Brookside: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Brookside Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Episode 228 - Working from Home
Jan 1, 1985 · 30 min
Heather tries to work from home, but she is continually interrupted. Ralph begins to miss Grace, but also starts to look to the future.
Episode 229 - Still Here
Jan 7, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila prepares for a home delivery, and Marie sets off on a long journey to visit George.
Episode 230 - Baby Grant
Jan 8, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle has to act quickly when her dinner guests arrive early. Stuart has a belated Christmas present for Heather. Bobby and Sheila become parents of a new daughter.
Episode 231 - Thanks Bob
Jan 14, 1985 · 30 min
Bobby is determined to sort out the sexual harrassment case. Kate discovers that Pat is selling food to hospital patients.
Episode 232 - Allegations
Jan 15, 1985 · 30 min
Kate is in trouble at the hospital. Paul is accused of taking a bribe. Marie and Betty talk to Rick about George.
Episode 233 - Health Warning
Jan 21, 1985 · 30 min
Sandra finds her first day back on theatre duties depressing. Annabelle's new freezer breaks down.
Episode 234 - Backhanders
Jan 22, 1985 · 30 min
Sandra's husband unexpectedly turns up on the Close. The new union convenor at PetroChem makes further accusations against Paul.
Episode 235 - Daytime Jog
Jan 28, 1985 · 30 min
The twins have a scheme to help Marie with her money problems. Pat writes a song. Damon is offered a job. Annabelle goes out jogging.
Episode 236 - Nothing to Lose
Jan 29, 1985 · 30 min
Rick Sexton wants to publicise the sacrifices the Jackson twins have made for their family. Marie lobbies a visiting government official.
Episode 237 - Bad Tactics
Feb 4, 1985 · 30 min
Paul meets up with Colin Peterson in an attempt to arrange a peace settlement. Sinbad tries to sell cheap watches.
Episode 238 - Toryism
Feb 5, 1985 · 30 min
Paul has further problems with the maintenance contract. Damon and Neil start up their bin-liner business. Celia doesn't make Terry and Michelle welcome when they return.
Episode 239 - Minding
Feb 11, 1985 · 30 min
Kate looks after Sheila's baby, allowing Damon and Neil to borrow the pram to carry their bin liners. Ralph goes missing.
Episode 240 - Going Under
Feb 12, 1985 · 30 min
Ralph returns to the bungalow, and Marie and Betty travel to Downing Street. Mrs Bancroft has her sights on a certain young man. Sheila is depressed.
Episode 241 - Anything to Sell Papers
Feb 18, 1985 · 30 min
Marie is annoyed when she is accused of neglecting her children. Edna and Ralph become hooked on newspaper bingo.
Episode 242 - Putty in Her Hands
Feb 19, 1985 · 30 min
Damon thinks he's in for a good time when he is invited upstairs by Mrs Bancroft. Marie receives more hate-mail. Sheila is annoyed by the amount of influence Janet seems to have on
Episode 243 - Absconded
Feb 25, 1985 · 30 min
Heather starts a new assignment which leads to something other than business. Marie goes to visit George in prison, but finds that he has absconded.
Episode 244 - Where Can He Go
Feb 26, 1985 · 30 min
Heather meets an old flame. Marie is visited by the police. Sheila shows signs of post-natal depression.
Episode 245 - At the Sharp End
Mar 4, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila confesses to Annabelle that she has started to resent having a new baby. Curzon Communications' chief accountant makes life difficult for Heather.
Episode 246 - Searching
Mar 5, 1985 · 30 min
Terry tells Sheila about a letter he has received from George. Annabelle gets a shock.
Episode 247 - Trying Times
Mar 11, 1985 · 30 min
Paul has to attend a difficult business meeting instead of accompanying Annabelle to Gordon's school.
Episode 248 - Black
Mar 12, 1985 · 30 min
Michelle trips the light fantastic with the new dance instructor. Colin is in favour of calling a strike, and Heather meets Tom Curzon. It emerges that Gordon is in France with Luc
Episode 249 - Emotional Involvement
Mar 18, 1985 · 30 min
Mrs Duncan visits Annabelle. Accusations of an unprofessional relationship cause grief.
