Brookside Guide.....Season Forty Four.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON FORTY-FOUR (32 episodes)
[Episodes 1764-1795]

The episodes:

Episode 1764 (F 09-08-96 "Cementing") Written by Nick Saltrese - Max discovers that Susannah has arranged for decorators to move in. Tinhead sees an opportunity to make a profit, but Leo doesn't want to get involved. Sammy waits for a phone call, Paul has a proposition for Jimmy, and Nat refuses to go on his honeymoon with Jules.

Episode 1765 (T 13-08-96 "Post-Mortem") Written by Shaun Duggan - Susannah calls a residents meeting, and Max makes an undignified entrance. Leo and Tinhead discover something interesting about Bel. Jimmy makes a speech to some young offenders, and JC expounds his own theory about Nat.

Episode 1766 (W 14-08-96 "Getting Off") Written by Shaun Duggan - Mick discovers what is hidden in Leo's bedroom. Susannah and Max have different ideas about stripping. Nat refuses to confirm or deny anything, and when Sinbad returns from his holiday with Val, he finds that he is going on another one with Fee.

Episode 1767 (F 16-08-96 "Say Yes") Written by Shaun Duggan - Leo takes desperate measures to defend himself against Tinhead, Jules forces Nat to make a difficult admission, Noel makes Sammy an offer which may prove too tempting, and Ron unveils his response to Susannah's security cameras - a camcorder.

Episode 1768 (T 20-08-96 "No Sign Of Life") Written by Julie Rutterford - Nat tells Jules he has never slept with another man, but is still sure that he is gay. Despite what happened to Leo, Mick refuses to listen to Val and goes on training. Some of the residents realise that Louise has been left on her own - but who will end up looking after her?

Episode 1769 (W 21-08-96 "Hunt The Child") Written by Julie Rutterford - Max and Susannah are looking forward to a night out, but need to find a babysitter. Nat receives his exam results. Social Services are on their way, and Louise has disappeared from the home at which she was being looked after.......

Episode 1770 (F 23-08-96 "Barely Recognisable") Written by Julie Rutterford - When David returns from France, he thinks he must be in the wrong house. Susannah calls a residents meeting to demonstrate her camera, then finds that the film shows a neighbour sunbathing topless. Mick wins a trophy, but not everyone is as impressed as he hopes. Nat panics when Max threatens him, and there are more people waiting for Sammy at the airport than she expects.

Episode 1771 (T 27-08-96 "Wilful Neglect") Written by Helen East - Mick agrees to take Leo and Gemma out for the day, but then decides to compete in another body-building competition. Sammy is interviewed by the duty solicitor, and charged with neglect. Ollie makes an appointment to see a support group for parents of gay children.

Episode 1772 (W 28-08-96 "Playing With Fire") Written by Valerie Windsor - Almost everyone is deserting Sammy at a time of need. Fee and Sinbad return from holiday, and Fee receives some good news, but Sinbad fears that either she or Val is going to catch him out.

Episode 1773 (F 30-08-96 "Parent Of The Month") Written by Valerie Windsor - Mike and Lindsey arrive home and need to decide where they will live. When Bev refuses to serve Sammy at the Trading Post, Sammy blames Bel for her predicament - but Fee takes pity on her and makes a surprising confession. Jules, still convinced that Nat is lying, visits Georgia. Sinbad and Fee - or is it Val? - take Gemma and Leo for a day at Southport.

Episode 1774 (T 03-09-96 "Humility") Written by James Doherty - At the start of the new term, Leo is frightened of another confrontation with Tinhead, and Danny is assigned the task of escorting Matthew on his first day. David tells Max that he wants the whole of his £30,000 loan to be repaid within a week. Mick finally realises that he needs to get help to overcome his addiction to steroids.

Episode 1775 (W 04-09-96 "Regrets") Written by Julie Jones - JC summons Nat to sort out the wedding presents, so Georgia and Bel accompany him as bodyguards. Jimmy encourages Lindsey to move back into the extension, and impresses her with his voluntary work and creative accounting. Sammy doesn't want to go to court, but David insists on taking her, and things get even worse.

