User:AnemoneProjectors/The Last Goodbye (EastEnders)

"The Last Goodbye" or "EastEnders: The Last Goodbye", also known as "Peggy Week", is a 2016 storyline of the BBC soap opera EastEnders in which the character Peggy Mitchell, played by Barbara Windsor, dies.

Plot

In episodes broadcast in January 2016, when Peggy's son Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), an alcoholic, attempts to find his estranged daughter Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), he goes to his aunt Sal's (Anna Karen) house, and finds Peggy there. Her verbally abuses her and asks for Louise's address, but she does not speak to him. After he finds details of Louise's school, Peggy says her cancer has returned and she is dying. She then shuts herself in a room with the television volume so high that she cannot hear Phil say that he is dying too, from cirrhosis of the liver. Four months later, in episodes broadcast in May, Peggy arrives at her niece Ronnie Mitchell's home. Having stayed the night, the next day she hides from Phil and Sal, but after Phil leaves, Sal can smell Peggy's purfume so knows she is there; Peggy refuses to return to Sal's house, as her home is in Albert Square. Ronnie takes Peggy to a doctor's appointment, where they are told that Peggy's most recent chemotherapy has not worked, her cancer has spread to her brain and any futher treatment would have serious side-effects but would only delay her death by a few months, so the doctor urges her to consider if she wants any further treatment. On leaving, Peggy tells Ronnie she expected bad news. She tells Phil, saying she cannot handle any further treatment. Phil tries to change Peggy's mind by gathering members of the Mitchell family, where it becomes clear that her short-term memory has been affected. Peggy tells Phil she has not changed her mind. Phil admits he needs a liver transplant and wants to get healthy for his family's sake, so Peggy should do the same but she says there is nothing to fight. She moves in to Phil's house and tells him she will not let the cancer make her worse—she is the one in control.

Phil's former wife, Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), hears the news that Peggy is dying. Phil tries to make Peggy see that life is worth living but Peggy changes his plans, saying she wants to decide what they do. They sail down the Thames and visit the home where Phil grew up, sharing memories all the way, and Peggy says she does not want her other son, Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), to know. Meanwhile, Sharon tells two of Phil's other former partners, Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and Kathy Sullivan (Gillian Taylforth) that Peggy is dying, so they prepare a meal for the Mitchell family. When Phil and Peggy return home, Peggy realises they know that she is dying, and then tells Phil that she wants him to be there when she dies. Sharon then telephones Grant in Portugal, leaving him a voicemail saying that something has happened and his family need him.

Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) visits Peggy, who forgives her for killing her husband Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) six years previously (see "Who Killed Archie?"). Ben and Louise fail to attend Peggy's dinner, where Peggy tells Phil it is unfair of her to ask for his help—she will end her life on her own; he says he will not let her down or leave her on her own. Grant then arrives, and says he will only stay a few hours and will take Peggy back to Portugal with him; Peggy tells him she has terminal cancer. Grant is angry that Peggy was not going to tell him, so leaves. Peggy visits The Queen Vic to wish Stacey and her fiancé Martin Fowler (James Bye) well, though they are not there. Peggy is in pain, and her senses are fading and playing tricks on her, but she is happy to see all her friends. Grant and Phil fight over money but agree to be amicable for Peggy's sake, and find her in the pub. They both say she can get more help and will be there for her when she is in pain. They leave, and Grant and Phil take Peggy's pills from her; Grant returns to Portugal. Alone at home, Peggy hears the voice of her old friend Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement), who died of cancer in 2012, and goes outside to see a blackbird singing, telling Sharon it is perfect. Sharon and Peggy make amends and Sharon promises to look out for Phil. Peggy goes back inside where she sees Pat. Peggy takes another bottle of pills from her bag and tells Pat that she fears she will break hearts when she dies but wants to be remembered as a strong woman, not a helpless person in a bed. Peggy asks Pat to never leave her, and then takes a lethal overdose. Phil is distaught when he finds Peggy's body. News of her death spreads around the locals as Phil tells Sharon he knew Peggy's plan and regrets not doing more to stop it. Phil reads a letter Peggy wrote him, in which she tells him she was not scared or alone, and that he needs to learn to love himself as much as others love him.

