Brookside Guide.....Season Twenty One.....
by the "Brookside Expert "
BROOKSIDE - SEASON TWENTY-ONE (47 episodes)
[Episodes 834-880]
The episodes:
Episode 834 (M 10-09-90 "It's Not!") Written by Valerie Windsor - There's doom and gloom in the Close, as the surviving Corkhills gather for a funeral, Terry is called to the hospital when Daniel is taken ill, and Mick is summoned to see Harry, who has made a decision about the bungalow.
Episode 835 (W 12-09-90 "Messed About") Written by Valerie Windsor - There are unforeseen consequences when Max and Patricia Farnham enlist help from Growler and Bumper to move into their new home. Mick gives Josie an ultimatum. Sheila is irritated by how nice Doreen is being, but Jimmy agrees she is right to be suspicious.
Episode 836 (F 14-09-90 "Hooks") Written by Valerie Windsor - Sheila throws Doreen out. Mick panics when he gets a call from Josie to say that Leo has disappeared. Terry bottles out of the rave party when he finds out from Barry that it's only semi-legal. Max discovers that all his tools have been stolen from his shed.
Episode 837 (M 17-09-90 "Plans") Written by Andy Lynch - Frank is job-hunting. Jimmy's plans for revenge on Joey Godden go wrong. Max loses interest in plumbing in the washing machine and sets about installing a burglar alarm, and Patricia is bitten by crocodile crisps.
Episode 838 (W 19-09-90 "Overstepping The Mark") Written by Andy Lynch - While Patricia is arguing against a crocodile, her boss is naming it, colouring it and giving it a family. Barry takes his own precautions to protect Sheila and Claire. When Max's alarm won't stop ringing, Mick's balloons escape.
Episode 839 (F 21-09-90 "Sorted Out") Written by Andy Lynch - When his burglar alarm goes off again, Patricia summons Max home from a Round Table dinner. Sheila decides that she and Claire must leave the Close. It's Leo's birthday party, and someone is going to be splashed with fizzy drinks.
Episode 840 (M 24-09-90 "My Business") Written by Kathleen Potter - Barry takes the law into his own hands and makes Godden realise he has met his match. The Farnhams' healthy regime is turned upside-down by a piece of toast.
Episode 841 (W 26-09-90 "Man Of The House") Written by Kathleen Potter - Barry gets rid of the evidence, and makes a big dent in Jimmy's pride. Mick tries to set up his own version of a home computer. Margaret wants to go out for the evening, but she can't if Max isn't home on time.......
Episode 842 (F 28-09-90 "Fresh Start") Written by Kathleen Potter - Barry's plans go with a bang, but to what extent is this due to the police? Mick worries that Josie is starting to overspend, and Max and Patricia become concerned that their new neighbours aren't going to be the sort they were hoping for.
Episode 843 (M 01-10-90 "Noise Polluters") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Leo looks forward to his first day at a new primary school. Terry considers whether to invest in another of Barry's ventures. The Dixons - DD, Ron, Jacqui, Mike and Tony - move in to the Close.
Episode 844 (W 03-10-90 "Rocky") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Mick convinces Leo to go back to school. Sinbad tries to rebuild his window round by calling on the new residents of the Close. Barry goes undercover to investigate a new warehouse for the next rave.
Episode 845 (F 05-10-90 "Shop-Soiled Goods") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Sammy is mortified when Owen tells Mike about her drinking. Patricia returns home to find a mad fruit and veg man forcing carrots across the Farnham battle line. Mick discovers from Leo's teacher the true nature of his problem at school.
Episode 846 (M 08-10-90 "Eyesores") Written by Allan Swift - Max wants to set up a neighbourhood watch scheme, but no-one else is keen to run it. Frank tries to repair his window. Tony and his friends collect for Guy Fawkes Day. Tracy and Nikki decide on a holiday.
Episode 847 (W 10-10-90 "Taking Pity") Written by Allan Swift - Terry has a difficult job to do. Patricia isn't keen to let Max increase his time with Matthew and Emily. Sinbad makes a deal with Ron, and Harry's armchair covers a lot of ground.
Episode 848 (F 12-10-90 "Community Policing") Written by Allan Swift - Sammy finally does the right thing by Owen. Jimmy is approached to set up the neighbourhood watch scheme. Terry helps Sue to arrange her mother's funeral.
Episode 849 (M 15-10-90 "Up To Something") Written by Chris Curry - The wrong things are said and done when Sue and Terry return from the funeral. Barry turns a good deed into something underhand. Ron discovers that someone has dropped a fridge into his skip.
Episode 850 (W 17-10-90 "Recycling") Written by Chris Curry - Jimmy can run from Kathy, but he can't hide....... Terry builds himself up to ask Sue to come home. Tracy's miserable attitude is spoiling Nikki's holiday.
