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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Spells &amp; Karma" data-source="post: 201163" data-attributes="member: 23">Episode 246Originally watched: 24th January 1990Rewatched: 24th January 2020The Stewart clan are closing ranks with the decision to keep Morag’s dark secret under wraps. Denial and stoicism are the orders of the day. But coming under scrutiny from outside forces is putting them to the test.First to be tested is Celia.Weasly journo James Donahue - AKA Sons and Daughters’ Alan Brandon - sums up his newspaper to Celia and in so doing tells us exactly what kind of reputation he has (though it’s patently obvious).True to her word, Celia has done all she can to keep Bobby’s secret. She is plainly flustered when she realises she’s speaking to a reporter and asserts herself.She even goes as far as walking away and turning her back on him,  and is visibly under pressure and trying to find a way out.James’s response is to apply more pressure. His above description of the Daily Star is made under the pretence of being from a more upmarket rival publication which wants to be more respectable in their report.<img src="https://i.vgy.me/vvFm3J.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /><img src="https://i.vgy.me/uhegQ9.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Celia’s justification for past gossiping has frequently been that she was thinking of someone’s best interests, or almost providing a service. These scenes of the process leading up to Celia relenting and discussing something after being convinced it was for the good made me feel part of that process. I felt empathy for Celia’s decision and could truly understand why she made the choice she did. Celia’s gossipy side is frequently the source of cartoony fun in the series, but this sequence added a layer to her. I could probably look back at other instances of Celia’s damaging gossip and see the same processes implicitly present.While Celia was trying to physically get away from Donahue, it came across strongly that she is uncomfortable because she simply cannot look him in the eye and lie. Which gave me food for thought around Celia’s gossip. There probably are times when it would not occur to her not to discuss something because she tries to speak the truth all the time - often without any kind of filter for diplomacy that others might use out of social grace. In other words, it’s in Celia’s nature to gossip because she is wholeheartedly congruent.Maybe I’m reading too much into this, or being too generous. After all, Celia’s very good at speaking about other people’s stuff while keeping facets of herself hidden. But such things are hidden from her as well. The things - such as Les - she doesn’t allow herself to think about very often. What she sees, she speaks. And this scene made it apparent that she is trying to be incongruent even though it goes against her nature, because she desperately doesn’t want to do more harm. And when she fails in her fight, that too is because she thinks this way will repair the damage she is told has been done.When Celia realises she’s been duped, it’s time to call in Alf. And we learn a little fact about Alf’s weekly routine. Something I don’t remember being told before:Alf is eventually tracked down and returns in full-on bluster mode. He warns Celia he’ll get to her in a minute. But it’s Donahue he’s got in his sights:<img src="https://i.vgy.me/A9Ebre.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />It’s all for nought, and Donahue leaves with his block intact and his dictaphone full of juice.Incidentally, the outdoor scenes in this episode feature a lot of face brushing action from the actors, and mosquitos, flies or some such bugs can clearly be seen swarming over clothing - particularly Donahue’s pink shirt. Somehow it seems appropriate for his character to be covered in flies. But I felt quite itchy watching.Celia is concerned about the difficulties the situation will cause in the family, but Alf knows which way it will be weighted:And, as if on cue, Morag does indeed wake up to find Dr Phil (who else) standing over her.<img src="https://i.vgy.me/4amcfr.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /><img src="https://i.vgy.me/FXyztT.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Now, we’ve discussed Cornelia Frances’s penchant for bandage acting over on the Sons and Daughters thread. We’re entering a glorious new age of wonderful bandage acting here. Mummified and makeup-less Corny looks confused, slurs with magnificent sluggishness and still gives us a sense of the sharp barrister’s mind at work underneath as - oblivious that the secret is out - she immediately works on keeping her story straight while barely conscious enough to speak clearly:Phil speaks to Alf, says “pacifically” instead of “specifically”, and instructs contact with Morag to be kept minimal.Alf agrees it’s for the best, and heads off to track down Richard at the Tennyson Heights resort. But Richard won't be Morag's first visitor. Not by any means.continued... </blockquote>

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