Previously on Neighbours
- The residents bid farewell to Aaron and Rhett with a street party as they depart for Adelaide
- Cara asks Nicolette how she managed to 'accidentally' tell Remi about Dex's assignment
- Jane accuses Nicolette of being jealous; Nic says that's ridiculous
- Nell has a freak- out during a cosy movie night at JJ's and runs out of the house
- Nell decides to visit her family in Colac; JJ tells her he'll still be here when she returns
- But on her return, a tearful Nell tells a confused JJ that she can't be with him anymore
- Paul tells Leo he's worried about Elle, who 'wasn't herself' when he visited her in New York
- At the street party, Paul delightedly announces that Elle is coming to visit and will arrive in the morning
Aaron's departure has prompted a small change to the opening titles. The previous shot that included him has been replaced with one of Sam, Nicolette, Isla and Jane having a drink at Harold's lakeside seating area.
No 22
In the garden, Nell is staring at the necklace JJ bought her, with the initials 'NJ' on it.
NELL: I've never seen JJ look like that before. He was so hurt.
We see that she's talking to Toadie, who says it will take JJ a while to process what's happened. Paul and Leo turn up; Paul is still excited about Elle coming to visit, though he doesn't know for how long.
PAUL: But apparently she's packed up her whole life. So, dare I hope that this could be permanent? But short term or long term, my baby girl's coming home.
Paul then notices that Nell is looking sad, and asks if she's okay.
No 30
Poor JJ is sitting between his mum and ma on the sofa, with Dex opposite, telling them all about Nell splitting up with him. He looks devastated and more than a little lost. They all sympathise.
DEX: This sucks. Are you sure she's not gonna change her mind?
JJ: Umm, well... I dunno. She thought the whole thing through. It was, umm... pretty non- negotiable.
We close in on JJ, who then loses it altogether.
JJ: I love her.
Cara and Remi comfort him as he sobs into his hands.
No 24
Nicolette, Jane and Isla are in the kitchen. Nicolette is still worrying about how the co- parenting setup with Aaron will work now that he's in Adelaide. Jane reassures her that they'll feel their way through and be there for Isla. She reminds Nic they have dinner plans with Krista, Leo and Abigail tonight. But Nicolette tells her she can't go; she's made other plans. Jane asks what she means, when there's a knock at the door.
It's Cara's cousin and Nicolette's former friend with benefits, Maddy. Jane and Isla haven't met her before so Nic introduces them.
JANE: Is that Maddy as in the... the...?
MADDY: Maddy Murphy. As in, Cara's cousin.
Jane greets her, but decides to make a strategic exit with Isla to head over to the Waterhole for dinner. Now alone with Nic, Maddy says she was surprised to get her text.
NICOLETTE: Pleasantly surprised, or a jump scare?
MADDY: Obviously the first one, since I dropped everything to come over. I've really been regretting how things ended between us, and... I'm all in for a reset.
Nicolette pours them a cocktail. Maddy asks if Cara knows she's here, but Nic doesn't answer.
NICOLETTE: All I'm interested in right now is you.
They each say 'cheers' and clink their glasses.
Ramsay Street
Cara is sweeping up detritus from the street party. Toadie and Nell approach, and Toadie nods silently to Nell as if to encourage her to go and speak to Cara, while he hangs back.
NELL: Can I ask how JJ is?
CARA: Oh, yeah, look, I'm not gonna lie. He's pretty cut up.
NELL: Yeah. Umm... look, I really hope he and I can still be friends after a bit of time.
CARA: Yeah. That'd be nice.
Nell takes a deep breath and rejoins Toadie.
No 22
Paul is telling Terese and Leo that Elle will be with them a few hours from now.
PAUL: Do you think I should put a chocolate on her pillow?
LEO: This is your home, not your hotel, Dad.
Terese is more interested in the suddenness of Elle quitting her job and leasing out her New York flat, but Paul says he had thought something was going on with her for a while.
PAUL: But, hey - the upside is, you two finally get to know each other.
TERESE (strained): Yeah. At last.
We learn that while Terese and Elle have talked in video calls, they've never met in the flesh. 'I just know you're gonna be great friends,' says Paul in an annoying cutesy voice, before putting a playful finger on Terese's nose. She doesn't look impressed at this!
Once Paul has gone upstairs to put a chocolate on Elle's pillow, Leo asks Terese what she's thinking.
