Brookside Guide.....Season Thirty Eight.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON THIRTY-EIGHT (36 episodes)
[Episodes 1509-1544]

The episodes:

Episode 1509 (T 03-01-95 "Walked All Over") Written by Maurice Bessman - Penny collects her belongings, and Barry sends Sam on his way with a few punches. Sinbad seeks Jimmy's help to get Kenny out of the way, but gets drunk and locked in the club. Julia continues to teach Beth to dance, while David teaches Mike.

Episode 1510 (W 04-01-95 "Girlfriends") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jimmy asks Barry to help Sinbad with his problem. Emma is talked out of resigning. Audrey enlists David's help to fix her boiler, and threatens to tell Jean about their affair. Mike takes Beth to the Medicine Ball, but is interrupted before he can tell her how he feels.

Episode 1511 (F 06-01-95 "Say It With Flowers") Written by Maurice Bessman - When Audrey's boiler breaks down again, Jean invites her to stay at the bungalow with her and David. Sinbad discovers that Kenny has been badly beaten up. Mike's hopes are dashed.

Episode 1512 (T 10-01-95 "Aching") Written by Nick Saltrese - Mo wants to find a man via video dating, but the hunk she selects turns out to be a work-mate of Eddie. Sarah annoys Rosie by going out drinking. When Barry doesn't feel well, Emma insists on nursing him. Mike confronts Beth about his feelings for her. DD is determined to find out what rights Mike has over Josh. Beth locks Sinbad and Mandy in the extension until they agree.

Episode 1513 (W 11-01-95 "Cast Adrift Together") Written by Nick Saltrese - DD's persistence about Josh forces Mike to leave the house, and he bumps straight into Sarah, who is finding it hard to put up with Rosie. Audrey sneaks up on David while he is transmitting. Sinbad decorates the tree outside number 10, but is electrocuted after Cracker causes his extension lead to become wet.

Episode 1514 (F 13-01-95 "Desperate") Written by Nick Saltrese - The rift in the Dixon household becomes too much for DD to bear, and Ron finds her contemplating suicide at Tony's graveside. Beth finds out that Viv is bisexual. Rosie goes with Mo to the singles night - but who will be chatted up?

Episode 1515 (T 17-01-95 "Coy") Written by Susan Pleat - DD prepares to leave for Bolton, but isn't keen on Ron moving into the house with Bev and Josh. Beth invites Viv home, but conceals her presence when Mandy is on the phone and Eddie is at the door. Audrey walks in on David while he is in the bath.

Episode 1516 (W 18-01-95 "Grassroots Opinion") Written by Chris Curry - Rosie's wedding ring turns up in Kevin's hoover bag. Bev is not sure that she can handle moving in with Ron. David gets Max to help with Audrey's boiler. Patricia and Emma have a few things to say at Barry's business meeting. Eddie is concerned about a mysterious puddle in his back garden.

Episode 1517 (F 20-01-95 "Casa Bevron") Written by Chris Curry - Viv encourages Beth to move into student accomodation with her. David is relieved when Audrey goes home. Ron convinces Bev to move into the Close with him. Carl wonders who Sarah's mystery man is. Eddie examines the Jordaches' patio without permission.

Episode 1518 (T 24-01-95 "Trespassing") Written by Shaun Duggan - David discovers that Jean has taken Audrey on as her assistant at the florists'. Bev moves in with Ron. Beth is horrified to find out that Eddie and Carl have started to lift the flagstones from the patio.

Episode 1519 (W 25-01-95 "Additives") Written by Shaun Duggan - Bev shows off her new bed, and learns about additives from Patricia. Mo has a date with Kevin. Mandy and Sinbad, back from their holiday in Ireland, realise that they are going to have to move Trevor's body during the night. When Emma lets "inappropriate" guests into the restaurant, Max sacks her.

Episode 1520 (F 27-01-95 "Only Option") Written by Shaun Duggan - Rachel invites all the neighbours to a surprise birthday party for Sinbad, unaware that he is busy packing with Mandy and Beth to go on the run. Mike gets the job he applied for, so Mick agrees that Sarah can restart at the pizza parlour. Bev wants Ron to erect a small fence, but Max warns that they might need planning permission. Eddie discovers who Sarah is seeing.

