Recap
Lynnie cleaning up the house for a dinner party
Matt being told he could be charged with manslaughter
Lassiter's
Lyn and Steph are running through some dinner ideas for the big Scully/Lambert gathering that night when they bump into Evan (alas not bumping 'off' Evan). Inquiring about Matt's welfare, Evan lets them know he'll be out soon, neglecting the part where Matt could wind up behind bars. Lynnie's in a rush to get away (who could blame her?), passing on her well wishes to all the family. Steph asks whether Matt will be back at work that week and how the other driver is faring, just as Lou saunters by. Evan dithers that the other driver is in a coma while Lou lets Steph know about Harold's various ailments, along with the priceless line, "they're hopeful his retinas will reattach". Lyn shrieks for Steph to get a move on as Lou also exits, leaving Evan on his lonesome.
Drew & Libby's Flat
Couldn't for the life of me figure out why Drew was suddenly in Karl's bachelor pad. Watching this many years later is wacky. Anyway, back to the riveting drama of Drew breaking a plate. Turns out his arm's broken and he sucks at household chores now. Drew feels bad so invites Libby to take some time out for herself; he can look after Ben. He also insists she buy a new dress so many times, I begin to wonder if Drew would like a new one too. Ben cries. End scene.
Number 26
Lyn flails about the kitchen in a state while Joe worries what he's going to talk about with the Lambert Snr. One thing Joe does know though is that he's paying for Steph's wedding no matter what. Joe and Lyn start to bicker about toilets of all things until Joe suggests Lyn take a chill pill. Lyn's just worried about making a good impression; she'd hate for Steph to have horrible in-laws.
Lassiter's
In the hotel, Marc tells Steph how 'normal' his parents are and how she'll have nothing to worry about. Still can't believe Steph was about to marry this doof. Meanwhile, Evan roams around outside where Drew (pramming it with Ben) has the misfortune to cross paths with him. Stupidly, Evan tries to lay some blame on Drew for hotting up Matt's car, but Drew puts him in his place. Realising his blunder, Evan apologises while Drew replies he better "push off". It's funny cause he has a pusher!
Pub
Joe's informing Lou of all his Lambert woes while purchasing some wine for the evening (plus a sneaky slab on the side, hopeful Lambert Snr is a beer drinker). At a table, Libby's yammering about not being able to find a dress suitable for breast-feeding, which Susan is tiring of. Libby laments she's in such a 'state' lately (with her perfect hair and make up and size 8 figure) she may just lose Drew to the woman upstairs (perhaps if that woman were a model). Susan, knowing her daughter is insane, insists they go out and do more shopping.
Drew & Libby's Flat
Drew's talking to a sleeping Ben about all the fun sporty stuff they'll get up to when he's older. Awww, so sad! In the kitchen he attempts to cut up an eggplant resulting in the veggie, knife and chopping board to fall on the floor. What'd you expect you one-armed dork? Ben starts to cry again so Drew rushes to his aide, leaving the poor defenceless eggplant in its faceplant on the lino.
Number 26
Joe's getting annoyed with Lynnie, who is running around like a headless chicken, squawking about loo flushing and wine opening. Harvey barks, signalling the arrival of the Lamberts. Lyn lets Dame Chloe and Sir John inside with their posh accents while Joe and Lyn bogan their way around. Mark introduces Steph to his parents as his "significant other". Oh barf. Lynnie jokes that in her day they just said "fiancée" as Dame Chloe and Sir John's eyes bug - they don't know about no fiancée...
Later on...
Steph and Mark are having a hushed argument in the kitchen about Mark's lack of truth telling in regards to their engagement. Dear Lord Mark is woeful. In the lounge, Lyn and Chloe are having a positively scintillating conversation about hair as we learn Michelle got the best hair genes in the family. Joe and John are having an equally interesting yarn about racehorses. What a marvellous dinner party, wish I was there... Mark and Steph marvel about how well things are going.
