Brookside Guide.....Season Thirty Four.....
by the "Brookside Expert "
BROOKSIDE - SEASON THIRTY-FOUR (48 episodes)
[Episodes 1353-1400]
The episodes:
Episode 1353 (M 03-01-94 "Reasons For Staying") Written by Chris Curry - Katie wakes up in the arms of her new boyfriend, but then someone else turns up. Keith is in for a surprise. Ron visits both of his sons in hospital, and makes a decision about his future.
Episode 1354 (W 05-01-94 "Needed") Written by Chris Curry - DD discovers a well-kept secret, as the Dixon family disintegrates further. Katie has a rival for Simon's affections. Terry finds consolation from an unlikely source.
Episode 1355 (F 07-01-94 "House Hunting") Written by Chris Curry - Mo and Rosie go house-hunting. Beth and Margaret resume their friendship. Katie discovers that Caroline is far from being what she appears to be. DD intends to find out who the baby's father is.
Episode 1356 (M 10-01-94 'Protected') Written by Shaun Duggan - Katie plucks up the courage to challenge Simon about his infidelity. Marianne leaves Mick. Beth considers quitting university, but Margaret offers to help her by typing up her work on Patricia's laptop computer.
Episode 1357 (W 12-01-94 "A Hard Time") Written by Shaun Duggan - Ron visits Tony in hospital again, and is shocked to find him being given the last rites. Caroline tries to convince Terry that he should move in with her and Simon.
Episode 1358 (F 14-01-94 "Pointless") Written by Shaun Duggan - Simon introduces Terry to his friends and to non-alcoholic lager, giving him something to think about. Ron is lost for words after a celebrity demolishes Tony's pile of pennies, and feels that there is no hope for Tony. Beth and Margaret kiss.
Episode 1359 (M 17-01-94 "Abnormal") Written by Valerie Windsor - Margaret and Beth edge ever closer, and make important announcments to each other. Terry has to defend himself when his beliefs are put on the line. Ron and DD are left to decide Tony's fate. Barry discovers that some money has gone missing.
Episode 1360 (W 19-01-94 "They All Know") Written by Valerie Windsor - The strains of her secret relationship with Beth are beginning to take their toll on Margaret. Katie is sent out onto the streets by Simon, while a half-dressed Mick finds a willing helper in the pizza parlour.
Episode 1361 (F 21-01-94 "Staying") Written by Valerie Windsor - An unexpected arrival at the Farnhams' discovers Beth and Margaret frantically trying to put on each others' jeans. Caroline's father wants to take her home, but Terry persuades him to let her stay. Sinbad thinks he has worked out the answer to Mandy's housing problem.
Episode 1362 (M 24-01-94 "Girl Talk") Written by Peter Cox - Margaret is terrified that Beth will reveal their secret, as Beth prepares to consult a lesbian rights officer. The police arrive at the Rogers' house, and Jimmy learns that crime does not pay.
Episode 1363 (W 26-01-94 "Upfront") Written by Susan Pleat - Sinbad refuses to accept that the Jordache house is about to be sold, along with what is under the patio. Beth goes to a gay bar with Chris, her lecturer. Marianne finds it difficult to get close to Mick again, and a face from the past stirs unhappy memories for Penny.
Episode 1364 (F 28-01-94 "Strictest Confidence") Written by Shaun Duggan - Terry is drawn deeper into Simon's world, but is he willing to make the ultimate commitment? Margaret looks forward to an outing with Beth, but is shocked when she sees two men holding hands at the next table. Jimmy seems to have reached the point of no return.
Episode 1365 (M 31-01-94 "Nothing Else") Written by Maurice Bessman - Terry embarks on a new beginning as he prepares to be baptised by Simon, but has he chosen the right path? Jimmy discovers that he is being tailed, which makes him very worried. Beth apologises for taking Margaret to a gay bar, and Mandy discovers that Rachel has been playing truant.
Episode 1366 (W 02-02-94 "Roy") Written by Maurice Bessman - There is an unexpected caller at the Jordaches' - a former cell-mate of Trevor. Terry has second thoughts about joining Simon's group. Mick falls out with Carol, and Ron agrees to let D-D take Tony to Lourdes.
