Recap
Tom Scully arriving on Susan's doorstep
Janae telling Doctor Charlotte Stone that Boyd was a lousy husband
Tom telling Susan that he's the new Principal of Erinsborough High
The Scarlet Bar where there is a little UST
Susan is shocked - why on earth would the school employ him? Tom tells her that he has been teaching in a school in Bendigo; he channelled all his energies into it - including his feelings of leaving the church and Susan - and made Vice Principal within a year. So the Principal role is the next step.
SUSAN: Yes, but Tom - come on! Bendigo! It's not the same!
TOM: You applied for the position.
SUSAN: Yes. And until recently I thought I had it.
TOM: I didn't know.
SUSAN: Well now you do. So you can go and...just...sing a hymn about it or something.
Tom offers to pull out of the job if Susan would prefer, and she does that petulant sigh of hers that she does when she's either being childish or in denial. Rather startlingly I find myself hoping it's the latter.
Number 26 where Janelle is Wise
Bree and Janelle find some flowers and a present and card on the doorstep. They're for Janae, and Bree opens the present which turns out to be a necklace. She looks all pleased that her sister might have a secret admirer and is moving on - until Janelle reveals that it's all from Boyd. Bree looks like she just smelled some bad cheese.
JANELLE: Chuck this back on his doorstep.
Janae tells her sister and mum that she called Boyd and they're going on another date. She thinks that he's making an effort and the least she owes him is dinner.
BREE: The least you owe him is a kick in the -
JANELLE: - Bree! Your sister's old enough to make her own mistakes.
Janelle cuddles her two girls and reminds her that whilst they're all feeling vulnerable at the moment, she should gamble her whole future because she feels she needs some affection. Janae has her and Breezer for that, and they won't let her down. Wow - common sense in bucket loads from Janelle! What's going on?!
The Scarlet Bar where Susan is Unsure
Susan derides Tom's idea of backing out - if she can't get the job on her own merit then she doesn't want it. She promises it won't cause animosity:
SUSAN: I've had my tantrum. I'm over it. Congratulations. You can expect my full support.
Tom confesses that he applied for the job just to be closer to her, and Susan thinks that if that's the *only* reason he's here then he should turn it down and go back to Bendigo.
TOM: If I stay, will that be awkward for you?
SUSAN: No. No. As long as you know where we stand.
She sounds less convincing than I've ever heard her, and Tom thinks that as he's here, now - and as they're adults - he might as well give it a go.
I bet he does, the saucy man.
The Allotments where it Must Be Love
Ringo is asleep in his tent and Zeke and Rachel wake him up - his tent collapsed on him in the night! Ringo is surprised that Rachel's even there, give that she didn't show up the other night when he invited her. Rachel stops him - she didn't get any message to meet with him the other night. Ringo thinks Lolly must have forgotten - and Rachel clicks. Lolly likes Ringo, and she doesn't want Rachel to be close to him.
Ringo doesn't believe it - he and Lolly are just mates! Rachel wonders why she didn't pass the message on, then - because had she known, she'd have been over here in a flash.
Aw. Young love.
The Scarlet Bar where Not Much Happens
Charlotte says goodbye to Harry and runs into Paul who introduces himself - he needs an appointment with her - preferably now. They leave the bar.
Boyd approaches Janae and asks if she got his present - he can't wait to take her out to dinner tonight. Janae looks pensive.
The Surgery of Doom
Paul lists his weird symptoms to Charlotte - eyesight, hearing, his balance is off - and the only thing like this before was his anxiety attacks and agoraphobia. But this isn't the same. She thinks it could be stress-related, although Paul disagrees - he's been stressed all his life.
Charlotte suggests that Western Medicine might not be able to help - he should try massage and reflexology...all this after Paul has been talking for less than one minute. Amazing. Paul wants some pills, but Charlotte refuses, and tells him to get on the table.
PAUL: Now you're talking!
Charlotte says that the symptoms are reminding him to slow down a bit. She asks that he take his shirt off. Paul flirts with her, but it's not working one bit - if he's not careful, she'll make him see another doctor. He takes his shirt off and Charlotte gets ready to massage his back.
Number 24 where he is Nearly Caught Out
Ringo is confronting Lolly about why she didn't give the message to Rachel about meeting up the other night. Lolly says she heard Susan shouting at Rachel so she left - and then she forgot to go back. She says she loves the idea of Rach and Ringo together - and denies any interest in Ringo herself.
Harold comes home with a plant, surprised to see Ringo there, who quickly makes up a story about popping back to see everyone because he missed them so much. Harry asks after Frazer, and Ringo replies that his brother is still pretty down. Harold is surprised to hear that, as he had heard that Frazer was feeling better. Ringo covers by saying his brother is up and down at the moment. He quickly makes an excuse to leave, and Lolly says she'll catch him later.
The Surgery of Doom
Whilst Paul is catatonic on the massage couch, Charlotte is looking at his driving licence and copying his details down. Paul stirs, sleepy.
CHARLOTTE: You never had your chakras aligned before?
PAUL: Yeah once, on the dancefloor. Oh no - wait. That was Chaka Khan.
Charlotte prescribes plenty of water, and tells him the sessions will ease the acute symptoms - but he'll need ongoing massage. She also gives him some herbal......stuff. She is surprised that he isn't protesting at the Eastern Quackery. He doesn't mind it - as long as he feels better.
And he offers her dinner which she refuses.
The Allotments where Rachel is So Onto Her
Rach helps Ringo put his tent up properly, and they agree that they make a good team. Ringo tells Rachel that he's happy to take their relationship as slowly as she wants after the whole Stingray thing, and delighted, grabs him and kisses him! Lolly sees them and "whooo!"s them, making Ringo trip and fall onto the tent.
She apologises and says she'll leave them alone - she'll tell them the good news later. Ringo calls her back, and Lol announces that she has a solution to his accommodation problem - a key to the general store and the security alarm number. He's thrilled, but Rachel thinks someone might notice.
Lolly has also decided that he can eat the food there, as well as sleep, and so he doesn't fall behind at school she'll get his assignments for him and they can work on them together. He hugs her, and Rach rolls her eyes and looks away.
Number 28
Tom turns up and I find myself unexpectedly hopeful.
He wants to clear up a few things, and Susie invites him in. He reiterates that he's completely committed to the job - despite taking it to be close to her. He also wants to work closely with her as a team at school without their pasts getting in the way; Susan points out that they discussed and agreed that earlier.
But Tom has one more thing to say.
TOM: I also want you to know that I care for you - as a friend. And if you need someone to talk to about whatever it is that's eating you up so much...
Susan gasps indignantly.
TOM: I know you, Susan. And for all the fronts you've been putting on for me, I've never seen you so sad.
Susan struggles to maintain her facade, and drops her eyes. And choking back tears, she unconvincingly whispers that she's fine. She walks away and tells Tom that he should leave. Tom has other ideas.
TOM: Susan. Come on. What is it?
Susan looks over at him, her eyes wet and sad.
Cut to a bit later where Susan has relayed the Holly story to Tom. She tells him that everything was going so well, then Karl found out about Isabelle's baby and went back to the UK - and now she feels completely excluded from the whole situation.
SUSAN: This is the point where you say "I told you so."
TOM: I would never say that to you, Susan.
SUSAN: Karl really is this baby's father.
TOM: Must have been a shock to you both.
SUSAN: And now he's on the other side of the world doing the right thing, because that's what Karl does.
TOM: And you don't trust him.
SUSAN: Of course I trust him. Why would you say that?
TOM: ...because you're so upset...
SUSAN: No! No, I'm not upset. I'm not upset, I'm frustrated. I know that Karl has to do this - he wouldn't be the man I love if he didn't.
TOM: And you do still love him?
SUSAN: Of course I love him! Even more because of the way he's handling this. Why would you even ask me that?!
TOM: Because you're so angry...
SUSAN: I'm not angry! I'm NOT angry, Tom! I'm not! I'm, I'm......I'm completely furious! But at no-one. This isn't Karl's fault. It's certainly not the baby's fault. It isn't even Isabelle's fault. There's no-one to be angry at. So why do I feel SO ANGRY???
Tom smiles.
TOM: Because in a lot of ways you're the real casualty, here.
