2001 Episode Guide
January - April
Episode 2471 (T 02-01-01 “Why?”) Written by Jan McVerry
It is an unhappy new year for Diane, as she receives the bad news she feared at the hospital. Jimmy helps Bev out in her hour of need, and Ray threatens to send Kitty back to “Shady Pines” if she does anything to spoil his wedding.
Episode 2472 (W 03-01-01 “Motherly Advice”) Written by Carmel Morgan
As Brigid tries to comfort Diane after she flushes her baby away, Steve and Adele conclude that praying is a waste of time. Anthony, on the other hand, has achieved the outcome he prayed for. Kitty has some last-minute advice for Ray on his wedding day – which, as Mike is indisposed, Ron agrees to video for him. Max tells Jacqui he won’t go to Susannah’s funeral.
Episode 2473 (F 05-01-01 “Rehabilitation”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Cheryl has some unpleasant tasks lined up for Emily’s community service, until Emily discovers that she has fiddled her insurance claim and is seeing Leo. Anthony makes a confession to Father Pat, and Mike is not confident about his future. Jacqui promises to stand by Max, even though Robbie has shown her the “yellow card” because he believes he is too low on her list of priorities.
Episode 2474 (T 09-01-01 “Heartbroken”) Written by Debbie Oates
Jessie and Ray arrive home after shortening their honeymoon because they receive news that Kitty has been taken ill, but they are not prepared for what they find at the bungalow. Jacqui forces Max to get himself ready to go to Susannah’s funeral. Robbie panics when Clint struggles with his guilt over the car accident, and Marty’s behaviour pushes Diane over the edge.
Episode 2475 (W 10-01-01 “Dead Upsetting”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Diane and Marty battle with their confused emotions after the loss of their unborn child. At Susannah’s funeral, Max launches into a speech angrily accusing everyone who made her last days so unhappy, and when Darren tries to persuade him to sit down, Susannah’s coffin is knocked over onto the floor. Leanne, keeping Bev informed by mobile phone, is convinced that Susannah’s death was no accident.
Episode 2476 (F 12-01-01 “Frustration”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Marty erects a porch. Mick goes to see Vonnie again, but discovers that she is packing to go to Canada. Anthea doesn’t like being taken for granted, Josh wonders whether he and Bev are Jewish, and Shelley plans to tie up a few loose ends.
Episode 2477 (T 16-01-01 “Proposition”) Written by David Young
Jacqui suggests that Mick asks Max to be maitre d’ at “The Shelf”, but he has decided to move away from Liverpool and make a fresh start elsewhere. Jerome can’t stay away from Nisha, Craig warns Tim not to underestimate Sotto, and Shelley believes that she is beginning to make progress with Jackie.
Episode 2478 (W 17-01-01 “A Persuasive Woman”) Written by Roy Boulter
Mike reduces Rachel to tears. Jimmy confides in Shelley that he thinks Jackie deserves someone better than him. When Robbie accuses Jacqui of trying to talk Max out of leaving by making him loads of promises, she denies it – having already succeeded in talking Max out of leaving by making him loads of promises.
Episode 2479 (F 19-01-01 “Fantasy World”) Written by Roy Boulter
Robbie is still not convinced that Jacqui isn’t trying to get a ready-made family for herself, but she reassures him. Bev discovers that Dave has taken more money from her than she realised, and wonders if there is any way that she can find him. Jackie tries to set the record straight regarding Shelley’s fantasies, but may just make things worse. Leanne is injured at Emma’s birthday party, but plans to take advantage of this to earn herself some money.
Episode 2480 (T 23-01-01 “Compromised”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Rachel asks Christy to buy back Mike’s video equipment, but he isn’t able to help her. Adele’s play is so bad that it helps to reunite Diane and Marty. Jimmy is released from hospital, and Jackie resolves to make her marriage work. Darren is mystified by Leanne’s behaviour in his surgery.
Episode 2481 (W 24-01-01 “Serial Liar”) Written by Sue Mooney
Darren suspects that he is in real trouble because Nisha tends to believe Leanne’s allegation, even though Katie doesn’t. Anthony doesn’t want to live with Diane and Marty any more, and asks Brigid if he can move in with her. Lindsey wants Jackie to tell Jimmy the truth about Shelley. Rachel tells Mike she is worried about how they are going to cope financially, and suggests ringing a loan company.
Episode 2482 (F 26-01-01 “Tell The Truth”) Written by Sue Mooney
Darren writes down his version of the Leanne Powell story, and Victoria confronts Leanne. Max apologises to Lisa for his behaviour at Susannah’s funeral and helps her sort out her belongings – but will he agree to give anything away? Marty thinks it is about time that some of Anthony’s religious illusions were shattered, as Diane blames Brigid for his faith in the power of prayer. Bev tracks down Dave – and he’s going to regret it…
Episode 2483 (T 30-01-01 “Buggered”) Written by Arthur Ellison
Bev’s accountant tells her that she needs to start running the bar as a profitable business. Darren resolves to fight back against Leanne, and tells her that if she persists in her defamation he will drag her through the courts and sue her for every penny she hasn’t got. Jackie and Jimmy seem to be reconciled, leaving Shelley furious. Mike is shocked as Rachel offers a frank assessment of their financial position.
Episode 2484 (W 31-01-01 “Get Out!!!”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Shelley seizes an opportunity to place Jackie in a compromising situation that she will find it very difficult to talk her way out of – she strips off and joins her in her bed. Leanne seems to have been shocked into submission, and Robbie tries to persuade Mike that no-one will gain, and he will definitely lose, if the truth about the car crash comes out.
Episode 2485 (F 02-02-01 “One Step Too Far”) Written by Peter Cox
Jimmy gets his old job back, Leanne increases the amount she wants to blackmail out of Darren, and Lindsey and Jackie unite to rid themselves of the poisonous little fake that has been wrecking their lives. When they hear that Katrina and Steve have an announcement to make, Diane is convinced that they are getting engaged, but Marty thinks it is more likely that Steve has got Katrina pregnant. Are either of them right?
Episode 2486 (T 06-02-01 “Best Mate Ever”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Jimmy tries to work out why Shelley has gone and Jackie and Lindsey are at loggerheads. Bev is depressed that first Dave, then Shelley, walked out on her, and asks Lance to father a baby for her.
