Brookside Guide.....Season Twenty Two.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON TWENTY-TWO (36 episodes)
[Episodes 881-916]

The episodes:

Episode 881 (F 28-12-90 "Just Deserts") Written by Peter Cox - A shock awaits Ron and DD when they return from the cash-and-carry. Barry will not allow mild hypothermia to prevent him from getting even with the Fishers.

Episode 882 (M 31-12-90 "All Dressed Up") Written by Kathleen Potter - On New Year's Eve, Rod finally discovers the venue for the dog fight, Mike's behaviour disgusts Jacqui, Julia has two men fighting over her, Jimmy plans a new venture, and the Farnhams are mistaken for Princess Diana and a bouncer.

Episode 883 (W 02-01-91 "Resolution") Written by Kathleen Potter - Julia is not pleased to find that Jack and Cyril have become buddies. Mike can't remember what happened the previous night.

Episode 884 (F 04-01-91 "Very Badly Let Down") Written by Kathleen Potter - Patricia asks Sue to baby-sit. Diana is annoyed to find that Rod has been systematically lying to her. Julia discovers that she has been stood up in a big way.

Episode 885 (M 07-01-91 "Possession") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Rod tries to make amends with Diana. Tony and his friends' plans to watch an erotic video are thwarted when the police call with news that Mike and Jacqui have been arrested, so they have to find someone to give them a lift. Katie is interested in Sammy's love life.

Episode 886 (W 09-01-91 "Wise Monkeys") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Ron is convinced that designer-violence videos are responsible for Mike and Jacqui's dabbling with drugs, but DD disagrees when she finds out their true motives.

Episode 887 (F 11-01-91 "Knobber") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Tony is grounded when Ron finds Maria's missing erotic video. Chrissy arranges a dinner-date, but with which Gina? Rod has a meal with Diana and her father, and Margaret returns from Oldham.

Episode 888 (M 14-01-91 "Secretive") Written by Allan Swift - Sammy is being evasive about her new boyfriend, while Margaret has other things on her mind. Mick takes drastic action when he receives the credit card bill.

Episode 889 (W 16-01-91 "Creativity") Written by Allan Swift - Leo is winning friends based on Mick's actions, but Mick isn't sure that it's something to be proud of. Chrissy is not surprised when Frank develops a cold a few days before they are due to meet Gina. Max wants to be on time for his interview, but can he persuade Margaret to iron his shirt?

Episode 890 (F 18-01-91 "Safe") Written by Allan Swift - Frank and Chrissy are off on the dreaded dinner-date. More bills arrive for the Johnsons. Patricia tries to make toxic waste sexy. Mike worries that his involvement in Sinnott's attempt to fly will be discovered.

Episode 891 (M 21-01-91 "Path") Written by Barry Woodward - The proposed footpath is causing conflicton the Close, as some are opposed and others see opportunities. Margaret's work-to-rule is beginning to have an effect on the Farnham household.

Episode 892 (W 23-01-91 "Up Against The System") Written by Barry Woodward - Mick's prospects in court don't look good, and his debts continue to mount. Ron makes progress in his bid to acquire a shop. Terry is worried that Sue is buying clothes on credit, and Jimmy and Sinbad go flat-hunting.

Episode 893 (F 25-01-91 "No More Demands") Written by Barry Woodward - Ron capitalises on his deal with Jed Smith, and looks forward to owning a business on the new parade.

Episode 894 (M 28-01-91 "The Way Out") Written by Susan Pleat - Jimmy and Sinbad plan to hold a car boot sale. Mick is furious to discover that Josie is in debt again. Ron has a surprise visitor. Patricia is determined to resolve her problems with Margaret.

Episode 895 (W 30-01-91 "Fretting") Written by Susan Pleat - Jimmy and Sinbad wonder whether they could ever bring anyone back to their double-decker-bunk bedsit. Patricia makes a surprising confession to Max.

Episode 896 (F 01-02-91 "Sussed") Written by Susan Pleat - Jacqui devises a plan to make herself seem like a good girl but still allow her to go to the party, but it doesn't work as well as she hopes. Sinbad and Jimmy cause chaos.