Episode 250 - Frogs
Mar 19, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle leaves to visit Gordon in France. George has some bad news for Marie. At a disco, Karen and Susi pretend to be French girls.
Episode 251 - First Day Out
Mar 25, 1985 · 30 min
Bobby proposes a "cooling off" period to Paul. The Grants' baby has a minor accident. A stranger arrives at the Jacksons'.
Episode 252 - Meatballs
Mar 26, 1985 · 30 min
Marie wakens to find that the visitor has left, taking several of her possessions with him.
Episode 253 - Pull-back
Apr 1, 1985 · 30 min
Despite playing a prank on Neil, it is Damon who finds himself the April Fool. Heather finds herself back on the Curzon review, and Marie prepares to move out.
Episode 254 - Rebirth
Apr 2, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila's sister Margaret and her family arrive for the christening ceremony. Karen tries to conceal a love-bite on her neck. Before leaving the Close, Marie gives Sheila a present
Episode 255 - How Much
Apr 8, 1985 · 30 min
Heather returns to Curzon's to find the company in a crisis. Edna and Ralph place an accumulator bet on six horses.
Episode 256 - That'll Be All
Apr 9, 1985 · 30 min
Sackings follow when Howard, Joyce and Heather present their review to Tom Curzon, and Harry takes action against Billy Mac. Things get physical between Karen and Andrew.
Episode 257 - Choice
Apr 15, 1985 · 30 min
Damon has to attend a YTS interview. Sandra and Pat consider hiring a kissogram for Kate's birthday. When one man comes to her door, Heather has to hide another one in the kitchen.
Episode 258 - Gorilla
Apr 16, 1985 · 30 min
Pat sets up a singing telegram service and tries to involve Damon, but Bobby has other plans for him. Tom Curzon invites Heather to spend a weekend with him in Portugal.
Episode 259 - Separate Rooms
Apr 22, 1985 · 30 min
The singing telegram turns out to be a few notes short. Harry consults a lawyer.
Episode 260 - Oppressed
Apr 23, 1985 · 30 min
Sandra is disgusted that Jackie is delivering kissograms as "Fifi The Naughty Night Nurse", and that Kate made the costume. Heather and Tom travel around Portugal - but what lies a
Episode 261 - Dignity
Apr 29, 1985 · 30 min
Sandras discovers that radiographer Jimmy Powell has x-ray eyes. Damon receives a job offer. A pillar box is installed on the Close.
Episode 262 - Day One
Apr 30, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle employs a cleaner. Pat has "words" with the radiographer who attacked Sandra. Damon begins his YTS scheme.
Episode 263 - Invitation
May 6, 1985 · 30 min
Michelle goes dancing with Richard, but later finds out that he's not who he claims to be. When Victor visits the bungalow on Tommy McArdle's behalf, Ralph ends up flat on his back
Episode 264 - In the You-Know-What
May 7, 1985 · 30 min
Harry is made an offer, but only if he keeps his mouth shot. Michelle has a surprise for Terry. There's some bad news for Pat.
Episode 265 - A Woman's Work
May 13, 1985 · 30 min
Paul finds himself in a somewhat embarrassing position. Heather has something to celebrate. Ralph makes a decision.
Episode 266 - Crumbling
May 14, 1985 · 30 min
Serious pressure is put on Harry to drop the court case. Michelle and Terry continue to fool each other and themselves.
Episode 267 - Not Your Day
May 20, 1985 · 30 min
Bobby thinks it's time to resume sexual relations with Sheila, but he is called away on business. Edna is in for a shock.
Episode 268 - Nobody's Fool
May 21, 1985 · 30 min
Tommy McArdle makes Harry an even more tempting offer. The Grants have a visitor. There is bad news for Terry and Michelle.
Episode 269 - Changes
May 27, 1985 · 30 min
Edna refuses to venture out after being mugged. Annabelle makes a worrying discovery. An old friend of Damon's makes a surprise return to the Close.
Episode 270 - Revising
May 28, 1985 · 30 min
When Annabelle confronts Carol about the food that is going missing from the freezer, the search for the thief widens. There's a surprise for Edna.
