The BEST episodes of Emmerdale season 30
Every episode of Emmerdale season 30, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Emmerdale season 30!
The lives of several families in the Yorkshire Dales revolve around a farm and the nearby village. With murders, affairs, lies, deceit, laughter and tears, it's all there in the village.
#1 - Episode 2920 (Tue 22nd May 2001) (Part 1)
Season 30 - Episode 100 - Aired 5/22/2001
It's the opening night of the B&B and Carol is determined to make everything run smoothly. She takes amusement out of humiliating Viv with her snide kindness, but lays the pressure on Terry. Viv spends her birthday swirling in misery and drowning her sorrows. With Carol at the helm of the highlight throughout the village, she decides that enough is enough. She gatecrashes the B&B's opening ceremony, furiously discovers her furniture, and gives Carol what for before publicly humiliating her by throwing a glass of wine in the direction of her face. Charity tells Chloe that Zoe is the mystery person. Eric causes a catastrophe outside the factory when he parks his car in the driveway, leaving the Dingles unable to get out. In act of revenge, both Zak and Cain both clamp his car and demand £50 to revert their doings. Meanwhile, Tricia is still nowhere to be found and Chez Marlon is slowly but shortly disappearing from the radar.
#2 - Episode 2903 (Thu 26th April 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 84 - Aired 4/26/2001
While Jack is working out on the farm, he finds a body lying amongst the hay and is shocked to discover it is his cellmate Harry. Harry stirs and Jack takes him indoors to warm up. Following a hot bath, Harry explains that he was released after serving his sentence while on remand, but his family isn't interested in him, so he thought he could count on Jack for a bed for the night. After acquainting himself with the kids, he tells Jack the real reason why he's there - to give Jack £3000 in used notes. Chris is forced to concede that he made a mistake in accusing Terry of having an affair with Charity, and heads round to persuade Terry to come back to work, even using a bottle of malt whiskey as a peace offering. Betty’s on the trail of some hot gossip and delights in telling Bev about Emily lodging with Paddy.
#3 - Episode 3074 (Fri 21st Dec 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 252 - Aired 12/21/2001
With Christmas just days away, Bernice is becoming increasingly worried about Ashley and how he is coping. She resolves to make an effort to improve things between the two of them and decides to visit him at the vicarage. They reminisce about old times and before they know it they are in each other's arms. But Zoe interrupts their brief reunion and Ashley is left disappointed when Bernice leaves. Jack is disappointed to hear that the phone company has pulled its plans to erect a mast on his farmland and tells his lads that he has no choice but to sell the farm. Andy marches round to the Post Office and gives Viv a piece of his mind for destroying any hope that his father had of a brighter future.
#4 - Episode 3073 (Thu 20th Dec 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 251 - Aired 12/20/2001
The time has finally come for Kathy to bid farewell to her friends in Emmerdale and head for Australia. Fully aware that locals have arranged a leaving-bash in The Woolpack, Kathy feigns her surprise to spare their feelings. But she and everyone else gathered are genuinely shocked when singer Marti Pellow - Tricia's radio prize - emerges and serenades Kathy. Louise can't resist the chance to flirt with him and puts Tricia's nose out of joint by inviting him into the pub's back room. Fresh from their honeymoon, newlyweds Chris and Charity are quickly brought back down to earth when they return to the village. They are furious to discover that a bitter Zoe has changed the locks on Home Farm and put the place up for sale without consulting them.
#5 - Episode 3064 (Fri 7th Dec 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 242 - Aired 12/7/2001
Despite drumming up support for the phone-mast, Jack is under pressure as he faces the public meeting in the village and discovers that many of the locals have turned on him. Edna is cutting about Jack's motives and he is rightly concerned when the phone-mast representative becomes evasive, as to whether the mast will ever find a home on the farm. Jack tries to reason with Edna for the sake of the children, but is outraged when she uses his children as a reason why nobody should sympathise with him. The backlash of Eve's testimony is evident as the teenagers fail to hide their anger at her. She tries to explain that she didn't mean to pin the blame on Marc but Ollie is in no mood for listening. Kathy confides in Andrew that she thinks she has won Elsa round and is predicting a rosy future for the two of them together.
#6 - Episode 3063 (Thu 6th Dec 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 241 - Aired 12/6/2001
Marc realises that it was Ollie who revealed he had run-away, but he is forgiving and understanding as he arrives at court with the other teenagers for their hearing. He is told that his case is being referred to the Crown Court and his agony is prolonged. But things go from bad to worse for him when Eve tries to save her own skin by laying the blame firmly at the door of Marc. The court is stunned by Eve's account of the night's events as the youngsters are told of their fate. Jack is on hand to support Robert and Andy but is distracted by a call telling him that there is a problem with the phone mast and it must now go to a public meeting due to complaints from villagers. Elsa confesses to Alan that she feels as though she has let Alice down and fears for the future.
