There have been some truly stand out episodes and moments in Doctors recently and it remains one of my most favourite soaps – and my wife’s. We have been constantly saddened (and frustrated) by the breakdown of Rob and Karen’s relationship and it was a truly stellar moment when, in the middle of a car park Karen lost it with Zara and then broken down on her. She really needed it and Zara’s response was perfect. But then, I do have a bit of a Zara bias, I have to confess. My wife finds it a little annoying.
Another character I have really appreciated is the addition of Luca. Not only has he injected a lot of fun into the show and just the right amount of the camp, I think it is really important that they have more than just Emma representing the LGBTQ+ community. And Luca’s character has brought some great stories to the show in terms of his interaction with patients and recently, a brilliant discussion as to who owns the rainbow – the NHS or the gay community. Funnily enough, it was a discussion my wife and I had had not that long before so we thought it was a really interesting point to be raised on television.
Luca has been a walcome addition to the show (What On TV)
Luca’s point was that the rainbow has been ‘our’ symbol for a very long time (since 1978, in fact) and that while it was fine for everyone to commandeer it for the NHS during height of the pandemic, we would quite like it back please. And I have to say, I agree! It’s about identification, belonging, community… all of those things. Somehow, it feels like the rainbow has been diluted or taken away when it is something very precious to us. But these are all things that would only dare be given voice on a programme like Doctors.
And speaking of Luca, I have been blown away by his recent HIV storyline. Firstly, the fact that every single member of staff knew, it was never discussed previously and there was not a single question over support and love. There was not an ounce of sensationalism. What there was, was so much education, explanation and reassurance to anyone who, for whatever reason might have questions or concerns. One of my favourite moments was when Al challenged the vile, ignorant bigots protesting against Luca in the car park. I was cheering him on and actually had to rewind the scene because I loved him so much!
Emma and Zara face off! (What to Watch)
Although I expressed so many times, while watching, “Surely people aren’t really like this now?” the sad fact is, that yes, probably there are people out there who would respond in similar ways to the people who protested or wrote awful things online about Luca working at The Mill, just because he has HIV (with an undetectable viral load). This story coincided with World AIDS Day, which was really special, although Zara did completely the wrong thing by eventually sending Luca home for a few days to take the pressure off, as that sends the wrong message out. It tells the bigots that they are correct. On the plus side, that did lead to a Zara and Emma argument, which led to drunk Emma and Zara, which is one of my most favourite things ever!
I think it will take Luca a long time to recover from this and we have seen a really different side to him as he has struggled to cope with this very difficult situation. But he has held his head high and his colleagues in the most part have supported him throughout. This has been one of the best stories Doctors have ever done. They should be very proud.
Another standout story recently has involved Bear Sylvester and his mother Makeda, who nearly died. When Makeda was rushed into hospital, it turned out that she had not gone through with a procedure that would have caught her condition, which didn’t need to get anywhere near as bad as it did. The reason she didn’t go ahead with the procedure was because of the vile, racist abuse she received from the nurse who treated her. The scenes from the flashback episode were so deeply uncomfortable.
My heart was crying out, “How could this happen?”
My head was saying, “They’re showing this because this happens.”
It was just devastating.
Bear and his mother faced awful racism within the NHS (BBC)
When Bear found out the truth, he confronted the staff involved and it some of the tensest scenes, the staff went even further by racially abusing him! They treated him so appallingly! It was just hideous to watch. He reached for his NHS badge and they behaved like he was about to pull a weapon out. He was trying to explain his point and they treated him like he was in the wrong. By the end of the episode, he was outside the hospital in tears and I was in tears too.
Another episode I would just like to mention was a standalone episode (they have been doing some great standalones recently) where Jimmi took a FME shift for Emma. He was then caught up with guilt (and blamed Emma) when his next door neighbour was killed in a domestic violence incident. She ran from her house to his for help but he wasn’t there when he should have been and her ex-boyfriend killed her. Had he been home, he might have been able to help. It was a really interesting discussion about the decisions and choices we make, not to mention a really challenging episode about domestic violence.
The one thing that can most definitely be said about Doctors is that the stories are so interesting and they are not afraid to take on a challenge, despite their time slot. I have said it before and I will say it again – Doctors is underrated for the array of wonderful stories they tell and for the amazing, charming, talented cast they have.
Coronavirus has spun the whole world on its axis. It will never be the same again. For a good long while, we were completely grounded to a halt and even now (unless you happened to be a Tory, of course). With restrictions lifted, things are still so different, so many of us still do everything with such an awareness of Covid lurking around every corner. We don’t just leave the house having to remember our keys, wallet and phone anymore – it’s always hand gel and facemasks too now.
For the first time ever, all our soaps had to stop filming. A lot of them filmed far enough in advance that will a lot of gapping, they were able to keep on air. Eastenders shortened their episodes. We got a lot of classic Hollyoaks! And we still don’t have a full week of Doctors. I miss it terribly on a Friday.
Doctors filmed a special Covid episode (The Mirror)
In summer 2020, Doctors put together one of the most amazing pieces of television ever. Filmed on phones and computers at the actors’ homes, they produced a Covid special that brought so many viewers, including myself to tears. It charted them, as frontline workers, all checking in with each other as they battled Covid. Ruhma then developed Covid symptoms and was eventually brought back from the brink. It was just incredible. The script. The story. The fact that they managed to put it together in those circumstances and with such little time. And the sheer tribute to the true NHS who were and continue to go through hell to save all our lives.