SUSAN: No! No, I'm feeling sorry for myself, I'm being an adolescent...
TOM: Karl and your children are your whole world. Now as much as Karl loves you - and I'm sure he does - you're not all there is for him. So once again you're giving more to the relationship that you're receiving.
SUSAN: Am I being unrealistic in expecting him to commit to this as much as I have?
TOM: No. Not at all. It's the absolute least you deserve.
Number 26 where Janelle Gets It
Janelle is adjusting Bree's school dress whilst Harry is checking there are no hard feelings over the spiritualist thing. Janelle says there aren't - Sky's grieving, after all. Harry tells Janelle that Sky's doing fine and he's sticking close to her.
Tom comes to the door - announces his name and asks for Lyn's forwarding address. Why didn't he just get it from Susan? Anyway, Harold welcomes Tom back, and Janelle realises that he's the priest! Tom tells them about the Principal job, and takes Lyn's address from Bree.
Harry realises that Susan must be disappointed, but Janelle things maybe not... Bree wants to know why not, but Harold thinks that some things are best not commented on, and leaves.
JANELLE: (to Bree) Have you ever read "Thorn Birds," sweetheart?
Bree and her mum share a knowing smile.
Number 28
Susie is cooking with Zeke, and Rachel picks up Tom's jacket from the table, asking who it belongs to. Susan says that the new Principal came round, and the kids are gutted she didn't get the job. Zeke asks who it is, and Susan tells him a Vice Principal from Bendigo.
The phone rings and it's Karl. They apologise to each other for snapping earlier whilst the kids chat about the lack of spuds and think they can get some from number 24. Back at the phone Susan looks very disappointed and puts the phone down. She tells the kids that Isabelle's partner, Pete, has to play football overseas, and so Karl is going to stay and help with Holly for a while. A couple of weeks, actually. The kids can't believe that she's okay with it.
Rachel goes to the Bishops to get some potatoes, looking at Zeke on the way out, and Susan continues cooking, sadly.
Number 24 where it's a Potential Cat Fight
Rachel arrives asking to borrow some spuds, and Lolly lets her in - she wants to talk to him about Ringo, and asks if he's a good kisser! Rachel wants to know if Lolly is after him - if she is, then Rach will back off. But Lolly adamantly denies it...they're just mates, and Rachel's being oversensitive.
Rach leaves and Lolly is all mournful.
Number 28
Bree comes round and finds out that Susan's gone to bed with a headache. Bree's not surprised, after the news about the new Principal and all. Zeke says that he came over to introduce himself, so Bree decides to tell them all about Tom - the priest that Susan had a fling with.
Susan stands at her bedroom door, listening. Rachel is livid - Susan said nothing about it, and Bree stirs it some more by saying that her mum said it was really intense last time Tom was around!
Cross, Susan storms into the lounge and wonders why the kids have nothing better to do than talk about her behind her back. Bree scarpers, and Susan demands that they treat the new Principal with respect - not someone to be gossiped about. Rach and Zeke decide to have an early night, and Rachel rudely comments on her way that she supposes Tom will have to come back to collect his jacket.
The Scarlet Bar where Boyd is Horrid Horrid Horrid
Janelle is animatedly talking to her daughters about Tom turning up, with Boyd listening in. It's already after hours and the bar is closed. Boyd reminds them that he wanted to see Janae for a reason, and so Janelle and Bree leave.
Boyd takes Janae into the back room, where he's prepared a really fancy meal with candles. He tells her that he believes that them getting back together is the best thing for both of them. Boyd leans in to kiss her, but Janae moves away. Boyd tells her that he wants to wake up with her every morning, and to spend every day with her. He wants her to say yes they can get back together, but she tells him that she can't forgive him.
He promises to be a better husband. But Janae is having none of it.
She tells him that she has to do the right thing here for her. She didn't mean to give him hope, but she wanted it to end in a way that was nice - no fighting. Which is why she called him. She wanted to tell him what's in her heart; it's what this meal was supposed to be about.
Janae goes to leave, but Boyd leans over her and holds the door shut. Janae turns to face him, stuck between him and the door.
BOYD: No. No. You are my wife. And you're not going anywhere.
Janae looks terrified.