Season 3 Episode 7

Episode 147

 

Sky One Transmission Date:

Tuesday 12th October 1999

 

Written By

Chris Fewtrell

 

Directed By

Dominic Keavey

Michael, Ann

 

 

Kelly

 

 

Marilyn

 

 

Frank, Billy

 

 

Luis, Mica

 

 

Scott, Wes, Eddie, Fletch

GS: Frank Patcham (John Salthouse)  Karl Fletcher (Terry Kiely)  Mica Hocknell (Katisha Kenyon)  D.I. Dawson (Eddie O’Connell)

 

The team gather at the church for the club's memorial. Michael can't face a minister telling them why kids had to die, and how it nearly was he and Ann in their place. Fletch has arrived, and he hugs Luis, who says Frank is on his way. Jerry greets Fletch, and Luis can’t take his eyes off Lynda. Inside, Scott asks Wes why he's come when he didn't know any of those killed, and Wes replies he wanted to do the right thing today. Kelly turns around and sees Fletch, but he doesn't acknowledge her. The minister begins just as Frank enters, saying today they remember a group of young people whose lives were tragically cut short a fortnight ago. He adds it is not his task to give an explanation for what occurred, they will probably never know the full truth.

 

The memorial is played through the tannoy to the Lair for the gathering fans to listen. Frank stands at the podium to talk about the lads he knew best - Leon and Sean. While it is sad to think about what they didn't get the chance to achieve, it should be remembered that the two experienced more joy while they were here than most do in a lifetime. They will never be forgotten, because each lad that comes through the youth team and into the first will be living their dream. Billy stands to read a poem he and the lads have put together, but halfway through he breaks down and Michael comes to finish it. Kelly leads the hymn "Abide With Me", during which Mica enters the church, to Fletch's fury.

 

Afterwards, Jerry is thanking the guests when Marilyn Harwood appears. She works for the Far East division of Block Enterprises. Jerry breaks away when he sees D.I. Dawson. Billy feels he made a fool of himself but Ann says everyone understands as Leon was his mate. Fletch makes a beeline for Mica and asks whether she's come to claim her inheritance. Mica responds with how she left because Sean asked her to, what was his excuse? Fletch says Sean understood as it was football, but she has clearly touched a nerve. D.I. Dawson tells Jerry if the same man who shot Lynda also tampered with the aircraft, he could well be here today.

 

The wake is held in the Players' Lounge, and Jerry tells Luis he hears Johnny Rizzanella is still around, sussing that Luis hasn't signed terms yet. Frank wants to say bye to Billy before he heads off for his trip down the M5. Billy tells him this is the first time anything like this has happened to him, and Frank replies experience doesn't make death any easier, but he will find a way of getting through this. Mica approaches Luis, and says if she could take back what happened between them. Luis adds she can't, while he's sorry any of them are in this situation, he has no other words for her. When Fletch overhears Scott remark on how Wes couldn't be worse to play off than Sean, he faces up to him and tells Scott he will never be the player Sean was. When Scott refuses to take it back, Fletch punches him and he falls backwards onto Eddie and the lads.

 

Marilyn advises Jerry to think around his last phone call with Biloo, and how his word as chairman is worth more to say he did organise it as an official club flight. Mica enters, and makes her claim clear - she was still married to Sean and because he was killed on club business she is entitled to compensation. She wants a million pounds but when Jerry refuses she says she'll see him in court, and hopes his insurance is good! Fletch is getting in his taxi when Kelly chases after him. He tells her he is going back to Spain tomorrow but wants some fun with her at The Grange like old times. Kelly knows that after tonight he will leave her behind again and says no thanks. Fletch is shocked she turned him down.

 

Eddie overhears Michael and Ann discussing how if Luis leaves for Madrid the wheels will come off at Harchester. Mica finds Kelly crying and tells her she envies her, she wishes she could cry. Kelly tells her she can't stop, but she'll be all right - she always is. In the gents Scott is examining his bloody mouth for a missing filling, and says he's going to sue that "toe-rag" Fletcher. Eddie spills to the lads what he heard about the gaffer going, and when it is learnt that Luis hasn't signed terms yet, Scott seizes it as wait until the press learn he didn't sign until after the crash. To their surprise, Luis opens the toilet door behind them having heard it all.

 

Jerry asks Marilyn to give him a year to save the club and he'll let her write her own cheque. They agree the £6M they'll get from Real Madrid for Rodriguez will be a good start, and Jerry is certain he will sign. Luis tells the boys he asked the chairman for this move, before the tragedy happened. Michael adds if he leaves now Luis will never be able to step foot in this country again. Scott snaps to forget what the press say, how about how his team mates feel. Luis says he's had a bad time at Harchester which they do not know about, and all he's wanted to do is get away and forget, but can't because... and goes to say Lynda, but swerves and says it is this team. Luis confirms tomorrow he will go to Jerry and tell him the deal is off.

 

Notes:

 

First appearance of Marilyn Harwood (Amanda Abbington)

 

Last appearance of Mica Hocknell (Katisha Kenyon) who left in 2.74 (#138). Also last appearances of Frank Patcham, until his flashback guest appearance in 10.31 (#418) The Final Whistle Part One, while John Salthouse is producing the show until the end of Season 4. And Terry Kiely as Karl “Fletch” Fletcher until his second regular stint begins from 3.48 (#188).

 

·          Best Known For: Another acting-success story from DT’s female cast, Amanda Abbington has more than 60 credits including Bernard's Watch (2004), Man Stroke Woman (2005-07), After You've Gone (2007-08), Married Single Other (2010), Case Histories (2011-13), the regular role of Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge (2013-16), Mary Watson in the acclaimed Sherlock (2014-2017) and Safe (2018).

 

The Best: The memorial returns of Frank, Fletch and Mica (plus Clare/Clay in the previous ep). The right amount of returns all serving worthwhile purposes. Luis finally gets his chance to speak to Lynda, but all they can say is they are well as Marilyn observes the awkward reunion. Frank’s talk with Billy and for him to do what Leon would have and go have a drink with the others. Fletch landing a well-deserved smack on Scott - you do not diss a man’s dead best friend! Though we know the Scott of later on would not have done this.

 

·          Quotes: Fletch, upon hearing Scott’s criticism of Sean: "No disrespect? You even talking about him is disrespect. I tell you he was ten times the player you are, or ever likely to be, you got me?".  Scott, upon learning of Luis’s possible move away from the club: "You know I had him down for a lot of things... but never the rat, who would leave the sinking ship".

 

Continuity: Frank sharing with Michael and Ann of how Sean was when he first arrived from Newcastle.

 

·          Additional Info: Michael asks how (Bristol) City is and Frank replies it's a good set up and he thinks they'll make the Play Offs. Jerry lays down his dire financial situation to Marilyn: The stadium budget of thirty million went over by a further twelve and he has to find half a million a month in interest payments. Jerry claims he took his eye off the ball because of the shooting and Lynda's illness.

 

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