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Season 7 Episode 28
Episode 320 Sky One Transmission Date: Sunday 18th April 2004 Directed by David Penn
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Marcel, Stuart
Stuart, Neville Southall, Viv
Tash, Chelsea |
GS: Dr. Newton (Christopher Ravenscroft) Mr James (Alan Chimes) Craig (Craig Wood) Neville Southall (as himself) With Viv having done a runner, Marcel steps up to go in goal. Harchester manage to hold their own for most of the game with Presley scoring ahead, but the game ends in a draw leaving the players placing the blame on Viv. After learning Chelsea is at her parents’, Viv goes straight round, only to find the police waiting for him. Mr James, who has never been a fan of his son-in-law, tries to keep he and Chelsea apart, but she comes out and agrees to talk. Chelsea tells Viv her whole life has been planned around his moods and she can't take it anymore, so she isn't coming back to him. Furious over Jeff bringing Tash into the business over her head, Nikki receives some shock advice from Pilar about how, as Jeff's partner, he cannot make official decisions without her agreement. Determined to get a new keeper, Stuart appoints Tash to see who is in the market. She comes back with Neville Southall, and Stuart couldn't be happier. Pilar finds a problem though - the FA are prepared to allow them a new keeper only provided they can prove through medical reports that Viv is unfit to play. Stuart now knows he will have to persuade Viv, whom he has just suspended, to visit a councillor. It works, and knowing it is what Chelsea has always wanted, Viv phones but gets her dad. He says he will pass on the news to his daughter, but doesn't. Tash brings Neville to a meeting with Stuart, Pilar and Dean, during which Stuart takes a call from Dr. Newton who has seen Viv. Whilst Dr. Newton confirms Viv does have a personality disorder, it is mental and not physical so shouldn't stop him playing. Stuart only needs to hear the disorder part to know the Southall deal can proceed. Neville is introduced to the lads, but Stuart gets a shock when Viv unexpectedly walks into the dressing room to see his replacement! Neville gets uncomfortable when Viv responds badly, and declines coming to the club. With Viv now in a worse state than before, Stuart and Ryan take Abi to Studs, where Viv is smashing glass bottle after bottle as if in a trance. They have to get Chelsea to him, so Tash visits her. Tash talks to Chelsea of how she regrets every day not taking control with Jamie when he was in his despair, and reveals how Viv is now seeing a psychiatrist. Chelsea realises her father kept this news from her, and packs her things to see Viv. As soon as Viv comes face to face with Chelsea again, and realises she will give him another chance, he finds his feet again and that night boards the coach to play at Southampton. Notes: Best Known For: Amongst Christopher Ravenscroft’s credits was a thirteen-year stint as Det. Insp. Mike Burden on “Ruth Rendall Mysteries”. The Best: How Neville Southall manages to do so much in his appearance, whilst having very little dialogue at the same time. Quotes: Tash doesn't take kindly to Jeff’s offer of being a company employee: "A CEO? Who works for Nikki Peggs?!" Mr James goes all Earl’s Park on Tash: "So you a Footballer's Wife as well?" Additional Info: Aside from a schedule change back to its original Wednesday evening slot during Season 3 in April 2000, the one week omission between this and the previous episode was the only time DT took an Easter break. What Was The Score?: A goal from Henry slips past inexperienced stand-in goalie Marcel, and the teams draw 1-1. |
