Brookside Guide.....Season Fifty Five.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON FIFTY-FIVE (51 episodes)
[Episodes 2233-2283]

The episodes:

Episode 2233 (T 29-06-99 "The Truth") Written by Shaun Duggan - Luke's trial begins, and Nikki gives her evidence. A power cut on the Parade causes problems for Mick. Jimmy and Jackie are forced closer together as they keep vigil at William's bedside, and Ron and Anthea look forward to their wedding.

Episode 2234 (W 30-06-99 "The Whole Truth") Written by Shaun Duggan - Nikki feels humiliated when she is cross-examined by the defence barrister. Jimmy is disappointed with his pupils' poor exam results, but promises to put his family first.

Episode 2235 (F 02-07-99 "The Only Verdict") Written by Shaun Duggan - Ryan takes the witness stand, the closing arguments are presented, and the jury retire to consider their verdict. Ron falls ill after eating a pie from the chip shop.

Episode 2236 (T 06-07-99 "Home Safe And Sound") Written by Barry Woodward - After the verdict, the Musgroves are not really in the mood for a party, and Greg is distracted from his family's needs. But Jackie and Jimmy are told they can take Wills home from hospital.

Episode 2237 (W 07-07-99 "Bad Stomachs") Written by Barbara Phillips - On his wedding day, Ron hears that someone has died of food poisoning, and fears that he will be next. Mike is worried when Rachel also becomes ill. Nikki and Katrina plan a holiday, and Jimmy's teaching career may be over.

Episode 2238 (F 09-07-99 "Coincidence") Written by Barry Woodward - Matt and Bosko are suspended after the headmaster discovers their illegal website, and suspects them of stealing the exhibits which went missing at the same time. An environmental health inspector who arrives at the chip shop looks strangely familiar, and Jessie also meets someone she knows, when she turns up for babysitting duty after no-one can reach her to cancel.......

Episode 2239 (T 13-07-99 "Findings") Written by John Fay - Jessie must decide whether to tell Margi what she has discovered about Greg and Susannah. Mark turns up at Victoria's flat, making her wonder if she can ever rid herself of him. When Ryan seems to have something on his mind, Katie wants to know what it is.

Episode 2240 (W 14-07-99 "Leisure Assistants") Written by Maurice Bessman - Katie begins to wonder what she has got herself into when Ryan starts rambling about his feelings of guilt. Jessie tells Greg that he must end his affair with Susannah. Katrina is concerned about Nikki's friendship with Jerome.

Episode 2241 (F 16-07-99 "Breathing Space") Written by Sue Mooney - Katie is shocked by Ryan's confession. Susannah tries unsuccessfully to resist Greg. Sinbad and Tim's plans to placate Mr Moore backfire.

Episode 2242 (T 20-07-99 "Sheds") Written by Gary Brown - Alec's interest in sheds generates more interest in the bikini-clad model pictured with them. Ryan is determined not to make the same mistakes as his father. Jimmy finds out whether he still has a job to go back to, and Jackie becomes involved in hospital fund-raising.

Episode 2243 (W 21-07-99 "Not In The Mood") Written by Barry Woodward - Margi is feeling amorous, but Greg isn't. Jason feels embarrassed when pictures of Katrina turn up all over the place. Mick blames Sinbad for the boycott on the chippy, and Matt wants to prove his critics wrong.

Episode 2244 (F 23-07-99 "Go For It") Written by Peter Cox - Jessie feels trapped when Margi talks to her about her marriage. Katie tries to let Ryan down gently, Matt and Bosko "borrow" a computer from school, and Victoria eventually escapes from Mark to go on holiday with Darren, Nathan and Jacqui.

Episode 2245 (T 27-07-99 "Uncontrollable Passion") Written by Richard Burke - Margi plans to reignite Greg's passion, but Susannah realises she can't give him up. Katrina is worried about Harry, and Nikki looks to the future.

Episode 2246 (W 28-07-99 "Browsing The Web") Written by Peter Cox - Niamh goes online, but who is paying the bill? Jerome enjoys winding Jason up, while Jessie is pleased to see Greg making an effort with Margi. Ryan is told that he can see his daughter.

Episode 2247 (F 30-07-99 "Move It") Written by Roy Boulter - Everyone gets involved when Jason confronts Jerome about his car. Greg has something to say to Susannah, Katie delivers a shocking message, and Jackie wants to move on to bigger and better things.

Episode 2248 (T 03-08-99 "Cheeky") Written by Shaun Duggan - Lindsey is mortified when she finds Greg and Susannah having sex in the changing rooms while she is showing some clients around. Ryan asks Katie for money so that he can pay Abby child maintenance. Jackie ropes Jimmy into helping out at the hospital fete.

Episode 2249 (W 04-08-99 "Dampener") Written by Shaun Duggan - Jessie suspects that Greg has not finished with Susannah. Nikki's revelation that she and Bernie are looking for a flat together doesn't go down well. Jerome has dug himself into a deep hole.

Episode 2250 (F 06-08-99 "Volunteers") Written by Roy Boulter - Greg worries that people are beginning to suspect he is seeing Susannah. Lindsey seeks reassurance from Rose when there is a problem with the work on the club, and Jimmy and Mr Moore get their revenge on Sinbad and Tim.

Episode 2251 (T 10-08-99 "Skivers") Written by Barry Woodward - Lindsey has her own unique way of persuading a contractor to fall into line. When Margi is away again, Greg goes to a hotel with Susannah. Victoria thinks Mark might have finally accepted that their marriage is over, but then finds that he has left seventeen phone messages for her.

Episode 2252 (W 11-08-99 "Kept In The Dark") Written by Roy Boulter - Jacqui wonders whether she can still trust Lindsey or Susannah. Mick receives a court summons. Jerome wants Nikki to lie to the police on his behalf.

Episode 2253 (F 13-08-99 "Selfish Actions") Written by Richard Burke - Jacqui confronts Susannah about her affair with Greg. Jason is annoyed when he finds the house full of Nikki's friends. Katrina looks forward to another modelling assignment.

Episode 2254 (T 17-08-99 "Reckless") Written by Richard Burke - Katrina is under suspicion when Harry has an accident. Jacqui faces a serious dilemma. Darren has something to say to Victoria, but can he find his moment?

Episode 2255 (W 18-08-99 "Asking For Trouble") Written by Roy Boulter - Greg makes a decision, and Susannah breaks down. Violence erupts when Jason deliberately parks his van in front of Jerome's car. Darren's date with Victoria doesn't go as planned.

Episode 2256 (F 20-08-99 "Decency") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jacqui offers Katrina extra money to make sure Harry is looked after properly. Greg tells Jessie he has decided to leave Margi. Darren tells Victoria how he feels about her. The Musgroves celebrate Luke's release from prison.

Episode 2257 (T 24-08-99 "Dirty Looks") Written by Shaun Duggan - Susannah tells Greg that he can't move in with her if he leaves Margi. Victoria and Darren's moment of passion is interrupted. Jimmy feels that he must try to save his job, even though this may put his marriage at risk.

Episode 2258 (W 25-08-99 "Boundaries") Written by Maurice Bessman - Josh decides to teach Jerome a lesson. Greg reaches a decision, but how will Susannah react?

Episode 2259 (F 27-08-99 "Last Fling") Written by Jane Pritchard - The opening of the "Millennium Club" goes with a bang, as Ron tries to add a touch of class to the proceedings, Lindsey is shocked when an uninvited guest turns up, and Greg and Susannah seize the opportunity to have one last mad fling.

Episode 2260 (T 31-08-99 "I Want My Dad") Written by Jane Pritchard - The earth moves for Darren and Victoria. Nikki faces a dilemma, as she discovers what Greg was doing, and to whom, when he was killed - and time runs out for Jason as well.

Episode 2261 (W 01-09-99 "Carrying On") Written by Barry Woodward - Jacqui makes a big decision, Harvey makes Nikki feel uncomfortable, Nathan and Darren discuss their love lives, and Jackie suspects that Jimmy is having an affair with Karen.

Episode 2262 (F 03-09-99 "The Hard Way") Written by Shaun Duggan - Josh and his mates viciously attack Mick and Sinbad. Jacqui decides she wants to give up on the Millennium Club and to settle down with Nathan. Lindsey and Shelley's friendship develops.

Episode 2263 (T 07-09-99 "Condolences") Written by Maurice Bessman - Jessie visits Susannah in hospital to make sure Greg's reputation remains intact, but Nikki is wanting some answers. Leo and Jerome set out to get revenge for the attack on Mick and Sinbad.

Episode 2264 (W 08-09-99 "Deafness") Written by John Fay - Jessie and Nikki agree not to tell Margi about Greg's affair as she tries to face the future without him and Jason. Mick is worried because Leo and Jerome are missing after the riot. Jimmy's efforts to help Lindsey force him back into some old bad habits.

Episode 2265 (F 10-09-99 "The Vicar") Written by Barry Woodward - The residents attend the funeral of Jason, and Jessie and Nikki struggle to conceal the truth from Margi. Jimmy and Lindsey meet a mysterious stranger, and Niamh wins an achievement award for her reading.

Episode 2266 (T 14-09-99 "Abandoning") Written by Peter Cox - Leo and Jerome are released on police bail after being questioned about the riot. Lindsey begins to regret her decision to hire a hit-man to deal with Callum. Nikki turns to the bottle to cope with her grief. Mark catches Darren and Victoria during an intimate moment.

Episode 2267 (W 15-09-99 "Indispensability") Written by John Fay - Sinbad is shocked to learn that the loss of his hearing may be permanent. Lindsey receives a package from Callum which reveals he is still alive and kicking. Matt and Bosko plan a scam involving dodgy pagers.

Episode 2268 (F 17-09-99 "Conclusions") Written by Roy Boulter - Mick discovers the chip shop covered in racist graffiti. A trap to catch the pager thieves nets the wrong person, who isn't pleased. Nikki is forced to lie to Margi, and Lindsey finally gets something that's been coming to her for a while.

Episode 2269 (T 21-09-99 "Bottling") Written by Richard Burke - Jackie contacts the police about the attack on Lindsey, unaware that she and Jimmy know Callum is responsible. Mick decides to sell the chip shop, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Nikki and Jessie wonder how much longer they can keep the truth from Margi.

Episode 2270 (W 22-09-99 "Blaming") Written by Karen Brown - Jimmy makes matters worse by approaching Callum, leaving Lindsey terrified of what he might do next. Susannah refuses to feel responsible for Greg's death. Niamh attends her award ceremony, and Mick reassures Sinbad about his future.

Episode 2271 (F 24-09-99 "Hidden Agenda") Written by Shaun Duggan - Jacqui becomes increasingly nervous about the prospect of meeting her prospective in-laws, wondering what Nathan is hiding about them. Lindsey agrees to stay with Shelley while she recovers. The coroner releases Greg's body, but how will Emily react when Margi and Jessie decide to bring him home?

Episode 2272 (T 28-09-99 "Mingling") Written by Peter Cox - Emily finds Nikki's vodka bottle and thinks her dad was a secret drinker. Jacqui is speechless when she arrives at Nathan's parents' home. Matt and Bosko come up with another get-rich-quick scam.

Episode 2273 (W 29-09-99 "Juddering") Written by Debbie Oates - Jacqui considers selling her share in "Bar Brookie", Mick tells Sinbad he has made an important decision, and Megan wrecks Matt and Bosko's plans involving Millennium bugs.

Episode 2274 (F 01-10-99 "Dying") Written by Roy Boulter - At his funeral, Nikki can't bear to listen as Margi tells everyone what a good man Greg was. Sinbad is devastated when Mick finally sells the chip shop. Mark drops a bombshell, and Susannah's condition becomes serious, as her lung collapses.

Episode 2275 (T 05-10-99 "Needs") Written by Shaun Duggan - The charges against Leo and Jerome are dropped. Jimmy fears that Shelley is looking for more than friendship from Lindsey. Tim wonders what the future holds, and Katrina has little sympathy for Susannah, but worries that Harry and Emma will suffer unless she can contact Max.

Episode 2276 (W 06-10-99 "One To One") Written by David Young - Niamh tries to prevent Josh from getting his revenge on Jerome and Leo. Jacqui warns Ron not to contact Max, and Shelley enjoys winding up Jimmy. Nikki makes a decision about her relationship with Jerome, and Deborah may have designs on Nathan.

Episode 2277 (F 08-10-99 "Emotional Support") Written by Maurice Bessman - Josh and his gang return, Lindsey needs to prove to Alasdair that Callum planted the bomb, Victoria tells Darren that she is going to make a sacrifice and go back to Mark, and a bearded stranger appears at Susannah's bedside.

Episode 2278 (T 12-10-99 "Peace Offering") Written by Carmel Morgan - Ron goes a little too far in what he says about Luke. Margi sets about rebuilding her life. Susannah regains consciousness, but Katrina tells Nikki that she wants to give up her job.

Episode 2279 (W 13-10-99 "Divided We Fall") Written by Barry Woodward - While the residents meet to discuss the problem of Josh and his gang, Max realises that he may be left holding the babies. Lindsey tries to set up a meeting with Callum and Rose, and Ron decides to resist the developers.

Episode 2280 (F 15-10-99 "Girl Power") Written by Maurice Bessman - Lindsey finally thinks she has got rid of Callum for good and won herself time to repay Rose. Jerome decides it is time for fascists to be dealt with. Susannah makes her position clear.

Episode 2281 (T 19-10-99 "Blonde Bimbo") Written by Barry Woodward - After discovering Darren with Charlotte, Victoria goes to bed with Mark. Emily and Nikki encourage Margi to accept a job offer in Brussels. Mick can't keep Leo on the straight and narrow, and risks losing him.

Episode 2282 (W 20-10-99 "Slippery Slope") Written by Shaun Duggan - While Max is making the most of being a father again, and news of Greg's affair spreads, Margi pours her heart out to a squirming Susannah, and reveals that she once broke the nose of a girl just because she spoke to him.......

Episode 2283 (F 22-10-99 "Who's Gonna Tell Her?") Written by Shaun Duggan - Jackie makes Lindsey promise not to give Jimmy a job, but Lindsey is more worried about whether she can repay Rose. Sinbad receives news about his hearing problem, Nikki drinks her troubles away, and someone is finally going to tell Margi what everybody else knows, and she doesn't.......

