The Best Episodes of The Royal

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   9.4/10(37 votes)

   #1 - For Those in Peril

   S3:E111/25/2004

   The hospital staff have an intriguing case on their hands when local tramp Sebastian Fox is found dead. Ken Hopkirk rummages through his belongings and is surprised to find war medals, leading to the discovery that he was a decorated Navy hero. When a relative is traced but refuses to help with funeral arrangements, the Royal team decide to give him a fitting send-off by scattering his ashes at sea. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Goodwin is shocked to discover a farmer's cattle herd have contracted a disease which has passed into cheese that's available in the area, and Jill Weatherill, Matron and Sister Brigid encounter a runaway girl.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Deborah Cook

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Deborah Cook
2. 

   9.2/10(31 votes)

   #2 - Famous for a Day

   S3:E612/21/2003

   The staff are excited by the arrival of a TV film crew at the hospital, especially Mr Harper, who is desperate to be caught on camera - and it looks like his dreams of stardom may be about to come true when Mr Middleditch gives him an important job for the broadcast. Elsewhere, the atmosphere is much more tense, as Dr. Ormerod and nurse Meryl Taylor are called out to help a boy who has been trapped below the surface of an icy lake for 20 minutes - and to make matters worse, the ambulance carrying the unconscious lad back to hospital gets caught in a snowdrift. On a lighter note, Ray Piper is brought in with a huge bump on his head - and there's much hilarity when it turns out his wife has hit him with a frozen turkey. But before the day is out, he's not the only member of his family to be admitted.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Jane Hollowood

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Jane Hollowood
3. 

   9.2/10(38 votes)

   #3 - For Better for Worse

   S4:E112/5/2004

   Jill and Gordon's wedding day finally arrives, but a huge explosion at a nearby care home disrupts proceedings in spectacular fashion. As the Royal staff help pull the elderly residents out of the rubble, the horrifying truth behind the cause of the accident is discovered.

   Director:Terry McDonough

   Writer:Deborah Cook

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   Director:Terry McDonough

   Writer:Deborah Cook
4. 

   9.1/10(32 votes)

   #4 - Doing Time

   S3:E132/8/2004

   Ormerod faces a taxing time when a prison van overturns on the moors. The driver is killed, a guard is seriously injured and one of the convicts escapes, while the others are rounded up and taken for treatment at the hospital, where Ken Hopkirk recognises an old friend. Goodwin fails to diagnose a serious case of post-natal depression - an error which almost ends in tragedy when the mother is found standing perilously close to a cliff-edge - and student nurse Samantha Beaumont discovers she has an unexpected love rival.

   Director:Graeme Harper

   Writer:Nick Saltrese

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   Director:Graeme Harper

   Writer:Nick Saltrese
5. 

   9.1/10(29 votes)

   #5 - From This Day Forward

   S5:E1210/22/2006

   A fishing trawler causes havoc at a wedding reception and Adam has to make a difficult choice.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Stephen Bennett

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Stephen Bennett
6. 

   9.0/10(31 votes)

   #6 - Reckoning

   S3:E122/1/2004

   Dr. Ormerod is furious to discover the police have launched an investigation into his wife's death, and reveals in a heated outburst that she was planning to leave him at the time of the accident. Bad news strikes a family when it emerges a couple's son has developed a hereditary heart disorder, a mother-to-be suffers kidney failure during childbirth and hospital porter Ken Hopkirk needs an operation after injuring himself while lifting a piano. Romance blossoms for Dr. Goodwin and student nurse Samantha Beaumont, and Lizzie Kennoway's driving lesson ends in disaster when she slams into the back of Mr. Harper's parked car.

   Director:Graeme Harper

   Writer:Sarah Bagshaw

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   Director:Graeme Harper

   Writer:Sarah Bagshaw
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7. 

   8.9/10(35 votes)

   #7 - Holding on Tight

   S3:E101/18/2004

   A group of drunken mods arrive at the hospital in a shocking state, and Ken Hopkirk soon makes the grim discovery that they have been drinking industrial alcohol supplied by their friend, theatre technician Alun Morris. Meanwhile, a fourth member of the boozing group is brought in and has his stomach pumped immediately - but it soon emerges that the illicit hooch has blinded him. Elsewhere, Mr Rose and his surgical team treat a widow with a gangrenous toe at her farmhouse, and student nurse Samantha Beaumont receives a telling-off for laying out operating instruments in an incorrect order.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Patrick Melanaphy

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Patrick Melanaphy
8. 

