Season 23

There are dead animals and destroyed buildings everywhere. As the fires rage out of control, the bridge is damaged, preventing the emergency services from getting through.

The village pulls together through adversity to deal with the aftermath of the plane crash.

Dawn breaks and it becomes clear that life in Beckindale will never be quite the same again.

The village begins to deal with the aftermath of recent events. But the scavengers are gathering...

As the shaken village community begins to count the cost, rescue search the rubble for Alice.

Families close ranks, while the village finds the gutter press a problem.

It's a difficult day for Beckindale, as the funerals for the 9 deceased are held.

The recovery process begins, and Alan has positive plans for the future.

A village meeting is held about the compensation payments and an unexpected announcement takes the village by surprise.

Lynn finds herself front page news. Frank learns of Chris' diagnosis.

Kim begins to make plans for the future while a loan shark is after Eric.

Angharad is disturbed by Scott's vivid artwork, Seth pulls Nick back from the brink and Vic finds looters at the site of the plane crash.

Alan and Shirley tie the knot and the village joins together to celebrate. Seth is getting back to nature and Frank is finally forced to accept the bitter truth.

Frank has some bad news for Christopher, while Michael is suspicious of Pollard's generosity.

Eric is questioned by police. Meanwhile a confrontation at the sports club brings Lynn back into village life.

Frank has a surprise gift for Kim, Michael announces he will turn detective, while a gruesome find is unearthed in the Woolpack.

Jessica has a surprise announcement for the McAllisters and Nick finds he has a fight on his hands.

The Turners return from honeymoon to surprise news. Seth's ambitions are dashed.

Donna is trapped underneath the tractor. Elsa and Nick see the judge to determine Alice's future.

Alan installs a 'Viking Well' at the pub, while the future for the Sugdens looks increasingly bleak as Viv decides to sue.

A bench is unveiled in memory of Elizabeth Pollard. Meanwhile, Jack attempts to reason with the Windsors.

Vic pleads guilty to assaulting the looters. The sports bar is going to have strippers on the same night that Alan reopens the Woolpack.

Pollard is horrified to find himself in the paper and Jack has to swallow his pride and ask for money.

Drinkers at The Woolpack are scandalised by Lynn's planned 'entertainment', and Angharad discovers Danny's plans.

Jack is forced to go cap in hand to Frank, Joe causes a scene in The Woolpack.

Eric's not-so-ex-wife turns up. Turner's musical evening doesn't go quite as planned, while Sarah and Jack make a worrying discovery at the farm.

Jack finds Joe with a shotgun and Vic talks to him before Sarah goes into labour.

Jack and Sarah bring home baby Victoria. Meanwhile, the villagers attend the Easter fun fair.

Victoria's crying wakes up Annie from her coma and the Sugdens keep the bad news from her.

Wally's widow Betty moves back to Beckindale, while Jack tells Annie about Leonard's death. Chris returns from hospital.

The McAllisters realise they have been put in their place. Seth recognises a piece of village history, and Sarah considers marrying Jack.

Joe breaks the news to Annie. Chris is giving Kathy a hard time. Eileen tells Eric she is filing for divorce.

The embers of a romance turn into flames for Pollard. Chris has a fall, while Jessica's news alarms Biff.

It's the day of the plane crash inquest. Michael is suspicious of Eric, who Kim decides to evict.

The Windsors find out that Scott's father is out of prison. Betty asks Seth to move in with her.

Nick and Alice return as Luke, Danny and Biff go rock climbing. Vic traps his foot in the creek.

Frank gives evidence about the crash in court while Michael publicly accuses Eric of murder.

It's Jack's turn on the stand at the inquest. Eileen receives an unwelcome visitor and Jessica is in trouble after her night out.

Reg is determined to rebuild his life. Vic makes the Sugdens an offer they can't refuse. Lynn receives a visit from a journalist, while Joe seems to have reached the end of his tether.

