moonstorm
13-01-2009, 09:09
2476: Darren's released from prison
Airs on Monday, January 19 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Darren is released from prison and as he arrives back in Hollyoaks, he seems an altogether different man, humbled by his experience. He makes his way to Steph's flat where Steph heads out and Cindy makes it her mission to get Darren back to his old self. Steph returns to find Darren having risen from the ashes, reborn as his former, pimped and blinged up self. Darren vows to get the pub back, so he and Cindy head to the SU Bar to celebrate his triumphant return.
The festivities are cut short, however, when Malachy spots Darren enjoying himself at the bar with Cindy and he sees red. Mercedes begs him to leave it but Malachy warns Darren off as sternly as possible. Darren is brought back to earth as he heads home to have his electronic tag fitted and the reality of his situation dawns upon him.
After a long day, Darren and Cindy finally get to be alone but just as they're about to get a little more comfortable, Newt returns home. Spotting his chance for revenge for Darren's earlier comments about his libido, Newt plonks himself in between the couple. Cindy's frustrated but Darren doesn't mind- at least he's home.
Warren is struggling to accommodate Spencer, so he gives him some money and tells him to sort himself out for the day. Calvin finds Spencer in the village, alone and eating an array of junk food. Calvin tries to explain that Warren's having a hard time of it since Louise left and in response Spencer, lets slip that Warren had told him that Louise would never be coming back to Hollyoaks. Calvin wonders how Warren would know this if he hadn't spoken to Louise.
Calvin confronts Warren who, uncomfortable talking about Louise, manages to pass off his guilt as depression. With the guilt of Louise's death fresh in his mind, Spencer is becoming too much of a burden for Warren to bear even if they are foster brothers. However, when Warren returns to the flat to find that Spencer has cut himself whilst attempting to cook, he realises the degree to which Spencer needs him and promises to be more patient in future.
Mercedes and Malachy, love's young dream, have taken over the student flat and are already getting on Elliot's nerves. Matters are made worse when Mercedes breaks Elliot's model of the Millennium Falcon, which he had been planning on using for a presentation. The housing officer pays an unexpected visit to the flat and tells Mercedes and Malachy that they've got a week to get out. It's obvious that Elliot is responsible for grassing them up but Elliot maintains that he did no such thing.
Indignant, the couple gather their belongings and move out of the flat. In spite of their eviction, Mercedes and Malachy's spirits are high and even their encounter with Darren doesn't dampen their good mood. They find a B&B to stay in and it seems no matter what gets thrown at them, they'll survive. Back at the student flat, Kris absentmindedly gives away that it was him who grassed up his brother but it was for his own good.
2477: Rhys gives Darren his job back at The Dog
Airs on Tuesday, January 20 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Darren asks Cindy to get him a job back at The Dog. She's wary at first because of her fling with Rhys but is impressed that Darren is so determined to get his old life back on track, so she agrees. Darren goes to visit Jack in prison and instantly gets things off to a bad start when he appears all dressed-to-the-nines. Jack implores him to tone it down a bit but Darren can't see why he should, especially now he's a free man.
Jack reveals to Darren that his showiness and big mouth was the real reason Jack was getting beaten up and this new display of confused machismo will only make things worse for him. Meanwhile, Cindy pleads with Rhys to give Darren a job and in spite of their history, he eventually agrees. Darren returns from prison and starts his first shift at The Dog, albeit under duress from Rhys. Rhys soon lets Darren know that he and Cindy had a fling whilst Darren was inside. Darren's furious but knows he must contain his rage if he's to hang onto his job.
Determined to wind him up, Rhys locks Darren in the back room of the pub. Darren freaks out, realising that he needs to get out or he'll break his curfew. Fortunately, Cindy returns just in time to let him out as Darren launches himself at Rhys. Furious, Darren knocks Rhys down then sprints back to Steph's flat, a shadow of his former self, at the mercy of his curfew.
Both Mercedes and Malachy are struggling to find work and Malachy, in particular, is beginning to suspect that the stigma associated with HIV is playing its part in keeping him unemployed. Things get worse for him when he finds out that his safe-haven, The Dog, has a new employee - Darren Osborne. Meanwhile, Mercedes goes for an interview at Evissa and is annoyed that Carmel is asking her lots of questions she already knows the answer to. When Carmel isn't looking, Mercedes pockets as many bottles of cosmetics as possible and then storms out, still jobless, but with a plan.
Warren puts in an unexpected visit at Evissa, his first since Louise's death. With his business head on, both Bel and Carmel are keen to impress. Warren is struggling to concentrate with Spencer under his feet, so Sasha offers to take him into town for a bit. Warren returns looking for Spencer and beginning to wonder if he made a mistake letting him go off with her. Whilst there, Carmel pushes him on the matter of the manageress job and to her surprise and delight he tells her that she is the new boss of Evissa. Spencer and Sasha return to Evissa and Warren's both relieved and pleasantly surprised at the ease with which Spencer has taken to Sasha. Warren offers her some money to say thank you as she offers her services anytime. Clearly, Warren has a new admirer.
Steph is trying to get ready to open her new dance school, but the tension between Darren and Frankie is proving to be distraction. Tom and Holly are enlisted as trainee guinea-pigs but it soon becomes clear that Tom is less than happy at being dressed up and forced to take dance classes all afternoon. As Tom attempts to bolt, Holly questions his loyalty to Steph but soon finds that her interest is waning too.
2478: Warren warns Nige to stay away
Airs on Wednesday, January 21 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Spencer's gutted that he'll have to spend the day following Warren around doing business, so he suggests that he spend the day with Sasha again. Warren bumps into Sasha in the village and asks her if she wouldn't mind hanging out with Spencer that afternoon.
A clearly smitten Sasha blushes at Warren's compliments and assures him that it won't be a problem. Calvin swings by The Loft to ask Warren out for a drink and Warren's just about to go when he discovers Spencer upstairs in The Loft talking to Nige! Warren hurriedly shoves Nige out of the side door, terrified that Calvin will walk in at any moment. Nige tells Warren that he's tired of hiding and that he's becoming restless. Warren warns Nige that if he shows his face again, his sham death might well become a reality.
Mercedes has a plan to save her and Malachy from poverty, homelessness and unemployment. They sneak into the McQueens' while Myra is out and Malachy mentions that he's seen Darren has been released. Malachy manages to borrow a van off a friend and they resolve to make it their home for a while. They spot Darren and, in spite of himself, Malachy is convinced by Mercedes to forget about him and concentrate on her.
Ste offers to help out Dom in Il Gnosh in return for some breakfast but ends up biting off a lot more than he can chew. Dom has a food critic in but, realising that he's missing an ingredient, runs out with no choice but to leave Ste in charge. When Dom doesn't return in time, Ste decides to bite the bullet and cook the food himself. Dom comes back just in time to see the food critic leave and begins to despair until he reads the note left by the critic - Ste's cooking was a huge success and they will be receiving a glowing review in the local newspaper. Dom is flabbergasted - is Ste the next Jamie Oliver?
Darren's desperate for some cash to get back up on his feet, so Steph offers him a job in MOBS, knowing full well he'd hate it. Darren's broke and remembering his promise to Jack, swallows his pride and takes the job.
After a long and very un-enjoyable day, Darren is quietly pleased when Steph shows trust in him by asking him to cash up. Hating his new life against the grind, Darren cracks and goes to beg Warren for a loan to get him started. Warren laughs in his face but when Darren threatens to reveal the truth about Sean's murder, Warren's mood darkens. Darren realises he's overstepped the mark and leaves. Things then go from bad to worse when Darren is walking home and is mugged for all the MOBS takings. Somebody is out to get Darren Osborne, but who?
2479: Darren vows to turn his life around
Airs on Thursday, January 22 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Steph refuses to believe that Darren was mugged for the MOBS takings and insists that he get out of the flat. Cindy tries to convince Steph that she's being too hasty in judging Darren, but Steph won't be moved. Cindy returns to the flat to find the stolen takings stuffed in the letter box and is overjoyed that Darren is vindicated. As Darren returns to the flat, Steph apologises, deciding to give Darren the benefit of the doubt. Determined to get his life back on track, Darren vows to put the family first, even if it means sacrificing his relationship with Cindy.
Il Gnosh is busier than ever following a rave review in the local rag and it's all thanks to Ste's cooking. Theresa enters and attempts to flog her dodgy wares but Ste tells her to come back later when Dom isn't around. Things are going well as Dom is too distracted in the kitchen to spot Theresa wheeling and dealing in the restaurant. Ste, too, is making the most of Dom's confusion by serving customers his own dishes in an attempt to impress. When Dom notices Theresa hassling a customer, he goes to kick her and Ste out but Theresa stands up for Ste and she ends up waitressing for Dom in recompense.
By the end of the night, Dom has to concede that once again, Ste's cooking was a big hit and in spite of his mischievous nature, he's a string in the bow of Il Gnosh. Ste, in turn, has to admit that Theresa really saved his neck, for which he is truly grateful.
Mercedes is using all the cosmetics she stole from Evissa to make her own brand of perfume, which she plans on flogging to unsuspecting suckers. Malachy's not too comfortable with the idea but concedes that they are skint. Mercedes enlists Theresa to help her exploit the school playground market. Darren goes to see Malachy to plead with him to give the money from MOBS back. Malachy plays the innocent and tells Darren that he'll keep away if he knows what's best. Darren refuses to leave and things are about to come to a head when Cindy arrives to tell Darren that the takings have been returned and that he can go back to the flat. An unspoken accord is struck between Malachy and Darren - Malachy has made his point and Darren accepts that he deserved what he got.
Calvin goes to see Warren after Louise's mum files a Missing Person report with the police. Warren knows how to handle himself in a situation like this and although he isn't entirely comfortable with it, he's able to use Calvin's bad experiences of Louise to his own advantage. Warren is caught unawares when Calvin asks to speak to Spencer as he knows Spencer won't lie - and certainly not to a police officer. Warren begins to really sweat when Spencer tells them all that he has seen something truly horrible and Calvin encourages him to reveal the truth.
2480: Lauren, Anita and Theresa are caught by the police
Airs on Friday, January 23 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Mercedes' dodgy perfume has left half the village with a rash and she tells Theresa and Anita that they have to raise some cash for refunds. Anita formulates an apparently foolproof plan and the girls, desperate to avoid a beating off Mercedes, fall in. Anita organises the elaborate scam in the village, which inevitably falls flat on its face. Lauren and Theresa jump ship and go for a drink, hoping that inspiration will strike them elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Michaela and Sasha want to do something special for Amy as she enters the final stages of her pregnancy and resolve to throw her a baby shower. Unfortunately, the girls are broke and need to raise some cash for the party or risk letting Amy down. When Lauren and Theresa return, still without a solution to their impending doom, they see Anita's scam has gone into overdrive with the beautiful Sasha drumming up business at a rate of knots.
Mercedes gets wind of the scheme and she instantly wants in. Lauren can see her cut of the profits diminishing by the moment but doesn't have any choice. When things start to kick off with a displeased customer, Jacqui ducks out of Tan & Tumble to rescue Mercedes from the disgruntled woman. Soon, a full-scale catfight has broken out between Jacqui and Mercedes, which is transformed into full-scale pandemonium when the police arrive.
All the women scatter and a Chaplin-esque chase around the village ensues. Eventually, the police catch up with Lauren, Anita and Theresa and take them to the station where they're sure their number's up. Fortunately for them, Michaela swings an early release and somehow they all manage to make it back to the McQueens' to give Amy the party she deserves!
Carmel's had enough of Jacqui and Mercedes fighting and decides to get them sorted out once and for all. She picks them up after the scam in the village and drives them out to a remote wasteland. She lets them know, in no uncertain terms, that until they sort out their differences they are going nowhere.
Naturally, there's an instant face-off with neither sister willing to budge. Carmel returns and mistakes their attempted escape as a sign that they are still fighting so she promptly arrests them.
At the police station, the girls bond over their situation and finally become friends again. Carmel agrees to let them go on one condition - that Mercedes moves back home. As Mercedes, Jacqui and Carmel all return home, they are pleasantly surprised to discover a party in full swing and it seems almost serendipitous as the full compliment of girls crack open the bubbly and party the night away, reunited at last!
Airs on Monday, January 19 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Darren is released from prison and as he arrives back in Hollyoaks, he seems an altogether different man, humbled by his experience. He makes his way to Steph's flat where Steph heads out and Cindy makes it her mission to get Darren back to his old self. Steph returns to find Darren having risen from the ashes, reborn as his former, pimped and blinged up self. Darren vows to get the pub back, so he and Cindy head to the SU Bar to celebrate his triumphant return.
The festivities are cut short, however, when Malachy spots Darren enjoying himself at the bar with Cindy and he sees red. Mercedes begs him to leave it but Malachy warns Darren off as sternly as possible. Darren is brought back to earth as he heads home to have his electronic tag fitted and the reality of his situation dawns upon him.
After a long day, Darren and Cindy finally get to be alone but just as they're about to get a little more comfortable, Newt returns home. Spotting his chance for revenge for Darren's earlier comments about his libido, Newt plonks himself in between the couple. Cindy's frustrated but Darren doesn't mind- at least he's home.
Warren is struggling to accommodate Spencer, so he gives him some money and tells him to sort himself out for the day. Calvin finds Spencer in the village, alone and eating an array of junk food. Calvin tries to explain that Warren's having a hard time of it since Louise left and in response Spencer, lets slip that Warren had told him that Louise would never be coming back to Hollyoaks. Calvin wonders how Warren would know this if he hadn't spoken to Louise.
Calvin confronts Warren who, uncomfortable talking about Louise, manages to pass off his guilt as depression. With the guilt of Louise's death fresh in his mind, Spencer is becoming too much of a burden for Warren to bear even if they are foster brothers. However, when Warren returns to the flat to find that Spencer has cut himself whilst attempting to cook, he realises the degree to which Spencer needs him and promises to be more patient in future.
Mercedes and Malachy, love's young dream, have taken over the student flat and are already getting on Elliot's nerves. Matters are made worse when Mercedes breaks Elliot's model of the Millennium Falcon, which he had been planning on using for a presentation. The housing officer pays an unexpected visit to the flat and tells Mercedes and Malachy that they've got a week to get out. It's obvious that Elliot is responsible for grassing them up but Elliot maintains that he did no such thing.
Indignant, the couple gather their belongings and move out of the flat. In spite of their eviction, Mercedes and Malachy's spirits are high and even their encounter with Darren doesn't dampen their good mood. They find a B&B to stay in and it seems no matter what gets thrown at them, they'll survive. Back at the student flat, Kris absentmindedly gives away that it was him who grassed up his brother but it was for his own good.
2477: Rhys gives Darren his job back at The Dog
Airs on Tuesday, January 20 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Darren asks Cindy to get him a job back at The Dog. She's wary at first because of her fling with Rhys but is impressed that Darren is so determined to get his old life back on track, so she agrees. Darren goes to visit Jack in prison and instantly gets things off to a bad start when he appears all dressed-to-the-nines. Jack implores him to tone it down a bit but Darren can't see why he should, especially now he's a free man.
Jack reveals to Darren that his showiness and big mouth was the real reason Jack was getting beaten up and this new display of confused machismo will only make things worse for him. Meanwhile, Cindy pleads with Rhys to give Darren a job and in spite of their history, he eventually agrees. Darren returns from prison and starts his first shift at The Dog, albeit under duress from Rhys. Rhys soon lets Darren know that he and Cindy had a fling whilst Darren was inside. Darren's furious but knows he must contain his rage if he's to hang onto his job.
Determined to wind him up, Rhys locks Darren in the back room of the pub. Darren freaks out, realising that he needs to get out or he'll break his curfew. Fortunately, Cindy returns just in time to let him out as Darren launches himself at Rhys. Furious, Darren knocks Rhys down then sprints back to Steph's flat, a shadow of his former self, at the mercy of his curfew.
Both Mercedes and Malachy are struggling to find work and Malachy, in particular, is beginning to suspect that the stigma associated with HIV is playing its part in keeping him unemployed. Things get worse for him when he finds out that his safe-haven, The Dog, has a new employee - Darren Osborne. Meanwhile, Mercedes goes for an interview at Evissa and is annoyed that Carmel is asking her lots of questions she already knows the answer to. When Carmel isn't looking, Mercedes pockets as many bottles of cosmetics as possible and then storms out, still jobless, but with a plan.