Drew & Libby's Flat
Lib arrives home to find Drew has set the table for a romantic dinner, probably minus eggplant. She wants to check on Ben but Drew's more interested in seeing what she bought - he's hopeful he scored a dress too I guess. They chat about Drew being tired and Libby is amazed over the inclusion of champagne with dinner before trotting off to try on her purchase.
Number 26
Wedding talk over dinner. Joe hesitantly states he'll give Steph a big wedding if she wants but Steph's happy enough with a small one. Chloe and John posh on about their... daughter Jacinta's recent wedding... I think. The only other Lambert I can remember is Jordan though. Anyway, Lyn and Joe baulk when they realise Jacinta had a small wedding - in bloody Switzerland! Joe suddenly bolts up to make a toast to both of their families.
Drew & Libby's Flat
Drew's lit candles to make the atmosphere sexy as Lib walks out in her new dress... that covers every square inch of her. Libby says she was worried about Ben the whole time she was away from him, just as she accidentally rips her dress by taking the tag off. Drew reckons she looks sexy anyway, leading her to the couch so he can prove it.
Number 26
Lyn ushers the Lambert clan into the lounge while she makes the coffee. Chloe and John tell Mark he dropped quite the bombshell on them. Mark doesn't see what's wrong; Steph's a great chick. Chloe agrees it's nice to see him with someone sensible seeing as his track record has been far from perfect. In the kitchen, Joe tells Lynnie things are going great guns just as Chloe pops in to help Steph with the dishes.
Number 32
Emily, dressed in an adorable animal suit, is pretending to cut Evan's hair. Being a perceptive young lass, Emily asks her dad why he hates Leo. Evan's surprised, telling her he doesn't, but everyone's just been a little preoccupied lately. Wrapping her in a hug, Evan kisses her on the forehead. Emily acts 100 times better than Mark, I have to say. And bless her; she makes even Evan bearable to watch.
Number 26
Chloe chats with Steph about an old car her husband used to have, quickly changing topic into how Mark "isn't the best settler". Steph's fine with that, she likes that he challenges her need for order and that she can be more 'spur of the moment' around him. The big point is that Joe really likes him, and I guess that's all that matters! After a pause, Steph mentions she's heard about their new renovations, suggesting her dad could help out. Chloe politely smiles, looking like she'd rather have a monkey's assistance.
In the lounge, John is regaling everyone with a very boring story about 6-year-old Mark not playing footy because it was too cold. Once again, this dinner party rawks. Steph and Chloe soon join them and all this polite laughing and faux-cheeriness and 'blah, blah, bliddy blah, I'm so stuffy give me a scone' talk is quite irritating.
Number 32
Evan scene, joy. But Susan! Yay! Suse is here to see how things are going and to offer Evan some time off next term if he needs it. Evan says he'll think about it then offers Suse a cuppa - RUN SUSAN! He tells her he's had a super bad day what with one kid being up on charges and another coming close to being killed. Also, Matt and Leo hate his guts, Maggie's being distant and Emily's unsettled. Oh Evan... I wish I could care. But Susan does, bless her heart, as she stands there suffering under his 'woe is me' stories.
Drew & Libby's Flat
As an ad on TV blathers on about someone being tired, we pan across to reveal Lib and Drew fast asleep on the couch. No passion in that flat tonight, that's for sure. Springing awake, they both lament over their foiled romantic plans, but admit they're not really in the mood due to tiredness. After realising Ben slept right through his feed, they go to check on him. They do manage to have some champagne though, party animals they are, as they coo over their cute son.
LIBBY: We made him.
DREW: He's our little miracle boy.
Number 26
The Scully clan bid adieu to Dame Chloe and Sir John. Out on the porch, John comments on how nice Steph is, which Chloe agrees but "there's no way (Mark's) marrying her". Uh-oh, spaghettio. Back inside, Lyn and Joe SHOUT to Mark about how lovely his parents are. Seriously. They're so damn excitable and loud!
Poor, foolish Scully family.