Episode 2487 (W 07-02-01 “Nothing Seedy”) Written by Jan McVerry
Lance is not sure whether he is willing to be a sperm donor. Adele encourages Leo to make his first arrest. Victoria decides that it’s time to get boring and anal, and Steven’s behaviour appals Diane.
Episode 2488 (F 09-02-01 “Miscommunications”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Darren is not pleased when Victoria explains why Leanne is no longer going to blackmail him. Emily considers whether she is willing to pose topless for Carl. Fred catches Lance in a compromising position, and Cheryl needs to find a new venue for a knicker party.
Episode 2489 (T 13-02-01 “Going For A Thong”) Written by Carmel Morgan
A few secrets are revealed at the knicker party, before it is gate-crashed by some of the men. Lance explains that he was only kissing Bev because he was trying to get her pregnant, but Fred is not impressed. Katrina turns down Carl’s offer of topless modelling, but Emily doesn’t.
Episode 2490 (W 14-02-01 “Romantic Evening”) Written by Barry Woodward
Anthony receives a Valentine card, but tears it up after Marty teases him. Diane is not impressed that Steve is building a relationship based on lies. Sotto beats up Craig when his girlfriend breaks up with him, but Tim makes sure he pays for it. Nikki is stood up by Jerome.
Episode 2491 (F 16-02-01 “Credit”) Written by Barry Woodward
Leo prepares for his passing-out parade, and tells Gemma he is thinking of moving to London. When Steve abandons his principles and gets a credit card, Marty considers doing likewise. Nisha agrees to sleep with Jerome just one more time, but Nikki arrives home unexpectedly…
Episode 2492 (T 20-02-01 “Making People Happy”) Written by Heather Robson
Lance insists that careful planning is necessary if Bev is to marry Fred to help him to stay in the country. Nisha tells Jerome she will not be hiding in his wardrobe again, nor will she be responsible for him breaking up with Nikki. Max spoils Katie’s birthday celebration at “The Shelf”.
Episode 2493 (T 20-02-01 “Matrimony”) Written by David Young
Mick offers to collect Vonnie from the airport, and tells Jerome he’d like to start seeing her. Nikki takes Emily to Carl’s to retrieve her topless photographs. Fred is nervous on the morning of his wedding, and hopes he remembers to kiss Bev rather than Lance. Robbie tells Max he must stop taking advantage of Jacqui’s good nature.
Episode 2494 (F 23-02-01 “Ten”) Written by John Fay
Jackie tells Jimmy about her night with Shelley, and he wants to talk about it with Lindsey, who is convinced her mother is in the wrong, and ensures that he doesn’t believe her. After a shouting match, and spending some time in the garden to clear his head, he goes to sleep in the extension.
Episode 2495 (W 28-02-01 “Grounds For Divorce”) Written by Ed Jones
Both Marty and Nisha suspect that there is something amiss with Bev and Fred’s marriage. Jimmy consults a solicitor about divorcing Jackie for sleeping with a woman, and tells her he is never going to argue with her again.
Episode 2496 (F 02-03-01 “Togetherness”) Written by Peter Cox
On a day trip to Southport, Lance is unsettled as he takes photographs of Bev and Fred together through the ages, Darren is warned against outraging public decency, and Christy and Leanne test the suspension of the minibus. Meanwhile, Ron, Anthea, Jessie, Ray and Kitty are subjected to a frightening ordeal.
Episode 2497 (F 02-03-01 “I Should Have Stopped Them”) Written by Sue Mooney
The day trippers return home rather later than they planned, and Rachel is horrified by what she finds. Ray and Jessie have to postpone their wedding blessing, but Marty insists that Diane goes for her hospital appointment. Ron refuses to go to hospital, believing that he should have done more to protect his family and friends.
Episode 2498 (T 06-03-01 “Striking Back”) Written by Peter Cox
Anthea thinks the house will have to be redecorated again, while Ron resorts to more desperate measures to protect his family. Bev’s web of deceit becomes even more tangled, and reality hits Marty hard. Victoria connects Jimmy to the internet, and Clint is terrified by Robbie’s violence towards Ricky.
Episode 2499 (W 07-03-01 “Circles”) Written by Peter Cox
Clint wants to escape from Robbie as fast as he can. Ron asks Jimmy to help him get a gun. Christy lures Leanne into bed, and tonight Lance is going to be…….Derek Batey.
Episode 2500 (F 09-03-01 “Neighbourly Support”) Written by Marianne Colbran
Robbie is furious when he finds out about Clint’s plans. Lisa confronts Jacqui about Susannah’s will. Jackie and Jimmy argue, and Jessie tells Ray that she wants them to move away from Manor Park.
Episode 2501 (T 13-03-01 “Time’s Running Out”) Written by John Fay
Mick celebrates his birthday with Vonnie, Brigid is reluctant to loan money to Diane to help her to get pregnant, Jerome is not as successful in covering up his unfaithfulness as he hoped, and Clint tries to keep out of Robbie’s way.
Episode 2502 (F 16-03-01 “Doubt”) Written by John Fay
Katie wonders why Jacqui is now trying to persuade her not to go to Spain. Bev tells Lance and Fred that they must be more careful in public, as anyone could be spying on them. After speaking to her priest, Brigid has a change of heart. Nisha lances the boil on Clint’s bottom.
Episode 2503 (F 16-03-01 “Repenting”) Written by John Fay
When Steve tells Mike about the break-in at the Dixons’, he is determined to get himself out of hospital. Bev has regrets about her sham marriage, as a suspicious stranger takes notes at the bar. Clint insists that Robbie will not prevent him from going to Spain with Katie, and Jackie cries on Diane’s shoulder.
Episode 2504 (T 20-03-01 “Escape Plans”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Diane encourages Marty to take Jimmy out to the pub, where, after drinking and playing pool, Jimmy reveals why he is divorcing Jackie. Leanne is smitten with Christy, and a gift of three-legged tights helps her not to see the signs that he is not as serious about her. Rachel goes to visit Mike at the hospital, and discovers that he has escaped, with help from Steve.
