Episode 77: Tug Of Love.
With Billy offering Greg his chance back the WTC and Greg claiming his drinking days are all but over, Greg thinks he's got the chance to take Frank under his wing and away from his sister and brother in law, Tina and Harry. Tina and Harry are going to fight Greg all the way and it upsets Tina, that she is going to lose her twin brother over it, whom she hasn't seen, since his threat to fight her in court. Audrey is still reeling from Billy interfering in the conflict, but their grandson is not Billy's only worry, he's made an appointment to see a doctor, about his bouts of dizziness.
It's the Court Date, Harry and Tina are swamped by Reporters and out of respect for his Uncle and Nephew, Chris doesn't participate in trying to humiliate them. This pleases Jeff, who is proud of hs son. Little does he know, what Chris is getting up to with his wife. When Greg arrives, Jeff is quick to step in and tell him what he thinks of him. Greg tells Jeff, that his words don't frighten him.
'I flushed your head down the toilet, when you were in High School and if you hadn't forgotten I did the same at Harry and Tina's wedding, I could easily humiliate you internationally,' Jeff threats.
'You think you can influence everything for a good cause don't you Jeff?' Greg smiles. 'Well, two can play that game.'
'Or three,' Jeff blurts, turning to Billy. 'What is the real reason you're siding with your son, Billy?
'I don't know what you mean,' Billy shrugs.
'In recent years, you've been seen as the apple in your daughters eyes, yet you side with someone, who's hated you for most of his life,' Jeff explains.
'Ignore him Greg, unfortunately for Harry and this asshole, they don't have the influence of a loving parent to point our real justice,' Billy cruelly remarks.
Jeff is about to attack Billy, but Chris holds him back.
Court is now in process and Jeff is first on the stand. Jeff explains that Harry is a doting family man and has never been happier since, marrying Tina and that both have very stable occupations, although Tina has taken time out, due to caring for Frank. Jeff also references Harry and Tina adopting Jack.
Lola is next, she explains that Tina has been her best friend for nearly fifteen years and that she couldn't think of a better mother to care for Frank than Tina. It looks like it's gonna take a lot for Greg to win over the jury.
Audrey cries her heart out on the stand and that neither Greg or Tina should be fighting for what Helen has caused, but it breaks her heart to go against her sons wishes and sides with Tina, as she feels that both Greg and Helen could be a liability and could risk having him put into care, if the going got tough.
Harry is then called to the stand and Greg's lawyer begins to ask the questions. Harry feels insulted, when he suggests that Harry is using the disappearance of Jack, as an excuse to keep hold of Frank and accuses Harry of manipulating Tina against the brother, she's loved all her life.
Tina is humiliated in court, when Greg's lawyer accuses her of using Frank as a weapon, due to the fact she gave hers and Harry's daughter up for adoption back in 1980, plus her miscarriage back in 1996 (which occurred in Season One's 'Miscarriage Of Injustice').
Billy is next called to the stand and Harry's lawyer is quick to ask why, he's standing by his son, who is an alcoholic and not his caring, doting, loving daughter?
'Both my children have been made a fool of, but I feel Greg has suffered the most trauma of the two, not that I don't care for my daughters feelings, I want to see the best for my son,' Billy explains, feeling agitated.
'Really?' the lawyer bluntly answers. ' You used to be a lawyer and lived in the upstate Suburban town of 'Hexville,' since you moved from the UK in the late 1950's, am I right?'
'Yeah, what's that got to do with this case?' Billy queries.
'Well, from what I've discovered, you go from impressive to disastrous, yet you come up smelling of roses again,' the lawyer laughs. 'How did you influence the next idiot, Mr Mcquire?'
'This is ridiculous,' Billy gasps.
'You did in fact try to force in your daughter in an abortion, but you sometime later you manipulated her to the point, where you made her give up Mr Wilson's child for adoption, because you wanted to be spared the humiliation, am I not correct?'
'Who told you that?' Billy groans.
'And also, the most important one of all concerning the son, you are currently supporting in this case, you beat him on a number occasions when he was a kid, but you somehow wriggled out of that one.'
Billy and Greg look to Tina, who insists she never spoke of what happened in the past. Harry and Tina then discover, who informed Harry's lawyer on the details and Tina is really upset that, Jeff had to go that far. Jeff argues that he was trying to influence the case, even Audrey is not too happy. Billy tries to attack Jeff, but the fight is intervened. Court is in recess until the next morning. Tina pulls Greg aside and apologizes for having him hear, about something that didn't involve the custody battle. Tina holds Greg's hand and tells him that he will always be her brother.
Billy is told by his doctor that he has rising blood pressure and is advised to take time off work, but Billy explains the court case involving his grandson and that it's taken it's toll.
The court case continues and Greg is adamant he has what it takes to be a good father to Frank, that's until Helen comes in and in an emotional speech, she states that Harry and Tina should continue as Franks Guardians. After taking into account everything, Harry and Tina are awarded custody. Greg demands a divorce off Helen and sobs that his family have let him down and he returns to the bottle. Audrey insists that Billy will never change and needs time to think and heads off to London. Tina demands her father stay away for a while, as he is thinking too much of himself and only wanted to support Greg, to gain his self respect back from the son he abused. Tina assures Helen, that she is still part of Franks life, but thanks her for giving her and Harry custody.
Dusk, Billy is sat in the North Tower of the World Trade Center and wonders if the stress and rejection is worth taking anymore. Some of the things he's done past and present, which has involved his loved ones, has had dire consequences and once again, he's been looked on like the bad guy in his attempt to do good for a change. This time, after so many chances, it looks like this is the final straw. Is it really worth living?
END OF EPISODE SEVENTY SEVEN