Episode 1521 (M 30-01-95 "Hand") Written by Maurice Bessman - Patricia thinks about sending Alice to nursery school, so Bev thinks about sending Josh. A suspicious Rachel escapes from the others and tries to telephone Lee. Meanwhile, Eddie and Jimmy make a gruesome discovery.......

Episode 1522 (T 31-01-95 "Reaction") Written by Maurice Bessman - The residents hold an extraordinary meeting, but as well as the main business, Max insists on bringing up Ron's fence, and David wants to talk about dog dirt. Mandy tries to convince Beth that she isn't really a lesbian. The discovery of Trevor means that Rachel has to be told the truth, and she flees.......

Episode 1523 (W 01-02-95 "Fame At Last") Written by Joe Ainsworth - PC Coban tries to find out what is happening from his DI brother. Reporters offer Eddie money for the use of his bedroom. Bev's manure arrives, and it's left on Max's path. Rachel is caught trying to sneak onto a boat bound for home.

Episode 1524 (Th 02-02-95 "Kiev") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Rosie's reaction to Eddie's "betrayal" forces him to donate his fee to charity. Jimmy also hopes to cash in, when Cracker discovers a bone. Max donates bin-bags so that David can help Bev to remove her manure. Mandy tries to explain her actions to Rachel, as the Jordaches' escape through Ireland continues.

Episode 1525 (F 03-02-95 "Early Call") Written by Joe Ainsworth - At Bev and Ron's house-warming, Carl discovers that Sarah is going out with Mike. Max is woken early by a cockerel crowing. Mo gets drunk, David ages 20 years, and time is running out for Sinbad and the Jordaches.

Episode 1526 (T 07-02-95 "I Did It") Written by Barry Woodward - Ron finds his kitchen full of chickens. Max feels that Bev is invading the Farnhams' lives. Rosie refuses to be pleasant to Sarah while she is seeing Mike, but agrees to look after Rachel while the arrested fugitives each attempt to convince the police that they alone were responsible for killing Trevor.

Episode 1527 (W 08-02-95 "Weapon") Written by Barry Woodward - Bev and Patricia take Josh and Alice to the nursery, but only one child is given a place. Max finds a chicken in his house, and threatends to get rid of them all. Sinbad cracks under pressure, and confesses that he wasn't the murderer. Emma still rejects Barry's advances. Rosie uses Rachel's presence as an excuse to ask Sarah to leave.

Episode 1528 (F 10-02-95 "Truth") Written by Barry Woodward - DI Coban takes Mandy and Beth to the rubbish dump, threatens to find the knife, and convinces them to tell the truth. Sinbad is released on bail, and moves into Barry's. Carl tells Sarah she is making a fool of herself with Mike.

Episode 1529 (T 14-02-95 "In Hiding") Written by Nick Saltrese - Beth and Mandy appear in court, and are granted bail. Jacqui tells Mike there is no way he and Sarah are moving in with her and Katie. Bev discovers that some of her chickens are dead. Rosie tells Mo she has seen Kevin with a huge bouquet of flowers - but who are they for? Jimmy sells his life story to buy a present for Jackie.

Episode 1530 (W 15-02-95 "United Front") Written by Nick Saltrese - Two more chickens die, and Bev and Ron believe Jimmy's dog is responsible. David catches her fouling the pavement, and insists that Jimmy cleans it up. The Jordaches are allowed to move back home, and Rosie orders Sarah out after hearing her interpretation of what she saw at the pub.

Episode 1531 (F 17-02-95 "Pack Of Lies") Written by Nick Saltrese - Ron's plans for a fried Kiev are thwarted by Katie. Mike looks for a new home for Sarah and Rebecca. David looks after Cracker while "Mr Big" helps the police with their enquiries. Beth confronts Rachel about the latest newspaper article, which is read and discussed by everyone on the Close.

