The BEST episodes written by John Fay
#1 - Up in Smoke
Blue Murder (UK) - Season 2 - Episode 2
What first looks like a straightforward suicide case soon turns much more sinister. At the funeral of the suicide victim, Charlotte Moran, her father, Frank Evans, and her husband, Dave Moran are grieving for her. Meanwhile, behind the scenes at the crematorium, John Wheeler also weeps as he prepares Charlotte's coffin for the cremator, when her husband, Dave, angrily confronts him. Two weeks later, the crematorium secretary, Mary Hunt, reports that both Dave Moran and John Wheeler have gone missing. Rumour has it that John Wheeler and Charlotte Moran were having an affair. Janine opens an investigation and forensic tests reveal that another body was cremated with Charlotte. But was it Dave Moran or John Wheeler? Janine tells the team they have a murderer and a victim, but which is which?
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#3 - Day Four
Torchwood - Season 3 - Episode 4
Torchwood finally learns the truth about the events of 1965. Britain is in danger of becoming a rogue state, and everything now pivots around John Frobisher, as the ambassador of the 456 destroys its old allegiances and reveals its true intent.
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#5 - Day Two
Torchwood - Season 3 - Episode 2
Torchwood are forced underground, as the government takes swift and brutal action. With members of the team being hunted down, only Lois holds the key to Torchwood's salvation - but she is helpless as her superiors make plans for the mysterious Floor 13.
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#7 - Order in Court
The Mill - Season 1 - Episode 2
Esther Price shows up at at court in Manchester after having assaulted her overseer, Charlie Crout. Apprentice house manager Mr Timperley has been sent to the workhouse in Liverpool to collect a replacement apprentice and comes back two sisters called Lucy and Catherine Garner.
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#9 - The Spartacus Thing
Blue Murder (UK) - Season 3 - Episode 3
Alan Hickson strangles his wife, Paula, with a dog chain after she drowns his dog in the garden pond, and is sentenced to three years in prison. He is released after having only served 18 months, but he is soon found dead - having been strangled with a dog chain.
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#10 - Lardner's Ring
Robin Hood - Season 2 - Episode 9
A mortally wounded, one-legged messenger from King Richard flees Locksley Manor pursued by Gisborne's men and ends up in the arms of Robin. In his dying breath, he tells Robin that the King needs him to return to fight in the Holy Land, and utters the word "Lardner". The Sheriff is furious that the messenger got away, especially now that he and Gisborne are also on the hunt for Lardner, having received a prediction from a fortune-telling Fool that the "ring of Lardner" spells trouble.
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The Mill - Season 1 - Episode 1
During the 1830s, children worked 12-hour shifts in the mills, and the new class of mill-owning families prospered. A third of the workforce at Quarry Bank are apprentices, sold by different workhouses to the Greg family. The apprentices have no choice but to work at the mill until they reach adulthood.
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The Mill - Season 2 - Episode 1
Four years on from the Poor Law Amendment Act, impoverished economic migrants from the south of England start to arrive at Quarry Bank Mill. The appearance of John and Rebecca Howlett with their children Jack and Timothy, and Will Whittaker and his grandfather Abe, causes unease in Styal village as the mill workers worry that these desperately poor families will drive down everyone's wages. The impact of the new law hits home for feisty apprentice Esther Price when she discovers that the beggar in the mill yard is, in fact, her sister Martha.
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV#13 - Wed 24 Nov, 2004 [Episode 1]
Coronation Street - Season 45 - Episode 238
Dev's worst fears are confirmed when Maya picks up the phone. Whilst pinning Sunita down Maya demands he comes to the flat and doesn't involve the police. Mike, Fred, Charlie, Tommy and Danny begin their game of poker. Tommy's worried he hasn't much money and the stakes are too high. Maya continues to torment Sunita, telling her how much she enjoyed ruining her wedding and accuses her of being a dim-witted, dreary little drudge. Frankie, Eileen, Deirdre and Liz go back to No.7 for a drink. Eileen tells them how she used to be in a band with Patrick and once had a fling with him. Shelley feels very left-out listening to the men playing poker in the back. Dev arrives at his flat and is frustrated to find it empty. He's horrified when he realises Maya's taken Sunita to the corner shop and obviously plans to burn that down too. Mike's on a winning streak and Fred's getting agitated. Tommy's only got £4 left when he's dealt a good hand.
