| James "Scotty" Scott | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Kiel McNaughton as Scotty in 2011. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Kiel McNaughton | ||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Daniel | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2007 - 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 19 March 2007 episode 3691 |
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| Last appearance | 11 August 2011 episode 4810 |
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| Classification | Past; Regular | ||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Nursing Manager at Shortland Street Hospital (2007-2011) | ||||||||||||||||||
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James Owen "Scotty" Scott[1] is a fictional character on New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Kiel McNaughton from his arrival in March 2007, first as a guest character before returning in June 2007 as a core cast member, up until the characters axing in 2011. The character departed on screen with family, Tracey (Sarah Thompson) and adoptive son Kitu (Christian Edmonds) to start fresh in East Timor, mid August 2011.
Prior to arriving to the show, Scotty was a soldier in East Timor in a battalion alongside recurring character Warren Briggs (Karl Straker) and Greg Sinclair. Scotty was deeply affected when the villainous Greg died and Scotty's leadership came under question. Upon arriving to Shortland Street, Scotty earned little friends with his no nonsense army style approach to management. Nurse Shanti Kumari (Nisha Madhan) saw beneath the tough exterior though and the two wed in 2008, after Scotty was proven not to be the serial killer he was accused of. After Shanti's devastating death in 2009, a depressed Scotty dated Tracey Morrison and was nearly murdered by stalker Penny Rourke (Carolyn Dando). He and Tracey married in February 2011 before he impregnated her and adopted a son, Kitu.
Scotty was a popular character, namely for his relationship with Shanti which won the two numerous Throng Shortland Street fan awards for "Favourite Couple".
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In March 2007 it was announced that Scotty would be arriving as the temporary replacement for Toni.[2] He left the show but in June it was announced he would be returning much to the horror of several staff members.[3][4] He made his first appearance on 19 March 2007 with his first line being: "How's waiting time today?" to Alice Piper.
Scotty and Tracey were axed from the show in August 2011[5] as part of a large cast overhaul. The character's were written off in a storyline that saw them leave to Timor as a happy family. Scotty's final line was: "And an incredibly rusty nurse."
Ex soldier arrived to Shortland Street in early 2007 as Toni's (Laura Hill) replacement nursing manager. He made no friends though and appeared homophobic towards Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne). The staff were relieved when Toni returned but several months later Toni resigned and Scotty arrived again as her replacement, this time in a more permanent basis.
Scotty's tough exterior is shown to have a softer side when Scotty falls for new nurse Shanti Kumari (Nisha Madhan). The two start to date and Shanti agrees to break her Indian tradition if Scotty promises to be with her. In the later part of 2007, Scotty's career and personal life was challenged by the suspicion that he might have been the notorious Ferndale Strangler. The body of victim #4 Beth Wilson (Hannah Marshall) was found along a jogging route which happened to be the same place he went for nightly jogs. Scotty was arrested for suspicion of murder. He was eventually cleared as a suspect. Despite the spate of killings, Shanti has always believed in him and they finally consummated their relationship prior to Christmas.
In 2008 Scotty is shocked when Shanti's arranged fiance, Dinesh (Amin Sheikh) arrives. Shanti promises to stay with Scotty and the two attempt to marry but are stopped by Shanti's family. Shanti meets Scotty's family when she mistakes his sister (Marise Wipani) for a mistress and she soon falls for his alcoholic fathers (Peter Kaa) charm and lends him money. Scotty is disgusted and breaks up with Shanti. However when a psychotic patient (Luke Bodle) nearly kills Scotty, he and Shanti reunite and become engaged. The two get married in a traditional 4 day Hindu ceremony in mid 2008. The two purchase a house and fear it is haunted, after discovering a man had been murdered there and a baby killed, they get a Maori specialist to drown out the spirits.
In 2009 Scottys brother Tai (Xavier Horan), gets released from prison and starts staying with Scotty and Shanti. He soon gets involved in Armed Robbery and Tracey Morrison (Sarah Thompson) gets him arrested. Scotty and Shanti decide to start a family but their financial problems stop them from doing so. Scotty sells the house his sister, Rebecca is flatting in. She and her two children move in with Scotty and Shanti. Scotty is disgusted to learn she has taken up prostitution as a career. Shanti soon announces she is pregnant but dies due to a complication with the pregnancy and the symptoms being covered by Oliver Ritchie (Mark Warren) performing an experiment on her. Scotty becomes depressed and Tracey begins to flat with him.
In 2010, while visiting Tai in prison, Scotty and Tracey realize they have fallen in love. Scotty befriends Penny (Carolyn Dando) but soon stops making contact when she borderline stalks him. She attempts to murder him by burning down his house but later kidnaps him and makes him dig his own grave. Scotty gets shot but survives the ordeal and soon becomes engaged to Tracey. Scotty starts to show symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder when he constantly becomes claustrophobic and starts having visions of Penny. Scotty gets in contact with his mother Hine Ryan (Rena Owen) who left him when he was 13, and invites her to the wedding. Scotty's mental state snaps and he attempts to murder Tracey believing she was sent by Penny.
