To say the last twelve months have been a whirlwind for Swarla would be an astounding understatement. Within the first year of their romance, the smitten lovebirds have faced more turmoil than Tracy Barlow’s had brawls; but while we’d love to whack some Flex Tape on the cracks for a quick fix, perhaps reverting back to factory settings would be a far more favourable alternative to both the couple and their ever loyal fanbase.
Of course, viewers should know better than to expect smooth sailing where a soap is concerned. Lisa and Carla were destined to face a hurdle or two as they entered the dating pool, headfirst no less. Admittedly, we hadn’t considered sepsis, multiple kidnappings, and the return of a meddling, previously thought to be deceased, wife to sit amongst those obstacles – all of which occurred prior to the beloved couple’s first anniversary.
That’s not to say we haven’t basked in their romance. In contrast to the trials and tribulations, there’s been declarations of love, a house move, an unforgettable engagement (and several attempts beforehand), and countless laughs. Yet, the joy seems to be considerably eclipsed by one particular thunderstorm – grief.
Much of the romantic development between Lisa and Carla has been hindered by the detective’s heartache over the death of former wife, Becky. Lisa has never found peace nor closure where it concerns Becky and the peculiar circumstances surrounding her apparent demise. Even when she finally embraced her growing feelings for Carla, it was initially with great resistance on her part.
It’s not entirely beyond the realms of belief to suggest Lisa wasn’t quite prepared to face the intense connection she shares with Carla; in fact, Lisa has appeared to keep one foot out the door, weighted down by the guilt of moving on. There’s no doubt that Lisa cares deeply for Carla. Their romance is unmatched; we can see the devotion she has towards the factory boss clear as day. Even so, the foundation for their relationship has ultimately been driven by Lisa’s grief and an overwhelming fear that she will lose another woman she loves.
When Lisa first confessed her feelings, it was mere hours after witnessing Carla fighting for her life in a hospital bed – a handful of minor rows between them lingering on the detective’s mind. When Lisa reciprocated Carla’s proclamation of love, Carla was once again confined to a hospital bed. Not to mention, Lisa had uprooted from her home into Carla’s flat and immediately jumped into protector mode when it became clear Carla had fallen unwell.
The early stages of their relationship left little room for a honeymoon period – which lasted a week in total on-screen. During these four episodes, the couple laid themselves bare; everything from emotions to expectations were brought to the table through unparalleled scenes of intimacy, matched only by few and far between moments down the line.
Unfortunately, this proved short-lived and the new year thrust Swarla amidst the unfolding chaos of 2025, following an anguish-ridden Lisa haunted by a past relationship. As a direct consequence, this means the union that is Swarla weren’t completely ready to achieve the monumental milestones they’ve reached thus far – the aforementioned declarations of love, house move, and engagement.
Similar to how Lisa quietly pleaded for Carla to be patient with her, the two equally deserved lenience in regard to their blossoming romance. Executing a tale as delicate as the Connor-Swains has always required that extra touch of grace that sadly has been lacking throughout the year; what should have been an exploration of identity, acceptance, and recovery turned into a shell of what was previously delivered in just one wondrous winter.
One may ponder why that is. Needless to say, Lisa is drowning in grief and with that grief comes remorse, rooted by one final quarrel that saw Becky storm out; with that grief comes turbulent seeds of doubt, planted by accusations of corruption never to be resolved; with that grief comes self-torment, driven by harsh accusations thrust upon her by a mourning daughter.
On the other hand, Carla was ultimately reduced to a secondary role in her own relationship, repeatedly walking in the shadow of a formerly deceased, currently alive Becky Swain. Gradually, she and Lisa have fallen victim to miscommunication – an aspect of their relationship which once thrived and made their dynamic compelling. This is sadly the price to pay as the story angles towards a wider portrayal of coercion and manipulation between Lisa and Becky.
I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say their frequent hardships can make for a tiresome viewing experience. Audiences are considerably more familiar with Lisa and Carla in peril than they would be to see the duo basking in domestic bliss.
However, as controversial as Becky’s return has been, her impending exit – or so we hope – might very well be the key to getting Swarla on the right track without viewers feeling like they – and the couple – are being put through the wringer on the daily.
A fresh start is exactly what is needed. Should that mean removing the engagement rings and putting the brakes on their widely-anticipated wedding then so be it. With Becky removed from the scene for real this time, Lisa could be free of her clutches at long last, giving her the chance to fully invest in her own healing journey as well as her romance with Carla.
Now, an extensive exploration of their relationship would mean revisiting those early stages, back to the days of truffles and spa dates, that were so cruelly snatched away from viewers before they could thoroughly appreciate what was in front of them. Their codependency reared its head prematurely, fulfilling a soap trope and unnecessarily speeding up a narrative that otherwise merited a natural evolvement of affection.
The aftermath of Becky’s reign of terror – not to mention a vengeful brother post-kidney transplant and implications of corruption – is worth more than a frenzied pash and a swift exchange of vows. At the very least, the pair have earned the right to settle on the sofa, or engagement island, with a brew every now and then.
They deserve a chance to truly get to know one another, to return to their honeymoon phase complete with shy glances, inside jokes, a chance to hunker in their bunker – each an element which allowed their friendship to find its footing, seemingly a fever dream the moment they became romantically entangled.
Alas, there still remains hope for this award-winning couple. Becky Swain might have taken the concept of haunting the narrative and ran a marathon, but we’re certain Lisa will flush the toxin (in this instance, Becky) out and start anew.
Nevertheless, it is the nature of soap land to flourish their stories with melodrama, so a hurried reunion could very well be on the cards; but with Alison King and Vicky Myers at the helm of the ship, so to speak, the outcome will be remarkable no matter the delivery.