Season 8 Episode 10 Episode 334 Sky One Transmission Date: Sunday 19th December 2004 Directed by Robert Gabriel

Dean, Fletch @ the Nou Tommy, Jodie Dean, Fletch, Eli Viv, Gina, Fletch Tommy

GS: Eli Knox (Shane Lynch) Michelle Maguire (Jordanne O’Brien) Shay Maguire (Mark Frost) Angel Gonzalez (Alex Zorbas) Lucca Daneilli (Sidney Kean) Dean flies out to Barcelona and when checking into his hotel, a shaven-head bearded man with a beer gut loudly approaches him. He is shocked to realise that it's Fletch who reveals he has come to support the boys. When Fletch learns that Dean has £14M to spend he tells him he has connections and discusses Gabriel Batistuta, though the fiasco with Valdez has put Dean off. Fletch refuses to give up and introduces a man he believes to be Batistuta’s cousin Angel to Dean, who is eventually persuaded is genuine with a phone call to Gabriel himself. But when Fletch requests €80,000, Dean gets uncomfortable and backs out of negotiations. The team aren’t flying out until the day of the game, and Tommy takes Michelle into the boardroom to do that old DT favourite on the table, where Michelle takes pictures of their rendezvous. Tommy tells her he will send Shay ahead out to Spain whilst they spend time alone here. Tommy has a meeting with Juventus reps as Chelsea have agreed to the terms of his transfer. Tommy brings Michelle to the meeting where to he and Sofia’s surprise she introduces herself as Tommy’s fiancée. Michelle meets Jodie and when she gets her phone out to show the pictures of she and Tommy they realise they both have the same phone. Michelle arrives back at Tommy's room to be met by Sofia who tells her Tommy has left her a cheque for £8,000. Michelle is hurt and goes downstairs to where the team are having dinner. She cries for Tommy to tell her what she did wrong. Don walks in and tells Tommy that as he thinks he is better than everyone else he will not be required for his starting eleven tomorrow. Jodie tells Michelle she will go and get her cheque, but upon arriving at Tommy's room he flirts with her. Tommy moves in to kiss her, and to her shock tells her he'd sooner snog that Mule she calls a husband! Outside Jodie realises she picked up Michelle's phone by mistake and decides to send Shay the pictures of she and Tommy in revenge. Shay receives them in Barcelona and is shocked. After a visit to the Nou camp, Dean is persuaded to continue with the deal and hands Fletch the money. Fletch meets Angel and his associate Ricardo in a darkened warehouse where he is forced into handing over the money when Ricardo pulls out a gun. When Fletch leaks the Batistuta story and his representative puts them straight that Gabriel has no interest in coming to Harchester, Fletch stalls Eli with how Batistuta will only come if they stay in the Champions League tonight. When Tommy comes on, Shay yells he is a dead man and is escorted from the stadium. At the Christmas party Dean is about to tell everyone Batistuta isn't coming, but when Fletch walks through the door with Gina Moliano, Dean announces that he is re-signing Fletch to everyone's surprise. While everyone is distracted by the news, Shay appears behind Tommy and stabs him in the back. Tommy collapses to the ground and Sofia screams frantically for help as Don and the players gather round. Notes: Terry Kiely returns for his third regular stint as Fletch from this episode onwards. This is also Kara Tointon’s first regular appearance as Gina Moliano after guest appearing as a 16-year-old Gina in 3.27 (#167) – 3.28 (#168) back in Season 3. Carson Black, who co-produced Season 2 alongside Lizzie Becker, is credited as Executive Producer with Jane Hewland from this episode. The Best: Fletch’s “Manuel” to every waiter/barman he sees, and paying the restaurant maître d a wad of cash to treat him like royalty and bring over a complementary bottle of champagne. This year’s Harchester United Christmas party, usually a full episode dedicated to the event, here the episode’s last five minutes before it is curtailed by the Christmas cliffhanger of Tommy’s stabbing. Censored If Viewing A Daytime Repeat: Never mind Quotes, the scissors are out for this ep! Michelle (on Sofia): "That bitch of an agent tried to pay me off like I was a prostitute!". Jodie (on Tommy): "That guy's a 24-carrot bastard. He's shagged and dumped so many of my friends I've practically lost count". Sofia delivers a “Prick” followed by two “Bastards” from Curtis and Shay, but the trophy goes to sudden tourettes sufferer Jodie Stone who out-does her acquaintances and calls Tommy Valentine a Bastard four times! Continuity: Dean says he thought Fletch was settled in the Middle East and Karl tells him he's now playing for Murcia who were relegated last season. Fletch pulls out a photo of himself with Gabriel Batistuta, at Al-Arabi Sports Club where Batistuta was from 2003-2005, and where Fletch moved to when Harchester sold him in 7.2 (#294) Long Live The King. Additional Info: After drawing with Celtic, Harchester are at the bottom of the Champions League Group F table. When they play Barcelona, Celtic and PSG both have to draw for Harchester to go through even if they do beat Barcelona. What Was The Score?: Harchester draw against Celtic at the Dragon’s Lair, with Tommy equalising to 1-1. A back-header from Frank wins the Barcelona match 1-0 to Harchester, saving their Champions League status. Soundtrack: Dirty Vegas: "Days Go By", Herbalizer: "A Mother", Shantel: "Bass And Several Cars", Supatone: "Yorulamenta! (Original Mix)" Behind The Scenes: No official announcement was made that Terry Kiely would be returning. Instead, upon the release of the Season 8 team photo, eagle-eyed fans noticed him with his new distinct look sitting alongside Tim Smith - even though Clyde was dead before Fletch made his comeback! A new character called Suzy was mentioned alongside the upcoming Shanice, however it is believed following a recent "Mile High" appearance the character was switched to Kara's original DT character Gina Moliano. <<SE08 EP09 | Season 8 Main Page | SE08 EP11>>