#14 - Sat 25 Dec, 2004
Coronation Street - Season 45 - Episode 263
Steve tries to get near the burning car to rescue Amy but the flames are too fierce. Tracy, convinced that Karen's killed Amy, jumps in Steve's taxi and drives off back to Coronation Street like a woman possessed. Tracy hits a wall whilst reversing, and drives straight in Karen's direction. Karen manages to scramble up the factory steps as Tracy crashes straight into them, and Karen bangs on the door. Hayley, who's mending Claire's dress lets her in. Tracy, wielding a crook-lock forces her way in after Karen, threatening to kill her. Steve's relieved to find that Amy's safe and sound with Roy. Steve arrives at the factory and tells Tracy that Amy's safe, but Tracy doesn't believe him, thinking he's just trying to save Karen from her fate. Tracy and Karen continue to fight on the factory roof. Steve arrives just in time and forces Tracy to look down where she sees Amy in Roy's arms. Tracy, cradling Amy, goes home with Ken and Deirdre.
#15 - Episode 5952 (31st January 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 23
An angry Tommy and Angela try to deal with Katy's news. Angela persuades them all to sit down and talk about it like adults. Shelley, shocked by how Charlie has spoken to Sunita, plucks up enough courage to lambast him in the Rovers' bar. Charlie leaves, very angry. Joshua has emptied all the perfumes into the Peacocks' shoes whilst Fred was looking after him. Audrey comes over and tries to help Fred get rid of the evidence. Ashley and Claire return home and discover the shoe debacle. Katy tries to persuade her parents that the baby was planned, but Martin explains that he'll be with her and it'll all work out and she can still attend university. Katy storms off when Angela slaps her, and Tommy follows to try and talk her out of it. Charlie takes a woman shoplifter outside the Weatherfield Arms where she was trying to flog her goods for favours,
#16 - Episode 5956 (7th February 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 27
Martin tries to look after Craig on the street but Craig is resistant, blaming him and Katy, but inside he won't forgive his dad. Katy tries to explain to Angela that at least Craig and Rosie were being sensible, but Angela shuts the door on her and Martin. Scooter has bought a garden pond for Bethany, Gail is worried that Bethany will fall in. Sarah decides to stay with Scooter, and asks Gail to look after Bethany. Chesney, Les and Kirk are still down about Schmeichel's disappearance. Kirk persuades Tyrone to let Chesney borrow Monica for an evening, but Chesney uses Monica to try to track down Schmeichel and runs off.
#17 - Episode 5957 (7th February 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 28
Sally is still in turmoil after finding out that Rosie found the condom in her handbag and tries to conceal it from both Tommy and later Kevin. Sally manages to persuade Kevin that she has disciplined Rosie enough for now and just to leave it alone. While Les, Kirk and Fiz go looking for Chesney, Cilla goes to try and get Schmeichel back from Yana for free. Les nearly catches her. Tommy blames himself for all the family problems. Angela tries to calm him down. The glued pages of Hard Grinding are about a robbery of a wages clerk, which Norris was trying to hide from Emily in case it reminded her of Ernest. Violet is concerned that Shelley is taking her diet too far. Charlie catches Shelley trying on her Valentine's dress, but it still doesn't fit.
#18 - Episode 5975 (6th March 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 46
Katy and Angela can't believe that Tommy's dead. They deliberate for a while and finally decide, after much arguing, that they shouldn't call the police or an ambulance, but they should go home and wait for Tommy to be found. Danny bets Jamie and Warren that they can't quit having sex with Candice and Leanne for a while. Danny has the idea that Warren will score more goals if he doesn't spend the night with Candice. Tracy and Ken decide to leave the hospital but Deirdre waits at to hear news of how Ray is. Ray admits to Deirdre that he returned to Weatherfield because he is dying.
