Accident The following contains spoilers for Saturday’s episode (July 18), which is available to watch now on the BBC iPlayer streaming service and has not yet been broadcast on television. This article contains storyline details that some viewers may prefer to avoid, as well as discussion of topics including alcoholism.
Accident confirmed the fate of popular character Dylan Keogh after a dramatic episode involving a horrific car crash. A recovering alcoholic has alienated his loved ones after a recent relapse, including son Matty Linlaker.
When Dylan left work early at the end of the previous episode, Matty told Stevie that he was drinking again. Stevie rushed to her ex-boyfriend’s houseboat but was told he had left early – and viewers then saw Dylan driving erratically.
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In tonight’s episode, Dylan is parked outside a building and drinks from a clear bottle. The building is revealed to be a nursing home, and Dylan is there to confront his alcoholic father, Brian.
Dylan has some words for his father and says that he will never be a good father to Matty because of him. But he soon realizes that Brian doesn’t even recognize him due to his deteriorating brain caused by years of drinking.
Things get worse when Dylan tries to explain who he is, and Brian remarks that his son was a runt who he never loved or cared about. Brian then breaks down, realizing that his wife is dead.
Offended by this interaction, Dylan runs out of the nursing home. Taking a swig from a bottle and driving dangerously down a country road, Dylan leaves Matty an emotional voicemail, telling his son that he is not like his father and that he cares about him.
Later, Matty and Stevie listen to the voicemail together, but are shocked to hear a crash at the end. Their fears are confirmed when it becomes clear that Dylan was involved in a three-vehicle collision that left him with injuries to his spine, neck and head.
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However, when the ambulances arrive, it is revealed that the injured person was not Dylan, but instead had a jacket. Matty is relieved to find his father unharmed, but upon learning of his relapse, Flynn accuses him of drunk driving.
Dylan denies drinking alcohol since his first relapse and is confirmed to be telling the truth when Stevie realizes that another patient accidentally caused the accident. Dylan also tested positive on a breathalyzer test.
When Dylan returns to work, he and Mattie fight over Mattie’s refusal to stop performing compressions on a patient who will never survive, leading to a difficult conversation with the distraught family.
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The couple have a difficult conversation, but realizing how much he scared his son, Dylan apologizes for everything and promises to do everything he can to deal with his addiction, including AA meetings and therapy.
Will this hug between father and son be a turning point in their relationship?
Accident airs on Saturday evenings on BBC One and is now streaming first on BBC iPlayer, with episodes airing at 6am on the day of broadcast.
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK. website.
Drinkline also offers free confidential advice to anyone concerned about their or others’ drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkware.