I get mildly annoyed when people dismiss soaps as just froth. They have dealt with rape, miscarriage, IVF, murder, suicide, infidelity, arson, birth, marriage, death (lots of deaths!), mental illness, kidnap, coming out as homosexual, lesbiansm, corruption......
I have been watching Corrie for 50 years and it has produced some wonderful performances. I still remember Hilda Ogden holding Stan's glasses and crying - of course the actor had died, which gave it a special poignancy.
It can be disconcerting when the writers alter characters completely - the Dingles came in as ruthless thugs and became loveable rogues!