In 2011 Tracey manages to escape and Scotty is soon caught. He learns he has a brain tumor caused by Penny's poison and it is removed. He breaks up with Tracey, scared he will hurt her. Hine and Shobna (Leela Patel) convince Scotty to get back with Tracey which the two finally marry on Valentine's Day 2011. After returning from their honey moon, the two decide to start a family using IVF treatment. After Scotty's ex lover Angkasa (Hweiling Ow) dies and leaves him her child, Kitu (Christian Edmonds), the family decide to move to Timor. The three leave in mid August after a large farewell party is held in their honour.
Scotty first arrived to Shortland Street as a potential suspect in the Ferndale Stranglings. His private and tough demeanor put him at the forefront of accusations.[6] He was also shown to have random bouts of anger, leading many to assume he was the mysterious killer. The body of Beth Wilson, the fourth victim, was found on Scotty's daily running track, again prompting further accusations.[7] In October Scotty began to grow angry towards Brenda Holloway and her researching of unusual cardiac arrests, on the night she is murdered, Scotty is late to an appointment, leading the police behind the murder to suspect him even further. Scotty doesn't trust nurse Tracey Morrison and grows angry at her lack of skill in the job.[8] When she is found in a dumpster, near dead, Scotty is again a prime suspect. Police begin tracking Scotty and when he confronts Shanti in her home, he is arrested, only to be released due to lack of evidence. Scotty later grows extremely angry at Shanti disrespecting her culture, leading to her to grow scared. Scotty later learns Joey is the killer and keeps an eye on him.
Due to the high amount of fans suspecting Scotty, producers leaked three videos of possible killers,[9] one of which contained Scotty killing Shanti. Joey's actor, Johnny Barker later commented on the grief the suspects received due to the storyline, saying; "It wasn't just my problem, it was Kiel McNaughton, Tim Schijf, all of the suspects.We all got it really bad."[10]
With Shanti arriving in May 2007 and Scotty reappearing a month later, the two characters both share the similarity of being new and with little friends. The two first meet when Shanti runs a trolley into Scotty. The first line Scotty says to Shanti is: "Can't imagine you'd wanna do it on purpose, Nurse... Kumari" . Despite all the staff's hesitation to get to know Scotty due to his tough demeanor, Shanti falls for the ex army man. Scotty also becomes smitten towards her. Scotty asks her out to a work function to which she accepts. However Scotty breaks it off citing interwork relationships. Scotty grows angry when Shanti dresses up for him saying he likes her for who she is. They start dating again with Scotty taking her to see a Rugby World Cup match. The two embrace during the game as Shanti's brother arrives. He makes Shanti break up with Scotty and resign from Shortland Street.
Scotty pleads for Shanti to stay and she eventually takes back her resignation. Scotty sets up fireworks for her and the two finally get back together. Scotty is soon arrested for suspicion of a string of murders but is released due to lack of evidence. Shanti's family pressure her to dump Scotty which she refuses.[11] The two consummate their relationship in December but Scotty learns Shanti is arranged to be married to Dinesh Jivani. The two break up with Scotty showing extreme rage.
Dinesh arrives to the street in 2008 infuriating Scotty even further.[12] He is forced to have a family dinner with Dinesh and the family. When Scotty nearly dies at the hands of a crazed patient, he finally admits to Shanti he loves her. The two get back together and attempt to marry in a small ceremony that is stopped by Dinesh and Sunil. Eventually the couple get blessing from Shanti's family but Scotty loses trust in Shanti when she suspects his sister of being his mistress and when she loans his father money. Finally the two get married for real in June 2008 in a four day traditional Hindu ceremony.