Episode 851 (F 19-10-90 "Disappearing Altogether") Written by Chris Curry - Tony's bonfire pile and Max's blood pressure are both mounting. Jimmy tries to make amends with Kathy, but she has had enough. A day out for Nikki, Tracy, Sam and Aki goes disastrously wrong.
Episode 852 (M 22-10-90 "Replacements") Written by Andy Lynch - The park gang have stolen the bonfire pole and plan an act of retribution. Nikki and Tracy have very different opinions about what happened to Sam.
Episode 853 (W 24-10-90 "Double Or Quits") Written by Andy Lynch - Frank gets himself in debt to Growler to the tune of £10,000. Jimmy wants to make another bet so that he can retrieve Billy's furniture, but his credit is limited. Jonathan has an interview, finds an attractive package on offer, and is offered a job as well. Patricia doesn't want to complain, but.......
Episode 854 (F 26-10-90 "Flexible") Written by Andy Lynch - Romance is not dead for Nikki and Tracy. Frank's willingness to be flexible and cunning use of a sunlamp help him to get a new job. Chrissy and Katie visit the opticians, but will glasses be needed?
Episode 855 (M 29-10-90 "Redesigning") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jimmy's tip pays off handsomely. Sinbad is selling smoke detectors. Terry receives a phone call about his divorce, and his wife answers it. Tracy is looking for someone to coach her for her driving test. Mick tries to heal the rift between the Dixons and the Farnhams.
Episode 856 (W 31-10-90 "No Style") Written by Peter Cox - Sue has a long wait for Jonathan and Viv, and it gives her time to re-evaluate her status. Chrissy thinks her new glasses make her look older. Patricia is locked out, and has to make a deal with Tony Dixon.
Episode 857 (F 02-11-90 "Flood-damaged Fireworks") Written by Maurice Bessman - Bonfire Night approaches, and Max looks forward to spending it with his children, but Susannah has other ideas. It is Terry's birthday, but he plans to go out with Barry. Patricia thinks she has discovered who is responsible for the Farnhams' catalogue of problems.
Episode 858 (M 05-11-90 "Bonfire Night") Written by Susan Pleat - DD's brother Derek arrives for a visit, and Jimmy insults him. Bonfire Night goes off with a bang, and Max's fireworks are a real hit.
Episode 859 (W 07-11-90 "Anything To Help") Written by Susan Pleat - Sinbad's tyres just won't go away. When Anthony discovers what Tracy has been up to, he sacks her. Growler discovers that Chrissy has been having words with some of his teachers.
Episode 860 (F 09-11-90 "Calming Influence") Written by Susan Pleat - Ron's skip is finally removed, and so is most of the tarmac on which it has been standing. Chrissy hauls Growler out of his football practice. Tracy takes her driving test, and Sue shows Terry what she has bought.
Episode 861 (M 12-11-90 "Cars") Written by Barry Woodward - Rod gets a new car, and threatens to book Tracy if she borrows it. Patricia wants a second car, but Max receives his phone bill. Mick is in hospital, and Mike is turning into an Arthur Daley.
Episode 862 (W 14-11-90 "Doing The Business") Written by Barry Woodward - Working double shifts is beginning to affect Terry. Ron and Jimmy have both caught the entrepreneurial bug. While Margaret is outside talking to Mike, baby Thomas injures himself.
Episode 863 (F 16-11-90 "Lodging") Written by Barry Woodward - Terry isn't sure whether he should trust Josie with the money the other taxi-drivers have collected for Mick. Max buys a fax machine, and receives a court summons. Julia finds some new customers for Tracy.
Episode 864 (M 19-11-90 "Part Time Job") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Rod and Tommo discover that working undercover at a supermarket isn't much fun. Mick is concerned that Josie has been overspending. Mike and Jacqui both refuse to explain what happened on Friday afternoon. The Farnhams try to decide between a dishwasher and a new television.
Episode 865 (W 21-11-90 "An Arm And A Leg") Written by Joe Ainsworth - The Dixons are summoned to the school to discuss their children's behaviour. Mick accidentally superglues his plastered arm to the table. Patricia confronts Josie about her suspicions over the catalogue money, then returns home to attend to a swollen shin.
Episode 866 (F 23-11-90 "Enough Talking") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Ron buys a rhinocerous head, and he and DD receive written confirmation of the action the school are going to take regarding Mike. Patricia is determined to get to the bottom of their bad-credit-risk address, no matter who she upsets.
Episode 867 (M 26-11-90 "Unwritten Rules") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jimmy has business plans, and the Farnhams discover just what it will take to clear their debt. Margaret and Sammy discuss AIDS. The Dixons' is not a happy household.
Episode 868 (W 28-11-90 "Ghettoised") Written by Maurice Bessman - Mike's ghetto-blaster is stolen. Rod makes a date with Diana. Mick is uneasy about Josie working at a club. Margaret tells Patricia she feels she is being asked to do things that are not part of her job.
