Previously on Neighbours
- Colton and Rhett compete for Aaron's attention at the yoga class
- Nicolette suggests to Aaron that he should just date them both
- Taye tells client Lydia that he's stepping away from escorting
- But Lydia later turns out to be Cara's instructor at the police academy
- Lydia tells Taye that if he insists on ending their arrangement, there'll be repercussions for Cara
- Karl overhears Darcy telling Sadie that she's protecting Amanda's legacy by honouring her will
- During the storm, Darcy injects Karl with a syringe, leaving him unresponsive, even after hospitalisation
- Darcy later claims to Susan, Paul, Terese and Jane that he's found opioids in Karl's bag again
- Remi tells Paul that a stroke due to pre- existing health issues is the likeliest cause of Karl's condition
- But Paul later tells Terese that he suspects Darcy is responsible, and potentially 'capable of anything'
- Susan and Holly stand vigil by Karl in his hospital bed, while Darcy looks on nervously
Ramsay Street
Darcy pulls up outside No 28 and gets out of his car, looking very shifty. He gets a message on his phone from Anthony Halsworth, asking whether Darcy has announced their health centre yet. Darcy looks worried.
Sadie emerges from No 26 to put a bin bag out, and asks after Karl; Darcy says there have been no new updates, and claims he's come to see if Susan needs a hand with anything. But Sadie says Susan is not home, having left a little while ago.
They both look across the road, where Byron is leaving Jane's house. Darcy notices how tense Sadie looks having seen Byron.
DARCY: Looks like you could do with some support yourself.
SADIE: It's just Amanda's will, and all the tension - I hate it.
DARCY: Well, believe me, I know firsthand how doing the right thing can be hard sometimes. And that's what you're doing. The right thing.
He smiles at her reassuringly and walks off, but Sadie still looks conflicted.
No 32
Taye, Max and Byron are hanging out by the pool. Max wonders if it's too early for beers, and Byron thinks it is - 'even for us' - so Max goes indoors to make some coffee instead.
Taye tells Byron that his old client Lydia has been coming into the Piano Bar again, though without explaining the real reason for her continued interest in being there.
TAYE: She's pretty intense.
BYRON: Yeah, tell me about it. I mean, she became really dependent on me whilst I was with her - that's why I had to cut her off.
TAYE: But she went out of her way to track you down even after you ghosted her.
BYRON: True. But I mean, she hasn't bothered me since. Maybe she's found somebody else to obsess over.
Taye nods, knowing all too well!
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is in the courtyard with Tess, having arranged a meeting. Tess thinks Paul is a friend of Darcy's, but he corrects her, saying 'acquaintance' is more appropriate.
PAUL: I need some information on your ex- husband.
TESS: Look, I'm not sure what's going on or why you asked me here, but I'm not sharing anything with a stranger.
She looks set to leave, but...
PAUL: Karl Kennedy is in the hospital with a suspected stroke.
TESS: That's... that's terrible. Oh, poor Susan. You know the Kennedys?
PAUL: I'd consider them close friends, yeah. And Darcy didn't tell you that Karl was in hospital? I mean, do you not find that a bit strange?
TESS: Well, he said he was gonna call, but he never did. Now I know why.
PAUL: Okay. I need you to go over everything you discussed with Karl, so that we can get to the truth. Because from where I'm sitting, Darcy has got some explaining to do...
Harold's Café
Remi and Cara are having a coffee. Remi is wondering if Nicolette is around, but she doesn't appear to be. Cara asks why Remi wants to know.
REMI: Cos I don't want her to hear me complain about the advice she gave to Aaron.
CARA: Oh, I know. But it was totally the wrong call. Aaron's a relationship guy.
REMI: Exactly. Not the type to have it all. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
CARA: Oh, exactly. It's just not his vibe. Nah, he needs to front up and pick one man.
As they're agreeing on this point, Aaron himself comes in - and Remi whispers to Cara that this is their chance to offer a different perspective! Aaron tells them he's been thinking a lot about what Nicolette said.
AARON: It's just really opened my mind.
REMI: In what way, exactly?
AARON: Well, Nic's right. I like both guys, so I think it's a simple equation.
CARA: Colton plus Rhett equals...?
AARON: This muscular, robust sponge with a fluffy, sweet centre. Ladies, I am gonna have my cake and eat it.
Remi and Cara bite their tongues as Aaron puts in his coffee order!
Erinsborough Hospital
An emotional Susan is massaging a still unresponsive Karl's feet.