Episode 897 (M 04-02-91 "Pride") Written by Maurice Bessman - Josie and Marcia wonder what they can do to raise money. Ron thinks someone has swapped two of his kids for aliens. The Farnhams are concerned that Thomas will pick up Margaret's accent and phrases.

Episode 898 (W 06-02-91 "Important Decisions") Written by Maurice Bessman - Max is concerned that Tony will interfere with his car. Patricia rebukes Margaret about her non-matching stair gates. Terry discovers that Ron's opinion of the path has changed.

Episode 899 (F 08-02-91 "Poetic Justice") Written by Maurice Bessman - Max demonstrates his maturity by finding a way of getting his own back on Tony. Sinbad has to find other means of transport to and from the boot sale when there isn't enough room for him in the car.

Episode 900 (M 11-02-91 "Stirring") Written by Valerie Windsor - Josie tries to persuade Mick to accept his solicitor's advice. The Dixons prepare for a pancake day contest.

Episode 901 (W 13-02-91 "Cards") Written by Valerie Windsor - On Valentine's Day, the same card is rescued from the bin more than once, and one resident receives more cards than she could ever have expected. Mick talks to Frank about the dilemma he faces.

Episode 902 (F 15-02-91 "Mode Of Trial") Written by Valerie Windsor - Mick's solicitor abandons him when he elects for trial by jury. Geoff makes extensive preparations for his mystery Valentine date.

Episode 903 (M 18-02-91 "Off Duty") Written by Kathleen Potter - Sammy's older man is causing trouble for her at home. An attack on Rod leads to the possibility of romance for Tracy.

Episode 904 (W 20-02-91 "Not Too Late") Written by Kathleen Potter - Chrissy voices her fears about Sammy, likening her situation to the early days of her own marriage. Frank overhears, and misconstrues.

Episode 905 (F 22-02-91 "Kids") Written by Kathleen Potter - A trip down to the pub seems to mysteriously cure Rod's illness. Frank and Chrissy resolve to do something about Sammy's relationship with Tim.

Episode 906 (M 25-02-91 "Uninvited") Written by Barry Woodward - Frank head-butts Paula's father when he turns up to complain about Geoff getting his daughter drunk. Mick comes home to find the bungalow full of shoes and boxes. Margaret has some uninvited guests, and when she asks for Mike's help to remove them, one of Patricia's teapots is smashed.

Episode 907 (W 27-02-91 "Not Bothered") Written by Barry Woodward - Mick is worried about Josie's health and tries to get her to slow down, but it's too late. Bumper is hopeful that he and his mate will soon be young, free and single again.

Episode 908 (F 01-03-91 "Ideas") Written by Barry Woodward - Sammy is determined that her parents won't interfere in her life, but that won't stop them trying. Rod tries to install a shower, with no assistance from Tracy.

Episode 909 (M 04-03-91 "Farm") Written by Peter Cox - Geoff and Bumper go in search of their favourite band, but don't have much success. The Johnson household is happy, until Mick receives an official-looking letter in the post. Sue tells Terry she would like another child.

Episode 910 (W 06-03-91 "Mission Accomplished") Written by Peter Cox - Josie and Marcia come up with a new sales pitch to improve their luck at the market. Barry brings flowers for Sue, and she wonders why. Tony and his mates sabotage Max's shed.

Episode 911 (F 08-03-91 "Back Ways Round") Written by Peter Cox - Terry and Sue visit a counsellor, where the news is much better than expected, although money may yet be the deciding factor. Margaret finds that she only has to touch something and it falls apart.

Episode 912 (M 11-03-91 "Don't Worry") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Barry calls in a favour from Terry. The Farnhams return from holiday, feeling happy and refreshed, but Margaret becomes tearful and offers her resignation. Tracy tells Rod he needn't be concerned that she is seeing Mark.

Episode 913 (W 13-03-91 "Mutual Ground") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Tracy and Mark have a date. Sue worries about what Barry might be getting Terry into. Max arranges for Tony and his mates to re-assemble his shed, but Ron and DD have other ideas. When Max brings up the subject of tarmac again, Ron reaches for his pick.