Annie Sugden returns to the arms of her family and the Windsors are relieved that their problems are over. Meanwhile, Jessica's lies catch up with her.

It's the day of Jack and Sarah's wedding, but who will catch the bridal bouquet? Luke declares the depth of his feelings; Chris finally swallows his pride; and the McAllisters grapple with their u-bend.

A dramatic event unfolds and Joe's attempt to be a hero is ill-advised. Shirley's journey from the cash and carry is interrupted.

Amos and Michael restrain a screaming Vic who believes Viv is still in the shop. Police officers drag a dazed Joe away from the flames. Zoe worries as she needs to call at both the Dingles and Glovers farms, knowing that she'll be crucified if the feuding families find out she's called at the others' farm. The robbers force Viv to flag down Shirley along the roadside on her return from the Cash & Carry. They force their way into her landrover, pointing a gun at her. PC Wilson gives Joe a ticking off for involving himself in the situation. The police discover that Viv wasn't in the shop when it exploded but is currently a hostage. The two men try to force Shirley into aiding their escape but Shirley, being new to the area, is unable to help their quick getaway. She gets them lost somewhere between Robblesfield and Hotten. Police find the getaway car the first two men were in abandoned with the 3rd raider badly hurt in the passenger seat.

The police secure the area of the shooting at Pencross Fell. Vic worries and blames Joe for getting involved and preventing the raiders escape. The raiders drag Viv and Shirley over the moors. Seth is confused to arrive in the village and find the area cordoned off. Michael explains about the robbery, Alan being shot and Shirley and Viv being held hostage. Sarah phones the police when she notices someone in the yard at Emmerdale Farm attempting to steal the landrover. Joe recognises that it's the 4th raider and dashes out to park the tractor in front of the landrover to prevent his escape. The 4th raider gets out of the landrover and points his gun at Joe and Jack as he makes his escape on foot. Joe attempts to chase after him but Jack stops him. Viv realises who one of the raiders is when he quotes a Psalm.

It's night fall and the police surround Home Farm, complete with armed response. Shirley tries to persuade Reg to move the body of the 4th raider. Vic explains to the police that Reg had come to find Viv a few weeks prior, having been released from prison, believing that once God had united a man and woman in marriage they were together forever - dead or alive. Joe feels guilty as he goes to see Vic in The Woolpack. Amos tries to reassure him his intentions were right. Vic tells Joe that he feels his reaction to the raid triggered Viv being taken hostage and tells him while he doesn't blame him, he can't forgive him either. Joe offers Vic his cottage as a place to stay for when the siege is over. Vic follows the police up to Home Farm as it becomes clear they've made contact with Reg. Clive tries to question Lynn on what she knows about the siege. Reg holds a gun to Shirley's head and warns police not to shoot or he will shoot her as the 2nd Raider,

The next morning, the police wait patiently outside Home Farm, making Reg suspicious. Elsa arrives in the village and is relieved to find Alice safe but blames herself for leaving her with Nick, insisting that he's not safe to be around. A hostage negotiator, John Jarvis, tries to talk to Reg. Reg insists that no-one is going to take Viv away from him now he has her back. Shirley tries to talk Reg down as Viv keeps winding him up. Reg and Viv become involved in an argument as he blames her for taking away everything he had but she insists the blame lies solely with him as he threw it away. She tells him she hopes he returns to prison for good. He moves to shoot her but Shirley tries to intervene and ends up being shot. Colin turns on Reg as Shirley lies dead on the floor. He covers that he heard a noise outside and makes his escape. Reg is furious to see him being handcuffed outside and attempts to shoot him but misses.

Now that the crisis is over, the media spotlight focuses on the village once more. Life for Alan Turner will never be the same again.

The burden of guilt weighs heavy on Joe Sugden. Michael delves deeper into Pollard's murky past.

