Recap
Paul tells Lyn he wants to bring the wedding forward.
Loris gives the Timmins her 40% share in Lassiters and the house.
Steph tells Toadie that their friendship could be more.
Ramsay Street
Steph asks Toadie if he thinks they'll be good together but before he has a chance to answer, she says that the answer is written all over his face and it's ok. She goes on to point out that Max has made his decision and it's time they made theirs; what does he say? Toadie says he can't, to a look of shock on Steph's face.
Robinsons'
Lyn is looking over the pre-nup and says that Rosie has done a good job. Paul is just absolutely day dreaming and somewhat randomly says that he doesn't know how she puts up with him. Lyn asks who, Rosie? Paul says no, Elle - Dylan treats her like dirt and Elle accepts it. Paul's got a good mind to sort him out but Lyn stops him and tells him that he's been really sweet lately and that's the man she wants to marry, not a stand over merchant. Besides, Elle would kill Paul if he interfered. Apparently they have their appointment with Father Cap...I've no idea how to spell it. Anyhoo, it's for their 'pre marriage chat' and it's not good to go to those things with blood on your hands, so Lyn says. Paul guesses not. Lyn asks if he's saying that because he believes her or to humour her. He makes a joke about the good old father and then says that no, he means it and a good to the padre is probably just the thing he needs.
Surgery
Karl's talking to Toadie, saying he must be very relieved. Toadie says yes, but the thing is that the specialist thought the whole thing was a bit unnecessary. Karl points out that it's best to be sure. Toadie says that he probably lost years off his life from worry - he thought he was dying. Karl accepts that perhaps he did over react but the truth is he's having a little trouble trusting his judgement these days. Toadie suggests that Janelle waging war on him probably won't have helped much. Karl says that he just keeps second-guessing himself - he didn't want to put Toadie's life at risk just so he could prove he knew what he was doing. Toadie says there was a happy ending, that's the main thing and Karl tells him that if he wanted to find another doctor he'd understand; he wouldn't be the first. Toadie, in his own special way, says rather sweetly that there is nobody else he'd rather have poking and prodding him than Karl. All together now...aww. Music starts playing and I worry momentarily that it could get a bit too mushy but luckily it's short - Toadie points out that Karl has done a lot of good for a lot of people over the years but unfortunately some of them have got very short memories. Toadie leaves Karl's office, with a last shot of Karl looking unsure of himself, down in the dumps and generally feeling like the world is against him.
Ramsay Street
Paul and Lyn are standing in the street when Paul suddenly exclaims, 'Oh god it's the CUB parade.' Lyn looks at him quizzically and Paul explains - they're Cashed Up Bogans. The Timmins' are pulling up in a couple of Audi convertibles and I must congratulate them on their choice of car - Audis are absolutely excellent because they are brilliantly built, last an eternity, aren't showy like Mercs or Beemers and also, incidentally, hold their value very well. Ooh, I've only just noticed that Paul's car is also an Audi. Do TPTB have some sort of advertising deal going on there? At least it's not with Ford or Kia if they do. Or Lada.
Janelle climbs out of her car looking totally blinged up in some vile faux fur leopard print coat, white jeans that only really look good on people like Eva Longoria or Mischa Barton and a white and gold t-shirt complete with a gold necklace. Seriously, she'd compete with Vicky Pollard's mother. She's also just taken off her sunglasses as she strolls towards Paul and Lyn saying, 'G'day neighbours,' and grinning from ear to ear. Lyn says hi and Paul forces a grin and through almost gritted teeth and says, 'Ah Janelle, it's you. For a minute there I thought it was Rose Porteous.' Janelle ignores him and asks him what he thinks of the number plates. She says that she wanted CUB1 for herself but she thinks Bec and Leyton (Hewitt - don't get the joke at all) beat her to it. Lyn doesn't quite know what to say and Paul is incredulous when some couriers turn up the Timmins' follow the van and Lyn starts sniggering. Paul asks her to remind him again why he thought it was such a good idea to sell off half his business. Janelle says how nice it is to see 'Trev' again and how it's nice to see the repo man giving rather than taking. Dylan says the driver guys had better watch their step or Janelle will have them sacked just for the fun of it. Janelle then tells 'Trev' to be careful and shouts that she paid plenty for the plasma screens. Paul's like screens, how many has she got? Janelle answers for him and shouts in the street that she thought they should all get one because it saves fighting. Still with an increasingly irritating Cheshire Cat grin. Paul and Lyn walk off to get in the car but are stopped by Janelle, who tells Paul to let her know if he needs a light for his cigar. She clicks her finger and Stingray instantly produces a $100 note. She goes on to say that she's got a spare $100 note he can use. Paul's face just says, 'huh' and he gets in the car.
The Surgery
'And something sweet to go with it,' Susan says as she hands Karl a brown paper bag. I'm taking it the something sweet isn't her then, and I don't think she's the 'it' in question either. Neither is, you know... Karl tells Susan he spoils it and Susan is clearly in some sort of loved up, special Kennedy couple things on her mind mode because she's smiling and saying in a cutesy voice that he deserves it as she leans in for a kiss. Karl says that many would disagree as somebody opens the door to the surgery and it's Toadie with Bob. He says hey and goes straight into his office as Susan and Karl look on. Karl tells Susan that he's been bunking down in there for quite a while and Susan is shocked, she apparently had no idea. That's strange, because I'm sure she knows he's not at Steph's anymore and we all know that there's only one street in the whole of Erinsborough and she'll know he's not living at any house on Ramsay Street. Surely she'd have worked out that it leaves only the sleeping in the office trick as demonstrated by Lou.
Susan goes into Toadie's office, who's feeding Bob and says it's funny, his bedroom looked just like his office does when he was living with the Kennedys. Toadie jokes that he enjoys a bit of continuity and tells her to come on in, does she want a coffee? She says yes and says she thought he was staying with Steph. Oh. Well, all I'll say now is that considering this is Ramsay Street, this particular news has travelled extremely slowly. She asks if they're fighting. Toadie simply says he wishes. Susan's like, 'Hey?' and Toadie instantly continues to say that he really shouldn't have said anything. Too late Toad, Susie Q is on the case and she's doing the mother thing. Prepare... Susan asks about what and Toadie says nothing at all, she should go out and come back in again and they can start from the top. Nope, MaternalSuse is onto something and she knows it. If they're not fighting, why can't Toadie stay with Steph? Toadie says it's complicated. At first Susan laughs one of those little laughs that you do when you neither know exactly what's going on, understand exactly what's going on or know what to say. This lasts, because it's Susan, for about 3 nanoseconds before she realises. All she needs to say is a long 'oh' for Toadie to understand that Susan really does actually know what's going on and hasn't made some wild guess. He instantly explains that nothing has happened and that's why he's there. Susan asks him if he'd like something to happen. Toadie says he doesn't want to talk about it. Susan understands and says of course, but you just know that's not the case and the way she's looking tells you that more is to come from MaternalSuse. Two seconds later...
SUSAN: Does Steph want something to happen?
TOADIE: Can we please change the subject?
SUSAN (sitting down and murmuring rather than speaking): Oh, Toadie...
TOADIE: I think she's just a bit confused at the moment, you know and angry over the whole Max thing.
SUSAN: Well...
TOADIE: You know, it's not like she's really interested in me anyway it's that she's just looking for someone to fill the void.
SUSAN: And you really like her?
TOADIE: It really is written all over my face, isn't it?
SUSAN: Not everyone would have been such a gentleman.
TOADIE: Yeah well it doesn't get me very far, does it?
SUSAN: Aw, Toadie. Hey, for what it's worth I think you're a lovely fella.
Harold's
Harold is on the sofa with Kerry as Sky sits next to him and tells him about her trip. Toby was so good with her; he's going to be such a great dad. Joe was just pretending that he wasn't completely besotted with her; he's such a dag. Sky goes from being chirpy and happy to being apprehensive - Dylan's going to be there soon. Harold asks about the custody rights, is he still threatening legal action? Sky doesn't know but guesses they'll soon find out. Harold doesn't think any court would give them to him. Sky just wishes they could bring her up in some loving, normal relationship, but what's normal these days? As long as she's got people around her who love her. Harold says she'll certainly have that. Sky reckons that no matter happens between her and Dylan, she's not going to let Kerry suffer. Harold observes that Sky has become very composed since she's been away. Sky jokes that she's good at pretending. There's a knock at the door. Three guesses as to who it is. Sky gets up to answer it and says here goes nothing. Well done, gold stars all round to those who thought it was Dylan. He comes in (wearing a suit) and quite calmly and almost with a smile says welcome home to Sky. Sky's relieved he hasn't stormed in so she smiles back and thanks him. Sky didn't realise they were dressing up for the occasion. Dylan says it's a big day for him - his daughter has returned from her first holiday. He's also got a bag with him and hands it to Sky saying 'these' are for her as he goes and gets Kerry from Harold and he's holding her and speaking to her, asking if she missed her daddy and whatnot and telling her that he hopes she did because he missed her and thought about her everyday. Then we have a shot of Sky with two t-shirts - a babygro one saying, and this is with grammatical errors and all, 'worlds greatest daughter' and an adult sized one saying 'worlds greatest mother'. Sky says they're the weirdest clothes ever and that they're great. Dylan knew she'd like them and can't believe how much Kerry has changed in a week. Sky's smiling because Dylan's being nice etc and says she knows, it's amazing isn't it?
Scarlet Bar
Steph is waving her fingers above the keyboard of a laptop when Susan appears at the doorway. You know it's the maternal Susan still on a mission before she even says, 'Hey.' Steph invites her in, assuring her that her interruption is more than welcome. Susan thought she'd just 'drop in' and see how Steph's getting on. Steph says not bad, but the look on her face an ensuing sigh suggests otherwise. Susan says that Max will be back and Steph just replies that it's weird the way things turn out. She goes on to say that Max was always to angry and unforgiving at his own absent father and now he's just gone and done the same thing. The mere mention of Bobby combined with Susan's presence as Steph says this reminds me of their liaison. Susan thinks it must be hard for her. Steph tells her that Lyn has been helping in between all the wedding madness and now comes the person that Susan's been waiting to hear about. Steph says that Toadie has been amazing and she doesn't know what she'd have done without him. Susan smiles and nods knowingly. She says that it's funny; Toadie is never as strong as he seems and under that cheeky, chirpy exterior he's really very fragile. Steph says that she'd never hurt him and Susan knows but these are times of very heightened emotions. You can tell Susan has made her point without having to say anything really. She departs, explaining that she has a disappearing gene of her own, so she'll leave Steph to it. Steph says that Susan is welcome to stay and save her from this work. Susan says maybe another time and looks at Steph meaningfully as she says goodbye. Steph knows what she's just been told and looks into the distance.
Robinsons'
Lyn's distressed as she and Paul come in. She's exclaiming about everything she's done for Cappuccino or whatever his name is and the church. Paul says she knew it was going to be a bit of a longshot. Lyn thought that Cappuccino would find a loophole - it wasn't her blooming idea to get a divorce, Joe went and moved to Bendigo. If an annulment is off the table, they're going to have to continue to live in sin. Karl and Susan, Paul and Lyn. All these middle aged sinners, eh? Paul says they can still get married and in fact they'll have the most beautiful wedding that Lassiters has ever seen. Lyn says no, if she can't get married in a church in the eyes of God there is no point. Paul clearly doesn't understand the conviction of her beliefs because he just says they'll get married in another church - Catholic or Protestant, what difference does it make? Elle comes in from the kitchen to explain that it's not like changing a football team. Paul says exactly, it's nowhere near as serious. Is he serious? Lyn's a Catholic! Paul tells Lyn that if getting married in a church is what she wants, then that is what she'll get. Lyn says he's so sweet and immediately stops crying. Elle takes Harvey out for a walk and Lyn tells Paul that the Pope would never forgive her: she's just going to have to pray that god will. Paul looks at her lovingly and kisses her on the temple.
Scarlet Bar
Sky tells Dylan that she knows he's back with Elle and she hopes they're very happy together. Dylan hopes so too. Stingray comes in wearing a white beanie and a silver chain and looking a bit 21st century Ali G. He comes over to Sky, Kerry and Dylan and asks to have a 'gawk' at Kerry before saying she's going to be a real heartbreaker. Dylan isn't impressed. Sky laughs and says that she knows Kerry likes Stingray, just like her father. Dylan asks Stingray if he's still off the booze. Stingray says yes, has Dylan finished being a huffter? Dylan says no.
Paul and Elle come in and see the little threesome at the table. Paul suggests that Elle go and join them but Elle wants to leave them to it for now. Paul says, 'Oh come on, you're his girlfriend aren't you?' and walks towards the table before greeting them. Sky's glad they're there, they were just talking about Kerry's launch party - Sunday week, 3pm if they can make it. Paul tells Sky that it's Elle's birthday and Sky is a bit confused as she glances at Dylan and Paul continues, explaining that Elle has already made a couple of firm bookings but then of course Dylan knew that. Dylan asks if they could do it another day.
PAUL: Oh right. You forget your own girlfriend's birthday and you expect her to rearrange everything. She can't change the day she was born, you know.
(Dylan's looking annoyed and, it must be said, a little blasé)
ELLE: Dad, it's fine, I don't mind. Really, I don't.
DYLAN: See? So it's not a problem.
ELLE: We'll make other plans later, ok?
Paul and Elle leave and Sky tells Dylan that they can change Kerry's dates. Dylan says there's no need. Sky asks him if he's sure but Dylan's adamant - Elle's not even big on birthdays. Sky acquiesces (I can't believe I actually spelt that word correctly) and says that she wanted to discuss Kerry's middle name with Dylan - she wants him to choose it. Dylan asks, 'Really?' and Sky says yeah, they're in this together. Dylan's really pleased and asks if he can give it some thought. Sky tells him he can think about it as long as he likes. Stingray suggests Janelle and immediately changes Dylan's smile to an expression of simple disdain. Stringray's like, it's funny but Dylan is not amused to put it mildly.
Toadie's office
Steph comes to the door and says that Karl said she could just come on through. Toadie says he's under the pump a bit at the moment and can they do it later? Steph says it won't take long. Please? Toadie signals for her to sit down.
STEPH: I just want to say to you that you have been such a good friend to me and I haven't been a good friend to you in return.
TOADIE: I wouldn't say that.
STEPH: Well I would. And the thing is you are right.
TOADIE: Oh, that's not like me.
STEPH: I'm not ready to become involved with anyone else just yet. And I am still confused about everything. And I am so angry at Max and... and then I start to feel guilty because he's obviously not himself so I just want to go out there and I want to try and find him so I can help him and then...
TOADIE: You get angry again.
STEPH: Yes! Because no matter what he's going through how can he not know that? You know? So what do I do now? Do I... do I continue to wait for him or do I try to move on or do I go on grieving or what?
TOADIE: You do whatever it takes to get through. When I lost Dee I thought there was no way that I was gonna make it. All I can say is with time it gets easier.
Steph thanks him and Toadie, naturally, makes a joke about this being a hug moment.
Scarlet Bar
Steph comes in and she's beaming because Toadie is behind her carrying Charlie. Lyn's talking to Janelle and explaining that she doesn't want this to come out the wrong way or anything but being a major shareholder in Lassiters is a very serious business and the image... Janelle interrupts to say that she's taking her responsibilities as the new face of Lassiters very seriously, don't worry. I've only just realised that Karl and Susan are talking behind them because Janelle tells Lyn that she's organised a Botox bash at her place this afternoon and Karl and Susan turn and look at her quizzically. Janelle tells Lyn that she could do with a touch up herself with the wedding coming up and everything. In fact, the whole street could do with a jab or two, even those tarts at number 30, Poppy and what's Carmella's sister's name again? Paul has just arrived at the table and is quick to inform her that it's Rosetta and she must be joking. Someone as beautiful as her (he's talking about Rosetta, not Lyn) doesn't need Botox. Janelle says he'd be surprised, it's the pretty ones are more susceptible. Alan and Jackie must have loved shooting this scene, because they've spent the entire time making these funny facial expressions and giving each other strange looks. Apparently, because Janelle is still talking, the pretty ones get lulled into a false sense of security and before you know it, Hagsville. Karl can no longer help himself, Susan knows it's coming and looks away. He explains that Botox is actually a poison injected into the face and it can have serious side effects.
JANELLE: Ah, hark at Doctor DoWrong. Not exactly the most reliable source, are you? (Looking at Susan) And don't think you're invited to my party neither.
Susan pulls at each side of her face and sarcastically says, 'How will I survive?' Janelle turns to Steph and tells her about the Botox bash and will save her a seat. Steph's surprise quickly passes as she says brilliant, she'll be there. Toadie hopes that Steph is kidding.
Timmins'
Janelle is inspecting the food that's been laid out for her Botox Bash. She asks Elle if the stuff is edible. Elle tells her to try one but Janelle wants Elle to try one first. Elle explains that Dylan went to a lot of trouble to make this and she's acting as though he's trying to poison her. Lyn is impressed and wants Dylan to cater for her wedding. Elle wonders where Dylan is. Janelle guesses that he's still hanging with Sky and Kerry. She walks into the living room where Steph, Harold and Stingray are and declares that she thought there'd be a bigger turnout - who in their right mind would turn down a free feed and a new face to go with it. Who indeed? Harold asks. The good news is that it's all the more for them, according to Janelle. Elle says that she doesn't have wrinkles yet, so... Janelle jokes about having four new plasma screens. She tells Steph that by this afternoon her face is going to be as smooth as Charlie's rear end. Steph laughs nervously and reckons she might just listen and learn this time round. Harold thinks it sensible. That leaves Janelle and Lyn. Stingray opens the door to a quite scary looking man in a pink shirt and red bow tie. Then he opens his voice and I discover he also has a quite scary voice. Stringray's off to powder his nose. The scary man asks if anybody else is coming.
JANELLE: It's hard to say doc, but I can tell you one thing. Your trip won't be wasted!
The neighbours gather around his suitcase as he explains the syringes are in a variety of sizes from petite to jumbo size. Lyn and Steph are terrified whilst Janelle thinks she's died and gone to heaven. The scary man squeezes Janelle's eyebrows together and decides on jumbo. Everyone runs off without Janelle realising. Dramatic irony rules. She turns around and asks who's first just as Steph is making a dash for it. Janelle thinks they're gutless wonders and the scary man thinks he should be leaving too. Janelle says no way, she wants to look 16 again - bring on the jumbo-sized needle. Scary man thinks this is wonderful and tells her that this won't hurt a bit. Actually, it will hurt quite a lot. Janelle's face has gone from looking like all her Christmases have come at once to an expression of sheer terror.
We cut to an exterior shot of the Timmins' accompanied by a loud shriek from Janelle. The shriek continues as we cut to an exterior shot of the entire street.
Harold's
We can still hear Janelle's shriek and Dylan asks if it's Janelle. He looks at Kerry and tells her (in the requisite baby voice) not to change too much before next time. He can't believe he's being like this, and if somebody had told him he would be, he'd have thumped them. That's funny, because thumping him is what I'd quite like to do right now with all this nauseating cooing over the baby. Sky tells Dylan that if they can be good friends after everything they've been through, surely he and Stingray can be too? Sky tells him not to say no yet, just think about it.
Harold comes in and Dylan asks how the Botox was. Harold's in no doubt that Janelle is quite mad. Dylan doesn't disagree and leaves. Harold asks if things went well and Sky says it went so much better than she thought. Harold's relieved and thinks it's good news. Sky can't help thinking what if. What if Karl hadn't got the dates wrong? Dylan and her could still be together. Sky says she's sorry if it's affected Harold's friendship with Karl. Harold just thinks it feels so strange to be at odds after all these years and supposes that in time they'll rekindle some sort of friendship. Sky shakes her head; not her - Janelle might have dropped the lawsuit but the Kennedys haven't heard the last of this.
Timmins'
Lyn bursts in accompanied by Elle and Steph. Weird to think that soon that'll be her daughter and step-daughter. Anyway, they find Janelle conked out on the sofa. Lyn shakes her and Elle asks if they should call an ambulance. Suddenly Janelle wakes up and says she must have nodded off. Lyn says she was worried for a minute and asks if Janelle is feeling all right. By the way, Janelle is not moving her face and is barely moving her lips.
JANELLE: Great, why?
LYN: You've got kind of a...
JANELLE: Glow about me?
ELLE: That's one word for it.
Janelle sits up and asks if it's like she's twenty years old again but with the experience of a woman of the world. What a combo! The girls could have had a face like hers, but they blew it! She could call the scary man and see if he wants to come back? Steph says it's too late, and Elle adds that they should have done it when he was there; it's their fault. Lyn came over to ask Janelle if she'd be matr...bridesmaid at her wedding.
JANELLE: Fantastic.
LYN: Really?
JANELLE: What?
LYN: I just thought you'd be a bit excited.
JANELLE: I am. I'm stoked. I just can't seem to move my face.
Kennedys'
Karl is sitting on the sofa, staring into space and Susan is feeding Dahl when there's a knock at the door. Susan jokes about thinking that everyone would be at the Botox party as she answers it. No prizes this time for guessing it's Sky. Susan invites her in and Karl greets her asking if everything is all right with Kerry. Susan offers a tea or coffee. Sky explains that it's not a social visit. By now the Kennedys are standing together as a unit.
SKY: I don't agree with what Janelle was doing but I think you should take responsibility for your mistake.
KARL: I do, Sky, really.
SUSAN: More than is strictly necessary, I would have thought.
SKY: I loved Dylan. I was planning a life with him and that's gone now. That's gonna affect our baby girl, our little daughter. Stingray was my best friend and that'll never be the same again. I can understand you making a mistake with the dates. Any doctor could have done that but I was your patient, Karl. And you made me feel like a bad person for doing what I thought was right. (To Susan) So did you and you're meant to be my friend.
KARL: I'm happy to talk it through with you.
SUSAN: Yeah, me too.
SKY: It's too late for that. It's the moral judgements that I was subjected to that I cannot forgive. I'm reporting you to the medical board.