SUSAN: I know you're still with me. I'd *feel* it if you were gone. Karl, I need you to fight. I need you to come back to me.
Karl twitches a little, and then groans. Susan gets up close to him.
SUSAN: Darling?
Karl appears to look towards her.
SUSAN: It's okay. It's okay. I'll get some help.
Susan rushes off to get Remi, and tells her Karl is moving his eyes and making sounds. Remi rushes back into the room with her. Remi tells Karl not to strain himself, and to take it easy. But he's still groaning and responding.
REMI: This is a good sign.
Susan looks thrilled.
Lassiter's Lake
Paul and Tess have gone for a stroll. Tess explains that Darcy is thinking of moving away, and has asked her to go with him.
PAUL: Why would he think you'd even consider that?
TESS: There's still part of me that cares for him. And he also knows that Karl's been in my ear.
PAUL: And what about this new clinic with Anthony Halsworth?
TESS: I still can't get my head around that. I mean, they hated each other. I asked Darcy, and he said they'd buried the hatchet.
Paul tells her that Halsworth lost his medical licence last year, which makes Tess even more surprised that Darcy would consider starting a business with him.
PAUL: It's not adding up at all. But you know him better than anyone. What are these warning signs telling you?
TESS: Well, when the story stops making sense, you know he's lying. It usually means one thing - he's running from something.
PAUL: Hmm. And do you think he's capable of hurting anyone?
TESS: Emotionally? Yeah. Physically? He's not the type.
PAUL: I think Lyn Scully might disagree with you.
TESS: Oh, that was an accident. He never pushed her deliberately.
PAUL: All the same - you know, the timing of Karl's stroke - it's just... it's so suspicious.
TESS: Darcy may be capable of many things. But the man I married would never intentionally put someone in hospital.
PAUL: Yeah, well - that's if he *is* the same man you married.
Paul raises the issue of Tess being late to meet Darcy on the afternoon of Amanda's death - Tess says it looked like Darcy had been waiting for her for ages, but...
TESS: The more I think about it, the less sure I am.
But at this point, Darcy himself passes by at a distance, and is alarmed to see Tess and Paul talking. He goes on his way.
Ramsay Street
Aaron and Colton are doing a spot of shirtless jogging, and stop to do some cooldown exercises - and some moderate flirting. Aaron reveals he used to be a personal trainer and owned his own gym. Colton is impressed. Colton briefly loses his balance, and they lean on one another to continue their exercise regime.
AARON: You know, for someone with so much yoga experience, I thought you would be so much better on your feet.
COLTON: Maybe I'm just testing to see what you're like as a trainer.
AARON (laughs): And how did I go?
COLTON: Well, you passed. The, uh, hands- on approach was a nice touch. Hey, I was thinking - if you and Rhett aren't too serious - maybe we should go on a proper date. I'm free tonight.
AARON: You read my mind.
Aaron nudges Colton flirtatiously as he walks past towards his house. Colton smiles and jogs off.
Lassiter's Complex
In the courtyard, Darcy accosts Paul and mentions that he saw him talking to Tess earlier. Paul says he didn't know Tess before today, but claims they 'just bumped into each other' and started chatting.
PAUL: She's very concerned about Karl, though. You know, she had no idea that Karl was in hospital.
DARCY: Yeah, well. I didn't want to worry her. Until we knew more.
PAUL: Ah. Anyway, she was very relieved when I gave her the good news.
Darcy stares at Paul inquisitively.
PAUL: Oh, you haven't heard? Susan texted. Yeah, Karl's showing signs of improvement.
DARCY (faking): Really? That's wonderful.
PAUL (smugly): Isn't it?
Paul walks off, leaving Darcy looking rattled.
No 24
Byron turns up to find Sadie sitting at the table with Jane. Sadie wants to talk to them both about Amanda's will, and Jane thinks they should hear her out.
BYRON: Unless she's planning on handing over the control of Nanna's estate, I'm really not interested.
JANE: Please - please, just sit down.
Byron obeys.
SADIE: I've thought about it, and it doesn't sit right with me that Jane wouldn't inherit anything. Especially since Amanda came to Erinsborough to reconnect.
JANE: Right, so... what are you proposing?
SADIE: I think I have a compromise that works best for everyone (...) Byron should become a joint administrator of the trust. I'm also happy for the family to use the bulk of Amanda's money. You can do whatever you want with it, but there still needs to be something that goes to the scholarship.