Michael goes off to dig more dirt on Eric. Lynn purposely sends Clive to the wrong crematorium for Shirley's funeral. Elsa's delighted when she notices Nick is late taking Alice to nursery and uses the situation to score points. He worries that she is planning to use the rumours of he and Archie being gay as a way to get residency of Alice and asks Zoe if she would put the rumours straight if it came down to it. She agrees. Frank fears her coming out publicly may affect business. Clive realises Lynn's sent him to the wrong crematorium when he arrives in Skipdale to find no-one there. Nick receives a call from the nursery saying Alice is ill. He asks Frank if he can go to pick her up but Frank asks him to mow the lawns first as he is expecting some important visitors. Samson lets one of the horses out of the stable when Frank and Kim go to lunch. Shirley's funeral gets underway.

Rachel comes running out of The Woolpack in time to see Michael speeding off in a car. Bernard remains concerned over electricity when he receives a bill. Jess interrupts him to say that Rachel has called requesting he go over to Victoria Cottage as she believes Eric is dead. Bernard discovers Eric still has a pulse. He calls an ambulance and the police. Seth is concerned about Alan and finds him upset in the pub cellar. He tries to comfort him and encourages him to contact Terence and Shirley's daughter. Kathy tries to get Chris to sign the contract so Frank can sell Mill Cottage but he refuses to, knowing Lynn will get it. Amos has gone to Dundalk to stay with a landlord friend of his. Rachel walks into The Woolpack upset. Frank buys her a drink while Kim tries to comfort her. She explains Michael has attacked Eric and left him unconscious in hospital and now the police are looking for him.

Sarah, Jack, Robert and Victoria return from France. Seth informs Biff and Luke that he has a trick up his sleeve in beating them at the cricket match - Sven. Annie thinks the farm should subcontract work such as sheep-shearing. Jack realises that Sven is back. Vic asks Viv not to go to Reg's funeral but she insists she has to. Scott has decided he doesn't want to go anymore. Alan collects Shirley's ashes. Nick's concerned what Elsa and her solicitor will make of Alice's bruise. He decides to ring and tell her that Alice is best left with him today what with Michael's situation. Chris takes delight in telling Lynn that under no circumstances will he sell Mill Cottage to her. She accuses Chris of fancying her and taunts him at how he'll never be able to satisfy her now he's in a wheelchair. She insists she'll end up with the cottage. Jack introduces Sarah, Robert, Frank and Kim to Sven. Alan scatters Shirley's ashes at her favourite beauty spot.

Seth arrives at The Woolpack to find it closed. Caroline suggests Nick ask Alan to provide a statement for the residency case, thinking him being a councilor would work in Nick's favour. Joe receives a court summons for a fortnight over the business with the tractor. Caroline suggests Nick also approach Eric for a character reference. Seth gets no response from Alan as he knocks on the pub door. Elsa visits Eric in hospital and informs him of his fight with Michael. He still doesn't remember. She doesn't want her part in it to affect her in court and asks him not to involve the police. Seth, Nick and Caroline attempt to break into The Woolpack to make sure Alan is alright. Elsa explains to Eric that she shouldn't have left Alice and gone off on her own and has learnt that Alice belongs with her now. She explains she doesn't feel vindictive to Nick but needs to do everything she can to make sure she gets residency of Alice, even if that means tarnishing his name in the process.

Sven is continuing to help out at Emmerdale Farm. Zoe pushes Chris to complete the rest of her advertising campaign and forces him to get out of the cottage and up to the surgery. Nick anxiously waits for Elsa's statement to come through from the solicitor. Chris enjoys helping Zoe at the vets. Biff and Luke remind Seth that he owes them a day out in the country. They're taken aback when he wants to start with them the following morning - at first light. Zoe takes Chris and Nick for a drink at The Woolpack. They're both grateful. Annie calls a family gathering down at her cottage. Sarah decides to give the meeting a miss, wanting an early night. Sven takes a shine to Zoe. Annie announces to Jack and Joe that she's going to stay in Leonard's villa in Spain for a couple of months. Alan asks Seth if he can stay with him after the pub closes as he doesn't feel like being alone.