But then Doctors resumed as if that episode had never happened and Covid didn’t exist. Ruhma continued her storyline where she was actually suspended from work (so how could she have been working during the pandemic and therefore nearly died of Covid?) and not a single cast member mentioned Coronavirus for weeks or months. There were no signs, no hand gels and the cast were just socially distanced like they’d had a bit of a row. As for patients, they just seemed utterly incompetent. How do you treat an emergency without actually going near someone?
Eventually, they started slipping the odd mention of Covid into the script. So, did they recognise their mistake that as a medical drama, they were in a position to really tackle a really important subject? The fallout of Covid is not just physical but the mental torture people have gone and are going through is immense, particularly being trapped inside and then being too scared to venture back out. And you know what? I bet a lot of those people will be watching shows like Doctors! Their writing team are so incredibly talented. They have tackled so many stories, particularly recently in such an educational way without preaching or patronising. They are challenging and sensitive as well as entertaining and they could do so much for people in terms of exploring the after effects of this hideous pandemic.
Well, apparently they have realised this because recently, there was a fantastic episode which told the story of a woman who had become so anxious about going back out after being trapped in, shielding, that she almost didn’t make it to her vaccination at The Mill. She lost her son to Covid (highlighting the awful situation where people with learning difficulties were not initially prioritised for the vaccination). There was also an episode where a taxi driver had become so overwhelmed with protecting her cab and herself and her customers during the pandemic from germs, that it had spun completely out of control.
These were such a good episodes and I for one, would love more of them. I don’t want to be beaten over the head with Covid episodes. There’s enough of it in life and on the actual news but episodes that are more reflective of the world we are currently living in are most definitely welcome.
I remember watching the soaps when I was a closeted teenager, in awe of the likes of Zoe Tate, who was such a rare gem on 90’s TV. Not only had she been out and proud since the early nineties, but her sexuality was also only part of her story. She was a powerful, even formidable character. She had money and knew how to use it. She had her own career as a vet, that she loved. She had a wicked streak. In later years, actress Leah Bracknell portrayed the most heartbreaking scenes as Zoe battled Schizophrenia. When people think back to the nineties in terms of the presence of LGBTQ characters, their minds immediately flashback to Beth Jordache and ‘that kiss’, which is of course important but Zoe came out a year before this and was the first lesbian character in a British Soap. She was also the first gay character to have a wedding/blessing, many years before Civil Partnerships or equal marriage were even dots on the horizon for any of us. I was genuinely saddened in 2019 when Leah passed away from cancer.
‘That Kiss’ in Brookside
Flash forward to present day and this past June when many of us have been marking Pride month with such gratitude that we are here, that so many things have changed and that we have the capacity and strength to try and change the things that still need changing. I have seen so many things online that remind us of why we still need Pride so much. One of things that struck me hardest was a post about while we live in a world where kids are still sat at home believing they would be better off no longer in this world than being gay, then we still need Pride. Pride isn’t a party. Pride is a march of survival. It’s a moment in time where we embrace every single ounce of ‘different’ inside and let it sing. Even if we sing out of tune.
I’ve been that kid, sat at home, scared for my future because I didn’t fit in, because while all my friends were watching the boys on TV, I was watching the girls. And it has been a long road in terms of being and out and proud soap addict to watch these shows change their characters, their storylines and their attitudes towards their characters and their storylines over the past twenty five years or so, when I first started tuning in and I started consciously battling my sexuality.
Lindsey fell for best friend, Shelley in Brookside
I remember, back in the day, that occasionally, a soap would have two dimensional gay man in it to back up another character and have no plot of their own. They certainly wouldn’t have a love life. Then there came the phase of the scandal storylines to boost ratings, where quite frankly, the characters and the LGBTQ viewers were badly mistreated. There was the random storyline of Lindsey Corkhill falling in love with her best friend, Shelley who actually had a thing for her mother in Brookie. Then there was that time that Todd kissed Nick in Corrie purely to pull viewers in to witness a ‘shock, gay kiss’ between two attractive men. And more recently, Tracy Barlow slept with Paula for literally no reason.
Charlie and Joey had a short lived romance in Home and Away #CJ
But Willow and Alex got a happy ending! #Willex
Over in Australia, back in 2009, Home and Away’s Charlie Buckton had a dalliance with Joey Collins, which I confess I got completely sucked into. It ended when Charlie cheated on her with some bloke and Joey left, never to be seen or heard of again. Charlie (the police officer) slept with one criminal bloke after another before she got shot and died. Delightful. They did redeem themselves recently though with Willow and Alex’s relationship, which I also fell in love with – they actually got a happy ending. Off screen, of course. Well, you can’t have everything.
The landscape of how soaps have presented the LGBTQ characters and relationships have definitely changed in a positive way over the years, I think. So many of the partnerships people have grown to love and adore, have not been heterosexual ones. Once upon a time, a soap would have to handle every aspect of gay relationships with ‘sensitivity’, in case they offended the homophobes when really, people like me and fellow members of the LGBTQ community were just desperate to see ourselves and our lives (or the lives we wanted to live), validated on TV.