Episode 869 (F 30-11-90 "Impugned") Written by Maurice Bessman - Leo's spirits rise when Sinbad offers to go to see him in the school nativity play. Sinnott disapproves of Mike pronouncing his name with a silent "i", and the Farnhams interrogate their prime suspects in the mystery of the catalogue fraud.
Episode 870 (M 03-12-90 "I'll Help") Written by Andy Lynch - Rod tells Diana a cover story, but she isn't deterred. Frank returns home, and Katie can't stand Growler being so nice. Margaret can't get the Farnhams to confirm her holiday dates.
Episode 871 (W 05-12-90 "Beans") Written by Andy Lynch - Max makes a deal with Margaret in order to force her to change her night off. The Dixons have breakfast. Rod and Tommo identify the thief at the supermarket.
Episode 872 (F 07-12-90 "Something Rotten") Written by Andy Lynch - When Mike explains his reasons for attacking Sinnott, his actions seem more justified. Sinbad plans to sell pieces of the Berlin Wall. Rod and Julia each have very different plans.
Episode 873 (M 10-12-90 "Seeing Is Believing") Written by Maurice Bessman - A "For Sale" sign goes up outside the Sullivans', but a knight in shining armour may yet help them out. Mick has to see Leo's teacher about his refusal to play the King in the school play. Rod and Tommo find out more about the dog-fight.
Episode 874 (W 12-12-90 "Decorations") Written by Maurice Bessman - Max receives messages for Ron on his fax machine. Barry makes Tracy a generous offer. Josie suggests that Margaret makes a decision, and it isn't one that pleases Patricia. Jacqui's swimming trial times aren't good enough.
Episode 875 (F 14-12-90 "Home To Roost") Written by Maurice Bessman - There is a surprising Christmas card for Chrissy. Terry and Sue must decide whether to accept a loan from Barry. Margaret tells Patricia about the bet she made with Max. Carl and Mike discover that the scrapyard has some unexpected guards. Mick takes the law into his own hands.
Episode 876 (M 17-12-90 "Tree Jokes") Written by Chris Curry - Mick is concerned when the police telephone him about "unreasonable force". Ron installs his Christmas lights, Katie's wings are drooping, and Sinbad and Jimmy have to think of two or "tree" ways to repay Max.
Episode 877 (W 19-12-90 "Gone Missing") Written by Chris Curry - Ron discovers that his father has gone missing. Tracy sneaks out of the house for a good reason in the early morning. Max discovers that someone has stolen his sleigh. Barry's business partners visit to check up on him, but he outsmarts them.
Episode 878 (F 21-12-90 "Imaginings") Written by Chris Curry - Nikki is sacked, an official complaint is lodged against Mick, and there is a case of mistaken identity, which leads to a kidnapping.......
Episode 879 (M 24-12-90 "Frozen Turkey") Written by Peter Cox - Grandad Dixon makes a grand entrance. Katie and Siobhan's dancing is a great success, which is more than can be said for Sinbad's pre-Christmas special.
Episode 880 (W 26-12-90 "Raw Turkey") Written by Peter Cox - It is Christmas Day on the Close, and there is no power. Julia discovers that the Corkhills have gone to Basingstoke, the Rogers family wonder whether Frank will be home for Christmas, and Terry hears something that makes him think. Max has an extravagant Christmas present for Patricia, and Ron needs a favour.
The cast:
RESIDENTS:
Claire Grant - AMY LYNCH (838, 839) [ Never previously credited, but given
top billing for these episodes! ]
Billy Corkhill - JOHN McARDLE (834-839)
Sheila Corkhill, formerly Grant - SUE JOHNSTON (834-836, 838, 839)
Doreen Corkhill - KATE FITZGERALD (834-836)
Rod Corkhill - JASON HOPE (834, 838, 841, 844, 848, 849, 858, 860-864, 866,
868, 870-873, 875, 877, 878)
Tracy Corkhill - JUSTINE KERRIGAN (834-836, 838-841, 846, 848-855, 858-861,
863, 865-867, 872, 874, 877, 878)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (834-839, 841, 848-853, 855, 858, 862, 863,
867, 869, 872, 876-878, 880)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (843-845, 847, 848, 851,
853, 858, 861, 865, 866, 871, 876, 877, 879, 880)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (842 stand-in, 843, 845-847, 849, 853, 855, 858, 860,
862, 863, 865-867, 871, 874, 876, 877, 879, 880)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (843-848, 854, 855, 858, 859, 861, 863-869,
871, 874, 880)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (843-847, 849, 852, 855, 856, 858, 860-864, 866-875,
880)
Tony Dixon - GERARD BOSTOCK (843-846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856-860, 871, 879,
880)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (835-843, 846-848, 851, 854-858, 860, 861, 863-867,
869-872, 874, 877, 878, 880)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (835-843, 845-848, 853,
856-858, 860-862, 864-870, 872, 874, 875, 877, 880)
Margaret Clemence - NICOLA STEPHENSON (836-843, 845, 847, 850, 857-859, 862,
863, 865-872, 874-876)
Thomas Farnham - (836, 838, 840, 842, 843, 847, 850, 862, 863, 867 OOV, 880)
Jonathan Gordon-Davies - STEVEN PINNER (850, 853-856)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (834, 836, 838-845, 848, 849, 872-874, 876, 877,
879, 880)
Josie Johnson (nee Christie) - SUZANNE PACKER (835-837, 839, 841-844, 857,
859-861, 863-866, 868, 871, 874, 876, 878)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (834-839, 841-845, 847, 848, 855, 858, 861, 864-866,
868, 869, 873-878)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (837, 839)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (836, 837, 839, 841-845, 868, 869, 874)
Chrissy Rogers (nee Morgan) - EITHNE BROWNE (835, 851, 853, 854, 856-860,
866, 867, 870, 875, 875, 879, 880)
Frank Rogers - PETER CHRISTIAN (836, 837, 846, 850, 851, 853, 854, 856, 858,
860, 870, 875, 880)
Geoff "Growler" Rogers - KEVIN CARSON (835, 843, 851, 853, 856,
858-860, 866, 870)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (835, 850, 853, 854, 856, 858, 870, 873, 876, 879,
880)
Sammy Rogers - RACHAEL LINDSAY (837, 839-848, 850, 856, 858, 859, 867, 870,
871)
Sue Sullivan (nee Harper) - ANNIE MILES (834, 847-850, 852, 855-863, 873-876,
878-880)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (834-836, 843, 845-850, 852, 855, 857-863, 873,
875, 879, 880)
Daniel Sullivan - SAM EVANS (847, 858, 873)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (844, 847, 855, 857-859, 867, 869,
872, 876-878)
RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Nisha Batra - SUNETRA SARKER (840, 846)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (861-863, 872, 878, 880)
Owen Daniels - DANNY McCALL (842, 844, 845, 848)
Joey Godden - CARL CHASE (837, 840)
Brian "Bumper" Humphreys - JAMES MAWDSLEY (835, 843, 853, 856, 858)
Matty Nolan - TONY SCOGGO (880)
Kathy Roach - NOREEN KERSHAW (849-851)
Jack Sullivan - WILLIAM MAXWELL (876, 878, 880)
Michael "Tommo" Tomlinson - JOHN O'GORMAN (864, 868, 871-873)
Nikki White - MICHELLE BYATT (846, 848-854, 859, 865, 877, 878)
Mr Wilson - RON MEADOWS (856, 859)
Radio voice - ROGER PHILLIPS (835)
NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Maria Benson - PAULINE DANIELS (877) [ Woman (475) ]
Arthur's Dad - JIMMY COLEMAN (873) [ Telecom Man (13) ]
Mr Knight - JAMES TOMLINSON (854, 875) [ Removal Man (107) ]
Optician - STEPHEN TOMLIN (854) [ Mad Max (64) ]
Dolly Sparrow - VALERIE GRIFFITHS (862) [ Housewife (11) / Alice Grogan (261)
]
NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Marcia Barrett - CHERYL MAIKER (839, 865, 871)
Benno (Simon Benson) - ANDREW FEARON (845, 846, 848, 852, 854, 856-859)
Arthur Clough - ANTHONY WATSON (871-873, 875)
Carl Crawford - NICHOLAS McKENNA (861, 863, 867, 868, 870, 872-875)
Cyril Dixon - ALLAN SURTEES (879, 880)
Miss Marie Donnelly - TRICIA WILCOCK (845, 873)
Emily Farnham - VICTORIA BENNETT (846)
Matthew Farnham - GARETH RYAN JONES (846)
Kenny Fisher - TERRY JOHN (877, 878)
Ricky Fisher - MATTHEW SCURFIELD (877-879)
Geoffrey Fletcher - CHRIS WRIGHT (878, 879)
Helen Massey - COLETTE STEVENSON (853-855)
Steph Mayo - PIERS RALSTON (842)
Lydia Miles - LIZ BRAILSFORD (867)
Father Derek O'Farrell - CLIVE MOORE (858, 880)
Togga (Tommy O'Grady) - RAYMOND LIVINGSTON (845, 846, 848, 850, 854, 857-859)
Sam (Sampikos Sarikas) - CHRIS CONSTANTINOU (849-854)
Greg Sinnott - NEIL ANTHONY (863, 869, 870)
Diana Spence - PAULA FRANCES (864, 866, 868, 870, 872, 878, 880)
Richard Watts - BOGDAN KOMINOWSKI (838)
NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Aki - MARIO FRANGOULIS (850-854)
Alex - TIM BERRINGTON (838)
Barnie - CHRIS MACDONNELL (867, 869)
Estate Agent - KEITH LADD (844)
Mr Maxwell - BEN THOMAS (864)
Siobhan - JOANNE BIRCHALL (835, 873, 879)
UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Albie Barker (837)
Bert, friend of Rod's late Grandad (863)
Bim, Tony's mate (857)
Kenneth James Brady, intruder (875)
Cally, Tony's mate (857)
Mrs Cass, a student teacher (860)
Eric, bookmaker (852 OOV, 853 OOV)
Ernie, friend of Rod's late Grandad (863)
Malcolm The Mountie (876)
Charlie Miles, Max's boss (867)
Roger, Round Table member (878)
Tyson, dog (873)
The Magic Rabbits are seen again in episode 845, this time watched by Leo; and their music is heard again, although neither the television pictures, nor Leo who is apparently watching them again, are visible, in episode 878.