Episode 1776 (F 06-09-96 "Better Suggestions") Written by Julie Jones - Georgia thinks she has found somewhere safe to live. Susannah tries to persuade David not to remove his investment from "Grants". MIke is frustrated at having to move house every week to keep both families happy, and suggests that the extension may be haunted. Lindsey sorts out someone to cover for Jimmy while he goes to a conference - herself.

Episode 1777 (T 10-09-96 "Lucrative Alternative") Written by Peter Cox - Mick wants to welcome Leo and Gemma home with a cake, and luckily Lindsey is around to help with the spelling. Susannah has a proposition for David, but he wants it in writing. Val tries to discover whether Sinbad is looking for a long-term relationship. Jacqui and Julia are not impressed to find that Sammy is claiming dole money while she is working.

Episode 1778 (W 11-09-96 "Best Interests") Written by Peter Cox - Max gives David a copy of a contract to consider, and is told that it will be studied by a legal expert. Sammy's solicitor advises her to consider a plea of guilty, and Sammy sacks her. Bel presses Susannah for an explanation of Nat's behaviour - will she reveal the big secret?

Episode 1779 (F 13-09-96 "Hard Evidence") Written by Peter Cox - Sammy's social worker doubts the wisdom of her actions, believing she will appear irresponsible. Mike tries to continue filming a documentary about their Bangkok experience, even though Lindsey thinks he should get a proper job. Accompanied by Georgia, Jules searches for Nat so that she can tell him she still loves him, but she is not prepared for what she sees.......

Episode 1780 (T 17-09-96 "Nobbling") Written by Chris Webb - Sammy continues to prepare for her court appearance. Danny, Leo and Matthew try to escape from Tinhead. Max finds that "Grants" is offering cheap lunches to pensioners. David offers to help Mike with his documentary, and Jules and JC confront Nat, accusing him of having an affair with Susannah.

Episode 1781 (W 18-09-96 "Defence") Written by Chris Webb - Max offers Sammy help when David appeals to him, but she tells him to shove it. One of Sinbad's women books a table for two at "Grants", but why? Katie is appalled by something she hears from Jacqui.

Episode 1782 (F 20-09-96 "Running Away") Written by Chris Webb - Sinbad enlists Mick's help to avoid both of his fiancees until he can decide which one of them he wants to keep. Katie tells Sammy whether she is willing to lie for her in court. With Tinhead in pursuit, the boys catch the wrong bus - but who will come off worst?

Episode 1783 (T 24-09-96 "No Going Back") Written by Maurice Bessman - The parents of the bullied children have different opinions on the best solution. Sinbad finally makes a choice. Julia has to look for a new job - and, provided that her safety is guaranteed, she quickly finds one. Danny climbs a tree, and refuses to come down. Sammy sees another solicitor, but will she be any more willing to listen to his advice?

Episode 1784 (W 25-09-96 "Spontaneous Combustion") Written by Maurice Bessman - Max discovers at a very inconvenient moment that Susannah has employed a new cleaner. Val and Fee discover that they are both engaged to the same man. Sammy's first day in court goes badly, especially when Katie refuses to lie for her. When Mick, Susannah and Ollie arrive at the school, they discover that Mr Thornton plans to see them together, and has ideas of his own.

Episode 1785 (F 27-09-96 "Intruding") Written by Maurice Bessman - David returns from France in time to hear the verdict in Sammy's case, and ends up taking Julia and Katie with him. Sinbad tries to apologise to Val. Georgia gate-crashes on Nat and Jules' Spielberg Day.

Episode 1786 (M 30-09-96 "Things To Sort Out") Written by Shaun Duggan - Val tells Jimmy that his long-lost son badly needs help. Georgia is determined to keep Nat and Jules apart. Patricia and Jean return to Liverpool, but are not keen to reveal why.

Episode 1787 (T 01-09-96 "Nobody Must Know") Written by Shaun Duggan - Georgia accuses Nat of rape. Max forms his own theories about why Patricia has returned, while David and Jean encourage her to go through with her plans. Jimmy needs to go to France, and discovers that someone else is heading in that direction too.......