Tony and Simon in Eastenders
Lana and Sky finally got their happy ending in Neighbours
I remember back in the day when in Eastenders, Tony left Tiffany for her brother, Simon. It was a scandal, not because of the affair but because of the sexuality aspect. I remember Shannon and Mandy falling in love so subtly that you could have missed it. Neighbours attempted to have Lana and Sky get together but the homophobia was so strong, they abandoned the story. They were so proud that for their 35th anniversary to be able to rectify this and have the girls get married. It had always felt for the show and for the actors like an unfinished storyline.
Christian and Syed lived happily ever after in Eastenders (in Birmingham, actually)
Ben and Callum are one of Eastenders’ most popular couples today #Ballum
I also remember the huge story that Eastenders took on when they got Christian and Syed together. It was amazing! Not only were they addressing Syed coming to terms with his sexuality, he also had to work out how this fitted with his religion. And despite the complaints, they became such a loved and popular couple. Since then, one of the show’s most popular couples are ‘#Ballum’ – Ben and Callum – who got together in a very similar way to Christian and Syed (an affair in the lead up to a wedding). And one of the most special moments in the show’s history was the moment that Johnny came out to his Dad, Mick and received nothing but pure love and acceptance in return – no hesitation.
Robert and Aaron were made for each other in Emmerdale #Robron
Throughout the soaps, there have been some amazingly popular couples and characters, which show the strength of writing, performance and on-screen chemistry. Who can forget Robert and Aaron – #Robron – in Emmerdale? Not my favourite, granted, but massively popular and there were a lot of devastated fans out there when Robert was sent to jail. Their counterpart, if you like, are Vanessa and Charity (who I much prefer). I am very hopeful that when Michelle Hardwick (Vanessa) returns from maternity leave, a reconciliation will be on the cards! Charity herself was initially one of those ‘ratings bisexuals’ when she had a random affair with Zoe Tate in the early noughties. So it was brilliant when they revisited this and created what has become a fantastic relationship with Vanessa. Until it all went badly wrong. Oh and let’s not forget that once upon a time, Charity’s daughter, Debbie, had a fling with best friend, Jasmine, played by Jenna Coleman. Jasmine went to prison. I don’t think she’ll be coming back…
I still believe in Charity and Vanessa! (Emmerdale) #Vanity
John Paul and Ste belong together (Hollyoaks)
One of my favourite Hollyoaks pairings is John Paul and Ste. Between them, they’ve had more relationships than hot dinners and many would say that John Paul’s true love is Craig and Ste’s true love is Brendan. But personally, I never subscribed to either of those relationships. Neither of those men ever treated John Paul or Ste very nicely. Brendan was violent and Craig dangled John Paul on a shoestring for most of their relationship. But although I have adored people like Doug and Keiron (RIP) and James and Harry (RIP) have been great players thrown into the mix, I firmly believe that Ste and John Paul belong together.
Aaron and David are the perfect couple in Neighbours
Chloe in Neighbours
Over in Australia, Neighbours has excelled itself in waving the rainbow flag. For me, they have outshone every soap. Years ago, it dipped its toe in the water with the character of Chris and from there, more and more gay characters arrived. Now, it can celebrate one of the best partnerships the show and in fact, soap, has ever seen in David and Aaron who are not only legally married (and walked down the aisle to Kylie and Jason!) but have also been foster parents and are expecting their first child. Aaron’s sister, Chloe is also bisexual and not just telly bisexual where she’s actually straight and goes off with a girl now and again to boost ratings. Chloe is such a vibrant character and has brought so much diversity to show in terms so showing someone who can love and have relationships with people for who they are, not for what gender they are.
Emma and Jasmine in Doctors
In more recent years, Doctors have created some great character development with Emma who now identifies as pansexual after being very surprised to find herself falling for a female friend. Since then, she has had relationships with either gender and a couple of years ago, the show had an extremely harrowing storyline where Emma and her then girlfriend, Jasmine experienced a homophobic attack. It was not dissimilar to that awful story of the girls on the bus in London a few years ago.
The amazing Mackenzie from Neighbours
Neighbours has taken Pride further in recent years with the amazing trans activist, Georgie Stone, who plays Mackenzie. Following Mackenzie’s story has been so emotional and so enlightening. She has been the Hayley Cropper of the millennial generation. But joking aside, it has been incredible to watch this young person, both the actress and the character, essentially explain her journey. She has not only portrayed the character but also been involved in the writing and story lining and I have genuinely wept during parts of her tale, as she had undergone surgery and struggled with acceptance from her family.
Hayley Cropper, Coronation Street. The Original.
I remember years and years ago, attending a transgender workshop and the first thing the trainer said was that they would love to say their charity was responsible for the education regarding trans people but it was actually Coronation Street. Everyone laughed because it was funny and also because it was a little bit true. This is the far reach of soaps and also the heavy responsibility they have to make sure that as well as entertaining people, they are socially responsible. I remember when Hayley first turned up in Corrie and it was such a scandal. I was about thirteen years old and still trying to get my head around my sexuality. I had no idea about gender diversity or anything and I had never heard of being transgender before. But the idea of someone not quite fitting, not feeling like they were who or how they were meant to be, completely connected with me. And Hayley turned out to be this angel, the kindest woman to ever walk the cobbles and they put her together with Roy, the kindest man to ever walk the cobbles… Well, the magic was made.
