Coronation Street viewers witnessed a dramatic and unexpected turn of events on Monday night's episode as factory boss Carla Connor fought her way out of a terrifying kidnapping ordeal.
Carla's Desperate Fight for Freedom
The episode saw the corrupt police officer Becky Swain, who had faked her own death in 2021, continuing to hold Carla prisoner in a wardrobe at her flat. Becky's motive was to remove Carla from the picture so she could rekindle her relationship with her wife, DS Lisa Swain. During a tense confrontation, Carla attempted to bargain for her release, telling Becky: "You let me out of here, you tell Lisa what you've done, and let's see who she chooses." This provoked a furious response from Becky, who declared Carla was "nowt but a rebound."
The situation escalated when Becky threw a plate at Carla. However, this act of violence gave Carla her chance. Using the shards of the broken plate, she managed to free herself from her restraints. When Becky next opened the wardrobe door, Carla launched a surprise attack, knocking the officer out cold and making her escape.
A Web of Lies and a Fake Hotel
The plot to keep Carla hidden involved an elaborate cover-up. Prior to her capture, a drugged and hospitalised DI Costello – Becky's boss who was in on the secret – had mumbled the words 'rhubarb' and 'hill' to Carla. Later, under duress, Carla was forced to tell her stepdaughter Betsy she was staying at the non-existent Rhubarb Hill Hotel.
This sparked suspicion with Carla's colleague Sarah Platt and DC Kit Green. However, their online search revealed a convincing website and phone number for the hotel. In a revealing scene, it was confirmed that Becky had orchestrated this digital deception herself, instructing an accomplice to maintain the fake website and phone line to throw people off the scent.
Fan Reaction and Future Speculation
The dramatic escape prompted an ecstatic reaction from fans on social media platform X. One viewer celebrated, "Carla knocking Becky out at the end. Yass, hunny, yas!" while another humorously dubbed her a "Carla Connor WWE legend."
However, many are convinced this is not the end of the dramatic storyline, especially with a major Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover on the horizon. Some fans speculated that Carla's good nature might see her check on Becky, leading to her being overpowered again. Others predicted this could signal the beginning of the end for Becky Swain on the cobbles, with one fan writing: "If that little push and Becky falling felt that good, imagine what her downfall will feel like."
This is not the first time the resilient businesswoman has been held hostage. In 2010, her late husband Tony Gordon held her captive in the Underworld factory fire, and earlier this year she was held by her brother, escaped prisoner Rob Donovan.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