Episode 879 ends, like previous Christmas episodes, with an alphabetical listing of the whole year's team instead of the normal cast list.
The storylines:
This season sees the arrival of two new families, some of whose members would be present on the Close throughout the remaining thirteen years of the series - the Dixons and the Farnhams. While the Dixons have problems with their children's behaviour, and the Farnhams have problems with their credit rating, their nanny and an ex-wife. it looks as if the new arrivals mostly have problems with each other!
Meanwhile, Frank gets another job; Sue moves back in with Terry; Mick does as he is done unto; and Rod, working undercover, meets his future wife. Jonathan moves to London, and Sheila moves to Basingstoke with Billy and Claire, leaving Barry as the only surviving member of the original cast. But can he survive being deep-frozen after a reckless encounter with some unforgiving business partners?
The dates:
It is Friday in episodes 845, 854 (based on dialogue in episode 850) and 863; it is Monday in episodes 847 and 849; and it is 17th October 1990 in episode 850. It is Saturday, and November, in episode 861, and 14th November 1990 in episode 862. It is the anniversary of Terry and Sue's first date in episode 875, Christmas Eve in episode 879, and Christmas Day in episode 880.
Name-checks:
The Duke of Edinburgh (835); Einstein (837, 843); "Star Wars" (837); Adolf Hitler (837, 844); the Queen (837, 852), and her father, the King (837); "Alice in Wonderland" (837); Princess Di (838); Arnold Schwarzenegger (838, 841); Gaddafi (838); Charlie Bronson (839); Cinderella / Cinders (840, 872, 876); Robert the Bruce (841); Elvis (843, 845); Jimmy Jacobs (843); Jed Clampett (843, 872); Captain Ahab (843); Peter Stringfellow (843); [Jimmy] Tarbuck (844); "Rocky" (844); Sylvester Stallone (844); Rambo (844, 877); "Lethal Weapon 2" (844); Mel Gibson (844, 857); Ian Rush, footballer (844, 846); The Fonz / Fonzie (845, 859, 865); Marlon Brando (845); John Travolta (845); "Baywatch" (845); "The Sound Of Music" (845); James Dean (845, 846); Picasso (846); John Barnes (846, 851); Bruce Grobelaar (846) and Nicholl, footballers (846); the Clampetts (846, 855, 857, 867); Jethro (846); Morpheus, wizard (847); "Black Beauty" (847); Dick Turpin (848); Tom Jones (850); Guy Fawkes (850, 857, 858); Shirley Valentine (851, 852); "King Kong" (851, 860); Prince Philip (852); Major Peter Dempster (853); Jason Donovan (854); the great "Shanks", footballer (854); the Bee Gees (855, 862); "Deputy Dawg" (855); Biffer Bacon (857); Sid the Sexist (857); "Lethal Weapon" (857); Henry VIII (858); Charles Dickens (859); Jacques Cousteau (859); Maggie Thatcher (859, 879); "King Kong" (860); "Y"ob Geldof (861); "Ayacoco", tycoon who runs Chrysler (862); "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (862); Paul McCartney (862); Colin Harvey (862); Prince Charles (862); Nell Gwyn (862); Frank Sinatra (862); Mickey Mouse (862); Archangel Gabriel (862); "Crimewatch" (863); "The 'A' Team" (864); "Miami Vice" (864); "Coronation Street" (864, 870, 871, 872, 876); "Neighbours" (864, 869); Cassius Clay (864); Tyson (864); "Tiny Tim" (864); Florence Nightingale (864), "Batman" (864, 865); Sylvester Stallone (864); Michelangelo and Leonardo, hero turtles (864); John F. Kennedy (864); Sugar Ray Leonard (865); Alexei Sayle (865); "Daktari" (866); "Gazza" (866); Billy Butlin (866); Nancy Astor (867); Karl Marx (867); Mother Teresa (867); the Jackson Five (868); "The Wizard of Oz" (869); "Grange Hill" (869); Graham Sharp, Everton footballer (869); "Columbo" (869); Perry Mason (869); [Duncan] Goodhew (869); Sharron Davies (869); Mark Spitz (869); "Home and Away" (870); Mike Baldwin (870); "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (870); Clark Kent (870); The Beatles (870); John Winston Lennon (870); the Quarrymen (870); "Macca" [Paul McCartney] (870); Johnny and the Hurricanes (870); John Charles Julian Lennon (870); Cynthia Lennon (870); Shakespeare (872); Sir Lancelot (872); "This Is Your Life" (872); Al Capone (872); Casanova (873); Kathleen Turner (873); Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (873); James Bond (874); Ebenezer Scrooge (875, 878); De Niro (875); Marco Polo (876); "American Werewolf In London" (876); Kemo Sabe (876); Happy Mondays (877); Sandy Gall (879); Noddy (879); Dion and the Belmonts (879); the Lone Ranger (880); and Quasimodo (880).