Lynn shows interest in Sven as she watches him outside The Woolpack. She's jealous when Zoe mentions she's been out for dinner with him. Nick is still preoccupied with the upcoming residency case. Elsa arrives to pick up Alice for the day. Caroline meets with Eric. He shows her the memorial bench for the crash victims and explains the idea is to have a garden surrounding it with a stone to remember those who lost their lives. Biff and Luke swerve school. Sven's disappointed when Zoe declines a second meal with him. Biff and Luke set about vandalising the 'Emmerdale' village sign. They plan to start the rumour that the Beast of Beckindale doesn't like the name change. Eric purchases a necklace at auction apparently worth £250,000 for £20,000. Lynn tries to track down Frank wanting to know if she can rent one of the holiday cottages as she'll soon be homeless. Chris tells her that he and Kim are away at a conference in Geneva.

Luke is amused when an article appears in the Hotten Courier questioning whether the Beast of Beckindale has made a return. Nick dresses Alice for nursery, aware it could be the last time he does so. Sarah continues to worry about Victoria. She decides to stay home and look after her. Caroline wakes Alan, reminding him that he promised her and Nick a lift to court. She's aware he's been up the majority of the night drinking and tries to make him see that he's not helping himself. Sven insists on taking the day off from the farm and helping Lynn to move into the holiday village. Luke and Biff try to generate more ideas for the Beast of Beckindale's rampage. Joe visits Bernard in order to acquire some anti-depressants but Bernard refuses to prescribe them for him. Nick's anxious as the case is delayed in court. Biff is interested when Luke mentions he saw Eric throwing a bag into the river some months back. Sven and Lynn kiss.

As Nick prepares to take the stand in court on the second day of the case, Kathy does her best to settle his nerves. The Beast of Beckindale makes front-page news of the Hotten Courier. Viv has returned from London. Vic shows her plans he's been making for the new-look shop. She tells him Reg has left a will with £10,000 in a trust fund for Scott for educational purposes. Luke takes Biff to the river where Eric threw away the suitcase. They flip a coin to see who goes into the river. Caroline asks Eric to try a different approach with Elsa in an attempt to win her round. Viv also tells Vic that Reg left £30,000 for her to cover costs if she decided to remarry, adding that if she didn't Scott would get the lot when he is 25. Luke finds the suitcase in the river. They open it up to discover a typewriter. Viv reveals that Reg left her the key to a safety deposit box in London. Lynn's thoughtful when Sven suggests she move away from Emmerdale to Sydney.

Elsa watches as Nick takes Alice to nursery, ducking down in her new hire car out of sight as he passes by. Interior designers arrive at Home Farm to carry out Kim's new look for the place. Elsa calls at Victoria Cottage to pick up Michael's things, apologising to Eric for her words outside the courtroom yesterday. Lynn invites Kathy out for a drink later that night. Bernard calls round to see Chris and is improved to see he is much more relaxed. Sarah is still concerned about Victoria and thinks she seems weaker. Jack informs Seth of Frank and Kim's plans for a dry ski slope. He agrees they need to stop them. Elsa picks Alice up from nursery. Sarah panics and calls Bernard when she notices Victoria having difficulty breathing. Biff and Luke begin playing practical jokes on some of the villagers to further drive the rumour that the Beast of Beckindale has returned

The Windsors decide to stand together; Pollard reveals his master plan to a colleague and Betty promotes alternative medicine.

Nick is frantic about Alice and Rachel is angered by Kim's plans for the countryside. The Windsors find a clue in a safety deposit box, while Luke and Biff find the tables turned on them.

Dinner for Joe gives Lynn food for thought, while Pollard provides a sympathetic ear. The Sugdens face another family tragedy.

Sven's return confuses Lynn and the Windsors reach the end of the trail.

