Season 4 Episode 1

Episode 203

 

Sky One Transmission Date:

Sunday 1st October 2000

 

Written By

Paul Hodson

 

Directed By

Currently Unknown

 

Prash, Lynda

 

 

Didier, Hankin, Ann

 

 

Jamie, Tash

 

 

Billy

 

 

Victoria

 

 

Lynda, Didier

GS: Paul Hankin (Leigh Cranston)  Jake Conlon (Billy Hill)  Emma Conlon (Jessica Hill)  Matt Coleman (Anthony Barclay)  Gary Bloom (as himself)  Ian Walker (as himself)

 

Didier takes his spot kick, which is saved by Ian Walker. When all looks lost, in that moment Luis darts forward and sees the ball into the back of the net. With no time to equalise, the final whistle goes and Harchester are saved. As everyone celebrates there is a pitch invasion by the fans. In the crowded tunnel, Gary Bloom wants a longer interview with Lynda, and she is fully prepared to reveal everything Prash and Didier just did. Prash warns Lynda if she does that Harchester will be relegated no matter what happened today. Lynda and Prash are unaware Paul Hankin was standing close by.

 

Three months pass to Harchester United's Press Day for the imminent 2000-01 season. Ray talks of how the arrivals of Matt Conlon from QPR and Jamie Parker from Chelsea have boosted the team following the departures of Luis and Billy. Of course Hankin is present for the event, and swoops in on Didier with has he heard the rumour about a Harchester player taking a bung? As the team and management pose for the season's squad photo, Hankin keeps his glare on Didier, and he knows it. The club's newly built housing estate for the players and families, The Barrons, has recently been completed, and Lizzie Conlon is moving in with she and Matt's young children Jake and Emma.

 

Eddie questions Fletch on his decision to "sell" his Lamborghini, and Fletch shuts down the subject. In Studs, Fletch gets a shock when he sees Kelly working behind the bar, and a quip about crushed ice makes him remind her their deal was to never mention the Lamborghini and he wouldn't do her for £150K. Jake's breathing is getting worse, to the point where Lizzie has to call an ambulance. Matt arrives home as the paramedics are transporting Jake to hospital, and Lizzie lashes out at Matt for taking a lift off Tash, whom she doesn’t recognise. Didier goes to Victoria who now house-shares with Lynda at The Barrons, and says he will sell his story to get the money for a divorce settlement, as he can't stand living with the guilt.

 

Matt informs Lizzie the woman who drove him home is married to the goalkeeper. Putting together a piece on Lynda, Hankin brings up the bribery allegation, which Lynda plays cool with, even when he uses Didier and Prash's names. Hankin goes right up to Ray and smarms about Didier taking a bribe, which incenses Ray who believes Didier is one of the most honourable people he knows. Lynda tells Didier he has to see Hankin, to find out exactly what he knows. The team watch Billy on TV in Studs, where he talks of his move to West Ham and how he misses the lads, especially Wes.

 

While conducting his profile, Hankin goads Didier about needing the bung to pay off debts, bringing his brother's failed business into things. Didier storms out luckily not managing to hit Hankin or his snapping photographer. Hankin makes sure to drop in Ann's pregnancy, but she won't tell him who the father is. Didier accuses Victoria of telling Hankin about his brother, and when she calls him a pitiful wimp, Didier hits Victoria in the face. Victoria tells Lynda she will go to the police and then the press, but Lynda says to leave the press as she can't lose the club, adding she will kill Didier if he comes near her.

 

Harchester face League Champions Manchester United in the first game of the season. Lizzie and Tash discuss Didier splashed over the papers and meet Kitty, who doesn't believe the stories. Lynda gets hold of Didier and warns him he better play his best out there today, and after the game he is coming back with her to Victoria where he will beg forgiveness for being a coward who hits a woman. Ray takes Didier aside and asks him did he take the bung. Didier lies to his oldest friend, and Ray believes him. They return to the dressing room to find Lynda waiting. She tells the team to forget the rubbish printed in the papers and tomorrow they make their own headlines by winning today.