Sally from Hollyoaks
Since then, of course, Sally has turned up in Hollyoaks and the actress who plays her helped Coronation Street create Hayley so even though Hayley is gone, it’s kind of like she lives on. So even though Corrie was extremely late in bringing in the L, the G and the B, they did lead the charge with the T, something other soaps haven’t always been that eager (or that good) at doing. Currently, it’s only Emmerdale, (alongside Neighbours)who have Matty with any trans visibility. His story is particularly special as we actually knew his character as Holly, years ago. This hasn’t been done before. What’s also been a turning point in recent years with LGBTQ characters is that most of the actors who are playing the roles are members of the LGBTQ community.
So, at the end of this June – Pride Month – I am happy to reflect on how hard our soaps have worked to become inclusive and reflect the society we do or should live in. I am happy that I have all manner of characters and pairings to discuss, enjoy and dislike amongst all the different soaps. I love that I don’t have to cling to the single character that exists in each soap just because they’re gay. Firstly, there are plenty to choose from (except in Home and Away) and secondly, they are written so well that actually, sometimes they’re just not very nice. Because not all gay people are nice! Not all gay men are camp and fluffy. And gay women come in all variations too! Imagine!
Swooning (over) Shannon in Home and Away
When I was growing up, that just wasn’t how it was. You only knew Shannon liked Mandy because she talked about her incessantly. A bit like I talked about Shannon, actually! You were lucky if Zoe could hold hands with her wife. And two guys together were a rare scandal. Now, homophobia on screen is rare and definitely dealt with. I am reminded of a scene in Eastenders where Callum’s Dad was vile to him and Ben and Phil Mitchell to stood up for them. It was such a fantastic and affirming scene.
All the while people are not safe in the world because of their gender or sexuality, there is a lot of work to do. All the while there are people who don’t feel they belong in this world because of their gender or sexuality, there is a lot of work to do. But just for a brief moment in time, it is nice to reflect on how far this small corner of our society has come, even in my lifetime. When I was a teenager, I absorbed every message that these shows delivered to me and I am overwhelmed at how the messages have changed. You couldn’t pay me any money in the world to be a kid today with social media and mobile phones constantly beeping at me and recording my ever move and mistake. But I do think the positive approach to diversity and acceptance is a special thing that I definitely didn’t have twenty (ish) years ago. Soaps are intended to reflect life. They beam their way into our homes on a daily basis and right now, I praise them for doing a good job of positively affirming us, the LGBTQ community.
On Friday, Doctors absolutely excelled themselves with a ground breaking episode, all filmed remotely from the actors’ homes. It was a forty five minute episode to round off for their summer break. (I actually don’t know how I am going to cope this summer without it – it’s been the only stable soap!) But wow, they went out in style! I just don’t know how many ways I can compliment this show and this episode. It was absolutely amazing.
It was so well crafted, perfectly paced and had a fantastic blend of humour and drama. One minute, I was howling over Valerie’s dance moves (Sarah Moyle has the best comic timing), to actually weeping at the thought of losing one of our beloved characters to Coivd-19. We had the fantastic story of Jimmi counselling an intensive care Doctor, the hilarity of Emma and Zara and I enjoyed having a look at all their backgrounds, as I have been doing for the past few months during every piece of news!
The Doctors Cast Came Together to Film a Special Isolation Episode (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
The episode covered several weeks of lockdown and it did genuinely cover everything that we have all been dealing with every day. It was relatable. It was creative. It was the first time a soap has every attempted such a thing. And if it doesn’t get Best Single Episode at the British Soap Awards, it will be an absolute travesty!
Ruhma arranged to take Tanya away for a few days. Not only was Tanya’s baby crying in the background when she spoke to Bear, also lurking in the background were Tanya’s phone calls to her mother, trying to organise moving away from Ruhma at the right time.
Deborah was really beginning to grate on Emma, keeping pestering her for basic advice on her patients. When Emma complained to Daniel, he dismissed her.
Al and Lily plan Jimmi’s birthday… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
New temp receptionist (shouldn’t they prioritise looking for a nurse first?!), Lily, played by former Emmerdale actress, Verity Rushworth, started, bonding with the staff much more easily than poor, old Deborah did, namely connecting with Al. She even helped him organise Jimmi’s birthday, starting by reminding him that it was his birthday in the first place!
Silly Lily gets locked in the surgery… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
On Wednesday, there was one of the best episodes ever, where Bear accidentally locked Lily in the building, where there was promptly a power cut. With her phone in her handbag in her car, there was no way out for poor Lily until a young, autistic man happened by. He had set the smoke alarm off in his house and the noise had sent him to The Mill which he knew was a safe place to get help. Lily succeeded in directing him into her car to get her phone.
Zachery rescued Lily… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
The bond that formed between them turned out to be very special as across town, Sid and his new trainee were attempting to save the life of his father, who had just attempted suicide. As a standalone episode, I would recommend this episode to everyone. It was absolutely fantastic and the actor that played Zachery was outstanding. He stole the show!
Sid attempted to save Zachery’s father’s life… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Regarding recruiting a new nurse, I can’t say Zara has not put her best effort in. After her announcement on the radio, applications from vastly inappropriate people have come flooding in! Everyone wants to work at The Mill! In the meantime, Zara persuaded Al to play nurse for the day. He almost finds a newfound respect for nurses. Almost.
Zara is under a lot of stress… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Daniel became very worried about the level of stress his partner was under with so much on her plate with work, including everything that recently happened with Ayesha. He was concerned when he witnessed her having a panic attack and then hurt when she turned to Harper’s meditation app to calm herself down instead of letting him help. When the school called to alert him to a problem with Joe’s homework (he has been cheating using Harper), he decided to deal with it himself instead of worrying Zara with it. Joe got into further trouble that night when he continued to cheat despite having already been caught out!
Karen was devastated that Jay was being moved on and Jay did not want to go. He opened up to Rob about his past and Rob in turn was honest about his own father. The two of them had a lovely day together, with Rob able to reassure Jay that nothing that has happened to him in his life has been his fault.
Goodbye, Jay (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
And so, today, we look forward to the very exciting, history-making, extended-length Isolation Episode, although sadly, this leads us into a summer break… I always miss this show when it’s not on. It is one of my most favourite soaps.
With the BAME organ donor campaign being such a success, Ayesha was stunned to get an amazing job offer from an old friend, giving her the chance to work abroad with Malaria patients and to earn a LOT of money. After much debate and a huge argument with Zara after she asked for a financial reason to stay, she decided to quit The Mill, widen her horizons and move onto her new position.
My first thought was that although I was sad to say goodbye to Ayesha, I was so pleased that the girl from ‘the Churchill’ was leaving on such a high. My only disappointment is that towards the end of the week, she seemed to have let the job offer go to her head a bit. She was so rude to Zara about not working her notice, who granted, was rude to her first, that she got herself fired. And then basically told Bear that she wanted him to be her Plan B. Now, we all know that I am not a fan of Bear but it was a bit rude, arrogant and thoughtless.
Bear doesn’t want to be Ayesha’s back up plan… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
So, while Ayesha and Bear called it a day, it was a pretty poor turnout for her leaving party, considering just how dedicated the nurse has been to The Mill for so many years. About four people showed up to say goodbye. Charming! Thankfully, Valerie has enough energy and enthusiasm for about ten staff members. Although, maybe Ruhma would have come if she had bothered to let her know she was going. One person who did make a cameo appearance though, was Zara who made peace with her before she left (and un-fired her). Then with The Mill a nurse down, Zara joined Aunty Em on her radio show and appealed for any qualified nurses to apply. Daniel was not thrilled by her impulsivity.
Goodbye Ayesha! (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Ruhma was called for a meeting regarding the complaint that Deborah made about her for her appearance at Tanya’s labour. Tanya burst in to defend her friend, which was amazing but it was clear that the man in charge had already made his mind up. Ruhma made things ever more awkward when she rushed Tanya and the baby to see Zara when the baby was poorly. It is also becoming abundantly clear that Tanya is ready to move on but doesn’t want to let Ruhma down after everything she has done for her.
Al considered leaving Letherbridge (noooo!) in order to move in with Eve and look after her. Eve was having none of it, however and insisted that although one day, it may come to this, now is not that day.
Daniel spent the day looking after poorly Joe and between him and Zara, when she returned home in the evening, the GP became more and more put out by the family’s attachment to ‘Harper’ (Doctors’ version of Alexa).
Emma got to the bottom of a sexual violence case involving a vile driving instructor. Al bonded with a teenage cheerleader trying to work out how she feels about her complex family. It was really a very charming, insightful, well done story. Sid treated a champion in Rock, Paper, Scissor for Carpel Tunnel. No, I didn’t make that up. It’s an actual thing! Look: https://www.wrpsa.com/rock-paper-scissors-world-championship/
Sid’s patient has unusual career plans… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
How does this show find such random things?! Their story liners and researchers have the most epic imaginations!
Despite Doctors ceasing filming due to the Coronavirus, the show does appear to still be airing every weekday on BBC1 at 1:45pm
There will be a special isolation episode on 12th June
Temporary midwife, Deborah started working at The Mill (and the hospital) and I’ll say it now. I don’t like her. I wasn’t sure to start with but by yesterday, I concluded that I don’t like her. You are no Ruhma, Deborah. You are no Ruhma. Not that Ruhma has been doing herself any favours at the minute, to be fair.
For starters, Deborah blurted out to the rest of the staff exactly what she had heard had caused Ruhma’s suspension. I mean, has she never heard of confidentiality? Isn’t she supposed to be a nurse? Bear was understandably furious and when Ruhma realised what has happened, she was absolutely mortified.
She was then Tanya’s midwife at St Phil’s when she went into labour. Ruhma persuaded her to let her be her birthing partner, being how frightened Tanya was after everything she had been through. None of the rest of the staff were bothered. Why would they be? Everyone loves Ruhma. But of course, on Monday, Deborah told tales to Zara and Daniel about what happened. Zara had to awkwardly confess to her partner that she knew all along that Tanya has been staying with Ruhma, expressing frustration at her indiscretion.
Ruhma is devoted to Tanya, no matter to cost… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
A home, Tanya was ready to move to her Mum’s house with the baby, worried about getting Ruhma into trouble but Ruhma didn’t want her to go. I wonder if she is going to start overstepping like she did with the couple she gave that money to…
Meanwhile, Ayesha and Bear kicked off a fantastic BAME organ donor campaign (once Zara finally gave it the green light), with the help of Sid, Shak and Jimmi with the tag line #DontOptOut. Yet another worthwhile campaign. I love Doctors for using its platform to highlight important things like these.