Episode 1367 (F 04-02-94 "Circulating") Written by Maurice Bessman - There are disturbing graveside revelations for Mandy when she is forced to pay her last respects to Trevor. Margaret feels jealous and insecure when Beth doesn't spend much time with her at Chris's birthday party. Simon is planning a long stay at the Rogers', and resists Lyn's attempts to evict him.
Episode 1368 (M 07-02-94 "Questions") Written by Nick Saltrese - Mandy and Sinbad brace themselves for the grisly task they have been dreading for so long - they must move Trevor's body! Margaret plans to go ten-pin-bowling with Beth - but Chris joins them. Ron makes some enquiries on Lyn's behalf, but then receives some devastating news from D-D.
Episode 1369 (W 09-02-94 "Friends") Written by Nick Saltrese - Penny struggles to improve her employment prospects with David's help, but a fictional CV doesn't seem to be the answer. Mandy needs to find £700 quickly, and Jimmy slides deeper into gloom.
Episode 1370 (F 11-02-94 "Left Out") Written by Nick Saltrese - Simon has made himself thoroughly at home at the Rogers' house, and has plans for the future. Margaret feels ignorant and uneducated, and considers going to college. Ron has one last big favour to ask of Jimmy - he wants him to be a coffin-bearer at Tony's funeral.......
Episode 1371 (M 14-02-94 "Meal") Written by Joe Ainsworth - On Valentine's Day, Leo tries to make Mick and Carol believe that they have sent each other Valentine's cards. Margaret has planned a meal for two at the Farnhams', but Beth receives a better offer. Penny thinks she has hypothermia, and there is frantic packing at the Jordaches'.
Episode 1372 (W 16-02-94 "I Can't") Written by Joe Ainsworth - There are guilty secrets, the return of a face from the past, and a dramatic graveside confession at Tony's funeral.
Episode 1373 (F 18-02-94 "News") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Max and Patricia return to the Close with some good news. Simon puts Terry to the test by instructing him to sleep with Katie. Jimmy goes on the run, as Ron tries to find him.
Episode 1374 (M 21-02-94 "Wishful Thinking") Written by Peter Cox - Jimmy's fate is revealed to a shocked Dixon family. While Margaret confides in Patricia about her relationship with Beth, Beth tells Chris she thinks Margaret is jealous of her. Terry wants to hand in his bible and leave, but Simon persuades him to reconsider.
Episode 1375 (W 23-02-94 "Playing Cupid") Written by Joe Ainsworth - As she prepares a dinner-party in the hope of reconciling Beth and Margaret, Patricia reveals to an surprised Max that their nanny and her next-door neighbour are lovers. Meanwhile, Simon makes another attempt to bring Terry and Katie together again, but he may be about to lose one of his disciples for good.
Episode 1376 (F 25-02-94 "Mission") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Terry is given a mission he cannot refuse and must not fail, while Sinbad has to hand over the Tony Dixon Appeal Fund money - if he can get to it in time. Barry tells Jimmy he still has a job at the club - but Jimmy goes out to buy cocaine.......
Episode 1377 (M 28-02-94 "More") Written by Shaun Duggan - DD is having doubts about her faith. Sinbad starts getting the cold shoulder as Ron spreads the word about the missing money. After going to visit Chris at her flat, Beth ends up spending the night with her.
Episode 1378 (W 02-03-94 "Where Were You?") Written by Shaun Duggan - Terry makes a big decision, but is he signing his life away? The Banks family are eager to hide a big secret. Margaret is desperate to find Beth. Sinbad and Mandy take out a loan so that they can repay Ron, who is having tea with D-D.
Episode 1379 (F 04-03-94 "Couple") Written by Shaun Duggan - Bev has a surprise for Ron, and Marianne has a fight on her hands. Patricia encourages Margaret to confront Chris - but when she does, she is not prepared for what she finds.......
Episode 1380 (M 07-03-94 "Compere") Written by Barry Woodward - The rivalry between Ron and Ray for the role of compere at the "British Legion" hots up. Marianne doesn't get the warm welcome she expects from Mick. Simon becomes more of a threat to Katie. Mandy sees Rachel smoking at school.
Episode 1381 (W 09-03-94 "What's He Got?") Written by Barry Woodward - Terry and Simon are called upon to stand up for their beliefs, and DD's priest asks Ron for help. A stranger catches Margaret's eye, and may take her mind off the straying Beth.
