S21-E49 : BELL JARCarol's (Julia Deakin) return from holiday, blissfully unaware of her boys' sad news, set the scene for some touching scenes between her and both Lofty (Lee Mead) and Dom (David Ames), and between the two men themselves.
It was her gift of eternity rings that prompted Lofty to suggest that they should start to try and put their 'annus horribilis' (to borrow a phrase) behind them by renewing their vows. We must wait two weeks before we see the pair again... on their big day. I fear, however, it may prove to be momentous for all the wrong reasons.
This storyline has been a difficult watch at times, but is being handled beautifully by the whole team, and I'm really enjoying Lee and David's work as they meet the acting challenges it presents with sensitivity and great skill. And while talking of acting challenges, I can't move on from this episode without paying tribute to Rosie Marcel's extraordinary performance as a fast-unravelling Jac. Her final scene with Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) was gut-wrenchingly powerful.
Synopsis: Elliot Hope needs life-saving surgery today. Jac Naylor is the only one qualified. But will her struggles with anxiety result in killing her mentor? Will anyone stop her before it's too late? Cameron sees an opportunity to make amends for past actions but does so by manipulating a patient's relative for his own ends. Has he only made things worse and is it time to confess? Still struggling with grief, Dom and Lofty are thrown when Carole returns from holiday blissfully unaware of their loss. Will she bring them together or only drive them further apart?
The full episode can be viewed on BBC iPlayer until 3 December 2020 while below, with my apologies to those of the cast who have hit the cutting room floor, is the Dofty edit. There are a few screencaps too.
Check out the Timeline's HOLBY & CASUALTY INDEX for all the latest Meady Holby news and episode info.
Published: 12/11/2019; last updated: 04/12/2019