Brookside Guide.....Season Forty Eight.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON FORTY-EIGHT (42 episodes)
[Episodes 1912-1953]

The episodes:

Episode 1912 (W 02-07-97 "One Of Those Nights") Written by Nick Saltrese - The Corkhills have a sleepless night as they try to stop the steam coming from Cracker's ears, and Jimmy also feels the after-effects of the curry - but it is a much more disturbing night for the Johnsons.

Episode 1913 (Th 03-07-97 "What She Wanted") Written by Valerie Windsor - Ollie compiles a list of everyone he has recently slept with, and asks Bel to do the same. Mick confides in Sinbad about what he has done, but Elaine has more trouble coming to terms with it. Ron is frustrated that the "Moby" cannot be found.

Episode 1914 (F 04-07-97 "Stiff Upper Lip") Written by Maurice Bessman - Elaine wants to tell Cassie the truth, but Mick doubts that this is a good idea. Jimmy and Jackie have different ideas for baby names, but can Julia help? Ron is mysteriously summoned to a scrapyard, where he finds the remains of the "Moby".

Episode 1915 (T 08-07-97 "Out He Pops") Written by Chris Webb - Rachel is not keen on Christian's idea that she arrives by taxi for her wedding. Ollie and Bel argue over access to Danny at the "clap clinic". There are a few teething troubles at the opening of "Chips With Everything", and the Corkhills' new baby is born.

Episode 1916 (W 09-07-97 "Clubbing Together") Written by Chris Webb - David and Sinbad decide to treat Rachel to a honeymoon. Katie wakens up to find an occupied tent in the back garden. Cassie and Elaine sort through Gladys's effects. Performing on demand becomes too much for Max and Susannah.

Episode 1917 (F 11-07-97 "Manoeuvering") Written by Chris Webb - Elaine goes back to work, and Cassie gets a surprise job offer. Jacqui is frustrated by David's efforts to make things easier for her, and strikes back. When Ollie goes to Manchester, Bel returns to try to persuade Danny to come and live with her.

Episode 1918 (T 15-07-97 "Fussing") Written by Julie Jones - Jimmy receives his NVQ certificates. David asks Cassie's advice on wallpaper patterns, but Jacqui and Katie tell him they are moving out of the bungalow. Christian wants to choose which wedding dress Rachel will wear.

Episode 1919 (W 16-07-97 "Calvin") Written by Julie Jones - Jackie is not impressed when Jimmy names the baby after a pair of underpants. Jacqui thinks that Julia is about to start a collection for a guide dog for her. Ollie feels that he is being forced into a corner by Bel, but can Eleanor help him?

Episode 1920 (F 18-07-97 "Half Of What's Left") Written by Julie Jones - Lindsey returns to sing at the "Legion", but this time as herself. Cassie believes she is going to lose out on some of her inheritance from Gladys. David hires a chainsaw in the hope of preventing a nasty accident - but someone else decides to borrow it.......

Episode 1921 (T 22-07-97 "Mum's Will") Written by Mike Stott - Elaine discovers why Cassie has been ignoring her and Mick. Danny refuses to talk about Bel. Jimmy goes to the employment office, David sadly reflects on the past, and Katie and Jacqui move into their new flat.

Episode 1922 (W 23-07-97 "Double Whammy") Written by Julie Rutterford - Rachel wants to postpone the wedding because Mandy is stuck in Australia, but Christian won't let her. Mick discovers that Jacqui has reported him to the authorities. Danny wrecks Mike's chances of bedding two more girls, kicking him in the parade.

Episode 1923 (F 25-07-97 "Christian And Rachel") Written by Barbara Phillips - On Rachel and Christian's big day, Lindsey is invited to an audition. Ron intercepts a letter to Jacqui, but what can he do about it? Elaine is still worrying about Cassie, while Jimmy discovers how easily Danny can replace, and amend, his certificates.......

Episode 1924 (T 29-07-97 "Money's No Object") Written by Barry Woodward - David gets an answering machine and a cleaner/cook. Lindsey turns down Ron's offer of top billing at the "Legion". Cassie agrees to loan Mick and Elaine another £3,000 for an extractor fan. Susannah tells Max that they have both given up drinking, because she is pregnant. Tinhead spoils Sinbad's plans for an afternoon out.

Episode 1925 (W 30-07-97 "Delayed Shock") Written by Barry Woodward - Danny sets out to prove to Jimmy that he could use forged certificates to get a job. Cassie is sent home from work, suffering from delayed shock. Ron examines the books of "Bar Brookie" behind Jacqui's back, and Susannah finds that she is not pregnant after all.

Episode 1926 (F 01-07-97 "How Could We Refuse?") Written by Barry Woodward - Lindsey tells Jimmy she has been selected to "Sing Like A Star", but he is more surprised to hear who took her to the audition. Jacqui has her operation, but will it restore her sight? Julia gives some advice to Susannah, and Jimmy is nearly right in at the deep end as Danny proves his point.

Episode 1927 (T 05-08-97 "Potential Clients") Written by Nick Saltrese - Elaine wants to try to explain to Cassie. Rachel and Christian return from their honeymoon. Danny decides that there is only one career for Jimmy, and Jacqui is keen to get back to work - but will Ron tell her what has happened while she has been away?

Episode 1928 (W 06-08-97 "New Partner") Written by Nick Saltrese - Susannah offers to look after Jackie's baby. David warns Ron against his proposed business venture. Ollie tries to bribe Danny. Elaine is concerned when Cassie can't be found, and Jacqui's bandages are removed.

Episode 1929 (F 08-08-97 "Oh God") Written by Sue Mooney - After hearing her calling out during the night, Danny asks if Eleanor is religious. Elaine wants to report Cassie's disappearance to the police, but then she turns up. Christian moves into the spare room, Jimmy decides to become a teacher, and a party and a few surprises await Jacqui on her return home from hospital.

Episode 1930 (T 12-08-97 "Card School") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Max has to choose between trying to get Susannah pregnant or going to Ollie's card school. Cassie cannot keep quiet about what Elaine has told her - but who will she tell? Jimmy threatens to make things worse for Mick if his involvement with Gladys's healthcare during her dying days is mentioned.

Episode 1931 (W 13-08-97 "Animal Passions") Written by Joe Ainsworth - When Rachel shows Jacqui her honeymoon photos, she finds that those taken on the beach are missing. Mick thinks Sinbad and Jimmy are talking about him - and soon, they are. Ollie finds Danny indulging in a bit of fraud, and an erotic video that Max gets Susannah turns out to be not quite what they expected. [ Channel Four apologises to any viewers of this episode who were embarrassed by the storyline featuring Max and Susannah Farnham ]

Episode 1932 (F 15-08-97 "Avoiding The Issue") Written by Mike Stott - David feels that Ron has behaved unethically by becoming Jacqui's business partner without telling her. Cassie walks in on Mick and Elaine having a party with the children, and refuses to stay. Katie insists on frisking Leanne before allowing her back into "Bar Brookie" to talk to Jacqui. Christian tells Rachel he is disappointed in her.

Episode 1933 (T 19-08-97 "Exhumed") Written by Peter Cox - Elaine wants to tell Tanya what she has done before Cassie reveals all, but she may have left it too late. Jacqui and Ron buy new clothes for Leanne's court case. Christian tries to postpone his visit to Bristol with Rachel.

Episode 1934 (W 20-08-97 "Statements") Written by Roy Boulter - Ollie and a reluctant Danny help Eleanor move into her new premises. Jacqui plans to ensure that the court know what Leanne is capable of, but will she get the chance to speak? Jimmy tries to brush up his interview technique, but it is Mick and Elaine who are being interviewed by the police.

Episode 1935 (F 22-08-97 "Shrewd Investment") Written by Roy Boulter - Ron invites everyone to "Bar Brookie" to celebrate his new partnership. Eleanor tries to reassure Mick and Elaine. Jimmy is interviewed for a PGCE course, and Susannah wonders if she should see a doctor.

Episode 1936 (T 26-08-97 "Away From All This") Written by Julie Jones - Eleanor advises Jacqui that she is probably stuck with Ron as a partner. When Susannah's doctor refuses to send her for tests, she decides to go private. Katie finds that she is surplus to requirements at "Bar Brookie" and is being redeployed nearby. Elaine wants to do a runner - can Mick convince her to stay?

Episode 1937 (W 27-08-97 "Sob Stories") Written by Julie Jones - Christian attempts to manipulate Rachel into giving up her job. The Dixons return to court to hear the verdict of Leanne's trial, but will they be satisfied with the outcome? Discovering that Mick has told Sinbad and Jimmy the truth about Gladys, Elaine decides it is time to tell Tanya - but how will she react?

Episode 1938 (F 29-08-97 "William James") Written by Barbara Phillips - There is friction in "Bar Brookie" when Ron is determined to protect his investment, and in church when Jackie and Jimmy still can't agree on the name with which their baby is to be christened. Jacqui can't believe that Rachel is giving up her job, while Susannah sees a specialist and arranges for a further check-up.

Episode 1939 (T 02-09-97 "If A Job Is Worth Doing") Written by Mike Stott - Sinbad tries to persuade the kids to go back to school. Carmel tries to make plans for the future. Jacqui wants to deny Ron's pork scratchings and Ottersburn Mild access to "Bar Brookie". Susannah is confident about her tests.

Episode 1940 (W 03-09-97 "Adhesions") Written by Barry Woodward - Sinbad moves out of the Corkhills' to join Carmel. Mick goes to ask Mr Thornton to keep an eye on Leo and Gemma, and is asked to step down as school governor. Christian needs a new pair of shoes, but is unlikely to accept Rachel's advice. When Jacqui wins a free trip to America, she knows exactly what to do with it.

Episode 1941 (F 05-09-97 "Join The Club") Written by Barry Woodward - Danny, fed up with being served muesli for breakfast just because Eleanor prefers it, rebels by skipping school and getting into a stolen car with Tinhead. Elaine is told that she and Mick will have to engage different solicitors. Susannah has a new idea about how she might replace the void left by the loss of Matthew and Emily.

Episode 1942 (T 09-09-97 "A Long Way To Go") Written by Roy Boulter - The police make further enquiries around the Close, and Elaine feels that it is time for a family holiday away from the gossips. Kylie starts school, Jimmy starts college, and Rachel starts a new job which doesn't impress Jacqui. Susannah is determined to adopt a child.

Episode 1943 (W 10-09-97 "Full Discount") Written by Roy Boulter - When Ollie plans not to give Jimmy a full discount on his college textbooks, Danny takes matters into his own hands. Sinbad is forced off the road by a maniac driver, and believes he saw Tinhead in the car. Then the petrol station has to be evacuated.......

Episode 1944 (F 12-09-97 "Unsuitable") Written by Barbara Phillips - The Farnhams seek advice on adoption, but may not like the outcome. Jimmy's first day of teacher training goes slightly wrong when he dismisses a class half an hour early. Rachel is assaulted while delivering leaflets, but Christian does not react the way she might have hoped.

Episode 1945 (T 16-09-97 "Hard Going") Written by Sue Mooney - Jimmy finds his course hard going. Max tries not to give up hope, but Susannah is despondent. Ollie plans to impress Eleanor with his cooking, but Danny muscles in. Tinhead is fed up with Sinbad, and steals Jacqui's bag. Rachel annoys Christian again by giving up her job.

Episode 1946 (W 17-09-97 "None Of It") Written by Peter Cox - Max and a reluctant Susannah go for counselling, but will it do any good? Carmel tries to talk to Tinhead about the handbag theft. Jimmy is burning the midnight oil, but still can't make the progress he needs to. Danny continues to come between Ollie and Eleanor.

Episode 1947 (F 19-09-97 "Sneak Thieves") Written by Peter Cox - Jackie invites Sinbad to move back in. Danny and Tinhead remove the evidence which shows who committed the handbag theft. Susannah turns her energies to cleaning. Julia agrees to look after two children, but only returns one. Rachel and Christian go shopping for china, but nothing is ever that simple.......

Episode 1948 (T 23-09-97 "It Has Got To Stop!") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jackie refuses to believe that Susannah didn't abduct her baby. Carmel tries to encourage Sinbad to move back in with her. Jimmy thinks his new career may already be over. A night out at "Bar Brookie" causes yet more grief for Rachel.

Episode 1949 (W 24-09-97 "Action!") Written by Maurice Bessman - Christian still isn't speaking to Rachel. Lisa takes Susannah shopping. Lindsey is filmed for "Sing Like A Star" at the pizza-parlour, but who will be the co-star? Sinbad catches Tinhead stealing a car, then has to join him on the run. Ben has a surprise for Jacqui, but how will she react?

Episode 1950 (F 26-09-97 "Letting Down") Written by Maurice Bessman - Sinbad doesn't get any thanks for helping Tinhead out of trouble. Jimmy receives a grant cheque - but it's almost all already spoken for. Danny has a few confessions to make to Ollie, and Christian starts talking to Rachel again, mainly to argue with her.

Episode 1951 (T 30-09-97 "Thermals") Written by Nick Saltrese - Jimmy needs to borrow some gear for a field trip, and finds someone nearby who has it. The Johnsons return, but a shock awaits them. Max comes up with another option which may enable him and Susannah to have another child.

Episode 1952 (W 01-10-97 "Vinegar") Written by Nick Saltrese - Susannah comes to a conclusion about Max's idea, and goes back to work. Elaine and Mick attend their committal hearing. Jimmy soaks his feet in vinegar, then returns it to the chip shop - and Ben almost chokes on a toenail he finds in his vinegar-soaked chips......

Episode 1953 (F 03-10-97 "Big Bang Theory") Written by Julie Rutterford - Jimmy goes off on his field trip. Elaine refuses to let Tanya go back to school, and tries again to persuade Mick to do a runner. The Farnhams put their proposal to Lisa, but will she agree? Tinhead fools with fireworks, with devastating consequences.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (1913, 1914, 1916, 1919, 1923-1926, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1947, 1949)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (1912-1916, 1918-1920, 1923, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1935, 1938, 1942, 1943, 1945-1948, 1950-1952)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (1912-1916, 1918-1921, 1923, 1925-1935, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1942-1953)
William Corkhill (1915, 1916, 1917 OOV, 1918, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1938, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1948, 1950)
David "Bing" Crosbie - JOHN BURGESS (1914-1926, 1928, 1932, 1939-1941, 1943, 1945-1947)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (1912-1915, 1918-1920, 1923-1938, 1940, 1941)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (1916-1919, 1921-1924, 1926-1945, 1948-1950)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (1912-1915, 1922-1929, 1939, 1940, 1945, 1948)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (1914, 1916, 1919, 1920, 1924-1926, 1928-1931, 1935, 1936, 1938-1953)
Susannah Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (1916, 1917, 1924-1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, 1938-1953)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (1912-1925, 1927-1938, 1940-1943, 1951-1953)
Elaine Johnson (formerly Davies, nee Charlton) - BEVERLEY HILLS (1912-1918, 1920, 1921, 1923-1929, 1932-1938, 1941, 1942, 1951-1953)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (1914, 1932, 1936, 1939-1941, 1951)
Leo Johnson - STEVEN COLE (1914, 1916, 1932, 1936, 1939, 1951, 1952)
Eleanor Kitson - GEORGIA REECE (1919, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1934-1936, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1945, 1946, 1948-1950, 1952)
Peter Phelan - SAMUEL KANE (1920, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1931, 1938, 1949)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (1916-1919, 1921-1924, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948, 1950)
Bel Simpson (nee Pattison) - LESLEY NIGHTINGALE (1912, 1913, 1915-1918, 1920)
Ollie Simpson - MICHAEL J JACKSON (1912-1922, 1925, 1927-1934, 1941-1951, 1953)
Danny Simpson - ANDREW BUTLER (1914, 1916-1918, 1920-1923, 1925-1931, 1934, 1941-1947, 1949, 1950)
Lindsey Stanlow (nee Corkhill) - CLAIRE SWEENEY (1916, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1931, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1949)
Kylie Stanlow (1918, 1942, 1947)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (1912-1916, 1919, 1921-1924, 1929-1934, 1937-1941, 1943-1952)
Christian Wright - PHILLIP DOWD (1915, 1917, 1918, 1920-1923, 1927-1933, 1935-1938, 1940, 1944-1950)
Rachel Wright (nee Jordache) - TIFFANY CHAPMAN (1915, 1917-1920, 1922, 1923, 1927-1933, 1935-1940, 1942, 1944-1950)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Sharon Bridges - HAYLEY SMITTON (1939, 1940, 1953)
Cassie Charlton - EBONY GRAY (1912-1914, 1916-1918, 1920, 1921, 1924-1926, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1935-1937, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1953)
Gladys Charlton - EILEEN O'BRIEN (1912)
Cracker - KELLY MALONE (1912, 1916, 1920, 1921)
Tanya Davies - HEATHER TOMLINSON (1914, 1916, 1929, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1951, 1952)
Mr Dawson - STEWART BEVAN (1928)
Dr Miller - RUSSELL DIXON (1912)
Lisa Morrisey - AMANDA NOLAN (1949, 1950, 1953)
Carmel O'Leary - CAROL CONNOR (1919, 1921, 1924, 1939, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1950-1953)
Ben O'Leary - SIMON PAUL (1923, 1933, 1934, 1941, 1943-1945, 1947-1952)
Melanie O'Leary - ELIZABETH LOVELADY (1946, 1951, 1953)
Tim "Tinhead" O'Leary - PHILIP OLIVIER (1919, 1924, 1939-1941, 1943, 1945-1953)
Leanne Powell - VICKIE GATES (1932, 1934, 1937)
Dick Ronson - BILLY COOKSON (1912 - stand-in only)
Ruth Sweeney (1945)
Mr Dick Thornton - GRAHAM SEED (1940)
Clerk Of The Court - JIM WHELAN (1934, 1937)
Vicar - MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER (1938)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Detective Sergeant Anderson - JOHN ASHTON (1934, 1938, 1943) [ Detective Inspector Balfour (509, 512, 513) ]
Detective Sergeant Cox - MICHAEL ATKINSON (1934) [ Mr Ted Powell (1205) / Detective Inspector Ferguson (1663) ]
Michael Potter - JIM BARCLAY (1935) [ Westbrook, Counsel for Defence (207, 208) ]

NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Arthur Byrne - LLOYD PETERS (1944)
Michelle Jenkins - CLAIRE COLEMAN (1944, 1953)
Ed Nelson, TV Director - ANDREW WIGHTMAN (1949)
Mrs Ann Traynor - JUNE MITCHELL (1946)
Mark Wareing - TOM ROBERTS (1926)

NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Mr Dobson - PETER HARLOWE (1937)
Dr Stevens - JANE WHELDON (1936)
Mrs Taylor - ANNIE BRUCE (1937)
Thompson - SAM DONOVAN (1944, 1953)
Clerk Of Courts - CHARLES FOSTER (1939)
Judge - JAMES JORDAN (1937)
Video Shop Owner - PHILIP HERBERT (1931)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Bert, a post-operative usher (1934)
Curly, a dubious character (1952)
Diane, a pupil (1944)
Mrs Hewitson, a "Crown Prosecution" woman (1931)
Jason, another pupil (1944, 1953)
June, a failed conquest of Mike (1915)
Kelly, a stylist (1949)
Linda, a "Grants" waitress (1926)
Mo, another dubious character (1952)
Paul, a gormless assistant (1941)
Richards, a running pupil (1944)
Simone, a petrol station shop worker (1945)
Wendy, Arthur Byrne's secretary (1944)

Episode 1912 is set entirely during the night.......Mick's absence from episode 1926 ends an unprecedented run of 52 consecutive episodes in which he has appeared.......episode 1932 includes a scene in which Rachel and Katie are briefly seen watching "Loud And Clear" - on which Jackie and Patricia once appeared! - on television.......and episode 1941 is slightly extended to include an additional scene in which David Crosbie and Cassie Charlton topically reflect on the recent death and forthcoming funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The storylines:

Jacqui has operations to restore her sight, gains Ron as a partner in "Bar Brookie", sees Leanne imprisoned for just three years, and turns down a marriage proposal by Ben. As one marriage begins - Rachel, God help her, weds Christian - another ends, as Bel leaves Ollie. But he soon begins a relationship with new arrival Eleanor, a solicitor who takes over the "Trading Post" premises, with Katie as her "Girl Friday", just as Mick and Elaine need to defend themselves against a murder charge, when Cassie reports them to the police after discovering they helped Gladys to die. Also still grieving, Max and Susannah come up with the idea of surrogacy when their hopes of having, or adopting, another child are dashed - but Jackie gives birth to a new baby, William, and while Lindsey is encouraged by Peter to "Sing Like A Star", Jimmy resolves to begin a new career of which his family can be proud, even though this may require a certain amount of forgery by Danny, who also makes brief forays into theft and joyriding with Tinhead. Sinbad hopes Tinhead can turn over a new leaf, and accept that he wants to move in with Carmel on a more permanent basis - but he may just have to rethink his plans.......

The dates:

Based on dialogue in episodes 1939 and 1916, it was 1st July 1997, then Wednesday, in episodes 1911 and 1912, and Friday in episode 1914; it is the 90's in episode 1917; and, based on dialogue in episode 1918, it is Friday in episode 1920. It is Tuesday in episode 1924; based on dialogue in episodes 1902 and 1923, it is 25th July in episode 1922 and 26th July in episode 1923; and, based on dialogue in episode 1928, it was Friday in episode 1926. It is "midweek" in episode 1930; it is August 20th 1997 in episode 1934, in which the events of episode 1897 are revealed to have taken place on 30th May 1997; and based on dialogue in episode 1945, it is Friday in episode 1947. A CCTV tape viewed by Danny and Tinhead in episode 1947 showing the theft which took place in episode 1945 is dated 16/9/97, while another tape they view first is dated 15/9/97. Danny says that if Ollie catches him looking at teacher training courses, he'd have to say they they were for 2004 (1929). There is a September 1997 calendar on Ollie's wall in episode 1945, and Elaine and Mick are told that they will face trial in the week before Christmas in episode 1952.

Name-checks:

Fred West (1913) / the Wests (1939); Dr Spock (1914, 1916); Princess Diana (1914, 1923, 1941); Winston Churchill (1914); "Bergerac" (1914); Mao Tse Tung (1914); Maurice Chevalier (1916); Marie Curie (1917); Cher (1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1926, 1931); "Mastermind" (1918); "Evita" (1919); Cliff Richard (1921); "Cruella De Vil" (1921); "Bugs Bunny" (1922); Mike Tyson (1922); Tom Cruise (1922); Terry Waite (1922); "The Addams Family" (1922); "Madge Allsopp" (1922); "Prisoner: Cell Block H" (1923); "Howards' Way" (1924); Shirley Bassey (1924); "News At Ten" (1924); Einstein (1925, 1927, 1944); the Queen (1926); "Crocodile Dundee" (1926); Mark Spitz (1926); "The Invisible Man" (1927); John Wayne (1927); Stevie Wonder (1927); "Kavanagh Q.C." (1927); Oliver Reed (1929); Rudolph Valentino (1929); "Cincinnati Kid" (1930, 1933); the "Chuckle Brothers" (1930, 1952); "Casanova" (1930, 1945); Paul Daniels (1930); "Cool Hand Luke" (1930); "Lord Charles" (1930); Liberace (1930); [Oscar] Wilde (1930); [Quentin] Crisp (1930); Gregory [Peck - "cheque"] (1930); Michelle Pfeiffer (1930); Maggie Thatcher (1930); Picasso (1931); David Bailey (1931); Trotsky (1934); "Hilda Ogden" (1936); Prince William (1938); "Oprah" [Winfrey] (1939); "The Spice Girls" (1940); "The Beatles" (1941); Corlioni (1942); Fowler and Shearer, footballers (1944); "Tarby" [Jimmy Tarbuck] (1945); "Superman" (1945); Freddy Kruger (1945); "Jekyll and Hyde (1946); "Mr Chips" (1948); "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" (1949); "Murder She Wrote" (1949); "Crimewatch" (1949); Nelson Eddy (1949); Jeanett"a" MacDonald (1949); Rita Hayworth (1949); "Opportunity Knocks" (1949); "The Artful Dodger" (1949, 1950); Chris Bonnington (1951, 1953); Mohammed Ali (1951); "Dumb and Dumber" (1953); Sherpa Tensing (1953); "Batman" (1953); "Robin" (1953); and "The Fugitive" (1953).

Locations:

All of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, apart from a few scenes of episode 1924 in which Lindsey and Peter are in Manchester.

Births:

One - William James Corkhill is born in episode 1915, weighing 6lb 2oz (1915, 1917), and is six weeks old in episode 1931. We are also told that Kylie is 5 (1923); Danny is 15 (1927, 1934) / 14 (1945); Susannah is 37 (1926, 1944, 1949), and it was her birthday five months ago, just before the accident (1951); Jackie is older than Susannah (1935); Tinhead is 16 (1939, 1946); Max and Susannah are both under 40 (1942); Max is 37 (1944); Jacqui is 21 (1950); and Tanya is 15 (1951, 1952). Gladys's coffin plate indicates that she was aged 53 years when she died (1914) - but according to Cassie, she was 55 (1929)! One of Bel's certificates reveals that she was born on 22nd November 1952 (1925), and Jimmy's certificates show his date of birth as 14th November 1951 (1925, 1929) - not that they are necessarily an accurate reflection of his qualifications.......

Marriages:

One - Rachel Jordache marries Christian Wright in episode 1923, in a ceremony that is "a week away" in episode 1920 and "tomorrow" in episode 1922, and, based on dialogue in episode 1902, takes place on 26th July. It soon starts to look unlikely, however, that they will remain together as long as Bel and Ollie, who have been married for 25 years (1918, 1945). We are also told that Max and Susannah married in 1983 (1944).

Deaths:

None. It is five months (1944) / six months (1945) since Max and Susannah's children died. Gladys's coffin plate indicates that she died in July 1997 aged 53 years (1914), and we are told that she died on a Wednesday [early morning] (1916), although Mick and Elaine are accused of murdering her on 1st July 1997 [the Tuesday night] (1939). But there are many unseen and never-to-be-seen characters who are no longer alive, but are mentioned: Julia's husband, Arthur (1914, 1923, 1925); Jimmy's brother, Franky (1914, 1916); Jimmy's father, Albie (1914, 1916); Jimmy's uncles, Bernie (1914), Kenny (1914, 1916) and Wilfie (1916); Gladys's mother (1916); Ollie's father, one of his parents (1917); Jimmy's mother (1920); Lindsey's grandfather, William (1920); Julia's mother (1926); Dolly Sparrow's mother (1926); Detective Sergeant Anderson's mother, who died of cancer nearly 18 months ago (1934); Carmel's mother, who also died of cancer (1940); and Ben's father (1948).

Toilet visits:

Several - Jimmy (1919), Jacqui (1922), Carmel (1924 and 1945), Katie (1927), Sinbad (1930), Leanne, allegedly (1932), Julia (1941), and Lisa (1953). William fills his nappy in episodes 1933 and 1938, and Tanya wets herself while locked in a cupboard in episode 1952.

Mentioned, so far unseen, but bound to turn up one day: Christian's mother (1918, 1921, 1922).

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

Mandy / Mandy Jordache (1913, 1922, 1923, 1933, 1944 / 1953); Trevor Jordache (1913); "Renee" [Doreen] (1913, 1925, 1949); Rod (1913); Nat / Nat Simpson (1914, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922 / 1940); Georgia / Georgia Simpson (1914, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1925 / 1918); Jean (1914, 1917, 1918); Matthew / Matt (1914, 1917, 1928, 1946, 1949 / 1941); Emily / Em (1914, 1917, 1928, 1946, 1949 / 1941); Little Jimmy (1914, 1915, 1919, 1930, 1938); Billy / William (1914, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1949 / 1916); Sheila (1915); Andrew (1917); Patricia (1918, 1924, 1925, 1926); Dolly Sparrow (1919, 1926); JC /JC Bradley (1921, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1936, 1939 / 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1935); Sinbad's mother, who he found when in his 30's (1922); Jack Sullivan (1923); Alice (1925, 1944); Eric (1926); DD (1928, 1930); Val (1933, 1940); Beth (1938); and Thomas (1944).

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

Tracey, petrol station worker (1916); Philip and Jonathan, old friends of Danny (1916); Claire B, who has written a letter to a problem page that Jacqui gets David to read to her (1917); Ollie's mother, one of his parents (1917); Mr Jameson of the cricket club in Fornby (1918); Jackie's mother (1918); Dolly Sparrow's cousin Mabel (1919); Mr Jackson, eye doctor (1924); Mary, the oldest of Dolly's seven siblings (1926); Cynthia Brown, a singing teacher Peter suggests Lindsey contacts (1928); Kim, a friend of Tanya (1929); Smudge, the lost cat belonging to an unnamed woman in the police station (1930); Chris, a currently "e-colied" old mate of Ollie (1930); Peter's mother (1938); Mr Elliott, a consultant (1940); Angela, a friend of Katie (1941); Tony, a stand-in chef (1942); Colin, a Round Table member with adoption agency contacts (1943); Danny's friend Michael, and his mother (1944); Thompson's brother (1944); Donnegan, Jimmy's tutor (1948); Phil Harvey, an old boyfriend of Susannah (1949); John, a television quiz contestant (1949); and Kenny Foster, Richard Everitt and Philip, boyfriends that Lisa and Susannah stole from each other (1953).

Goofs:

In episode 1922, Rachel pluralises the tenth word instead of the second or fourth: "The doctor just want to keep her in for observations"; and in episode 1938 she replaces "to" with an additional "for": "I just slipped next door for Katie's for a coffee.".

In episode 1929, Cassie describes her mother, Gladys, as "a 55-year-old woman" - but her coffin plate, seen in episode 1914, indicated that she was only 53 when she died.

Ollie is similarly wrong in episode 1945, referring to Danny as a 14-year old. Perhaps he has forgotten that his son has recently had his 15th birthday?

In episode 1926, the extracts Jimmy and Danny quote from the false CV are slightly / entirely inconsistent with what was seen briefly on-screen in episode 1925, and partly seen again in episode 1929. Jimmy says that he worked at the Woolongong Outdoor Pursuit Centre and the Melbourne Physical Activity Centre, and Danny says he worked for the London Borough of Forest Hall. But the CV actually reads as follows:

CURRICULUM VITAE

DETAILS
Name: JAMES CORKHILL
Address: 14 Wilderspool Road, Walton, Liverpool, L4
Telephone: 0151 200 2222
D.O.B. 14th November 1951

EDUCATION
1962-1968 Skelmersdale Grammar School. Six "O" Levels - English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Latin, French.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
City & Guilds Certificates in the following:
Information Technology - Basic Competence
Communication Skills (Word power) Stage Three
Keyboard Skills at Intermediate Level
Creative Studies Part One - Upholstery

WORK HISTORY
London Borough of Hackney - Activity Leader
Woolongong Outdoor Centre (Australia) - Aquatic Instruction Leader
Grants Restaurant - Maitre d'hotel
La Luz Nitespot - Conference Manager
Pizza Parade Manor Park - Restaurant Manager
Corkhills Executive Cars - Company Director

CHARACTER PROFILE
Based in Liverpool for most of my working life, I have experienced a wide range of employment, a great deal of which has been in the public service industries. One highlight of my career to date has been to run my own executive transport company, which I sold as a going concern in order to spend more time with my family. I have been a supporter of the local Round Table movement in the past.

REFERENCE
Mr D. Simpson, 9 Brookside Close, Liverpool L43 6TZ.

Danny has presumably made further modifications to the CV by the time it is submitted to Michael Potter, the Course Director and Co-ordinating Tutor who interviews Jimmy for teacher-training in episode 1935, so that, with a certain grain of truth, it now mentions Jimmy's earlier work with "horses" (!) and "pharmaceuticals" (!!) which are briefly referred to at the interview.......

Trivia:

Julia claims that she used to look like Rita Hayworth from the back when she was younger (1949), and that when her grandson Rod was born, he was three weeks overdue (1913). She reassures Susannah by revealing that Mary, the first of eight children, was only born to Dolly Sparrow's mother nine years after she married (1926). Max has known Susannah for 14 years, according to Lisa, who has never married (1949), and hasn't eaten beef "ever since that BSE scare" (1953). He pays £5 to hire an erotic film called "Fields Of Fun" (1931), and is seen reading a letter he and Susannah have received regarding infertility counselling, which appears to be signed by "C. Kavanagh", and is from Liverpool General Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, whose telephone and fax numbers are 0151 706 2000 and 0151 706 5806 (1945).