Episode 2505 (F 23-03-01 “Embarrassing Things”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Ron and Anthea need to move some furniture about to accomodate Mike, and there are a few more problems he hadn’t thought about. Adele starts work at the petrol station, but Marty and Diane wonder if she will be safe with Jackie. Anthony steals some sweets, and Leanne plans to surprise Christy.
Episode 2506 (F 23-03-01 “Couples”) Written by Roy Boulter
Marty tells Diane to steer well clear of Jackie. Leanne regrets dumping Christy, and Lance tries to cheer her up. Ron overhears an argument, and is amazed to discover that Bev has been able to keep some juicy gossip to herself for once. But he makes her aware that there are more downsides to her sham marriage than she realised. Vonnie decides to move in with Mick.
Episode 2507 (T 27-03-01 “All Official”) Written by Roy Boulter
Anthea is concerned that Rachel is finding looking after Mike as well as Beth too much for her, and lays into Mike. Robbie hears some interesting news about Katie’s former boyfriends. Bev gets more than she bargained for when Fred moves in with her, and Ron thinks Jackie never slept with him because she has always preferred women. But she explains that it’s because he’s repulsive.
Episode 2508 (W 28-03-01 “Spite”) Written by Barry Woodward
Jackie tells Jimmy she is taking Wills on holiday with Val for a few weeks. Clint becomes suspicious of Robbie’s attitude towards Katie. Max loses his temper with Lisa and tells her that unless she changes the wording on Susannah’s gravestone, she cannot see Harry and Emma. Diane gets Adele a new outfit, and Marty thinks the dress is too short and the top is too low.
Episode 2509 (F 30-03-01 “Copped Off”) Written by Barry Woodward
The Murrays throw a surprise birthday party for Diane. After they have sex, Leo wallows in self-recrimination, and Adele congratulates herself on having finally grown up. Clint is shocked by Robbie’s accusation.
Episode 2510 (T 03-04-01 “Extremes”) Written by Barry Woodward
Clint learns a few things he didn’t know about Katie. Nikki interrogates Jerome about the lipstick on his face. Michelle encourages Adele to get a morning-after pill, but she can’t stop thinking about what she did with Leo. He, however, is more concerned that no-one finds out about it. Leanne’s attempts to woo Darren backfire.
Episode 2511 (F 06-04-01 “Home Truths”) Written by Barry Woodward
Max hears that Leanne has taken ill, and blames himself for being honest when she asked for his opinion of her character. Katie is determined to confront Robbie, and Nikki spots Jerome and Nisha kissing. Ray and Jessie have their wedding blessed, and a man turns up at the Murrays’ looking for Katrina.
Episode 2512 (F 06-04-01 “The Matey Thing”) Written by Roy Boulter
Mick is horrified when he discovers what Leo has done. Ron asks Jessie to find someone to stand in for her at “Great Grannies” while she and Ray go on a second honeymoon. Robbie’s tales of woe convince Katie not to tell Jacqui what he is really like. Anthony becomes desperate to escape from Imelda and Paige.
Episode 2513 (W 11-04-01 “Way To Go”) Written by Heather Robson
Nikki loses one job, and quickly finds another. Mick considers reporting Leo for what he has done, and disowns him, despite Vonnie’s attempts to put things into perspective. Jacqui and Katie’s friendship becomes jeopardised due to the animosity between their boyfriends.
Episode 2514 (W 11-04-01 “Outlets”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Katrina persuades Steve to go for a drink with her father, and he offers Steve a job. Jacqui is about to sign her trusteeship over to Max instead of Lisa, but then discovers that he has ordered a reworded headstone for Susannah’s grave. Clint discovers that Robbie has got him fired from his job. Emily visits Tim, but he shows her the topless photos of her the other prisoners have seen, and tells her to go.
Episode 2515 (F 13-04-01 “Women’s Trouble”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Clint tells Jacqui he plans to propose to Katie. Nikki plays mind-games with a guilty Jerome and Nisha. Emily is distraught that her breasts have become public property. Adele is missing Leo, and Katrina wishes her father could accept that his marriage is over.
Episode 2516 (W 18-04-01 “Metamorphosis”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Clint discovers that Jacqui has told Robbie he plans to marry Katie. Jackie tells Jimmy that if he fights for custody of Wills, his mental illness will prevent him from winning. Ron tells Jessie he was more impressed with Brigid’s work than hers. Leanne returns to the bar with new clothing and a new persona, of which some people are suspicious.
Episode 2517 (W 18-04-01 “Labelled”) Written by John Fay
Bev wants a character reference from Ron, but its quality may depend on whether she gives “Great Grannies” the contract for the cleaning of her bar. Jimmy starts labelling the cupboards. Emily is relieved to discover that Tim still wants to marry her when he is released. Before Clint can propose to Katie, Robbie proposes to Jacqui – and something is going to end up broken when she doesn’t say yes straight away.
Episode 2518 (F 20-04-01 “Independence”) Written by Peter Cox
Jimmy invites Ray over to see his computer, and takes every opportunity to wind Jackie up. Jacqui doesn’t believe what she has been told about Robbie, and thinks she will accept his proposal of marriage. When Anthea and Ron leave Mike alone at home, one of the robbers returns and terrorises him, but also brings some interesting news…
Episode 2519 (W 25-04-01 “Best Buddies”) Written by Sue Mooney
As Jackie prepares to go to bed, Jimmy brings everyone from “Bev’s Bar” back for a party, then takes Cheryl to his bedroom. Leanne wants to be friends with Victoria. Although Robbie admits that he beat up Ricky, Jacqui still stands by him, and decides to marry him.
Episode 2520 (W 25-04-01 “You Lied To Me”) Written by Sue Mooney
When she hears Jacqui’s decision, Katie decides to move out. But Victoria suggests that maybe she is just jealous. Robbie discovers that Jacqui has not told him of her guardianship of Harry, and reacts angrily. Jerome can’t bear to hear Nikki discussing Nisha’s sexual encounters over the telephone, and goes round to become another of them. Unfortunately, Nikki follows him…
Episode 2521 (F 27-04-01 “Cut-Off Point”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Tim is released from prison, and he and Emily decide to get married as soon as possible. But first, he retrieves Emily’s money from Carl and warns him what will happen to him if any more of her topless photos are published. Jackie feels that Jimmy is driving her mad, and Robbie relieves his frustrations by battering Jacqui.
