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23/03/2010
Lucy puts Ian in an impossible situation, while Phil has something to hide. Jean's behaviour causes concern for Max - but it looks like the worst is yet to come.
With the police out hunting for Louise, Phil is determined to keep her at his side and tells the officers that he does not know the girl’s whereabouts. Shirley, having stumbled upon Louise in the Vic by mistake, is quick to see Phil’s game and warns him that, by defying the law in this matter, he could risk losing Louise altogether. Peggy is inclined to agree with Shirley and gives him the phone number to call. An emotional Phil explains to Louise that he will do everything in his power to get the girl back safely with him, and a resolved Louise walks away with the social worker, hand in hand.
Jane and Ian, both unable to sleep, sit up drinking tea late into the night. Jane is unaware, though, that while she is happily reading about foetal development, Ian is researching the finer details of abortion. Ian and Lucy feel very guilty, in light of Jane’s kindness, as they head out to the abortion clinic together. A nervous Lucy is comforted by her father and the two bond over the uneasy experience. When Lucy goes in to see the doctor for a private chat, Ian is left to wonder whether the girl will go through with the procedure. After Lucy has decided that she definitely does want the abortion, she takes the first or two pills and Ian brings the girl home. Tucking his daughter into bed, Ian has promised that he will break the news to an unsuspecting Jane.
Still fraught with anxiety over Stacey’s disappearance, Jean also cannot sleep and spends the night deep cleaning the kitchen. Mo is concerned when Jean heads out of the house, still in her slippers, to buy a mousetrap. After bumping into Max, Jean reprimands the grieving father for sending Bradley on the run. Despite Mo’s apologies on Jean’s behalf, Max is clearly wounded. Wanting to repair some bridges, Max goes to see Jean in the hope of helping her with mouse situation.
Denise, trying to help her daughter bag a man, arranges with Lucas for Chelsea to go on a date with his assistant, Matthew. When Chelsea arrives at the Vic, she is disappointed to see that Matthew is less than traditionally handsome, as a grinning Shirley points her in the direction of the hopeful gentleman. Fortunately for Chelsea, Jack is on hand to scare the young man away and does so while the girl seeks refuge in the ladies. A thankful Chelsea enjoys a celebratory drink with Jack, who says he could never ignore a damsel in distress.
Concluding that the mouse droppings are actually biscuit crumbs, Max calms Jean and the saddened pair settle into a heart-to-heart. Deciding that he will take a memento of Bradley, after Jean has suggested it might help, Max comes down the stairs with a bugs bunny mug. He sees Mo opening the front door to two police officers with some grave news for a Mrs Slater.
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Catch-up: Tuesday 23 March
Duration: 01:45
Chapters
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Opening Titles
Duration: 00:24
Many residents of the Square can’t sleep
Ian knows he has to tell Jane about Lucy’s decision, while Jean regrets leaving Stacey alone at the hospital before she went missing. Elsewhere, the police come looking for Phil’s daughter, Louise.
Duration: 05:24
Phil makes an effort with Louise, much to Ben’s annoyance
Jean states that Max is to blame for Stacey’s disappearance and Bradley’s death, and Ian and Lucy prepare for the abortion while Jane is none the wiser about their plan.
Duration: 06:12
Chelsea has an unpleasant surprise when she meets her blind date
Jean apologises to Max after he helps her with her rodent problem, and Ian leaves his community service shift in order to be with Lucy. Elsewhere, Shirley meets Louise.
Duration: 05:56
A nervous Lucy goes into the clinic alone
Shirley and Peggy agree that Phil needs to give Louise up if he wants to look after her in the long term. In the Vic, Chelsea isn’t having the best time with her date.
Duration: 04:43
The police visit Jean – is it about Stacey?
Jack manages to save Chelsea from her bad date, and Lucy goes ahead with the abortion. Meanwhile, an emotional Phil vows to get Louise back, and Max tries to get a keepsake from the Slater house.
Duration: 06:51
Credits
Role Contributor Jean Slater Gillian Wright Mo Harris Laila Morse Max Branning Jake Wood Lucy Beale Melissa Suffield Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt Jane Beale Laurie Brett Peter Beale Thomas Law Phil Mitchell Steve McFadden Peggy Mitchell Barbara Windsor Louise Mitchell Brittany Papple Ben Mitchell Charlie Jones Shirley Carter Linda Henry Jack Branning Scott Maslen Chelsea Fox Tiana Benjamin Denise Johnson Diane Parish Dr Cameron Aicha Kossoko DC Hargreaves Danny Nutt Executive Producer Diederick Santer Director Audrey Cooke Writer Gillian Richmond Broadcasts
- Tue 23 Mar 2010 19:30
- Tue 23 Mar 2010 22:00