#7 - Episode 3061 (Tue 4th Dec 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 239 - Aired 12/4/2001
The thought of facing a future in prison proves too much for Marc and he decides he has only one option - to run away. Ollie and Andy learn of his plans but nothing they say can change Marc's drastic escape plan. He heads for Sean's haulage yard in the hope of stowing away in the back of a truck destined for the continent. But as the wagon leaves the yard, Sean charges after it and brings it to a halt. Has he rumbled his son? Much to the disgust of Cynthia, Danny agrees to deliver a package for Ray. Cynthia confides in Ashley that she doesn't trust Emmerdale's new Mr Big and she is shocked when she sneaks a peak inside the parcel. Alan overhears the Sugden children talking in the shop and realises that Kathy is hiding at the farm with Alice. As Kathy and Alice visit Nick in prison, Alan feels it is his duty to let Elsa know where she can find her daughter.
#8 - Episode 3059 (Fri 30th Nov 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 237 - Aired 11/30/2001
There is trouble brewing when Elsa arrives in the village with one intention - to get her daughter Alice back. Alice is excited to see her mother, but Kathy is irritated by her sudden arrival. Elsa demands to know why she took her daughter without her permission, but is stunned when Kathy says Alice was mistreated. Kathy isn't about to give Alice up without a fight, though, and disappears with her again. Jack's financial problems seem to be a distant memory when he receives a phone call from the mobile phone company, confirming that they would like to put a mast on his farm. But, Edna is not best pleased to hear the news. Angie is furious to discover that Sean has organised for Marc and Ollie to see a solicitor and Tara will be paying the bill. Ashley offers to let Cynthia and her family move in to the vicarage after they have been evicted from their home. And Sam manages to persuade Cain to move back home.
#9 - Episode 3055 (Mon 26th Nov 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 233 - Aired 11/26/2001
Chris and Charity's wedding plans are forging ahead, but with the feud between the Tates and Dingles bubbling under the surface, it is going to be anything but a happy family occasion. Charity is shaken when Cain confronts her and threatens to destroy her big day. She visits the Dingles and tries to defuse the situation by inviting them to her wedding. Seth spots Chris at his father's grave and suggests that he should try and patch things up with Zoe. He approaches Zoe and tries to persuade her to attend his wedding. Terry is taken aback when Chris asks him if he thinks he is making a mistake marrying Charity. Meanwhile, Charity expresses some doubts of her own to Chloe. Mandy's hopes of getting back together with Paddy are in tatters and with no other reason to stay in the village, she decides to return to Southampton. After his recent infidelity,
#10 - Episode 3052 (Wed 21st Nov 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 230 - Aired 11/21/2001
Mandy manages to drive a wedge between Paddy and Emily, then skilfully moves in for the kill. Emily decides to visit Paddy to try and make things up after a row about the previous evening. But she is crestfallen as she arrives to see Paddy and Mandy kissing, through the window. Nicola and Chloe clash as she starts her new job. Chris is stunned to learn that Charity has invited a society magazine to cover the wedding and Rodney feels the strain caused by the age difference with Louise.
#11 - Episode 3049 (Thu 16th Nov 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 227 - Aired 11/16/2001
Just as the future is beginning to look rosy for Paddy and Emily they receive a blast from the past that sends them reeling. As Emily prepares lunch in their lovenest, she is stunned to open the door to Paddy's wife Mandy - complete with suitcase. Mandy is equally shocked to find Emily in the house. Emily becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Mandy explains the reason for her return - to talk about her relationship with Paddy. Paddy is dumbfounded when he returns home to discover Mandy sharing the sofa with Emily and struggles to keep the atmosphere pleasant between the current and former loves in his life. Mandy receives an equally mixed reception from others in the village, including Tricia and Zak. Cynthia becomes increasingly worried about her future in the squat when a letter drops threatening action against her family. Lisa finds Cain and tells him to start appreciating all that Zak has done for him.
#12 - Episode 3047 (Wed 14th Nov 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 225 - Aired 11/14/2001
Zoe is devastated that her relationship with Chris has reached an all-time low and Paddy visits his solicitor to start divorce proceedings. Bernice is amused to discover that Diane and Rodney have spent the night together. Embarrassed by their night of passion, Diane makes Rodney promise to keep their indiscretion a secret. Thinking he was in Ireland, Lisa and Zak become increasingly concerned for Sam's safety when a letter arrives for him from his mum making it clear that he hasn't been near the emerald isle. Zak confronts Cain and demands to know why he lied about Sam's whereabouts. Zak decides to go in search of Sam but, before he leaves, he warns Cain that he will make him pay if anything has happened. The teenagers conquer their fears and return to school. But the experience is too much for Donna, who bolts from the classroom. Cynthia seeks reassurance from Danny that he wasn't involved in the hit and run tragedy.
#13 - Episode 3028 (Thu 18th Oct 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 206 - Aired 10/18/2001
Bernice's hopes are dashed when she heads to the vicarage, while Marc gets closer to cracking when he, Ollie and Eve attend the court hearing of the man arrested for the hit and run, and Latisha makes a decision that leaves Cynthia and Danny horrified.