Lindsey receives a letter from "Sing Like A Star" inviting her to attend an audition at studios in Replay Street, Manchester on a date in July 1997 (1926). Jimmy, whose uncle Kenny got fifteen years for armed robbery (1916), implies that he and Jackie conceived her on their honeymoon, which was three days in Rhyl (1927). Although Jimmy cannot swim (1925), he is interviewed for a job at the swimming pool at Manor Park Sports Centre (1926); and, although he has no "O" or "A" levels (1928), he is assigned to class 10B for his teacher-training placement (1944). He receives a grant cheque for £1,500.10, but Jackie has to give Ollie a cheque for £185 for books that Danny stole from the branch of Elton's Bookshop that he manages (1950). Jimmy, who is seen consulting "The SAS Survival Handbook" by John "Lofty" Wiseman as he prepares for a school field trip (1952), was doing time for GBH ten years ago, according to Sinbad (1929), whose shop burglar alarm code is now 1234 [instead of the once embarrassingly forgettable number it was previously!!] (1949).

Bel, who has moved to a flat in Fornby (1945), attended Skelmersdale Gramnmar School, and passed six "O" levels with "The Examining Board of Great Britain" in summer 1968. According to his certificate from Sheffield University, dated 8th July 1970, Ollie has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours, Class II Division I, having followed an approved Honours programme in Sociology, minoring in American Studies (1931). He also claims to have a Woodwork "O" level (1920); he recalls paying £42,000 for the house on the Close (1918); he is seen carrying some books, including one entitled "British Economy and Social History" (1948); and he suggests to Eleanor - "Eleanor J. Kitson, Solicitor" as she is described on the repainted window of the "Trading Post" (1949, 1953) - that they go to see a play called "The Ale House" (1941).

At the scrapyard at which Ron finds the "Moby", there is a bulldozer bearing the name "Lyons Bros" and the outdated telephone number 051 220 5163 (1914). About to go into hospital, Jacqui asks Katie if she has packed her "Marie-Claire" magazines (1926). Jacqui's mother is scared of flying (1940). Leanne appears in Court Four (1934), and is sentenced to three years' imprisonment (1937, 1938). Tinhead has frosties for his breakfast (1949), and claims that he was shoplifting when he was "about 7" (1943). "Amazing Grace" and "Sing Low, Sweet Chariot" are sung at the funeral of Gladys (1914), who loved carnations (1926). She received £48,000 for the sale of her house, her legal and funeral expenses are £2,000, and she has made a bequest of £10,000 to Tanya, receivable when she is 18. This leaves £36,000 to be split equally between Cassie and Elaine/Mick, who have already had £17,500 of their share, and only get £500 more (1921). Cassie is seen getting out of a taxi bearing the name "Manor Cabs" and the telephone number 269 6699 (1930).

Christian has a "Manic Street Preachers" poster on the back of the door to his flat (1929, 1930, 1936, 1945, 1948, 1949); Eleanor has art by Ansel Adams on the wall of her new office (1935, 1936, 1950); and the lorry seen crashing at the end of episode 1953 bears the name "Walter Howard", the address 12 Clifford Road, Southport, and the telephone number 01704 545926. Jimmy is left-handed (1942, 1944, 1946, 1947), while Dr Miller (1912), Rachel (1915), Katie (1917, 1921), Jacqui (1917), Eleanor (1919, 1945), Danny (1922), Ron (1925, 1928, 1938), Ollie (1932), the Clerk of the Court (1934), all three of the magistrates before which Elaine and Mick appear (1939), Detective Sergeant Anderson (1943), and Max (1943), are all right-handed.

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

All of this season's "moments" relate to Bel, strangely enough. Firstly, her letter to Danny in episode 1913, which is torn up by Ollie, but later pieced back together, reads as follows:

Dear Daniel, I don't want you to be worried or upset, but I have to go away for a few days to stay with friends. I will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Please don't worry. Love you lots. Mum xxx

Secondly, as she arrives for her appointment at the "clap clinic", she is wearing sunglasses - almost certainly in the hope of avoiding recognition if anyone she knows sees her (1915) !

And thirdly, her maiden name is never ever mentioned by her or by any other character - but it appears on her "O" levels certificate, seen very briefly as a computer scan on-screen which Danny then adapts for Jimmy, in episode 1925.

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

While Elaine is telling Mick that she is about to go on the run with Tania rather than face trial, and wants him to come with her, and Max and Susannah are asking Lisa whether she would be willing to act as a surrogate mother for them, Tinhead is in the front garden of his home, trying to impress his friend Sharon by launching some stolen fireworks through an equally stolen section of piping. After one of them just misses the telephone box across the road at which it was aimed, he lights another - and nothing happens. Until some seconds later, just as a lorry is driving past! The firework hits its windscreen, and the flash temporarily blinds the driver, who swerves off the road, through the O'Learys' fence and into their garden. As Tinhead and Sharon run out of the way to avoid being hit, the lorry crashes through the window and wall of the front room - where Tinhead had left his young sister Melanie watching television.......

Season Forty Nine.......