Notes:
The previous season ended with the mysterious, unexplained death of Susannah Morrisey – and press releases made it clear in advance that this season would begin with a week of special episodes in which viewers would be travelling back in time to earlier, previously unseen events from the evening of her death. It was also revealed in advance that it would emerge in these episodes that Susannah had been visited during that evening by five of her neighbours, and that by the end of the week we would discover at whose hands she died.
However, the circumstances of Susannah’s death would remain a closely-guarded secret at which viewers could only guess until – in an ingenious twist – the end of the FOURTH episode. Although episodes 2445 to 2449 all begin in a similar way, with a selection of the same images that originally aired at the end of episode 2444 (slightly extended in the first two, revealing that a broken mobile phone is also among the objects in the living-room at number 7, and truncated in the other three), only the first four are followed by flashbacks to the previously unseen past, and in the fifth the action continues on into the future from the point at which Susannah dies.
As well as the “death” sequence mentioned above, scenes involving Susannah, Katrina, Harry and Emma originally seen earlier in episode 2444 are also repeated in episode 2445. However, all of these characters also feature in new material later on in that episode. Some scenes from episode 2465 are also repeated in a flashback sequence near the beginning of episode 2466, slightly distorted in places, as Tim remembers the car crash of the previous night.
In episode 2449, images of a dead Susannah at home are flashed while photographs are being taken on the Parade. During episode 2450, there are three occasions in which Jimmy’s words are heard, echoing somewhat, while Max is seen elsewhere – words that might well reflect what Max may be thinking; and in the second of these there are some quick cross-fades as he walks towards number 7. At the beginning of episode 2452, there are two instances of images of number 7 appearing while Max scolds Leanne in his flat for sending Lance there instead of going herself; and, later in the same episode, some of Ron’s dialogue is heard echoing as a woman resembling Susannah is serving herself at the petrol station. At the beginning of episode 2457, images of Mick, Max, and Jacqui/Robbie, all in different beds, are seen while Nikki is speaking to Jerome; and towards the beginning of episode 2474, Diane is seen on the parade, on her way to donate a pram to “Trina’s Tots”, while Marty and Anthony talk about her at home. There are a couple of incredibly rapid camera pans in episodes 2477 and 2484, and there are several cross-fades of Shelley at points at which she loses the plot in episodes 2484 and 2485.
For scheduling reasons, eight episodes (2447 and 2448 / 2456 and 2457 / 2460 and 2461 / 2469 and 2470) were originally broadcast on Channel Four edited into four double-length omnibuses, each in a 60-minute time-slot. The opening moments of Episode 2448 – an edited reprise of the conclusion of episode 2444 – were deleted from this broadcast, but remained in the omnibus edition of episodes 2448 and 2449 shown on Sunday 12th November 2000. Similarly, the reprises at the beginnings of episodes 2446 and 2447 were not included in the omnibus edition of episodes 2445, 2446 and 2447 which aired on Saturday 11th November 2000.
The track “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad” by “Moby” musically accompanies both a selection of short dialogue-free scenes of Max, Lindsey, and Jackie at the beginning of episode 2454 [after which it continues to play, more quietly, on Shelley’s radio!] and a further selection of scenes, this time involving only Max and Susannah, in episode 2455.
The Cast
Nisha Batra – SUNETRA SARKER (2451, 2463-2465, 2467, 2470, 2477, 2479-2481)
Shelley Bowers – ALEXANDRA WESCOURT (2449-2452, 2454, 2455, 2458-2468, 2476-2481, 2483-2485)
Dave Burns – SIMON CHADWICK (2454, 2455, 2458, 2459, 2462, 2464-2466, 2468-2470, 2482)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) – SUE JENKINS (2449-2454, 2458-2462, 2465-2470, 2472, 2473, 2476-2481, 2483-2485)
Jimmy Corkhill – DEAN SULLIVAN (2450, 2458, 2461, 2465, 2466, 2468-2473, 2476-2478, 2480, 2483-2485)
William Corkhill – MATTHEW and JACK FORAN, LEWIS DAVIES (2449, 2451, 2452, 2458, 2465, 2466)
Anthea Dixon, formerly Brindley (nee Russell) – BARBARA HATWELL (2456, 2457, 2462, 2476, 2481)
DD Dixon (nee O’Farrell) – IRENE MAROT (2467, 2469)
Ron Dixon – VINCE EARL (2451, 2452, 2454, 2456, 2457, 2466-2468, 2472-2474, 2476)
Jacqui Dixon – ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (2445-2450, 2452-2455, 2457-2460, 2463-2470, 2472-2475, 2476 OOV, 2477-2479, 2482, 2483)
Mike Dixon – PAUL BYATT (2446, 2447, 2455, 2456, 2465-2470, 2473, 2478, 2481, 2483-2485)
Rachel Dixon, formerly Wright (nee Jordache) – TIFFANY CHAPMAN (2456, 2465-2470, 2473-2476, 2478, 2480, 2481, 2483)
