E A M, you were dead wrong. The way Lisa steps even closer and fucking leans into Carla? Just bury me now. I hope they fucked real nasty had a lovely evening after this. 13/10

51. They're Engaged! (3 September 2025)

If you had told any of us at any point in time before these two got together that the Carla Connor would be engaged to a woman and part of the first WLW couple to own a house on Coronation Street... How lucky we are to live in a time where this story and these characters exist and these actors are so willing to tell it as they are! I could live forever in the gentle swipe of Carla's thumb across Lisa's cheek. We made it, folks! 129/10 for another incredible four months of swarla!!!