Casualty review with spoilers: Charlie exits in shocking scenes?

Is it the end of Casualty as we know it? After angrily proclaiming that the department and the NHS were ‘all knackered,’ Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) packed the traditional box of office things and headed for the exit, where he dumped the traditional box of office things in the nearest bin because that’s how much he’s fed up with working in that hospital. And a nation went into shock/mourning.

What will we do without Charlie, who’s been reliably staring into the middle distance since the world was young? And will he ever return?

It’s been clear he came back to work too soon following the death of his wife and soul-mate Duffy, but everyone was prepared to cut him as much slack as possible.

As mistakes began to be made and junior staff members were left unsupported, Jacob (Charles Venn) felt he had no choice but to refer the matter to Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw). Even then, Jacob didn’t really want Fletch to discipline Charlie or anything serious like that. Just a few kind Fletch words to put him back on track.

Before Fletch could have a go at doing that, Charlie made a huge mistake. He forgot to record that a patient had a Do Not Resuscitate order in place and this came to light spectacularly just after the team had successfully resuscitated her. This is very serious stuff indeed and Charlie understood the part he’d played in it but refused to be the ‘scapegoat.’

He accused David (Jason Durr) of going to Fletch about him behind his back, at which point Jacob admitted it had been him. Charlie was angry at Jacob, at Fletch, at the NHS and the world. Of course he’s mainly angry that Duffy had to die, but the result is the same – he’s walked away from Holby.

Meanwhile, Lev (Uriel Emil) and Faith (Kirsty Mitchell)’s son Luka (Tom Mulheron) was having chemo and both parents were feeling the strain. Lev wasn’t handling it well, especially Faith’s attempts to allow Luka as much normality as possible so his life wasn’t all doom and gloom. ‘He has cancer,’ said Lev. ‘How can it be anything but?’

His mind was changed by a graffiti artist patient and by Noel (Tony Marshall)’s plan to fundraise by cycling on an exercise bike dressed as an elephant and he realised laughter and fun could be helpful for the whole family. He arranged for the graffiti artist to do a special mural for Luka and the boy and his parents joined in the fun.

Parenting was also on Ruby (Maddy Hill)’s mind when she got upset at seeing videos of baby Harmony apparently thriving in her grandparents’ care. Ruby told Jan (Di Botcher) she misses Harmony and in a way regrets her decision to give her up – but at the same time she realises that the baby is in the best place.

David and Will (Jack Nolan) had a patient who was a boy with a learning disability whose mother was convinced he was ill. David and Will couldn’t find anything wrong with him, which obviously means he’ll be back very soon.

If only we could say the same about Charlie.

Sue Haasler is the author of five novels and the official BBC Holby City book, which you can read about here.

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