TERESE: Honestly? Paul's completely forgotten this whole Henry VIII business! Elle dug up all his ex- wives to stop us getting married.
LEO: That wasn't targeted at you! That was targeted at Dad. And, I dunno, in a funny way, Elle was trying to protect you.
TERESE: I'm sorry. But that was not funny.
LEO: Well, look, she knows it was bad form, and yeah, she's got a cheeky streak. But she's also got some -
TERESE: What, a heart of gold?
LEO: ... some other pretty good qualities.
Terese is unconvinced! She says she'll try to keep an open mind, but is disconcerted by the speed at which this has all happened - something feels a little off.
The Waterhole
Jane and Isla have joined Leo, Krista and Abigail in the pub for dinner. They are all discussing Terese's wariness of Elle's visit. Leo admits he's surprised Elle is leaving New York as she always loved her job. Jane wonders whether this will change Paul's calculations about spending more of his time in New York.
KRISTA: He's taking a step back from the hotel, whether he splits his time or not.
Krista senses that Jane's a little downbeat in the wake of Aaron's departure. But Jane puts on a smile and says there's no changing things. Krista asks if that's why Nic didn't want to join them for dinner. Jane keeps her answer vague, saying only that it's been 'quite a day'.
No 24
On the sofa, Maddy is talking about Remi's memory loss and its impact on Cara - but Nicolette clearly doesn't want to talk about them and is more interested in plying Maddy with wine. Maddy, though, stays on topic and asks Nicolette what her take on the Cara/Remi situation is.
MADDY: I mean, say, like, Remi was to never get her memory back... do you think that they'll just fall in love all over again?
NICOLETTE: Questions for the ages (!) I've got red, is that cool?
MADDY: Oh, yeah. Whatever. But, I mean, it'll suck, though, cos they're just so good together.
Nicolette now looks really annoyed, so moves things up a gear!
NICOLETTE: You know what? I'm really not thirsty for wine anymore.
MADDY: Oh, really? Well, what are you thirsty for?
NICOLETTE: A steaming hot cup of you.
Nic takes Maddy by the hands and leads her off to the bedroom...
Harold's Lakeside
The following morning, Terese, Toadie and Nell are having breakfast. Nell is talking about her split with JJ and wonders if she should have been gentler about it. Terese says that breakups always hurt - adding pointedly in Toadie's direction that the longer you put it off, the worse it is.
TOADIE: For both parties.
At this point, Dex and JJ appear around the corner of the café. JJ freezes on the spot for a moment, then turns around to walk back in the direction they came from.
NELL: He can't even look at me.
Dex gives Nell an awkward wave, and she waves back. Toadie reiterates that JJ just needs some time. Terese gets a message from Paul - Elle has arrived and they're on their way back from the airport.
TOADIE (stirring): Oh! Look out, Erinsborough! Cyclone Elle is about to touch down!
TERESE: Okay, now, listen - in your experience, exactly *how* badly behaved was she back in the day?
TOADIE: She... had her moments. She *could* be a bit of a troublemaker...
TERESE: Troublemaker as in, like, Roxy? Or troublemaker as in Paul?
TOADIE (laughs): Oh, she could easily match Paul at his worst.
Terese groans, and Toadie stops laughing.
TOADIE (unconvincingly): But that was a long time ago. I'm sure she's a lot older and wiser now.
Terese gives him a look, as Nell laughs into her orange juice.
No 30
Cara tells Remi that she was really touched by what Remi said yesterday, about wanting to remember her. Remi reiterates that it's the truth, and they smile at one another.
Dex and JJ come in, JJ still looking forlorn. Cara proposes a family basketball rematch and Remi declares herself in.
JJ: Umm... I'm not. Sorry, no offence. I just, umm... I'd just rather you try not to cheer me up while this is happening. I dunno, I just need a bit of alone time. Thanks.
JJ heads off to his room, while Dex sits down with his mums.
DEX: He barely spoke when we were out. We ran into Nell, and I didn't know what to do. It was so weird. But JJ wanted to bail, fast, so...
REMI: Well, there's not much we can do, Dexie. The only thing that'll help now is time.
She exchanges a meaningful glance with Cara.
No 22
In today's episode, the part of Elle Robinson will be played by... Kate Ramsay's mate Erin Salisbury from 2012! And new Elle immediately makes her presence known by critiquing the front yard.