   8.9/10(30 votes)

   #8 - Home to Roost

   S3:E142/15/2004

   Ormerod faces a testing time when his father-in-law arrives demanding to know whether he was seeing Dr. Weatherill while his late daughter was still alive. Following a heated exchange, it emerges that the disgruntled patriarch has hired a private detective to investigate the couple - but the situation only serves to bring them closer together, culminating in a marriage proposal. At the Royal, a painfully thin girl causes concern for Goodwin - whose green-eyed monster emerges when student nurse Samantha Beaumont agrees to a date with a younger man - and the hospital is evacuated after a suicide victim's corpse is brought in emitting toxic fumes.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch
9. 

   8.8/10(34 votes)

   #9 - Doing the Rounds

   S3:E311/30/2003

   New GP and anaesthetist Dr. Jeffrey Goodwin has a tough first day at work when he witnesses a car crash, gets attacked by one of the drivers involved and has his own vehicle and possessions stolen on his way to The Royal. After recovering from his injuries, Goodwin treats local landowner Lord Firminger who's collapsed on his estate, and gets off to a shaky start with Rose by asking him to perform emergency surgery on a cancer victim. Back at the hospital, Cheriton's mother Annette arrives to collect her dead son's things, surprising staff nurse Meryl Taylor by revealing a photo of a fiancee she never knew about.

   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Mark Holloway

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   Director:Tim Dowd

   Writer:Mark Holloway
10. 

    8.8/10(29 votes)

    #10 - Duty Bound

    S4:E61/23/2005

    Samantha struggles to cope with the reality of her recent discovery and takes desperate action which leaves her life hanging in the balance. Frankie and Gordon attempt a daring rescue to help a teenager in danger on the weir, while Ken has something to hide from Harper. Jeff's casual encounter with a friend of Lizzie's suddenly turns serious when he realises his career could be at risk.

    Director:Ken Grieve

    Writer:Robin Mukherjee

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    Director:Ken Grieve

    Writer:Robin Mukherjee
11. 

    8.8/10(29 votes)

    #11 - Sinking Feeling

    S4:E112/27/2005

    A dangerous situation arises on board a sinking trawler and Matron hands in her resignation.

    Director:Frank W. Smith

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch

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    Director:Frank W. Smith

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch
12. 

    8.8/10(25 votes)

    #12 - Hoping For The Best

    S6:E34/8/2007

    When a mother falls seriously ill, staff at the hospital are faced with a dilemma.

    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch

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    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch
13. 

    8.8/10(30 votes)

    #13 - Love and Loss

    S6:E1211/4/2007

    Jill becomes unwell after earlier receiving the results of a pregnancy test. Elsewhere, when a baby goes missing, suspicion falls on the parents of a girl admitted with a broken ankle. Meanwhile, Gordon makes a discovery about a diabetic patient that explains his behaviour and, in a dramatic finale, tragedy looms over the hospital.

    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw

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    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw
14. 

    8.8/10(24 votes)

    #14 - Pastures New

    S7:E812/28/2008

    Dr Burnett is called out to a run down farm house where 15-year-old Simon, who has speech and learning difficulties, is running a high fever. The farm is in a bad state and the family seem to be struggling to cope. They’re horrified when Burnett reveals he needs to get Simon to hospital ASAP in order to rule out meningitis. Will they get to the bottom of Simon’s illness?

    Director:Ian Barber

    Writer:Jonathan Critchley

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    Director:Ian Barber

    Writer:Jonathan Critchley
15. 

    8.7/10(29 votes)

    #15 - Loved and Lost

    S5:E13/12/2006

    Dr. Ormerod returns to work after his accident, but when his brusque treatment of a hypochondriac schoolgirl ends in tragedy, it's clear he still needs time to recover. New nurse Catherine Deane starts her rounds on the wards, and Mr. Middleditch has a surprise announcement to make.

    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw

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    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw
16. 

    8.7/10(26 votes)

    #16 - Fever

    S5:E54/9/2006

    The hospital has its hands full when a typhoid epidemic breaks out in the community. Things get worse as the disease's source is traced back to the wards and staff struggle to locate it. Dr. Weatherill is forced to reprimand Dr. Ormerod after catching him sleeping on the job - but also has a startling piece of news to give him.

    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writer:Mark Holloway

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    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writer:Mark Holloway
17. 

    8.7/10(33 votes)

    #17 - Absent Friends

    S6:E13/25/2007

    Weatherill decides to return to work after having a baby. A local family prove a handful for the hospital staff. In Africa, Goodwin faces the horrors of war and makes a promise to a dying woman - but can he keep his word?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
18. 

