Maternal instinct is powerful in soapland: mothers are the quickest to forgive and the last to give up on their offspring. In Coronation Street alone, last week, we’ve seen Abi desperate to make amends with Seb, Tracy taking responsibility for her lack of decent mothering in Amy’s life, and Shona, despite her son being a killer, shouting, ‘I’m your mother!’ His view of her was different – ‘an old slut ’ho used to live on the estate’ – but you can’t have it all. EastEnders’ mums have always stuck up for their young no matter what – Peggy, Bianca, Kat, Kathy, Dot (the most loyal in history) – because fairm-ly is fairm-ly, even if the kids are liars, adulterers and murderers. In Emmerdale, mothers have had a more difficult time with their children. The reaction and aftermath of Moira’s struggle with Holly’s drug addiction and death is one of the most powerful storylines in soap history. In this week's Coronation Street Seb finds himself out of a job after getting in a scuffle with Gary over Sarah Increasingly, though, to quote Wordsworth, ‘the child is father of the man’ – or, in this case, woman. When parents falter or grow sick, there’s nothing more touching than when roles are reversed and the parents become the vulnerable children. CORONATION STREET: UNBUILDING BRIDGES Poor Seb’s been through a lot in his young life and, with his 18th birthday upon us, we can only fear his being of legal drinking age will make matters worse. Or is life about to get a whole lot better when Sarah promises him a birthday surprise? Is the written invitation to meet her in the bath for Seb or Gary – and who is about to benefit? Let’s just hope the note’s not intercepted by Ken. Anyway, the week is all too much for Seb, who ends up in a scuffle with Gary over Sarah and finds himself out of a job. That might not be bad. Gary is proving himself to be a real rogue trader, telling Carla repairs to the factory roof would cost her upwards of £60,000. For starters, she’d have insurance; and I’ve seen a barbecue cause more damage on a hamburger than the boat blaze inflicted on Underworld. What’s with the bail hostel idea suddenly upon us? Claudia is horrified to discover the new build will be opposite her new flat. Given how often the locals are banged up, it’ll be home from home for most of them. A point of educational pedantry, Cathy: Brian can’t have a First in his Master of Arts degree; gradations are for Bachelor of Arts. EASTENDERS: GIRL POWER(LESS) Evie ploys to convince Tiffany that her family doesn't love her in EastEnders Yet another drugs storyline. How many more can they do? Now they’ve thrown the Evie/Tiffany girl-on-girl stuff into the mix and it’s still as boring as ever. Mitch admits he caught Keegan with drugs in the past, Keegan says he got them from Tiffany and let’s be honest, she has enough room to hide them in that gold puffer jacket. How long before the police become involved and interfering Whitney tries to get the troof? Evie’s ploy is to convince Tiffany that her family don’t love her (that shouldn’t be hard: everyone usually hates everyone in Walford) and, feeling alone, Tiffany accepts Evie’s invitation to go to a party (please, please tell me she gets to be excavated out of that wretched jacket before going). After another argument with Whitney, Tiffany agrees to leave home for good, but will she follow through? I’m sceptical. You have to be really quick to catch one of just three trains that leave Walford East every week, and I’m not sure she’s up to an inconspicuous getaway when she’s dressed like a poor man’s Oscar. Kerry (pictured with Jessie) goes to Belfast along with Paddy in search of Amy in Emmerdale There’s an attempt at levity (doubtless another doomed one) when Tina organises a pancake race at the Vic (don’t get excited; you won’t be rocking in the aisles). Iqra and Habiba then plan their own rival event. Toss all the pancake storylines right out of the script, I say. EMMERDALE: THE HONEYMOON’S OVER When Faith and Eric returned from the pub last week, you’d think Eric would’ve noticed his door was wide open. But no: it even took him 30 seconds to notice the papers scattered everywhere (still no mention of the door – he didn’t even have his key out) and surmise that Kerry (‘She’s behind you!’) had been there, looking for evidence of Amy. It’s a search that this week takes Kerry to Belfast, tagging along with Paddy on Marlon and Jessie’s honeymoon. Will Kerry find Amy, and will Paddy find Bear Wolf, who’s touring Belfast (lucky, that; saves on the show’s budget)?All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility