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Beryl Brookman, Andy Grant, Lynda
Peggsy, Lynda
Dawn, Mr Perez
David, Claudia |
GS: Beryl Brookman (Maureen Flynn) Mr Perez (Christopher Panayi) Bill Martin (James Carcaterra) Studs Manager (Fenton Gee) Lynda sets Claudia to work organising the Christmas party, and Claudia schemes to show Sam up following his harsh words after the poster debacle. Monday feels awful when Jamie admits he is the only person who can help him speak to Tash, having just slept with her. Claudia requests Andrei’s Ukrainian home brew, coming at almost 90% proof for the party. Monday and Tash reflect on their sleeping together, and are unaware that Claudia has overheard them. The party gets underway and even Harchester's mayor Beryl Brookman has turned up, although she insists she never drinks! Lynda gets her first taste of Claudia's plotting when the Supporters Association gatecrash the party. Claudia encourages Bill, the chair of the trust to vent his frustrations regarding the squad to her "very approachable" father. Lynda is starting to feel the effects of the brew and goes outside for some air, aided by Peggsy. When Lynda learns Peggsy is eighteen, she excitedly recalls how at that age she had so many boyfriends, before announcing she is going to be sick. Tash dances with Monday, and Claudia remarks to Jamie how close they look, which arouses Jamie's suspicions until he confronts Tash, who cannot deny she slept with Monday. Jamie makes a loud scene, accusing Tash of doing this because she thinks he slept with Victoria, and is about to bring up why he really went to see her at the clinic when Fletch knocks him out to shut him up! Sam and Dawn assist Jamie to the treatment room where they walk in on David and Claudia making out! Lynda arrives at the club the next morning to be surrounded by press yelling questions on David being sacked. Monday gives Lynda a further headache on top of her hangover by announcing he will be putting in a request for a transfer. The team are on Jamie's side and refuse to train with Monday. Lee the physio informs him David isn't the manager anymore - it is Monday's role again. Sam wants to take Claudia on a plane out of England, but she throws at him that he's a patronising absentee excuse for a father. David stands before Dawn and tells her the marriage is over, and he will not contest a divorce. He is also unable to deny to Dawn when she asks if he is in love with Claudia. David sits with Claudia in the stands, and Claudia tells him she can't love him the way he does her. Claudia shows Sam how he is letting his grudge against David, who wasn’t entirely to blame, ruin the clubs chances when they have a big game in Italy coming up. She asks Sam to talk to David. Sam finds David in the dressing room, and while open to giving him a second chance, David's mind has already been made up. He cannot stay in Harchester knowing he can't be with the woman he loves, and has lost authority with the lads. David informs Sam he could have taken the club all the way, but the Irvings have ruined him. David walks out to the press, giving his resignation speech as he gets into his car and drives away, with a sombre Claudia watching from the window. Notes: Last appearance of David Spears (Simon Merrells) The Best: Nikki taking revenge having watched Stevie flirt with other women all night, and feeds him sushi marinated in wasabi following which he drowns himself in a jug of orange juice. Mayoress Brookman, well and truly sloshed on Andrei's brew, wanting to liven up the party with a Latin number and drags Mendoza’s agent Mr Perez onto the floor. David reading to Claudia what he'd written for his vow renewal. Only his words were not about Dawn, they are for Claudia. Foreshadowing: Arriving at the party are agents, one of whom is Mr Perez, of Roberto Mendoza. His appearance does not in fact come until as far away as next season (6.5). Continuity: Lynda tells Peggsy some of the best things that have happened to her have been here at the club, before remembering to add also the worst. It is Dawn's turn to do the Harchester United Christmas party Tango, with Mr Perez in place of Luis this time (2.32). Additional Info: Lynda tells Sam they can't lose David now for they have two 3rd Round UEFA Cup games over the next fortnight and two big League games. Soundtrack: Chris Rea: "Driving Home for Christmas", Ian Brown: "F.E.A.R.", Tom McRae: "End of the World News" |