Episode 914 (F 15-03-91 "Roads") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Terry goes for tests at the hospital. Ron has the road surface properly repaired at last, but Max still isn't happy. Barry has plans involving a man with a pony-tail.

Episode 915 (M 18-03-91 "Impregnated Mopheads") Written by Valerie Windsor - It's Max's first day in his new job, and he finds himself hemmed in by the Dixons. Patricia starts work on a new campaign. Frank is furious to discover that Sammy returned from her course a day early but didn't come home.

Episode 916 (W 20-03-91 "Tied Down") Written by Valerie Windsor - Frank tries to convince Sammy that what she is doing is wrong, but Sammy knows that Chrissy was doing the same when she was 17.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Rod Corkhill - JASON HOPE (881-885, 887, 897, 903-905, 908, 909, 912)
Tracy Corkhill - JUSTINE KERRIGAN (898, 899, 903-905, 907-909, 912-915)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (882, 891-899)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (881, 909, 910, 912-915)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (881, 882, 884-887, 891-894, 896, 897, 899, 900, 913)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (881, 882, 884-887, 891-894, 896-900, 904, 913-915)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (882-887, 894-902, 904)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (882-890, 894, 897-901, 906, 907, 914)
Tony Dixon - GERARD BOSTOCK (881, 882, 885-887, 893, 894, 896-900, 906-911, 913)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (882, 884, 887-889, 891-899, 912-915)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (882, 884, 885, 887-895, 897-899, 901, 902, 912, 913, 915)
Margaret Clemence - NICOLA STEPHENSON (887-889, 891-898, 901-903, 906, 907, 910-912)
Thomas Farnham - (889, 895, 897, 898)
Josie Johnson (nee Christie) - SUZANNE PACKER (888, 890, 893-897, 899, 900, 902-910)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (888-890, 892-897, 899-903, 906-910)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (888)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (888, 889)
Chrissy Rogers (nee Morgan) - EITHNE BROWNE (885, 887-890, 904-906, 908, 912, 915, 916)
Frank Rogers - PETER CHRISTIAN (885, 887-890, 901, 902, 904-906, 908, 912, 913, 915, 916)
Geoff "Growler" Rogers - KEVIN CARSON (889, 900-902, 905-907, 909-914)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (885, 889, 901, 916)
Sammy Rogers - RACHAEL LINDSAY (885, 888, 891, 892, 895, 896, 901-903, 906 OOV, 907, 908, 915, 916)
Sue Sullivan (nee Harper) - ANNIE MILES (881-884, 887, 890-892, 897, 909-914)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (881-884, 887, 890-892, 897, 898, 907, 909-912, 914)
Daniel Sullivan - SAM EVANS (911)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (881, 882, 891-899, 903, 905)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Alex - TIM BERRINGTON (889, 890, 913)
Marcia Barrett - CHERYL MAIKER (897, 900, 909, 910)
Maria Benson - PAULINE DANIELS (882, 885, 887)
Benno (Simon Benson) - ANDREW FEARON (882, 885, 893, 896, 900, 908-911, 913)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (882, 884)
Arthur Clough - ANTHONY WATSON (882, 883)
Arthur's Dad - JIMMY COLEMAN (883)
Carl Crawford - NICHOLAS McKENNA (883, 889, 890, 906)
Cyril Dixon - ALLAN SURTEES (881-883, 894, 900, 901)
Brian "Bumper" Humphreys - JAMES MAWDSLEY (900, 902, 905, 907, 909, 911-914)
Togga (Tommy O'Grady) - RAYMOND LIVINGSTON (885, 896, 900, 908-911, 913)
Greg Sinnott - NEIL ANTHONY (884, 888, 889)
Diana Spence - PAULA FRANCES (884, 885, 887, 903-905)
Jack Sullivan - WILLIAM MAXWELL (882-884)
Michael "Tommo" Tomlinson - JOHN O'GORMAN (883)
Richard Watts - BOGDAN KOMINOWSKI (889, 890)
Nikki White - MICHELLE BYATT (898, 899, 914)
Ronnie (Veronica Williams) - CLAIRE ROBINSON (891, 896, 903, 906)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Charlie Benson - ROY BRANDON (882) [ Barman (57) / Gerry Blake (323, 324, 326) ]
Mr McGinn - ROLAND OLIVER (892) [ Mr Crane, Prosecuting Solicitor (349) ]
Clerk Of Court - ANTHONY BENSON (902) [ Mr Healy (431) ]

NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Sam Bishop - DAVID ROPER (915)
Mr Stuart Coulter - JOE DUNLOP (911)
Paul Cunningham - DAVID JOHN POPE (913, 915)
Toni Dench - GILIAN CALLY (899)
Tim Derby - CHRISTOPHER BLAKE (902, 903, 907)
Paula Heneghan - JODIE DRAPER (902, 905, 907, 908, 911, 912)
Mr Roy Heneghan - DAVID ROONEY (906, 910)
Gina Philips (nee Brookes) - JILL BRASSINGTON (890, 904)
P.C. Mark Potter - PAUL CROSBY (903, 905, 907, 908 OOV, 909, 913)
Jed Smith - DAVID COLE (892, 893, 914)
Freddie Spence - PETER COREY (887)

NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Chief Inspector - ROBERT SWANN (899)
Davver - RAY NEWE (903, 906)
Duty Solicitor - JOHN PICKLES (885)
Fowler - MICHAEL HADLEY (900, 902)
Gary - TONY HIRST (903, 906)
Mr Henthorn - PETER MAIR (890)
Jan - JANE BYRNE (882, 894)
Lorraine - PAULA BAINES (902, 905)
Nigel - ANTHONY MILNER (890)
Sergeant - NEIL DAGLISH (885)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Flo, raffle ticket seller (915)
Mr Robinson, manager (907)
Scamp, Paula's unseen dog (905 OOV)

APPEARING AS THEMSELVES:
Members of the band "The Farm" (909-911)

Episode 881 is the last to open and close with the original version of the theme tune: a new version is used from episode 882 onwards.

Episode 886, involving the Dixon family, and episode 916, involving the Rogers family, are the first two that feature just one single household throughout.

The storylines:

Barry, Josie and others are looking for new opportunities to make money, while Terry and Sue are looking into their prospects of having another baby, and Mick and Mike are both seeking justice, but in entirely different ways. Max gets a new job and Ron secures a new shop, but Tony's pranks do nothing to improve relations between the Dixons and the Farnhams, and it looks as if war is about to be declared. Meanwhile, there are new romantic partners for Tracy, Geoff and especially Sammy, whose choice, 39-year old Tim, is something of a disappointment to Chrissy and Frank - but will their efforts to persuade her to think again have any effect, or just make things a whole lot worse?

The dates:

It is New Year's Eve, then New Year's Day, in episode 882; it is still New Year's Day in episode 883; it is Friday in episode 885; and it is Monday in episode 887. Based on dialogue in episodes 887 and 888, it is Wednesday in episode 889 and Friday in episode 890. It is January in episode 891; January 28th in episode 894; and, based on earlier dialogue, it is Wednesday in episode 895 and Thursday in episode 896. It is Monday in episode 897; and Friday in episode 899, based on dialogue in episode 897. It is pancake day in episode 900; it is Valentine's Day and 1991 in episode 901; and it is Friday in episode 902, when we are told that Mick's attack on Brady, seen in episode 875, was on Friday 14th December. It is Friday in episode 905, based on dialogue in episode 906; and it is Friday 8th in episode 911, based on dialogue in episode 910 and a desk calendar. It is Wednesday in episode 913, based on dialogue in episode 914, when it is Friday; and, based on dialogue in episode 915, it is Wednesday in episode 916.

