[S2E11] Desperate Measures PATCHED
What's going on here? Is this an example of the prison's progressive take on prisoner reform? Or is this a sign of desperate recruiting measures for the "War to end all wars", where even prisoners are being sent into battle?
[S2E11] Desperate Measures
Monica and Norma are ruling the roost at the Gallagher household after Fiona moves in with Steve, but none of the Gallagher kids are happy by their mother's return. Frank is desperate to make contact with his estranged wife, but first, he must deal with his growing debts, two debt collectors watching his every move, the threat of homelessness for his entire family, and Monica's aggressive girlfriend, Norma. However, it's his new rival Norma who comes up with the perfect solution: fake his own death so his debts die with him, but Monica and Norma may have an ulterior motive for offering to help. Meanwhile, Sheila tries to overcome her agoraphobia with Debbie's help, whilst harbouring a life-changing secret, and it seems Steve's days as a free man are numbered when a jealous Tony discovers the source of his fortune.
After Ladies Night at The Jockey, Fiona wakes up in bed with soon-to-be-married Joey Dawson, and she is forced to pay the price when Liam Gallagher (Johnny Bennett) is rushed to hospital after swallowing some pills. Social Services are alerted and a full assessment of the Gallagher family gets underway. Fiona is panicked to discover the woman in charge of the family's review is none other than her old school enemy, Katrina Webb, who also turns out to be the future Mrs Dawson, and just when it seems all is lost for the Gallaghers, an unlikely figure saves the day: Frank. Meanwhile, a visit to the hospital has devastating consequences for Ian when he discovers that Frank is not his biological father, sending him on a desperate search to find his real father. But what will he find?
Kev's sister, Kelly (Sally Carman), arrives in Chatsworth on the run from her ex-boyfriend, an aggressive junkie. She is desperate to retrieve her things from his flat, so Kev and Frank decide to step in and help her. However, Veronica soon discovers everything is not what it seems - and Kelly may be hiding a dark addiction herself. Meanwhile, Fiona is suffering from morning sickness, so Craig is planning a surprise trip to Wales to relax. Craig's wife, Sue (Gillian Kearney), is jealous of his new relationship and seeks solace in Marty. But when Sue breaks up with Marty, it leads him on a downward spiral which threatens to land him back in prison, forcing Debbie to take drastic actions. Elsewhere, tragedy strikes for Craig when he discovers his father has died.
Frank is desperate to keep the fact that he's still married to estranged wife Monica from Sheila, and Monica is not making it easy for him as she continues to sexually pursue him. But Sheila can see that she has competition for Frank and conspires with Debbie to reunite Monica and Norma. But is Monica still a lesbian, and will she give up her fight for Frank and her kids? Meanwhile, Jamie Maguire (Aaron McCusker) is released from prison after serving ten years for murder. Rejecting his family's offer of a "big job," Jamie is determined to stay on the straight and narrow, getting himself a job and a room at The Jockey. But he soon comes into conflict with Karen. And Stan Waterman (Warren Donnelly) and Tom investigate the theft of a racehorse, while Carol and Lillian launch a "Free Kev and Veronica" petition, with little success.
Ian gets more than he bargained for when he gets involved with Anna, a girl on the run from Paddy. Offering to help Anna escape Chatsworth, Ian begins to develop feelings for her, and they end up in bed together. Lip, Mandy, and even Frank get caught in the crossfire when Paddy discovers his enemies lie close to home. As his plan proceeds, Ian is faced with a big decision: will he leave Chatsworth with his new love? Meanwhile, Kash looks set to throw away everything Yvonne has worked for, and when even she turns against him, he is forced to take drastic measures to bury his debts. Elsewhere, Mimi is convinced that she is cursed after another member of the Maguire family is murdered, while Jamie and Karen try to outdo each other in the fun run.
It's Monica's birthday, and Carl is desperate to have his family back together; that means getting rid of Norma. However, he ends up striking an unlikely bond with his mother's lover. Meanwhile, Karen - pushed too far by a devious Mimi - ends her relationship with Jamie, leaving him heartbroken. Trying to make their son happy, Mimi and Paddy kidnap Karen and try to bully her into marrying Jamie. Elsewhere, Frank agrees to drive Shane's ice cream van (the Maguires use it as a cover for dealing, so now Frank has E's on tap!), but there's trouble brewing with an angry mob. Meanwhile, Kelly returns to Chatsworth, only to discover her brother has left the estate, forcing her to move in with Lillian. And Stan finds Carrie's future as a copper rests in his hands when her aggression gets out of control.