#14 - Episode 2991 (Tue 28th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 169 - Aired 8/28/2001
As the Reynolds family plan a celebration with news that Marc has passed his driving test, Cain plans an announcement of a different kind. The get-together is in full swing when Cain makes a dramatic entrance and drops a bombshell that stuns Sean and his family into disbelief. He tells them that he and Angie had been sleeping together. Viv gets the shock of her life when the Naughty Nylons catalogue was published - with another model's head on her body! She forces Bob to ring and complain to the M.D, but he soon regrets his actions. Diane goes down ill at the Woolpack and Louise steps in to cover. Diane offers her a permanent job, much to the displeasure of Rodney.
#15 - Episode 2976 (Tue 7th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 155 - Aired 8/7/2001
Despite his best efforts, Jack can't find any trace of Robert in Spain and he is becoming desperate with worry. But his concern turns to jubilation when his itinerant son makes a surprise return to the village. Over at the Stud, Lady Tara is gunning for Andrew and Virginia, and tries to orchestrate the pair's sacking. Rodney's plans for Chez Marlon don't sit well with Marlon and he threatens to quit. Rodney takes it in his stride and quickly lines up a replacement. Nicola digs her heels in about living with Carlos.
#16 - Episode 2990 (Fri 24th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 168 - Aired 8/24/2001
Rodney, Kathy, Marlon and Chloe throw a summer barbecue for the restaurant, making The Woolpack "the Mary Celeste" per Diane. Chloe agrees to give Scott another chance after their recent argument. Carlos tells Terry how fed up he is of being left out of Bernice's life when her baby might be his; when Diane overhears him pestering her daughter, she asks him to stop. Carlos asks Emily when Nicola will be back, but Emily reminds him they parted on bad terms. As the barbecue begins, Bernice is fed up of Ashley's hovering. Diane and Jack make awkward small talk with Alan until a gloating Rodney interrupts. Marlon is soon in for a shock. Has Tricia returned to the village?
#17 - Episode 2989 (Thu 23rd Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 167 - Aired 8/23/2001
Bernice and Ashley visit the hospital for a scan.
#18 - Episode 2988 (Wed 22nd Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 166 - Aired 8/22/2001
Trouble may be ahead for Carlos when Nicola reveals her fears.
#19 - Episode 2987 (Tue 21st Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 165 - Aired 8/21/2001
It's a man-hunt for Charity between Christopher and Zoe. Zoe's adamant that Charity will choose her, and Chris instructs Terry to find Charity before Zoe does despite all costs. Chloe's gobsmacked to come home and find Charity packing her things - she's moving into the B&B. Terry hunts her down and she gives him the consent to tell Chris she's back. Chris pleads with her to take him back, but she tells him it's over between them. Emily's devastated to have forgotten Butch's birthday and is annoyed that everyone thinks it's a good thing that she's finally forgetting about him. She has a heart-to-heart with Paddy about Butch and Mandy, and the look on Ed's face when he finds out shows that he thinks of it more than a chat. Scott and Danny take Marc out for a spin in Charity's car when he tells them he's interested in buying it.
#20 - Episode 2986 (Mon 20th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 164 - Aired 8/20/2001
Chris appears out of control.
#21 - Episode 2985 (Fri 17th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 163 - Aired 8/17/2001
Zoe confides in Paddy that she came clean about the affair. Bob overhears Cynthia's conversation with Lisa.
#22 - Episode 2984 (Thu 16th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 162 - Aired 8/16/2001
Charity tells Chloe that she is determined to end her affair with Zoe.
#23 - Episode 2983 (Wed 15th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 161 - Aired 8/15/2001
Bernice lashes out at Carlos. Zoe continues to interfere in Chris and Charity's relationship.
#24 - Episode 2982 (Tue 14th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 160 - Aired 8/14/2001
An exhausted Bernice and Diane talk about who's the father of Bernice's unborn baby. They try to work out what Bernice should do next. Emily tactfully tells a tearful Nicola that she is better off without Carlos but advises her to talk to him in the morning. Rodney arrives home in a slightly merry state with Louise. Bernice and Diane talk about Bernice being a single mum and doing without both Ashley and Carlos. Diane tells Bernice that she still has feelings for Rodney. Nicola arrives at Annie's Cottage early in the morning and tries to explain her efforts to Carlos. However, Carlos is concrete about his decision to end their relationship. Nicola runs to her father for confinement. Rodney confronts Carlos as to his behaviour to Nicola. Carlos is fed up and decides it's time Ashley knew the truth. Meanwhile, Bernice has sat Ashley down and told him she has something to tell him.
#25 - Episode 2981 (Mon 13th Aug 2001)
Season 30 - Episode 159 - Aired 8/13/2001
Bernice is feeling the full effects of morning sickness. Viv is strutting herself in full excitement for the Naughty Nylon photograph session. From her time away, Charity has realised that Chris is the one she wants and not Zoe. Chloe firmly tells her that she must finish her affair with Zoe. Ashley tries finding out information on Carlos' current state of mind about Nicola. Zoe advises Chris that Charity should take on Virginia's old job at the stud office. He reluctantly agrees. Zak and Lisa celebrate their 'holiday' with beach items outside the cottage. Eric is not pleased but Cynthia jumps to their beckon call. Ashley finally confronts Carlos on him and Nicola. Carlos is confused but reassures him that he loves Nicola but doesn't want to hurt her.