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Episode 1737 (14 February 1999)

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Summary[]

Matthew witnesses Steve murdering Saskia, while Peggy arranges a singer to perform in the Vic, and Terry has a surprise for Irene on Valentine's Day.


It's Valentine's night and Walford is buzzing as Steve's club 'E20' launches. A queue of young clubbers forms before it opens - their ranks swelled by Dot, Lilly and Josie. Annie visits Steve. She's surprised he didn't report the break-in to the police. Annie warns him, "if you do have someone out to get you, tonight's the night they'll show". Dot, Lilly and Josie are not amused to find themselves turned away. Distraught, Dot vows to report Steve to the "age discrimination tribunal"!

In the Vic, the older crowd have a knees-up of their own, relaxing to the more sedate sounds of Carlos the Crooner. At the bar, Peggy and Frank flirt, much to Grant's disgust.

Terry finds himself in the doghouse after he forgets Irene's Valentine's card.

Struggling to come to terms with Frank moving into the Vic, Grant throws Frank's Valentine to Peggy in the bin. Peggy is upset.

Simon rebuffs Tony's offer of a night out at E20. Tony pleads with him, "you can't stay in here by yourself all the time". Simon snaps and sinks deeper into depression after Tony tells him that Grant caught Terry trying to see Courtney.

Michael's getting cold feet about the move to Leeds. He tells Susan that maybe he got it wrong and they are better off staying. Susan leaves. Michael seizes his chance to see Lisa. He prevaricates when Lisa urges him to stay and tell Susan about the affair. Michael tries to kiss Lisa but she stops him - "You can't make a decision. It's over. Now clear off and let me get on with my life". Clearly upset, Michael tells Susan that he took off for a walk "for old times sake". They depart for Leeds.

The regulars are agog when an Elvis impersonator enters the Vic. 'Heartbreak Hotel' blasts out and the look-a-like tells Irene, "I am your Valentine". Irene is delighted. Terry is soon dismayed when 'Elvis' starts stripping, protesting, "this isn't what I wanted. I wanted something romantic".

Jeff enters the Vic to admiring looks from Dot and Lilly. The mystery deepens when Alex tells him he's got a Valentine's card.

Saskia becomes increasingly drunk and belligerent. After clashing with Peggy and Mark she leaves E20. Amid the revelry Grant is quietly seething. His patience snaps when Peggy, Frank, Irene and Terry raise a champagne toast to Tiffany. Grant rips up Peggy's Valentine. Peggy is furious. She tells Grant, "I'm not staying here with you in this mood. I'm going to stay at Frank's".

Over at E20, Steve shares an intimate drink with Melanie. He tells her there's nothing between him and Saskia. Saskia disturbs them. She grabs Steve and kisses him, remarking "the roses were too much. You know they're my favourite". Despite Steve's protestations, Melanie takes one look and leaves. Steve is furious.

Grant shares a nightcap with Nina and confides in her how much he misses Tiffany.

Peggy and Frank share a romantic dinner in Guiseppe's. The meal is cut short when Peggy has a change of heart and decides to check on Grant.

Grant asks Nina to stay the night. Nina refuses - she tells him, "I'll be there for you, but this is the wrong time to start something else". As Peggy enters, Grant realises his mistake and kisses Nina goodnight. Peggy misinterprets the kiss. Grant tells her "there is nothing going on" but Peggy doesn't believe him.

Saskia threatens Steve - "you really shouldn't have messed with me, because this is just the beginning. Your life is over". When Steve tries to throw her out Saskia becomes hysterical. As Steve starts to move towards her, Saskia grabs a bottle of wine and smashes him over the head with it. Matthew intervenes as Saskia chokes Steve, pulling his tie tighter and tighter around his neck. Matthew tries to pull her off. In the melee, a bruised and disorientated Steve swings with an ashtray and connects with Saskia. Saskia's eyes stare, her head oozes blood. Steve has killed her!


Credits[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

Locations[]

Notes[]

  • An extended theme tune arrangement was used for the credits.
  • Final appearance of Susan Rose.
  • Last appearance of Michael Rose until 19 July 1999.
  • Tracey and a man are both uncredited, despite having dialogue.
  • This episode was transmitted outside the regular time slot having been broadcasted on a Sunday at 8pm as an extra episode for Valentine's Day and had a time-slot of 45 minutes rather than the regular time-slot of 30 minutes.
  • The Broadcasting Standards Commission upheld several viewer complaints about this episode, featuring the killing of Saskia Duncan, which the watchdog ruled was too graphic to be shown before the watershed when the content could be seen by children.
  • This episode was included in the special collection EastEnders: Iconic Exits which was only available for streaming online and released on the streaming platforms BBC Store and Amazon Prime.
  • Radio Times synopsis: It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air. Grant would love Frank to disappear, Saskia would love to see Steve suffer, and Robbie would love any kind of date.
  • Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 12,970,000 viewers (5th place).
  • For its 2025 upload to BBC iPlayer as "Classic EastEnders", this episode was entitled Steve vs Saskia.

Dialogue[]

DOT COTTON: Happy hour in the Vic? A bit of a contradiction in terms, ain't it?

Eastenders Iconic Exits

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