Frankie returns to Holby, keen to take Isla back. Essie is not convinced she is truly ready for the demands of parenthood, and tries to persuade her to leave her daughter behind. A top neurosurgeon has a radical idea for how to treat Ric's tumour, but Serena is not convinced by the plan. Ric is left to consider both their positions, and decide what he wants to do. Jac returns from holiday, and asserts her authority over an overworked Kian.

Cameron makes a fatal mistake on Halloween, which leaves him forced to confront the ghosts of his own past.