Gail Robinson (Neighbours)
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Gail Lewis (also Robinson) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Fiona Corke. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 March 1987. Corke left the role in 1989, but made appearances in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She reprised the role in 2019, as Gail returns to Erinsborough to meet her granddaughter.
Casting
Corke first appeared in Neighbours in 1987.[1] She described her time on the show as "an amazing experience" and added "It was so full on and so huge you didn't know if you were an actor or in a pop group half the time."[2] In 1988, Corke became one of ten actors from the show who were flown to London to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.[2]
Development
Introduction and marriage
Gail was introduced alongside her father
Producers created a
Departure
Corke left Neighbours in August 1989,
The producers and writers were surprised by Corke's decision, but immediately began planning how Gail would exit. Ideas included a fatal car accident, a disappearance, or a marriage break up. They favoured the latter option.[7] After Rob is killed in a car accident, Gail partly blames Paul. The couple's marriage is strained further when Paul leaves the funeral for a business meeting.[8] Corke commented, "that was just it for Gail, she couldn't take any more."[8] Gail, who was seven months pregnant with triplets, realises that she probably will not receive the support from Paul that she needs, so she decides to move to Tasmania.[8] Corke said one of the hardest things about leaving Neighbours was saying goodbye to her friends, including Dennis, who she got on with "fantastically".[6]
Return
Corke made a cameo appearance, alongside many former cast members, in the serial's 20th anniversary celebration episode "
Producers created a second sham wedding story for Gail and Paul, who hold the ceremony with the hope of drawing Robert out of hiding.[5] Paul's partner Izzy comes up with the sham wedding idea in jest, but they decide to go ahead with it to help the police capture Robert. Dennis told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that Robert's goal is to destroy Paul and having a publicised wedding provides Robert with an opportunity to get at Paul. He added "they're only pretending of course, so the marriage isn't binding."[5]
Writers played on the fact Gail and Paul still share romantic feelings. Dennis explained that "the chemistry between Paul and Gail is still there, so the idea of them pretending to wed again is genius. Everyone's wondering if they've really fallen for each other. That's been the greatest thing about this storyline - you just never know. When we were filming it, we didn't even know ourselves!"[5] When the wedding takes place, Gail and Paul say their vows and sound too convincing. Dennis added "it's almost as if he and Gail have to pull themselves up and remember what the day is actually about."[5] When Robert fails to show, Paul shouts out load to get his attention and Robert shoots Paul in front of Gail. Following this, Robert gives himself up to the police and is arrested.[5]
Further returns (2007, 2019)
Corke returned for a short guest stint in 2007.[11] In December 2009, Stefan Dennis called for the return of Gail.[12] He said "I'd like to see Fiona Corke come back, even for another guest role, because she's just adorable and fun to work with. And she's got every right to come back because she's still got a tie with Paul's children."[12]
Corke reprised the role on 21 August 2019, as Gail returns to Erinsborough to get to know her granddaughter Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan).[13] After breaking up a catfight between Harlow and Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson), Gail voices her concerns about Harlow living with Paul and his fiancée Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou).[13] She later admits to Paul that she blames him for the loss of their sons, and warns Terese not to marry him, leaving Terese to question whether Gail wants Paul back.[13]
Storylines
1987–1989
Gail applies for the job at the Daniels Corporation and moves to
Gail leaves for a business trip and on her return she tells Paul that they have no future and she wants a divorce. Although they had separated, Gail and Paul agree they make a good team at the Daniels Corporation and remain working together. But the tension between them quickly becomes unbearable and Gail resigns. She decided to leave for New York, but just before she is about to leave she says her goodbyes to everyone and Paul tells her he loves her. Gail agrees to stay in Erinsborough. Paul and Gail affirm their love and commitment for each other properly by renewing their wedding vows on Valentine's Day alongside Paul's father
Rob is involved in a fatal car crash and dies and the blame falls on Paul. Gail learns the two had been engaged in a vicious argument where Paul accused Rob of dealing in stolen car parts, and Rob had stormed off in a rage, culminating in the car accident. Thus, Gail holds Paul responsible for her father's death. After the funeral Gail leaves a note for Paul and told him that she was leaving. Soon after arriving in Tasmania, she gives birth to Robert,
2005–2019
Gail returns to Erinsborough again when she receives the news that Robert was put into a coma by Cameron. However, it turns out that Robert had actually put Cameron in a coma before assuming his identity and joining Elle and Paul in Erinsborough. Robert plots to destroy his father and everyone who meant anything to him. Gail's feelings for Paul resurface and Paul insists that she stay at No.22. After visiting Rob's grave, Gail kisses Paul. Robert kidnaps Paul and left him trapped in a mineshaft. Gail, Paul's partner Izzy Hoyland and Elle find Paul and rescue him. Paul and Gail then concoct a plan to get married again to lure Robert out of hiding. During the wedding, Gail is touched when Paul speaks from the heart about how blessed he was to have found her again. Robert shows up and shoots Paul. However, Paul is wearing a bulletproof vest and Robert is arrested. Gail returned to Tasmania, leaving Elle and Cameron behind to continue getting to know their father better. Cameron is killed accidentally by Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) and Paul and Elle bring Cameron's body home to Tasmania for burial. Gail blames Paul for effectively costing her her two boys and vows never to speak to him again.
