Summary[]
It's Mark Fowler's surprise farewell party at the Vic, but someone special is absent. Mark tells Pauline the drugs have stopped working and she'll never again see him alive.
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It's Mark's last day in Walford. He bins all his old photos, but keeps a locket containing pictures of Lisa and Louise. Meanwhile, Martin and Derek prepare for Mark's bash. Pauline sternly refuses to join them. Jim struggles to the Vic and awaits Dot's return. Doris is still stuck to him like glue. When Dot calls to say that she won't be back until next week, it becomes apparent that Jim's Valentine's card is from Doris - not Dot! Sam probes Ricky about his two Valentine's cards. Ricky admits that one was from his mystery woman, but he's baffled by the other one. She hints that the card was from her, but Ricky's preoccupied with Natalie. When Natalie arrives home, Barry's prepared a romantic extravaganza. She smiles, but underneath she feels uncomfortable. Natalie promptly drags Barry to the pub, where she plies him with booze while ogling Ricky. Sharon accosts Mark, demanding to know if he's spoken to Pauline. He's disinterested and just wants to enjoy the party. Sharon approaches Derek for help, but he assures her that Mark and Pauline won't listen to him. Mark bids an emotional farewell to Vicki, adding that she'll always be more of a Fowler than a Watts. They agree that the urge to run away must be a Fowler trait. Tearfully, Mark passes on his regards to Michelle. Sharon confronts Mark again. She can't bear to think of him leaving without Pauline knowing that he's dying. Mark insists he's making the right choice. If he reveals the truth to Pauline, he'll never manage to leave. Sam confesses to Ricky that his other Valentine's card was from her. However, Ricky's only interested in plotting to steal a few moments with Natalie. His plan is blown when Barry whisks Natalie off to a posh hotel. Ian divulges that he sent Laura's Valentine's card. He mocks her for thinking otherwise. Mark scolds Ian for his conduct, but Ian bites back. He points out that Mark's not perfect and asks when he last saw Louise. Sharon promises Pauline that she'll always regret it if she doesn't see Mark before he leaves. Pauline believes that Mark's leaving his family for Lisa. Sharon denies this and implores Pauline to confront Mark. Martin presents Mark with his leaving gift from the stallholders. It's a leather jacket with 'Walford' emblazoned on the back. Mark tearfully accepts it, declaring that there's no better place than Walford - he'll miss them all. Mark drags Martin outside, and admits that he feels that he's letting his little brother down. Martin rejects this, claiming that he's not afraid. Mark confesses that he feels scared every day. The Fowler brothers hug. Reflecting alone in the Square, Mark spots Peggy and Louise departing for South Africa. Mark says an emotional goodbye to Louise and entrusts her with the locket. He kisses the baby, apologising for everything. Sharon blocks Mark as he brings his bike into the Square. She snatches the keys and demands that he says goodbye to Pauline. When he refuses, she calls him a coward. Mark storms over to the Fowler house. Pauline's sure that Mark will soon be back with his tail between his legs. He assures her she's wrong - he's dying. Pauline's crushed and begs him to stay. Mark declares, "If you love me, let me go." Pauline relents. Everyone assembles ready for Mark's departure. Tenderly, Mark persuades Pauline to join the crowd. Martin's delighted that his mum's finally come round. They all watch as Mark speeds off into the distance on his bike. |
Credits[]
Main cast[]
- Mark Fowler - Todd Carty
- Pauline Fowler - Wendy Richard
- Martin Fowler - James Alexandrou
- Derek Harkinson - Ian Lavender
- Sharon Watts - Letitia Dean
- Ian Beale - Adam Woodyatt
- Laura Beale - Hannah Waterman
- Garry Hobbs - Ricky Groves
- Natalie Evans - Lucy Speed
- Barry Evans - Shaun Williamson
- Ricky Butcher - Sid Owen
- Pat Evans - Pam St. Clement
- Jim Branning - John Bardon
- Sonia Jackson - Natalie Cassidy
- Robbie Jackson - Dean Gaffney
- Nita Mistry - Bindya Solanki
- Alfie Moon - Shane Richie
- 'Nana' Victoria Moon - Hilda Braid
- Spencer Moon - Christopher Parker
- Vicki Fowler - Scarlett Johnson
- Billy Mitchell - Perry Fenwick
- 'Little' Mo Mitchell - Kacey Ainsworth
- Kat Slater - Jessie Wallace
- Zoe Slater - Michelle Ryan
- Peggy Mitchell - Barbara Windsor
- Sam Mitchell - Kim Medcalf
- Asif Malik - Ashvin Luximon
- Kelly Taylor - Brooke Kinsella
- Louise Mitchell - Rachel Cox (uncredited)
Recurring cast[]
- Winston - Ulric Browne
- Tracey - Jane Slaughter (uncredited)
- Martha - Martha Ross (uncredited)
- Maggs - Margaret Heald (uncredited)
- Sarah - Sarah McGrath (uncredited)
Guest cast[]
Locations[]
- Albert Square
- The Queen Victoria - Public and gents
- 41 Albert Square - Hallway
- 45 Albert Square - Kitchen, backroom and yard
- Bridge Street
- 55 Victoria Road - Kitchen
Notes[]
- Final appearance of Mark Fowler.
- The end of this episode featured a piece from Julia's Theme rather than the regular drum beats before fading into black and commencing into the credits.
- Mark recalls talking to his father, Arthur, for the last time about some old comics he used to own, this event occurred in Episode 1291 (20 May 1996).
- Lynne Hobbs (Elaine Lordan) is credited despite not making an appearance.
- This episode was first premiered 13 February 2003 on BBC Three at 8.00pm as part of the launch of BBC Three.
- Radio Times synopsis: The Square's residents cram into the Vic to say farewell to Mark. On Valentine's Day, Barry and Natalie are in contrasting moods.
- Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 13,510,000 viewers (4th place).
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