Sam is keen to find the father she's never known before she dies, and secretly enlists the help of Lauren and Finn on a quest to Blackpool, as the popular school drama continues. But when she most needs someone to rely on, will Sam be disappointed? After a run of bad publicity, Karen is keen to promote a positive image of Waterloo Road and hires PR woman Linda Wickes to put a positive spin on things. Will Karen recognise her school after Linda's given it a makeover? And when Richard Whitman, the Director of Education, arrives unannounced, he makes no secret of his disapproval of both the PR launch and Karen's professionalism. Meanwhile, Aiden and Vicki are left out in the cold and Ronan and Jess aren't in the mood to forgive. A fight between Aiden and Ronan is the final straw for Rob, as the rift between father and son deepens