Frank and Monica's marriage becomes strained, and Monica vents her anger by sleeping with Norma. Realising Norma is splashing the cash, Frank tries to steal her money. When Norma catches him, she makes an allegation of rape against him, and he ends up in court. Desperate to win Monica back, Norma offers to drop the charges... if Frank leaves Chatsworth and his family for good. Meanwhile, explosions create fears that Chatsworth is a terrorist target. Paddy is certain the Maguires are under attack, and fears yet another death within his family is just around the corner. His problems escalate when Mickey and Shane lose some Semtex meant for dangerous associates of his. Elsewhere, Yvonne starts up a call centre and recruits Lip and Lillian to help her. Lip finds himself attracted to one of the callers - a transvestite - while Tom takes drastic measures to stop Carrie from transferring to another station.
Just another drunken night out turns into a nightmare for Frank when he mistakes an electrical generator for a urinal. At hospital, he's told that tests show he has a heart condition and may only have a few days left to live. As he endures on a drinking binge, he is haunted by his 12-year-old self, and desperately tries to find what legacy he will leave behind if he dies. Meanwhile, Lip returns from University. Mandy and the Gallaghers welcome him with open arms. But Lip's world is thrown into turmoil when a face from his past arrives, which forces Mandy to confront the fact that their relationship is not as indestructible as she thought. Elsewhere, newlyweds Karen and Jamie take over at The Jockey, while Lillian opens a brothel, which attracts the attention of Stan, Tom and Carrie.
It's Frank's 50th, but he is no mood for celebrations, and instead opts to dwell in his own loveless existence until Libby Croker (Pauline McLynn), a local librarian falls into his life. His passion reignited, a whirlwind romance ensues - but will Libby's mother Patty Croker (Valerie Lilley), bibliophile activists and riot police stand in the way of Frank and his new love? Meanwhile, Nin Gallagher (Edna Doré), Frank's grandmother, tries to worm her way into the Gallagher household now that Debbie has gone, but Frank selfishly rejects her, infuriating Liam, Carl and Ian. Unable to cope with her disabled husband, Nin resorts to murderous measures. And, the Maguires eagerly await the arrival of Karen's baby, while Joe attempts to draw her into his web once more.
Maxine is desperate to make a good impression at her parents' party so cajoles Ian into pretending to be her boyfriend. But it is clear that there's a spark between them and to make matters worse, Carl begins to realise what he's lost by splitting up with Maxine so he is determined to win her back. But Carl soon finds love and hate are two sides of the same coin when Mickey reveals a painful secret, leading to a violent showdown. Meanwhile, Kelly takes control of the brothel while Lillian is away and is soon making a fortune from an untapped market, seeing her success, Paddy wants in on the action. And, Jamie is struggling with the thought of living with Karen's illness but a chance meeting with a woman named Michelle may be just what he needs.
Carl and Chesney's attempt to outrun their troubles make them realise the grass is not always greener. Stranded on a Welsh farm, they are offered sanctuary by a mysterious woman, Hazel. But things soon turn sour when news reaches them that they are now the prime suspects for Bonehead's murder, and the pair uncover a deadly secret that Hazel is so desperate to hide, while back in Chatsworth, Jimmy's reign of terror continues, and it's the Gallaghers who are caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Mickey and Liam have been picked by the council to make a local community film in the hope it will inspire the residents of Chatsworth now that their estate has been identified as the most run-down in Britain. With Kelly and Shane's help, Mickey decides to stretch poetic licence in pursuit of glory.
When the boxing club is threatened with closure, Ian, Carl and Chesney set about trying to save Jock from the hands of Paddy Maguire, but Ian soon discovers there is more to the feud than money, and he faces both personal and financial trouble while trying to fix the situation. Meanwhile, Libby is desperate to have a child before it's too late, but with Frank dragging his heels, she continues to try and be a good mother to Liam and Stella. And, Mickey begins training to be a fireman, but Paddy's years of belittling him come to the surface. Can Mickey pass his tests and finally stand up to his father?
When Monica announces her divorce with Frank will be nullified unless he objects, Libby desperately tries to get Frank out of hospital so that they can marry and save the Gallagher family home. In hospital, Frank stages a breakout and finally discovers what happened to him on his stag night. Back in Chatsworth, the residents come together to organise a wedding, but time is running out. Meanwhile, Jamie is still struggling to accept Karen back into their marital bed, and refuses to allow her to help in Frank and Libby's wedding arrangements. 041b061a72