Locations:
All of the action in this season is set in Liverpool, except that there are several scenes of Tracy, Nikki, Sam and Aki in Rhodes, Greece, in episodes 849 to 854.
Births:
None. Frankie was born on 11th October 1942, according to his tombstone (837, 838). It is Leo's birthday in episode 839, and Terry's in episode 857 when, according to the badge on his card from Sue, he is 30. It is Jimmy's 35th birthday, 14th November 1990, in episode 862. Ron's birthday is 25th December (876), and he celebrates it in episode 880. We are also reminded that Barry is 11 years older than Tracy (841), and told that Thomas is 18 months old (845). Barry is 31 (848). Jacqui is 15 (864, 869). Mike is 17 (867); Margaret is 16 (872); and Max grudgingly admits to being 30, although it is possible that he is rounding down a little (872).
Marriages:
None. We are told in episode 841, however, that Max married Patricia in September 1989.
Deaths:
Two. The impression created in episode 833 that Billy has been killed in a pub brawl is continued for the first half of episode 834, as the rest of the family are seen attending a funeral, returning home, and joined by Doreen. However, it emerges later in this episode that it is actually Cousin Don Corkhill who has been buried, after being kicked to death. A verdict of "death by misadventure" is later reached (848). We also find out in episode 846 that there has been a car crash, and in episode 847 it is revealed that it was on Saturday night, and Sue's mother, Jane Harper, was killed. The following unseen characters who are no longer alive are also mentioned: Frankie (834, 836, 837, 838, 848), who died on 17th July 1975, according to his tombstone (837, 838); Ron's mother Mabel (866), who died when he was young (849); Frank's father, who died 36 years ago today (850); Jimmy's father (851); and Rod's grandad, Julia's husband (863).
Toilet visits:
After a vast number of these in the previous season, Barry's, in episode 872, is the ONLY one this time! However, Dolly also needs to go in episode 862 (Julia suggests she is incontinent) - and Rod still lets her into his car. And DD has a long conversation with Max about toilet paper in episode 851.
Characters mentioned, so far unseen, but who will be appearing later:
Patricia's mother, Thomas's Granny (835, 836, 837, 872) and father (872); Susannah, the first Mrs Farnham (836, 839, 842, 843, 846, 847, 864, 871, 872, 874, 875, 880); Grandad Christie, Josie's dad (837, 857, 876) and her mum (876); Margaret's mum (840, 845, 859, 861, 863, 866, 874); Aunty Lou (841, 842, 858, 859, 861); Kieran, Margaret's old boyfriend (850, 867); Charlie, Maria's husband (853, 877); Billy Butler, disc jockey (853, 866); Auntie Jackie (863); Diana's dad (866, 868, 878); Sinbad's mother (869); Lucinda, Geoffrey's wife (871, 877); Gina, an old college friend of Chrissy (875); and Jack's wife (878).
Gone but not forgotten - seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:
Sue's mother (834, 847, 848, 858, 860, 880); Harry Cross (834, 835, 841, 844, 875, 878); Kevin (835, 836); Cousin Don (834, 836, 837, 848); Anthony (834, 846, 849, 859, 860, 865, 877, 878); Lisa Jenkins (835); Dr Michael Choi (836, 856, 863, 869); Margaret [Jefferson] (837, 838, 839); Damon (838, 839); Jaundrill (838); Paul Collins (838, 846, 848); Tommy McArdle (838); Helen [Jefferson] (839); Matthew [Jefferson] (839); Karen (839); Monty (841); Liam (846, 855); Pete (846); Jenny (847, 849, 850, 881); Kirsty (848, 860); WPC Emma Reid (848); Martin (850, 855); Ms Viv(ienne) Slater (856, 859); Laura (856); Laura's father (856); the Pope (858, 875); Chrissy's dad / Katie's grandad (860, 880); Shelley (861); Cheryl (862); the Chois (865, 867, 869, 875); Caroline (869); Stephen Choi (869); Lenny (875); the Collins (875, 879); and Gerrard (878).