Episode 1532 (T 21-02-95 "Time Off") Written by Barry Woodward - Sinbad encourages Mandy and Beth to face the world, but Mandy is suspended from her work, and Beth is told to take a year out. David is selected to go on a neighbourhood watch conference, but Ron doesn't want to pay for it. A cookery demonstration for the over-55's doesn't go at all as planned.

Episode 1533 (W 22-02-95 "Getting Closer") Written by Barry Woodward - The Jordaches receive poison-pen letters. Barry arranges another date with Emma, but is also thinking of investing in property in Florida....... When Ron gets flour in his face, he suggests that Beth doesn't come into his shop again, and Jacqui is also speaking out against her. After seeing Bev's new hi-fi, the Farnhams wonder whether they should upgrade theirs, or get a new widescreen television.

Episode 1534 (F 24-02-95 "Expensive Night Out") Written by Barry Woodward - Ron and Mike have to babysit for Josh and Rebecca while Bev and Sarah are out. When Max and Patricia arrive with Barry and Emma for a do at the brewery, they are surprised to discover that the "Farnhams" are apparently there already.......

Episode 1535 (T 28-02-95 "Trapped") Written by Nick Saltrese - Patricia takes Alice to the nursery for the first time, and resolves to get Barry and Emma back together. Mike feels that he can't get away from Sarah. George tells Audrey he wants her back. Mandy is determined that Rachel should come home, but she locks herself in the bathroom.

Episode 1536 (W 01-03-95 "Tempting") Written by Nick Saltrese - At the races, Max finds the "members only" enclosure being invaded by everyone he hoped to avoid, but Patricia wins enough to pay for her new hi-fi. Barry's car then breaks down on the way home. George tries to sell time-share holidays in Kenya, but will anyone be tempted? The Jordaches are getting mysterious telephone calls.

Episode 1537 (F 03-03-95 "Dumped") Written by Nick Saltrese - Barry tries to make Max believe he slept with Emma, but she tells Patricia what really happened. Jean tries to reassure Mandy that she did the right thing. Eddie arranges a surprise 40th birthday party for Rosie, and Rachel sneaks out to have a drink. Battle lines are drawn at the Farnhams' with the arrival of a new hi-fi and a widescreen television. Mo finds out the truth about Kevin, and Mike tells Sarah it's all over between them.

Episode 1538 (T 07-03-95 "Conned") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jacqui reluctantly agrees to let Beth stay with her and Katie. Max makes sure Ron knows about his new widescreen television. Eddie wants reassurance about the time-share, so George gives him a video to watch. But it turns out to be blank, and a chat with Max gives him further cause for concern. Garry gets a job at the leisure centre, but, like Carl, is still feeling rough.

Episode 1539 (W 08-03-95 "Splashing Out") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jacqui is uneasy about Beth staying, and wonders whether she fancies Katie. While Eddie and Rosie try to track down George, he is selling his war-zone time-share to Jimmy and Jackie. To get the better of Max, Ron splashes out on a surround-sound television and a satellite dish. Garry's first day at the leisure centre turns out to be his last.

Episode 1540 (F 10-03-95 "Priorities") Written by Maurice Bessman - Patricia has an interview which doesn't go well, because she denies having Alice. Thomas, left with Emma and Barry, becomes ill, and they call a doctor. Mick and Jacqui blame themselves for what happened to Garry. Eddie demands his money back from George and, when he hears about the location of the time-share, Jimmy realises he needs to pull out too.

Episode 1541 (T 14-03-95 "The Right Moment") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Emma wonders where she stands with Barry. Jacqui wants Katie to have a word with Beth, but can she find the right moment? Carl is feeling better, but Thomas seems to be getting worse. Eddie and Jimmy insist on having their money back, and succeed just in time.......

Episode 1542 (W 15-03-95 "Mystery Virus") Written by Joe Ainsworth - On hearing that George has succumbed to terminal greed and that Jean has lost £1,000, Audrey appeals to Jimmy and Eddie to split their proceeds with her. Barry needs to decide how to react to Emma's proposal. Mick has a theory about recent events, but Patricia doesn't want to know.