#19 - Episode 6031 (20th May 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 103
Angry Charlie's back at the Rovers having explained to the police that he was referring to a sealant gun. Betty's very apologetic. Mike and Penny agree to go to Spain. Adam refuses to go as he wants to get stuck into his new job at Underworld and Penny's factory. Dev and Charlie icily agree to stay out of each other's way in future. Norris tells Mel that he's started writing his own novel - it's a thriller set in the world of stationery. Leanne agrees to go with Jamie on his next trip to Birmingham to see his mother. Everywhere Shelley looks she can see people gossiping about her and Charlie and the incident with the "gun". Charlie makes light of it and presents Shelley with the sealant gun mounted on a plinth to put behind the Rovers' bar. Mike shows the first signs of becoming forgetful but neither he nor Penny notice anything unusual.
#20 - Episode 6048 (13th June 2005)
Coronation Street - Season 46 - Episode 120
Tracy's in a good mood having stayed the night with Steve again, however Steve's already regretting it. Rosie lectures Kevin and Sally on the benefits of being a vegetarian. Sally starts her job at Underworld. The girls take the mickey out of her and trick her into drinking tea with perfume in it. Roy gets a call to say his grandfather's died. Violet, Fred and Betty continue to worry about Shelley. Charlie asks Betty to have a chat with her. Charlie confides in Jason that he thinks Shelley's going a bit weird. Bev leaves in a taxi. Charlie's delighted, thinking she's going home. Shelley pours her heart out to Betty telling her how much she loves Charlie. Betty suggests she should come back to work.
#21 - Mon 16 Jan, 2006 [Episode 2]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 13
Sally gets Rosie an emergency appointment with the doctor. Rosie explains she doesn't need the morning after pill as she had safe sex. Sally's furious when the doctor listens to Rosie and accuses Sally of using the pill as a punishment. Keith's at a loss as to how to handle Craig. Craig is matter of fact telling Audrey how he and Rosie were having sex when Sally caught them. Jack's shocked to find a whole room in the gallery devoted to nude pictures of himself. He does his best to keep Vera away from it. Jayesh visits Sunita and tells her she's very welcome to move back home to their parents. He suggests she can't cope and Sunita throws him out upset. Jack and Vera are delighted with Hilary's picture of them both. In desperation Sally buys the morning after pill from a chemist. Jack begs Roy and Blanche not to mention the nude paintings to Vera but it's too late. Vera's furious and hits Jack over the head with one of the offending pictures. Danny suggests Mike should see a solicitor and get his new will drawn up leaving Adam with nothing. Mike agrees. Sally forces tearful Rosie to take the morning after pill.
#22 - Fri 10 Mar, 2006
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 50
Rita's deeply concerned about Emily having listened to her pacing the floor all night. Nathan and Frankie arrange a date which annoys jealous Danny. Emily goes to see the Reverend Sedgeley. He tells her that until she learns to forgive Ed it will ruin her life. He intimates that Ed is suicidal. Ashley blames Claire for forcing him into the meeting with Matt and insists he will never let Matt have access to Joshua. Gail's upset when she receives an anniversary card from Richard. She wonders if Phil is behind it but Phil insists it must be David. Emily pays Ed a visit. She summons all her strength and forgives him for murdering Ernest on condition he promises never to take his own life. She gives him Ernest's old camera and asks him make something of his life. Ed is eternally grateful. David's furious at Phil's accusations and declares he's moving out to his dad's. But when Gail phones Martin he says it's inconvenient. David's hurt and angry. Worried Frankie tells Danny that Jamie's just had a call from the Spanish consulate to say that Mike's had a fall and is in a bad way.
#23 - Mon 3 Apr, 2006 [Episode 1]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 67
Danny promises Leanne this is the last time she has to look after Mike as he's taking him to the nursing home this evening. Les phones Social Services and sets the wheels in motion to adopt Chesney. Norris and Rita bicker about the changes he's made to her flat. Leanne tries to give Mike his pills but he's convinced she's trying to poison him. He tells Leanne he's going to live with Adam and while she's in the shower he escapes from the flat. Blanche ends her boycott of the Rovers and claims her free drink. Mike goes to the train station intent on catching a train to Doncaster. He chats to a stranger. He gets confused and tries to sell the stranger some women's underwear. Danny, Jamie and Leanne search frantically for Mike. Leanne thinks he's probably heading for Scotland in search of Adam. Danny informs the police that Mike's missing. Liz attends the auditions for a new vocalist with Vernon. She's put out that all the candidates are girls. Les, Cilla and Chesney nervously await a visit from Social Services. Mike turns up at Mark Redman's house in Doncaster having found the address in a father's day card. Mark's shocked to see him.