Beth Dixon (2447, 2465, 2466, 2476, 2478, 2481)
Katrina “Trona” Evans – ANN MARIE DAVIES (2445, 2447, 2449, 2455, 2461, 2462, 2465, 2468, 2485)
Max Farnham – STEVEN PINDER (2445-2470, 2472-2478, 2482)
Harry Farnham (2445, 2447, 2449, 2451, 2456, 2461, 2462, 2472, 2475)
Emma Farnham (2445, 2447, 2449, 2451, 2456, 2461, 2462, 2472, 2475)
Jessie Hilton, formerly Shadwick – MARJI CAMPI (2455, 2456, 2459, 2460, 2468-2472, 2474)
Kitty Hilton – JEAN HEYWOOD (2455, 2458, 2459, 2469-2472, 2474 VT)
Ray Hilton – KENNETH COPE (2450, 2454, 2455, 2459, 2469-2472, 2474)
Mick Johnson – LOUIS EMERICK (2445-2451, 2454-2458, 2460, 2461, 2464, 2467-2470, 2475-2478)
Leo Johnson – STEVEN COLE (2445, 2446, 2449, 2455, 2456, 2467, 2468, 2473, 2475)
Jerome Johnson – LEON LOPEZ (2446, 2447, 2450, 2454-2458, 2461, 2464-2467, 2469, 2470, 2472, 2475, 2477, 2479-2481)
Brigid McKenna – MEG JOHNSON (2452, 2454, 2459, 2461-2463, 2469, 2471-2474, 2481, 2482)
Bev McLoughlin – SARAH WHITE (2451-2455, 2458, 2459, 2461-2466, 2468-2472, 2474-2477, 2479-2484)
Josh McLoughlin – ADAM McCOY (2454, 2471, 2476, 2480)
Clint Moffat – GREG PATERAS (2453, 2455, 2464, 2465, 2474, 2478, 2483)
Robbie Moffat – NEIL DAVIES (2453, 2455, 2457, 2460, 2465, 2466, 2469, 2470, 2473-2475, 2478, 2479, 2483, 2484)
Susannah Morrisey, formerly Farnham (nee Morrisey) – KAREN DRURY (2445-2449, 2451 OOV, 2455, 2460) / stand-in body (2453, 2454, 2456)
Diane Murray (nee McKenna) – BERNIE NOLAN (2445-2457, 2459-2464, 2468-2475, 2480, 2482, 2484, 2485)
Marty Murray – NEIL CAPLE (2448-2452, 2454-2456, 2460, 2463, 2468-2476, 2480, 2482, 2484, 2485)
Steve Murray – STEVEN FLETCHER (2451, 2454, 2455, 2462, 2463, 2465, 2466, 2468-2473, 2476, 2484, 2485)
Adele Murray – KATY LAMONT (2447, 2451, 2452, 2455, 2456, 2463, 2469, 2471-2474, 2480)
Anthony Murray – RAYMOND QUINN (2451, 2452, 2455, 2456, 2459, 2461-2463, 2469, 2471-2474, 2481, 2482)
Christy Murray – GLYN PRITCHARD (2454, 2468, 2480)
Carmel O’Leary – CAROL CONNOR (2466)
Tim “Tinhead” O’Leary – PHILIP OLIVIER (2455, 2458-2460, 2464-2470, 2477)
Lindsey Phelan, formerly Stanlow (nee Corkhill) – CLAIRE SWEENEY (2449-2454, 2458-2470, 2473, 2476, 2477, 2479-2481, 2483-2485)
Lance Powell – MICKEY POPPINS (2445-2452, 2455, 2457, 2459, 2462-2466, 2468, 2477-2479, 2481, 2482, 2484)
Leanne Powell – VICKIE GATES (2449, 2451, 2452, 2454, 2459, 2463, 2465, 2466, 2468, 2471, 2475, 2477, 2479-2482, 2484, 2485)
Dr Darren Roebuck – TIMOTHY DEENIHAN (2445-2447, 2449-2453, 2457, 2458, 2463, 2464, 2475, 2480-2485)
Katie Rogers – DIANE BURKE (2453, 2455, 2462-2465, 2474, 2479-2481)
Margi Shadwick (nee Benson) – BERNADETTE FOLEY (2459, 2468-2473)
Nikki Shadwick – SUZANNE COLLINS (2445, 2446, 2455-2459, 2465, 2466, 2469, 2470, 2472, 2475, 2477, 2479, 2480)
Emily Shadwick – JENNIFER ELLISON (2445-2449, 2453, 2455-2459, 2464-2466, 2469-2473, 2475)
Kylie Stanlow – HANNAH DOWD (2449, 2450, 2453, 2458, 2460, 2465, 2466)
Victoria Wilcox (nee Seagram) – PATRICIA POTTER (2445-2447, 2449, 2450, 2452, 2453, 2481-2485)
Tom Ainsworth – BARNEY CLEVELY (2459)
Craig Dutton – DAVID HART (2467-2470, 2477)
Cheryl Smith – SHERRIL PARSONS (2467, 2473)
Michelle Tan – STACEY LIU (2480)
“Quiet Paul”, barman (2465, 2469, 2470, 2484, 2485)
Vonnie Johnson – SUZETTE LLEWELLYN (2455-2457, 2461, 2469, 2476) [ Previously played by NICOLA GARDINER ]
Lisa Morrisey – NINA MARC (2450, 2458, 2462, 2467, 2470, 2475, 2482) [ Previously played by AMANDA NOLAN ]
Hugh McGlynn – JON KEATS (2456-2458) [ Harry (1805) ]
Magistrate – ANN ARIS (2459) [ Jane Drucker (212, 213) / Liz, counsellor (982) / Registrar (2176) ]
Registrar – MERYL HAMPTON (2472) [ Di Williams (659) ]
Carl Beacham – DAVID GROVES (2455, 2465, 2466, 2469, 2471)
Daphne Morrisey – DAPHNE OXENFORD (2449 OOV, 2450)
Father Pat – TOM LLOYD ROBERTS (2473)
Funeral Director – IAN ANGUS WICKIE (2459, 2460)
Judge – GORDON LANGFORD-ROWE (2466)
Sonographer – CLAIRE BECK (2471)
Sotto / Stewie – MICHAEL CORRIGAN (2467-2470, 2477)
Vicar – JUSTIN BURROWS (2475)
“Alex”, a movie character (2448 VT)
Andy, a man with Nisha (2479)
Paul Benson, who is playing “Joseph” (2460)
Bill, a bouncer (2465)
Bob, a CID man (2456)
Claire, a friend of Nisha (2470)
Cousin Nora, a funeralgoer (2475)
Hayley, a mate of Vonnie (2476 OOV)
“Hugo”, a movie character (2449 VT)
Ian / DJ “B.O.”, an unappreciated disc-jockey (2455)
“Juliette”, a movie character (2449 VT)
June, a petrol station assistant (2458)
Kenny, a patient (2461 OOV)
Liam, a petrol station assistant (2461)
Sharon, a nurse (2461)
Tara, a right slapper (2465)
“Twinkletoes”, an elderly clubber (2465)
Additionally, Susannah (2445-2449, 2461, 2465), Lisa (2447, 2448, 2461, 2465) and Daphne (2448) are played by younger stand-ins in images of them from the year 1969, seen on a videotape that is being played in these episodes. The images of the young Susannah in episodes 2445 and 2446 are, however, only reprises of those originally seen in episode 2444.