Name-checks:

Charles Bronson (881, 886); Rambo (881); Princess Diana (882); "Cluedo" (885); "Nine and a Half Weeks" (885, 887); Burke and Hare (885); "Frank" and "Stein" from a commercial (887); "King Kong" (887); James Dean (887); "Back To The Future" (888); "The Beverley Hillbillies" (888); Michael Aspel (889); Mother Teresa (890); "Coronation Street" (891); Geronimo (892); "Stormin' Norman" (892); Rachman (893); Don Quixote (894); Sancho Panda (894); Pinky and Perky (894); Napoleon (895); Richard Clayderman (896); Einstein (896); "Assualt on Precinct 13" (896); Yogi Bear (897); "The Magnificent Seven" (897); "Jack and the Beanstalk" (897); Noel Coward (897); Ian Paisley (897); the Clampetts (897, 899, 912); Richard Branson (897); Moira Stuart (897); Floella Benjamin (897); Tommy Cooper (897, 913); "Star Wars" (897); Robert Peel (897); Yul Brynner (897); Vidal Sassoon (898); Thatcher (898); Hilda Ogden (898); Abba (898); "Estelle, Don" (898); "cc., 10" (898); "M, Boney" / Boney M (898, 899, 903); Gilbert O'Sullivan (898); "The Bill" (899); Ryan O'Neil (899); Boney M (899); "Miami Vice" (899); [General] Franco (900); "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" (901); Dame Edna (902); "Come Dancing" (905); Mrs Marcos (907); Jive Bunny (909); The Who (909); Charlie Chaplin (909); Paul Daniels (909); "Star Trek" (909); "Bros" (910); Freddy Kruger (910); the "Crying Boy" (912); "Old Man River" (912); "Father Time" (912); James Bond (912); Smokin' Joe Fraser (913); Gazza (913); Alain Prost (914); the "Yorkshire Ripper" (914); Postman Pat (914); Marvin Hagler (914); and Jed Clampett (915).

Locations:

All of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, except that in episode 881 there are three scenes of Barry that are set in, although not necessarily recorded at, Bethnal Green, London; and others on motorways featuring him on his way there, and on his way back.

Births:

None. The characters whose ages are commented on most often are Sammy, who was born six months after her parents married in January (904), and is now 17 (903, 904, 908, 916) / nearly 18 (903, 905, 908) / 18 in a few months (908); and Tim, who is 39 (903, 908, 916) which is "a couple of years" younger than Frank (908, 916). We are also told that Mike is 17 (882, 885); Tony is 13 (887, 900); Max is 30 (894); Leo is 7 (895); Susannah is a year younger than Max (895); Cyril was 13 in 1938 (900); Mick was born on 12th March 1958 (902); Bumper is 16 (913); Geoff is 16 (913) / not yet 18 (916); and Thomas is nearly 2 (915). It is Jan's birthday in episode 896, and it isn't Tracy's birthday in episode 909!

Marriages:

None. We are told that Chrissy and Frank, who have now been married for eighteen and a half years (889), were married in January (904), when Chrissy was 19 (905); and that Ron's sister Mary married a catholic in 1968 (901).

Deaths:

None. The only unseen and never-to-be-seen characters mentioned who are no longer alive are Chrissy's mother (904, 916) and grandmother (904), Frank's mother (916), and ancestors of Ron - his mother (882, 893), his "Nanny Dicko" (886) and his old Gran (897).

Toilet visits:

After wanting to go in episode 886, but being forbidden by his father, Mike Dixon breaks Gail's record from episode 413 for the fastest peeing in the history of "Brookside" in episode 887. After he tells Tony "I'm going for a slash", his elapsed time between leaving the living-room and re-entering it is just 28 seconds. Gina (890), Mick (902), Lorraine (902), Paula (902), Gary (903), Ronnie (903), Margaret (903), Davver (906), Josie (908) and Daniel (911) just aren't in the same league!

Ron also claims that he was robbed while in the toilet in episode 891; Jimmy reads extracts from Sinbad's diary, which records that he went to the toilet on a Monday and a Tuesday, in episode 894; Tony claims to have the "runs" in episode 899; and Rod says he was "bursting" while out buying a shower in a supermarket in episode 908.

