Lauren got inside of Max’s head (Pictures: ITV)
Coronation Street has recently shown the activities of a far right gang, which Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) is working undercover to try to expose. Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) recently went to a gig with gang member Griff (Michael Condron), and was horrified at the racist lyrics of the songs.
Following this, Griff befriended Max Turner (Paddy Bever), realising that he was an easy target because he’s vulnerable due to being bullied. The show’s producer Iain MacLeod has said, ‘We’ll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.’
Max was also introduced to a girl called Lauren (Cait Fitton) who is a member of the group, and tonight’s episode showed Lauren getting inside Max’s head by suggesting that his friend Daryan was being given special treatment because of his race when the two boys both started work at Speed Daal together.
Max had overheard Yasmeen (Shelley King) telling Alya (Sair Khan) that Daryan showed some initiative, but Max had ‘No idea what he’s doing.’
Following this, Max left the restaurant and Alya found him sitting outside. He told her, ‘Everyone around here thinks I’m a loser,’ and she suggested the best thing was to prove them wrong by going back to the job and doing his best.
He agreed, but at the end of the shift he told Lauren about having a ‘wobble’ early on when he kept messing up, and how he’d heard Yasmeen comparing him to Daryan. ‘I just hope they’re not playing favourites with Daryan,’ she said. ‘Why would they do that?’ Max asked. Lauren was about to tell him, but was interrupted by Shona.
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But as the story progresses we’ll see Max being corrupted by more and more extreme views.
As Iain MacLeod says, ‘We will explore a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online. In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?
‘For the conclusion of the story, David (Jack P. Shepherd)’s misjudged attempts to deal with Max will drive the narrative to a shocking and thought-provoking climax.’
Lauren got inside of Max’s head by suggesting that his friend Daryan was being given special treatment because of his race.