JANE: And who would run this scholarship?
SADIE: Me. I need it to be exactly how Amanda would've wanted.
Byron says nothing, but still doesn't look very happy. However, Jane says this sounds 'very reasonable', and asks Sadie to give them some time to think it through. Sadie agrees, and leaves them to talk.
No 30
Taye comes in and is disturbed to find Lydia with Cara. He's about to leave again, but Lydia tells him there's no need as they're 'hardly strangers'. Cara is in a flap because Lydia's told her the academy is bringing forward her law exam, and she hasn't studied for it yet as she's been focusing on other assessments.
CARA (to Lydia): I'm gonna fail. Is there really nothing you can do?
LYDIA: I'm afraid not. Unless the circumstances change.
Lydia stares pointedly at Taye, who infers her meaning straight away...
The Waterhole
Aaron is grabbing a bite to eat with Rhett, and they too are flirting moderately. Rhett reveals he's bought tickets for them to go and see an event, but it's tonight. Aaron cringes, aware he's already agreed to go on a date with Colton - but doesn't tell Rhett this, simply saying that he 'has plans'. Rhett apologises, saying he should've checked but just wanted to surprise Aaron. They agree to rearrange for another night.
Aaron breathes a sigh of relief as Rhett goes to ring the venue to change the tickets.
Erinsborough Hospital
Susan is in the corridor, looking worriedly into Karl's room. Remi turns up. Susan says Karl hasn't been moving any further, but Remi assures her it will just take time. Susan agrees to try and think positively, and says Holly was relieved to hear Karl was responsive again; she's currently at The 82, determined to keep it open for Karl in his absence.
REMI: I have the results of the second scan we did. There are still no clinical signs of a stroke.
SUSAN: How can that be?
REMI: If it *was* a stroke, it's possible it could've been milder than the symptoms first suggested. Which could also explain why we're seeing improvements already.
SUSAN: What about the painkillers that Darcy found? Do they explain anything?
REMI: No. There's no trace of opioids in Karl's system.
SUSAN: Right.
REMI: You don't seem surprised?
SUSAN: I knew he was telling the truth when he said he stopped taking them.
REMI: Then what were they doing in his bag?
Susan looks thoughtful...
Lassiter's Complex
Darcy is looking on his phone at one- way international flights from Melbourne to anywhere (!) when he spots Sadie and Byron having a coffee together a little distance away.
Byron tells Sadie that Jane has helped him realise he may have been too hasty in shutting down Sadie's proposal.
SADIE: I get it. I know I'm not your favourite person at the moment.
BYRON (not making eye contact): But we appreciate it, and we're willing to accept the compromise. Mum just wants us all to move forward.
SADIE: And you? Is that what you want?
Byron finally looks Sadie in the eye, but is finding the conversation too difficult, so gets up to leave. Sadie looks worried as he goes. Darcy now approaches Sadie and sits down opposite her.
DARCY: That looked intense.
SADIE: ... I've changed my mind. I've decided I'm gonna look after Amanda's estate with the family.
Darcy's mood turns instantly.
DARCY: What?
SADIE: I have to trust that they're gonna honour Amanda's wishes.
DARCY: You... stupid girl!
SADIE: ...
DARCY (furiously): I thought you had what it takes. But I was wrong. Where is your backbone? Sacrifices have to be made if you want to achieve something. Do you understand? Do you?! I thought Amanda was your friend.
SADIE: She was!
DARCY: Yeah? Yeah? Well, she trusted you. And you let her down. You let *me* down.
Darcy gets up and walks away. A stunned Sadie, who has only just been managing to retain her composure, struggles to process what she's just heard.
Erinsborough Hospital
Outside, Susan is relaying to Paul what Remi told her about Karl not having typical stroke symptoms and there being no opioids in his system.
SUSAN: I know what you're thinking.
PAUL (laughs): That's because we're both thinking the same thing. Look, see, Darcy wanted us to believe that Karl had a stroke due to the painkillers. Susan... Karl kept you in the dark over his suspicions of Darcy because he was trying to protect you.
SUSAN: Yeah, but that just meant that I wasn't there to protect him.
PAUL: Well, let's just concentrate on finding out what happened first, alright? Time's running out, because I've heard that Darcy is making noises about leaving.
Paul gives Susan a list of drugs that he's researched after Remi mentioned to him yesterday that some have effects that can mimic stroke symptoms.
PAUL: I honestly think it's worthwhile getting the hospital to test Karl for these.
