The episode I have chosen to analysis aired at 6.30pm on Wednesday 14th October. It starts in the classic manner with the catchy opening theme tune and glamorous images of all the casts leading to a fade in of the first scene. The opening sequence is also very typical with music from Placebo “Running up That Hill” being played over scenes of Ravi Roy in distress sat up against a door. Over the top of him are projections of his fight with his brother causing him to need a serious brain operation due to an aneurysm. It then cuts to Jacqui McQueen in the same position with projection of her long lost brother Nial’s attack on her family that resulted in her sister Tina’s death. Today is one year since she has died. It then cuts to a blackout.
This is a powerful sequence that sets the scene for the whole episode with the sombre choice of music and dramatic images projected and shown on the faces of Ravi and Jacqui. Hollyoaks is unique in the use of a non realistic opening sequence but it has become a tradition and is part of Hollyoaks itself. It tells you that Ravi and his aneurysm and Jacqui and Tina’s death will play a main part in the episode.
The rest of the episode involves two main storylines and smaller stories interlinked. The McQueen’s are mourning the death of Tina and Leila, Ravi and Anita are having a party inviting the entire ex students and young people in the village. 
The scene starts with Mercedes and Michaela in the village where Mercedes is ignoring Michaela who wants to talk about her plans to spend the day as a family for support on the anniversary of their sister’s death. She finally gets her to listen and Mercedes agrees to go home. It then cuts to Zak Chris and Elliot in the “Boys Flat”. Elliot is upset because Leila confessed to sleeping with Archie after she caught Elliot kissing his boss. Zak reveals that Leila is having a party but Chris and Elliot turn it down.
Back at the McQueen’s Carmel has set up a memorial for Tina when Theresa bursts in spoiling the mood and is skipping school. She pretends it is due to grief for her cousin. Chris and Nancy are in Nancy’s flat but things are on edge because Nancy now has to look after Charlie, her nephew and she is preparing dinner for him when Zak turns up to invite them to the party. Kris goes to decline for the both of them but Nancy insists he goes without her and he agrees. As he leaves, you can tell this was not the response she was looking for. The party at the Roys is in full swing with a DJ and lots of people talking. Archie turns up with a keg of beer and Leila is not happy to see him shouting and storming off.
At the McQueen’s, Carmel is doing a eulogy when Mercedes and Michaela arrive. Things are tense and Michaela is upset when she is asked to say a few words because she organised Tina’s entire funeral a year ago and doesn’t want to have to go through all the emotions again. Jacky then arrives, angry and declares “the whole thing is a sham” before it cuts to an advert break. After the break, Carmel has gone upstairs, Michaela has walked out and Jacqui then starts upsetting all of her other sisters. She then upsets Mercedes who leaves after Michaela and then she moves on to Theresa and reveals Theresa went to look for her mum in a London prison. Theresa also leaves.
At the party, there are lots more people, loud music and dancing. Anita and Ricky are walking to the kitchen. Anita has a large empty bottle in her hand asking Ricky for more cider although she already looks like she’s had a bit much. .jpg?timestamp=1264815249350)
Ricky falls in the kitchen over Archie’s keg which kicks off Archie. Leila springs to Ricky’s defence and pushes him, all the time Anita is stealing more drink from the fridge. Zak, Ravi and Kris are talking and they tell Ravi about his sister and Archie slept together. Anita and Ricky are in the corridor and Anita attempts to kiss Ricky but he pulls away. Leila can see that Anita is drunk and asks Ravi to look after her, however it is too late and Anita is sick on him. Carmel is crying on her bed with Myra about her ruined memorial when Mercedes comes in and talks of Michaela’s idea to celebrate Tina’s life instead of just remembering it.
The party is in full swing with everyone dancing, having a good time and even skateboarding through the house.
Theresa arrives seeing Ricky sat on the floor outside the toilet where Anita is being sick. Theresa is hell bent on revenge as Anita kissed Newt, her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Nancy arrives at the party with Charlie and manages to persuade Chris to leave with her. Back upstairs, Theresa kisses Ricky just as Anita opens the door and Ravi sees his sister in turmoil. There is a loud crash and Ravi comes down to see Archie and Elliot fighting. Leila manages to stop them but Ravi is unstable and looks unwell. He is having blackouts; his vision is blurred and is hearing muffled sounds. He tips over the edge and ends the whole party.
Kate Bush is blaring out at the McQueen’s who are all dressed up and smiling and dancing. Jacqui returns and Myra tries to empathise with Jacqui and her frustration and depression over Max being taken by biological father, Russ. Jacqui also apologises to Theresa and all is well at the McQueen’s. However, this is contrasted with the Roy’s where Leila is screaming at Ravi for ruining the party but he explains he was only trying to protect his sisters. He is sat on the floor at the door like the opening sequences and then breaks down and slumps on his side.
The end credits roll and the extra peek which is also classic to each episode is of the McQueen’s and Carmel’s wig sets on fire and Jacqui throws water on her. This ending is comic in contrast to the dark opening sequence.
The editing of this episode involved a lot of jump shots to show natural conversation and the illusion of the natural run of time. However, at the party a lot of the cuts were long continuous shots and filmed with a hand held camera. This gave the illusion of a guest at the parties’ point of view and the general hustle and bustle of a crowded party. The continuous shots also meant you were quite disoriented getting lost around the house and through the sea of people. It was filmed quite similarly to the popular teen drama “Skins”. At the McQueen’s, the shots were a lot calmer and a lot of high angle shots were used maybe giving the impression of Carmel’s devout faith and belief that Tina is watching from heaven. The two story lines gave a great contrast, creating calm after an intense scene at the party or lifting the mood from the McQueen’s with people at a lively party. It also showed the contrast of an old storyline and a new one.
