Casualty (series 2)

Casualty series 2
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 15
Broadcast
Original channel BBC
Original run 12 September 1987 (1987-09-12) – 19 December 1987 (1987-12-19)
Home video release
DVD release date 11 July 2006
Series chronology
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The second series of the British medical drama television series Casualty commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 12 September 1987 and finished on 19 December 1987. [1]


Contents

Production

While the first series of Casualty had been filmed in London, a permanent place for the Set had now been found - a warehouse in Bristol. However, accompanying the publicity for the start of the new series were comments by producer Geraint Morris that there would be no more programmes, stating quite unequivocally that: "We felt it should end on a high after thirty episodes."

Once again as the characters of Holby's A&E department battled to save their night shift on screen, off screen a similar battle was being waged - and won. After six weeks on air, the critics were finally warming to the series and there were no longer any Government complaints about content. Following the dramatic episode Cry For Help, in which Paramedic Sandra Mute is stabbed the programme seemed to secure audiences of more than 10 million and therefore a sense of security to the programme.

An example of the series' now infamous tendency to bare similarity to real life events came during an episode where the team had to dig out bodies from a house bombed in an IRA attack. Just hours after being screen, an IRA bomb ripped through Enniskillen. It seemed that the writers had put their fingers on the country's pulse without exaggeration and from that point onwards no one dared to call it far-fetched again. [2]

Cast

For series 2, the majority of the original cast remained unchanged. Continuing into Series 2 were consultant Ewart Plimmer (Bernard Gallagher), nurses Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), Megan Roach (Brenda Fricker), and Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (Cathy Shipton), paramedics Sandra Mute (Lisa Bowerman) and Andrew Ponting (Robert Pugh), receptionist Susie Mercier (Debbie Roza) and porter Kuba Trzcinski (Christopher Rozycki).

Joining the regular cast were administrator Elizabeth Straker (Maureen O'Brien), senior house officer Mary Tomlinson (Helena Little), student nurses Karen O’Malley (Kate Hardie) and Cyril James (Eddie Nestor), paramedics Shirley Franklin (Ella Wilder) and Keith Cotterill (Geoffery Leesley). Nigel Anthony and Sonia Woolley had recurring roles as Ted Roach and Ros Plimmer respectively. [3]

Episodes

Episode #[nb 1] Series # Episode Director Writer(s) Original airdate
16 1 "A Little Lobbying" Antonia Bird Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin 12 September 1987 (1987-09-12)

Temperatures are running high at Holby Hospital, pending an agreement on the future of the night shift. Ewart has two weeks to petition the case for the reopening.

Elizabeth Straker and Mary Tomlinson are introduced. 
17 2 "A Drop of the Hard Stuff" Antonia Bird Roy Mitchell 19 September 1987 (1987-09-19)

A girl is beaten up by her boyfriend and there is a shock for Duffy when the girl is readmitted later. A party thrown by Susie enables Ewart and Elizabeth to make friends.

Karen O'Malley and Cyril James are introduced.

Guest starring Michael Garner and Dorian Healy.[4] 
18 3 "Shades of Love" Michael Brayshaw Wally K Daly 26 September 1987 (1987-09-26)

A woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease causes Mary to row with Social Services and Ewart discovers Kuba breaking the rules.

Guest starring Mela White.[5] 
19 4 "Cry for Help" Alan Wareing Paul Unwin and Jeremy Brock 3 October 1987 (1987-10-03)
A man is admitted after an electric shock and tragedy strikes when Mute and Ponting are trying to deal with a drunkard. Sandra Mute dies. 
20 5 "Anaconda" Michael Brayshaw Ray Brennan 10 October 1987 (1987-10-10)

The night shift staff have to deal with a performing snake and a brutal racist attack on an Asian man. Ponting, unable to get over the death of Mute decides to leave the ambulance service.

Guest starring Tony Selby.[6] 
21 6 "Lifelines" Sharon Miller Jeremy Brock 17 October 1987 (1987-10-17)

It's Ponting's last night and Duffy's first as acting sister. Meanwhile Charlie encounters hostility when he tries to help a party of cavers.

Andrew Ponting departs.

Guest starring Dee Sadler.[7] 
22 7 "The Raid" Sharon Miller Susan Wilkins 24 October 1987 (1987-10-24)

The team are put on full alert when tensions run high between the police and the black community. Duffy reacts badly under pressure.

Shirley Franklin and Keith Cotterill are introduced.

Guest starring Gary Beadle and Pam Ferris.[8] 
23 8 "Cross Fingers" Alan Wareing David Ashton 31 October 1987 (1987-10-31)

A taxi-driver brings in a seriously ill girl with suspected meningitis. Elizabeth tries to contact Ewart - but why is he not taking her calls?

Guest starring Ian Reddington.[9] 
24 9 "Seeking Heat" Christopher Menaul Ray Brennan and Jeremy Brock 7 November 1987 (1987-11-07)

With his maintenance hearing behind him, Ewart can now be open in his relationship with Elizabeth. A massive bomb explosion causes Duffy and Mary to resolve their earlier hostilities.

Guest starring Christopher Ellison. [10] 
25 10 "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" Sharon Miller Ginnie Hole 14 November 1987 (1987-11-14)

An elderly lady put on a waiting list for an operation causes some heart-searching by Charlie, meanwhile Megan suspects child abuse when a woman brings in a badly bruised baby.

Karen O'Malley departs.

Guest starring Edna Dore.[11] 
26 11 "Hooked" Michael Brayshaw Billy Hamon 21 November 1987 (1987-11-21)
Duffy receives some shattering news from Peter and two men turn up at Casualty demanding an AIDS test. 
27 12 "Fun Night" Alan Wareing Al Hunter Ashton 28 November 1987 (1987-11-28)
A row between two youths over a girlfriend results in a stabbing and a revenge attack. Elizabeth's daughter makes a startling announcement. 
28 13 "Peace, Brother" Michael Brayshaw David Ashton 5 December 1987 (1987-12-05)
Mary's father is rushed into Casualty after collapsing and violence erupts when members of the wandering tribe visit Casualty with an unconscious boy. 
29 14 "Burning Cases" Christopher Menaul Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin 12 December 1987 (1987-12-12)
A paraplegic man sets himself on fire and Megan is worried that she might be accused of negligence when an elderly patient falls off a trolley. Ewart is suddenly taken seriously ill with a heart attack. 
30 15 "These Things Happen" Alan Wareing David Ashton 19 December 1987 (1987-12-19)

The hospital authorities are to hold an investigation over the suspected negligence of an elderly patient. Elizabeth tells Ewart a few home truths about his health.

Elizabeth Straker, Mary Tomlinson and Susie Mercier depart. 

Notes

  1. ^ "Episode #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Series #" refers to the episode's number in this particular series.

References

  1. ^ IMDB Casualty Series 2
  2. ^ "Casualty | Series 2". holby.tv. 1987-09-12. http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=10,1290,0,0,1. Retrieved 2010-07-29. 
  3. ^ IMDB Casualty Full Cast and Crew 1986-Present Day
  4. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E2 A Drop of The Hard Stuff
  5. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E3 Shades of Love
  6. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E5 Anaconda
  7. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E6 Lifelines
  8. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E7 The Raid
  9. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E8 Cross Fingers
  10. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E9 Seeking Heat
  11. ^ IMDB Casualty S2 E10 Rock a Bye Baby

External links

 
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