Plot[]
Elaine should have taken her father's advice to stay well clear of Robert. When she agrees to go for a drive with him it turns out to be a journey from hell. Randy Robert tries it on one too many times, upsetting Elaine who tells him to keep his hands to himself. Clearly not concentrating on the road, miffed Robert loses control and the car collides with a nearby tree, before coming to a halt. Moments later terrified Robert comes around to find Elaine unconscious in the passenger seat. Unsure whether she is dead or alive, Robert panics as he realises he may have just killed his girlfriend. But Elaine's life isn’t the only thing on Robert's mind, as he selfishly worries that he will lose his licence and livelihood if the authorities find out he was responsible for the crash. In a state of shock Robert staggers from the car and moves Elaine from the passenger seat, placing her behind the wheel, to give the impression she was driving. Andy arrives just in time to witness his foolish actions, pleading with his brother to tell the truth to the authorities. As he waits for the ambulance, Robert tries to compose himself. Elaine's life hangs in the balance as he prepares to lie to the police and her family about who was driving. The Marsdens arrive at the hospital, with distraught Ronnie venting his anger at Robert. The family are horrified to learn that Elaine could have a fracture in her skull which may cause disability or even be fatal. Anxiously they all wait to hear results of the scan. Rodney finally gets his planning permission for the property, allowing him to pay off his debts to the loan shark and secure the deal with the buyer. Pollard’s change of heart is bought on when Gloria gives her husband an ultimatum of his marriage or the million pounds. Threatened by the blossoming relationship between Steph and Eric, Gloria also decides to spend less time in London and more time at her husband's side. Although Danny is thrilled that Ollie has been granted a university place, he struggles to see their relationship surviving the long distance. He summons the courage to tell her that he doesn’t want her to go to Manchester alone, but Ollie is adamant that a weekend relationship can work. Reluctantly, Danny splits up with his girlfriend, telling a tearful Ollie that if he can’t see her all the time then it's not going to work. Len organises a celebratory party for his granddaughter, however the occasion is marred by the news of the car crash and situation between Ollie and Danny.
Cast[]
Regular cast[]
- Robert Sugden - Karl Davies
- Elaine Marsden - Samantha McCarthy (3545 only)
- Betty Eagleton - Paula Tilbrook
- Edna Birch - Shirley Stelfox
- Len Reynolds - Peter Martin
- Ollie Reynolds - Vicky Binns
- Danny Daggert - Cleveland Campbell
- Ronnie Marsden - Ray Ashcroft
- Emily Kirk - Kate McGregor
- Gloria Pollard - Janice McKenzie
- Rodney Blackstock - Patrick Mower
- Steph Stokes - Lorraine Chase
- Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell (3545 only)
- Alistair Marsden - Danny Tennant
- Frances Marsden - Sandy Walsh
- Pearl Ladderbanks - Meg Johnson
- Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
- Louise Appleton - Emily Symons
- Katie Addyman - Sammy Winward
- Diane Blackstock - Elizabeth Estensen
- Andy Sugden - Kelvin Fletcher
- Jarvis Skelton - Richard Moore (3546 only)
- Victoria Sugden - Hannah Midgley (3546 only)
- Nicola Blackstock - Nicola Wheeler (3546 only)
- Laurel Potts - Charlotte Bellamy (3546 only)
- Paul Marsden - Matthew Booth (3546 only)
- Siobhan Marsden - Abigail Fisher (3546 only)
- Shelly Williams - Carolyn Pickles (3546 only)
- Jack Sugden - Clive Hornby (3546 only)
- Paddy Kirk - Dominic Brunt (3546 only)
Guest cast[]
- Howard Bevan - Mark Noble (3545 only)
- Dave McGee - Steve Garti
- Nick Smith - Andrew McHugh (3545 only)
- PC Gadsen - Peter Foster (3546 only)
- Dr Conchannon - Will Tacey (3546 only)
- Nurse Isaacson - Gloria Benjamin (3546 only)
- Guy Denton - Darren Machin (3546 only)
Locations[]
- Village Store, Post Office & Off-Licence - Exterior and shop floor
- Main Street
- Jacobs Fold - Living room/kitchen
- Café Hope - Café
- Mill Cottage - Dining room and living room
- The Antique Barn - Shop floor
- Holdgate Farm - Exterior
- The Woolpack - Public bar and beer garden
- Tenant House - Living room/kitchen
- Field
- Unknown road
- Hotten General Hospital - Ward and relatives' room
Notes[]
- This double-length episode, consisting of two episodes combined into one with two production codes, was broadcast in a one-hour slot at the usual time of 7.00pm. There was no episode broadcast on Tuesday 30th September due to a UEFA Champions League Live match, coverage of which started at 5.15pm.
- Stuart St Paul was credited as Stunt Co-ordinator, while Crispin Layfield and Heather Phillips were credited as performing Stunts on this episode.
- TV Times synopsis: Robert finds himself concocting a web of lies after a drive in the country leaves Elaine in intensive care; Rodney basks in his success; and Len finds an ally in Pearl.
- Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 11,090,000 viewers (9th place).
Memorable dialogue[]
Robert Sugden: (to Elaine Marsden) "If I was gonna fancy a lesbian then I'd go for Zoe Tate, she's loaded."
| September 2003 episodes |
|---|
| ← Mon 1st • Tue 2nd • Wed 3rd • Thu 4th • Fri 5th • Mon 8th • Tue 9th • Wed 10th • Thu 11th Fri 12th • Sun 14th • Mon 15th • Tue 16th • Wed 17th • Thu 18th • Fri 19th • Sun 21st Mon 22nd • Tue 23rd • Wed 24th • Thu 25th • Fri 26th • Mon 29th → |