The Clinic - Episodes Four and Five

Apologies for the gap with updates… It's a double-blog for The Clinic this week as I was away last week. I didn't miss the show though (couldn't, am hooked) so there's plenty to catch up on now!

Sad Day for Ruairí
For me the storyline with Ruairí's dad Franny was handled really well. It seemed very realistic – Franny wanting to keep the real truth of his condition from Terry and Ruairí to spare their feelings, Ruairí trying to sneak a look at his scans and Franny tying up all his loose ends in a very manly fashion (trying not to get too sentimental in the beginning and then giving in to the emotion of it all in the end). I have to say, I found the scenes really hard to watch when he died. He's been a really likeable character since he joined the show and his scenes with Ruairí were always great. He'll be missed.

Here Come the Girls!
Things seem set to heat up with the arrival of poker queen Lucille (played by Alison Doody) and ambitious doctor Edel (played by Victoria Smurfit). It'll be interesting to see if there's a clash in store for the ladies in later episodes but, judging by the way Dan seems to look at both of them, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was a catfight in store somewhere along the line.

Alice Gets a Wake-Up Call
It was always going to happen, wasn't it? Alice thought she was tough enough to take Dan on and play him at his own games but she was always going to lose out in that love game. You could see from the start that she was merely a convenience to him but I can't bring myself to feel too sorry for Alice for some reason. At times, when she sticks up for the underdog, she seems really well meaning but it's hard to forget how easily she seems to be able to sell people out, particularly her brother.

The Fight for Daisy!
So, just as we thought a few weeks ago, the flirting has intensified between Ruairí and Daisy. (I'm very pleased… they'd make a really cute couple I think). But I fear this storyline may take a while to progress because Ruairí is still a little broken-hearted and Daisy seems a bit overcome with her new-found stressful lifestyle and having to constantly keep Dan in check. By the way, how put out did Dan look when Daisy turned him down for that plastics party? I sense some major jealously on the way if Ruairí does make a move there! But does Dan really care about Daisy or does he just want what he can't/shouldn't have? Either way, I'd say he'll have enough of distractions to keep him busy over the next few weeks.

Love in the Air.. Again!
It seems to be all about the love and romance on The Clinic this year, which is good. The dramatic storylines with Lorcan and his blackmailers, Clodagh and her online/radio community and Jimmy's dad are all brilliant to watch, but it's nice to have some light relief too… which is why it's nice to see that a romance could be on the cards for Madison and Fergus, well if Lorcan and Patrick approve that is!

Linda McGee