Casualty. Series 26 episode 17. Duty of Care.

After the dramatic events of the fire of the last episode of Casualty, the doctors are taking a well-deserved, relaxing break from the high-octane world of R.T.A’s and hazardous situations… or so us ignorant viewers thought. Helicopter rides, car pile ups, explosions, toxic waste… where to start?

The doors open at the brand new emergency department, a very yellow brand new emergency department, and the team seem ready for anything.

However, Dylan Keogh is very perturbed as the staff are gossiping about his not-a-secret-anymore marriage to Sam, and Zoe, for some reason, feels that she needs an explanation even though she was never together with Dylan, but obviously fancies him. Dr Keogh does his social-reluctance thing when he discovers a picture of him and Sam on their wedding day pinned up in the staff room. Naughty Nurses!

Noel has taken a leaf out of Joseph Byrne’s book as he seems very attached to his new canary desk, and, being who he is, the flat-screen television. Thoughtfully, Big Mac has organised a special “thing” to reward Scarlett for recklessly running into a burning building and saving patient’s lives. He bought her a cup. End of. People say that it's the thought that counts. In this case... it isn't.

Oh no! Disaster! A car crash! Isn’t it always the way? This time, it was caused by a dog and a little girl, but, thankfully, the dog didn’t get hurt. It was a beautiful dog. Dixie, Jeff and Sam are called to the scene. Sam is hurt about what Dylan said about their “miserable” marriage, so she puts herself in danger purposely throughout the entire episode.

This also sees the entrance of the new paediatric doctor Tom Kent, who soars in army-style in a flashy helicopter, and the clever Tommy-boy (that is what I am going to call him for any future references) is afraid of flying. Very smart mate. Practically a genius. Nick Jordan is ecstatic to see the flying-thingie and dances like a little girl every time he sees it, which bemuses Zoe exceptionally… well not really, but you get the idea. Nick had offered Tom a job before, but the dashing Mr Kent had turned it down as he wanted to “fly solo” - which is a bit stupid because, as I said before, he is afraid of flying.

Then Jordan makes the mistake of saying something along the lines of “What else could happen?” That’s when all the viewers new that Holby was doomed.

There were far too many characters to go into great detail about them, but I’m pretty sure Tess is practically responsible for the damage to the gas pipe, which some clever person decides to light a cigarette right next to. BOOM! EXPLOSION! BOOM! SMOKE! CASUALTIES! BOOM! BURNS! BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Suddenly, there is hydrochloric acid involved as well, and the public, after been repetitively told to stay inside, what do they do? Run. Scream. Flee. Aww, don’t you just love the human race? Sam decides to stay behind, helping an injured man, but the acid cloud catches up with her and she has to run. Meanwhile, Dylan is worried sick, bless him, and Zoe notices. Is this a bit of jelous-itus me thinks?

Fortunately, alls well it ends well, until a patient (who happens to be DC Chris Skelton from Ashes to Ashes) corners Dylan and lunges at him, but here comes action women Sam and puts him in a headlock. (What would the Guv say if he saw him getting beaten by a girl?)

At the end of the episode, Tom realises that he made a mistake and accepts the job offer from an overexcited Jordan, thinking that he will get to see the helicopter more. Unfortunately, he is wrong, and that ends the rein of the Holby Heli.