The story so far
- The teens on schoolies agreeing that what happens there stays there.
- Declan and Kate kissing.
- Harry being bullied.
- Declan telling Kate about Harry being bullied.
- Harry returning to his family.
- Paul and Rebecca marrying.
- Lyn confessing to Susan that she still loves Paul.
- Karl telling Dan to stay away from Ramsay Street for a while.
- Lucas and Libby pashing... and being seen by Steph.
- Steph and Dan sleeping with each other.
- Dan leaving.
- Elle dumping Lucas by a video message.
- Lucas taking off on his bike and crashing into a truck.
- Donna and Andrew meeting then going off with each other at schoolies.
- Andrew rocking up in Erinsborough to see his dad... Paul Robinson!
Despite it being the start of a new season there are no changes to the titles.
Ramsay Street
Ringo and Donna are trying to what feels like beat their record for pashing! He needs to go off and do his chores but Donna suggests a better alterative, however as they head into #22 Andrew comes out of the house to get the paper, totally killing her mood for some early morning exercise especially when she has a flashback to what happened with Andrew at schoolies.
Number 22
Paul is trying to tell Christina where her son is but she puts the phone down on him, which apparently is common thing for her to do. Whilst both Paul and Rebecca are happy for Andrew to stay on, she hands him a dressing gown because he's showing too much flesh for that time in the morning (he's dressed in shorts & a singlet).
Rebecca enquires if anyone has heard anything from Lucas and she's starting to get worried about him but nobody has.
Donna's mood is further ruined when Rebecca tells her to give Andrew the guided tour of the neighbourhood.
Number 26
Libby has a suggestion for Steph - that she and Ben move into #26 because she's had enough of living with Toadie. Lyn is all for it but Steph looks for reasons to prevent that - what happened the last time they shared and then that Oscar will be coming, however all that is put aside when Libby gets a call to say that Lucas has been involved in an accident.
Hospital
Steph, Libby and Toadie arrive to find out the news about Lucas. Karl tells them that Lucas came off his bike speeding and has been in ICU for 12 hours.
KARL: He has swelling on his brain and his spine. There is a possibility of brain damage or paralysis. They won't know any more until they can assess the spine.
Steph looks visibly shaken and ignores Karl talking to the others, instead looking through the window to where Lucas lies unconscious in a hospital bed connected up to various monitors.
(Later)
Toadie finishes talking to the police and tells the ladies that Lucas was speeding when he had the crash. Libby and Toadie are mystified by it and so is Steph when she comes back to the present after zoning out for a few seconds.
LIBBY: Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse.
Much to Libby and Toadie's bewilderment, Steph suddenly rushes out of the hospital.
(Later)
Libby leaves a message on Dan's voicemail telling him about his brother's accident and asks that he call her. Toadie wonders where Dan is and Karl mentions that Lucas' parents will need contacting too in case they need next of kin but Libby replies that Mr & Mrs Fitzgerald are overseas, so she is the closest thing that Lucas has for family.
Lassiters Complex
Donna finishes giving Andrew the quickest tour of the Lassiters Complex ever in her rush to get away from him. He explains that he'd no idea she'd be around when he came looking for his dad and adds that he doesn't want to repeat what happened at schoolies. Donna is sceptical about everything including him, thinking he's trying it on so Andrew shows her his school ID card which proves that he is indeed Andrew Robinson with a DOB of 20/08/1993 (which is wrong because he was actually born on 13/11/1991 until the writers altered it!).
DONNA: You're sixteen?!
ANDREW: Why, how old are you?
DONNA: Eighteen. (Andrew smiles at her) I'm a cougar.
Number 26
Toadie leaves a voicemail message for Steph when she doesn't answer the phone again. Lyn comes out of the bedrooms to ask why Steph is at home and not at the hospital after Steph shook her head when she asked how Lucas was. Steph finally finds her voice and tells her mum that Lucas is in a mess after coming off his bike but can't answer her when she asks if he is going to be alright. Lyn again says that she should be there for him and is puzzled when Steph replies that she "doesn't deserve to be there". Steph eventually mumbles that she can't stand to see Lucas as he is and follows it up with a "I'm the last thing he needs" when Lyn tries to turn the tables around and say if Steph were where he is now, she'd want him there.