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (2233, 2234, 2236, 2242, 2247, 2248, 2250, 2251, 2255, 2261, 2262, 2264, 2269-2271, 2274, 2281, 2283)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2242, 2244, 2248, 2250, 2252, 2255, 2257, 2261-2271, 2273-2282)
William Corkhill - MATTHEW and JACK FORAN, LEWIS DAVIES (2234, 2236, 2248, 2281)
Nathan Cuddington - MARCUS HUTTON (2235, 2237, 2238, 2242, 2244, 2251-2253, 2261, 2262, 2266, 2267, 2271, 2272, 2276, 2277, 2281, 2283)
Anthea Dixon, formerly Brindley (nee Russell) - BARBARA HATWELL (2233, 2237, 2252)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (2233, 2237, 2240, 2252, 2259-2261, 2265, 2267, 2268, 2276, 2278, 2279)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (2235, 2237, 2238, 2240, 2241, 2243, 2244, 2251-2256, 2259-2264, 2266, 2267, 2270-2276, 2278, 2279, 2283)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (2234, 2237, 2242, 2243, 2245, 2254, 2255, 2257, 2260, 2263, 2267, 2268, 2273, 2276, 2278, 2280, 2282)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (2277-2280, 2282)
Harry Farnham (2238, 2240, 2245, 2248, 2250, 2254, 2256, 2257, 2278-2280)
Emma Farnham (2240, 2248, 2250, 2254, 2256, 2257, 2278-2280)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (2233, 2237, 2242-2244, 2247-2249, 2252, 2255, 2258-2260, 2262-2270, 2274, 2275, 2277, 2279-2282)
Leo Johnson - STEVEN COLE (2238, 2246, 2247, 2249, 2253, 2255, 2257, 2263, 2265, 2266, 2275, 2277, 2279-2281)
Susannah Morrisey, formerly Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (2236, 2238-2241, 2245-2248, 2250-2263, 2270, 2271, 2274, 2275, 2277-2280, 2282, 2283)
Joey Musgrove - DAN MULLANE (2233-2236, 2246, 2255, 2256, 2258, 2265, 2270)
Niamh Musgrove (nee O'Brien) - BARBARA DRENNAN (2233-2236, 2246, 2253, 2256, 2265, 2270, 2276-2280)
Luke Musgrove - JASON KAVANAGH (2233-2236, 2256-2258, 2261, 2262, 2279, 2282, 2283)
Ryan Musgrove - SAMUEL JAMES HUDSON (2233-2236, 2239-2244, 2246-2249, 2253, 2254, 2256, 2262, 2263, 2279, 2282)
Matt Musgrove - KRISTIAN EALEY (2233-2236, 2238, 2239, 2243, 2244, 2246, 2250, 2252, 2253, 2256, 2265, 2267, 2268, 2272, 2273)
Kelly Musgrove - NATALIE EARL (2239, 2248, 2254, 2256, 2267, 2269)
Alec O'Brien - AL T. KOSSY (2235, 2236, 2242, 2279)
Tim "Tinhead" O'Leary - PHILIP OLIVIER (2238, 2239, 2241, 2250, 2266, 2275, 2280)
Lindsey Phelan, formerly Stanlow (nee Corkhill) - CLAIRE SWEENEY (2236, 2234, 2245, 2247, 2248, 2250-2253, 2255, 2257-2271, 2275, 2277, 2279-2281, 2283)
Dr Darren Roebuck - TIMOTHY DEENIHAN (2235, 2238, 2239, 2244, 2254-2257, 2259-2261, 2266, 2272, 2274, 2275, 2277, 2280, 2281)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (2238-2249, 2251-2254, 2256, 2273, 2282, 2283)
Jessie Shadwick - MARJI CAMPI (2235, 2238-2241, 2244-2246, 2249, 2250, 2256, 2258, 2261, 2263-2265, 2269, 2271, 2273, 2274, 2277)
Greg Shadwick - MARK MORAGHAN (2333-2243, 2245-2251, 2255-2260)
Margi Shadwick (nee Benson) - BERNADETTE FOLEY (2233-2236, 2241-2245, 2247, 2249, 2255, 2256, 2261, 2264-2266, 2268-2275, 2277, 2278, 2280-2284)
Jason Shadwick - VINCENT PRICE (2233-2236, 2240, 2242-2249, 2253, 2255, 2257, 2258, 2260)
Nikki Shadwick - SUZANNE COLLINS (2233-2238, 2240, 2241, 2245-2250, 2252-2258, 2260-2266, 2268-2276, 2278, 2280-2283)
Emily Shadwick - JENNIFER ELLISON (2236, 2248, 2249, 2254, 2265, 2269, 2272-2274, 2277, 2281)
Kylie Stanlow - HANNAH DOWD (2275)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (2233, 2237-2239, 2241-2244, 2247, 2248, 2250, 2252, 2258, 2262, 2264, 2267, 2269, 2270, 2273-2275, 2279, 2282, 2283)
Mark Wilcox - DUGALD BRUCE LOCKHART (2239, 2244, 2253, 2255, 2265, 2266, 2274, 2276 VT, 2278, 2281, 2282)
Victoria Wilcox (nee Seagram) - PATRICIA POTTER (2238, 2239, 2242, 2244, 2251, 2253-2257, 2259, 2260, 2266, 2271, 2272, 2274-2278, 2281, 2282)
Rachel Wright (nee Jordache) - TIFFANY CHAPMAN (2237, 2239, 2245, 2249, 2251, 2254, 2280)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Bosko (Christopher Boscombe) - MATTHEW CITRINE (2234, 2238, 2243, 2244, 2246, 2250, 2252, 2267, 2268, 2272)
Megan Brindley - CHERYL MACKIE (2237, 2273)
Mr Chris Carlton - ANDY HENDERSON (2233-2236)
Karen Dalton - AMANDA HUMPHREY (2262, 2263)
Katrina Evans - ANN MARIE DAVIES (2233, 2234, 2237, 2238, 2240, 2245, 2248-2250, 2253, 2254, 2256, 2257, 2259-2261, 2264-2266, 2270, 2273-2275, 2278, 2279)
Harvey Fairhurst - EDWARD WISEMAN (2261, 2274)
Alasdair Finnegan - FREDDIE BOARDLEY (2259-2262, 2270)
Callum Finnegan - GERARD KELLY (2259, 2262, 2263, 2268-2270, 2273, 2280)
Rose Finnegan - AMANDA NOAR (2250, 2259-2261, 2277, 2280)
Don Gannon - SEAMUS NEWHAM (2235, 2236)
Rose Gannon (nee Musgrove) - NUALA WALSH (2234-2236)
Mr John Howard - MICHAEL LUMSDEN (2237, 2238, 2242)
Jerome Johnson - LEON LOPEZ (2237-2240, 2243, 2245-2247, 2249, 2252, 2253, 2255-2258, 2263, 2265, 2266, 2274-2277, 2279, 2280)
Mr C. B. Moore - ERIC POTTS (2238, 2239, 2241, 2242, 2244, 2250, 2252, 2283)
Lisa Morrisey - AMANDA NOLAN (2280)
Detective Sergeant Rose - ANDREW DUNN (2234)
Ruth Sweeney - RHIANNON WRIGHT (2239)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Sandra Eastwood - LESLEY NICOL (2250, 2267) [ Shelley Rimmer (432, 437, 438, 442, 453, 462, 464) ]
Alec George - IAN KEITH (2251) [ James (152) ]

NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Charlotte Andersen - EMMA FERGUSON (2280, 2281)
Shelley Bowers - ALEXANDRA WESCOURT (2259, 2262, 2269, 2271, 2275-2277)
Josh Carter - PAUL BARNHILL (2257, 2258, 2262, 2263, 2265, 2276, 2277, 2280)
James Corran - BRUCE ALEXANDER (2233-2236)
Lady Hilary Cuddington - ANGELA DOUGLAS (2272)
Lord Robin Cuddington - FRANCIS MATTHEWS (2272)
Deborah Lawson - DEBRA BEAUMONT (2272, 2276)

NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Abby - LUCY MARTINS (2248)
Judge Cooke - ELIZABETH BENNETT (2233-2236)
Lia - MEGAN MUNRO (2248)
Registrar - CRISPIN HARRIS (2237)
Victor the Vicar - ALEC MONTEATH (2265)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Andy, a heavy (2251)
Annette, a hitwoman (2268)
Brian, a heavy (2251)
Cheryl, secretary to Alec George (2251)
Cheryl, a contact of Lindsey (2258)
Devvo, a mate of Jerome (2263)
Helen, "Millennium Club" employee (2259)
James, an orderly (2271)
Jamie, a pupil (2244)
Lee, a mate of Josh (2258)
Linda, a pupil (2244)
Mark, a mate of Josh (2258)
Mooey, a supplier of dodgy pagers (2268)
Polly, a waitress at "The Shelf" (2280)
Mrs Robinson, a patient of Darren (2256)
Mr Thompson, a contact of Jacqui (2240)

From the beginning of this season, the opening and closing titles sequences and other captions are completely revised, presented in a different font. Although some images from earlier sequences still appear in the left-hand screen of the two which are now used in the ninth "Brookside" opening sequence, the realism of the series is also seriously reduced from this point onwards by the addition of a selection of extracts from the next episode in a similarly-placed screen in the closing sequence, while the unchanged closing music, accompanying the closing credits which roll past on the right, is faded down to enable the forthcoming dialogue to be heard.

Some of the images originally shown in the closing minutes of episode 2259 are repeated in the opening minutes of episode 2260.

The storylines:

Ron marries Anthea, and Katie discovers that Ryan has a secret daughter. Lindsey makes a new friend, and Jackie finds a new vocation, but causes Jimmy to lose his teaching job. Jacqui meets her potential in-laws, and Darren tells Victoria he wants her - but she goes back to Mark when he is diagnosed with an incurable disease. Mick decides to close the chip shop after a brief outbreak of food poisoning, and a more enduring atmosphere of racial tension brought to the Close by Josh, which leads to Jerome and Leo moving out, and an attack on Sinbad leaving him deaf. But the summer of 1999 is really, really not a good time for the Shadwicks - Luke is acquitted of the rape of Nikki, Greg and Jason are both killed by a bomb Callum explodes at the opening of the "Millennium Club", and Margi is rapidly becoming the only resident of the Close who doesn't know that her husband spent the last few months of his life having an affair with Susannah. Will she remain forever ignorant, or can someone eventually be persuaded to gently break this news to her?

The dates:

We are reminded that the day of the party at which Nikki was raped was Wednesday 23rd December 1998 (2233), and the day after was Thursday 24th December 1998 (2234) - both as seen in episode 2153; and we are told that Luke was arrested 18 days later (2234) - as seen in episode 2160 - and released 4 days later (2234) - as seen in episode 2162. It is Friday in episode 2238; it is still the same Friday, and then the following day - Saturday - in episode 2239; and it is Friday again in episode 2241. It is a year since Susannah married Max - seen in episode 2083 - in episode 2240; it is Wednesday in episode 2243; and, based on dialogue in that episode, it is Friday in episode 2244. Based on dialogue in episodes 2248 and 2249, it was Friday in episode 2247; it is Saturday in episode 2249; and it is Sunday, and 1999, in episode 2250. It is not yet 11th August in episode 2250; it is August in episode 2252, based on a wall-calendar; and it is Friday 13th in episode 2253. Based on dialogue in episodes 2253, 2254 and 2255, it is Tuesday in episode 2254, Thursday in episode 2255 and Friday in episode 2256; based on dialogue in episode 2257, it is Friday in episode 2259; and, based on dialogue in episodes 2261, 2264 and 2265, it is Monday in episode 2263, it is Thursday 9th September 1999 in episode 2265, and it is Wednesday in episode 2270. It is Sunday in episode 2266; it is Wednesday, and "Battle of Britain" Day, in episode 2267; and, based on dialogue in episode 2268, it was 10th August in episode 2251. Based on dialogue in episode 2270, it is Saturday in episode 2269; based on dialogue in episode 2271, it is Thursday in episode 2274; and, based on dialogue in episode 2272, it was Sunday in episode 2271. Based on the coffin plate seen in episode 2273, it was 27th August 1999 in episode 2259; based on dialogue in episode 2278, it is Monday in episode 2279; and, based on dialogue in episode 2279, it is Saturday in episode 2280.