#24 - Mon 3 Apr, 2006 [Episode 2]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 68
Mark's worried by Mike's confused state. Mike thinks Mark is Adam. Genna from Social Services interviews Les, Cilla and Chesney who are all on their best behaviour. Les lies saying he has no criminal record. Mike asks Mark if he can live with him. Worried Mark says there isn't room. Liz and Vernon audition various girls but none of them is any good. Vernon suggests Liz should audition. Mark tries to apologise for his affair with Linda and hurting Mike in the past. Mike slowly remembers who he is and becomes angry. Mike walks out in a fury. Mark contacts the Rovers to let them know where Mike is but soon discovers Mike's stormed out into the night wearing dressing gown and slippers. Mike staggers into the park, talking to himself and swigging from a whisky bottle. Jamie and Frankie arrive at Marks and immediately go in search of Mike. Liz's audition goes well and Vernon's about to give her the job when Michelle, a glamorous last minute hopeful turns up. Liz is disappointed. Jamie finds Mike on a park bench. Mike cries, a broken man. Jamie manages to persuade him to come home with him.
#25 - Mon 8 May, 2006 [Episode 1]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 92
Tyrone tells Frankie she will have to cope on her own at the Café as Vera is having the day off. Jamie and Frankie discuss Norris's accident. Lloyd finds Becky in his room trying on Kelly's clothes - she is acting strangely. Rosie tries to persuade Kevin and Sally to let Craig come over but they are just not ready for that yet. Kelly is cross at Becky for wearing her clothes without asking. Adam is very hung over from the night before Kan and Deirdre are not happy. Ken wants Adam to get a job. Lloyd confides in Steve about Becky's behaviour - Steve just laughs it off. Frankie is not coping well on her own in the Café and is also worried what Norris will do when he gets home from Hospital. Norris arrives home and Frankie thinks it is a good idea to buy him flowers to butter him up. When she sees Norris is in genuine pain and needing the aid of a wheelchair she doesn't speak to him and takes the flowers back with her. Jamie tells Frankie the Café has got mice - she is more bothered about Norris. Kelly tells Lloyd it is time for Becky to move out. The Health Inspector calls at the café because of the accident yesterday. He sees the mice and tells Frankie she has to shut the place down until he gives it the all clear in a few days.
#26 - Mon 8 May, 2006 [Episode 2]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 93
Gail is still clearly not coping with the 'Hillman' card situation. Frankie is frantically trying to clean the Café with Jamie's help - Frankie is very worried about Norris and what Roy will say. Hayley and Roy are on their way home. Deirdre and Ken are still on Adam's case about getting a job. Jamie finds a mouldy egg mayo sandwich in the café behind a radiator - that was the cause if the smell in the Café. Vera goes to help Frankie and speaks to Roy on the phone - he gets the wrong end of the stick and thinks Vera has 'mental health issues' not 'environmental health issues' and sends her home for the day! Norris has got Rita as his nurse maid and is taking liberties. Audrey is concerned about Gail and goes to see her - Gail is clearly not well and is still taking the sleeping tablets. Rosie wants Craig to bond with Kevin so she thinks it's a good idea for him to help at the garage - Craig actually enjoys it. Frankie finds out Norris has only sprained his wrist and ankle and is angry because she thought she thought it was much more serious. Kelly asks Becky to move out - Becky pretends not to be bothered but clearly is. Roy goes to visit Vera but soon realises she is not mentally ill - Roy says he will fire Vera but she resigns first!