Episode 271 - Asking Questions
Jun 3, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle discovers that Harry has been giving Edna the same food that has been going missing from her freezer. When Terry arrives late for work, he discovers that the club has bee
Episode 272 - Recompensed
Jun 4, 1985 · 30 min
Terry disturbs Karen's reunion. Paul is asked to be more specific about how he will reward the strike-breakers. The food thief is finally caught in the act.
Episode 273 - Rights and Wrongs
Jun 10, 1985 · 30 min
Terry learns that McArdle has been released. Bobby speaks to his doctor about the possibility of having a vasectomy. Paul believes he may have found a way of ending the strike.
Episode 274 - Personal Reasons
Jun 11, 1985 · 30 min
Heather amuses Greg with her attempts to park Tom's car. Bobby tries to arrange to have a vasectomy without Sheila finding out. Karen and David decide to go to see a film that does
Episode 275 - Indubitably
Jun 17, 1985 · 30 min
Karen sits her last exam, Tom invites Heather to dinner, and Terry makes a statement.
Episode 276 - Magic Rabbits
Jun 18, 1985 · 30 min
Michelle leaves the Close to live with Marie in Leeds. Sandra plans a holiday in Rimini. Tom discovers that something valuable he has left in Heather's car has gone missing.
Episode 277 - Stuff to Burn
Jun 24, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila becomes suspicious about Bobby's visit to the doctor, and Karen gets a shock when she goes to visit Bobby at work.
Episode 278 - X Marks the Spot
Jun 25, 1985 · 30 min
Bobby is forced to come clean about his vasectomy when Sheila's stepladders accidentally poke him in the front room. Sinbad buries a television.
Episode 279 - You Don't Understand
Jul 1, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila overhears Damon and Karen discussing the stand-off between her and Bobby. Jack wants to impress a new woman, and asks Terry a favour. Tom tells Heather there is someone he w
Episode 280 - Lulling
Jul 2, 1985 · 30 min
Eileen becomes suspicious of Jack's living arrangements. Bobby and Sheila consider separating. Tom introduces Heather to his father, Jim.
Episode 281 - Preparation
Jul 8, 1985 · 30 min
Terry suggests that Sheila should consult a priest. Harry and Ralph decide to go to a car auction.
Episode 282 - Flawed
Jul 9, 1985 · 30 min
Tom and Heather discuss their future. Sheila turns to the church for help with her problems.
Episode 283 - Gullibility
Jul 15, 1985 · 30 min
Heather plans a celebration with Tom but gets a shock when she calls unexpectedly at his office. Sandra returns from her holidy in Rimini, and Neil persuades Damon to go busking.
Episode 284 - Lost
Jul 16, 1985 · 30 min
Neil and Damon plan the seduction of their girlfriends. Heather forces Tom to admit the truth about the girl she saw him with. At the hospital fete, some of the residents get Russe
Episode 285 - Hallo Again
Jul 22, 1985 · 30 min
Harry discovers that running a car will be expensive. Tom suggests to Heather that they cancel a date. Neil asks Damon for a divorce. The stranger returns.
Episode 286 - He Won't Go
Jul 23, 1985 · 30 min
Pat, Sandra, and Kate find themselves at the mercy of an unbalanced man with a gun.
Episode 287 - There's Something Wrong
Jul 29, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle becomes suspicious after speaking to Kate and hearing about her encounters with Harry and the milkman, but Paul doesn't believe her. Damon and Neil prepare for a seance.
Episode 288 - Is There Anybody There
Jul 30, 1985 · 30 min
The siege continues, and Pat undermines Kate's attempts to end it peacefully.
Episode 289 - You Two Must Go Now
Aug 5, 1985 · 30 min
The Close is evacuated, and the residents monitor the situation as it is reported on television. Harry becomes concerned when Edna goes to the toilet and doesn't come back.
Episode 290 - Tragic
Aug 6, 1985 · 30 min
After gunshots ring out, the police move in, but there are only dead bodies to be recovered.
Episode 291 - Give Us a Story
Aug 12, 1985 · 30 min
Reporters are swarming around the Close, and Terry accuses Harry of profiteering from the death of one of his tenants.
Episode 292 - Snaps
Aug 13, 1985 · 30 min
As a result of the newspaper coverage of the siege, Annabelle and Harry both receive letters from the tax man. Terry and Sandra have to go to London for a funeral.