Ayesha and Bear present their campaign idea to Zara… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Zara went to buy a new phone and ended up being seduced by the Doctors version of Alexa. His name is Harper and he’s very posh and chatty! It’s all quite amusing. By the end of the week, she had ended up in quite a pickle when a patient gave her a gift – a stuffed owl. Rather horrified, she found out (via Harper) that she could sell it for a few hundred quid (and then buy some shoes!) Of course, after she’d posted it to the dealer, the patient came rushing back with her actual gift (which, frustratingly, we never found out what it was), explaining that he had mixed up the boxes! Oops. There was one moment during this episode where Emma scared Zara with the bird that was so funny, I actually had to rewind it to watch it again! I love these two; I would watch an entire episode just of them! Consider it a suggestion!
Another good friendship on the show is Jimmi and Al but they came under strain this week when Al, deeply concerned about his mother, criticised Jimmi’s new ‘minimalist’ house. Jimmi was offended and support was withdrawn. They sniped at each other for a few days before Al eventually apologised, they made friends and all was well in the world again.
Despite Doctors ceasing filming due to the Coronavirus, the show does appear to still be airing every weekday on BBC1 at 1:45pm
There will be a special isolation episode on 12th June
The week began with a hilarious episode and the perfect tonic to the lockdown as Valerie decided to foster kittens. You just cannot not love Valerie. She came in as a part time character and her charm, humour, individuality and compassion just stole everyone’s hearts. She can make you weep with stories such as her cancer diagnosis and she can make you absolutely howl with episodes like this one where she had nobody to look after the kitten so she carried ‘Snowy’ into work in a tiny little bag (possibly the cutest things I’ve ever seen in my life) and roped her colleagues into helping until Ayesha could come and collect her.
Cue the hilarity as Valarie attempted to cover the kitten’s mews in front of Zara as a squeaky shoe, confused everyone when Zara then suggested talcum powder for the squeaky shoe and then ended up letting the ‘squeaky shoe’ wee all over Jimmi!
One of my favourite moments came when Jimmi was expecting Valerie back with his jacket but Daniel appeared and he asked if ‘it’ had come out. Upon his confusion, Jimmi panicked.
“Um… the sun!”
Later, when the truth came out, Zara attempted to cover up her mortification that she had been duped into believing Valerie’s lame story about the shoe and demanded to know how Daniel hadn’t realised.
“Well, you didn’t notice either, Cagney!” he shot back.
All in all, this was another fabulous, quirky, Valerie story. More please! I am always torn in Doctors as to whether my favourite character is Zara or Valerie. I genuinely cannot decide but I think Sarah Moyle, who plays Valerie is an absolute superstar.
The truth about the kittens comes out… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Meanwhile, Al had problems visiting his mother who suffers with Alzheimer’s when she went shopping and returned home, having forgotten who he was. She called the police on him, thinking he was a stranger in her house. Well, to be honest, if he hadn’t behaved like a complete slob, lying around the house in his pants, eating all her food, playing video games, and refusing to do anything useful, then perhaps it wouldn’t have happened. She probably only went shopping in the first place to get away from him! What respectable adult goes to visit their mother (with or without Alzheimer’s) and behaves like that? Honestly!
Al isn’t exactly the perfect house guest… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
To his credit, he did make up for it during the rest of his stay. First, he threw a party for her and her friends in order to help her spend time with people she loves and helped her every moment she needed him. They took a lovely selfie to put in the frame she had been saving for his wedding day. They then went to a pub quiz, hosted by a very rude drag queen who turned out to be a boy who bullied him at school and continued to bully him during the quiz. Now, I love a drag queen. As a gay woman, I have seen my fair share of drag acts. But I love that we have reached a point where soaps can write LGBTQ characters just as people. They don’t all have to be sympathetic characters.
Meanwhile, Auntie Em had another radio appearance, only to comes to blows after being set up to appear with Su Without an E. That rather unpleasant student who hosts the show, deliberately left them on air so everyone heard Emma laying into Su but thankfully, the two women worked out that they were being deliberately goaded. They endeavoured to work together for the rest of the show. But they are not friends and never will be!
Karen’s marijuana is discovered when she stupidly bakes it into brownies for Jay and leaves them casually in a tin and goes out, assuming that Rob won’t be back until later. Obviously, he eats two and gets stoned out of his tree. It’s actually very funny. But when he comes down, he is absolutely furious with his wife. He draws the line at arresting her but it’s hard to say where they go from here.
Doctors have been brilliant at covering Mental Health Awareness Week, not least with a really harrowing suicide story during Thursday’s episode. Valerie desperately tried to track a woman down, talking to her on the phone, finding her address and eventually sending the police round ahead of her rushing to her house, trying to stop her from killing herself. I won’t lie. I had tears in my eyes as she said goodbye and left a note for her mother. This story really broke me. It was so well written and portrayed.
Other Mental Health stories this week have included: self harm, alcoholism and post-natal depression. Also, in a rather random story at the end of the week, Sid got himself involved with a lady who was being screwed over by her very strange estate agent. It was very peculiar!