Susannah’s voice in episode 2451, and her appearance in episode 2455, are extracts from episode 2448, as the evening of her death is remembered; Kitty’s appearance in episode 2474 is only on a videotape that is briefly played; and Jacqui’s voice is heard only in a message left on Max’s answering machine in episode 2476.
With her appearance as a magistrate, Ann Aris becomes the first female performer to be credited in a fourth different “Brookside” role.
Episode 2469 has a credited cast of 30 perfomers – the third largest of the whole series.
Trivia
The storylines:
Susannah is eventually laid to rest in peace, although some of her last visitors are sorrier to see her dead than others. Max is particularly regretful over things he might have done differently – but Jacqui promises she’ll be there for him, even though this bothers her new boyfriend, Robbie. Bev also loses a major part of her life when the fiance formerly known as Dave scarpers, taking £25,000 of her fortune with him. Katie continues to go out with Clint, Steve continues to go out with Katrina, and Mick sleeps with Vonnie – but she’s not convinced that she wants to repeat the experience. Jessie marries Ray, Emily vows to stand by Tim as he begins a prison sentence, and Jerome continues to see Nikki – but he also begins to drift in the direction of Nisha. Diane becomes pregnant, but loses the baby – not necessarily due to the power of Anthony’s prayers – and Mike is involved in a car accident which leaves him hospitalised, and possibly permanently crippled. And when Jimmy is finally discharged from his mental ward, the only way that Jackie and Lindsey can prevent him from finding out that Shelley has convinced herself she is in love with Jackie, and is making increasingly desperate attempts to persuade her that the feeling is mutual, is to unite and send her packing. But Lindsey is more prepared to believe Shelley’s claims than Jackie’s denials – will the relationship between mother and daughter ever be the same again?
The dates:
The whole of episodes 2445 to 2448 and the first half of episode 2449 take place on the evening of the same Friday as episode 2444, with occasional revelations of how the time is progressing. It had already been revealed in episode 2444 that Susannah lay dead at 9.22pm, and the action in episode 2445 begins at 6.58pm, according to her carriage-clock. When she inserts a videotape into the video recorder in episode 2447, its clock shows 20:37; when one of her earlier visitors returns at the end of part one of episode 2448, the carriage-clock shows that it is 9.10pm; and Max is seen looking at his watch, which shows that it is now 10.05pm, early in episode 2449. Dialogue later on in that episode reveals that it is now the following day, Saturday, and it is still Saturday throughout episode 2450 and the first half of episode 2451. For the rest of episode 2451, and the whole of episodes 2452 and 2453, it is the day after – Sunday; and dialogue in episode 2454 reveals that this episode takes place on the day after that – Monday.
There are year planners for 2000 on the walls of the Murrays’ in episodes 2447, 2463 and 2468, and the surgery in episode 2451, and Lindsey claims in episode 2449 that she has been seeing Shelley for six months, since June [although maths may not be her strong point]. It is “a couple of weeks” after the Friday and Saturday of episodes 2444 to 2451 in episodes 2456 and 2457; and, based on dialogue in episodes 2455 and 2458, it is Monday in episode 2457 and Tuesday in episode 2458. Based on dialogue in, and a document seen on-screen in episode 2466, it is Tuesday 19th December 2000, then the early hours of Wednesday 20th December 2000, in episode 2465, and it is Wednesday 20th December 2000 in episode 2466. Although this document also suggests that some of the events of episode 2468 take place on Thursday 21st December, it is clear from other dialogue in episode 2468, and another document seen on-screen therein, that it is then Wednesday 27th December 2000 – and dialogue in episode 2477 clarifies the inconsistency to some extent [See “Trivia” below for explanation]. It is New Year’s Eve in episodes 2469 and 2470, then it is New Year’s Day 2001 in the last few minutes of episode 2470; it is still New Year’s Day in episode 2471; and it is 2nd January in episode 2472. Based on dialogue in episodes 2472 and 2473, it is Tuesday in episodes 2474 and 2475; and based on dialogue in episode 2458, it is 26th January in episode 2482.
Name-checks:
“The Tweenies”, including “Scoop The Digger” (2445); “Die Hard” (2447); “Shallow Grave” (2447, 2449); Ewan McGregor (2449); Christopher Eccleston (2449); “MacDuff” (2450); “Dr Kildare” (2451); “Trisha” (2453); “Belle and Sebastien” (2453); “Kilroy” (2453); “This Morning” (2453); “Little House On The Prairie”, and a character in it called “Mary” (2453); “Richard and Judy” (2453); “Doctor Who” / “Davros, that Dalek fella” / [Jon] Pertwee / Tom Baker / “that” [Paul] McGann / “The Three Doctors” (2453); “Captain Kirk” / “Star Trek” / “The New Generation” (2453); [Zinedine] Zidane, Spanish footballer (2454); “Jilted John” (2454); Sir Cliff [Richard] (2455); “Sleeping Beauty” (2455); [Prisoner] “Cell Block H” (2459); “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” (2461); Van Gogh (2461); Kim Novak (2461); Mike Tyson (2462); Kate Moss (2462, 2481); “Doctor Who” again (2463); “The Jerry Springer Show” (2463); “Blue Peter” (2463); Madonna (2463); the “Spice Girls” (2463); Freddie Mercury (2464); “Love Story” (2465); Brad Pitt (2465); Britney Spears (2465); “Romeo” (2465); Clint Eastwood (2465); John Wayne (2465); Bruce Willis (2465); “The Sound Of Music” (2466); Queen Victoria (2468); “Gladiators” (2468); Charlie Dimmock [gardening presenter] (2469); Elvis [Presley] (2471); Bill Withers (2472); [Tony] Blair and [Gordon] Brown (2472); “Lazarus” (2472); “George and Mildred” (2472); “Morecambe and Wise” (2472); “Ironside” (2473, 2485); “Howards’ Way” (2473); [Steven] Spielberg (2474); Captain Mainwaring” (2476); “Changing Rooms” (2476); “Mystic Meg” (2477); George Clooney (2477); [“Who Wants To Be A”] “Millionaire” (2477); “Popeye” (2478); Freddy Krueger (2479); “Dr Jekyll” (2482); “Tenko” (2483); “The Duchess Of Duke Street” (2483); Nigella Lawson (2483); Ricki [Lake] (2483); Oprah [Winfrey] (2483); and Mother [flamin’] Teresa (2284).