Episode 1788 (W 02-09-96 "Urgency") Written by Shaun Duggan - Jimmy tries to convince David to give him a lift to France, and to convince Sinbad to unwittingly finance the trip. Max needs to decide whether to make a final attempt to prevent Patricia from leaving. Ollie insists on the truth from Nat and Georgia, but will he get it?

Episode 1789 (Th 03-09-96 "Excusez-Moi") Written by Julie Rutterford - Max confronts Patricia in France, and finally discovers the tragic truth about recent events. But she insists that she wants Eric to have custody of Thomas and Alice. Jimmy finally catches up with his long-lost son.

Episode 1790 (F 04-09-96 "Finding Out") Written by Julie Rutterford - Lindsey discovers what Little Jimmy has brought home with him. Patricia receives the results of her tests. Danny, distraught at seeing Nat and Georgia in bed together, rushes into the path of Max's car.

Episode 1791 (T 08-10-96 "Confession") Written by Barry Woodward - Mike advises Lindsey to tell Jimmy what she has discovered. Jackie agrees to talk to Val on Sinbad's behalf. Bev decides that the Close needs a few more road signs, and after receiving a final ultimatum, Georgia decides to tell her parents everything.

Episode 1792 (W 09-10-96 "Our Son") Written by Barry Woodward - When Jackie can't find her purse and Little Jimmy disappears, she searches his room. Nat plans to disappear too, with or without Georgia. Ollie, Mick and Susannah give their speeches to the school governors. Will they stay awake long enough to appoint one of them?

Episode 1793 (F 11-10-96 "The Only Way") Written by Barry Woodward - Jimmy refuses to throw Little Jimmy out, and tries to find him a job. Julia encourages David to return to the over-55s. At the airport, Georgia pleads with Nat. Sinbad tries to convince Val, but will she listen? And if so, who else will?

Episode 1794 (T 15-10-96 "No More") Written by James Doherty - Bev decides that she wants another child, but Ron doesn't want to know. Little Jimmy asks Jackie for another chance. Ollie loses to Mick in the school governor election, but has a much bigger problem at home.

