Shorty's Top 10 of 2010
It's been another action-packed, tumultuous year on New Zealand's favourite drama - look back at some of our favourite stories of 2010 here.
Sophie and Kieran's wedding interruptus
Despite the odds,
bad-boy Kieran Mitchell convinced
a gullible Sophie McKay to marry him and the two fronted up for a
lavish church wedding back in February.
But just as they were about to say their "I do's" Libby Jeffries
burst dramatically into the church with evidence that Kieran had
killed Morgan Braithwaite.
Clutching a photograph of the night in question, she also had the
police in tow.
As Kieran was led away to the waiting cop car, a distraught Sophie
was left reeling.
However, Kieran's brother Sid confessed to the crime, letting
Kieran off the hook.
Kieran later married Sophie and arranged for Sid to flee the
country on a false passport.
Daniel and Loren's teen pregnancy
As his once happy home-life crumbled, Daniel Potts was glad to be
distracted by Sugar cafe employee Loren.
However teenager Daniel was forced to grow up and face his
responsibilities when Loren inadvertently became pregnant.
Keen to support Loren and the baby, Daniel accepted a job in
Indonesia and was looking forward to becoming a Dad.
However Loren wasn't ready for parenthood and had a termination.
Daniel's mum Sarah supported Loren through her turbulent decision -
alienating Daniel in the process.
Eventually the mum and son made up - but only after Loren left a
broken-hearted Daniel and moved to the U.K.
Prison riot!
In May, Scotty was pleased to be invited to prison to
witness his brother Tai's adult literacy group prize-giving.
Tracey convinced Scotty to let her tag along - hoping for a word
with Tai, to make him understand why she dobbed him in for robbery
last year.
Reluctantly Scotty agreed and the pair attended the prize-giving
together.
However, their plans to support Tai were thrown into chaos when, on
their way out, they were confronted by inmates with makeshift
weapons.
With the prison in lock-down and the guards captured, Scotty
and Tracey found themselves at the mercy of prisoners with scores
to settle.
Ben's death
2009's controversial couple Ben Goodall and Yvonne
Jeffries were still going strong in 2010.
Ben had dated Yvonne's daughter Tania, but soon realised that he
had strong feelings for another Jeffries lady.
In 2010, Ben and Yvonne celebrated their "non-engagement" (but a
promise of a committed future) with a good old Kiwi backyard
barbie.
When Yvonne sent Ben out for ice, he and Hunter became involved in
a scuffle with a couple of thugs.
Hunter was stabbed and Ben hit his head on the pavement and was
concussed.
Initially appearing to be alright, Ben quickly deteriorated into a
coma.
He never regained consciousness and a heart-broken Yvonne had to
say goodbye as his life-support machine was turned off.
The Predator Professor
Following her disastrous wedding to Kieran, Sophie started to
realise her new husband was not the squeaky-clean businessman he
claimed to be.
Throwing herself into her journalism course at Uni, Sophie struck
up a rapport with lecturer Ashton Fuller.
But brother Hunter warned her of sleazy Ash's reputation for
sleeping with first-year students in exchange for good marks.
Could Sophie's 'predator professor' really be exchanging grades for
sex?
Ignoring Hunter's warnings, Sophie embarked on a relationship with
Ash, who soon revealed himself to be controlling and
manipulative.
After he stalked Sophie, terrifying her, estranged husband Kieran
broke into Ash's home and threatened him to leave Sophie alone.
Goodbye Mr Mitchell
It wasn't long before Kieran's past
deeds began to catch up and his life in Ferndale began to
unravel.
First, employee Jane attempted to blackmail him over his dodgy Thai
past.
Then, petty criminal and former associate Eddie Ho turned up with
an offer to cut Kieran in on a deal that would make him plenty of
money.
Desperate to secure a future for himself and Sophie, Kieran was
tempted one last time.
But he found himself up against his notorious enemy, White Dragon,
who had come to New Zealand in order to shut Kieran down, once and
for all.