The Windsors discover that crime doesn't pay, while Alan steps on to a slippery slope. Jack and Sarah are separated by Victoria's illness, and Lynn makes a momentous decision. Joe and Jack meet up with an old friend Ned Glover. Ned asks about the recent plane crash and Joe says wreckage fell all over. Joe points to a field nearby where he says a huge piece of wreckage landed on it. Ned goes back to his caravan.

Lynn and Rachel prepare for a final confrontation, while 'the nobbies' scandalise the village once more. The Glovers set up camp at Emmerdale Farm and Roy comes face to face with the 'beast'.

The peace of the village is shattered by a party, where Jessica is the object of unwanted attention.

It's the morning after and the McAllisters wake up to a nightmare when it is revealed that Ben has died while in hospital, and an injury makes Joe seek pastures anew, but not before another row with brother Jack, where he says Joe is the curse of the Sugdens. Eric's plans are threatened by bad publicity while Ned receives a welcome offer.

The full extent of Luke's predicament is revealed when the McAllisters receive shocking news. Alan struggles alone at The Woolpack, while Ned has something to tell Jan.

Eric's plotting provokes opposition and Kathy finds a shoulder to cry on. Jan is offered a job, while circumstances cause Luke to lose his freedom.

The outlook for Luke looks grim while his parents run the gauntlet of village gossip. Zoe has a staffing problem and Betty tells all about her summer of love.

The McAllisters close ranks to support their son, Eric and Betty make an unlikely partnership while Zoe has some good news for Linda.

The Heritage Farm hosts a summer fair, while Betty's rock concert pulls in the crowds. Seth and Samson save the day for the cricket team, but there's an accident on the way back to Home Farm.

The Tates fight for a life on the roadside while an idea is fermenting for Alan. Rachel has a suggestion for Chris, while Luke's fate continues to hang in the balance.

Rachel has plans to get Chris out and about, while Frank's illness throws a shadow over his future with Kim. Luke continues to languish behind bars while Eric plans a big shock for Betty.

Eric has an expensive gift for Caroline. Nick has plans to make Seth a radio star. Luke returns home to find his problems are only just beginning. Butch catches Luke near the allotments and plans revenge on him for the death of Ben. Biff sticks up for Luke, and Butch drives off. Biff says that Butch means what he says.

Ned is in charge of the farm when disaster strikes, while Luke faces up to the revenge of the Dingle family. Viv tries to put off the day of reckoning with Alan, and there's more than a championship at stake at The Woolpack dominoes match.

Betty is counting the cost after her pop concert, Bernard's suggestion leaves his family aghast. Classic Gardeners' Forum get more than they bargained for with Seth, while Frank returns from hospital with something to say to Kim.

Frank is taking badly to the quiet life, while Seth fights back against enforced retirement. It's the day of the Post Office trial and Alan's world falls apart when he hears the evidence.

Home Farm staff feel the strain when Kim begins to assert himself at the Home Farm bike rally, while Alan is appalled at the state of The Woolpack's books. Luke's day out takes a turn for the worse when he confronts the Dingle family once again.

Seth makes his feelings clear by going into hiding while Chris fails to rekindle the romance in his marriage. Betty discovers the full extent of Eric's deception, while at Emmerdale Farm, the Beast of Beckindale strikes again.

Dave's job is at stake as a poacher decimates the game farm, while Ned discovers that Betty drives a hard bargain. Rachel and Chris find themselves growing closer and at Home Farm, Zoe puts Kim in her place.

Jack is worried by Sarah's strange behaviour, but Jan is alarmed to hear the truth. Luke and Jessica make plans for their parents' absence, while Dave finds another reason to chat to Kathy.

Pheasant wars escalate as Kim prepares to take on Seth. Eric is furious when James threatens to blow his cover. Chris explains the truth about his marriage to Rachel, while Jessica's romantic evening doesn't turn out as planned.