Name-checks:

Kavanagh QC (2233); "Rushie" [Ian Rush, footballer who recently joined Wrexham] (2238); "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" (2239); Anne Robinson (2239); "Emperor" Blair (2239); Neil Diamond (2240); the "Chuckle Brothers" (2240); the "Bay City Rollers" (2142); Shakin' Stevens (2242); "Cruella" (2243, 2251, 2253, 2254, 2259, 2283); Kate Moss (2244, 2254, 2259); "Baywatch" (2245); Pamela Anderson (2245); "Heathcliff" and "Cathy" (2245); Lady Chatterley (2245); "Beardy" [Richard] Branson (2246); Ben and Jerry (2246); Houdini (2248); "Hannibal Lecter" (2248); Wincey Willis (2249); "Handy Andy" (2251); "Lord Snooty" (2252); Molly Cutpurse [highwaywoman] (2252); "Ma Baker" (2252); Dionysius, 6th century monk (2252); "Speedy Gonzales" (2253); Lara Croft (2253); "Sigmund" [Freud] (2253); [Alfred] Hitchcock (2253); "U2" (2254); "Blur" (2254); "Speed" [film] (2254); "Superman" (2254); "The Flintstones" (2254); Tarantino (2262); "Belle and Sebastian" [band] (2262); Kate Adie (2264); Laurel and Hardy (2264); "Jason", his wife "Medea", and the "Argonauts" (2267); the "Marie Celeste" (2267); "Tweedledum" (2267); "Frank Spencer" (2268); Billy Bremner (2268); "Romeo" (2269); "Ally McBeal" (2269); "King Caractacus" (2273); "Twelve Angry Men" [film] (2276); Schumacher (2277); Martin Luther King (2277); Florence Nightingale (2278); "Little House On The Prairie" (2278); "James Bond" (2280); "Austin Powers" (2280); "Judas" (2280); John and Yoko (2282); and Saddam [Hussein] (2283).

Locations:

Virtually all of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, the only exceptions being a number of scenes in episode 2272, which are set at and near Cuddington Hall, Cheshire.

Births:

None. Rachel is five months pregnant in episode 2254, and we are told that Sandra's unseen niece has recently given birth to an equally unseen daughter in episode 2250. We also learn that Ryan and Abby are both the same age (2249), and Abby gave birth to Lia, who is now 3 (2241, 2243, 2248, 2256), when she (2241, 2243, 2249) and Ryan (2241, 2242, 2243) were both 16 - or, according to Katie, Ryan was 17 (2246) - after becoming pregnant by him four years ago (2242).

It is Kelly's birthday in episode 2239, on Saturday; it is Kylie's seventh birthday, which is "tomorrow" in episode 2267, in episode 2268; and it is the 18th birthday of Leo, who is "almost 18" in episode 2267 and "18 this week" in episode 2269, in episode 2270. He is still 18 in episodes 2272 and 2281. Greg's coffin plate, seen in episode 2273, reveals that he was 42 when he died on 27th August 1999, which meant he was younger than Jimmy (2274); and we are told that Sandra is in her late 30's (2233), Luke turned 21 while on remand (2236), Susannah is "on the wrong side of 35" (2240), Josh was born nearly 6 years ago (2245), Victoria is "20-something" (2254), Kelly and Emily are both under 16 (2254), Jason and Little Jimmy died at the same age (2261), and Jason wasn't much older than Leo (2273); Nikki is 19 (2273), and Jacqui is a year older than Katie (2282).

Marriages:

One - Ronald William Dixon marries Anthea Sarah Brindley in episode 2237. It is one year since Susannah remarried Max in episode 2240; and we are told that Nathan "served" five years with the unseen Sarah (2235), and that Greg and Margi have been married "over 20 years" (2240) / "over 20-odd years" (2244) / "23 years" (2258).

Deaths:

Three - Greg Shadwick dies aged 42 on 27th August 1999 in episode 2259, a victim of the "Millennium Club" explosion; Jason Shadwick is also a victim of the same explosion in episode 2260; and Victor the Vicar is the victim of a gangland assassination in episode 2268. Based on dialogue in episodes 2261, 2264 and 2267, and a newspaper headline seen in episode 2261, it would seem that there was also a third fatality in the explosion - an un-named, unseen character. Other unseen but named dead characters are Mrs Irene Jones, a cleaner who was thought to have succumbed to food poisoning (2237), but the cause of whose death is later revealed to be peritonitis (2241); Jerome's father (2237, 2255, 2256, 2265, 2274, 2275, 2276); Greg's father (2239, 2258) / Tommy, Jessie's husband (2264); Tony, Jessie's true love, killed in Suez (2258); Jessie's mother, who lived through the Blitz (2261); Emily's Grandad Benson, whose cremation she remembers going to (2265); and Duncan, the father of Callum and Alasdair, who died on a November morning (2269).

