Waterloo Road hints at darker direction for Tonya as show returns
Waterloo Road spoilers follow.
Waterloo Road returned for a new series today (January 2) on BBC One, with the whole batch of new episodes available on iPlayer right away.
In the first of these episodes, viewers were introduced to many new characters — one of whom started to lead Tonya Walters down a dark path.
The episode began with Tonya feeling ignored at home, with mum Nicky too focused on Preston and Donte's kids taking his attention. Then, at the corner shop on the way to school, Tonya was caught shoplifting when a mysterious new character threw the shopkeeper out of the way and did a runner with her.
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That newcomer is Schuey, one of a busload of students joining Waterloo Road after not attending previous schools. And "busload" is a literal term, as the students commandeered the school bus and drove it to school themselves.
In the corridor at school, Tonya aired her feelings to Donte, who didn't really reassure her, while Schuey looked on.
In class, she went to sit next to Schuey's sister Portia and made friends with her — but Schuey pulled her away and threatened to tell Donte about the shoplifting if she grassed about who drove the bus.
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As a fight broke out over the late Danny Lewis' signed shirt, Tonya had enough of Schuey's goading and punched him in the face. He later told her that he doesn't hit girls but would get revenge on Donte instead. Tonya said she'd help him with this — much to his surprise.
Their plan involved them flooding the toilets and stealing Izzy's mum's bracelet from Donte's coat pocket while he was distracted.
Soon enough, Donte approached Schuey and accused him of stealing the bracelet, but Tonya stood up for him.
Related: Waterloo Road offers first look at new series with brand-new pictures
Later, Tonya started to feel guilty when she was called into Kim Campbell's office, where the police and the shopkeeper from before were waiting.
Donte defended her and said he wouldn't tell her mum. He also offered to cover the cost of the stolen items, and the shopkeeper agreed not to pursue things further.
Tonya then went to Schuey to get the bracelet back — but when he said it would cost her, she offered up a brand-new pair of trainers she had stolen and had hidden in a vent in the school... alongside other things like headphones and other technical items.
When she told Schuey it wasn't her only stash, he said that they should go into business together and sell the stuff she'd nicked. After some bartering over his cut, Tonya agreed.
How deep down this rabbit hole is she going to go?
Waterloo Road's new series is on iPlayer in full now, while episodes air weekly at 8pm on BBC One.
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