Episode 1795 (W 16-10-96 "Nothing Left") Written by Nick Saltrese - The Simpsons try to come to terms with the past, but do they have any future? Ollie and Bel blame each other for the mess they are in, but Georgia is determined to hang on to Nat.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (1769, 1772, 1776-1778, 1783, 1785, 1787, 1790)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (1764, 1765, 1767, 1784, 1788)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (1764-1769, 1771-1773, 1775, 1776, 1780, 1786-1794)
Little Jimmy Corkhill - GEORGE CHRISTOPHER (1789-1794)
David "Bing" Crosbie - JOHN BURGESS (1770-1782, 1785-1791, 1793, 1794)
Jean Crosbie - MARCIA ASHTON (1786-1790)
Sammy Daniels (nee Rogers) - RACHAEL LINDSAY (1764, 1766, 1767, 1770-1785)
Louise Daniels (1767-1769, 1782, 1785)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (1765-1768, 1770, 1773, 1794)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (1764, 1766, 1769-1772, 1776-1778, 1781)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (1773, 1776, 1779, 1780, 1782, 1791)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (1764-1766, 1768-1771, 1774, 1777-1781, 1783-1792)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (1786-1790)
Susannah Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (1764-1766, 1768-1771, 1774, 1776-1792, 1794)
Emily Farnham - VICTORIA BENNETT (1769, 1770VT, 1774, 1790, 1794)
Matthew Farnham - GARETH RYAN JONES (1769, 1770VT, 1774, 1776, 1780, 1782, 1794)
Thomas Farnham - KIERAN WARHAM (1788, 1789)
Alice Farnham - ANNA NORBURY (1788, 1789)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (1765-1768, 1770-1777, 1781-1784, 1791, 1792, 1794)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (1765, 1770-1774, 1776, 1777)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (1764-1768, 1770-1774, 1776, 1777, 1780, 1782)
Rachel Jordache - TIFFANY CHAPMAN (1769, 1776, 1777)
Bev McLoughlin - SARAH WHITE (1765, 1767, 1768, 1770, 1773, 1779, 1784, 1786, 1791, 1792, 1794)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (1764, 1767, 1769-1774, 1781-1785)
Bel Simpson (nee Pattison) - LESLEY NIGHTINGALE (1764-1766, 1768, 1769, 1771, 1773-1776, 1778, 1780-1784, 1791, 1793-1795)
Ollie Simpson - MICHAEL J JACKSON (1764-1766, 1768, 1769, 1771, 1776, 1778, 1780-1786, 1788, 1791-1795)
Georgia Simpson - HELEN GRACE (1764-1767, 1769-1771, 1773, 1775-1777, 1779, 1781, 1782, 1784-1788, 1790-1795)
Nat Simpson - JOHN SANDFORD (1764-1771, 1773, 1775, 1776, 1778-1788, 1790-1795)
Danny Simpson - ANDREW BUTLER (1764, 1767, 1774, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1783, 1790-1794)
Jules Simpson (nee Bradley) - SARAH WITHE (1764, 1765, 1767, 1768, 1773, 1775, 1777, 1779, 1780, 1783-1786, 1793)
Lindsey Stanlow (nee Corkhill) - CLAIRE SWEENEY (1773, 1775-1777, 1779, 1780, 1782, 1783, 1787, 1788, 1790-1792)
Kylie Stanlow (1773)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (1776, 1779, 1785)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (1766, 1772-1777, 1781-1784, 1786-1788, 1791, 1793, 1794)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Anne Bradley - FAITH BROWN (1764, 1765)
John "JC" Bradley - KEN SHARROCK (1764, 1765, 1767, 1775, 1780)
Cracker - KELLY MALONE (1769, 1787, 1788, 1794)
Paul Heery - GRAEME EDLER (1764, 1765)
Mo McGee - TINA MALONE (1772, 1779)
Tim "Tinhead" O'Leary - PHILIP OLIVIER (1764-1766, 1774, 1780, 1782)
Fee Phelan - JACKIE DOWNEY (1766, 1772-1778, 1781-1784)
Peter Phelan - SAMUEL KANE (1772, 1776, 1784)
Noel Stones - ADAM LEVY (1766, 1767, 1770, 1784)
Mr Dick Thornton - GRAHAM SEED (1784)
Val Walker - PAULINE FLEMING (1767, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1777, 1781, 1782, 1784-1786, 1791, 1793, 1794)
Clerk Of The Court - JIM WHELAN (1771)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Jeremy Clarkson - DAVID BOYCE (1783) [ Ken (616, 624, 649) ]
Alan Murray - ROBERT WHEELAN (1784) [ Mr Crawford (652) / Jeff Parker (1257) ]

NEW CHARACTERS:
Eric Brunet - ALAIN BOURGOUIN (1788-1790)
Mr Roy Bullock - CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON (1772)
Elaine Davies (nee Charlton) - BEVERLEY HILLS (1792)
Ann Gorman - KATHRYN HUNT (1771, 1778)
Helen Mooney - UNIS ROBERTS (1772)
Mary Ragan - SALLY HOWITT (1784)
Phil Taylor - MARK HOLLANDER (1769)
Jane Woods - ANNEE BLOTT (1772, 1773, 1779)
Detective Inspector Smith - PAULA HORTON (1770)
Judge - CHARLES McELROY (1784)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Audree, Eric's daughter (1789)
Ann, a guest of David (1779)
P.C. Davis (1770)
Dorothy, a guest of David (1779)
Sue Green, of Social Services (1769)
Mrs Howard, a meals-on-wheels customer (1793)
Mrs Jackson, a mumbling meals-on-wheels customer (1793)
Ken, a guest of David (1779)
Melanie, a waitress (1779, 1780)
Mr Morris, a decorator (1764)
Robert, a guest of David (1779)
Mr Singleton, a meals-on-wheels customer (1793)
Mrs Yates, a meals-on-wheels customer (1793)

The Magic Rabbits are seen again in episodes 1772 (watched by Leo and Gemma), 1774 (watched by Louise) and 1775 (watched by Louise again).

A significant proportion of the closing credits of episode 1788 are rolled over the closing images of Patricia Farnham and Eric Brunet slowly wandering through a French vineyard. Eventually, though, the usual image of the Close is faded back in.

