Coronation Street spoilers follow from Friday’s episode (15 May), which is available to watch now on ITVX and YouTube but hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet.
Coronation Street fans see a very different version of Roy Cropper tonight, as Sam Blakeman imagines the much-loved character giving him some malicious advice.
This week’s episodes have seen Sam experience psychosis as he struggles to move on from his recent ordeal with evil Megan Walsh.
ITV
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Friday’s episode sees Sam’s symptoms take a different form as he meets up with Roy for a game of chess at the Bistro.
When Roy has to nip out for a moment, Sam imagines that the café boss is still sitting across the table from him. In a disturbing moment that would never happen with the real Roy, the imaginary Roy spitefully suggests that Sam’s dad Nick Tilsley may never have wanted him.
Once the real Roy returns, he’s oblivious to Sam’s turmoil over what has just taken place…
Later in Victoria Garden, the imaginary Roy is back with even more troubling “advice” for Sam…
Talking about resilience and survival, he says: “I’m still here because I learnt the value of identifying my foes and taking pre-emptive steps.”
ITV
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When Sam expresses his surprise over this more sinister side of Roy, he replies: “That’s because I must keep it hidden. I reveal it to you because you face the very same prejudices and attacks that I have endured.
“I want to help you, Sam. Face down those bullies and oppressors that wish you harm. By trusting no-one.”
Sam’s visions are manifestations of his biggest insecurities – fear of reprisals from Will Driscoll, anxiety that he’s no longer trusted by his own family, and worry that he can’t rely on anyone around him.
Coronation Street’s producer Kate Brooks recently explained: “[Sam’s] mental health has been really damaged by everything that has happened – by the manipulation, by the fact that he wasn’t believed, by the fear that he felt every time he was with Megan.
“We’re going to tell a big mental health story with Sam. He’s going to really struggle over the course of spring and early summer. It’s about his family realising, hopefully before it’s too late, that he’s in desperate need of help and he’s really vulnerable.”
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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