Locations:
All the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, apart from some scenes involving Bev and Dave which take place in and around a hotel in Chester – not necessarily recorded there – in episode 2482.
Births:
None. Diane confirms that she is pregnant in episode 2451, after trying for six years (2450). Her baby is due on 5th July (2463) / in July (2464), but we discover in episode 2471 that this is no longer to be. It is Jerome’s 21st birthday in episode 2455, which is being prepared for in episode 2454; it is Jackie’s 47th birthday in episode 2458; it is Anthony’s 10th birthday, on New Year’s Eve, in episodes 2469 and 2470; it is Beth’s first birthday “at new year” (2468) / “tomorrow” (2469); and it is Emma’s birthday in episode 2479. We are also told that Susannah is 40 (2445), and her coffin-plate indicates that she was born in 1960 (2462, 2475) – although Adele guesses her age as 45 (2456); Mick is 42 (2447); Max is 43 (2455); Jimmy will be 50 next year (2461); Jackie is “pushing 50”, according to Bev (2463); Tim is 20 (2465); Emily is 17 (2465, 2466); and Rachel is 21 (2468).
Marriages:
One. A marriage is due to take place “tomorrow” in episodes 2445, 2446, 2448 and 2449, but by the time the wedding day arrives, later in episode 2449 and in episode 2450, Susannah is no longer able to marry Mick. Bev and Dave set a wedding date of 12th June 2001 in episode 2468, but their engagement also comes to an end – without anybody dying – in episode 2470. So that leaves Ray Hilton and Jessie Shadwick as the happy couple – they marry in episode 2472 at Merseyside Register Office. Kitty says it will lead Ray to penury and an early grave. In episode 2449 Lance and Leanne recall the wedding of their cousin Linda, who turned down Leanne as a bridesmaid, and – for reasons Lance never found out, but at which viewers can make a reasonable guess – ended up having to make her way down the aisle on a pair of crutches! Jackie and Jimmy have been married for 25 years (2480), and Hugh is divorced (2457).
Deaths:
None. It was previously revealed in episode 2444 that Susannah Morrisey had died, and we discover at the end of episode 2448 that the heel of her shoe broke, causing her to fall down the stairs, while she was having a confrontation with one of her last visitors. The causes of her death are deemed to be a fractured skull and blood clot to the brain, although she would have been able to regain consciousness briefly and unsuccessfully attempt to reach her telephone to call for help (2458); her coffin-plate, seen in episodes 2462 and 2475, reveals that she died in the year 2000; her funeral, seen in episode 2475, takes place at 2.00 (2472) on a Tuesday (2472, 2473); and in episode 2482 it is three months since she died. It is a year since Mark died in episode 2475; and unseen, never-to-be-seen dead characters also mentioned are Ray’s first wife Renee (2455, 2472), who died a year ago (2455); Ray’s father (2455); Susannah and Lisa’s father (2458); Brigid’s sister Siobhan (2459); Brigid’s mother (2461); Frank[y], Jimmy’s brother (2461); Frank, Vonnie’s husband (2461); and Mrs [Lil] Harrington (2472).
Toilet visits:
Leanne (2449); Jacqui (2452 and 2465); Marty (2452 and 2455); two unnamed women (2458); Kitty (2458); Emily (2465); Tara (2465); Diane (2469 and 2472, twice); and Adele (2472); and Emma fills her nappy in episode 2472. And when the videotape of Jessie and Ray’s wedding in episode 2472 is seen played back in episode 2474, it is found to contain footage of Ron peeing. Although Robbie claims to have been doing this in episode 2465, he was actually beating up Carl; and Jerome’s claim that he is going to the toilet in episode 2479 is only an excuse so that he can go and talk to Nisha.
Characters mentioned, so far unseen, but who will be appearing later:
Robbie’s mother (2457, 2460); Fred / Frederico (2462, 2463, 2465, 2466, 2468, 2477, 2479 / 2464), Lance’s boyfriend; Katrina’s father (2468); and Jan, Marty’s first wife (2469).
Gone but not forgotten – seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:
Greg / Greg Shadwick (2445, 2472 / 2447); Nathan (2445, 2449, 2453, 2455, 2457, 2465, 2483); Gemma / Gemms (2446, 2449, 2455, 2457 / 2456); Jason / Jase (2447, 2455, 2461, 2465 / 2472); Matthew (2448, 2465, 2467, 2469, 2475, 2478); Emily [Farnham] (2448, 2465, 2467, 2469, 2475, 2478); Josie (2449); Gary [Stanlow] (2452, 2469); Peter [Phelan] (2452, 2453); Val (2453, 2464, 2465, 2484); Bev’s mother (2453); Patricia (2455); Minty (2456); Sinbad (2457, 2460, 2465); Paula (2459, 2485); Demi (2460); Billy (2461); Ben (2465); Tony (2467, 2478); Callum Finnegan (2470); the Finnegans (2470, 2482); Leanne and Lance’s mother (2471, 2480) and father (2471); Bernie / Bernard (2472 / 2474); Kathy (2473); Karen [Dalton] (2473); Mark (2475); Bernie [Connor] (2477, 2479); Kiev (2483); and the Pope (2483).
And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever:
Linda, a married cousin of Leanne and Lance (2449); Richard, a friend of Anthony (2453); Mr McDonald, who wrote the school nativity play (2459); Robbie’s nan (2460); Diane’s father (2461); Fred’s nephews, nieces and cousins (2463); Mr James Hughes, who is summoned to Court Three (2466); Johnny Geddes, a mate of Jerome from University (2466); Conchita, a friend of Fred (2466); Tommy, Cheryl’s husband (2467); Shelley’s mother (2469); Jeannie, Bernie’s wife (2472); Mrs Harrington’s “rellies” [relatives], who she fell out with (2472); Clint’s Nan (2474); Mrs McGivern, Adele’s teacher (2474); Leanne’s Grandma (2475); Elliot, a friend of Josh (2476); Kathy Robinson and Bridie Thingy, “Great Grannies” (2476); Sonny Freeman, a friend of Mick (2476); Lois, a relative of Vonnie who now lives in Canada (2476); Mrs Stack, a patient (2480); Anna Mason, who has been bitten by Josh (2480); Catherine Godfrey, who once bit Lance and was then bitten by Leanne (2480); Nurse Susan (2480); Chris Dunn, Bev’s private investigator (2481); and Barney, Robbie’s mate (2483).
