Casualty (series 2)

Casualty series 2
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	15
Release
Original network	BBC One
Original release	12 September 1987 – 19 December 1987

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]

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 (Geoffrey Leesley). Nigel Anthony and Sonia Woolley had recurring roles as Ted Roach and Ros Plimmer respectively.^[3]

Episodes

Episode No.[nb 1]	Series No.	Episode	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
16	1	"A Little Lobbying"	Antonia Bird	Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin	12 September 1987
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
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, Dorian Healy and Christopher Fairbank.[4]
18	3	"Shades of Love"	Michael Brayshaw	Wally K Daly	26 September 1987
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 and John Michie.[5]
19	4	"Cry for Help"	Alan Wareing	Paul Unwin and Jeremy Brock	3 October 1987
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
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, Aimée Delamain, Barry Stanton, John Michie and Harry Fielder.[6]
21	6	"Lifelines"	Sharon Miller	Jeremy Brock	17 October 1987
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 and Hubert Rees.[7]
22	7	"The Raid"	Sharon Miller	Susan Wilkins	24 October 1987
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, Pam Ferris, Stephen Churchett and Crispin Letts.[8]
23	8	"Cross Fingers"	Alan Wareing	David Ashton	31 October 1987
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, Lloyd McGuire and David Ashford.[9]
24	9	"Seeking Heat"	Christopher Menaul	Ray Brennan and Jeremy Brock	7 November 1987
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, Julie Dawn Cole and Frank Mills. [10]
25	10	"Rock-a-Bye-Baby"	Sharon Miller	Ginnie Hole	14 November 1987
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 Doré, Stacy Davies and David John Pope.[11]
26	11	"Hooked"	Michael Brayshaw	Billy Hamon	21 November 1987
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
A row between two youths over a girlfriend results in a stabbing and a revenge attack. Elizabeth's daughter makes a startling announcement. Guest starring Kevin Lloyd, Al Hunter Ashton and Sakuntala Ramanee.
28	13	"Peace, Brother"	Michael Brayshaw	David Ashton	5 December 1987
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
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
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 No." refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Series No." refers to the episode's number in this particular series.

References

1. IMDB Casualty Series 2
2. "Casualty | Series 2". holby.tv. 12 September 1987. 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

• Casualty series 2 at the Internet Movie Database
• Casualty series 2 at TV.com