Season 7 Episode 32

Episode 324

 

Sky One Transmission Date:

Sunday 16th May 2004

 

Directed by

David Penn

 

Tash

 

 

Pilar

 

 

Ryan

 

 

Stuart

 

 

Sandra

 

 

Dean

GS: Robert Sabatier (Arturo Venegas)  Anissa Sabatier (Valerie Sarruf)  Detective Taylor (Ellen Taylor)  FA Man 1 (Chris Barritt) 

FA Man 2 (Paul Kemp)  Mr. Bridges (Andrew Blair)  Detective Stevenson (James Weber Brown)  UEFA Receptionist (Nina Thilas-Mohs) 

UEFA Man (Robert Jezek)

 

There is a press frenzy following Pilar’s confession and as the police arrive to arrest her a furious Dean grabs her, yelling he asked her back for her to con him before landing the killer blow that Marcel's death is all her fault. Stuart is also taken in for questioning by the police and sees Pilar at the station. She apologises to him for what she's done and Stuart makes it clear he's willing to take his share of the blame. Stuart arrives at the FA for his grilling. He goes through what he did in order to lose the Leicester game, telling how he will have it on his conscience for the rest of his life. Stuart asks them not to destroy the team when he is the one to blame.

 

Stuart arrives home where Abi joins him to watch the FA announce their decision. They place a lifetime ban on both Stuart and Pilar for any involvement within English football and say they are convinced the players of Harchester United were not involved so will not be holding any sanctions against them. The players cheer at the club whilst Abi attempts to console Stuart. Abi brings Marcel's parents to the dressing room to say goodbye before they return to Tunisia with Marcel’s body. Marcel's mother says at least his name has been cleared and the world will know he wasn't a drug taker which Ryan feels a twinge of guilt from.

 

Stuart agrees to testify against Marcel’s killers which puts his life in danger. He is offered a place in the witness protection program, and told if he didn't testify it would be unlikely they would secure a conviction. In custody, Pilar receives a phone call from a contact at UEFA, telling her they are holding a meeting in Geneva to discuss further sanctioning beyond the FA. Curtis finds a letter left by Ryan explaining how he cannot play in the Man U game, and how he believes all the people who have called them cheats will be right if he plays. The team want to force Ryan to play, and Dean says the decision lies with Curtis, who agrees with Ryan and says they have to have faith that they can win this clean.

 

Pilar phones Jeff and tells him about the meeting in Geneva and how someone needs to go there to plead Harchester's case. Jeff goes to Dean and they know UEFA could refuse Harchester entry to the Champions League which would kill the club as they need the money to survive. The team are rightfully nervous as they prepare to face Man U. Curtis tells them it's time to finish what they set out to do for the memory of their captain. Stuart arrives at the game to say goodbye to Ryan, who has sat in the stands. He tells him how they probably won't see each other again. Dean makes his appeal to UEFA, and following the team’s win he begs the officials not to take the Champions League from them now they have it. He is told they must make an example of the club to prevent others from doing the same in the future. Dean is told the decision is that Harchester will be relegated from the Premiership to the First Division, as the team celebrate their win unknowingly back at the club.

 

Notes:

 

Last on-screen appearances of Stuart Naysmith (Terence Maynard) and Pilar Hernandez (Marem Hernandez)

 

Off-screen departures of Sandra Greene (Lisa Burstow), Abi Fletcher (Rachel Brady) and Tash Parker (Angela Saunders). Also last appearances for team players Peter Mack (Peter McGillicuddy) and Bobby Thompson (Robert Campion)

 

The Best: Marcel's mother waving goodbye to Abi as the taxi pulls away, knowing that she was the one he loved. The awkward UEFA receptionist Jeff and Dean encounter. Stuart telling a broken Ryan that he has to stay and play for England, because when he does he'll be watching. Stuart taking one final look at the club before he is driven away. Sandra’s last glory of yelling for the ref to call time on the game.

 

Quotes: Tash is asked what she thinks of today's revelations: "You see that there [as Stuart is taken away], that's Harchester United finally getting exactly what they deserve!".  When the team discuss forcing Ryan to play, Abi steps in and says it's not the point Ryan is trying to make. Clyde tells her to shut up as it has nothing to do with her. Abi slaps him and snaps "Don't you ever speak to me like that again!" before continuing that whilst they have been worrying about their club, she has been trying to help Marcel's parents deal with the fact that their son is dead, and the only thing that gave them any hope was that Marcel's name had been cleared and the team should see past their own wallets to realise Ryan is doing the right thing.

 

Foreshadowing: As Harchester win the game, Chelsea and Ryan embrace and she gives him a kiss [8.3 (#327) Last Exit To Harchester and onwards]

 

Continuity: The FA refer to Stuart buying Viv against the wishes of the board and releasing previous keeper Tommy Moore.

 

Additional Info: Detective Taylor tells Pilar she's arresting her for conspiracy to defraud, accessory to murder and perverting the course of justice. Harchester’s relegation means they are now back in the First Division for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

 

Surprise!: Harchester being relegated from the Premiership – in true DT style the season finale did not fail to deliver.

 

What Was The Score?: Louis Saha scores for Man U whilst two goals from the unlikely Sully and Danny Mills made Harchester 2-1 up. Van Nistolroy equalised in stoppage time to the horror of all Dragons fans but club saviour Lee Presley scored in the final seconds winning the game, and Champions League for Harchester.

 

Soundtrack: Franz Ferdinand: “Cheating on You”

 

Behind The Scenes: Series Producer and writer Ellen Taylor takes on the role of feisty Detective Taylor who busts Pilar. One of the officials of the Football Association (played by Paul Kemp) is credited as Sean Glynn, who is the show’s producer at this period.

 

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