Previously on Neighbours
- Shane is reunited with Max, but Andrew advises Max to stay in the hotel; Carter's still on the loose
- Roxy gets a message from Lachie (unbeknownst to her, Carter's henchman), asking if she wants to catch up
- Krista sleeps with Seb in the lead- up to the wedding, and is worried her marriage will be based on a lie
- But Krista opts to stay silent, and at a ceremony at the marina, Susan declares her and Leo married
- JJ tells Dex and Nell that Agnes, a visitor to Nell's exhibition, looked an awful lot like Madge Bishop
- Remi asks Cara what they should do about Chelsea; Cara thinks it's best to leave it
- But Remi tracks Chelsea down and brings her and baby Thomas to Ramsay Street, where they run into Paul
As with all episodes this week, the usual titles sequence is eschewed in favour of a simple logo card with a 'celebrating 40 years' caption.
Ramsay Street
Paul stares at Chelsea and the baby.
CARA: We didn't want you to find out like this.
REMI: I only tracked Chelsea down today.
TERESE: Hang on - you knew she was out there with a baby?
Cara suggests they all go inside to talk.
PAUL: Is it mine?
CHELSEA: Let's go inside. I'll tell you everything you need to know.
No 30
Cara, Remi, Terese, Paul, Chelsea and the baby all trail into the house. (Well, the baby doesn't trail - it is carried!) Chelsea admits that she was trying to get pregnant at the point she left Erinsborough, but only did a positive test after she got to the Gold Coast.
CHELSEA: By then, I was regretting everything.
TERESE: More like, you were on the run for causing Krista to lose her baby.
CHELSEA (ashamed): I'm not proud of my part in that.
PAUL: So, you still haven't told me if it's my baby.
CHELSEA: I don't know who his father is. I've been afraid to find out.
CARA: He could be Jeffrey's. Which is another reason we didn't come to you before speaking to Chelsea.
Cara admits that she first saw Chelsea at the airport on Christmas Day as the Varga- Murphys prepared to fly out to New York.
CARA: I was in a bad place. And I couldn't deal with it, so I sent her away. I didn't even tell Remi, at that point.
REMI: I only got a lead on where she might be today, at a clinic in Cranbourne.
CHELSEA: I guess it was meant to be that Thomas and I saw you.
PAUL: ... Thomas?
CHELSEA: I truly haven't wanted to cause more trouble for you. I swear.
PAUL: Uh, I think we need to do a paternity test immediately.
Terese sighs, disconcerted. But Chelsea smiles.
Lassiter's Complex
JJ walks past Nell's Mrs Mangel art installation and into Harold's. There's another piece of artwork in the foreground - it's a close- up on Izzy Hoyland, with the caption, "Here comes trouble..."
Harold's Café
Agnes, the Madge Bishop lookalike, is reading the newspaper by the window, and JJ walks over to greet her - she seems pleased to see him again.
JJ: Did you enjoy the exhibition?
AGNES: Uh, yes, it was interesting. Thank you.
No 28
Meanwhile, Nell is showing Karl and Susan one of the clandestine photos she and JJ took of Agnes earlier.
KARL: Madge? Oh, I can't see it.
SUSAN (simultaneous): I can see it.
Susan thinks there's definitely a resemblance.
Harold's Café
JJ asks Agnes if she lives around here. She replies that she lives in Eden Hills West.
AGNES: I'm sorry, but... can I help you?
No 28
Nell has explained that JJ has gone to find Agnes.
KARL: What's he gonna do? March up to this woman and say, 'Hey, you look like someone who died 25 years ago. Come and meet her husband, Harold'?
Harold's Café
JJ tells Agnes that he works part- time at Eirini Rising, explaining it's a retirement community.
JJ: It's a great place, so if you're ever thinking of moving...
No 28
Karl admits that Agnes's arrival is 'a curiosity', but he doesn't think JJ and Nell should pursue her. Susan agrees.
KARL: It'd be very strange for Harold if he came face to face with her.
NELL: JJ probably won't find her anyway.
Harold's Café
JJ tells Agnes it's been nice to meet her. She nods at him, smiling, but looks confused as he leaves.
Lassiter's Hotel
Max is in his hotel room hideout with Andrew, Holly and Shane. Andrew tells them all about police intel that suggests Carter is on his way back to Melbourne.
MAX: He's coming for me.
ANDREW: Yeah, we knew he would. You're unfinished business (...) We need you to help us lure him in.
SHANE: Andrew's assured me that there'll be eyes on you at all times.
HOLLY: You're gonna be a sitting duck! I don't like this.
SHANE: None of us do. But it's the best way to stop Carter.