ELLE: Why did Terese get rid of the trees?
Terese is in the kitchen and hears this, as well as Paul telling Elle that this is her home for as long as she wants! Terese comes over to greet Elle, and they share an awkward hug.
ELLE: I'm so happy to be back. And happy to see you outside of a screen!
As Terese makes Elle a cup of chamomile tea, she asks about her leaving her job. Elle says it was a long time coming; she was bored of the newspaper, and claims that seeing Paul in New York recently made her realise how much she'd missed him. When Lucy called to check on her, something clicked and she decided to come home. Terese looks a little sceptical, but Paul says he couldn't be happier.
TERESE: So, how long do we have you for?
ELLE: Everything's up in the air.
TERESE: Yeah. But Tash isn't far off giving birth - you didn't want to stay and meet your new niece or nephew?
ELLE: Well, there's not a lot you can do with a baby in person that you can't do over a video call. I mean, it's just looking at them and saying 'oh, so cute!', you know?
Paul goes over to give Elle a hug, while Terese simmers quietly like the steaming kettle next to her!
No 24
Jane comes in with some washing and looks uncomfortable to find Maddy still lingering around from the night before. Maddy wants to 'do it again soon' and Nicolette promises to call her. Once Maddy has left...
NICOLETTE: And now we cross live to a very important lecture from Jane Harris. Jane...
Nicolette holds out an invisible microphone for Jane to speak into!
JANE: What are you doing?
NICOLETTE: I'm dating.
JANE: Cara's cousin?
NICOLETTE: It may surprise you to learn my phone is not exactly bursting with women wanting to hang out with me.
JANE: Well, that does surprise me, actually. Because, well, minus your antics, you are quite a catch.
NICOLETTE: Well, thank you, Mum. I love a backhanded compliment.
JANE: What has got into you?!
NICOLETTE: Mum! Nothing. Just drop it - it's not a big deal.
Jane looks judgy but reluctantly leaves it there.
No 22
Nell is lying on the sofa while Paul, Terese and Elle hang out in the kitchen. Krista, Leo and Abigail arrive, and Elle enthusiastically greets Leo and Abby while introducing herself to Krista for the first time. We learn that Elle and Nell have already been getting to know one another, and Elle seems sympathetic about Nell's break- up from JJ. Terese calls everyone in for lunch.
ELLE: Wow! Dad didn't say you were a whiz in the kitchen.
PAUL: Nobody's ever gonna tell Terese that.
Sure enough, Terese has had the caterers in, and it's an impressive spread. Now everybody's here, Elle takes the opportunity to apologise for the 'ex- wives stunt' she pulled before Paul and Terese's wedding. Terese looks uncomfortable.
ELLE: It wasn't about you; it was about testing Dad, to whom I don't apologise - sorry not sorry, but whether or not you were ready for yet another marriage was a valid question.
PAUL: Yeah, well. One hell of a way about getting the answer, isn't it?
ELLE: Well, the answer was clearly yes. And I mean, give or take the odd breakup and a Toadie- sized diversion - I mean, look - it *seems* like you're both all in. At present.
Terese is making a quite interesting array of faces throughout this!
ELLE: So, cheers to Dad and stepmum number five! Or is it six? Do we count girlfriends? I mean, who knows.
Paul and Leo look amused and Krista doesn't know what to think! We close on Terese looking what can best be described as alarmed by Elle's performance...
Harold's Café
Nicolette is working while Jane looks at some family photos from Adelaide that Aaron has sent, of his siblings Chloe, Mark and Tyler. She remarks that they all look happy to have him there. It's clear both Jane and Nicolette are missing Aaron a great deal.
Cara comes in and orders a coffee. Nicolette immediately becomes awkward and gives only minimal responses to Cara's conversation, which leaves Cara looking awkward too and possibly wondering what she's done wrong. While Cara is replying to a text from Aaron, Jane warns Nicolette about how rude she's being. This prompts an admission from Nicolette.
NICOLETTE: I'm having weird feelings about Cara. And I don't feel great about last night; it was the wrong call.
Jane agrees and says it's probably best that Nic lets Maddy down gently sooner rather than later.
NICOLETTE: You're very annoying.
Across the room, Cara is looking with concern towards Nicolette, wondering what the issue is.
No 22
As lunch continues, Elle says she's looking forward to seeing Yorokobi. Paul says it's pretty now but that it's nothing compared to how it is in summer.