    8.7/10(26 votes)

    #18 - Fear Of The Expected

    S6:E44/15/2007

    Lady Isabella Martindale has had a horse riding accident and is driven to THE ROYAL by her Chauffeur Tom, who Lizzie takes an instant liking to! Whilst Mr Rose diagnoses Lady Isabella with a broken ankle, Adam Carnegie tries to charm her into making a donation to the private wards.

    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writer:Patrick Melanaphy

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    Director:Duncan Foster

    Writer:Patrick Melanaphy
19. 

    8.7/10(24 votes)

    #19 - Scabs

    S6:E99/30/2007

    A piano teacher (guest star George Costigan) remains suspiciously secretive about his past when brought in to casualty after collapsing outside the hospital. Matron's revelation about Susie cools Alun's interest in her, and Mike takes pity on a mother while he treats her son. Elsewhere, Jill delivers bad news to an elderly patient and the porters are forced to take industrial action in support of a colleague.

    Director:Ian Bevitt

    Writer:Mark Holloway

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    Director:Ian Bevitt

    Writer:Mark Holloway
20. 

    8.7/10(26 votes)

    #20 - Can't Buy Me Love

    S6:E1110/28/2007

    Suspicion falls on Adam over missing hospital funds and Mike attends a meeting to assess the mental welfare of a 50-year-old man who still lives with his mother. Elsewhere, Gordon's ex-father-in-law pays an unexpected visit with some sobering news and Ken has a confession to make to his colleagues.

    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch

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    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch
21. 

    8.6/10(31 votes)

    #21 - The Unbreakable Chain

    S3:E111/16/2003

    A student nurse causes quite a stir when she arrives in the middle of the night, while Ken and Alun contend with a farming family suffering a crisis. Brigid and Jill deliver a Down's syndrome baby whose parents don't want anything to do with it, and Lizzie's crash diet has alarming consequences.

    Director:Adrian Bean

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw

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    Director:Adrian Bean

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw
22. 

    8.6/10(24 votes)

    #22 - Blood's Thicker Than Water

    S7:E37/6/2008

    An accident at the harbor leaves a fisherman concerned for the future of his family when Burnett is forced to amputate his hand. Weatherill treats a woman admitted with pneumonia who is deeply concerned about her father's presence around her daughter. Ken bids a final farewell to The Royal, but Lizzie's resolve flounders at the last minute.

    Director:Dominic Keavey

    Writer:Marc Pye

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    Director:Dominic Keavey

    Writer:Marc Pye
23. 

    8.6/10(27 votes)

    #23 - Home From The Hill

    S7:E712/21/2008

    As the hospital staff come to terms with the loss of Stella and Frankie, everyone’s surprised when an attractive surfer, who crashes into Dr Burnett’s car, turns out to be the new ambulance driver, Bobby. Alun is getting ready for a gig in town with his new band and deafens everyone while he practices in the porter’s office. Marian reasons that they should all go and watch the gig as Stella loved a good night out and wouldn’t want to see her friends sitting in every night. However, when Dr Burnett explains he can’t go as he’s on call, Marian is soon charmed by Bobby, who agrees to be her date to the gig. Will Marian turn to Bobby for a good time?

    Director:Ian Barber

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw

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    Director:Ian Barber

    Writer:Sarah Bagshaw
24. 

    8.5/10(35 votes)

    #24 - Immediate Care

    S1:E52/16/2003

    Dr. Cheriton has the unenviable task of informing a patient she has little time to live, and the situation soon prompts the wedding of the year. Arriving at the scene of an accident at the railway station, Dr. Ormerod is forced to make a drastic decision, but an oncoming train signals disaster. Gambling fever grips the hospital when a champion jockey is admitted and, as always, Greengrass is in the thick of the furore.

    Director:Keith Boak

    Writer:Deborah Cook

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    Director:Keith Boak

    Writer:Deborah Cook
25. 

    8.5/10(31 votes)

    #25 - Consequences

    S3:E412/7/2003

    Ormerod faces a difficult dilemma when Caroline's father Henry turns up suggesting they turn off her life-support machine, having done all they can, but the guilt-ridden doctor wonders whether he'd only be letting her die so he can be with Weatherill. Meanwhile, Goodwin puts his career on the line when he allows a member of the public to cure a back injury, student nurse Samantha Beaumont is less than impressed by a date with theatre technician Alun Morris and a patient's pet parrot causes chaos in the hospital.

    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch

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    Director:Tim Dowd

    Writers:John Flanagan, Andrew McCulloch