Season 1 Episode 4

Episode 4

 

Episode Title: “Nightmare McCarthy”

 

Sky One Transmission Date:

Wednesday 22nd October 1997

 

Written By

Zeddy Lawrence

 

Directed By

Bill Britten

 

Georgina

GS: Stephen Baker (Ian Middleton)  Gemma Potter (Gem Durham)

 

Dean wasn't so shocked to find Georgina in his bed that he didn't spend the night with her, and early the next morning, he is in a rush to get her out of the Baker’s unseen. Before making a move, Georgina hides her bra inside Dean’s pillow case. They are nearly rumbled by Sean and Vincent just getting in from their night out in Studs, and then Lynette home from her nightshift at the casino. They make it out with only Conor aware she was there, but Georgina demands Dean give her a lift home.

 

At the Patcham's, Lucy is convinced Dean went home at 9PM like the golden boy player he is. Frank shares that he is worried about the club's current situation - the uncertainty of who will replace Big Ron and whether it will lead to himself being replaced by the new management. Des tells Zoe the situation with Conor still having no room can't go on, but she is still threatening to leave if she loses her room. There is surprise when Dean offers to have Conor share his room.

 

Frank is further rattled when Jacobs has organised a press conference taking place in the boardroom after the match, regarding "big changes" to happen at the club. As the youth team board the coach for West Ham away, Sean excuses his lack-of-sleep plus hangover for food poisoning to Frank.  Conor gets his game but his fears are getting to him, and Frank can see him giving the ball away. Soon West Ham's Youth have scored.

 

Frank is displeased with the team's first half performance, and reminds them one of the greatest players, Bobby Moore, trained on the same pitch they are playing on, which should make it good enough for them. In the second half, Sean steps up and tells Frank he is feeling ready to go on, and Conor is substituted. Zoe visits Gemma at work at the hairdressers, where they talk about their future plans to go globetrotting. When Zoe says she needs the money first, Gemma says there's a job going there. Sean coming on pays off as he scores, and the game ends in a draw.

 

Lucy is amongst the media scrum that surround Jacobs as he returns to the club, and she asks whether John Hollins will be appointed permanent manager. Dean isn't as impressive against Derby County as on his debut. The youth team coach arrives back at the club, and Frank, while proud of Sean's goal today, sets it straight that if he happened to be out clubbing the night before, his feet won't touch the ground. Des arrives home glum after the goal-less game, and Stephen tells him Zoe has a job interview to be a hairdresser.

 

Jacobs speaks in front of the gathered team, club staff and press in the boardroom, revealing Dream Inc's new three-year sponsorship of Harchester. At the end of his speech, Jacobs invites his daughter, Georgina, into the room. Dean thinks he's had the biggest shock but it gets worse, as Dream Inc have also bought her a birthday cake - for today is her sixteenth birthday! The crowd sings Happy Birthday as Georgina makes eye contact with Dean, who realises the full weight of what he's got himself into.

 

Notes:

 

The Best: Dean rattled to witness Fletch drive Lucy into the club, after he passed her broken down. More just desserts come his way with the revelation of Georgina’s true identity.

 

Foreshadowing: Dean, still unaware of her identity when dropping her off, sees Georgina's house, and remarks she is a rich girl. Zoe Baker’s travelling abroad exit is discussed only four episodes in – with another sixty eps to go for the character!

 

Additional Info: Conor tells Vincent of his biggest game to date being his school Cup Final Regional Cup where he scored a hat-trick for them to win two years in a row. Now Dragon's caretaker, Des mentions John Hollins's time as Chelsea manager (1985-1988), whilst the solitary England cap he picked up which Des couldn't remember against who but was sure he was at, was against Spain in May 1967. Dream Inc’s new 3-year sponsorship deal lasts until May 2000, amounting to a total of five million pounds.

 

What Was The Score?: A first-half lead for West Ham’s youth, followed by Hocknell coming on to replace the struggling McCarthy, sees him score and Harchester draw 1-1. John Hollins’s first game overseeing the first team vs. Derby County sees Dean taken off for Fletch in the 63rd minute, and a goal-less finish.

 

Soundtrack: Blur: "Song 2",  Cast: "Free Me"

 

Behind The Scenes: For filming, the “West Ham” youth team seen here were actually Spurs’ own youth team.

 

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