Characters mentioned, so far unseen, but who will be appearing later:

Terry's mum, who used to be alive (883); Susannah (884, 893, 894, 895); Margaret's mother (884, 891, 895, 907); Patricia's parents (884); Josie's mum and dad in Cardiff (888); Kieran, Margaret's ex-boyfriend (895); Jimmy's wife, Jackie (891, 895) and teenaged daughter (895); Gemma's aunty Lou (899, 908); and Billy and Wally, presenters (909).

Gone but not forgotten - seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:

Ricky Fisher (881); Stupid Cousin Kenny (881); Billy Corkhill (881, 882, 884, 898); Jenny (881); Jonathan Gordon-Davies (881, 883, 890, 891, 892, 897); Eileen (883); Sue's mother (884); Owen (885, 906); the Pope (887); Kathy (891, 892, 897); Sean, who has gone to the Gulf (892); Emily (895); Barnie (896); Harry Cross (896, 898); the Chois (897); the Pope (897); Lisa Jenkins (900); Kenneth James Brady (900, 902); Siobhan (904); Sheila (904, 908, 914); Joe [O'Rourke] (904); Mr Knight (905, 916); and Bobby Grant (912).

And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever:

Mary, at Rod's police station (881); Trevor Garrett, beaten-up RSPCA man (881); Andy, whose party Mike is going to (882); Alice, stand-in babysitter (882); Jan's mum and dad (882); Richards of the RSPCA (883); Margaret's father (884, 888, 891, 894); Margaret's sister (884); Patricia's sister (884); Mel Phillips, at Patricia's work (884); Jerry and Craston, at Max's work (884); Max's parents, who live miles away (884); Diana's uncle Des and Nan (884); Jill, cashier (885); Harry O'Grady, Togga's father (885, 913); Jen, at Patricia's office (885); Ron's sister Mary (886, 894, 901); Gina Stewart, college mate of Chrissy (887, 889); Bumper's mum (889, 900); Alex's kids (889); Richard's kid (889); Blanchard, teacher or pupil (890); Tony, Josie's ex-boyfriend (890, 894, 896, 902), his sister Eileen (902), and her jailed husband (902); Mrs Froggatt, Sinbad's landlady (891, 892); Gus, who Jimmy is sharing with (891, 893); Margaret's Nanna (893); Bernie at the club (893, 908); Ann-Marie, Margaret's once-suicidal mate in Oldham (895); Garrett, at Max's work (898);Scotch Johnny, car repairer (898); Karen Taylor and Sue Kavanagh, schoolgirls (900); Michael Woodward, called into court (902); Bumper's sister (902) and her boyfriend, 18-year-old Gordon Matthews (902, 905); Mr Porter, teacher (902); Fat Figgy, who bullied Mick at school (902); Gina's three lads, mum and retired dad (904); Chrissy's uncle Eddie (904); Lorraines's dad (905); Scamp, Paula's dog (905); Grog, heavy metal freak in the sixth form (906); Maggie Hughes, the first girl Frank took to the pictures (906); Miss Windsor, Mick's solicitor (906); Kath, Tim's tea lady (907); Mr Lynch, a customer of Tracy (907); Lorraine's mum (907); Paula's mum (907, 908, 914); Paula's little brother (912, 914); Marion, an employee of Mr Robinson (908); Mr Coulter's wife, a lawyer (911); Benno's Nan (913); Mrs Mosseshead, hair customer (914); Nikki's mum (914); Paul wife and their son James, who is 2 in May (915); and Mrs Jackson, her sister Mrs Pollock, the woman across the road, her four kids and husband - eight of Tracy's customers (915).

Also mentioned are the following characters from "Meadowcroft Park", a new lunchtime soap set in the south which has been going for a few weeks (897); the Tulleys, Tommy (897); Tess (897); Titus (897); Tarquin (897, 902, 916); Timmy (897); Tulula (897); and Tania (897); the Burketts (897); Tarty Evelyn (902, 916); Camilla, a "dog" who Margaret apparently sounds like (906); and Harold (906). Ron assures DD that he asked Tony to tape it for her (899); Paula thinks Geoff looks like Tarquin (902); and some of the characters' voices are heard in the background in episode 906, as Tony watches Margaret's videoed copy after DD has forgotten to set theirs, and in episode 916, when Katie watches it until Frank, who says it's rubbish, asks her to turn it off!