MAX: Yeah. I'll do it.
ANDREW: When I know more, I'll run you through it in detail.
Andrew leaves with Shane, promising to Shane on the way that he'll keep him in the loop. Max looks worried, as does Holly. She asks him if he's sure about playing bait. Max says he can't hide forever - he's going crazy in here.
MAX: I just want this nightmare to be over.
No 30
Chelsea is on the phone to Jeffrey, the IT guy and second possible contender for Thomas's father, asking if he'll come and take a DNA test as soon as possible.
CHELSEA: Thanks, Jeffrey, for your understanding... I know this is a shock.
Meanwhile, Cara tries to explain to Paul and Terese why she and Remi haven't said anything to them earlier. They thought the best thing to do was to find Chelsea first.
TERESE (to Remi): You keep saying 'we'. Didn't you just find out?
Remi and Cara exchange an uncomfortable glance.
CHELSEA: Jeffrey's agreed to the DNA test.
Remi promises to organise one right away.
CHELSEA: Regardless of the outcome, I don't want to cause anyone any more pain.
TERESE: Oh. So we're supposed to believe that?
CHELSEA: I can see you're back together. That's great.
TERESE: Oh, and you're happy for us? (!)
CHELSEA: I honestly don't want to come between you. I have no expectations. If I did, I would've come back months ago.
Chelsea offers Paul the chance to hold the baby. But before he can answer, Terese announces that she needs air, and walks out into the street.
Ramsay Street
Paul has followed Terese outside where she is standing in the street looking anxious. He assures her that he is just as shocked as she is.
PAUL: You know, we are gonna have to work through this.
TERESE: How?! I mean, I saw the way that you were looking at him - at the baby. I was looking to you. I wanted you to back me up. I wanted you to be outraged at Chelsea as I was, but instead, you... Is there any chance that there's a part of you that actually wants Thomas to be your son?
PAUL: No.
TERESE: But you do realise that if he is, Chelsea comes with him. She's going to be a part of our lives forever. We're about to move in together. We're about to take this giant step in our relationship, and she is going to be a part of it.
PAUL: Let's not get ahead of ourselves, okay?
TERESE: How can I not?
He takes her hand.
PAUL: Listen to me. You *know* that I love you. And I will not let Chelsea come between us.
Lassiter's Complex
We cut to a comic- book version of the Ramsay Street sign which forms part of Nell's exhibition, then see comic- book Mrs Mangel saying 'How dare you?' by the telephone. One of the comic frames Jane showed Paul previously, of ex- wife Christina confronting him about his almost- affair with her sister Caroline, is on an easel in the bushes.
Nearby, Roxy meets up with Lachie Jensen, wondering why he's still in town. Lachie says he respects that Roxy doesn't want to be more than mates. Roxy spots Holly in the distance, and gets up.
LACHIE: Is there something else bugging you?
ROXY: You need to find new friends.
Roxy goes over to Holly, who tells her that Carter's on his way back to town and that the police are planning a sting. Max is taking part as, Holly says, he 'just wants it to be over'. Roxy and Holly head off, but unseen by them, Lachie has been listening to their conversation from behind a wall. He looks pleased with himself.
Eirini Rising
Harold is in what looks like a recreational room, on the phone to someone (it's not clear who?) telling them not to worry about him, but just to concentrate on finding Max. Hilary is lingering nearby. At this point Agnes turns up.
AGNES: Excuse me - is JJ here? I know he only works part time...
We close in on a bewildered Harold as he appears to recognise Agnes's voice immediately.
HAROLD: Madge?
He turns to face her.
AGNES (laughs): I don't know who this Madge is, but I can assure you I'm not her!
HAROLD: No, no, you can't be; you... no, it can't be! You're dead!
Agnes, who seems very much alive, looks surprised!
No 30
Remi and Cara are hanging out with Chelsea and Thomas. Chelsea offers for Cara to hold the baby, and she's keen. Remi watches with mild concern as Cara is handed the baby. She asks if he's healthy; Chelsea says he's getting a bit of reflux, which is why they were at the clinic when Remi found them.
CHELSEA: I really was sorry to hear about your operation.
REMI: ... I told Chelsea in the car on the way over.
CARA (sadly): Yeah, it was a hard time.
Paul comes back in, and reports that Terese is 'fine' - it's just been 'a big day'. He asks Remi to let him know when she's organised the DNA test. As Cara gets up to show Paul out, he asks her...
PAUL: Who else knew?
Eirini Rising
Agnes tells Harold and Hilary that she can't hang around - she was only passing on her way home.
HAROLD: You... you sound so much like her!