SUSAN: He's had plenty of tests. Nothing showed up.
PAUL: Yeah, but that's because in some instances, they really need to know what they're looking for first.
Susan nods as she looks down Paul's list.
No 24
Jane is reading the paper while Aaron chats to Rhett at the front door. Rhett has been told he can swap the tickets for the event he booked, and tells Aaron to let him know when he can which night will work. Aaron agrees, and apologises for the hassle.
RHETT: It's not a hassle if it means I get to spend more time with you.
They kiss, and Rhett leaves. Aaron joins Jane on the sofa, and we are given the opportunity to admire her lovely fourth wall! When Jane hears that Aaron's been socialising with both Colton and Rhett today, she says Nicolette has told her about the advice she gave him (about dating both of them), and asks if this is Aaron putting it into practice.
AARON: Yeah. I mean, I had a really great time with both of them. But for different reasons.
JANE: Oh, do tell.
AARON: Well, Colton and I share a love for fitness. You should see him in Speedos.
JANE: Ah. Well, I'll take your word for it!
AARON: And Rhett, he just... he's always pushing me to try new things. I mean, he's more interested in things like food, wine and culture. It kind of... feels familiar, you know?
JANE: Yeah. Like what you had with David.
AARON: Mm... I woke up this morning feeling so sure that dating both men was the right thing to do, but am just stringing them along? And I know what you're going to say - don't listen to Nicolette.
JANE: No - nobody's made any promises to each other, and... well, you deserve to have some fun. Cos I know you've had a few wobbles, trying to move on from David. But perhaps keeping things open and casual like this takes the pressure off.
AARON: Yeah. That's true, thank you.
Aaron touches Jane's hand affectionately. There's a knock at the door - he goes to open it. It's Colton, and he's holding a pair of blue running shorts. On the sofa, Jane glances backwards and smiles to herself.
COLTON: I saw these at the shop, and I knew you had to have them.
AARON: They're for me?
COLTON: Yeah. You like surprises, right?
AARON: I love surprises, thank you!
Jane continues to smile to herself as she sips her tea.
Erinsborough Hospital
Karl is still lying in bed. He twitches a little as Remi walks in; she tells him that a specialist is on their way to see him. Karl strains to try and speak, but Remi tells him to conserve his energy.
REMI: Look, I know you're scared. But remember where you are - this is your old stomping ground. You're getting the best care here. I promise - promise - we will look after you.
We see Remi from Karl's perspective, but she's blurry and indistinct. As she leaves the room, Karl's eyes follow her, and he calls out feebly...
KARL: D... Darcy...
But Remi doesn't hear him.
The Waterhole
Taye and Lydia come in together. Taye tells her they've 'got a deal' but he doesn't look happy about it. Lydia says she's pleased he came to his senses. He reluctantly agrees he'll see her tomorrow, and heads to the bar.
Meanwhile Lydia spots Cara working at a table, and goes over to tell her some good news - she's had Cara's law exam moved back to its original date, so she no longer needs to panic about it.
CARA: I don't get it - what changed?
LYDIA: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
Taye, who is still at the bar, overhears this, and looks uncomfortable. Cara thanks Lydia profusely, and Lydia smiles smugly over at Taye. Meanwhile Max has come in, and joins Taye at the bar. Max is surprised to see that Taye is drinking shots already.
TAYE: It's that kind of day.
Erinsborough Hospital
Karl is still lying alone in his room. A doctor in a white coat walks in, closes the curtain behind him, and begins to adjust Karl's IV stand.
KARL (feebly): Help... I need help.
He reaches out to the doctor, who grabs his hand. But it's not just any doctor.
DARCY (looming over him): Hello, Karl. I really thought that dose would keep you out of action for longer. I'm gonna have to give you something a little stronger.
Karl looks horrified but is unable to move. Darcy takes a syringe from his pocket, and injects its contents into the bag of IV fluid on the stand. Powerless, Karl just gapes. Darcy then puts his hand on Karl's, pats it gently, then leaves the room. Dramatic music swells as we close in on Karl's anguished face, a tear running down his cheek...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Holly is concerned about Karl's worsened state, telling Remi that something doesn't feel right
- Paul tells Jane about Karl's concerns that Darcy was after Amanda's money
- At No 28, Darcy tells Susan to have a rest and let him make her a cup of tea
- Darcy empties a drug capsule into one of the cups; Susan watches him anxiously from a distance
