Welcome to our weekly look at what’s going on in the Dales. Please feel free to leave us comments and let us know what you’d like to see more of on your favourite soap!
Goodbye Gemma
The village was shocked and in mourning this week, when Gemma was found unconscious in a bush and rushed to hospital where it was revealed she had a blood clot in her brain. Unfortunately the clot had wiped out all her brain function and it was only the life support machine keeping her alive. Dom said a teary goodbye to his only child in moving scenes.
Meanwhile, Belle is wracked with guilt that she is responsible for Gemma’s death. She’s right! It was her shove that led to Gemma banging her head on a rock which caused the blood clot. Lisa can tell that Belle’s not telling her everything and coaxes out the truth, then persuades Belle to keep schtum. It was an accident after all. The police have closed the case but will Belle be able to keep her secret or will the guilt lead to a confession?
The Barton Boys get romantic
Here at EF we can’t decide which of the new Barton boys is the hottest and this week sees them spreading their love around the village.
Pete and Ross seem to be vying for Debbie’s attention, with Pete even rushing to be the hero when Ross is winding her up. Seems the tactic works as the two get steamy in her truck after Pete breaks down (due to Ross’ tampering). Debbie, didn’t think you were that kind of gal, not on a first pick-up anyway!
Meanwhile the youngest of the new crop of Barton boys gets his first real storyline, if a somewhat ridiculous one. He’s decided that Tokyo is the promised land and is now looking for get-money-quick schemes to raise the airfare. He uses his geek power to tell Declan about investment opportunities with his mate’s digital start up and bags himself a job working for Declan in the process. Seems Finn is also developing a crush on Declan much to Charity’s amusement.
H.I.Val
After weeks of being miserable and sorry for herself, Val started the week trying to be healthy but ended up forming an unlikely friendship with Kerry as she tried to blag cigarettes. Kerry doesn’t disappoint as her new bezzie and leads to our favourite moment of the week – Val pole dancing around the village signpost roaring drunk, whilst Kerry sings ‘Love Machine’!
Eric persuades Val to go to a support group which she reluctantly does and although the group isn’t for her (she walks out after about 5 minutes) she is inspired by another HIV sufferers story and she rushes back to the village invigorated and wanting to live her life to the full. Welcome back Val, we’ve missed you!
The week ahead
Just when we had the old Val back it seems that Eric is scared of getting intimate with her for fear of catching HIV. It’s been a tough few months for the fiery pair, will their marriage survive yet another set back?
Brotherly love is grand isn’t it? You click that your big brother Pete is getting close to Debbie so to congratulate them you decide to blackmail him and turn to crime to impress the lass yourself in an attempt to steal her away. Nice one Ross!
Lisa continues to try and protect Belle’s secret and the strain is starting to show as she keeps the truth from husband Zak and tries to take Belle away from the village for a few weeks.
And beyond…
Belle clearly can’t see the irony as she turns to booze to help deal with her secret
Alicia finds out that Jacob gave his savings to Layla so she could afford her rent. Wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of that fury!
An old face appears in the village to give Marlon a blast from the past on his birthday.
Megan’s loyalties are divided between Declan and Jai.
