Seasons & episodes

A candle-lit dinner with Ruth doesn't turn out as planned for Joe, especially when his day also features a punch to the face. Meanwhile, with Jack in prison, the plan to utilise young Robert in the campaign against the nuclear dump doesn't get off the ground when Turner makes it clear to the press that the committee is at loggerheads, which sends disapproval amongst the other villagers.

Jack is out of jail with a new plan to fight the nuclear dump - but some of the villagers are a little sceptical. And when men in trucks arrive at Pencross Fell, could it all be too late? Meanwhile, Dolly finds herself a little lost when Sam starts school, and Sandie puts her foot in it when she asks Ruth about her dinner date with Joe. Joe hears on the radio that the government have pulled out of turning Pencross Fell into a nuclear dump. They had made the decision a month ago, but it took time for the news to reach Beckindale. There is celebrations all round. Jack and Henry visit Pencross Fell, and it is now nice and quiet, no trucks, no people. Jack says it is like they were never here.

The Sugdens are looking forward to Annie's return. Jack worries about telling her about his prison sentence. Amos is pleased that the campaign is finally over and they can finally get some peace and quiet, just as Archie roars past on his scooter.

Ruth goes to Crossgill Farm, barging into the house and finding the place in a mess. Mr Metcalfe is horrified to find Ruth in his house and throws her out. Phil thinks the second unit at Mill Cottage is being priced too high by Joe

Mr Metcalfe is surprised by Matt's kindness. Jackie still refuses to go to Malcolm's wedding. Caroline is feeling down on the day of Malcolm's wedding but puts on an act around Kathy and Nick.

Sam isn't feeling well so Dolly calls the school. Henry and Amos ask Archie when he will be leaving, but Archie is offended. Matt plans to talk to Mr Metcalfe about getting his animals seen to, but Ruth wants to see him right away.

A man, Sykes, goes to collect Joe's dead horse and asks Seth for directions. Joe is feeling annoyed and sad and is cool with Sykes. Alan is annoyed when Tony waits until he has made dinner to reveal that he's going to Sandie's.

Mr Metcalfe stares at a photo of Mary. Alan advises Tony to purchase a bike instead of getting the bus. Archie complains about capitalism, but Phil makes a joke when he offers him a job of helping repair the roof. Jackie tells Tony to get stuffed.

Sandie worries the roof isn't safe to stand on, but Phil tells her to go back inside. He teases Archie when he arrives later than Phil. Kathy waits for Jackie to ring but Tony calls her instead.

Henry is sour towards Eric. Henry finds funny that Amos counts the glasses that go outside, and that he's realised that Eric must have taken a glass. Eric arrives at Crossgill Farm but Mr Metcalfe slams the door in his face.

Joe discovers he's not the only one looking forward to a romantic weekend with Ruth. Liam is also there, and plans to woo Ruth. Joe meets Ruth's parents George and Louise.

Kathy gets a taste of high society, while Ruth's father, and her fiancée, try to put Joe in his place. Jackie is desperate for a date so phones up some of his old girlfriends, including Carol. He even considers Alison. After having a few drinks, Joe and Ruth discuss Liam and he thinks she should not marry him. Joe says that when Liam is away, that Ruth may have some hanky panky with a stable boy in the barn. She slaps him. They then kiss. The following morning, they all are sorry for what they said last night as they had a few drinks. Joe and Ruth drive back to Beckindale. A short time later, Joe is shocked when Liam turns up at The Woolpack.

Joe is warned off Ruth by Liam, in a nice way. Liam has stayed the night at Joe's house. Eric tries to con Mr Metcalfe again and Metcalfe comes at him with a gun, telling him to clear off. Eric gets into his car, and Metcalfe fires a bullet into the air. At the vet's, Joe and Ruth discuss her relationship with Liam. Matt has done a deal with Alan but so has Jack. Sandie and Ruth enlist Tony's help in rebelling against the scheming Eric Pollard.

Kathy gets a phonecall from her father Malcolm, telling her that she has a new baby brother, William Malcolm. Liam is trying to persuade Ruth to go back to Ireland with him, but she wants to stay in Beckindale and establish herself as a vet.

When Seth's bicycle lets him down Alan is called to the rescue, but there's no sign of Seth. Seth hitches a lift. He later meets up with Archie. Seth mentions his birthday is coming up, on the 22nd. Archie says that is when his birthday is. Phil has some plans to make money. Alan later catches Seth in The Woolpack. He berates him for abandoning the scene where his bike let him down as a search party was sent out.

Archie is listening to loud music while operating machinery on Emmerdale Farm land. Jack is not happy as he sees it as a distraction. No-one has seen Metcalfe for over a week but Matt doesn't want to intrude. Metcalfe does some work on his farm but exerts himself, even falling down when mending a fence. He starts to feel unwell, so goes for a lie down and says his late wife Mary's name, but then dies in his armchair.

Sam makes a tragic discovery and tells his father Matt. Metcalfe is laying dead in his armchair. Seth's birthday is coming up. Alan wants to know how old he will be so seeks out the Home Farm staff records. But they do not mention his age. A doctor and Sgt. MacArthur attend the death scene of Mr Metcalfe and MacArthur wants to know if he had any family. Matt is unsure. The cause of death is suspected heart attack. A document states that Mr Metcalfe bought Crossgill Farm in 1942 for £500. MacArthur says the parish will probably bury him.

Mr Metcalfe is laid to rest. Matt and Dolly attend his funeral. The cake is baked, the guests invited, and all is set for celebration at The Woolpack - but Seth is not the only one in for a surprise.

Jackie and Kathy surprise Beckindale with news of their engagement, but not everyone shares their delight. Sandie gets some exam results. She has passed. A gathering is held at Emmerdale Farm to celebrate Jackie and Kathy's engagement. Joe has some news for Sandie. There are plans to turn Hotten Cattle Market into a hypermarket.

Sandie has growing doubts about her future due to the news that Hotten Cattle Market is going to be turned into a supermarket. Tony is going back to Lincoln today, and says goodbye to Kathy. There has been a break in at Crossgill Farm. At Hotten Market, a man named Wilson causes a stir, saying sexist things to Sandie, and Jackie almost resorts to violence. Wilson says that Arthur Golding should not have sold the market to NY Estates. Wilson then leaves. Matt finds out he has inherited Crossgill Farm.

Ruth discovers that she has to compete for Joe's affections with another woman - and a horse! A stray horse is running loose around the fells. Hinton attends the funeral of the wife of Rabbi Lionel Weiss, a friend of his.

The stray horse is still running loose around Beckindale. Annie is cooking a pork dinner for guests at Emmerdale Farm, but is told that Hinton's friend Lionel is a rabbi. Annie asks Dolly if she can eat the pork now, so she can cook something else for dinner tonight.

Phil gets divorce papers in the mail together with a Christmas card from his daughter. Kathy and Caroline discuss wedding dates. Caroline suggests summer, but Kathy thinks it's too far and is more into Easter.

Kathy is in a bad mood after her argument with Jackie the night before. Donald sees the runaway horse in the graveyard and calls Joe, but before he gets there Kathy, who is out walking, befriends the animal.