Ep 5. The Power & The Gory

The Power & The Gory is the fifth episode of the first season of the popular Irish drama, Ballykissangel. Set in the small, fictional village of Ballykissangel, the show follows the lives and loves of its residents. This episode sees the village in a state of upheaval as a developer attempts to buy up land for a new bypass.

The episode begins with Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson), the village's new priest, attempting to organize a fundraiser for the local church. However, his plans are interrupted by the arrival of a wealthy developer named Frank Randle (played by Tony Doyle). Randle is keen to buy up land in the village for a new bypass, and is willing to pay top dollar to those who will sell. This sets off a chain of events that will divide the village and cause tensions to run high.

At the same time, local publican and landlord Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle again) is having problems of his own. His daughter Siobhan (Victoria Smurfit) is being harassed by a local troublemaker named Sean Dillon (Joe Savino) who has eyes for her. Brian is determined to put a stop to this and enlists the help of his friend, the local policeman Brendan Kearney (Gary Whelan).

As tensions continue to rise, Father Clifford finds himself caught in the middle. On the one hand, he wants to help the church and his parishioners, but on the other hand, he can see the benefits that a new bypass would bring to the village. As he struggles to strike a balance, he finds himself drawn into the conflict and forced to take sides.

Meanwhile, the residents of Ballykissangel also have to contend with the arrival of a group of American tourists. Led by a brash and loudmouthed man named George Speed (played by Larry Lamb), they seem determined to make the most of their time in the village. However, their presence only serves to raise tensions even higher.

The Power & The Gory is a gripping and emotional episode of Ballykissangel that sees the village torn apart by conflicting interests. With its strong characters and engaging storyline, it's easy to see why the show became such a hit with audiences. Whether you're a fan of drama, romance, or comedy, there's something for everyone in this captivating episode.