Goofs:

In episode 882, "up" is in the wrong place as Jacqui says: "Trying to drag every woman up in sight to dance".

Torn between "irrespective" and "regardless" in episode 888, Patricia invents a new word: "irregardless".

At one point in episode 891, Ron refers to Mike as "Our Mick".

Whereas most solicitors might lay it ON the line, Mick's says "Let me lay this DOWN the line" in episode 900.

With hindsight, it seems odd that Diana should bring "Scrabble" over to play with Rod in episode 905.......

Trivia:

Rod is right-handed (881). Tracy now has "about 40" customers (907). Jimmy claims that Billy used to love Abba (898), whereas he, like Josie (899) is a fan of the music of Boney M (898, 899), including "Brown Girl In The Ring" (898). The book he was given for his birthday, from which he has been quoting occasionally ever since, is seen in episode 897, and is called "Factually Speaking". The telephone number of Fisher's Frozen Foods in Bethnal Green, London, is 081 985 9805 (881). Sealed bids for the shop fitting tender have been received from Sedgeley's and Hewitsons' (914).

According to Ron, who has not smoked for 2 years (886), the name on the cash-and-carry card he has borrowed and loans out is "Jack Nabbit" (881). Jacqui, who has a poster of Tanita Tikaram on her bedroom wall (886), and Mike, who is doing "A" levels (914) and is left-handed (889), are checked in at the police station by a sergeant who is right-handed (885). Tony drank half a bottle of Martini, and had his stomach pumped, on his 7th birthday (886). Cyril was in the Merchant Navy (883). Sinnott's locker at Brookside Comprehensive School, whose sign listing the headmaster as Mr Woodcock is seen again (888, 889), is number 12 (889).

Patricia had a "short" career in the Brownies (915). Max, who says he cheated in his "A" levels (888), plays "Scrabble" with Patricia, who scores handsomely with "knobber", the spelling and meaning of which he verifies from a dictionary (887). Their phone bill is for £237.31, but when Max checks it he can only find about £5 worth of calls to Oldham (912) made by Margaret, who dropped out of college (894). Susannah, a good cook (893), married Max when they were students (895), and became pregnant in Max's final year (895). The earliest guesses as to whether "Max" is short for anything come from DD, who refers to "Mr Maxwell Farnham" (899), and Ron, who calls him "Pope Maximilian" (914).

Michael Andrew Johnson (902) is 6'2" tall amd weighs about 15 stone, whereas Kenneth James Brady is 5'7" and just under 10 stone (900). It would appear that Josie has seen "Doctor Who", as she mentions a TARDIS (888). Leo goes to Manor Park Primary School (889). Chrissy first slept with Frank when she was 17, and became pregnant in her third year of college (916). Geoff doesn't shave yet (905). Tim's job is Group Marketing Manager (907). He is left-handed (907). Ronnie now works for an insurance broker (890), while Gina and Nigel are both teachers (890). Terry, whose father used to be a miner (883), answers the telephone at number 9 with its last four digits, which are now 9004 (881).

"Blink-and-you-miss it" moments:

Members of the band "The Farm" can be seen in episodes 909, 910 and 911. Each of their appearances is in a scene involving Geoff, who is trying to spot them, but completely fails to notice them every time!

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

After a series of arguments about Sammy's involvement with a 39-year-old man, Katie pulls apart her Spanish dancing costume and runs upstairs, believing that Chrissy only married Frank because she had to, and has regretted it ever since. Frank blames this on Sammy, who retorts that she hopes he is happy now. Chrissy says she doesn't know what's happening any more; Sammy leaves the house to go back to Tim, and doesn't hear Frank having the last word: "If I ever get my hands on him, I'll kill him. I'm telling you, I'll kill him!".

Season Twenty Three.......