Coronation Street is bracing itself for one of its most emotionally volatile weeks in years as simmering tensions finally boil over on the cobbles. From a harrowing domestic abuse storyline that pushes Todd Grimshaw to physical collapse, to Gary Windass crossing a dangerous line in his attempt to protect him, Weatherfield becomes a pressure cooker of secrets, suspicion and sudden violence.

At the heart of the week’s drama is Todd’s quiet, devastating unravelling under the tightening control of Theo Silverton. Outwardly, Todd tries to maintain a brave face, even allowing himself a fleeting moment of warmth when Sarah Platt and George Shuttleworth treat him to food and company. But that fragile comfort shatters the moment he notices a string of missed calls from Theo. Panic sets in, and Todd slips away to listen to the messages in private, the fear in his eyes betraying just how trapped he feels.

Todd’s guilt runs deep. He confides in George that he hates having made Summer Spellman cover grocery costs for him, a small but telling detail that highlights how completely Theo has taken control of his finances. Desperate to make amends, Todd arranges an early wage payment so he can repay her, clinging to any scrap of independence he can find.

That independence is swiftly crushed. When James Bailey invites Todd out for brunch, Todd pretends he’s forgotten his bank card. James ends up paying, a gesture of kindness that becomes another weapon for Theo when he hears about it. Back at home, Theo berates Todd for “wasting” money and hands him a small note, ordering him to pick up dinner and bring back proof of every penny spent.

While Todd is out, Theo commits an act that speaks volumes about his cruelty. He throws away a photograph of Billy Mayhew, discarding it like rubbish. Spotting a takeaway container in the bin, Theo seizes on it as evidence of Todd’s supposed failure. When Todd returns, Theo explodes, coldly listing the calories Todd must have eaten and ordering him out for a punishing run.

The physical toll is immediate. Todd is later seen limping along the street, barely able to stand, and that evening he emerges from the bedroom rubbing his neck after Theo leaves a painful love bite. Theo finds the mark amusing. Todd looks humiliated.

The following day, the situation turns even darker. Jake Windass mocks Todd about the marks on his neck, pushing him to snapping point in public. Before Todd can react, Gary steps in. What starts as a warning escalates rapidly when Gary later confronts Theo directly about the way he’s treating his partner.

This confrontation is a turning point. Gary, never one to back down from a fight, makes it clear he sees through Theo’s charm. Theo, in turn, doesn’t take kindly to being challenged. The tension crackles, and it becomes clear that Gary’s intervention, however well-intentioned, could make Todd’s situation far worse. Yet Gary cannot stand by and watch another man be destroyed.

Desperate to escape the house and the suffocating atmosphere, Todd goes out running again. This time, his body simply gives up. He collapses in the street, unconscious, in front of George and Christina Boyd. It’s a chilling image: a man pushed beyond his limits, literally falling under the weight of abuse.

Elsewhere on the cobbles, unease spreads as David Platt grows increasingly wary of Jodie Ramsay. Shona Platt becomes convinced Jodie is hiding something and follows her to a psychiatric unit, where Jodie is visiting their confused and distant father. Jodie reveals she once cared for him alone after their mother vanished, but the explanation does little to settle Shona’s nerves.

Back home, tensions flare when Shona snaps at Lily Platt, prompting David to suggest she take time out. Jodie subtly manipulates events, steering Shona away from visiting her father and into a night out instead. At the Bistro, Carl Webster turns on the charm, irritating Shona as Jodie encourages her to drink, tears flowing just convincingly enough to draw sympathy.

David is left deeply unsettled. When Jodie later tells him how “welcome” she feels in the house, he admits to Nick Tilsley that something about her doesn’t sit right. A smashed wedding photo and a hidden locket only deepen the sense that a secret is waiting to explode.

Secrets also haunt Bernie Winter, who panics when Mal Roer continues hanging around after witnessing her wild night of drink and drugs at Chariot Square. When Ryan Connor recognises Mal, Bernie scrambles to cover her tracks, eventually confessing everything to Gemma Winter. Gemma urges her to tell Dev Alahan the truth before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, Carl Webster’s resentment reaches boiling point. Fresh from learning about his mother’s legal situation, Carl clashes with Ryan at the hotel and is furious when Ronnie Bailey sides against him. When Ryan sacks him for dumping QR code stickers, Carl begins plotting revenge, his anger now firmly focused on the family business.

Suspicion also clouds Daniel Osborne’s world. After a row with Sam Blakeman, Daniel realises he may have the wrong man for his Christmas Day attack. Comments from Maggie Driscoll about Will Driscoll’s temper raise fresh doubts, hinting that the truth is still out there.

Amid the darkness, there are lighter moments. Lauren Bolton finally agrees to a date with Ali Driscoll, sharing her excitement with Betsy Swain and Carla Connor. Carla herself plans a surprise for Lisa Swain, hoping to mend recent rifts.

The week ends on a chilling note as Debbie Webster faces a shocking prison twist. Assigned a support buddy due to her dementia, Debbie is stunned to come face to face with Lou Michaelis behind bars. Whether this reunion becomes a lifeline or a living nightmare remains to be seen.

With Gary’s violent instincts awakened, Todd’s life hanging in the balance, and secrets threatening to tear families apart, Weatherfield has rarely felt so combustible. One thing is certain: after this week, nothing on the cobbles will ever feel quite the same again.