Luke and Dolores' accident interrupts what's left of Jessica's evening, while Vic discovers he has an illegal employee. Ned persuades Seth that he's made his point, while at The Woolpack, Alan puts Jan in a tricky situation

Kim is on the warpath, looking for her stolen pheasants, while Bernard and Angharad are horrified to discover what happened in their absence. Rachel takes the initiative with Chris, while at the farm, Jack has to choose when Sarah delivers a devastating ultimatum. Seth proposes marriage to Betty, and he shoots the Beast of Beckindale.

Jan offers a practical solution to Jack and Sarah's problems while Rachel is shocked to discover Chris's real feelings for Kathy. At school, Luke discovers that the feud with the Dingles is far from over.

Seth, Ned and David set out on a mission to trap the Beast of Beckindale, while Jack travels to York to appeal to Sarah.

Kim is planning a lunch party for the local hunt, and Seth is off to hear the answer to his marriage proposal.

Frank tells Kim of his suspicions after hearing "intimate noises" at Mill Cottage. Ned is going ahead with the fight despite family protests. Dave and Nick are in charge of the shoot at Home Farm. Biff and Jessica worry about the Dingles driving the McAllisters out of the village.

Rachel worries about her future with Chris.

Eric is busy making preparations for the robbery. He invites Alan for a drink. There is to be a meeting of the disaster committee to discuss what to do on the anniversary of the plane crash. Alan becomes more obstructive as he becomes more drunk. Eric meets his accomplices.

It is the morning after the robbery and Eric wakes up Alan telling him how drunk they both were the night before. Alan has no memory after he passed out, luckily for Eric. Kathy is upset about seeing Chris kissing Rachel. The Windsors dog worries Emmerdale Farm sheep.

Betty is trying to organize a village Christmas event. Bernard tries to get support against her. The atmosphere is tense at Mill Cottage. Dolores worries that her and Luke may be about to split up if she goes to university. Rachel rings Chris but hangs up when Kathy answers.

Viv receives an offer, while Betty and Seth make plans for their big day. Frank learns the truth about his son.

Rachel prepares to face the village, while quick thinking is required when a dog attacks Donna.

At the Woolpack's country and western evening, Zoe reveals the truth.

Saboteurs threaten Kim's preparations when the hunt meets at Home Farm, and Kathy is faced with some home truths.

Jessica finds that she's pushed Biff too far, and Rachel makes a discovery which will change the course of her life. Alan Turner is forced to take sides when Frank confronts Pollard in the Woolpack.

Pollard sabotages Kim's Classic Car Rally. The Woolpack is scandalised when a wronged woman confronts Zoe. And Bernard finds himself in a compromising position.

Jessica cannot come to terms with life without Biff. And Rachel has some momentous news for Chris.

Zoe takes control when Linda leaves home. Kathy is driven to desperation when she is confronted with the truth. Vic makes plans for Christmas, and Bernard is forced to admit that a relationship has got out of hand.

Zoe Tate is undermined by gossip; Kim and Frank agonise over invitations; Pollard has a proposition for Turner, and Mrs Bates walks into a compromising situation.

Ned Glover reveals his true feelings for Zoe Tate, while Bernard attempts to make amends. And Forties nostalgia hits the village when Seth and Betty host the party of the year.

Suspicions are aroused when flowers arrive at the McAllisters'. The Woolpack appears to be threatened by a new owner, while Sarah is gripped by the Christmas spirit.

It's the wedding of the year and panic reigns at Home Farm. At the cathedral, Angharad confronts a rival, while Frank's day is ruined by a malicious piece of sabotage.

Kathy realises that she's gone too far, while an American pays a visit to Emmerdale. Seth and Nick pay their individual respects to an old friend and Biff finds something strange in the swimming pool.

The village remembers its dead with a memorial service for the air disaster and Kathy slips further into despair. There's drama at the barn dance as Luke chats up a dangerous stranger.