Toilet visits:

Ryan (2234); Jason (2234); Margi (2234); Jimmy (2236 - three times. He has the "trots"); Ron (2237 - three times. He "keeps going" too); Rachel (2237 - twice); Nikki (2240 - twice, and 2265, "again"); Tim (2241 and 2250); Greg (2241); Susannah (2241); Mr Moore (2242); Katrina (2266); two unnamed ladies (2266); Jacqui (2271); Lindsey (2271); Sinbad (2271) and Megan (2271).

Mentioned, so far unseen, but bound to turn up later:

Nathan's brother (2251, 2261) / elder brother (2272); Susannah's mother (2262, 2271) - an alcoholic chain-smoker, not to be trusted (2271); Katrina's mother (2264, 2265, 2270 - and she is also mentioned in a note Katrina has written to Susannah in episode 2241); Katrina's father (2264, 2270); and Ian Leigh, a developer (2281). Plus.......Carol Smillie (2276) !

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

Gemma (2237, 2238, 2247, 2266, 2270, 2273) / Gems (2265); Ross (2242, 2243, 2266, 2274, 2278, 2280, 2281); Bev (2245); Josh (2245); Val (2247, 2255, 2261, 2268, 2269, 2283); the Banks (2247); the Simpsons (2247); Billy (2247, 2281); Heather, whose last name began with "H" (2247); the Harrisons (2247); Terry Sullivan (2247); Sue (2247); Nat (2247); Georgia (2247); Jerome's mother / Vonnie (2248, 2276, 2277 / 2258, 2281, 2282); DD (2249); Christian (2249); Bernie (2249, 2254, 2266, 2268, 2269, 2278, 2281, 2282, 2283); Barry Grant (2250, 2261, 2264, 2281); Susan Clarke (2257, 2263, 2276); Rory, bouncer (2259); Gary (2260, 2266); Little Jimmy (2261, 2269); Kathy (2261); Chloe (2262); Abbott (2263); Thornton (2263); Bing (2265, 2267) / Mr Crosbie (2265) / Bing Crosbie (2279); Sian (2265); Ben (2275); Emily [Farnham] (2278); and Faye (2278, 2279, 2280).

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

Dr Josephine O'Keefe, psychiatrist/expert witness (2234, 2235); Dr Whitelaw, who examined Nikki after the rape (2234); Sarah, Nathan's ex-eife (2235, 2238, 2271); Diana, Kerry, Cathy and Delores, Darren's "love 'em and leave 'em" girlfriends (2235); Gozzy, a mate of Greg (2237, 2238, 2241, 2272); Laura, a "Bar Brookie" barmaid with a bad stomach (2237); Mrs Jones's husband (2237); Margaret, a cleaner (2237); Mr Curtis, IT teacher (2238); Billy the Nerd, a "Trekkie" and former neighbour of Bosko, who moved to Wigan three months ago (2238); Jude (2239), Victoria's sister (2239, 2244, 2256); Brian, Rachel's stepfather (2242); Vinny Mac, a local garage owner (2243); Ian, who has been calling Lindsey (2243); Mr Leyton, from whom Greg is awaiting a quote (2243); Sven, with whom Katrina windsurfed on holiday (2243, 2244); Andy, who works in the leisure club laundry (2244); Bosko's mother (2246, 2268); Abby's mother and father in London (2248); Sandra's niece, and her recently-born daughter (2250); Jackie's mother (2250); Mr Salty (2250, 2267), a martyr to his back (2250); Pam / Pammy, an egghead friend of Darren (2251); Jilly, an aromatherapist/witch who Darren once took on a trip to Turkey (2251); Roy, a contact of Alec George (2251); Paul Hill, who needs a power shower fixing (2253); Sarah Austin, with whom Emily is going on holiday (2254); Lois Waters, a patient of Darren (2256); Gerald, from Victoria's work (2257); Andrew, a doctor who could cover for Darren (2257); Karen's mother and father (2263); Reverend Morrison, who officates at Jason's funeral (2265); the father of Devvo, a mate of Jerome (2266); Bosko's nan (2271); Anthony, Deborah's "long-gone" (2272); Jerome's auntie Joan in London (2277); and Bernie's cousin (2283).

Goofs:

In episode 2236, an unseen usher is heard referring to the case of The Crown and "MusgroveS"; at one point in episode 2240, Jerome describes the job for which he and Nikki are both being interviewed as a leisure "attendant" instead of "assistant"; and Jason's thirteenth and fourteenth words are in the wrong order in episode 2243: "Some clown's got hold of a load of them and stuck them ALL UP over Manor Park.".

In episode 2247, when she and Lindsey find the letters N and G on a wall after stripping off wallpaper, Jackie talks about several former inhabitants of number 9, including those that she has never met. "There was a young couple who lived here - aw, she died. I think it was a wiring accident". Jonathan had concealed that element of Laura's death from everyone except Terry, who was sworn to secrecy - so there is surely no way that Jackie, not even around at the time, should have known that!! "But their name didn't begin with a G.". Well, actually it did - Gordon-Davies. "It can't be the Harrisons, who lived here for a few years.". No, they didn't - they came and went within just a year!

Rachel either replaces "in for" with "into", or a "g" with an "l", in episode 2249: "As long as you know what you're letting yourself into.", and Katie is similarly torn between "nice long" and "longer" in episode 2251: "I can have a nice longer lunch hour.". Anthea adds an "s" to her last word in episode 2252: "They've got it all under controls.", and Luke omits one from his fourth word in episode 2256: "As far as everyone' concerned, I'm a sex offender.". And, after dialling "1471" in episode 2261, Jackie is unrealistically quick in hearing the previous caller's number, the option to redial it by pressing "3", and Karen's answerphone, to which she is transferred!

