Rockface - episode synopsis
There were two series of Rockface, Colin scoring the music to both of them.
Below are the synopsis for each episode:
First Series
- Episode 1: - Dr. Gordon Urquhart is in trouble with his wife Alice for taking too much
time out of their surgery to go on rescues, leaving her to deal with the chaos. Brothers
Harry and Andy Clarke’s annual walking holiday is cut short when Harry trips and falls.
This apparently simple rescue takes a dangerous turn however, as Peter discovers
that Harry has a ruptured spleen and will bleed to death unless the chopper can get there
in time. Whilst out free climbing, Jamie comes to the rescue of an attractive photographer
who has fallen. High on energy and underestimating the danger, Jamie gets caught off balance
and ends up sliding down a slope, ending up precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff.
His humiliation is complete when the photographer calls out his Mountain Rescue Team-mates
to rescue him
- Episode 2: - In a challenging rescue, Mike becomes separated from the team due to a
cave-in during the rescue of a trapped pot-holer, Donna. Mike’s only way out is to crawl
along miles of underground tunnels to rendezvous with the team, who have to make a perilous
climb over the headland to reach the other end of the tunnel - before Mike and Donna are
drowned by the rising storm water in the chamber. Jamie, Douglas and Annie are called to a
rescue where five roped climbers have fallen 50 feet off the hill. The leader is very
seriously injured after falling onto his face and the team struggle to treat the casualties
before the chopper can evacuate them. The rescue is a particular challenge to Annie who
finds it hard to cope with some of the injuries. We are also introduced to Helen, a nurse
in the A&E department of the local hospital, who has a run-in with Douglas. And, to Jamie’s
horror, he learns that his mother Jane has accepted a six-month consultancy post at the
hospital. Meanwhile, Caroline Morrison has joined the team as a probationer, much to the
annoyance of Ben
- Episode 3: - Jamie and the Team rescue some kids who get into trouble white-water rafting.
Stranded on a boulder just above a waterfall, Ben has to wade into the dangerous waters to secure
safety lines to evacuate the boys. Jamie bonds with one of the boys, finding similarities in their
experience of demanding parents. Unfortunately, Jamie goes too far in defending the actions of the
boy from his father, causing mayhem in A & E and the old antagonisms between him and his mother
re-surface. While stowing away equipment at the end of the rescue, Ben falls into the river and
Peter saves his life, injuring himself in the process. However we discover a dark secret about Ben
that threatens to rock his world, and those around him
- Episode 4: - In an attempt to improve her climbing skills, and having failed miserably to
convince Ben that she’s good enough for the team, Caroline goes out climbing on her own.
She comes across a solo walker who fell several days ago but, because he wasn’t yet overdue,
has not been reported missing by his family. When Caroline examines him, she is horrified by
the extent of his injuries. Braving an exceedingly difficult climb, Caroline calls for the
team, including Ben, who join her to treat the man. To raise some much-needed funds, the
team have chosen to re-enact a century old rescue, costumes, equipment and all. Peter calls
to tell them that they’re needed for a real rescue somewhere else and will have to divert
there, dressed as they are. When they arrive, they find a husband and his MS-suffering wife,
who have tried to climb the mountain for her to see the view one last time. Their
compassion takes over from practicality and the team decide to help fulfil her wish by
taking her up to the summit
- Episode 5: - Terrible weather conditions cause a chopper to go down, with Annie and Ben
sent to investigate. On arrival, they are taken hostage by prison escapee Billy Deansgate
and forced at gunpoint to take him to his pick up point. Meanwhile, Peter, not knowing the
danger they are in, tries not to worry about Annie and Ben spending the night on the
mountain. The rest of the Team manage to pull off a treacherous rescue of Louise and Javier,
a Spanish visitor, who’s fallen and is hanging unconscious and upside down from Dragon’s
Tooth Sea Stack. After a successful rescue, Caroline saves the day in the helicopter, when
she correctly attributes Javier’s frightening deterioration to an allergic reaction to the
nuts in some chocolate he was given. Helen puts Douglas on the spot about commitment and he
fails her test while Jamie is horrified to learn that Jane will be staying at the hospital
in a permanent position. The team plot Gordon’s (Clive Russell) surprise birthday party
- Episode 6: - After a horrifying journey, Annie and Ben narrowly manage to escape death
at Deansgate’s hands. Meanwhile Peter who’s been out of his mind with worry, retraces their
steps, finds Ben’s clue and alerts the police. But Ben’s and Annie’s feelings towards each
other begin to change following their terrible ordeal. Gordon and Douglas are called to
rescue five monks stranded up on the Hill. A rock-fall threatens the safety of the whole
party and its results leave Gordon and Douglas in serious danger
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Second Series
- Episode 1 - Six months have passed since Douglas had his near fatal fall and he's nearly
back to full fitness. Ben is coming home from his trip to New Zealand. The mountain rescue