This was the last of eight seasons repeated on digital satellite television. Five of these episodes were aired per week on Sky One in the closing months of 2002, in the somewhat less-than-primetime slot of 3.30am.

The storylines:

In this season, there are new vocations for several of the residents. Mick eventually sees what his addiction to steroid-assisted bodybuilding is doing to his family, and becomes a school governor; Jimmy takes on some voluntary work, and plans to cure Little Jimmy of his heroin addiction; David becomes a partner in "Grants"; Katie also gets a new job; and Mike tries to make a documentary about his Bangkok experiences instead of looking for one. Sinbad gets engaged to Val - but also, for a while, to Fee; Sammy leaves the Close again, after being found guilty of wilful neglect when she goes on holiday without making proper arrangements for the care of Louise; and Jean returns briefly with Patricia, who has to face the possible recurrence of her breast cancer. This causes friction between Max and Susannah, who are rebuilding their relationship, and desperately - but unsuccessfully - trying to distance themselves from Nat and Georgia's, as Jules and JC are not satisified when Nat claims that his marriage is over because he is gay. However, when Danny also walks in on his brother and sister having sex, and ends up in hospital, Ollie and Bel finally find out the truth.......

The dates:

As Nat and Jules' wedding was "yesterday", it must be 8th August 1996 in episode 1764; it is Wednesday in episode 1766; and it is the 1990's in episode 1768. Based on dialogue in episode 1771, it was 16th August 1996 in episode 1767 and 23rd August 1996 in episode 1770; and, based on other dialogue in episode 1771, it is Friday in episode 1773 and Wednesday in episode 1772. Unfortunately, other dialogue in episode 1772 strongly suggests that it is also Thursday from time to time in that episode as well! The date of episode 1773 is then revealed as Friday 30th August 1996 from the newspaper article seen and read therein; and, based on related dialogue in that episode, it is 4th September in episode 1775. Based on dialogue in episode 1778, it is Friday in episode 1779.

Name-checks:

"Lord Snooty" (1764); "Salem's Lot" (1765); "Take That" (1765); Jamie Bulger (1765); Marje Proops (1765); "Don Juan" (1766); "Casey Jones" (1768); Jeremy Beadle (1768); Willy Wonka / Grandpa Joe / Mrs Gloop / Violet Beauregard / "Charlie and the Chocalate Factory" (1769); Oprah Winfrey (1769); Cantona, footballer (1769); "Agent Scully" (1770); Brad Pitt (1770, 1775); Johnny Depp (1770); "Crimewatch" (1770); "Die Hard 3" (1770); "Dr Spock" (1771); Vinny Jones, footballer (1772); the Virgin Mary (1772); "Mission Impossible" (1772); "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" (1772); "Casanova" (1772, 1791); Princess Di (1773, 1788); "Gunga Din" (1773); the Queen (1773); "Jack The Ripper" (1774); Giant Haystacks (1775); Mother Teresa (1776, 1784, 1786); Rachman (1778); The Borgias (1778); "Pocahontas" (1778); "The X Files" (1778); "Kavanagh" (1779); Whitney Houston (1779); "Stars In Their Eyes" (1779); "Perry Mason" (1779); John McCarthy (1780); Nelson Mandela (1780); "Tom and Jerry" (1781); "Rab C. Nesbitt" (1781); "Rumpole of the Bailey" (1781); "Snow White" (1782); Vera Lynn (1783); Bobbitt (1784); "Gladiators" (1784); Arthur Scargill (1785); Spielberg, "Jurassic Park", "E.T.", "Raiders...", "Poltergeist", "Close Encounters....", "Jaws", "Goodfellas, Scorsese (1785); Burton and Taylor (1786); "Inspector Clouseau" (1787); "Casablanca" (1787); Paul McCartney (1788); Virginia Bottomley, politician (1791); and "News At Ten" (1791).

Locations:

Episode 1789 is first of only four episodes that are set entirely outside the UK, and takes place in the south of France. There are also several scenes at this location in episodes 1788 and 1790, but the rest of the action in this season occurs in or near Liverpool (assuming that it is Liverpool airport in which various characters appear in episodes 1788 and 1793!), with the furthest afield that anyone else is seen being Southport (in episode 1773) and Fornby (in episode 1783).

