Series 19 episode 4

 

Jessica has a difficult decision to make.

1 February and 13 September 1996

“Jackets, like they wear in Baywatch, or they would, if they went somewhere really cold.”

Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Yuppie ‘flu. Whatever the disease is called, that’s Jessica’s diagnosis. It’s interesting to see how treatments have changed: in 1996, the recommendation was to let the illness run its course, and structure excercises to aid recovery. These days, treatments include psychological interventions. Diagnosis has always been by elimination, ruling out glandular fever and pneumonia.

We can’t have Jessica moping about in bed all series. Enter a deus ex machina, Aunt Debbie in California. Some sun and a change of scenery, it’ll do the patient a world of good. There’s plenty of hand-wringing from Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, but two things tilt the balance. 1) the parents can’t keep taking time off to look after Jessica, and B) the prospect cheered her up no end.

There’s plenty of thought, and some reflective passages where we just see Jessica thinking, musing, making her decision. And once it’s made, Jessica is resolute. She will not be swayed from her path – or while the body may be weak, the spirit insists.

Arnie overhears the news, he slips in while the parents are discussing the prospect. Once he’s overcome the shock, he’s as supportive as a little brother allows himself to be. Nothing overt, no declarations of “I’m gonna miss you, Jess” – this is Grange Hill, not 90210 – but he’s fighting her corner.

How can we tell? James Arnold, pretty boy of the Third Form, stands up to Dennis Morris, spiv of the Fifth Form. Dennis has an idea, to sell sports jackets that Jessica sends over. Has Jessica agreed to this? Does Dennis know what a dollar is worth? Or that there’s a market for the goods? Details!

Three takeaways from this: 1) Banks will charge commission to exchange money, and you don’t get back as much as you put in. B) Before taking orders, make sure your supply chain is in place, and (for instance) you’re not going to be told to leave by her kid brother. III) Your backup plan involves stickers and silk jackets? That won’t last to the end of the episode.

Briefly back to Mr. Arnold, who goes in to talk to Mr. Robson about Jessica’s illness, and rather uses the deputy head as a sounding board. Tea and sympathy, and Mr. Robson spots Mr. Arnold’s odd socks. The only clean pair in lost property are pepto pink, so Mr. Robson yields his socks and wears the pink ones. “The things we do for the governors,” sighs Robson. Mate, the things you do because you’re a solid gentleman.

Wayne and Poppy ticks on. Poppy asks why Wayne gives this abuse; “because I can”, the succinct answer. Wayne is more concerned that Kevin grassed him up to the police; we viewers know Kevin is telling the truth, Wayne is not so sure.

Julie is still missing. Robyn gets a postcard from her, and Mr. Robson is concerned that it’s a waste of a good talent – and Julie represents a good chunk of funding for the school. In 1996, a sixth-form student was worth about £2800 to a school; a class of 15 would pay the salary of an experienced teacher for the year.

The good news is that Mr. Robson won’t have to chop off 6% of his body, because Julie is back. The cliffhanger asks what Mrs. Corrigan did with the room…

Fashion: Robyn wears the cropped top to show her belly button, the fashion uniform of the era. Music: MN8 perform “I’ve got a little something for you” while Dennis explains his latest crackpot scheme. East 17’s “Around the world” plays while Robson and Robyn discuss Julie’s card. They’re doing well with music choices this year.

Debby Cumming was the Librarian, annoyed by Wayne’s prank. She was Shirley on 1980 sitcom How’s Your Father and Emma on ITV drama Fresh Fields.

Rocky Samrai played Naveen, model for the NFL bomber jacket. He’d been Rocky in Bodger and Badger, and a regular in the 1989 series of EMU TV. We believe that Rocky left showbiz around this time.