Episode 1382 (F 11-03-94 "Birthday") Written by Barry Woodward - Marianne, trying to win her way back into Mick's life, plans a surprise for Mick's birthday - but she is not the only one. Margaret, perhaps on the rebound from Beth, and anxious to prove her independence, seems to be falling for Carl. Ray's support is increasing.
Episode 1383 (M 14-03-94 "Embarrassed") Written by Chris Curry - Margaret is the focus of Carl's attentions, although he is hiding something from her. Although the Rogers' house has been sold, Simon refuses to leave. Jimmy resorts to crime to pay for his drugs habit, and finds himself hearing alarm bells and being pursued by mad dogs.
Episode 1384 (W 16-03-94 "Barricades") Written by Chris Curry - David is annoyed to see barricades being erected at the Rogers'. The police visit the parade looking for Jimmy, but why? Margaret sleeps with Carl, and Rachel doesn't want to talk to Beth.
Episode 1385 (F 18-03-94 "Rot In Hell") Written by Chris Curry - The Banks family move into the Close, and get a welcome they could never have expected, as their arrival coincides with a dawn raid by the police on the Rogers' house. David recaptures his youth, and Ron is given the power of life and death over Jimmy.
Episode 1386 (M 21-03-94) "All On My Own") Written by Valerie Windsor - Jimmy's life hangs in the balance, and the only person who can help him is Ron. Terry commits himself to Simon's cult, hoping he has found himself a family. Carol plans to turn the Banks' house-warming into a lingerie party.
Episode 1387 (W 23-03-94 "Changed") Written by Valerie Windsor - Katie tries to retrieve her clothes from her home, but finds that the locks have been changed. Carol gets all the women together for a lingerie party, but gate-crashers arrive and catch Bev in her underwear. Then there is a worse interruption - a brick through the window.......
Episode 1388 (F 25-03-94) Written by Valerie Windsor - Max's daydream seems set to become reality. Jimmy reluctantly attends the drugs clinic, only to be told that he should have an HIV test. Eddie and Rosie replace their broken window, and worry that their secret is out.
Episode 1389 (M 28-03-94 'Test') Written by Nick Saltrese - Max's future plans involve big risks, but is Patricia willing to share them? She takes a test, and receives worrying news. Jimmy can't bring himself to take an AIDS test. Father Heaton makes another attempt to persuade DD to return to the church.
Episode 1390 (W 30-03-94 'Wife') Written by Nick Saltrese - Margaret is smitten with Carl, but his past is about to catch up with him. A terrified Jimmy tries to forget his drug-taking and kick his habit. Aerobics turns out to be more difficult than some of the residents think.
Episode 1391 (F 01-04-94 "Egg") Written by Nick Saltrese - Margaret is convinced that there is only one person for her, but he is in Bosnia. Carl tells his family that he wants nothing more to do with either his wife or the army. DD returns to the church, and acts as confessor for Jimmy. Leo and Gemma play April Fool jokes on Mick and Marianne.
Episode 1392 (M 04-04-94 "Call") Written by Joe Ainsworth - David tries to sabotage Penny's meeting with a journalist. Jimmy is a danger to everyone he meets, including mothers and babies. Margaret is telephoned by Derek, who invites her to join him in Bosnia. Barry suggests to Max that they cut Oscar out of their restaurant project.
Episode 1393 (W 06-04-94 "Friends Forever") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Margaret says her goodbyes to Patricia and Beth, as she leaves the Close for a new life in Bosnia. Penny is photographed on the Close. Rosie and Eddie prepare to bring their younger son, Lee, home from the secure unit in which he has spent the last two years.
Episode 1394 (F 08-04-94 "Engaged") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Carol is intent on having Mick, and believes her chances are improving - but there is something that she doesn't know. Max is having doubts about the new restaurant, Rosie makes an unexpected discovery, and Jimmy is back on drugs again.
Episode 1395 (M 11-04-94 'Bullseye') Written by Maurice Bessman - The florists' is broken into, and everyone thinks they know who the culprit is. Eddie reveals his claim to fame - he was once a winner on "Bullseye". But Rosie will only let him put his dartboard up in the garage. Patricia and Penny go to Westminster.