Using Kieran's brother Sid as bait, White Dragon lured Kieran, Sid
and Shortland Street staff members Gerald and Nicole, into
danger.
It was the show's first ever use of green screen technology and our
first 90 minute episode.
In truly dramatic fashion, Kieran sacrificed his own life, to save
Sid/Sean's - plummeting to his death from a cliff.
This 90 minute epic was Shortland Street's highest rating episode
for years.
Dr Love's love-child
Mid-year, Chris Warner got the shock of his life when he was called
out of a meeting to hear terrible news; his ex-wife Alison Raynor,
who he hadn't had contact with for years, had died.
Even more shocking, she had left a son behind - the child Chris
never knew he had!
DNA tests proved Chris was the dad, and so
14 year old Phoenix Raynor came to live in
Ferndale with Chris and his half-brother Harry.
Brooke's drunken mum shows up
Shortland Street viewers saw a more vulnerable side to
icy Brooke Freeman in 2010.
As Brooke was putting a couple of disastrous years behind her
(Ethan Pierce's murder, an ill-fated romance with Kieran Mitchell),
her peace was shattered with the arrival of her alcoholic mother,
Annette.
And Annette had come to right some wrongs on Brooke's behalf, first
tackling Brooke's ex TK Samuels about his break-up with her
daughter.
After rowdy nights bludging drink and favours off Kieran's IV bar
patrons, Brooke had had enough of 'mummy dearest'.
Determined to sort her once and for all, Brooke arranged a stint at
an excellent rehab facility.
In the midst of all this, Brooke had her own issues to deal with -
the possibility of cancer saw her admitted for surgery.
Brooke's health scare seemed to be the wake-up call Annette needed
and she pledged her support.
But just when a susceptible Brooke needed her most, Annette skipped
rehab, and ran out on Brooke, leaving the country.
Poor Brooke was left to go it alone.
Scotty's stalker
In July, orderly Penny Rourke was hired and quickly became one of
the close-knit Shortland Street team.
When Brodie and Hunter needed a flatmate, the new girl seemed a
likely candidate for their spare room.
But romancing Hunter was a distraction from her true agenda - Penny
was targeting Nursing Manager Scotty.
As her actions became more suspicious, ex-cop Tracey honed in on
the dodgy orderly.
And when mad, bad Penny lured Scotty to her car and hit him over
the head with a tyre iron, her intentions were revealed.
She believed Scotty was one of several army men responsible for her
Dad's death and she was out for revenge.
After making Scotty dig his own grave, Penny was about to shoot
him, when Tracey and Sarah Potts arrived on the scene.
Penny escaped (but was later caught) and Scotty was left
traumatised.
He has been struggling to conceal the terrifying flashbacks of his
close call at the hands of the vengeful Penny ever since.
Libby's dream wedding
When his best friend Libby Jeffries left Ferndale to work in the US
earlier this year, Gerald Tippett struggled to enjoy life without
her.
However, after some months, he found an unexpected rapport with
ice-queen Brooke Freeman, and the unlikely pair soon became
inseparable.
Brooke encouraged Gerald to aim high in his career aspirations and
Gerald put himself forward for an Executive Assistant position at
the hospital.
However he was brought crashing back down to earth when Libby
turned up - wondering why Gerald was applying for the very job she
had come back to claim!
Unfortunately, neither ended up getting the job, but soon cooked up
an even better scheme.
Gerald revealed he had a green card to work in the U.S. - Libby
needed one in order to return.
Yes, it was a match born of practicality when Libby finally got
her dream wedding - to asexual Gerald!
And when they left New Zealand as Mr and Mrs Tippett, even Libby's
family agreed that this odd couple had every chance of a bright
future together.
Special mention:
In 2010 we also celebrated our 18th birthday -
with a gigantic cake.
What lies ahead for 2010's final weeks and our
Christmas cliffhanger?
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