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Season 8 Episode 20
Episode 344 Sky One Transmission Date: Directed by Kate Robinson
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Jodie
Gina, Don, Frank
Frank's message to his wife
Curtis, Fletch, Lee
Dean, Nathan, Barker |
GS: Eli Knox (Shane Lynch) Nathan Woods (Ike Hamilton) Dr. Garrett (Heather Bleasdale) Dr. Raynor (Jonathan Tafler) Commentator (Gerry Armstrong) Don wakes up in hospital to find Jodie at his bedside. He learns it is the day after he collapsed and Harchester are currently playing Millwall. The doctor tells Don he suffered an angina attack and Don remembers what Dean was about to do. Don is determined to get to him and discharges himself against Jodie and the doctor's wishes. At the club Gina tells them nobody can find Dean so she called the police, adding there are people from UEFA waiting and Don goes to find out what they know. The UEFA men have no idea why Dean called the meeting, and the police arrive. Don and Gina are told that Dean has been badly beaten and is in a coma. As they come in from beating Millwall, Gina tells Frank of Jodie's return. Jodie asks Frank if they got back together would he still want to sleep with men and he is unable to answer. Jodie tells Frank there are consequences for his actions, and after she had a full check-up learnt she is pregnant. Frank says he has never wanted anything more than to be a father, but Jodie is considering an abortion. Don visits Dean and asks the doctor if he will have any chance of remembering events before the attack. Dr. Raynor tells him that it's difficult to say although they are confident Dean will make a full recovery. Don shows up to training to everyone's surprise. He tells them they are playing the same formation for Lazio as before, which Fletch isn’t happy about as he considers the way they won against Millwall the way forward. Frank defends Don's formation to Fletch and Fletch susses Frank is about to become a father. Frank tells Fletch not to say anything as Don doesn't know. Don takes part in a Sky Sports phone-in and a familiar sounding caller phones in. The caller reminds Don that Harchester won the Millwall game comfortably despite Don not managing that game, and Don knows it's Fletch. Fletch and Don get into a heated argument which ends with Fletch informing Don of Jodie’s pregnancy! Jodie is horrified Frank told Fletch and Don accuses Frank of only wanting a kid “so people won't think he's queer”. Don collapses in pain and Frank and Jodie take him to the hospital. Gina witnesses this and tells Fletch what he has caused before slapping him. Jodie cries to Don that she's so confused, and Don asks her to let him sort it i.e. an abortion. As the club gears up for the match against Lazio, Gina accompanies Jodie to the Harchester Health Clinic. The receptionist is distracted by the game which makes it all the more uncomfortable when Jodie has to give her name. The referee gives a controversial penalty to Lazio. Don is furious and is sent from the technical area as Lazio score. As Don is preoccupied with loudly challenging the ref's abilities, Fletch takes the opportunity to use his own formation for the second half, telling the lads it is Barker’s instructions. Before long Fletch scores equalising with Lazio. Don phones Andy from the stands to get the boys to switch back as before. As Jodie is about to sign the forms, she has a look at the game and sees Frank take the penalty and score. As he celebrates, Frank lifts his shirt to reveal a message written for Jodie, that he is sorry and loves her. Jodie knows she is making a mistake, telling Gina they should just get out of there. The full time whistle blows and Harchester have won. Eli phones Don and reminds him he honours his bets, thus Don is still the manager. Fletch tries to tell the lads the winning turnaround in the second half was all down to him, but Andy doesn’t back him up in the face of Barker, and the lads laugh at Fletch trying to take the credit. Curtis then gets a call from the hospital that Dean is awake and the lads head over to see him. Dean says it was a couple of thugs that attacked him for his wallet and phone. He asks for a moment with Nathan and tells him he is ashamed of what they did and he and Don are going to resign. Nathan tells Dean he doesn't want him to, as they did end up beating Lazio the honest way and wants them to remember their win. Notes: Lucinda Rhodes-Flaherty returns to the series after her time away in Panto. This episode also sees the debut of recurring first team coach Scott De Mercado, all set to replace Andy Ansah from the next episode. The Best: The return of Jodie. Eli losing his pony tail in a bet, to introduce Shane Lynch’s long-term shaven-head look. Fletch taking control of the game and ultimately securing their win, although receiving no credit. Frank’s goal celebration and his message to Jodie. Additional Info: Gina phoned Jodie to tell her of Don’s hospital admission. We later learn in 8.29 Ten Green Bottles that Jodie went away to What Was The Score?: Harchester beat Millwall 2-0. Against Lazio, Curtis is brought down resulting in a penalty kick to Harchester, which Frank takes and two further goals from Fletch and Curtis see a 3-1 win. Soundtrack: Damien Rice: "Older Chests", George Michael: "Patience”, Husky Rescue: "New Light Of Tomorrow", Radiohead: "Sail To The Moon (Brush The Cobwebs Out Of The Sky)”, The Libertines: "Arbeit Macht Frei” |