AGNES: I'm sure she was a fine woman.
HAROLD: Oh, she was fine - she was remarkable. One of a kind! Well, no - at least, I thought she was!
Karl and Susan come in, having apparently been tipped off as to Agnes's presence - and their mouths fall open in shock when they see her resemblance to Madge.
KARL: Oh my goodness.
They introduce themselves and state their roles at Eirini, staring at Agnes in amazement all the while. Hilary is staring too, and looking characteristically stern about it!
AGNES: I, umm, only came by to check the facilities. JJ offered to show me around.
SUSAN (still staring): Well, we... we actually do have an apartment. It's even got a view.
AGNES (flustered): Ah... well, if I were to stay here, I'm afraid *I'd* be the view!
She bids them goodbye, but at that point JJ turns up, with Nell in tow.
AGNES (to JJ): This was a bad idea.
JJ: Oh, please don't go. At least let me show you around the place first.
Harold is still looking bewildered, and Agnes looks over at him with concern.
Lassiter's Hotel
Roxy comes to see Max, but is concerned to see that he's preparing to leave the room, claiming he has something he needs to do. Roxy demands he tell her what he's up to, or she'll call Andrew. Max says he's applied for an emergency passport which is being delivered to the garage (presumably because Shane has requisitioned his existing one).
MAX: If something goes wrong, then I'll need to split. Otherwise, everyone will still be in danger. Think of it as an insurance policy. Look, just please don't tell Dad or Andrew - please.
Lassiter's Complex
Roxy accompanies Max out of the hotel. He's looking furtive and wearing a baseball cap which presumably he thinks is an adequate disguise! But evidently it's not, because Lachie is in a car nearby watching them. He smiles and makes a phone call, presumably to Carter.
LACHIE: How close to Melbourne are you?
No 30
In the sunroom, Remi is telling Cara about how she thought to check the postnatal clinics in Cranbourne after Nicolette mentioned that that's where Maddy was working.
CARA: And they just gave you the information?
REMI: I, uh, pretended to be Chelsea on the phone. I know, I know! But it so happened she had an appointment today.
CARA: I can't believe you did that!
REMI: I did it for everyone. Chelsea cried when she saw me - and then she showed me where she's been living.
Judging by Remi's face, Chelsea's accommodation was pretty grim, and she's about to make a suggestion when Chelsea comes in. She's about to call a taxi, but Remi isn't having it.
REMI: I think you should stay here for a while.
CARA: Are you sure?!
REMI: Yeah. Look, it'll be a full house with my brother here, too, but we'll manage. And it'll give us a chance to get to know Thomas.
Chelsea looks veery surprised but grateful, and asks if it's okay with Cara. Cara says she's on board.
CHELSEA: Thank you - thank you so much!
Emotional, she rushes over to them and draws them into a hug.
CHELSEA: I'm not the person I was before. I know you might not believe it yet, but you will. And I'm not glossing over what I did to Krista.
Cara explains that Leo and Krista are on their honeymoon, so they don't need to face that problem yet.
Hamilton Island
Or at least, so the audio description tells us! A seaplane flies across the ocean towards some pretty idyllic scenery, at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Krista is standing on a beach, her eyes closed. Leo approaches from behind her.
LEO: Is it just me, or does today feel like the first day of the rest of our lives?
She turns to face him, smiling.
KRISTA: I can't wait.
They walk along the beach together, and Leo pulls Krista into the shallows of the water, where they laugh and embrace, before falling into a pash.
KRISTA: I love you.
LEO: I love you, too.
Krista holds Leo tightly as they hug.
The Waterhole
We see another of Nell's art pieces, of Mrs Mangel and Harold, as Paul comes into the pub. He makes a beeline for Nicolette, who is at a table with Byron and Sadie.
PAUL (to Nicolette, furious): How could you keep Chelsea's baby a secret from me?
BYRON: Oh, cute! Chelsea has a baby?
PAUL: After all the support I gave you when you needed it!
NICOLETTE: I can see that you're a little bit angry.
PAUL: Angry? *Angry*?
Sadie and Byron make amused/confused faces at one another!
SADIE: This is a lot of energy.
NICOLETTE: It is. (to Byron) And, you know, I should... I should really help you with... that thing.
BYRON: What thing?
But before he can object, Nicolette drags Byron out of the pub as an excuse to escape Paul. Sadie rushes after them. Aaron, who has been watching from the bar, approaches Paul.
AARON: Is it your kid?
PAUL: ...
No 22
Terese, who is crying, opens the door to Susan, who gives her a sympathetic hug.
Eirini Rising
JJ, Nell and Agnes return to the recreation room following their tour of the facilities. Agnes thanks them for showing her round. He apologises for all the attention she was getting earlier, and asks if she has any questions...
JJ: ... maybe about Madge?
No 28
Harold has popped round for dinner and Karl is cooking.
KARL: They do say that everyone in the world has a double.
HAROLD: As you know, there was a time when I thought I could see Madge, but... well, that was in my head, and this is... this is different.
Eirini Rising
Agnes admits to JJ and Nell that when she saw the illustration of Madge at the exhibition, it was 'like seeing myself'.
JJ: That's what I thought, yeah.
AGNES: I've driven past these suburbs so many times. But I've never stopped to think about the people who live here. And one of them was her.
No 28
Karl suggests to Harold that Agnes might be a long- lost relative of Madge's, or that it could just be a coincidence.
HAROLD: I really hope she doesn't move into Eirini Rising. I know it sounds selfish, but when I see her, it's... it's too much.
Eirini Rising
Agnes remarks to Nell and JJ that Harold 'seems such a lovely man'.
AGNES: And I don't want to upset him.
NELL: Harold is like a grandfather to all of us.
AGNES: Oh... well, it's been fascinating hearing about Madge, but... I have a feeling it might be better if I keep my distance.
Hamilton Island
Leo and Krista are out for dinner, at a table on an otherwise deserted beach, looking at menus.
KRISTA: Hmm. What would Mrs Tanaka like tonight?
LEO: Wait - are you...? I thought we'd talked about this.
KRISTA: Yeah, we did. And I stand by what I said. A modern, independent woman doesn't need to take her husband's surname.
LEO: I... I agree.
KRISTA: But this modern, independent woman's surname comes with baggage. And I kind of like the idea of just leaving it all behind.
Leo grins, and asks if she's sure. Krista nods, smiling, and they lean in for a kiss.
Fitzgerald Motors
Nicolette, Sadie and Byron are walking Trevor on Power Road while discussing Paul and his potential new child. Byron can't believe Nicolette didn't tell them.
SADIE: What is with you and baby secrets, huh?
NICOLETTE: Excuse me? That is so rude!
At this point, Trevor escapes them and runs under the shutter into the garage, which is slightly ajar. Opening the shutter, the trio go in to look for Trev - but are surprised to find Max and Roxy inside. Roxy asks Byron to close the shutter, and he pulls it down.
Max, who hasn't seen Byron and Sadie since she was found in the bush, apologises for everything that happened; he never meant for anyone to get hurt. Byron asks where he's been; Max says it's a long story.
SADIE: I'm just glad you're okay.
Sadie gives Max a hug. He explains he's been hiding out; he'll explain fully later. But unbeknownst to the folk in the garage, Lachie is watching from his car outside Grease Monkeys...
No 22
A slow- motion montage kicks off to end the episode. Susan is still with Terese when Paul comes in, and hugs Terese from behind, both of them looking doleful.
No 30
Remi wheels a pram into the house, followed by a smiling Chelsea who's holding Thomas. Remi notices Cara staring wistfully at Thomas. Cara then sadly looks away.
Hamilton Island
The sun is setting as Leo joins a smiling Krista on the beach. They kiss.
No 28
Harold is gazing fondly at a photo of Madge from their wedding day that he keeps in his wallet. Susan and Karl are in the kitchen, and share a kiss.
Fitzgerald Motors
Roxy, Max, Byron, Sadie and Nicolette are laughing and chatting in the garage, while Trevor sits nearby.
Outside, Lachie is still in his car. He waits for the lights to go out at Grease Monkeys and for the attendant to leave the bottle shop next door. He fiddles with a cigarette lighter in his hand...
As the oblivious friends continue to hang out inside the garage, Lachie walks across the road, a Molotov cocktail in his hand.
In the garage, Trevor begins to bark repeatedly, alarming the others. Roxy walks over to the window, and gapes in horror as she sees Lachie. She ducks for cover as he throws the lit Molotov cocktail through the window, and it ignites immediately on the floor, setting the garage ablaze. Unable to reach the shutter door due to the flames, Byron and Max attempt to open the doors at the other exit, but they're padlocked.
As the garage burns, Lachie walks away, smirking. We close on the five friends screaming desperately for help through the doors, as above them, embers rise into the night...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Remi says she wanted to help Chelsea by asking her to stay, but asks if it's going to be okay for Cara
- Paul promises Terese he won't let Chelsea come between them
- Jeffrey is back, and suggests to Chelsea that she wants Paul to be the baby's father
- The fire worsens at the garage, and the group inside still can't get free as smoke begins to overwhelm them