Goofs:
In episode 2457, Victoria adds an extra word: “I’m not surprised – he’s probably worried about what you’re getting IT up to on his sofa.”.
In episode 2463, Marty’s second and third words switch places: “You’ll be certainly well looked after there.”.
The postcode of Emily and Jessie’s address in Brookside Close is incorrectly shown as L12 OBE on the visiting order which Tim has sent Emily inviting her to visit him at 10am on 27/12/00, and Jessie is seen reading in episode 2468 – and, although there is a space printed for the name/location of the prison, it is left blank.
Jackie is slightly inaccurate in episode 2480, as the person to be told is Jimmy: “She said if I don’t tell her, she will.”.
Trivia:
The videotape watched by Susannah and Max is labelled “SUSANNAH’S CHILDHOOD” (2446, 2465), and opens with a caption reading “SUMMER 1969” (2447); the co-starring teddy-bear is called “Smudge” (2448); and the funeral director tries to interest Max in coffins from the “Windermere” range, or the less grand “Coniston” range (2459). Nisha lives with a student, off Princess Avenue (2465); Kitty lived in Liverpool for 47 years (2472), and recalls that before moving to the Close she was in “Shady Pines” retirement home (2458); and Bev discovers that Dave is staying at “The Shire House Hotel” in Chester, and confronts him there (2482). Diane is seen singing along to “I Got You Babe” by “UB40” in episode 2449 and “The Look Of Love” by “ABC” in episode 2451; Anthony studies a book, “The British Medical Association FAMILY DOCTOR Home Adviser” in episode 2461; and a book “The Vampire In Europe”, by Montague Summers, is seen in the Corkhills’ in episode 2477. Ron claims that he was nearly picked to play football for Liverpool Schoolboys (2454); Darren has known Victoria for 10 years (2447); and Carl, now a talent scout of the agency “Technique”, studied photography and media studies at college (2455).
The yet-to-be-seen Fred, Lance’s boyfriend, speaks fluent Portuguese (2462), and resembles Freddie Mercury (2464). Lance once got the sack for thieving, but cleared his name (2484); he has complete video collections of “Tenko” and “The Duchess Of Duke Street” (2483); and his favourite films are “Die Hard” and “Shallow Grave” (2447). Bev’s favourite television programme when she was younger was “Little House On The Prairie” – she particularly remembers “when Mary went blind” – and Victoria’s favourite was “Belle and Sebastien” (2453). Darren’s favourite programme was, and still is, “Doctor Who” – he regards “The Three Doctors” as a classic story, and his favourite Doctor is [Jon] Pertwee. Robbie and Clint are also fans, although Clint prefers Tom Baker. Katie remembers seeing Davros, “the Dalek fella”, and says that Ron reminds her of him. [Presumably she is thinking of the craggy face, rather than the central single eye, the single arm or the Dalek base!] (2453). Among the presents she has bought for Clint in episode 2463 is an old “Doctor Who” annual; and her slimming classes, “Bodywise”, take place at 12.30pm on Tuesdays, according to her poster seen in episode 2462. Harry’s favourite “Tweenie” is “Scoop the Digger” (2445),
The travel confirmation Bev gives Lance in episode 2466 indicates that she has booked with Manor Park First Step Travel, 15 Heysham Lane, Manor Park, Liverpool 43, whose telephone number is 0151 496 6549, and whose fax number is 0151 496 5496. It is dated Wednesday 20th December 2000, and shows that Lance is booked to fly from Manchester to Rio De Janeiro on flight NA 233 on Thursday 21st December 2000 at 1635, and is returning on flight NA 235 on Thursday 4th January 2000 [a not unrealistic typo – it should read 2001!!] at 1455. The flight operator is “Northern Air”. Bev says he is going “tomorrow” – but he is not seen setting off until episode 2468, which is set on 27th December 2000. It would appear that he persuaded her that a fortnight away was too much, and to rearrange the booking for a shorter stay – as he returns in episode 2477, after “ten days” of unadulterated bliss!
A visiting order for Tim seen briefly on-screen in episode 2468 shows an almost-correct address for Emily and Jessie, and invites Emily to visit him at 10am on 27/12/00; Lindsey’s mobile phone number, visible on the display of Shelley’s mobile in episode 2460, is 0793 939 0128; and a motorised milk van bearing the name HARRISON’S DAIRIES, the address 27-29 BELMONT ROAD, LIVERPOOL L6 5BG and the telephone number 0151 263 4236 is seen driving into the Close at the beginning of episode 2454. There is art by Claude Monet (2464) and Robert Delaunay at Susannah’s (2447, 2448, 2478), there is still art by Mark Rothko (2450, 2479) and Richard Diebenkorn (2453, 2483) in Victoria’s flat; there is still a poster of Britney Spears in Emily’s bedroom (2449, 2458); and there is a poster of “SHAFT” in Nisha’s flat (2477). Darren (2445, 2481, 2482), Mick (2449), a psychologist (2458), Katie (2462), Nisha (2463), Marty (2468), Lindsey (2473), Josh (2480), Lance (2483, 2484) and Shelley (2485) are all right-handed, whereas Leanne (2459), Jimmy (2461, 2478) and Bev (2481) are left-handed.
“Blink-and-you-miss it” moments:
When Shelley turns up at Jackie’s door in episode 2454, the song playing on Jackie’s radio is “My Kind Of Girl”.
In episode 2475, there are some marvellous reaction shots of the members of the small gathering in the church for Susannah’s funeral as the vicar, who has never met her, sings her praises with observations not entirely consistent with the way they saw her behaving when she was alive.
The end-of-season cliffhanger:
Lindsey cries in her bedroom, and is joined by Jackie, who hopes that they can get back to normal now that Shelley has gone. But Lindsey says she loves Shelley. She is still in love with her. And Shelley has gone because of Jackie. Jackie tries to apologise, but Lindsey doesn’t care – she is not listening to any more, and tells her mother to leave. “I hate you, and you know that. Get out!”.