team are alerted to the case of a hang glider in trouble and begin a search to find his
exact location. They eventually find the unfortunate victim, Mark, precariously trapped in
some mountain. He is hanging dangerously suspended over a gorge. Skilfully Peter ventures
across the cables and attaches Mark to himself. The situation becomes perilous as one of the
cables give way, but Peter manages to haul the traumatised victim to safety. On a separate
rescue mission Jamie and Caroline set off to find an injured walker, Lennie, and his
pregnant wife, Ghiselle. The rescue team take a difficult route, abseiling down a waterfall,
before airlifting the unfortunate pair towards the safety of Glentannoch hospital. En route
home, bad weather and turbulence make for a bumpy helicopter ride, and Ghiselle goes into
premature labour. Jamie and Caroline have to deliver the baby. Back with the hang glider,
medical complications require Gordon, Peter, Annie and Mike to use an unorthodox emergency
procedure to transport Mark down the mountain to hospital. Peter, can't wait to see his
brother Ben, and despite herself Annie (Peter's wife) cannot control her excitement at the
thought of seeing him again. Everyone appears to be having a great time. However, when Ben
announces that he intends to relocate to New Zealand permanently, Annie is surprised to find
just how strong her feelings towards him are
- Episode 2 - Whilst delivering equipment to a remote industrial site, Mike hears of a
nearby truck crash involving two workers from the site. He radios mountain rescue for help.
The scene that greets Mike is grim. The driver, Adam, is injured and trapped in a truck
which is threatening to fall over the edge of the mountain. Adam’s friend, Jake, is
seriously injured and lying on the ground right in the path of the unstable truck. Mike can
do little to help Adam without upsetting the truck’s stability. Mountain Rescue arrive.
Jake and Mike are sent off in the helicopter to hospital, whilst the team try to secure and
cut open the vehicle in order to free Adam’s trapped leg. Jane is rushed to the scene and
discovers that Adam’s leg isn’t the only problem, he is also suffering from internal
bleeding. She and Gordon realise the gruesome fact that they have to amputate Adam’s leg in
order to get him to hospital in time to save his life. Adam survives but Jake dies as a
result of his wounds. Meanwhile, on a separate rescue, Douglas is proud to be finally
joining the rescue team again for his first rescue since his accident. Douglas fends off
Helen and Gordon’s concern for him and heads out with Annie and Ben to the rescue. They
soon find Carl, a man who is hanging free on his rope from a cliff edge. Douglas, Annie and
Ben are disturbed and disappointed to discover that the reason Carl needs to be rescued is
because he was stealing rare bird eggs. Douglas suffers a panic attack during the rescue
but manages to keep it well hidden. Meanwhile Annie is confused as to why Ben has been
dismissive and curt with her throughout the rescue. With tension already existing in the
team, Annie loses her cool and nearly attacks Carl when he tries to run off at the end of
the rescue. Douglas stops her and instead, he and Annie remain behind to replace the stolen
eggs - a happy moment in an otherwise difficult day. That evening Annie goes to Ben’s home
and confronts him with the force of her feelings. Unable to acknowledge his love for her,
Ben angrily orders her to leave. Humiliated, Annie runs back into the arms of her oblivious
and loving husband Peter. Later that night, at Doug and Helen’s house, Doug suffers a
terrifying nightmare reminding him of his fall at the end of last series...
- Episode 3 - Whilst out jogging, Ben and Peter find a man, Duncan McFadden, on the point
of collapse. Duncan is injured and has just struggled down the mountain. Later that day,
teenager Selena arrives at the police station to report her father, Andrew, missing. She
tells Gordon and Peter that he was climbing with Duncan McFadden. Peter realises the
connection and goes to the hospital to see Duncan. The search party continue searching
throughout the day but there is no trace of Andrew. Suspicious, Peter resumes questioning
Duncan, pressurising him until the truth of what really happened that morning is revealed.
Distressed, Duncan finally confesses that he accidentally pushed Andrew into a ravine. In a
panic, he then abandoned him assuming him dead. Duncan reveals the correct location where
Andrew fell. Andrew is finally found in an injured state. He is rushed to hospital where he
is finally reunited with his daughter Selena. Meanwhile, since his first rescue back out
with the team, Douglas has been experiencing nightmares reminding him of his fall. He is
unable to comprehend his increasing fears and anxiety but is determined to deal with it
himself by keeping his feelings hidden. Annie and Ben find themselves paired off during the
search for Andrew. Ben's life is endangered during the climb and an argument erupts when he
blames Annie for not concentrating on what she's doing. At the end of the rescue, Ben and
Annie at last resolve the tension between them when they fall passionately into each others
arms and consummate their feelings for each other. Wracked with guilt Annie returns home to
Peter and avoids his embraces. Meanwhile, Jamie devotes his energy to persuading Caroline
to meet him for a date. Caroline finally agrees. However she is delayed at work. When
Caroline finally arrives at the bar to meet Jamie she sees an attractive ex-flame of
Jamie's flirting with him. Her scepticism about Jamie's philandering is confirmed.