Episode 293 - Nosing
Aug 19, 1985 · 30 min
Ghoulish appetites for a glimpse of the scene of the crime make matters worse. While Harry is arguing with other residents outside, Edna suffers a stroke in the kitchen.
Episode 294 - A Few More Years
Aug 20, 1985 · 30 min
Paul and Annabelle prepare to go on holiday, but first he wants to know why an extra television set has appeared in the house. There is no hospital bed available for Edna. Karen's
Episode 295 - Nothing to Do
Aug 26, 1985 · 30 min
Edna has a relapse and is in a critical condition. Paul and Annabelle prepare to camp out in their back garden, but is their tent waterproof?
Episode 296 - Kidding Ourselves
Aug 27, 1985 · 30 min
Damon and Neil find out that the photo of Karen they entered for a competition has won. Harry's spirits are low, as Edna's condition remains unchanged.
Episode 297 - No Change
Sep 2, 1985 · 30 min
Harry is hopeful that Edna will be able to come home. Sandra is surprised when someone from the Close turns up while she visits her mother in Glasgow.
Episode 298 - Depressed
Sep 3, 1985 · 30 min
Harry and his family maintain a vigil at Edna's bedside, but she is not going to wake up. Matty is disappointed when he is unsuccessful at his job interview.
Episode 299 - Mushroom Whatsits
Sep 9, 1985 · 30 min
Pat and Sandra return from Glasgow and find Harry in their house, distraught because Edna has died.
Episode 300 - You Have to Go
Sep 10, 1985 · 30 min
There's an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, as the vicar puts his foot in it at Edna's funeral. When Terry returns from the funeral, he discovers that new arrivals the Corkhi
Episode 301 - Expense No Object
Sep 16, 1985 · 30 min
Terry and Pat discover that televisions dug up from the garden don't necessarily work. Billy has a surprise for Doreen: a ready-to-assemble fireplace kit. Jim hears something he sh
Episode 302 - A New Way
Sep 17, 1985 · 30 min
Sandra is feeling the strain of being the only breadwinner in the house. Heather regrets lying to Jim. Doreen needs help with the building of her fireplace.
Episode 303 - Handouts
Sep 23, 1985 · 30 min
Terry and Pat go to the bank. Karen and David play monopoly. Paul sets off for a military reunion dinner but has no intention of arriving there.
Episode 304 - Moment of Weakness
Sep 24, 1985 · 30 min
Doreen's mother, Julia, reveals a few home truths about Billy's criminal past. Annabelle is startled when she questions Paul over his reunion dinner. Harry sells, then buys again.
Episode 305 - Tobacco Casserole
Sep 30, 1985 · 30 min
Heather is worried when she receives some mysterious phone calls. By chance, a cigarette end found down the toilet ends up in Sandra's meal.
Episode 306 - Initiative
Oct 1, 1985 · 30 min
Tom asks Heather to be "Mrs Curzon". Sandra gives Pat three months to make the van-hire business a success. Damon needs plenty of initiative when Karen asks him to change a book he
Episode 307 - Not Like School
Oct 7, 1985 · 30 min
Billy Corkhill has forgotten about a little electricity job, but it's someone else who is caught red-handed. On Karen's first day at university, her worries turn into outright fear
Episode 308 - Cultural Life
Oct 8, 1985 · 30 min
Billy's new shutters are causing a bit of a stir. Damon and Rod are determined to outdo each other in their displays of support for different football teams.
Episode 309 - Gunga Grant
Oct 14, 1985 · 30 min
Rod plans to impress Heather by washing her car, but then the water supply is cut off. Lucy Collins returns to the Close.
Episode 310 - Good Parts and Bad
Oct 15, 1985 · 30 min
The cleaner meets the daughter, but who has more reason to be suspicious? Heather reflects on becoming a free woman again as her divorce from Roger becomes absolute.
Episode 311 - Programmes
Oct 21, 1985 · 30 min
It's Lucy's birthday, but she has disappeared again. Damon and Rod make a bet, and Harry agrees to adjudicate.
Episode 312 - Student Prank
Oct 22, 1985 · 30 min
Karen goes to a party without telling Bobby and Sheila and does something she later regrets on the way home. Heather is not sure how to answer Tom's proposal.
