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Season 8 Episode 26
Episode 350 Sky One Transmission Date: Directed by Clair Breton
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"Gotcha!"
Viv
Viv, Frank
Not Fletch’s finest moment
Jodie (bg: Ammo, Scott) |
GS: Paul Hankin (Leigh Cranston) Barrister (Susan Gilmore) Hankin approaches Frank and informs him that tomorrow his paper will be running a story on Frank seeing rent-boys. The next morning Frank is relieved to find the story has not been printed. Hankin meanwhile goes to inform Jodie that a man has come forward claiming he has slept with Frank. Away from Jodie, we learn that Don was the one who tipped Hankin off about the story. Hankin questions Don's motive that he is doing this to get Frank out of their lives, and suggests the real reason is Don wants to unsettle the team only three days before their next leg against Arsenal. Don gently persuades Jodie that giving an interview would be for the best. Frank goes to the house and tells Jodie he wants to move back in as he needs her and begs her not to leave him on his own in this. The team arrive on the training pitch to find Viv has built a replica of everyone's positions when the goal was scored by Arsenal, and tells them they will be re-enacting the goal. The lads are frustrated as Viv makes them go through the same routine over and over. Approaching Dean for advice, he suggests letting the team manage the team but adds that Viv is still their goalie and to look after him. Lee thinks he's found the solution as to move back in with Viv, and decides to use the excuse that he has split up with Shanice. To Lee's anguish however, Viv uses Lee's supposed parting with Shanice to open up about how raw he feels about Early in the morning Lee heads for the secret training session in the park. Viv however hears him and decides to follow. The Stones see the paper with the story on the front cover, and a layer of black ink obscuring Frank's face. At their training session the boys see the headline about a player cheating on his pregnant wife with rent boys. Lee arrives and tells the lads that Viv is going to be OK as he sorted it last night. Viv pulls up and sees what's going on, approaching with a shotgun. The lads freeze as Viv asks them if they think he's gone soft, and then fires a shot into the air, sending the lads scurrying in all directions for cover. Lee is left alone to talk Viv down and starts by being honest with him, that Viv has been a terrible manager! Lee has had enough and yells at Viv to shoot as if he does Arsenal will go through to the semi's and it will be all over for them both. Viv fires at his car, blowing out the tire. Hankin overhears a West Ham representative welcoming Don on board. Hankin tells Don that if Harchester are knocked out by Arsenal tomorrow no-one will care about the Frank story, so if he has anything to go on he needs it now. Viv tells the team he is having an amnesty and hands the gun over to Curtis. Outside Hankin approaches Curtis about he and Frank allegedly playing around with rent-boys. Curtis denies it and Hankin gives him an ultimatum - to tell him what really happened or wake up to an expose tomorrow. The morning of the Arsenal game comes and the team see the story on Frank, with Curtis having outed him. Viv lays into Curtis, telling him that he failed as a captain, while Curtis reminds Viv that if he hadn't been acting like a mad man he could have come to him, and so could've Frank. In the dressing room, Frank finds he is alienated by the team and Fletch tells him to get changed in the physio room. Lee is the only one to speak up for Frank and tells Viv that the lads have sent him out to change. Viv goes to Frank and tells him he is going to fight his corner on this, but cannot play him tonight, explaining his head is not in the right place for the game. Viv goes back into the dressing room where he says he doesn’t have the words for how the team treated Frank. Shortly afterwards Jodie barges into the room and slaps Curtis. She yells at him how this is all his fault and he's ruined both she and Frank’s lives. After her tirade, Curtis asks her to consider who else knew about Frank other than him. It dawns on Jodie what her father has done and as the team head out she begins to feel pains in her stomach, and Gina rushes to fetch the paramedics. Notes: The Best: The level of effort that went into building Viv’s Highbury goal replica. Sully's scouse impression of Lee and Dean’s facial reaction. Lee and Viv being the only ones in the team to publicly support Frank. Jodie’s confrontation (and slap) of Curtis. Best Known For: Susan Gilmore is an 80’s TV leading lady, with regular roles nurse Elizabeth Fitt in “Angels” (1980-81) followed by high-powered businesswoman Avril Rolfe in “Howards’ Way” (1985-90). She later starred in “Grand Star” from 2007-08. Quotes: As the team head for the coach, the press surround Viv with questions on Frank and with another line of his character’s career, he baits the pack with: "Yeah, he's gay. I'm gay. Yeah we all are - the only gays in the Championship!” Classic. Foreshadowing: Viv handing the shotgun over to Curtis, who will make good use of it in 8.30 Caught In A Trap. Continuity: Curtis and Dean refer to their last training session in the park (7.22 11 Angry Men). Additional Info: Don will be joining West Ham as their Director Of Football. Dean has been in discussions to go and work for Wrexham F.C. What Was The Score?: No mention of the QPR result. Arsenal result next episode. Soundtrack: New Model Army: "Green And Grey thunder and consolation" and "Vagabonds", New Order: "Elegia", Snow Patrol: "Spitting Games", Underworld: "Two Months Off” |