#27 - Fri 23 Jun, 2006
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 126
It’s Steve’s birthday but he doesn’t want to celebrate until he knows whether his licence will be renewed. Meanwhile Lloyd is still giving both Kelly and Steve the cold shoulder. Eileen and the drivers are worried about their jobs and things look grim when Steve returns from the meeting with bad news. Sean has got a lot of questions to ask his mother when she returns from holiday and he is frustrated when he receives a postcard from her on the day she is due to return home. He leaves another message on her answer machine. Gail’s home study plans for David falter at the first hurdle when she struggles to help him with his maths problems. David suggests asking Craig for help but instead of discussing school work the youngsters end up mulling over their family problems. Maria is still seething about Chris standing her up and is less than impressed when he turns up a day late. He insists he was working and couldn’t let her know – will he manage to win her round? Elsewhere - Diggory is concerned about the future of the bakery as business continues to fall. Steve is confident that the business can keep going if Lloyd takes over the licence but Lloyd has no intention of doing that unless Steve quits. Les and Eileen become increasingly worried as it seems Steve and Lloyd aren’t going to agree. Steve insists they will soon be back in business but with the main partners at loggerheads it seems increasingly unlikely. Meanwhile Liz wants to celebrate Steve’s birthday but it is the last thing he feels like doing. Sean finally gets hold of his mum and arranges to meet her tomorrow but keeps the reason for his visit a secret – hoping to catch her on the hop. Chris finally manages to convince everyone he is genuine when he drops hints about a famous client who prevented him from keeping his date with Maria and when he serenades her with a song it seems she is finally won over. Elsewhere Molly’s concerns about Diggory grow when he admits that he has had to get a
#28 - Mon 25 Sep, 2006 [Episode 1]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 188
Bev is excited that Shelley is coming to stay for a few days to help her with the wedding plans and try on her bridesmaid dress. She's concerned however when Shelley can't seem to share her enthusiasm for the big day. Suspicious that the dress has got too tight, and the fact that Shelley won't share a celebratory drink with her, Bev quizzes her daughter about what is going on. Faced with Bev's interrogation Shelley is left with no choice but to come clean - she's pregnant! It's Fiz's birthday and yet again she is under whelmed by Kirk's gift of a bank note in a card! He insists that he has got her something else but that it is too big to wrap. When Chesney then presents her with a splendid pair of furry dice, and tells her Kirk suggested them, Fiz can't help but be excited. Could Fiz be right - has Kirk done something properly for once and actually got her a car for her birthday? Liam is made up when he realises just how much him seeing Frankie is getting on Danny's nerves. He suggests a night out at the cinema but Frankie is starting to wonder whether Liam is actually worth all the hassle; and before the date even got going Liam finds himself getting dumped. What will Danny make of it? Fred calls round with flowers for Audrey following the break-in and she can't help but feel more than a little disappointed that they were Bev's idea not his. But, with Fred having to make himself scarce at the pub, Audrey takes the opportunity to share some quality time with him.
#29 - Mon 25 Sep, 2006 [Episode 2]
Coronation Street - Season 47 - Episode 189
Bev and Fred are reeling from the shock of Shelley’s pregnancy but she has more surprises in store for them. Bev wants to know who the father is and is stunned when Shelley cracks under pressure and confirms her mum’s worst fears – the baby is Charlie’s. Bev can’t believe she is even considering keeping it and tells Shelley as much. Shelley is furious at her mother’s attitude and storms out of the pub. Bev chases after her and is discovered sobbing in the alleyway by Deirdre. Desperate for someone to talk to Bev tells Deirdre everything – remembering too late that Deirdre’s own daughter is shacked up with the bully boy builder! Will she be able to persuade Deirdre to keep quiet? Sean is a man on a mission. Spurred on by Violet and also his own desire to find out the truth he arranges a night out with Jamie. Jamie is totally oblivious to the pair’s plotting and is a little confused by Sean’s strange behaviour but agrees to the offer of another night on the town. Liam finally gets Frankie on his own but not for the right reasons. She tells him that the relationship won’t work and dumps him. Liam is philosophical about it and decides to play the situation to his own advantage. Knowing Danny was never entirely happy with the fact that he was dating Frankie, Liam tells him he ended the relationship for the sake of the business. Can he really kid a kidder? Elsewhere, wedding talk is really starting to get Audrey down and Rosie and Craig discuss the future.