S20-E27 : THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZWell, I thought this might be the episode featured in the summer trailer, with bended knee and ring and bunting for the NHS party (as sported by Lee in his new Twitter profile pic!), but it seems we have to wait a while longer for that, although one scene tonight between Lofty and Sheilagh had a certain significance. But no, tonight was about paying tribute to the NHS in this, its 70th anniversary year. And the episode did that rather brilliantly - showing the impact it makes in peoples' lives and the impact the world has on its incredible staff as they go about their work.
Closer to home, Sheilagh's prolonged stay in Holby City came to an end - I will miss her character immensely and have included all of her scenes (and Dom's which were either with her or with Lofty!) in the edit below.
There's no Lofty next week, but Lee is back in two weeks' time in The Friend Zone.
Synopsis: The party to celebrate 70 years of the NHS is on hold when a major incident pushes Holby to the limits. Serena is reminded of a patient she saved many years ago. With the odds stacked against her and with Ric’s help, can she do the same again? Jac and Abigail find themselves at odds over a patient set for a heart transplant. But with Jac back at work, is the transplant Abigail’s only concern? And Sheilagh reflects on her stay at Holby and the significance of the NHS over the years. Encouraged by Dom’s feelings for her grandson, she gives Lofty one last present before she goes...
The full episode can be viewed on BBC iPlayer until 3 August 2018 while below, with my apologies to those of the cast who have hit the cutting room floor, is the Lofty edit. Also a few screencaps...
Check out the Timeline's HOLBY & CASUALTY INDEX for all the latest Meady Holby news and episode info.
Published: 15/06/2018; last updated: 04/07/2018