Episode 1543 (F 17-03-95 "Too Mysterious") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Max leaves for Florida. Mandy starts feeling like death warmed up, and Beth receives another mysterious note. Jean collapses, and while David consults a medical book, Mick is called to see a micro-biologist, who confirms that there appears to be a connection between the deaths.......

Episode 1544 (T 21-03-95 "Touch And Go") Written by Nick Saltrese `- Health inspectors close the pizza parlour. Although Carl seems to be over his illness, and Jean also begins to feels better, Thomas is not improving, and Audrey is taken to hospital. Bev wants Ron to move with her and Josh to Lyn's until the epidemic is over, and Barry does a disappearing act. Then there is another sudden collapse on the Close.......

This season was the second of eight that were repeated, initially at an unprecedented rate, on digital satellite television. All 36 of these episodes were aired on Sky One in October/November 2001 (ten per week!). However, due to poor ratings, plans to continue with the next season in the same time-slot were abandoned, and the series was removed from the schedules for a few weeks.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Eddie Banks - PAUL BROUGHTON (1511, 1512, 1514-1524, 1532, 1534-1544)
Rosie Banks (nee McGee) - SUSAN TWIST (1511-1522, 1524-1533, 1535, 1537-1539, 1544)
Carl Banks - STEPHEN DONALD (1509-1511, 1513, 1514, 1516-1518, 1523, 1525-1528, 1532, 1535, 1537, 1538, 1541, 1544)
Lee Banks - MATTHEW LEWNEY (1537, 1541)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (1513, 1528, 1529, 1534, 1536, 1539)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (1509, 1510, 1512, 1513, 1515, 1518, 1521, 1522, 1524, 1527-1531, 1534, 1536, 1539-1542, 1544)
David "Bing" Crosbie - JOHN BURGESS (1509-1511, 1513, 1515-1519, 1521-1526, 1530-1533, 1542-1544)
Jean Crosbie - MARCIA ASHTON (1510, 1511, 1513-1515, 1517-1519, 1522, 1532, 1533, 1535-1538, 1540-1544)
Penny Crosbie - MARY TAMM (1509)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (1509-1515)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (1509, 1510, 1514-1520, 1522-1534, 1536, 1538, 1539, 1542, 1544)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (1529, 1533, 1538-1542)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (1509-1517, 1520, 1525, 1526, 1528-1535, 1537, 1538)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (1509, 1515, 1516, 1519-1527, 1529, 1533-1541, 1543)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (1509, 1516, 1518, 1519, 1521, 1522, 1525-1527, 1533-1537, 1539-1544)
Thomas Farnham - KIERAN WARHAM (1516, 1539-1542, 1544)
Alice Farnham - ANNA NORBURY (1519, 1527, 1535, 1540, 1542)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (1509-1512, 1516, 1520, 1522, 1525-1528, 1530-1540, 1542, 1543, 1544 stand-in)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (1514, 1516, 1517, 1520, 1522, 1525, 1529, 1534, 1537-1544)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (1539-1541)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (1541)
Mandy Jordache (nee Dutton) - SANDRA MAITLAND (1512, 1513, 1519-1537, 1540, 1542-1544)
Trevor Jordache - BRYAN MURRAY (1521)
Beth Jordache - ANNA FRIEL (1509-1515, 1517-1533, 1535, 1537, 1539)
Rachel Jordache - TIFFANY CHAPMAN (1513, 1519-1531, 1534-1538, 1541-1543)
Bev McLoughlin - SARAH WHITE (1510, 1511, 1515-1527, 1529-1532, 1544)
Josh McLoughlin (1515, 1516, 1519, 1521, 1523, 1527, 1531, 1532, 1534, 1544)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (1531, 1538-1543)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (1509-1513, 1519-1532, 1536, 1540, 1543)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Sarah Banks - ANDREA MARSHALL (1511-1514, 1516, 1517, 1520, 1525-1532, 1535, 1537)
Rebecca Banks - LAURA MANGEN (1511, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1526, 1527, 1530-1532, 1534, 1535, 1537)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (1509, 1544)
PC Ian Coban - ANTONY AUDENSHAW (1522, 1523)
Cracker, dog - KELLY MALONE (1509, 1510, 1512, 1513, 1515, 1516, 1518, 1521, 1524, 1527, 1529-1532, 1541, 1544)
Kenny Maguire - TOMMY BOYLE (1511)
Audrey Manners (nee Snodgrass) - JUDITH BARKER (1510, 1511, 1513, 1515, 1517, 1518, 1532, 1535, 1537, 1542-1544)
Sam Martin - JOHN HARDING (1509)
Mo McGee - TINA MALONE (1511, 1512, 1514, 1517-1520, 1525, 1528, 1531, 1537)
Emma Piper - PAULA BELL (1509-1512, 1516, 1519, 1520, 1527, 1528, 1530-1538, 1540-1544)
Adrian Roache - JOHN BASHAM (1523, 1527, 1530)
Garry Salter - STEPHEN DWYER (1534, 1537-1539)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Dr Stephen Houghton - CHRIS SANDERS (1543, 1544) [ Richard O'Connor (190, 191, 205, 207, 208) ]
Magistrate - RICHARD HAMPTON (1529) [ Mr Tate (669) / Mr Shackleton (1161) ]

