Spirit Child is the second episode of Series 8.
Synopsis[]
Michael's efforts to call a truce with Gerard Findlay are vitiated when Grantly interrupts their meeting to protest that Gerard's pupils have vandalised his car. Ultimately however, the two older men ally, as Gerard implies to Grantly that he knows a secret from Michael's past. Tom is more concerned with the disruptive behaviour of Congolese Lula Tsibi at Denzil's memorial ceremony. Her uncle Lionel has told her that she is possessed by a demon and must be exorcised, though Tom learns he is playing on Lula's belief that she was responsible for her father's death, and gets Lula's mother on side to prevent the exorcism and banish Lionel and his negative superstitions. Connor takes drastic action to expose his mother's alcoholism, though he gets no thanks for it, whilst Madi turns up to join Sian, and Josh tries to encourage the wheelchair-bound Tariq to entertain outside activities.
Troublemaker Lula's home life spills into school as Tom attempts to uncover the root of her disruptive behaviour; a desperate Connor tries to out Christine's drinking; Josh helps Tariq face up to his disabilities; and Grantly deals with a spate of graffiti at the schoolhouse.
Plot[]
Lula Tsibi's home life is far from happy. Distressed following another heated argument with her overbearing Uncle Lionel, Lula runs to the sanctuary of her school, but her behaviour irks the other pupils and gives the teachers cause for concern.
Matters come to a head at Denzil's commemorative ceremony when Lula lashes out at Imogen and Sian. Far from being apologetic, Lula makes some unsettling comments about death. And later, she has a run in with Tariq, hurtfully suggesting his disability is a punishment from God.
Tom speaks to Lula's uncle Lionel, but when Lula hears this she tells Tom her uncle plans to perform an exorcism on her, believing she's possessed. Terrified, she begs Tom to help her.
Elsewhere, Connor nags his mother to lay off the alcohol but is met with Christine's usual hostility. Playing up in class, Connor attempts to shame Christine, but it backfires and he's humiliated in front of his classmates. Concerned, Imogen tells Connor he can't look after his mother forever – advice which spurs Connor to take drastic action.
Grantly is furious when his car is vandalised by Havelock kids, but Michael wants to keep the peace and not involve the police. But while Michael attempts to build bridges with rival headteacher Gerard Findlay, Grantly can't help but rock the boat.
Also, Josh tries to convince Tariq life is worth living, but Tariq isn't interested and Sian receives an unexpected visitor at the gates of Waterloo Road.
Main cast[]
Staff[]
- Alec Newman as Michael Byrne
- Jaye Jacobs as Sian Diamond
- Jason Done as Tom Clarkson
- Chelsee Healey as Janeece Bryant
- Daniela Denby-Ashe as Lorraine Donnegan
- Philip Martin Brown as Grantly Budgen
- Mark Benton as Daniel Chalk
- Melanie Hill as Maggie Croft
- Laurie Brett as Christine Mulgrew
- Georgie Glen as Audrey McFall
Students[]
- William Rush as Josh Stevenson
- Naveed Choudhry as Tariq Siddiqui
- Katie McGlynn as Scout Allen
- Rebecca Craven as Rhiannon Salt
- Kirstie Steele as Imogen Stewart
- Shane O'Meara as Connor Mulgrew
- Kane Tomlinson-Weaver as Harley Taylor
- Kaya Moore as Phoenix Taylor
- Marlene Madenge as Lula Tsibi
- Benjamin Gur as Angus 'Gus' Hancock
- Georgia Henshaw as Madi Diamond
- Paige Meade as Jade Fleming
Others[]
- Cornell S John as Lionel Tsibi (One-off appearance)
- Anna-Maria Nabirye as Cecile Tsibi (First appearance)
- Uncredited as Pastor Adoula (One-off appearance)
- Alex Norton as Gerard Findlay