Next week, despite Doctors ceasing filming due to the Coronavirus, the show does appear to still be airing every weekday on BBC1 at 1:45pm
I always love a week that starts with lots of Zara Carmichael! Monday 4th began with Zara stepping up to support Ruhma at her hearing regarding her suspension from work. Ruhma and her somewhat pointless advocate attempted to explain what happened. While Ruhma does have an exemplary record, apparently some ridiculous people have jumped on the bandwagon and claimed that she was too tactile with them. Firstly, Ruhma is Call the Midwife worthy so anyone that complained, quite frankly, how dare you? Secondly, how hands-off do people want their midwife to be during labour? Do they expect her to stand at the other end of the room and yell out instructions or something? Anyway, Zara was told to keep her mouth shut but let’s face it, this is Zara. When does she ever stay quiet, especially when it comes to standing up for those she cares about? So she said exactly what she thought. Unfortunately, the decision was made to investigate further (how, exactly?) and keep Ruhma’s suspension in place. Ludicrous!
She didn’t, of course and when she received an urgent call from one of her pregnant Mums who was being abused by her husband, she felt she had no choice but to rush to her aid, bringing the vulnerable young woman, Tanya to her home to stay. Zara proved herself to be truly fabulous when she discovered what Ruhma was up to and opted not to roll over on her. In fact, she even provided a prescription for Tanya when she needed it. The moment that Daniel caught Ruhma and Zara together at the surgery and Zara declared that Ruhma had chronic thrush in order to scare him away was pure gold, warning him not to waylay a woman with ‘burning plumbing’! Hilarious.
Tanya’s husband tracks her down at Ruhma’s house… (photo credit: What’sOnTV)
Unfortunately, Tanya’s husband successfully tracked her down and there was an incredible showdown at the house, thankfully resolved by Shak, although Ruhma really held her own. The scenes were really intense and brilliantly shot. My only criticism is Ruhma’s assertion to Zara that Tanya wouldn’t be eligible for housing support. She’s pregnant and fleeing domestic violence. She would be considered priority need. But that doesn’t take away from a really gripping and emotive story. And the good news is that the police were called so hopefully she can get the help and support she needs. But I do worry that Ruhma is going to get into more trouble at work now…
Speaking of trouble… Rob came home from a bad day at work (he failed his unconscious bias test, suggesting he has racial bias!) to find foster kid, Jay smoking weed in the garden. Hitting the roof, he decided that Jay had to leave despite his explanation that cannabis controls his epilepsy and he doesn’t have entitlement to CBD oil on the NHS. Rob eventually gave in on the promise he wouldn’t smoke but after his fits began again and she failed to get any support from her colleagues over the CBD oil, Karen did possibly the most stupid thing she has ever done, which is to go and by weed from a dealer and supply it to Jay. Firstly, it’s obviously illegal. Secondly, she’s married to a policeman. Thirdly, it’s completely disrespectful, knowing Rob’s position on the matter. And lastly, it’s completely irresponsible to supply marijuana to her foster child, regardless of her good intentions.
Of course, Jay goes through the supply extremely quickly, sending her back to ‘Big Red’ for more. On her way out, she bumped into one of Rob’s colleagues where she completely messed up and got caught with the drugs. Making up a story about chronic back pain, the police officer took pity on her and let her off on the promise that she wouldn’t tell anyone she hadn’t reported the offence. But let’s face it, there’s no way this isn’t going to come out and have serious consequences. I like Karen a lot but she is making a big mistake here.
Karen is stopped by the police… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Sid and Valerie conspired to get Bear and Ayesha together for Ayesha’s birthday but it didn’t quite go to plan. For starters, while nobody but Jimmi and Emma turned up to the party, Valerie pulled and Ayesha got very drunk. But Sid and Bear didn’t make it at all, as they were pulled over by a disgustingly racist police officer. She had no reason to stop them. She assumed they were up to no good for one reason only and when she couldn’t find them doing anything wrong, she held them at the side of the road ‘doing checks’ for an excruciatingly long time. She wavered when she found out Sid’s occupation and finally let them go when he name-dropped Sergeant Rob Hollins. It was so uncomfortable to watch, as it should have been. To know that this actually happens. And for what reason? She could have been out, catching actual criminals, instead of good, hardworking men off to a party. Both of them ended up too shaken to go to the party but Bear implored Sid to make a complaint.
Ayesha woke up completely confused in unfamiliar surroundings, which understandably sent her into a spin after the last time she didn’t remember the night before. Thankfully, what happened this time was she lost her keys and kind Jimmi took her back to his, where she threw up and he had to get her changed and put her to bed. Ever the gentleman, he went out the next morning and got breakfast. You’ve just got to love Jimmi Clay!
Later in the week, Ayesha suddenly did a full 180 and decided she did like Bear after all when at the beginning of the week, she absolutely hated him. And I genuinely cannot fathom that anything at all happened to make that change. But anyway, they go to the wildest club night consisting of about six people including the DJ ‘DJ Smithy’, who is a friend of Bear’s, at around lunch time on a weekday. I mean, is that what people do now? Clubbing on a Wednesday afternoon? (I mean, not now, obviously, everyone’s at home, watching Doctors, shielding from Covid-19). Or did a night shoot not fit with the interconnecting storylines?