Development

Planning

Windsor previously left the cast of EastEnders in 2010 (see Queen Vic Fire Week), and at the time, ruled out any returns to the series, saying, "It was a bit selfish of me but I didn't want to be killed off. I am never going to go back but I like to think that [Peggy]'s still out there somewhere." However, she made guest appearances in September 2013, September 2014 and to commemorate 30 years of EastEnders in February 2015 (see EastEnders Live Week). Windsor made the decision in 2015 to have her character die, saying, "I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back and that is something I need to shut the door on. After thinking long and hard about it, I realised that it is time for me and the audience to say our final farewells to the lady who I have loved for many years and I thought that whilst [Dominic Treadwell-Collins], who I adore, is still in charge I want him to be the one to oversee it. I am grateful that Dominic has accepted my decision and together, since late last summer, we have been secretly plotting Peggy's last scenes." Windsor also thought that with each return, she was "watering down" the character. Following Windsor's decision, she contacted Treadwell-Collins saying she wanted to kill off Peggy "in a blaze of glory". Treadwell-Collins realised he had an opportunity to tell a "massive, wonderful" story, and that it would be an honour to kill off Peggy, who he opined was the "greatest television matriarch of all time".

Windsor made an unannounced return to EastEnders in 2016, appearing in the episode broadcast on 15 January. After this, it was announced that the character was to be killed off, losing her battle with cancer. The scenes were filmed in secret in November 2015, following Windsor's personal decision for Peggy to be killed. Treadwell-Collins said, "when [Windsor] told me her decision back in the summer [2015], we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell, the matriarch to end all matriarchs could bid her final farewell to Albert Square. In Peggy Mitchell, Barbara has created one of the greatest ever characters on British television, someone who has become as synonymous with EastEnders as The Queen Vic itself. So this is the end of an EastEnders era. But it is also an opportunity to send Peggy Mitchell out in style in what will be one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had. We can't wait to have Barbara back at EastEnders, even if it is for the final time. The most professional of professionals on set and off, and a true friend, we have all been working harder than ever to make Barbara and Peggy Mitchell proud."

On 3 May 2016, it was revealed that Peggy would refuse her cancer treatment and decide to spend time with her family. Windsor said it was a "special week" of episodes with "lots of surprises" that would be "a perfect ending for Peggy". She opined that it was Peggy's most emotional storyline since she joined the cast in 1994.

Returning cast

On 18 January 2016, it was announced that Ross Kemp had agreed to reprise his role as Grant Mitchell for a few episodes, to coincide with Windsor's departure. Kemp said, "I could not turn down. Barbara is a very close friend so when I learned of the storyline, it felt right that the Mitchell brothers are reunited with their mother for the last time. I am really looking forward to going back to EastEnders and filming what are set to be some classic EastEnders episodes." With Kemp's return, the Mitchell brothers, Phil and Grant, were reunited. Windsor said it was "wonderful" having them back together, adding "I couldn't have come back and filmed my final scenes without us all together."

On 23 March 2016, it was reported that Pam St. Clement would return to the role of Pat Butcher, said to be Peggy's hallucination as the character was killed off in 2012; though no official announcement was made, Pat appeared as a hallucination in the 17 May 2016 episode in which Peggy dies.

On 27 February 2016, it was confirmed that Danniella Westbrook would reprise her role as Peggy's daughter Sam Mitchell for a few episodes. Of her return Westbrook said, "I'm really excited to be going back to EastEnders". Treadwell-Collins said: "It is only right that all of Peggy Mitchell's children would be at her funeral. Danniella is the final piece of the Mitchell jigsaw puzzle, so it will be great for viewers to see Phil, Grant and Sam all back on screen. Sam will only be back for a few episodes, but these scenes are bound to go down in the soap's history." Westbrook returned to filming on 3 May 2016. She filmed four episodes over a period of two weeks, but filmed no scenes with Windsor, with Sam arriving after Peggy's death for her funeral.

Writing

Sarah Phelps wrote Peggy's final episode. Although she was no longer on the EastEnders writing team, Phelps was contacted by Treadwell-Collins who told her he needed her to write the episode. Phelps said she "had to do it" when she found out it would be Peggy's death. She had a clear idea of how to reach the end point of the episode and pitched it to Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell, and as Windsor was crying as Phelps told her the plan, Phelps knew that the episide would be "great". Phelps wrote Peggy's last ever words, and said she knew almost immediately what they should be, and almost wrote the episode working backwards from that point. She also considered other characters that Peggy had long, complicated histories with when writing the episode.

Storyline

• Windsor and Sarah Ellis from IS. "With the end drawing near for her", Peggy returns to "the one place shew can truly call home". Windsor said, "Peggy's cancer is back and she knows she needs to be with her family. She briefly saw Phil before, but she can't possibly leave it there. Albert Square was a huge part of her life, and it's where she wants to be."
• Peggy first visits Ronnie, who is "stunned" to see Peggy and "aghast" to when Peggy reveals her cancer. Windsor: "I think part of Peggy is probably scared to tell Phil what's going on. It's easier for her to talk to Ronnie about it. At this point, she doesn't know how severe her cancer is—I think she probably has an idea, but she doesn't know for sure. She wants to know everything before she goes to Phil and breaks the news to him."
• Peggy and Ronnie visit the consultant, "it's an upsetting moment for them both when the consultant reveals that Peggy doesn't have long left to live". With all the facts, Peggy decides to tell Phil. Windsor: "There's a moment of shock for Peggy, but I think deep down she knew this is what the doctor would say. It doesn't take her very long to accept it, because she's known for a while. When she tells Phil, it's difficult for both of them. Peggy can see how much her boy is hurting, but he needs to know the truth. He doesn't take it well, though—he just can't accept that this is it, and wants her to fight. But in reality, she's been fighting, and there's nothing else left that can be done."
• Phil still struggling to stay off alcohol so he can get a liver transplant so "Seeing his mother preparing to say goodbye to her loved ones could be just the wake-up call he needs to sort his own life out." Phil struggles with Peggy's decision to stop treatment. Peggy tells Phil she wants to make the most of the time she has left, "It's clear that being surrounded by her family in her final days is the most important thing in the world to her now." Windsor: "It's bittersweet in a way. Seeing her grandchildren is particularly special for Peggy. Apart from Phil and Ronnie, no one knows what's going on, and that's the way Peggy wants it. They have no idea. She's such a strong and proud woman, and she doesn't want any of them to be sad for her, or worry for her. She wants to do what she's always done and put her family first."
• Peggy is reluctant to soldier on but Phil makes a last-ditch attempt at getting her to see how much she stands to lose. Peggy takes them on a trip down memory lane. "It's a touching moment as te pair share fond stories from the past and enjoy a river cruise along the Thames. Will it be enough to change Peggy's mind about having further treatment?" Windsor: "Phil wants to give Peggy the perfect day—he wants to spoil her and make her see she's got something to fight for. Peggy knows what he's trying to do, though, and typically she does her own thing. She wants to remind Phil of where he came from and share her memories with him. There are some beautiful moments between them—we were very lucky to film them."

Filming

Windsor resumed filming on 21 March 2016.

Kemp returned to filming on 6 April 2016.

For scenes where Phil takes Peggy on a trip around London, actor Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell) was given a £170,000 Rolls Royce car to drive in character. Fenwick said he found driving the car "terrifying" and "couldn't wait to get out" of the car, but compared his Peggy and Billy to the Thunderbirds characters Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and her butler Aloysius Parker.

After Windsor acted out Peggy's death, she was unable to speak, and later revealed, "I couldn't say anything. I knew if I opened my mouth I would sob." However, she said there were "lots of tears from everyone" and "everybody was sad" during filming of the scenes.

Promotion

A trailer for the storyline was released by the BBC on 5 May 2016. The trailer features the song "The Last Goodbye" by The Kills, and ends with the quote "Every end is a new beginning". Phil and Grant also feature in the trailer. The Sun said the trailer was "bleak looking" and "chilling".

