Emmerdale businessman Declan Macey remains on a path of self-destruction next week as his disturbing behaviour continues. When Declans sister Megan (Gaynor Faye) angers him during a Vegas night at Home Farm, he lashes out violently at her once again. Here, Jason Merrells - who plays Declan - offers his thoughts on his characters actions and reveals that things will soon get much worse… How is Declans frame of mind in the wake of recent events? Declans frame of mind is completely out of kilter. Hes damaged, he doesnt know which way to turn and hes lost his ability to think clearly. Hes also panicking and hes depressed. Declan feels everything is spiralling out of control, so hes not really thinking straight. How does the idea for a Vegas night at Home Farm come about? Its Megans suggestion that they try to drum up investment for the hotel deal, which initially hes sceptical about but then he goes along with it, so its really her idea. Once that starts, he has this idea of doing a Vegas night, thinking that will inspire some investment. Hes pinning all his hopes on it really, but his hopes are quite desperate - and any confidence that hes showing is fake! Does Declan need Megan more than hed admit? Their relationship is weirdly intense. I think its overly intense in a way because Declan doesnt have anyone else. Hes lost his marriage, and despite all the things that happened between him and Katie, I think he was pinning a lot on her. If the worst happened, could Declan cope with living less affluently? Status is everything to a man like Declan. Without all the trappings of who he is, I dont think he knows who he is. Thats part of the problem. Can you tell us more about the Vegas night? The Maceys put on a good show. They get a couple of croupiers in to handle it professionally and it looks really good - it looks like a proper private little casino. Initially things are going quite well, although Nicola gets very drunk. Shes been roped into help, which Declan wouldnt have agreed to, but Megan thought there was no-one else. So that doesnt go particularly well and then things just spiral out of control again. Why does Declan end up making the biggest gamble of his life? Well he gets fronted out by Gil, basically. Gil is bored because they cant really play for real money - the whole idea of the Vegas night is just to have fun and for people to talk and invest in the hotel business, but no-ones actually playing for real money. When it gets a little out of hand, Gil wants to go to a real casino to just play properly. Then he suggests they play properly here. Because Gil is showing his status and authority, Declan is pushed into thinking that hes got to match him. So he tries to up the stakes from a thousand to ten thousand - ten thousand that he doesnt have! What happens next? Megan comes back in at a crucial moment and asks for the whole thing to stop. Because Gil likes Megan and doesnt like Declan, he pulls his bet - but the wheel is already spinning and the ball is already going round. Afterwards, Declan is absolutely in pieces because hes left with nothing. Everyone leaves and its a really embarrassing scene. Then later on, Megan comes to see Declan in the office and he erupts… How would you describe Declans behaviour at this point? I used to wonder what it meant when people said they had a nervous breakdown, but I think this is what is happening to Declan. Its when you just cant cope. Where does Declan go from here? Its difficult for him to see whats next. You need to speculate to accumulate - that age-old saying - and he has nothing to speculate with. Hes got no room for manoeuvre. Declan is not a working man in the traditional sense, so theres nothing he can fall back on apart from his ability to make money from money, but in order to do that he needs money. Unfortunately, hes in debt - serious debt. What does Christmas have in store for Declan? Declans Christmas is all set to be eventful. Its going to be the worst hes ever had. I dont think he can see beyond Christmas into the New Year, to be honest. Would Declan want Katie back? I think he would, yeah. I think he would definitely want Katie back, but theres been so much betrayal and hatred. I think Declan hates her at the moment, but thats just the other side of loving her, really. What advice would you give to Declan? Stop being a twit, stop being focused only on money, and start to listen to the people around you. Start slowly to build something of worth. Be kinder. Be less volatile. Less arrogant, perhaps! He is capable of changing - everyone is. What has David Easter (Gil) been like to work with on the storyline? Its been good. Gil is a slick, smooth operator in the same way that Declan used to be, so its been good to show the contrast of how Declan is now and seeing this very smooth businessman whos in charge of his affairs and has plenty of money and plenty of room for manoeuvre. It was quite fun to play because I think Declan was looking at him thinking, I used to be you or I sort of am you, but Ive gone wrong! Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 07:04:04 +0000
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