NEW CHARACTERS:
Detective Inspector Chris Coban - MARTIN RONAN (1523, 1526-1528, 1530, 1531)
George Manners - BRIAN MURPHY (1532, 1533, 1535-1541)
Garda - BRENDAN MORRISEY (1524)
Kevin - TERRY MELIA (1514-1520, 1525, 1528, 1529, 1531, 1533, 1537)
Sergeant - TONY CLARKIN (1523)
TV Reporter - PETER SHARRATT (1526)
Viv - KERRIE THOMAS (1510, 1511, 1514, 1515, 1517-1519, 1531)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Brian, smells expert (1516)
Buttie, chicken (1527)
Dan, photographer (1523)
Fried Rice, chicken (1527)
Ham Pie, chicken (1527)
Jacky, policeman (1522)
Joe, policeman (1522)
Kentucky, chicken (1527)
Kiev, chicken (1525, 1526 OOV, 1527, 1531)
Kojock, a mate of Eddie (1512, on videotape)
WPC Moss (1526)
Dr Norris (1541, 1543)
Nugget, chicken (1527)
Vinny, partygoer (1537)

Trevor Jordache's appearances in episode 1521 are images and dialogue repeated from several earlier episodes (as Mandy has a nightmare about the events of the past) and glimpses of his hand, as played by a stand-in.

The storylines:

Barry tries and fails to bed Emma, who insists that the first man she sleeps with will be the one she marries. When she proposes to him, however, he does a runner. Mo seems to have found a man in the form of local publican Kevin - but unfortunately it's her sister Rosie that he really fancies. Meanwhile, Mike is rejected by Beth, and begins a secret relationship with Carl's wife Sarah - but that doesn't work out either. And after DD is persuaded that moving to Bolton is preferable to committing suicide, Bev moves in with Ron, and adds several chickens to their family - but most of them only survive for a day or two.

However, there are two major storylines that dominate this season. Firstly, the body of Trevor is discovered under the patio of number 10, causing the Jordaches to go on the run with Sinbad. Eventually they are caught, charged with murder, and start getting hate-mail. Secondly, a mystery virus strikes the Close, which needs to be quarantined as several residents are taken ill. There are already two deaths - young Garry Salter, and Audrey's estranged husband George, who has returned from overseas with a view to ripping off as many people as possible. But is one of his victims, Jean, also about to become the third victim of the plague?

The dates:

Based on the "Medicine Ball" banner, it is 1995 in episode 1510; Elvis Presley would have been 60 this Sunday in episode 1511; and it is the middle of January in episode 1513, in which we are also told that Christmas finished three weeks ago, and dog licences were abolished three years ago! It is Friday in episode 1514; it is Tuesday in episode 1518; and, based on dialogue in episode 1522, it is Friday in episode 1524. It is the Chinese Year of the Pig in episode 1523; it is Tuesday, and Valentine's Day, in episode 1529; and it is Friday in episode 1534. It is Ash Wednesday in episode 1536; and, based on dialogue in episode 1535, it is Friday in episode 1537. It is the 90's in episode 1538; and, based on dialogue in episode 1543, it was Tuesday in episode 1541. There is a 1995 calendar on Bev's kitchen wall in episode 1523, and a sign on the church wall in episode 1538 refers to "LENT 1995".

Name-checks:

"Jason King" (1509); Don Corlioni (1509); John Wayne (1510); Marje Proops (1510); "When Harry Met Sally" (1510); "Percy Sugden" (1511); Elvis Presley (1511); Jerry Lee Lewis (1511); Dean Martin (1511); "Muttley" (1512); Florence Nightingale (1512, 1541); "Hammer House Of Horror" (1512); "Jackanory" (1512); "Hound of the Baskervilles" (1512); Frank Bruno (1513); "Time Cop" (1514); [Kevin] Costner (1514); Trevor Howard (1515); "My Life As A Dog" (1515); "The Getaway" (1515); Kim Basinger (1515); Alec Baldwin (1515); Charles Bronson (1515); "One Man And His Dog" (1515); Edith Piaf (1518); "Alexis" from "Dynasty" (1518); "A Year In Provence" (1521); "Jeux Sans Frontiers" (1521); Agatha Christie (1521); "Holmes" and "Watson" (1521); Billy Smart (1523); Percy Thrower (1523); Julius Caesar (1523); Paul Daniels (1524); David Bellamy (1524); Doctor Doolittle (1524); Judas / Iscariot (1524, 1530 / 1524); Ronnie Biggs (1525); Julie Andrews (1525); The Clampetts (1526, 1533); Rooster Coburn (1529); Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote (1530); "Corrie" ["Coronation Street"] (1530, 1538); Benny Hill (1532); "Miss Jones" [in a "Rigsby" impression by Sinbad] (1532); "My Fair Lady" (1533); Bogart, Bacall, Fred [Astaire], Ginger [Rogers], Morecambe, Wise (1535); Starsky and Hutch (1535); [Tarzan's] Jane (1537); "Quasimodo" (1538); Richard Gere (1538); "The Magnificent Seven" (1538); Charles and Di (1538); Keanu [Reeves] (1538); "Daktari" (1540); "The Elephant Man" (1541); "Sherlock" (1541); Claire Rayner (1542); "Emergency Ward 10" (1542); St. Peter (1542); and Nero (1543).

Locations:

While most of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, there are several scenes of the Jordaches, Sinbad and others in Ireland throughout episodes 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, and 1525. Among the locations they visit are Johnson's Cafe, Dun Laoghaire (1523), Molloy's Coffee Shop / Delicatessen, which is number 14 (1523), and Dergvale Hotel, Dublin (1524). In episode 1534 there are some scenes in a "Cheshire hotel", although there are no further indications of where in Cheshire this might be. And there would seem to be no clear clues at all as to the whereabouts of the racing enclosure, the hotel, and the roadside in which several characters are seen in in episodes 1536 and 1537, nor the coach on which some of them are seen travelling. They have, however, journeyed "all this way", only to break down "in the middle of nowhere" and "off the beaten track" (1536).

Births:

None, although Audrey's unseen, unnamed niece in Leeds is apparently expecting "any day" (1538), and it is Sinbad's birthday in episode 1520. Rosie's 40th birthday, which arrives in episode 1537, is "next week" (1533) / "this Friday" (1535) / and "tomorrow" [even though it is currently Ash Wednesday !!] (1536). We are also told that Josh was one year old on Christmas Day (1511); Mick is 36 (1516); Rebecca is 4 (1517, 1529); Rachel is 16 (1523); Alice is six months old (1535); Thomas is 6 (1543); and Beth was born on 18th August 1975 (1543). David's reaction on reading a newspaper article suggests, however, that the press have been even more inaccurate than usual when giving his age as "83" (1525)!

Marriages:

None. We never find out the name of Kevin's late wife, but it is seven years ago to the day (Valentine's Day) that he married her in episode 1529.