The two purchase their first house together, 'Matekino'. The house turns out to be a scene of a murder suicide and the couple fear it is haunted.[13] Scotty's friend begins hanging around and both Scotty and Shanti fear she is attracted to him. Scotty begins DIY on the property and the couple get TK's friend to drown out the spirits. Scotty's brother Tai arrives and stays at Matekino much to the annoyance of Scotty. Tai scares Shanti and is soon taken back to prison which causes Scotty to go into a downward spiral, drinking a lot and having a negative outlook on life. Shanti threatens to leave the marriage and Scotty changes his ways. The two again clash when Scotty's sister arrives and turns out to be a prostitute. The couple decide to have children however Shanti comes down with a flu. The two are overjoyed when Shanti falls pregnant, with McNaughton stating; "Shanti has wanted to start a family for a long time, so a lot of the money problems, the depression and all that kind of stuff was getting in the way."[14] unfortunately Shanti is rushed to hospital and dies from an ectopic pregnancy. Scotty is devastated and gives her a traditional Indian and Maori farewell, as she would have wanted. Of the storyline, McNaughton stated; "Scotty's had a really hard time since Shanti died. It should have been an amazing part of their lives, so to have that taken away from him is really heartbreaking."[15]
Scotty first meets Tracey Morrison, when the undercover cop investigates him in search of the Ferndale Strangler. Scotty grows annoyed at Tracey's lack of ability as a nurse, unaware she is really a cop.[8] Upon her return to the show in 2008 as a nurse, Scotty is frosty towards her. In 2009 she dates Scotty's younger brother Tai and Scotty is devastated when Tracey hands him into the police for armed robbery. Scotty lashes out at her and refuses to socialize, before finally realizing his mistake and apologizing. After Shanti's death in October 2009, Tracey feels for Scotty and moves into 'Matekino' to keep him company. The two spend Christmas together with Rebecca and Hunter. While out drinking in 2010 Scotty arrives home with Frankie Hull and Tracey sends Frankie home, only for Scotty to kiss her. He apologizes and goes on holiday the next day. Once he returns, the two visit Tai in jail, who thinks the two are a couple and is spiteful. He later helps the two escape following a riot and Scotty and Tracey finally admit their love and start dating.
| “ | When everything was dark, you brought back light. When everything seemed lost, you brought back meaning, and joy and laughter, and peace, and a future. | ” |
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— Scotty explains why he fell in love with Tracey.
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Tracey's family disapproves of Scotty, but the two stay together nonetheless. Tracey suspects orderly Penny Rourke of hitting on Scotty and blames herself when Penny attempts to murder him. Scotty starts to act strangely and Tracey thinks it is because of her,[16] however Scotty proposes to her and the two set about organising their wedding for December 2010. However the poison Penny fed Scotty develops a tumour in his brain and he attempts to kill Tracey the day before the wedding, thinking she is an imposter. She escapes and Scotty is captured and the tumour removed. Scotty breaks up with Tracey, fearing he could hurt her again. Shanti's mother Shobna and Scotty's mother Hine reconcile the two and they finally marry on Valentine's Day 2011. They decide to have children, only for Tracey to learn she has low fertility. They start IVF treatment when Scotty's ex lover Angkasa comes into their lives with her son Kitu.[17] She dies and leaves Kitu with Scotty. He and Tracey decide to adopt but discover Tracey is also pregnant,[18] they decide to live in East Timor to hurry along the adoption process.
Scotty is distraught in July 2007 when ex army friend Warren Briggs arrives to Shortland Street, the now drug addicted soldier blackmails Scotty with the name "Greg Sinclair". Scotty later confesses to CEO Chris Warner that Greg died under Scotty's eyes in East Timor and that he was suspected of murder as Greg has previously raped his girlfriend however a trial proved Scotty not guilty. In 2010 Scotty again encounters Warren, asking Scotty for drugs. Scotty and Tracey later find Warren's body in their living room, dead from an apparent overdose. Scotty becomes friends with friendly orderly, Penny Rourke. However her flirty personality and constant following of Scotty annoys Tracey and raises several eyebrows.[16] When Penny start coming round to the house, Tracey forces Scotty from seeing her. Viewers learn Penny is attempting to murder Scotty, poisioning his protein shakes and attempting to set his house on fire. After Scotty stops drinking the shakes, Penny decides to finally murder Scotty and reveal her past.[19] She kidnaps Scotty and reveals she is Paula Sinclair, Greg's daughter. She also reveals she murdered Warren and the rest of Scotty's battalion as payback for the death of her father.[19] She forces Scotty to dig his grave, where he reveals the truth, causing a distraught Penny to shoot him. He survives and Penny is later captured and put in jail.
In December Scotty learns prisoners have escaped from prison and due to a brain tumour, is convinced Penny is one of them,[20] causing him to attack Tracey.
Scotty was a highly popular character[21] in the fan community, with his relationship with Shanti winning the "Favourite couple" award in the Throng Shortland Street fan awards 2007.[22] The scene where Scotty announces his love to Shanti in a backdrop of fireworks, won runner up in "Favourite Moment".[22] In 2008, Scotty and Shanti's wedding won runner up for "Favourite moment", while Scotty took the award for "Worst hair" and "Most Boring Storyline".[23] In 2009, Scotty and Shanti again won "Favourite couple".[24] The storyline that saw Scotty stalked and nearly murdered by Penny Rourke, won runner up in 2010 for "Favourite major storyline".[25]
The episodes where Scotty was held hostage by a man with a mental illness were criticized, with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand noting the inaccuracies portrayed in the characters mental illness, the stereotyping and the bad taste in using mental illness to draw two characters back together romantically.[26]