4th November 1981 - the fire!

[Mike of CAS]

It seemed more rushed than usual for Crossroads, yet they did have a long time to plan. I can only assume Jack Barton was correct when he said if the press leaked something he'd do something else.

I did read a better version involving the fire, which was in the press a bit before. It would have been much more dramatic but I can't think what the article was now I suspect its on Jeans site.

[Heathbury The First]

It was the best and worst fire in soap history I reckon.... Great storyline... Great way to give a little secrecy to Meg's fate... and (sadly) the least effective inferno in history. How can a fire that can completely destroy the reception and floors above leave the corridor unharmed? Perhaps Meg had installed the best fire-door in history!

[Aston Cross]

A very good review on the whole, ConCon.  Looking back on it, Ronnie is really quite poor as David - he's so quiet!!  There are times when he's speaking and you can't hear what he's saying because the revellers at the bonfire are drowning him out.

As dramatic it is to see Jill being held back, it's a pity that we didn't get a nicely framed photo of the departing star getting charred.

I think that would have been too much really.  There was already plenty of controversy about Nolly's departure.  The way the episode is structured leaves one to think Meg may have died in there.  A burning picture would have screamed, "Look!  We've killed her!"  I can imagine the audience at the time would have been up in arms about it.  Of course, it would have all been resolved a week later, but viewers on 4 November 1981 wouldn't have known that.

[Mike of CAS]

Well the motel's switchboard was in ashes and if ATV had done that theirs may have gone the same way, there was enough crackers phone calls to start with over her axing.

[oorshughie]

I agree DJB,think its sad that David is made to be the rat,causing Meg to finally go after all their close years as partners.

I'm always struck just how great Sue Hanson is as Diane with her cheeriness and bubbly manner,a bit of light relief in a sombre episode. 

Do love the sad theme as Meg looks at Sandy and Jill's pictures.