Deaths:

Seven! Three of Bev's chickens - Kentucky, Nugget and Buttie - become blood and feathers overnight for reasons unknown in episode 1529. Two more - Ham Pie and Fried Rice - are further victims of the unidentified chicken-killer the next night in episode 1530. Then Garry Salter, at the end of episode 1539, and George Manners, at the end of episode 1541, are the first two victims of a mystery plague - although Audrey attributes the death of her husband, which occurred on a Tuesday (1543), to "terminal greed" (1542).

Trevor Jordache's coffin, bearing the dates 1950-1993, is seen again in episode 1524, and Tony Dixon's gravestone is seen in the background, but not sufficiently clearly for the wording to be fully read, in episode 1514. Two unseen characters who are no longer alive are also mentioned: Eddie's mother (1515), and Kevin's wife, who died five years ago (1516) in a car accident (1528).

Toilet visits:

Cracker (1509, 1513, 1515, 1527, 1530, 1544); Jean (1513); Mo (1518, 1528); Rachel (1530); Emma (1531); Mike (1537); Beth OOV (1538); Garry (1539); and Thomas (1542). According to Ron, Kiev is doing his "business" all over the house (1525); and David needs to go in episode 1518, but unfortunately he is trapped in Ron's loft.

Mentioned, so far unseen, but sure to turn up some day: Janice, Bev's mate (1534).

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

Terry Sullivan (1509, 1512, 1532); Chris Myers (1510, 1522); Sinbad's mother (1510); Marianne (1512); Emma's father / Ray, who is on a golfing holiday in Majorca (1512, 1530, 1542 / 1540); ; Tony (1513, 1514, 1515, 1532); Lyn (1518, 1544); the Shackletons (1522); Margaret (1522); Rod (1522); Diana (1522); Bev's mother (1524); Steven (1532, 1533, 1539, 1540); Fran / Steven's mother (1532, 1539, 1542 / 1533); Garry's mother (1534, 1540) and father (1534); and Tracy (1542).

Also mentioned, but destined to remain unseen forever:

DD's cousin from Bolton (1514), Carmel (1514, 1515); Viv's mother and father (1515); Trevor's family in Ireland (1521; Roy Mitchell of the National Executive Committee (1524); The Garda's four teenaged children (1524); DI Coban's wife and two teenaged daughters (1527); Sarah's mother and father (1530); Ted Bond, a friend of David who retired to Hove (1532, 1542); John, a quiz show contestant (1533); Audrey's pregnant niece in Leeds (1538); Les Cleaver, an advertising executive with no job for Patricia (1539); "Kenno", a contact of Jimmy (1539); and Stan, Leisure Centre boss (1539).

Goofs:

Ron's maths fails him when he confronts Jimmy in episode 1530 - Kentucky, Nugget, Buttie, Ham Pie and Fried Rice are apparently "Four chickens killed in two days".

Jacqui adds an "S" to her father's new house name in episode 1533: "Casa Bevrons".

Having already revealed in episode 1535 that Rosie's birthday is "this Friday", Eddie says in episode 1536, when it is Ash Wednesday, that it is "tomorrow".......

Max overemphasises the factual nature of his argument in episode 1538: "But, in fact, our true vision is, in fact, wide".

According to Max in episode 1539, "We just need to dot the T's and cross the I's on this VAT return".

Trivia:

Amanda Jane Jordache (1528) and Elizabeth Anne Jordache (1543) are accused of murdering Trevor, who was over six feet tall, and was released from prison after a two-year sentence for assault in early 1993 (1526), on or about 7th May 1993 (1528). While on the run in Ireland, to which they travel on a ship marked "Stena Sealink" and "Stena Hibernia" (1520), Sinbad and Mandy adopt the alias "Mr and Mrs Todd" (1521), and Rachel, who has her GCSEs this year (1520), dials 010 44 51 722 9122 in an attempt to reach Lee (1523). Beth, who gets a video of a Swedish film "My Life As A Dog" for her night in with Viv (1515), was 14 when Trevor slept with her (1526). The video brought by Viv, who is a trainee lab-tech[nician] (1510), is "The Getaway" (1515). Kenny's company is "Maguire Holdings Ltd" (1511), and his office is in the same building as "Staithe Group Associates" (1511).