Births:

None. We are told that Leo is 14 (1766); Louise is 4 (1768, 1773, 1781, 1784); Sinbad is 39 (1772), and will be 40 in a couple of months (1781) / in January (1794); Sammy was 20 when Louise was born (1773); Fee was 14 when her son was born (1773); Danny [Sullivan] would have been 7 today (1776); Josh is nearly 3 (1794); and Nat and Georgia were 14 and 15 in the summer of 1988 (1795).

Marriages:

None. We are told that Nat and Jules married "yesterday" in episode 1664, and have been married "less than a week" in episode 1765; Georgia was married to Martin for six months (1768); and it is three years since the last time Max and Patricia were divorced (1786).

Deaths:

None. Three unseen and never-to-be-seen characters who are no longer alive are mentioned. Tinhead's father is the first of these - although it would seem that Tinhead has given his schoolmates the impression that he is still around, as Leo tells Danny in episode 1767, "My dad told his mum and dad. He told me they went mad."; and Tinhead himself makes an empty threat in episode 1771: "I'll get my dad round to break your dad's neck!". The second is Julia's mother, who she quotes briefly in episode 1790; and the third is one of Nat and Georgia's grandfathers, who they recall died in the summer of 1988 in episode 1795.

Toilet visits:

Jules (1764); Noel (1766); Louise (1768); Gemma (1771); Patricia (1786); Little Jimmy (1789 and 1794); and, in episode 1795, Nat relieves Ron of the speed record he has held since episode 1224 - he enters, he goes, he flushes, and he exits, and all within the space of a mere 16 seconds.

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

Tinhead's mother (1765, 1767); and Elaine's only kid, who is in Year Nine (1792).

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

"Macca" / Kevin MacDonald (1764); Ruth (1766, 1772, 1774, 1776); Josh (1768, 1791, 1794); Dolly Sparrow (1769, 1787); Mandy (1772, 1775, 1777, 1781); Barry Grant (1774); Marianne (1774, 1776); Josie (1775); Trevor Jordache (1776); Beth (1776); Danny [Sullian] (1776); Tony (1779); Gary (1780, 1790, 1791); Martin (1782, 1785, 1786, 1793); David's older brother [Clive] (1785); Rosie Banks (1786); Audrey (1786); Diana (1787); Peter Harrison (1787); and Marcia (1793). David recalls "the Jordache trial" in episodes 1780 and 1785.

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

Justin, who Matthew and Emily are staying with (1765); Polly, one of Julia's bingo mates (1769); Fee's son, father and mother (1773); Mrs Harding, who had a perm that went wrong (1776); Mrs Davis, another salon customer (1777); Mrs Gilbert, a salon customer requiring depilation [or "dilapidation", according to Julia!] (1778); Emma, Robert's partner (1779) Roger Barton, a friend of Ollie, and his wife Kath (1783); Fee's cousin and her lad (1783); Jane, lesbian (1786, 1789); Bobby Farmer, a possibly fictitious mate of Jimmy (1787); Maurice, a vineyard-owning painting teacher who has been seeing Jean for a few months (1789); Angela (1791) and Inge in Norway (1793), CB contacts of David.

Goofs:

The letter from Bel which Leo and Tinhead find on one of her disks in episode 1765 was saved on 17/7/96, but it is a reply to a letter she had received dated 11th September.......

In episode 1768, Susannah overemphasises the propriety of the arrangements: "Sammy obviously didn't make proper arrangements for Louise to be looked after properly".

The University franking on the envelope in which Nathan receives his result of his recent exams in episode 1769 is "4-VII-96", suggesting that the letter has taken weeks rather than days to arrive!

The Liverpool Echo article seen a couple of times in episode 1773 is incomplete, and unrelated to its heading "Merseyside mother charged with wilful neglect".

David is excessively fearful in episode 1778: "I'm afraid that may not be very much help to me, Max, I'm afraid.".

Bel is torn between "act as if" and "pretend that" in episode 1781: "Are the two of you going to pretend as if yesterday never happened?"

At one point in episode 1783, Mick calls Susannah "Suzanne".