LEO: So, the 'keep Elle in Erinsborough' campaign begins.
PAUL: Well, it'd be nice to see you here on a more permanent basis. What are the odds?
Elle isn't putting a figure on it, but doesn't seem averse to the idea of sticking around (even if Terese does, judging by her facial expressions!) Elle says she'd be open to any opportunities that come her way. Krista looks wary. While Paul and Elle are out of the room...
TERESE: Hey, guys - Elle's story is just not adding up to me. 'I upended my whole life just because I was bored'?
LEO: She's always been spontaneous.
TERESE: Yeah, but with no plan? I mean, this whole 'go where the wind takes me' business - I just don't think it sounds like her. And her big mea culpa moment was just really an excuse to bring out my 'Toadie- sized diversion'.
LEO: Are you sure you're not just being a bit oversensitive?
TERESE: No, no. I know very well what a Robinson rat smells like. And I detect that scent.
KRISTA: Yeah, I gotta say, I get the same impression - like there's more to the story.
Terese points out that Leo and Elle must have mutual friends in New York, and suggests that he ask around to get their take on Elle's departure. Leo's unsure, but Krista thinks it's a good idea that they know what's going on. Leo reluctantly agrees.
No 30
JJ is looking sad on the sofa and fiddling with his phone. Dex sits down next to him and offers him a games console.
JJ: I appreciate the effort, but I just want to be in my own head for a little longer.
DEX: Sounds like a terrible place to hang. But alright.
This gets a smile out of JJ at least. There's a knock at the front door, and JJ immediately recognises it as Nell.
JJ: Can you tell her to leave me alone?
Dex does to answer the door as JJ lingers out of sight, listening to what is said. Nell asks if JJ is here, but Dex makes it clear he doesn't want to see her.
NELL: Can you at least tell me how he's feeling?
DEX: You kind of dumped him without warning.
NELL: I know.
DEX: Look, I know you feel bad, and you're trying to make things better, but... JJ's my brother.
With that, Dex goes to close the door, and Nell leaves, looking sad. JJ looks appreciative of Dex's support.
The 82
Nell is talking to Toadie about the JJ situation as they leave the tram with coffees. Nell says she understands that it might not be possible for her and JJ to remain friends, but...
NELL: I really need JJ to be okay, and I can't make him feel better if he won't talk to me.
TOADIE: Sweetheart, I know this is gonna be hard to hear but, umm... you did break up with him, so if he doesn't want to talk, that's understandable.
NELL: I know, but... I feel really guilty.
TOADIE: Well, you gave that relationship your all. You cared for JJ, you had a good time with him, you supported him, and you were honest with him right up until the very end. So you should feel good about that.
NELL: Yeah. Thanks for coming with me, Dad.
TOADIE: Where else would I be?
Toadie says Karl and Susan have invited him to stay for a couple more nights, so he suggests he might spend a day working at the Sonya Foundation shop, and perhaps hold a sale to drum up some business. Nell says she'll join him, saying it would be good to get out of her own head. Toadie quips that it's a good job he thought of it.
No 22
Leo gets a message from his friend Jerome from New York, having asked around as suggested, and imparts its contents to Terese and Elle.
LEO: He's saying that Elle didn't resign - she got fired (...) Apparently there was some sort of scandal, but he hasn't given more details.
TERESE: Oh, no wonder she's being so evasive.
LEO: Maybe there's a misunderstanding...
TERESE: No, no - she was very clear she resigned.
KRISTA: Yeah, no one wants to admit they've been fired.
TERESE: I wonder what she did...
At this point Paul and Elle come back in. Seeing all the sombre faces, Elle asks what's going on.
TERESE: Well, you tell us. A friend of Leo's has told us a very different story about why you left your job.
Cue sustained reaction shots from everyone!
The closing credits have been updated to reflect the departure of Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) from the main cast list, while Elle Robinson (Elise Jansen) has immediately been added to it.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Taye books a spa treatment just to spend time with Sadie
- Vera, Moira and Susan all appear to recognise Monte, a newcomer at Eirini Rising
- Replying to Susan's remark that he looks familiar, Monte says he gets that quite a lot
- Elle tells Leo that Paul can believe what he wants; she hasn't forgiven Terese for digging dirt on her
- Colton is back, and tells Terese he's here to make an offer