Caroline, leaves without Jamie having seen her. Later, Jamie who has rejected the advances
from his ex, leaves the pub alone and dejected
- Episode 4 - Two friends, Oliver and Philip are struck by a rockfall when out climbing.
Oliver's wife, Julia arrives at the police station concerned that Philip has been calling
her on his mobile but is unable to speak. Fearing the worst, she alerts the mountain rescue
team to Oliver and Philip's location. She waits anxiously while the team labour up the
difficult north face of the mountain in search of Oliver and Philip. Within a short time of
going out, however, Douglas leaves the rescue, unable to cope with his ever growing fears of
climbing and being back on the mountain. Peter has to go away for the night. Annie declines
the offer to go with him. She and Ben are now embroiled in a secret affair. However, before
Peter leaves, Ben is made deeply uncomfortable when Peter confides in him as a brother -
asking him if he knows what might be wrong with Annie. That evening an awards ceremony is
held for Douglas who is due to be honoured for his brave (almost fatal) rescue of Series 1.
Douglas is quietly dreading the occasion. The whole team (except Peter) turn up for the
awards. Jamie again attempts to woo Caroline but she reacts angrily when he kisses her.
Douglas is given his bravery award. However, unable to cope with his increasing feelings of
isolation and traumatic memories he has a panic attack whilst accepting his award. Douglas
rushes from the room. Helen and Gordon, concerned, follow him home and confront him about
his increasingly bizarre behaviour. Eventually, Helen and Gordon succeed in getting through
to him and he breaks down and tells them about his fears of falling again and how he is
afraid he is losing his mind. Helen comforts him, and finally, somewhat calmed, for the
first time in weeks Douglas manages to sleep properly that night...
- Episode 5 - Jamie clashes with a rival Ian Baxter on an adrenaline packed cross-country
bicycle race. When Baxter falls from his bike and tumbles down a ravine, Jamie goes to his
aid, and suffers a head injury when free-climbing down the ravine to pull Baxter from the
river below. The rescue team are alerted, whilst Jamie tries desperately to keep an
aggressive Baxter conscious and warm. By the time the team reaches the ravine, Baxter is
unconscious. Minutes later, Jamie begins to suffer from the effects of his head wound.
Ignoring Caroline's pleads he attempts to climb back out of the ravine, before collapsing.
At the hospital Jane is alarmed by the concussion sustained by Jamie and waits anxiously by
his bedside. Much to Jane's relief, Jamie awakens later on. Meanwhile, Mike is called out
and has to leave a video date, to help a group of fundraisers all dressed as Elvis, who have
become lost in the mountains. A simple walk down, takes a turn for the worse when one of the
Elvis's slips down a slope and is left hanging precariously off a rocky ledge. Mike hauls
him back up, but the Elvis sustains injuries leaving him unable to take his place at that
evening's charity concert. Mike again comes to the rescue and surprises his team mates with
a winning rendition of 'I wanna be your Teddy Bear'. Caroline continues to get closer to her
patient Adam (the amputee from Episode 2) when they share a fish and chip supper. Helen is
surprised and delighted when Douglas proposes to her. Elsewhere Ben and Annie meet for a
passionate hour at a local hotel, but wracked with guilt they decide to end their affair.
However later that night a crushed Peter discovers their secret but decides to keep his
knowledge to himself for the time being...
- Episode 6 - To celebrate a birthday, four local teenagers Jason Farinelli (Betty's son),
Tina, Trish and Colin find an abandoned riverside bunker and begin to party. Drowned out by
the music, a flash flood causes the river to begin to rise, blocking their only route out
of the bunker. When the terrified teenagers realise that their escape route is blocked Tina,
Jason's girlfriend, dives in against the wishes of the others. She bravely swims out,
surviving the raging river and alerts the rescue team to her friends predicament. Annie and
Ben swim underwater to get into the bunker, and join the teenagers, who are too terrified to
swim out. Colin is suffering from the effects of drugs and tries to pull Annie under the
water, but is tackled by Ben and Jason. Meanwhile, Mike and Jamie are airlifted to the
bunker carrying the vital pickaxes and sledgehammers. The team eventually succeed in
breaking through into the bunker and freeing the teenagers. Back at the station with the
panic over Doug announces his engagement to Helen. With the rest of the team on their way
to the pub to celebrate, Peter is left alone with Ben. He forces a confrontation, and the
brothers fight with Annie pleading with Peter to calm down and talk. He ignores her, rushing
away and angrily drives off into the night...