Episode 1396 (W 13-04-94 'Winner') Written by Maurice Bessman - Bev wins the talent contest, with a little help from a friend. Carol thinks she is about to win the man of her dreams, but is going to be disappointed. The Farnhams have an uninvited visitor, as Jimmy continues his criminal activities.
Episode 1397 (F 15-04-94 "Down's") Written by Maurice Bessman - As further threats are made, the Banks family's big secret is revealed - Lee is a convicted car thief. Jimmy is confronted by a mob of angry residents, and there are worrying times ahead for Patricia as she is told something about the baby she is carrying.
Episode 1398 (M 18-04-94) Written by Barry Woodward - The vendetta against the Banks family takes an unpleasant turn. Max and Patricia discuss their options. Sinbad's mother needs his help, and David plans a neighbourhood watch meeting.
Episode 1399 (W 20-04-94 'Mistress') Written by Barry Woodward - Penny discovers that her late husband had a mistress for years, with whom he fathered a ten-year-old son. Marianne has some hard words with Carol, and Eddie boldly confronts Lee's persecutors.
Episode 1400 (F 22-04-94 'Hit') Written by Barry Woodward - Bev has visions of being a pop star, but her first hit is Ray's face when he makes a pass at her. Sinbad faces up to a game of unhappy families, there are tears and heartache at the Farnhams', and is it the end for Jimmy?
The cast:
RESIDENTS:
Eddie Banks - PAUL BROUGHTON
Rosie Banks (nee McGee) - SUSAN TWIST (1355) [ Previously Jean (255, 256,
258, 300) / Woman (774) ]
Carl Banks - STEPHEN DONALD
Lee Banks - MATTHEW LEWNEY
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (1358)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (1353, 1355, 1358)
David "Bing" Crosbie - JOHN BURGESS
Jean Crosbie - MARCIA ASHTON
Penny Crosbie - MARY TAMM
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (1353-1355)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (1353-1355, 1358)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (1354)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (1354, 1355)
Tony Dixon - MARK LENNOCK
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER
Thomas Farnham - KIERAN WARHAM
Margaret Clemence - NICOLA STEPHENSON (1353, 1355, 1358)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (1353, 1354, 1358)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (1354)
Marianne Dwyer - JODIE HANSON (1354)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER
Mandy Jordache (nee Dutton) - SANDRA MAITLAND (1354, 1355)
Beth Jordache - ANNA FRIEL (1353-1355, 1358)
Rachel Jordache - TIFFANY CHAPMAN (1354)
Father Derek O'Farrell - CLIVE MOORE
Lyn Rogers, formerly Matthews (nee McLoughlin) - SHARON POWER
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (1353-1355, 1358)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (1353-1355, 1358)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (1353-1355)
RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE
Simon Howe - LEE HARTNEY (1353-1355, 1358)
Mo McGee - TINA MALONE (1355, 1358)
Bev McLoughlin - SARAH WHITE (1353, 1355)
Josh McLoughlin (1355)
Adrian Roache - JOHN BASHAM
Keith Rooney - KIRK SMITH (1353)
Carol Salter - ANGELA WALSH (1354)
Garry Salter - STEPHEN DWYER
Ruth Sweeney - MARY HEALEY
NEW CHARACTER PLAYED BY A RETURNING PERFORMER:
Father Paul Heaton - RONNIE LEEK [ Management Rep (16) / Estate Agent (976)
]
NEW CHARACTERS:
Sarah Banks - ANDREA MARSHALL
Rebecca Banks - LAURA MANGEN
Caroline Lewis - LOUISE IRONSIDE (1353-1355, 1358)
Chris Myers - MARIA FRANCIS
Ray Piper - DUGGIE BROWN
Jim Ross - JEREMY BULLOCH (1354)
Roy Williams - ADAM KOTZ
Mr Lewis -
APPEARING AS HIMSELF: BRUCE GROBBELAAR (1358)
UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Amanda, cult member (1358)
Kamal, cult member (1358)
Larissa, cult member (1358)
Maureen, nurse (1353)
When episode 1358 was repeated as part of an omnibus edition on Channel Four on Saturday 15th January 1994, another scene was moved into the middle of a sequence involving Beth and Margaret, so that the kiss it originally included was not seen by the tea-time viewers.
