User:Soaper1234/Everything Old Is New Again

Everything Old Is New Again is the opening episode of the twenty-first series of the British medical drama television series Holby City, and the 956th episode of the overall series. The episode was written by Katie Douglas and directed by Tracey Rooney, and premiered on BBC One on 2 January 2019. The episode is a standalone episode and features the return of former character Tom Campbell-Gore (Denis Lawson) after a 14 year absence.

Production
On 11 December 2018, it was announced that the show's twenty-first series would open with a standalone episode. "Everything Old Is New Again" will mark the start of a year of twentieth anniversary celebrations. The episode focuses on three of the drama's longest-serving characters: Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie), Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) and Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett). The episode is set at an awards ceremony in the countryside on New Year's Eve and is billed as "a perfectly-pitched combination of funny, sad and celebratory". The three characters are nominated for the "Anton Meyer Award for Surgical Innovation", referencing original character Anton Meyer (George Irving).

The episode has an upbeat nature and follows a theme of friendships and battling "adversity". Producers created the episode to contrast the darker tones of series 20. Barrett said that the episode features "some real knock-about comedy, but it's also very moving." He explained that the trip is "disastrous" and Sacha, Jac and Ric constantly argue with each other, but they reconcile and enjoy themselves, realising how fortunate they are to be friends. The actor also told Sophie Dainty of entertainment website Digital Spy that the characters would feature in funny scenes which see them singing together in a car. The scene, focusing on Jac and Sacha singing Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now", was previewed in the drama's Winter trailer.

The return of Denis Lawson in the role of Tom Campbell-Gore was also announced on 11 December 2018. Lawson appears in two episodes, including the standalone episode. Lawson expressed his delight at returning to the show, commenting, "I'm delighted to be back on my old stomping ground with the Holby cast and crew". In his time off-screen, Tom has married a younger woman who he considers annoying. Ric understands how he feels having previously married a younger woman. Quarshie described Tom's scenes as "bittersweet". Sara Stewart also reprised her role as Arianne Cornell for the episode.

Promotion and broadcast
A trailer showcasing upcoming storylines was released on 11 December 2018. The trailer features scenes from the episode.

The episode premiered on BBC One on 2 January 2019 and was available to watch on BBC iPlayer for thirty days after its broadcast.

Reception

 * Haasler review
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