 

In the first half, Victoria calls Prash to warn him she will be speaking with Hankin this afternoon. Hankin writes the cheque and records Victoria confirming Prash bribed Didier over the last game of the season. Prash barges into the house and takes Hankin's tape before stomping on it. He asks Victoria is twenty-five grand all she thinks she's worth, and Victoria asks Hankin to leave while she hears Prash's offer. To her shock, Prash starts kissing her. After the game Lynda walks into her house with Didier to be stopped in their tracks by Prash and Victoria lying undressed on the sofa.

 

Notes:

 

First appearances of Jamie Parker (Jim Alexander), Natasha “Tash” Parker (Angela Saunders), Campbell Hooper (Dean Holness), Matt Conlon (Paul Swinnerton) and Lizzie Conlon (Natalie J. Robb). Kitty Wyatt, now played by Choy-Ling Man is a regular from this episode.

 

Last appearance of Billy O’Neill (Phil Barantini). Last on-screen appearance of Luis Amor Rodriguez, although he is heard in voice-over form in 4.8 (#210)

 

Best Known For: Jim Alexander came straight from the regular role of Joe Walker in “London’s Burning” (1998-2000), also the recurring role Carl Jones in “The Bill” and the film “Bloody Sunday” (both 2002)

 

Paul Swinnerton appeared in “Rough Treatment” (2000), “Beech Is Back” as DS Donohue (2001) and the film "Gifted" (2003)

 

Dean Holness was one of the many DT alumni to feature in the iconic “Mike Bassett England Manager” (2001) and following DT resumed his playing career with stints at Southend United, Fisher Athletic and Banstead Athletic.

 

Choy-Ling Man appeared in “Frank Stubbs” (1993), “Brookside” as Amy Ying (1989-90, with a return in 1999) and “Oscar Charlie” (2001-02)

 

Natalie J. Robb has had a number of regular roles on TV with “(Take The) High Road” as Trish McDonald (1990-99), “Doctors” as Dr. Jude Carlyle (2001-04), “The Bill” as PC Andrea Dunbar (2004-05) and Moira Barton/Dingle in “Emmerdale” from 2009 to present.

 

The Best: Fletch put out when the press and photographers desert him for the arrival of glamorous goalkeeper’s wife Tash Parker, and go wild when Tash models a Parker #1 kit which Jamie joins her in for the money shot. Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke coming in to feature during the Man United/Harchester scenes. Andy Ansah later revealed Cole had been on England duty when he came in to film the scenes.

 

Logic: Hankin refers to Didier having been at Monaco for three years, where he played with Luis, before transferring to Harchester in 1999. Surely he must have been with the Ligue 1 side longer, as in Season 3 Luis talks of when he had left Monaco eight years previously (c. 1992). Kitty also says here she has known Didier for many years.

 

Quotes: Victoria, on keeping quiet about the bribe: "Oh yes I've been blabbing like a fishwife. I've had 'Prash bunged Didier' t-shirts printed!"

 

Foreshadowing: Lizzie avoids the subject to Victoria of why the Conlon’s left London, blaming it on the traffic irritating Jake's asthma. Matt is worried when Hankin spots him being given a lift by Tash, for she's a beautiful blonde(!) (4.5 / #205)

 

Additional Info: This episode marked Dream Team’s move on Sky One to Sunday evenings, starting in a 6:30PM timeslot though by Christmas it had moved to 7PM. Hankin remarks to Didier how he didn't make the French side for Euro 2000, presumably down to his poor form at the end of the season. Tash tells Lizzie of how she and Jamie have been married for three months.

 

What Was The Score?: Dwight Yorke scores for Man U while Didier puts them level with a goal, and the game finishes 1-1.

 

Soundtrack: The Knack: "My Sharona" (Dream Team Season 4 Promotional Advert),  Bentley Rhythm Ace: "Theme from 'Gutbuster'",  Marc Et Claude: "I Need Your Lovin' (like sunshine)",  Ian Brown: "Love Like A Fountain"

 

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