The storylines:
A cult becomes established at number 6, as Simon draws Katie, then Terry, under his spell. The Banks family move in to number 9 - including their younger son Lee, who has not been forgiven by the family of a girl he crippled while joyriding. The Farnhams discover that there is to be an addition to their family, as Patricia becomes pregnant, while the Dixon family reduces in size as Tony dies, and Ron moves out to live with Bev and son Josh......or is it his son? We still don't know, as Bev is more keen to embark on a singing career, encouraged by new Legion compere Ray Piper, than to find out. Mandy has an old cell-mate of Trevor's to contend with, while Mick is pursued by Carol, and Beth moves on from Margaret to one of her lecturers at college, Chris. Penny tries to move on by looking for a job and selling her story to the press, while Jimmy's guilt over Tony and Frank increases, as does his dependence on drugs, including heroin. To fund his habit, he turns to burglary - but this is best carried out when the householder isn't going to return unexpectedly and catch him in the act.......
The dates:
It is "Twelfth Night" tomorrow, so it must be 5th January, in episode 1354; and it is Friday in episode 1355. It is Friday again in episode 1358; and, based on dialogue in episodes 1357 and 1358, it was Thursday in episode 1357. Based on dialogue in episode 1365, it is Friday in episode 1367; it is Valentine's Day in episode 1371; and, based on dialogue in episodes 1371 and 1372, it is 15th February in episode 1372. It is April 1st, and Good Friday, in episode 1391; and it is Easter Monday (and April 4th) in episode 1392.
Name-checks:
Rockefeller (1353); Pavarotti (1355); "Moon River" (1355); "Mickey Mouse" (1368); "Charlie Atlas" (1385).
Locations:
While most of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, there are scenes of Penny and Patricia in Westminster, London, in episode 1395.
Births:
None, although Patricia reveals that she is pregnant in episode 1373. It is Chris's 30th birthday, which is "on Friday" in episode 1365, in episode 1367; and it is Mick's birthday in episode 1382. Penny learns in episode 1399 that the unseen and never-to-be-seen son of her late husband, Clive, is 10 years old.
Marriages:
None. Mick and Marianne get engaged in episode 1394.
Deaths:
One - When there appears to be no chance that Tony Dixon will ever come out of the coma he has been in since the car crash, his life-support machine is switched off in episode 1368.
Toilet visits:
Carol (1354); Ron (1358); Margaret (1364); Chris (1377); and Lee has wet the bed in episode 1394.
Gone but not forgotten - characters seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:
Anna (1353, 1354, 1355); Leanne (1354, 1355); Charles Weekes (1354); Lyn (1355); Billy (1358); Peter Harrison (1358, 1362); Oscar (1358); Mrs Shackleton (1361).
Mentioned, but destined to remain unseen forever:
Miss "Dykey" Drew, a grey-haired lesbian who taught history at the school Margaret attended (1360); Louise, Chris's sister (1367); Helen, Chris's ex-flatmate/lover (1368, 1369, 1374); Chris's parents (1377); Richard, a television quiz contestant (1378).
Trivia:
Caroline met Simon six months ago (1353); the brand name of the thin pizza crust bases used by the pizza parlour is "Tolona" (1354); Mike is left-handed (1354); Rosie has lived in a council house for years, and recently bought it (1358); and Oscar knows all of the Liverpool football team (1358).
Beth is seen reading a paperback book entitled "The Piano" by Jane Campion (1355), and there is a "Goodfellas" poster on her bedroom wall (1362). There is a "Blue Velvet - written by David Lynch" poster on Margaret's bedroom wall (1361), and a "Piccadilly Palare - Morrissey" poster on the back of her bedroom door (1365).
The vehicle of the workmen who cut down a tree on the Close in episode 1356 bears the business name "Northern Tree and Garden Services" and the telephone number 061 793 1963; and a "For Sale" sign bearing the name "Shannon Estates" and the telephone number 051 269 5610 can be seen outside number 10 in episode 1385.
"Blink-and-you-miss it" moment:
In episode 1354, Mick is seen reading a newspaper whose front-page headline is "AIR DISASTER DEATH TOLL RISES - Village Mourns As Many Die".......which reflects contemporary events in the soap opera "Emmerdale" !
The end-of-season cliffhanger:
As "Brookside" approaches the end of its 1400th episode, Jimmy looks set to achieve another successful burglary on the Close. But Eddie returns home unexpectedly - and, until the police arrive, Jimmy isn't going anywhere.......