Warren puts in an unexpected visit at Evissa, his first since Louise's death. With his business head on, both Bel and Carmel are keen to impress. Warren is struggling to concentrate with Spencer under his feet, so Sasha offers to take him into town for a bit. Warren returns looking for Spencer and beginning to wonder if he made a mistake letting him go off with her. Whilst there, Carmel pushes him on the matter of the manageress job and to her surprise and delight he tells her that she is the new boss of Evissa. Spencer and Sasha return to Evissa and Warren's both relieved and pleasantly surprised at the ease with which Spencer has taken to Sasha. Warren offers her some money to say thank you as she offers her services anytime. Clearly, Warren has a new admirer.
Steph is trying to get ready to open her new dance school, but the tension between Darren and Frankie is proving to be distraction. Tom and Holly are enlisted as trainee guinea-pigs but it soon becomes clear that Tom is less than happy at being dressed up and forced to take dance classes all afternoon. As Tom attempts to bolt, Holly questions his loyalty to Steph but soon finds that her interest is waning too.
2478: Warren warns Nige to stay away
Airs on Wednesday, January 21 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Spencer's gutted that he'll have to spend the day following Warren around doing business, so he suggests that he spend the day with Sasha again. Warren bumps into Sasha in the village and asks her if she wouldn't mind hanging out with Spencer that afternoon.
A clearly smitten Sasha blushes at Warren's compliments and assures him that it won't be a problem. Calvin swings by The Loft to ask Warren out for a drink and Warren's just about to go when he discovers Spencer upstairs in The Loft talking to Nige! Warren hurriedly shoves Nige out of the side door, terrified that Calvin will walk in at any moment. Nige tells Warren that he's tired of hiding and that he's becoming restless. Warren warns Nige that if he shows his face again, his sham death might well become a reality.
Mercedes has a plan to save her and Malachy from poverty, homelessness and unemployment. They sneak into the McQueens' while Myra is out and Malachy mentions that he's seen Darren has been released. Malachy manages to borrow a van off a friend and they resolve to make it their home for a while. They spot Darren and, in spite of himself, Malachy is convinced by Mercedes to forget about him and concentrate on her.
Ste offers to help out Dom in Il Gnosh in return for some breakfast but ends up biting off a lot more than he can chew. Dom has a food critic in but, realising that he's missing an ingredient, runs out with no choice but to leave Ste in charge. When Dom doesn't return in time, Ste decides to bite the bullet and cook the food himself. Dom comes back just in time to see the food critic leave and begins to despair until he reads the note left by the critic - Ste's cooking was a huge success and they will be receiving a glowing review in the local newspaper. Dom is flabbergasted - is Ste the next Jamie Oliver?
Darren's desperate for some cash to get back up on his feet, so Steph offers him a job in MOBS, knowing full well he'd hate it. Darren's broke and remembering his promise to Jack, swallows his pride and takes the job.
After a long and very un-enjoyable day, Darren is quietly pleased when Steph shows trust in him by asking him to cash up. Hating his new life against the grind, Darren cracks and goes to beg Warren for a loan to get him started. Warren laughs in his face but when Darren threatens to reveal the truth about Sean's murder, Warren's mood darkens. Darren realises he's overstepped the mark and leaves. Things then go from bad to worse when Darren is walking home and is mugged for all the MOBS takings. Somebody is out to get Darren Osborne, but who?
2479: Darren vows to turn his life around
Airs on Thursday, January 22 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Steph refuses to believe that Darren was mugged for the MOBS takings and insists that he get out of the flat. Cindy tries to convince Steph that she's being too hasty in judging Darren, but Steph won't be moved. Cindy returns to the flat to find the stolen takings stuffed in the letter box and is overjoyed that Darren is vindicated. As Darren returns to the flat, Steph apologises, deciding to give Darren the benefit of the doubt. Determined to get his life back on track, Darren vows to put the family first, even if it means sacrificing his relationship with Cindy.