Ayesha supported a family whose father was waiting for a kidney transplant and whose son has offered himself as an anonymous living donor, having been rejected by his Dad for being gay. Wow, that’s a complicated family situation. With her encouragement, Bear made a statement against the racist police officer from last week. I am so relieved!
Ayesha supports a troubled family… (photo credit: WhatsOnTV)
Emma’s new found fame as an LGBTQ+ advocate puts her in touch with a woman who has kept her sexuality hidden all her life. Mother and grandmother, she was married for years but fell in love with a woman, who she nearly ran away with but couldn’t abandon her daughter, who she now has a difficult relationship with. She has spent her life longing for this woman to come back for her. It’s a really sad, complicated, well written story. I love that from this radio interview and Emma’s bravery has come an influx of questions and people needing advice, to the point that Al has ended up setting up an ‘Auntie Em’ advice website for her! Another string to her bow!
Al spent a day trying to help a woman battling with her memory, trapped in the past on the night when her daughter was murdered, resulting in her attacking a man by mistake. It’s a truly haunting and at times, confusing story, really well written and put together, capturing the sheer bewilderment and distress this woman is experiencing. The following week, he got caught up with an old friend that he clearly fancied who had been sucked into working for the DWP and was manipulated into signing off a patient as being fit to work, as he wasn’t provided with all the information. The man was desperate not to sign on and Al’s friend had quotas to meet. Al stopped fancying her pretty quick.
Next week, despite Doctors ceasing filming due to the Coronavirus, the show does appear to still be airing every weekday on BBC1 at 1:45pm
It looks like we’re not quite free of Jimmi’s prison storyline, as Leon, the guy who stabbed him, requests a visit in prison. Al sensibly advises steering clear while Daniel understands his curiosity. Jimmi shows his strength by confronting Leon rather than pandering to him.
Good old Sid puts his foot in it when it comes to Bear’s potential relationship with Ayesha. Please can these two either just get on with it or get over it so we can all move on?
Zara and Daniel manage to manipulate the cultural diversity out of their son and tempt him into giving up fasting for Ramadan. Such good parenting!
Daniel gets involved with his friend (they do pull these character’s ‘old friends’ out of nowhere, never seen before and never to be seen again, don’t they?) who has unknowingly got a woman pregnant as she stuck a pin in the condom. However, what she doesn’t know is that his player attitude and not watching children is because of his genetics. I think this is a really interesting and important story to tell. What this woman has done is awful. As women, we have the right, 100%, to say what is okay to do with our bodies and there is a lot of coverage on that, as there should be. But why does this woman think there is nothing wrong with doing this to a man? Tricking him into fathering a child? Doing this to him without his permission? And then taking his choices away as to whether he should be allowed to be part of his child’s life. This sort of thing sets feminism back several paces.
Ruhma can’t not help…
Ruhma unwittingly sets up a Midwife Hotline to her old patients. Perhaps not the wisest choice, considering she is currently suspended… However, she does get a sort-of-nice visit from Valerie and Karen. I mean, I think it was nice. Kind of. Well, it was amusing to see Karen sat on an inflatable unicorn because her bottom is still sore. Then as part of Ramadan, Ruhma and Shak volunteer to work on a building project for the homeless. While Shak works with a rather annoying girl, Ruhma cannot resist helping out one of the decorators who has been secretly living in the property as he has nowhere else to go. Well, you just have to love Ruhma, don’t you? I just hope things go her way at her hearing. She’s the best midwife ever!
Shak works on a homelessness project…
Wednesday brought us a particularly moving episode involving Ayesha tracking down the family of a homeless woman who died in her arms in the street over Christmas. It was informative to people who might not know much about the process and these kinds of funerals and also emotional as we journeyed through finding out about how this woman lived her life and ended up on the winter streets of Letherbridge. As I said in my last blog, this is one of the many reasons I really love Doctors. It can use an episode space so creatively and tells such intricate stories.
Thursday’s episode takes a very dark turn as Sid attempts to support a young, male escort who has been drugged and raped by a client and is being forced to work by his brutal employer who has clearly manipulated the situation so that he is actually in debt to her rather than earning money. It was one of those brilliantly devastating stories where your heart breaks at not having the happy conclusion, all neatly tied up at the end but your mind absolutely adores Doctors for having the balls to be honest about how the world really works. Not everyone gets a happy ending, no matter how much we wish that was true. Not everything can be sown up in a tidy, half hour episode. Not everyone can be saved, as devastating as that is. I do genuinely think this show is underrated because of its time slot (although I read a Tweet from Elisabeth Dermot Walsh this morning about gaining extra viewers due to the lockdown so that’s a plus). I do think it deserves so much more credit like the other soaps get for the subjects it tackles and the creativity it uses to tell the stories it does.
Having said that, I did post a somewhat lazy tweet this week, where I am a little worried I may have sounded like I was criticising rather than complimenting, which caught the attention of the writer of this particular episode, Dale Overton, one of their Story Producers, Naz Ahmed and also Matthew Chambers who plays Daniel Granger. So, should this blog also come to anyone’s attention (unlikely!), I was definitely complimenting the episode! Just to clarify!!!
Moving on… Rob and Karen get a new teenage boy to foster. I do like these stories. They bring a really interesting and often very moving element to the show.
Next week, despite Doctors ceasing filming due to the Coronavirus, the show does appear to still be airing every weekday on BBC1 at 1:45pm
The Soap Dish 