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Dot faces an impossible decision as the reality of being Jim's full-time carer takes its toll, while Carol and Max are heartbroken to witness their dad's decline.

Dot’s determined to make a special dinner for Jim, but she’s distracted by his constant calls for attention and Edward’s phone calls begging her to speak to him. Discovering £10 missing from her purse, Dot fires Marta. Carol brings round a video of Dot and Jim’s wedding, Dot can’t bear to watch it and accuses Carol of interfering. Dot heads out in search of some golden syrup for Jim’s pudding. Encountering Max, she pointedly suggests he spend more time with Jim. Dot’s horrified to discover the Launderette’s flooded. Heather promises to sort it out and offers to do her washing for her; proud Dot’s reluctant to let her wash Jim’s sheets. At the Minute Mart, Patrick’s celebrating his last day as Manager, he urges Dot to enjoy old age. Unable to find any golden syrup, Dot tries her neighbours. Ian’s depressed without Jane, Dot insists everything will work itself out. Later, Edward begs for five minutes in the Vic to explain himself and, despite her protests, confesses he has feelings for Dot. Alfie warns Edward away. Looking at Tommy, Dot thinks of the baby she aborted, and thinks Kat should learn to forgive Ronnie. Kat furiously refuses. Dreading going home, Dot stops at Jack’s, demanding to see Ronnie. She urges Jack to take care of Ronnie, reminding him of the vows he took on his wedding day. Dot arrives home, without her golden syrup, to find Jim’s buzzer ringing repeatedly, the dinner burnt to a cinder. The wedding video is still playing; she’s haunted by the happy images of them. Turning to the sherry bottle for support, it accidentally smashes. She spots the missing £10 on the floor; it’s the final straw. Dot rips Jim’s ringing buzzer from the wall, screaming for him to stop. Carol and Max find Dot sobbing at Jim’s bedside; she just can’t cope anymore.

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30 minutes

Audio described

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Credits

Role Contributor
Dot Branning June Brown
Jim Branning John Bardon
Carol Jackson Lindsey Coulson
Max Branning Jake Wood
Jack Branning Scott Maslen
Ronnie Branning Samantha Womack
Kat Moon Jessie Wallace
Alfie Moon Shane Richie
Edward Bishop Frank Barrie
Heather Trott Cheryl Fergison
Billy Mitchell Perry Fenwick
Tanya Jessop Jo Joyner
Ian Beale Adam Woodyatt
Patrick Trueman Rudolph Walker
Marta Demboski Magdalena Kurek
Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood
Director Richard Platt
Writer Simon Ashdown

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