Season 4 Episode 25Episode 227 Sky One Transmission Date: Sunday 8th April 2001 Written ByIan Ridley Directed By Craig Lines |
Ray, Prash
Fletch, Matt
Jamie, Danny, Joe
Fletch, Eddie
Victoria, Lynda |
GS: Joe Rawsthorne (Andy Moore) Prash is furious at being not only blamed by the press for the team's loss to Villa, but that Victoria confirmed the paternity of Lynda's baby to the press without him instructing her to do so. Prash then gets a call from Hankin who informs him of Lynda's miscarriage, and is worried when the questions start over whether Lynda losing the club contributed to this. Ray tends to a fragile Lynda at The Grange, and Kitty has to watch. With Kitty feeling humiliated, Ray commits to them returning to Devon leaving the West Ham game as Prash's problem now. Ray goes straight to Prash and informs him he wants to leave now, as his contract expired a while ago but was never renewed. When Prash adds he was sorry about Lynda's news, Ray grabs hold of him and yells this was his fault for forcing Lynda out and then his girlfriend planting the story in the press. Ray then faces the lads with how due to circumstances with the new chairman he has had to resign, and Andy will take charge of things for the last game. The team are stunned Ray is going, apart from Fletch who is gloating. Prash however, has already got on the phone to Jeff to help him find a new manager. Prash addresses the team with how Fletch will be in charge, and only Eddie is buoyed up by this news. Fletch won't listen to Danny when he is told Jamie's gambling is affecting the team, because Jamie isn't in his plans for the team anyway. Fletch is not impressed with Matt challenging his decisions, not to mention forgetting to refer to him as "boss"(!) and adds come the weekend he will be managing and wearing the captain's armband! It takes one day in charge for Fletch to have wound up the whole team, and they know something must be done. Fletch holds a press conference where he is certain he won't just be caretaker but a permanent manager. Sandra overhears Prash telling Jeff he plans to replace Fletch soon as. Prash tells Victoria Fletch’s press conference was a shambles and he is bringing in a chief exec from the business world, adding he doesn't see a role for her within the club. Victoria is shocked when Prash informs her he plans to wind up Patterson-Palmer and will not be getting the half million she was promised. Victoria warns Prash he won't get away with using her. Matt and Monday go to Ray with how he brought them to the club, and if he returned for the last game he would be the toast of the clubs in Europe for his next job. Victoria finds herself drifting towards booze, but is tempted by revenge when Fletch arrives and they are soon making out. It is an unenjoyable experience, and Victoria spills to Fletch that Prash has dumped her and soon it will be his turn. Fletch doesn't believe her as he has his talent to keep him in, and left alone, Victoria hits the booze. Danny tells Jamie he's brought a man who understands what he's going through, and introduces him to Joe, his father. Joe reveals to Jamie how Danny didn't speak to him for seven years after what his gambling had done to the family. Eddie confronts Fletch in his new office, and when Fletch drops him for the game, Eddie grabs hold of Fletch. Fletch deliberately winds Eddie up and tells him he is fining him two weeks wages. Joe explains to Jamie that he is going to have to take it day by day not having a bet, and whenever the urge is strong, he is to phone him to talk. Sandra tells Fletch how she heard Prash instructing Jeff to find the club a foreign coach after the next game. Danny and Joe seem to be on better terms, with Danny saying maybe they could go for a drink next week. Fletch confronts Prash, who manages to keep Karl on side with how the discussion of a foreign manager was only if they'd rushed into things too quickly with Fletch having years of playing ahead of him, and if he wins the West Ham game, the job is permanently his. Victoria turns up at Lynda's room, staggeringly drunk, and admits to Lynda it was she who told the press about the baby being Ray's, and Prash has ditched her. Lynda has no sympathy and hands Victoria drinks from her minibar to continue her bender before throwing her out on her face! Lynda next gets a visit from Kitty, who is compassionate about the loss of her baby. Danny opens his heart to Ray on how his managing has taken him from boy to man in his first season in the Premiership. Ray finds Kitty has unpacked his things, and she tells him he has to stay for the game. Ray addresses the team with how he will finish what they started with him gaffer one last time. Notes: Last appearance of Kitty Wyatt (Choy-Ling Man) Best Known For: Amongst his career Andy Moore has played the semi-regular PC Mike Swirling in “Emmerdale” since 2004, currently having appeared in more than 100 episodes. The Best: Lynda describing to Lizzie about how she was able to hold her baby, who she learnt was a boy and her grief over not being able to help him. Fletch's first training session, with his hastily printed KF tracksuit, and life-size replica of a table football set built in the club's gym. Danny’s last ditch attempt to convince Ray to stay for the all-important last game and presenting Ray with the Man U shirt he swapped with Roy Keane after Danny took Ray’s advice and stood up to him on the pitch. Quotes: Ray’s iconic “You lie. You cheat. You blackmail people” bereaved father’s rage at Prash, before pushing Prash's chair backwards and yells he's lucky he doesn't put him through the window! Eddie, on Fletch’s power-trip coaching: “The only way he’s ever gonna make a coach is if they take out his teeth and put fifty-two seats in there!” Foreshadowing: Ray’s shut down comment to Kitty on how he is not ready to talk with her about the loss of his baby with Lynda suggests this is something that will hang over them long after they’ve left Harchester behind. Additional Info: We learn Ray and Kitty did not sell their farm when moving to Harchester but left it in the hands of tenants who will be leaving a couple of weeks early, so he and Kitty can get back to Devon as soon as possible. Soundtrack: Fatboy Slim Feat. Macy Gray: “Demons” Behind The Scenes: Originally it was planned for Paul Merson to come in and be Jamie’s confidant in his gambling addiction, but when Merson was unavailable to film the character of Joe Rawsthorne was introduced early to film the scenes. |