Paul undergoes life-saving surgery to remove a tumour that has been growing on his brain for a number of years and wakes up unable to recall anything that had happened to him since the late 1980s. Gail returns to Erinsborough upon receiving a confused call from Paul declaring his love for her. Gail is sceptical of Paul's memory loss and rejects Elle's pleas to keep the truth from him. Unable to bring herself to hurt him, Gail agrees to go along with Elle's plan and spares Paul from knowing the truth about his past. But Paul overhears Gail and Elle discussing all the pain he has caused people. Gail tells Paul everything and he is stunned as he realises all the things that he had done to his family and friends. When Elle overhears Paul complaining about how he had no feelings for her as a father, she storms off. Gail follows her and tries to persuade her to return to Tasmania, but Elle is determined to make things work with Paul. Gail finds herself being drawn to Paul again and he asks her to give their marriage another go. During a picnic, Gail realises that she cannot forget the past twenty years and she returns to Tasmania.
Gail returns twelve years later, after receiving a call from Paul informing her that they have a granddaughter, Harlow. Gail walks into Number 22 and finds Harlow fighting with Roxy Willis. As they clean up, Gail is introduced to Paul's fiancée Terese Willis and she questions Harlow's living situation. Gail and Harlow have breakfast together, and Harlow asks about her father, Robert, and Gail admits that she visits him a few times a year, but he is currently refusing all visitors. Noticing the continued tension between Harlow and Roxy, Gail worries that it will badly affect Harlow and she tells Paul and Terese that she wants to take Harlow back to Tasmania with her. She blames Paul for the loss of Cameron and Robert, and does not want Harlow to go the same way. Gail changes her mind when she learns that Harlow is doing well in school and wants to stay in Erinsborough. Gail later advises Terese not to marry Paul. While in the cafe, Gail meets Gary Canning (Damien Richardson), who she matched with on tinder, and they go on a couple of dates. Gail later learns Gary has also been on a date with Paul's fifth wife Rebecca Napier (Jane Hall), but unlike Rebecca, she is fine with it as she and Gary are not exclusive. Another of Paul's ex-wives Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha) comes to Erinsborough, and Paul confronts Gail about their interference in his relationship with Terese. Gail insists that their arrival is just a coincidence, however, Paul soon learns that Elle asked the wives to persuade Terese not to marry him. Gail stays to look after Harlow while Paul and Terese go on honeymoon, but she soon becomes concerned for Elle, so Harlow books her a flight to New York.
Reception
Sue Larkin of the Aberdeen Press and Journal observed: "As any self-respecting Neighbours fan will know, Gail, the smart, career-woman wife of Paul, is one of the most intriguing characters in the Aussie soap."[6] The BBC said Gail's most notable moment was "Running off with the triplets."[14] Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture said Gail was the "most well-remembered" of Paul's wives.[15] Of Gail and Paul's relationship The Sydney Morning Herald said "we fretted for what seemed like days until Gail Lewis (Fiona Corke) sashayed into Mr R's love zone. We knew from the start that Paul and Gail were star crossed. But who could have predicted that one love's rose could have so many thorns."[16] Gail is referred to in Emily Barr's fictitious novel "Out of My Depth", in which character Amanda is watching Neighbours, with scenes featuring Gail and Paul receiving disapproval from Harold, Amanda opines that she believes the couple are in love.[17] Lorna Cooper from MSN said she "loved" Gail and Paul's romance.[1] In 2006, Jason Herbison from Inside Soap wrote "back in 1987, one of the hottest Ramsay Street storylines involved playboy Paul Robinson and career girl Gail Lewis tying the knot in a cynical marriage of convenience." He added that while their marriage was short lived, the pair "genuinely did fall in love."[5]
Gail was placed at number thirteen on the Huffpost's "35 greatest Neighbours characters of all time" feature. Journalist Adam Beresford described "smart cookie" Gail as "the true love of Paul's life" who is "always welcomed by fans" in her multiple returns.[18] He was also a fan of Gail's fashion sense, stating Gail "served so much high-powered executive realness back in the Eighties that a 'Fiona Corke’s wardrobe by Kamizole' mention was a highlight of the show’s end credits. Iconic."[18]
References
- ^ a b Cooper, Lorna (25 August 2010). "Fiona Corke – then". MSN. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ News Limited. Archived from the originalon 6 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ a b c Wallis 1989, p.73.
- ^ a b c Monroe 1994, p.103.
- ^ a b c d e f g Herbison, Jason (7–13 October 2006). "To catch a killer". Inside Soap (40): 23.
- ^ Aberdeen Press and Journal. Retrieved 27 February 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Foster, Mark (1989). "Fiona and Nick". Neighbours Who's Who No. 7. No. 7. Star Magazine Group. p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Brygel, Jackie (10–16 June 2006). "Gail's Back!". TV Week. No. 24. pp. 10–11.
- ^ Green, Kris (14 April 2005). "More Neighbours returns confirmed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
- ^ "Gail force!". Inside Soap. No. 4. 28 January – 3 February 2006. p. 8.
- ^ "There are new Neighbours moving in". What's on TV. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (8 December 2009). "Stefan Wants Gail Back in Neighbours". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel (11 August 2019). "Neighbours brings back Paul Robinson's ex-wife Gail after 12 years". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Gail Lewis-Robinson". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 October 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Deller, Ruth (23 July 2009). "A guide to recognising your Ramsays and Robinsons". Lowculture. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ Shiel, Fergus (17 July 2006). "What would the world's second-longest-running, prime-time soap be without Paul Robinson?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
- ISBN 0-7553-2544-3.
- ^ a b Beresford, Adam (16 March 2020). "The Definitive Ranking Of The 35 Greatest Neighbours Characters Of All Time: #20-11". HuffPost. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- Wallis, Neil; Hogan, Dave (1989). The Neighbours Factfile. ISBN 978-0-207-16382-1.
- Monroe, Josephine (1994). The Neighbours Programme Guide. ISBN 978-0-86369-831-6.