Il Gnosh is busier than ever following a rave review in the local rag and it's all thanks to Ste's cooking. Theresa enters and attempts to flog her dodgy wares but Ste tells her to come back later when Dom isn't around. Things are going well as Dom is too distracted in the kitchen to spot Theresa wheeling and dealing in the restaurant. Ste, too, is making the most of Dom's confusion by serving customers his own dishes in an attempt to impress. When Dom notices Theresa hassling a customer, he goes to kick her and Ste out but Theresa stands up for Ste and she ends up waitressing for Dom in recompense.
By the end of the night, Dom has to concede that once again, Ste's cooking was a big hit and in spite of his mischievous nature, he's a string in the bow of Il Gnosh. Ste, in turn, has to admit that Theresa really saved his neck, for which he is truly grateful.
Mercedes is using all the cosmetics she stole from Evissa to make her own brand of perfume, which she plans on flogging to unsuspecting suckers. Malachy's not too comfortable with the idea but concedes that they are skint. Mercedes enlists Theresa to help her exploit the school playground market. Darren goes to see Malachy to plead with him to give the money from MOBS back. Malachy plays the innocent and tells Darren that he'll keep away if he knows what's best. Darren refuses to leave and things are about to come to a head when Cindy arrives to tell Darren that the takings have been returned and that he can go back to the flat. An unspoken accord is struck between Malachy and Darren - Malachy has made his point and Darren accepts that he deserved what he got.
Calvin goes to see Warren after Louise's mum files a Missing Person report with the police. Warren knows how to handle himself in a situation like this and although he isn't entirely comfortable with it, he's able to use Calvin's bad experiences of Louise to his own advantage. Warren is caught unawares when Calvin asks to speak to Spencer as he knows Spencer won't lie - and certainly not to a police officer. Warren begins to really sweat when Spencer tells them all that he has seen something truly horrible and Calvin encourages him to reveal the truth.
2480: Lauren, Anita and Theresa are caught by the police
Airs on Friday, January 23 2009 at 18:30 GMT on Channel 4
Mercedes' dodgy perfume has left half the village with a rash and she tells Theresa and Anita that they have to raise some cash for refunds. Anita formulates an apparently foolproof plan and the girls, desperate to avoid a beating off Mercedes, fall in. Anita organises the elaborate scam in the village, which inevitably falls flat on its face. Lauren and Theresa jump ship and go for a drink, hoping that inspiration will strike them elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Michaela and Sasha want to do something special for Amy as she enters the final stages of her pregnancy and resolve to throw her a baby shower. Unfortunately, the girls are broke and need to raise some cash for the party or risk letting Amy down. When Lauren and Theresa return, still without a solution to their impending doom, they see Anita's scam has gone into overdrive with the beautiful Sasha drumming up business at a rate of knots.
Mercedes gets wind of the scheme and she instantly wants in. Lauren can see her cut of the profits diminishing by the moment but doesn't have any choice. When things start to kick off with a displeased customer, Jacqui ducks out of Tan & Tumble to rescue Mercedes from the disgruntled woman. Soon, a full-scale catfight has broken out between Jacqui and Mercedes, which is transformed into full-scale pandemonium when the police arrive.
All the women scatter and a Chaplin-esque chase around the village ensues. Eventually, the police catch up with Lauren, Anita and Theresa and take them to the station where they're sure their number's up. Fortunately for them, Michaela swings an early release and somehow they all manage to make it back to the McQueens' to give Amy the party she deserves!
Carmel's had enough of Jacqui and Mercedes fighting and decides to get them sorted out once and for all. She picks them up after the scam in the village and drives them out to a remote wasteland. She lets them know, in no uncertain terms, that until they sort out their differences they are going nowhere.
Naturally, there's an instant face-off with neither sister willing to budge. Carmel returns and mistakes their attempted escape as a sign that they are still fighting so she promptly arrests them.
At the police station, the girls bond over their situation and finally become friends again. Carmel agrees to let them go on one condition - that Mercedes moves back home. As Mercedes, Jacqui and Carmel all return home, they are pleasantly surprised to discover a party in full swing and it seems almost serendipitous as the full compliment of girls crack open the bubbly and party the night away, reunited at last!