Trivia:

Ollie was on a hippy commune in 1968 (1795). According to Georgia, he has obtained a book called "A Stranger In The Family" to read up on coming to terms with being the parents of a gay son (1766). JC and Anne honeymooned in Rhyl, and Jules, who spots Nat with Susannah in the "Number Seven Cafe" (1779), was born nine months later (1764). Nat's results are sent to him in an envelope bearing his full address: 9 Brookside Close, Manor Park, Liverpool L43 6TZ (1769). He has just completed his second year of university (1765), but has failed the two most important subjects (1769); and has been having an incestuous relationship with Georgia for six years (1793).

Jacqui is staying in room 101 of the Birmingham hotel at which Katie telephones her in episode 1767, not seeing the note Sammy has left her: "KATIE, I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT THIS. GONE ON A LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY WITH NOEL TO TENERIFE. PLEASE WILL YOU LOOK AFTER LOUISE? I'LL EXPLAIN AND MAKE IT UP TO YOU WHEN I GET BACK ON FRIDAY. LOVE SAMMY X". This leads to newspaper headlines "Merseyside mother charged with wilful neglect" (1773), and "HOME-ALONE MUM - VERDICT TODAY" (1785). While preparing for the case, which takes place in court three (1785), Sammy, who earns £130 per week including tips (1772), has a book entitled "Taking Your Own Case To Court Or Tribunal" (1779), and David has "A Practical Approach To Criminal Procedure" (1781). He has seen every episode of "Kavanagh" (1779), his radio call sign is still Golf Two Romeo Romeo (1791), and his least favourite colour is yellow (1770).

Max is seen reading "Time Out" (1769), and went to a comprehensive school (1771). Eric is an architect based in Nice (1789). Danny, Leo and Matthew and seen boarding and leaving a number 12 bus going to "Central Bus Station" (1782). Val is a lifelong Liverpool supporter (1793). The girls' Oasis poster, which used to be on the door of their flat, is now on display in the bungalow (1774)! "Tolona" pizza boxes are seen again, this time in Mick's van (1782). Jacqui (1777, 1778), Terry (1785), Susannah (1785), Sinbad (1787) and David (1793) are right-handed, while Jimmy (1767) and Ann Gorman (1771, 1778) are left-handed; and a letter from Bel to her employers which Leo and Tinhead find in episode 1765 on one of her disks, but can't fully understand because it includes "big words", reads as follows:

Your reference: MM/AW/103

Dear Sirs,

With regard to your letter and enclosures of 11th September.

Regarding the allegations of sexual harrassment, outlined in the above correspondence, made against me by Nivens (Fornby), they are not only completely untrue, but also are an outrageous slur against me. They are nothing short of pure invention. This is a clumsy and farcical attempt by Nivens to wriggle out of their obvious wrongful dismissal of me. I look forward to seeing you on Monday and pursuing this matter further.

Yours faithfully,

Beryl Simpson

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

One of Max's most memorable attempts to change the subject at an awkward moment occurs in episode 1768:

Quote:
OLLIE: How can I put this....Nat feels that he'll probably never be ready for marriage. He's gay.

MAX: He's what??

OLLIE: He told us last night. That's why he couldn't stay with Jules.

SUSANNAH: Oh, er......well, I see. I had no idea.

MAX: I must say, em.......the garden's looking very nice, isn't it, Susannah? Those are pretty - what are they called?

BEL: Pansies.

Cracker's kennel, in which Louise hides in episode 1769, has a number, "10A", above the entrance!

With hindsight, the ONLY clue to the fact later emerging that Max has been having a long-running affair with Faye Spence, wife of Warren, occurs in episode 1778. When David catches Max off-guard by asking for the name of his solicitor, in the hope that he might represent Sammy, Max invents a surname for him instead of giving the real one - "Warren.......Newlove".

There is a misplaced apostrophe on the ballot box seen very briefly in episode 1792: "GOVERNOR'S VOTING SLIPS".

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

Having heard from Georgia and Nat how their incestuous relationship began and continued, Ollie and Bel insist that it must end now. But Georgia tells them it won't - she and Nat are staying together, and nothing is going to split them up.......

Season Forty Five.......