'A Spot of Comedy'

It’s the morning after the Halloween party and Ruth awakes disorientated and surprised to discover that she is in bed with Daniel. Daniel is lodging at Lily’s house. Eager to leave, Ruth quietly exits the room but incidentally bumps into Lily. Ruth awkwardly tries to exit, leaving Lily mortified. The next day at the campus surgery, Ruth is quick to occupy herself when Lily tries to catch her eye. An opportunity to go to a comedy gig with Archie arises, a perfect chance to be out of Lily’s reach. Archie helps a patient with chickenpox.

At The Mill, Daniel furiously battles through patients under the new plans to assess a patient in 5 minutes. As he returns to his room, Michelle gossips. She tells Vivien about Ruth and Daniel leaving the party together, and more interestingly, her discovery of Heston and his interest in young male prostitutes. Vivien is called by the witness service, asked if she wants to visit the court in preparation to her rape case. As swift as she is to halt this conversation, she’s just as quick to react when Heston arrives.

Fuelled with the gossip from Michelle and the chaos the 5 minute assessments are having on her role, she vehemently expresses her feelings about Heston’s private life. Heston violently erupts with harsh words about Vivien and such gossip. He briefly informs them that he is involved in a mentorship programme, bringing troubled individuals back into society, and not paying for sex! Aware of the truth but also hurt by his words, Vivien exits the Mill. Michelle knows she was wrong to spread such stories and confesses to Heston that it was her fault. Michelle’s aware of Vivien’s rape case but doesn’t divulge details to Heston, just that she has a lot on her plate.

In aim to put things right, Heston ask Michelle to comfort her, whilst he will man reception. When Michelle informs Vivien that he is doing so, Vivien is delighted that he might see the problems she encounters first hand. He’s actually deals with patients really well, and hears mixed views about its flaws and success from patients and Doctors alike. When Vivien returns, they manage to settle their differences, both as apologetic to each other.

Back at the Campus surgery, Archie’s had a meeting with Lily. When he exits, Ruth and expresses that she’s had the cold shoulder from her all day and Archie’s mind quickly results her reasoning. When Archie leaves the surgery to go back to the comedy gig, Ruth is approached by Lily, questioned about her views on sexually health. At the end of the day, she tracks down Michelle to fill her in about her hellish day, only to be coldly shunned by her disappointment about her and Daniel.

Meanwhile, Phil Branch (29) is a comedy gig compere and he’s recruited his best mate Sean Stone (32) to headline the event. Sean’s girlfriend Zoe Connolly (31) is getting herself ready for the day, making more of an effort than usual in fear that she is seeing less of Sean. Whilst practicing his routine, Sean discovers a rash on his arm but he continues on with the gig regardless.

During his routine, Archie and Ruth enjoy the show, but Archie notices Sean scratching his arm. The gig is a success! Afterwards, Sean chats to female punters but Zoe appears, and feels threatened by him talking to them. She’s there because she’s taken the day off early so they can visit her sister and her kids. Archie approaches Sean and takes him to one side, suspecting that Sean has chickenpox. With advice from Archie that he’s not allowed near babies or pregnant woman, he now has to break the news to Zoe.

Back at home and resting due to Archie’s advice, Sean won’t be performing the evening gig. He’s being comforted by Zoe who’s suspecting that it might be a plot to not visit her sister, in fear of start their own family. She also expresses that she made an effort with her appearance in fear of him being led astray. Sean stands firm that she’s the only girl for him, but the moment is rapidly ruined when they receive a call from Phil. A producer has come down to watch tonight’s show, he’s got to go. Things turn sour when he decides to go, ignoring Zoe’s advice not to. What chance does she stand if he favours comedy over illness, what about her? Sean storms out after Zoe expresses she’s going to leave him.

Archie discovers a flyer noting that Sean’s going to do the gig tonight, he needs to stop him before he puts others lives at risk. Sean’s on stage cracking jokes about babies and the crowd love him, but it’s devastating for Zoe to hear. Sean notices Zoe’s plight and as she turns to leave, he’s quick to honestly announce his love for her, making it part of the act. Phil is furious that they’ve missed an opportunity having the producer there and that Sean blew it, but Sean couldn’t care. Confirming his resignation, he walks off with Zoe, leaving the comedy world behind him.