Rosie has been a traffic warden in Maud Street (1514). Her wedding ring was Eddie's mother's (1515), and "Success", by M. Jackson Brown Junior, appears on her wall calendar (1529). "Kojock", who Eddie recognises on Mo's "Select-A-Hunk" tape, is a bald Glasgewian with bad breath, who drives a fork lift truck at Litrotech (1512). In preparation for a course on "Workers' Awareness", Eddie is seen looking at a file including "Module 1 - The Work Module" and a diagram of "The Grapevine" (1524). Kevin's pub, which runs a "singles night" on Fridays (1512), and, according to a poster on the wall, a "Karaoke Challenge" on Sundays (1517), is "The Peacock" (1512, 1517, 1520). He is teetotal (1520, 1525), and used to manage the "Ocean Star" (1528). Audrey lives in Blundell Sands (1518). George disappeared with her jewellery seven years ago, after telling her that he was just going out to get some battered cod and chips (1535).

Barry, whose hotel room is number 525 (1534), is left-handed (1510, 1512, 1530, 1535, 1539, 1540), and is not a member of the AA (1536). DD used to be an Elvis fan (1511). Mike has a poster of Morrisey on his bedroom wall (1513). David's call sign is still "Golf Two Lima Romeo Romeo", and he tries to contact "Lima Alpha One Delta Foxtrot Quebec" (1513). Bev has bought her fence at B&Q (1520); and the nursery that accepts Josh and rejects Alice (1528) is in Garford Road (1521), while another nursery that does accept Alice charges £90 per week (1534). Ron got his current television for Charles and Di[ana]'s wedding, so it has lasted longer than their marriage did (1538). Jimmy is left-handed, and Max is right-handed (1539). Gemma has "Barbie" and "Ken" dolls, renaming the latter after Garry when he dies (1541). The doctor responsible for Thomas, according to the sign above his hospital bed, is "Dr Richards" (1544).

Several newspaper headlines are seen on-screen during this season: "Liverpool Bin-Bag Body Mystery" by Paul Muldowney (1522); "Window Cleaner Wanted In Bin-Bag Body Mystery" (1523); "Body in Bin-Bag Found" (1523); "Police On Scent Of Dog Discovery" (1525); "House Of Horrors Gangland Secret - Ran Rings Around Police" (1530); and "Body In Garden Girl In Gay Sex Storm" (1531). The last two are tabloids! The note Beth receives in episode 1543, made out of newspaper cuttings, reads "Dyke, B:tch, Whore, Natural Born Killer, Elizabeth Anne Jordache, 18 08 75". Taxis from "Manor Car Line", bearing the telephone number 269 6699, are seen again in episodes 1515, 1521, 1543 and 1544.

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

There is the opportunity to learn a little Gaelic from the bilingual signs seen during scenes set in Ireland - in episode 1523, "Enquiries" is "Fiafraithe", and in episode 1524, "Reception" is "Ionad Failte".

Clues that George is a con-artist start coming thick and fast from around the middle of episode 1538, including a purely visual one - while he is welcoming Jean to "paradise" as she is signing her contract, he is covering up most of its text with his hand!

Also in episode 1538, Ron is talking about whether "Coronation Street" is best viewed on a normal or a widescreen television.......or is he? "I like 'Corrie' the way it is - square.".

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

The residents leave their meeting at Barry's, with mixed views on how best to approach the epidemic. David suggests that they follow the medical advice they have been given, but Bev wants to leave the Close immediately. Ron is concerned about who will run his business if he can't, but Mick agrees with David. Eddie wants to go back to work, and Rosie believes Carl's recovery indicates that they are over the worst. Mick reminds her of the other fatalities and those currently suffering, and Ron wonders why Dr Houghton is not also confined to the Close. The doctor responds that he is needed at the hospital and will be monitored there. But Jimmy then appears from the back of the bungalow, having retrieved a runaway Cracker, and reveals that he thinks Jean is dead! David and Dr Houghton dash to attend to her, as Mick's mind is made up: "Over the worst, are we? Right. We're setting up that cordon right away. And we're all going to man it. No-one goes out, no-one comes in till we know what the hell's going on......."

Season Thirty Nine.......