- Episode 7 - Betty and Danny are impressed to see a pair of blind walkers, Jo and Kim, and
their sighted instructor, Graham, depart from the police station for some end of season hill
walking. However Betty and Danny become concerned when Jo, Kim and Graham fail to return.
Meanwhile, the team are struggling to come to terms with Peter's departure and Ben and
Annie's affair. Annie is concerned about Peter and tries to find out his whereabouts through
Danny. Ben desperately wants he and Annie to be together - but Annie is struggling to deal
with it all. Mike now finds it hard to work alongside Ben and confronts him about it; and
Betty tells Annie exactly what she thinks of her. Unknown to the team, Graham, has suffered
a heart attack and fallen - leaving Jo and Kim on their own amidst the bleakness of the
mountains. Concerned that no-one will come to their aid, Jo leaves her friend in order to
seek help, using the direction of the wind as her guide. Unfortunately, however, the wind
has changed direction. The rescue team find Kim, using the route card that Graham left at
the police station earlier. However they are disturbed to find that Jo is trying to find her
own way down the mountain. Unbeknownst to Jo, she is walking directly towards a dangerous
quarry. Douglas beeps his horn continually from the road below in order to warn Jo to stop
walking. Tragically she continues ahead and falls down the quarry face. Luckily she lands
and is stranded on a rocky ledge. Ben rushes to Jo's aid. He puts himself at risk, making a
daring climb in order to secure Jo's precarious position. Jamie joins Ben and Jo has to
brace herself as Jamie abseils with her down to safety. Meanwhile, Douglas and Helen are
struggling to cope with the wedding preparations. That night Douglas and Helen's hen and
stag parties get into full swing. Annie and Ben's decision to brave it out and join in the
celebrations pays off. Betty apologises to Annie for her earlier outburst and Mike
reconciles with Ben. Even in the wake of Peter and Annie's destroyed marriage it looks like
the team might come to accept Ben and Annie together. Caroline, is drunk and feeling sorry
for herself about her patient, Adam's departure from the hospital and from her life. Caroline
tells Jamie to take her home to his place. She then makes a pass at Jamie before falling
asleep on his couch. Before the hen and stag night draws to a close Helen tells Douglas
about her pregnancy, and the couple announce the news to a delighted audience
- Episode 8 - It's a winter's day in Glentannoch. The rescue team are asked to find two
missing skiers, who have been caught in an avalanche. Jonathan, the only skier who survived
the avalanche, heads out with the team in the search for his missing fiance and brother.
Although the team succeed in locating Jonathan's brother who is alive and sent off to
hospital - they fail to find Jonathan's fiancé, Lyndsey. Back at the police station,
Lyndsey's mother is desperate for the team to keep searching for her daughter - but as the
avalanche warning increases, Gordon makes a decision for the team to head back down the
mountain. As the rest of the team depart, Douglas remains behind on the mountain desperate
to find the missing girl - Gordon decides to stay with him. Eventually, they do find Lyndsey,
but she is dead. Moments later, as Gordon and Douglas prepare to head off down the mountain
they themselves are caught in another avalanche. Just before the avalanche hits, the snow
covered ground beneath them gives way and Douglas and Gordon find themselves falling and
sliding through a tunnel of ice and rock, eventually landing trapped in a snow cave together.
They regain consciousness and Douglas has to go through the gruesome task of helping Gordon
replace his dislocated shoulder. With few supplies and desperately needing to be rescued,
the two men discuss their limited options and reflect on their lives. Back at base the team
are horrified that Douglas and Gordon are still out there. As day one in the snow cave turns
into day two Douglas and Gordon become more and more fearful of their chances of survival.
Douglas attempts to dig his way out of the cave but only succeeds in getting frostbite.
Meanwhile, back at base Helen is in denial for the most part and still thinks that the
wedding will go ahead as scheduled. She is comforted by Douglas' visiting father Liam and
is finally forced to confront the inevitable and cancel the wedding. As day three looms,
the team are increasingly worried. Alice and Kirsty try to keep their spirits up by bringing
the team some home baking. Helen and Alice endeavour to comfort each other as best they can.
Meanwhile, Jamie and Caroline talk about the 'embarrassing' pass she made at him on the stag
and hen night. At last the blizzard warnings lift and although the avalanche risk is still
high Ben announces his intent to go up the mountain, as a friend, to begin searching for
Gordon and Douglas. He invites the team to join him but at their own risk. Inevitably, the
whole team head up the mountain. They eventually succeed in locating Douglas and Gordon -
with the help of their avalanche transceiver. Douglas and Gordon appear near death's door
but are so relieved to be found. But, just as the happy team prepare to make their way back
down to safety, they hear the sound of a new avalanche, and turn to meet the fury of it...
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