Episode 313 - Best Kept Secrets
Oct 28, 1985 · 30 min
Doreen discovers that Julia has nearly burned her house down. Lucy tells Annabelle her plans. Damon sets about returning the Corkhills' alarm without them knowing.
Episode 314 - Knock It Off
Oct 29, 1985 · 30 min
Heather is confused when Tom refuses to invite his daughter to the wedding. The Corkhills are more confused about what has happened during the night.
Episode 315 - Why Her
Nov 4, 1985 · 30 min
Lucy is confident about her job interview but finds that it isn't the walkover that she expected. Julia appears in court.
Episode 316 - Playing Trains
Nov 5, 1985 · 30 min
Jim has a proposal for Tom. Ralph and Harry go on a trip to Blaenau Festiniog. Julia discovers a love letter written by Tracy to a lad at school. Or is it?
Episode 317 - Homewatch Meeting
Nov 11, 1985 · 30 min
Annabelle's homewatch meeting doesn't quite go to plan. Terry and Pat take on an awkward customer.
Episode 318 - Going Up in the World
Nov 12, 1985 · 30 min
Heather discovers that Tom has bought her a new house and handed in her resignation. The appearance of Gummy George on the Close results in Paul getting a black eye.
Episode 319 - Not Getting Any Easier
Nov 18, 1985 · 30 min
Heather struggles with her preparations for the wedding. Harry and Ralph go to the cemetery to see Edna's grave.
Episode 320 - Nowhere to Climb
Nov 19, 1985 · 30 min
Heather has serious doubts about marrying Tom. Lucy tells Paul and Annabelle that she has a boyfriend. Harry inadvertently causes a fight between Billy and Doreen.
Episode 321 - Defending
Nov 25, 1985 · 30 min
Rod arrives home with a black eye, but finds that it wasn't worth getting. Doreen's turkey fund becomes a little under-done.
Episode 322 - Missing Money
Nov 26, 1985 · 30 min
Pat and Terry are summoned by their bank manager. Doreen confronts Julia. Heather has a visitor, but does she still have a job?
Episode 323 - Work
Dec 2, 1985 · 30 min
Lucy invites James home. Pat and Terry meet a potential new customer. Damon starts work in a stately home. Ralph and Harry are bored.
Episode 324 - Conscientiousness
Dec 3, 1985 · 30 min
Damon is in a spot of bother at work but won't blow the whistle on the guilty party. Harry and Ralph man the phones.
Episode 325 - Moral Scruples
Dec 9, 1985 · 30 min
Damon confesses that he has been suspended. Pamela encourages Karen to crib an essay. Pat and Terry blame Harry for sending them on a wild goose chase.
Episode 326 - A Quiet Word
Dec 10, 1985 · 30 min
Sheila takes steps to clear Damon's name. Sandra is not pleased when Harry wakes her up. Karen obtains a second-hand essay to save her some time.
Episode 327 - What's the Catch
Dec 16, 1985 · 30 min
Sinbad tries to interest the residents of the Close in fresh turkey for Christmas. Karen discovers that her tutor originally wrote the essay she handed in to him.
Episode 328 - Fresh Turkey
Dec 17, 1985 · 30 min
Sinbad introduces Trevor the Turkey to the residents, most of whom decide that it's slightly too fresh for them. Karen is flattered by the weirdest Guy she knows.
Episode 329 - Surprise Visit
Dec 23, 1985 · 30 min
Lucy feels trapped as Annabelle sets a date for James's visit. Billy is asked to work over Christmas. Sheila is surprised that Father Christmas knows so much about Claire. Pat, San
Episode 330 - A Bed for the Night
Dec 24, 1985 · 30 min
At Billy's factory, many of the men are made redundant just before Christmas, and it's time for Bobby to take action. An ex-girlfriend of Barry's turns up and has a few surprises f
Episode 331 - Installing
Dec 30, 1985 · 30 min
Barry discovers that Jane hasn't kicked her habit and confiscates what he finds. There's trouble between Billy and Bobby at the picket line. Joyce turns up at Heather's in need of
Episode 332 - Fraternising
Dec 31, 1985 · 30 min
Bobby and Sheila learn from Barry that the heroin belongs to Jane. Joyce tells Heather she is setting up in business, and invites Heather to join her.