And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever:
Ken Knowles, a mate of Billy's who Doreen went out with (835); Jen, at Patricia's office (835); Clare Woodhead, a friend of Siobhan, and her mother, a maths teacher at their school (835); Tony, Josie's ex-boyfriend (835, 839, 861); Margaret's father (836, 840, 847, 859, 864, 874, 875); Wayne, one of six friends whose birthday parties Leo has been to (836); Mick's uncle Charlie (837); Grandad Johnson from Ghana (837); Big Jim Harrison, a friend of Frank (837); Grandma Williams in Cardiff (837); Kevin, son of Josie's neighbour (837); Richard's little daughter Zoe (837); Colin, a Round Tabler (839); Margaret's sister (840); Pat, DD's sister (843); Brian Finnegan aka "Fat Figgy", a fat lad who was at school with Mick (844); Sinbad's auntie Nora (844); Denny Kelly, the Dixons' previous next-door neighbour (845); David, a former boyfriend of Tracy (846); Timmy, an ex of Nikki (846); Maureen, childminder (849); Sue's uncle Trevor (849); Ron's two brothers (849); Siobhan's dad, "rolling in it" (850);.Togga's uncle (850); Jimmy Spencer, trainer (850); Paxton, who has written a letter to Jonathan (850); Kieran's dad, who had a Datsun (850); Nikki's mother (850); Mrs Bridges aka "Missy Nora", nurse at Katie's school (850); Aki's little sister (851); Aki's cousin in the police (852); Polly Sparrow, and more kids than she can remember (852); Sue's father (852); Aki's uncle (853); Kevin, Nikki's brother (854); John DeVere, horse owner (855); Maureen Hammond, whose Geography project was much longer than Growler's (856); Bumper's father (856); Margaret's grandad (857, 866); Togga's father (857); Mr McCormack and Mrs Emms, teachers (859); Sam at Terry's garage (859); Mrs Maureen Rudd, indiscreet salon customer (859); Mrs Cowley, hair cancellation (861); Kev, a mate of Jimmy (862); Sue's cousins in Newcastle (862); Dolly's eldest, and the policeman she married (862); "Sticks", band member (862, 863); Ken, bookmaker (863); Gus, a slob Jimmy shares a bedsit with (863); Pringle, Rod's careers teacher (864); Brenda, George and Pilkie, employess (864); Bernie, one of the lunatics who run the Four Star Club (865); Mooney, head waiter (866); Margaret's uncle Pat (867, 874); Cathy McInnes, a swimming rival of Jacqui (867, 869, 871); Belinda the Bike, at Mike's school (868); Daley, supermarket boss (868); Leroy, who played the Black King in the school play instead of Leo (868); Margaret's uncle, who had a fancy woman (869) and divorced his wife in the middle east (875); Sinbad's father and sister (869); Carl's gran and grandad (870); Margaret's grandma (870); Mr Whittle, pharmacist (870); Sylvia, checkout girl (871); Ken, taxi driver (871); Douggie the Dog (872, 876); Forbes, in Mike and Carl's General Studies class (874); Carl's nan (875); Joan, an ugly college mate of Chrissy, who had a moustache (875); Gina, one of two of Chrissy's college mates with the same name (875); Benbo, whose van Jimmy borrows (876); Miss Preston, Katie's dance teacher (876); the Dearsons, whose party Geoffrey is going to miss (876); Mrs Trent, Cyril's neighbour (877); Ron's Aunt Greta (877); Donna, Maria's daughter / Simon's sister (877); Siobhan's mum and dad (879); Ricky's father (879); and Joseph, Matty's son (880).
Goofs:
The odds quoted in the radio broadcast Jimmy listens to in episode 852 are inconsistent - the winner is the 4/1 joint favourite, yet the second-placed horse is at 3/1.
The cartoon of the "Scotty Dogs World Tour", seen in episode 855, appears to spell Frank's surname with an added D.
Chrissy, who often corrects similar mistakes made by her children, says in episode 860: "My dad bRought the coat.".
All other mentions of Thomas's accident refer to a DOOR, but at one point in episode 862, Patricia asks "How the hell did his finger get crushed in a drawer?".
In episode 866 Diana has a few guesses at Rod's name, and he doesn't notice that none of them begin with the "C" on the name-badge he is wearing. He then carelessly reveals his real name to her, even though it is inconsistent with the badge. (Perhaps this is our first clue to the later revelation that Diana cannot read?)
Three of Josie's words seem to have become jumbled up in episode 868: "There's nothing more I'd love.......".
Margaret's second last and third last words are in the wrong order in episode 875: "He thought he could get it done by pulling strings with his friends in Round the Table".
Matty claims in episode 880 that his real name is Patrick, which contradicts at least two previous encounters with authority figures who, observing protocol and aiming to be strictly accurate, have addressed him as "Matthew.......".