Niamh refers twice in episode 2270 to "Alec", when speaking to Jackie - "We're meeting Alec and the kids out there." - and Joey - "It was good of Alec to take the kids into town, wasn't it?". Surely she should have called him "Dad" ? And Margi's fourth, fifth and sixth words shuffle around in episode 2282: "How can I think of even going away and leaving you behind?".

Trivia:

Nathan went to Liverpool University (2272), and Darren has known - and fancied! - Victoria for nine years since they started at university (2256). Victoria and Mark's house is in Didsbury (2253), and Charlotte is a physio attached to Darren's practice (2281). Mr Moore is teetotal (2241), a committed Christian (2252), a hospital visitor (2283), and an assistant percussionist in a Salvation Army band (2250). He has supported the fayre at the "General" hospital (2247) for 20 years (2244), and follows the "Warrington Wolves" rugby league team (2250), as well as Wrexham FC (2238). The establishment he finds to be responsible for the food poisoning is the "Banger Heaven Hot Dog Stand", on the corner of Pilgrim Avenue and Mafeking Road (2244).

Josh has been working in London for the last three years, and the last time he saw Jason was when they worked together at Anfield four years ago (2257). Jason is doing a job in Digmore Street (2237), and his funeral takes place at 12.00 at South Sefton Crematorium (2261). Greg has left his van in Feltham Way, which is 100 yards through the woods (2238). Leo is seen looking at a copy of "Racer" magazine, which is Jason's (2253), according to Nikki, whose full name is Nicola Jessica Shadwick (2233). She receives a letter from Liverpool John Moores University, Roscoe Court, 4 Rodney Street, Liverpool L1 1TZ, showing its telephone numbers as 0151 231 5090 / 5091 and the fax number 0151 231 3194, expressing condolences on her recent losses and asking her to advise whether she intends to return in time for the second semester, which begins on Tuesday 18th January 2000 (2275).

The headline in the "Echo" which Jimmy is seen reading in episode 2261 is "THREE DIE IN NIGHTCLUB BLAST", and one of a pile of rejection letters he shows to Jackie is from "Bridus Security" (2281). She follows him to "The Village Inn", where he is having a drink with Karen (2262), whose father was a railway steward, and whose mother worked in a supermarket (2263). To gain access to Alec George, Lindsey poses as a representative of "Nu-Form Floor Coverings" (2251). The tax disc on Jerome's car, seen in episode 2247, expires at the end of March 2000; and Ryan is still driving taxi number 3024 (2247) from "Goldline Taxis", bearing the telephone number 0151-269-9696 (2249, 2279). When he was young, he used to do impressions of Frank Spencer (2268). Abby left home at the age of 15 (2248), and met Ryan in Rhodes when they were both 16 (2241).......see "Births" !

The telephone number 0151 269 5941 is seen again on Greg's van in episodes 2243, 2245, 2251, 2255 and 2256. His credit card number begins with 3546 (2242), and the flowers for Susannah which he orders with it are delivered in a van bearing the logo "Immortelle Florist" and an 0151 telephone number (2246). Flowers sent to Lindsey by Shelley, Rose's interior designer (2250), arrive in a van with the same logo - quite possibly the same van! - in episode 2262. The telephone number 0151 269 5341 is seen again on the "Great Grannies Agency" shop sign in episode 2258; and Ron is seen with a file marked with the name "ARROWSMITH" - presumably a "Great Grannies" customer - in episode 2276.

In his "A" levels Matt gets two Cs and a D (2256). He and Bosko want to get stones from "Addison's Yard" (2243). Callum, who would rather be listening to music by "Belle and Sebastian" than talking to Alasdair (2262), spent time in Borstal (2268); Susannah is in ward 3X (2271); and Rachel has been shopping at Sainsbury's (2249). There is a George Clooney poster on the wall of one of the girls' rooms in the bungalow (2271); art by Ansel Adams (2251, 2252) and Claude Monet (2252) still hangs in the solicitors' office; and art by Robert Delaunay is still on Susannah's wall (2255). Mr Moore (2238, 2241, 2242), Jackie (2251, 2264), Susannah (2258), Jacqui (2264), Mick (2264), Lindsey (2264), Ron (2267, 2268, 2276), and Margi (2269) are all right-handed, while Jimmy (2265) and Mike (2268, 2280) are left-handed.

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

Episode 2254 is the only one during which, for no obvious or explained reason, Emily is wearing glasses.

Katie's words in the original broadcast of episode 2282, "All the time he was shagging Susannah behind her back." are changed in the Saturday teatime omnibus repeat, in which a different recording of the same scene is used: "All the time he was doing it with Susannah behind her back.".

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

After he has accidentally knocked out of her hand a bottle she has just bought at the garage shop, Margi launches into an attack on Luke, blaming him for Nikki being an absolute wreck, coming home in such a state that she can't even stand up. She tells Katie that she should realise he is likely to drug and rape her too, and says Luke's parents must be stupid if they think he is innocent. Luke angrily tells Margi to leave his parents out of it, and suggests that Nikki might be drinking because she has just lost her brother and father. Margi accuses him of making the last year of their lives an absolute misery - and he asks her if that explains why Greg was so quick to jump into bed with Susannah.......

Season Fifty Six.......