Coronation Street fans were reeling from harrowing scenes in Friday night's episode (March 3) as Amy Barlow was raped by her best friend's boyfriend Aaron Sandford. Viewers saw Aaron prey on Amy after the pair were drawn together when they both fell out with Summer Spellman and they celebrated Aaron's promotion to become a mechanic at Kevin Webster's garage.
Viewers saw the teens share a kiss in the ITV soap, but Amy quickly pulled away and was left wracked with guilt. Later at a cocktail night at the Bistro, Aaron was sniping again with Summer and couldn't take his eyes off Amy.
When Amy headed home after rowing with Summer again, Aaron decided he'd had enough too and joined her back at the flat they share. They played drinking games and polished off every drop of alcohol in the flat.
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Events then took a dark turn as Amy went to the bedroom to find more booze and Aaron, played by James Craven, followed her. As they sat down on the bed Aaron complimented Amy and kissed her.
Amy then admitted she felt sick and rolled away from him. But Aaron moved in closer and continued to kiss Amy, who was unaware of what was happening as he made the decision for her that they would have sex.
While applauding the powerful scenes, fans took to Twitter to complain about the change in character for Aaron. The character was introduced a year ago as the friendly boy who met Summer at a diabetic support group and it turned out he was caring for his abusive, alcoholic dad. Aaron then went on to support Summer through her bulimia and a miscarriage.
@stevebethere complained: "They have now ruined the Aaron character it's rare someone stays nice for long in soaps." @CatchesideSays tweeted: "I understand and applaud #Corrie for bringing awareness and attention to stories like that of Amy's, but it is disappointing that they've completely trashed the Aaron character to do it. A year of character development and growth to make the character irredeemable. @itvcorrie"
And Kaitlyn Murphy said: "We all just witnessed, in real time, an actual character assassination with Aaron from the script writers. Once a likeable, caring shy kid to raping someone while she's asleep."
@lostirishgirl asked: "Why have they turned Aarons character into a scumbag?" @LauraBe67931844 gasped: "My God, Aaron from Corrie is creepy."
@suzysasha wrote: "Find it hard to believe Aaron would do this. Why do scriptwriters change characters personalities and make good kids go bad." And @CallumKeith1999 said: "#Corrie Like father, like son. I don't like this sudden change in Aaron's character development."
But they added: "However, tonight's episode was powerful and shows that when a woman pushes you away slightly, common sense should be to take that as a 'no.'"
Other fans pointed out what could be a worrying plot development for Aaron, when Amy's killer mum Tracy finds out. @DavidBoink said: "Aaron's life wont be worth living by time Tracy's finished with him."
@mikepriestley13 wrote: "Aaron I’d run because when Tracy finds out what you’ve done to Amy she will cut your b***s off." @mobrees exclaimed: "Oh poor Amy! When Tracey find out, she is going to make his life hell #Corrie."
@GregDav94758992 said: "Wait til 'Tracy luv' finds out about this ..." And @dan_sadie commented: "Poor Amy. She was too drunk to consent to sex. Tracy Barlow is going to kill Aaron when she finds out that he raped her daughter."
As the praise for the storyline and acting poured in @oliviaseden said: "Amy’s consent storyline is so important and hopefully it shows awareness to know when someone is not sober enough to give consent I can’t wait to see how the storyline plays out
@darrennpassey wrote: "I have seen people moaning about the new consent storyline that kicked off in tonight’s #corrie with Amy and Aaron. it’s a very important storyline that needs highlighting, I can’t wait for next weeks episodes, going to get great stuff from @ElleJMulvaney." And @pam_debeauvoir tweeted: "Aaron, Amy is comatose and NOT, repeat NOT, NOT, NOT consenting."
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