Trivia:
Jimmy, who is left-handed (849), took a driving test once, and failed (863), whereas Billy took it three times and passed (863). Sheila picks up a book by Tom Clancy, which he hasn't read, from Billy's hospital bedside (834). Doreen lived on the estate for 35 years (836). She and Billy stayed with Julia, who is Tracy's oldest living relative (872), for 15 years (863). Tracy, who was one of nine girls who had an abortion on the same morning (834), takes driving lessons with the "Driveway School Of Motoring", whose telephone number is 269 3404 (865, 866).
While working undercover in Ainsworth's supermarket (863, 868), Rod's name badge reads "Mr C. Watts" (864, 867, 868), while Tommo's is "Mr D. Tracy" (864). Although Rod has been previously referred to as "Rodney" at times, when Diana asks him in episode 866 whether "Rod" is short for "Rodney" or "Roderick", surprisingly he says it is "just Rod". Diana's dad weighs 18 stone (866), and taught her to drive (868). Cousin Don Corkhill was the same age as Frankie when he died (834). Barry is left-handed (848).
DD's star sign is Virgo (843). She, or someone else in this household, has the book "A Creed For The Third Millennium" by Colleen McCullough (866). Ron's skip is marked "BARRY, 933 0308" (845, 847, 852, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860), and the lorry which collects it is from "Barry's Skip Hire, Princes St, Bootle 051 933 0308" (860). Ron, who has no "A" levels (862), and a somewhat less than perfect grasp of written English, based on the notes he leaves for Mike (868), claims - jokingly? - that when he was young he was one of 16 sharing a bed, 15 of whom were bed-wetters (874). He receives a fax from Fertile Freddie's Fruit Farm and Gorton's Wholesale: Square Eggs A Speciality (874), and used to have a Ford Anglia - as did Sinbad, whose sister was adopted at the age of 2 (869).
Mike and Sinnott are both in the sixth form (865) at Brookside Comprehensive School, on whose sign the headmaster's surname is Woodcock (870). Mike is taking "A" levels (849, 862), in Economics, Art, Sociology and General Studies (873). He is in the year below Sammy at school (843) - so she must be in the upper sixth, as is Nisha (840). Carl is also taking General Studies (874), along with French, English and Sociology (873), and implies that the sociology teacher is called Mr Phillips (873). Jacqui, who trains at Courtney Johnston Swimming Baths (874), and doesn't buy Jason Donovan magazines (854), is in the year below Growler (843).
Patricia collects teapots (864). Max is a chartered surveyor (854, 865, 869, 876, 877) and is not keen on pasta or fish paste (838). He drives a Volvo 480 Turbo (835), and his removalists are E. Halsall & Sons, Removal & Storage, 76-78 Manchester Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 9BA, 0704 32112 (835), Margaret's father has a manual job, and an allotment (840). Her mum, whose favourite film is "The Sound Of Music" (845), has a microwave (863). Matty is right-handed (880), and so is Terry (873), who didn't marry Sue at St Thomas's, her mother's church (849). The "for sale" sign at number 9 bears the name "Binenan Estates" and the telephone number 051 259 9106 (873).
Mick picks up three fares, who then beat him up, from the Jackaman pub (861). His telephone number is 259 9232 (836); yet this is also the number which appears on Barry's fliers for the rave (844)!! Leo is starting at Manor Park Primary School (843). Josie works in a DIY shop (846), and her catalogue account is number JJ256001 (874). Marcia, Josie's oldest friend (839), was engaged for six months to a lunatic who ran the Four-Star Club (865). Jonathan is from Croydon (853). Frank, who plays "Connect 4" with Growler (853), has had his car for 24 years (837). Katie reveals to Siobhan that she has just had her first period (873).
"Blink-and-you-miss it" moment:
In episode 876, Josie is seen cutting an article about Mick out of the Echo. Appearing on-screen only very briefly, surrounded by stories such as "New by-pass completed", "Craig's dream comes true", "Talks to hit buses" and "Patient safe", this is what it says:
Quote:
Daring dad tackles intruder
A local man is being hailed a hero after single-handedly tackling an intruder. Mr Michael Johnson, who lives in Brookside Close, Manor Park, was alarmed to discover a man trying to break into the bedroom of his two young children. Mr Johnson, who has been the recent victim of a vicious assault while driving a taxi, managed to apprehend the intruder and prevented his escape. The incident, which happened last Friday evening, is the latest in a long line of break-ins and thefts in the Manor Park area. Local residents were quick to applaud Mr Johnson's actions.
The end-of-season cliffhanger:
Matty and Terry discover Barry, who has been locked in a deep freeze by the Fishers. Matty sends Terry to call an ambulance, then tries to revive Barry: "You're not dead, are you? Barry! Oh, fight it like you always do. Oh, surely to god you're not dead - Barry! Barry, SON......."