Summary[]
Frank declares his undying love for Pat. Ethel becomes overwhelmed at her 85th birthday party, so Dot takes her home. There, Ethel reveals that she wants to end it all.
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The residents pull together to convene a celebration for Ethel's 85th birthday. Dot is erratic to make everything perfect for her. Ethel is becoming increasingly weaker when Dot catches her unable to keep hold of a tin. Preparations are under swing at the Vic for Ethel's birthday party. Ian is the host and is worked under his feet. Janine has gotten carried away with 'sampling' the alcohol. Barry makes an awkward joke about Pat in a bikini in front of Frank leaving him flatteringly uncomfortable. Ethel is all glammed up for her party and is getting checked over by the nurse, Anita. Ethel mentions about the party being hosted for her, and Dot is quick to interrupt the conversation telling the nurse it's a quiet celebration. Laura questions Ian on why a replacement nanny has turned up at the house. She's secretly pleased when he tells her he's given her the night off and wishes for her to join him at the party. Upon leaving the house, Ethel's entrance is put on hold when one of the wheels on her chair become loose. She's adamant that she's able to walk, but everyone is reluctant to let her do so. Jamie, Winston and a few others come to the rescue when they lift the chair up into the air with her still sat, and make a march for her grand entrance. A warm and charming crowd greets her in the Vic. Roy pops in the back to show Frank and Peggy some of the holiday photos. Frank knows what's coming after Barry's remarks, and is quick to send him away. However, he's interested to know that Pat is home alone. Doctor Legg is sent on a wild goose chase in search of Ethel around the Square. The chanting of celebrations from the Vic soon relinquish his hunt. Ethel becomes forgetful when she mistakes Pauline for Lou and believes that a carving she and William put on the Vic's wall on VE Day is still there. Doctor Legg takes Dot outside for a confrontation. He believes that the party was a bad idea for someone in Ethel's condition. Dot condemns that it makes Ethel's happy, and that's all she pleases. However, Doctor Legg reckons that Ethel will benefit in going to a hospice. Dot is reluctant. Pauline comes outside wanting answers after witnessing Dot in an emotional state. Dot loses her rag and tells her to mind her own business. Pauline gets the answers she was looking for from Doctor Legg. Sonia is shocked to be gifted with Ethel's wedding ring by Ethel herself. Once left alone, Ethel's vision and sound become impaled as she watches on to the celebrations around her. Pauline confronts Dot - she wants to know why she never told her Ethel was dying. Pauline tries reasoning with her on what's best for her and Ethel. Dot is adamant to please her best friend's wishes. Dot takes Ethel home after her uncomfortable moment. She asks Dot to check if the carving on the wall, done by her and William, is still there. There's nothing there but red paint, but Dot doesn't fail to please her best friend and tells her it is. Laura becomes drunk at the party and is infuriated that Ian has helped him work. Once he takes her to a corner and lectures her about drinking too much. She makes a loud confrontation in the Vic about them sleeping together. Frank turns up at Pat's. He confesses his undying love for her and persuades her to do the same. She is hesitant to open up her feelings and claims that their night of passion in Spain was a drunken mistake before slapping him after he makes a quick remark and ordering him to leave. Dot tucks Ethel up in bed, and they reminisce. Ethel talks about the events of her family getting killed by a doodle bomb in the Second World War and how she's outlived all of her dearests. Ethel doesn't want her health to deteriorate and die slowly. She wants Dot to help her die with pills. Dot doesn't want to. However, upon realising how sad Ethel is as she counts the days to her demise, Dot agrees to help her best friend die. She spreads Ethel's pills on the bed table beside her birthday cake, and Ethel admits she's 86 not 85. Ethel tells her that Dot was the best friend she ever had and the two women enfold. |
Credits[]
Main cast[]
- Ethel Skinner - Gretchen Franklin
- Dot Cotton - June Brown
- Pauline Fowler - Wendy Richard
- Dr. Legg - Leonard Fenton
- Mark Fowler - Todd Carty
- Jim Branning - John Bardon
- Ian Beale - Adam Woodyatt
- Laura Dunn - Hannah Waterman
- Jamie Mitchell - Jack Ryder
- Sonia Jackson - Natalie Cassidy
- Billy Mitchell - Perry Fenwick
- Melanie Beale - Tamzin Outhwaite
- Steve Owen - Martin Kemp
- Frank Butcher - Mike Reid
- Peggy Butcher - Barbara Windsor
- Pat Evans - Pam St. Clement
- Roy Evans - Tony Caunter
- Janine Butcher - Charlie Brooks
- Barry Evans - Shaun Williamson
- Natalie Evans - Lucy Speed
- Robbie Jackson - Dean Gaffney
- Phil Mitchell - Steve McFadden
- Lisa Shaw - Lucy Benjamin
Recurring cast[]
- Winston - Ulric Browne (uncredited)
- Tracey - Jane Slaughter (uncredited)
- Michael - Michael Leader (uncredited)
- Maggs - Margaret Heald (uncredited)
- Steve - Darrel Brook (uncredited)
- Marie Evans - Liz Sweet (uncredited)
Guest cast[]
- Anita Goodall - Ruby Turner
Locations[]
- Albert Square
- The Queen Victoria - Public, hallway and women's lavatory
- 41 Albert Square - Living room and hallway
- 45 Albert Square - Front room, kitchen, hallway and backyard
- Bridge Street
Notes[]
- This was a thirty-five-minute special episode.
- This episode saw the death of Ethel Skinner and the final appearance of Gretchen Franklin in the role.
- This episode featured a plain black background for the end credits rather than the regular scheme of the moving frame of the Thames. Rather than using the regular theme tune, the end credits for this episode were allocated with a piece from the 1931 Jack Payne single "Guilty".
- In dialogue, Ethel admits to Dot that she's always lied about her age, claiming she was one year younger than she is, and her real age is 86. Meaning her birth year was 1914 rather than 1915.
- Radio Times synopsis: The whole square turns out to celebrate Ethel's birthday, and Dot has to make an important decision.
- Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 16,150,000 viewers (1st place - combined figure including repeat).
- For its 2025 upload to BBC iPlayer as "Classic EastEnders", this episode was entitled Ethel's Final Request.
Quote[]
ETHEL SKINNER (to Dot Cotton): You're the best friend I ever had. There. (Ethel's final line before she dies.)
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