• Hashtag #LastOrders or #EELastOrders

Windsor was a guest on the 17 May 2016 episode of the BBC magazine show The One Show, for an in-depth pre-recorded interview about her time in EastEnders. The episode was broadcast live from the Albert Square set. It also featured clips from Peggy's time in EastEnders, interviews with June Brown (Dot Branning), Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell), Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) and Sarah Phelps, writer of Peggy's final episode, and a feature on surviving cancer. At the end of the episode, Windsor personally introduced the following EastEnders episode, being Peggy's final appearance.

Reception

Pre-broadcast

Soap magazine Soaplife said that Peggy's exit "promises to be an emotional farewell" and that it would be "an [East]Enders goodbye like no other." Steven Murphy, editor of Inside Soap said that Peggy's death would be a "truly tragic time in soapland". Sarah Ellis, also from Inside Soap, warned viewers they would need to "prepare for an emotional week in EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell makes her long-awaited comeback to Albert Square only to be given the devastating news that she has just days left to live".

Post-broadcast

Anti-euthanasia group Care Not Killing said, "It is extremely disappointing to learn that yet again the BBC is acting as the cheerleader for assisted suicide and suicide, by killing off one of the best known and well-loved characters on British TV." The BBC responded by explaining that they had worked closely with medical experts and charities, "to ensure that this storyline is portrayed as sensitively and responsibly as possible" and added that "At no point do we glamourise or romanticise the issue of suicide. In fact we have taken great care to show the audience not only Peggy’s perspective, but the many different views of those around her."

Ratings

The 15 January 2016 episode in which Peggy makes an unannounced return and reveals her cancer news was seen by 6.33 million viewers on the night of its broadcast, 29.6% of the total viewing audience at the time, while the later BBC Three repeat received 369,000 viewers (2.0%). Within seven days, the number had risen to 7.438 million, and it increased to 7.488 million within 28 days, including people watching on catch-up services such as BBC iPlayer.

Peggy's return on 9 May 2016 received 6.911 million viewers within seven days, followed by 6.97 million for 10 May, 6.328 million for 12 May and 6.842 million for 13 May. Same-day repeats of these episodes on W received viewers of 144,000, 113,000, 116,000 and 97,000 respectively, with the 10 May episode receiving a further 24,000 viewers on W+1. After 28 days, the ratings for the BBC broadcasts had risen to 6.987 million for 9 May, 6.404 million for 10 May, 7.134 million for 12 May and 6.404 million for 13 May.

The 16 May episode received 7.373 million viewers over seven days, while its repeat on W was watched by 137,000 people. These figures rose to 7.458 million and 138,000 respectively after 28 days. Peggy's death episode, on 17 May 2016, received 6.9 million viewers on the night of broadcast, a 37% audience share. This was almost a million more viewers than the episode shown the week before. The ratings rose to 7.835 million over seven days, plus 171,000 for the broadcast on W and 27,000 for the broadcast on W+1, while after 28 days, the ratings rose to 7.974 million for the BBC and 194,000 for W, with W+1 ratings remaining the same. It was the highest rated episode of the storyline, and the fourth most watched programme on all television in the UK that week, with two episodes of Britain's Got Talent and one of Coronation Street gaining more viewers. Additionally, the omnibus edition shown on W on 21 May was watched by 86,000 people within seven days and 90,000 people within 28 days.

Episode ratings for the storyline

Episode date	7 day ratings		28 day ratings
	BBC One	W	BBC One	W
9 May 2016	6,911,000	144,000	6,987,000	162,000
10 May 2016	6,970,000	113,000	7,134,000	114,000
12 May 2016	6,328,000	116,000	6,404,000	125,000
13 May 2016	6,842,000	97,000	6,930,000	111,000
16 May 2016	7,373,000	137,000	7,458,000	138,000
17 May 2016	7,835,000	171,000	7,974,000	194,000

Tributes

• Inside Soap mini-mag

On 12 May 2016, BBC One launched a social media campaign to pay tribute to the character by getting users to record themselves saying her catchphrase "Get outta my pub!" and share it using the hashtag #EELastOrders.

A featurette, titled "Peggy Mitchell: Last Orders", was made available on BBC iPlayer after Peggy's final episode, featuring interviews with cast and crew including Kemp and McFadden.

External links

Category:2016 in British television Category:EastEnders storylines Category:Suicide in television Category:Works about cancer