Seasons & episodes

Caroline may have taken over The Woolpack, but she can't escape from Alan. Meanwhile, Jackie and Kathy find a place where they can be alone together - perhaps.

Jackie and Kathy's night in a caravan isn't quite as romantic as they hoped - especially when unexpected guests arrive in the morning.

A dilemma for Sgt MacArthur and Hotten Police.

There's a victory to celebrate at Emmerdale Farm, but some of the guests are more in the mood for a fight than a party. Jackie has had enough of Tony trying to seduce Kathy. Kathy tells Tony that she does not fancy him. Jackie smiles.

Alan is horrified to discover he's on the wrong side of the law, as him and Matt are served with injunctions to avoid going near the fence at Pencross Fell. Meanwhile, Ruth worries about the state of some of the cattle at Hotten Market. Elsewhere, Amos and Henry settle back into things at The Woolpack after their trip to Italy, whilst Mrs Bates is put out with Alan's behaviour upon her return to Home Farm. Ruth sees Mr Bracknell at Hotten Market and finds he is rather an unpleasant man. She tells him about the state of his animals. He tells her to worry more about budgies. He gets into his car and drives off.

Nick celebrates his eighteenth birthday with his girlfriend and has far too much drink after receiving his A-Level results - a day to remember turns into a day he'd rather forget. Meanwhile, Joe attempts to placate Ruth with words after she has a disagreement with one of the suppliers to the market, and Jack ponders what to do up at Pencross Fell.

Amos is determined to bring a touch of Italian culture to Beckindale - but there's nothing cultured about the bitter clash between Jack and Turner. Nick feels downtrodden after awakening from his drunken night, Phil attempts to put his foot down with Joe in regards to the money he is owed, and Jackie encourages Jack to defy the law.

Jack has defied the law - now he has to face the consequences. As the Sugdens rally round, Turner attempts to distance himself from Jack's actions, as he spies the perfect opportunity to get one back at him after his outburst the previous week. Ruth and Sandie put one of the sellers at the market in his place, before Ruth eventually gives in to the tension between her and Joe, whilst Kathy begins her first shift as barmaid at The Woolpack.

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.