LYN: (puzzled at Steph) This isn't like you. Come on, where's my strong girl mmm?
STEPH: (shaking her head) She's scared.
Hospital
Libby sits by Lucas' bedside wondering why he did what he did but quickly following that up by saying there are lots of people around who care for him.
LIBBY: Come on Lucas, you're stronger than this alright, you have to wake up, you have to please for me and for Ben and for Steph.
On hearing 'Steph' Lucas begins to come round. When he starts mumbling, she takes off his oxygen mask so she can hear what he is saying and he says "Steph". Libby runs to the door to get the medics and Lucas again says Steph's name.
Commercial break later and Peggy runs through some tests on Lucas to see what he can/can't feel. All he can feel is tingling in his fingers and numbness in his feet so she explains that the neurologist will do more tests but its likely he is suffering from spinal cord syndrome due to trauma to the spine.
DR NEWTON: There is a possibility of permanent paralysis. Any recovery will depend on intensive physiotherapy.
Toadie and Libby immediately volunteer to help with the physio but Karl is more concerned in getting in contact with Dan. "No" Lucas says to that.
When Karl and Peggy depart, Libby wants to know what Lucas was doing and Toadie adds that he's going to be in trouble with the police too but Lucas doesn't reply, instead saying that wants to be alone. Libby mentions that Steph is on her way but he doesn't want to see anyone and asks them to leave now!
Number 26
Libby comes by to tell Steph and Lyn about Lucas' injuries. She also mentions that he's shut down and about Lucas calling Steph's name when he woke up.
LIBBY: Steph, he doesn't want anyone else there. He needs you.
STEPH: (absorbing what Libby said) Well you know what I need? I just need people to stop telling me what I should be doing. I'll see Lucas when I'm ready.
Number 22
Libby drops in by to tell the Robinsons what has happened to Lucas. Donna immediately begins to dial Elle's number to let her know but Paul orders her to put the phone down then explains that Elle ended their relationship. Libby then puts the brakes on Donna and Rebecca going to see Lucas because he doesn't want to see any visitors.
REBECCA: So what are we going to do?
LIBBY: Just give him time.
Charlie's
Andrew receives a call from someone wanting money from him but pretends that the guy has the wrong number and when he hangs up, he slips a pair of shades on.
Number 22
Christina again hangs up on Paul when he attempts to talk to her.
PAUL: Ex-wives, never a lot of fun.
REBECCA: Oh whatever happened to the Robinson charm?
PAUL: It doesn't always work down the phoneline you know.
REBECCA: Oh.
Charlie's
Incognito Andrew tries to ignore his phone ringing until Ringo asks if he's going to answer it but Andrew tries to pass the call off a telemarketing one. Ringo then asks if the lights are too bright since he's got shades on indoors.
ANDREW: Oh right. (Taking shades off) Just like in Scotland no sunshine!
Ringo isn't the only one bemused by that comment although given the snow and icy weather of late in Scotland, maybe Andrew is right! Andrew again ignores his ringing phone and puts it down to him being popular.
Number 22
Paul apologises to Rebecca for ghosts from his past appearing just when things are happy between them. She tells him that there is no need to apologise.
REBECCA: The old Paul might have made his fair share of messes but the new Paul cleans them up... and I like that.
Charlie's
Andrew wants to know why Ringo is hanging around and when Ringo tells him he's waiting on Donna, Andrew jokes that perhaps Donna's stood him up. This doesn't go down well with Ringo, so Andrew offers to shout him a coffee while he waits, as a way of making things up to him for getting off on the wrong foot.
Number 22
Rebecca remarks that Andrew seems a nice but Paul has an inkling he's not on the level and wants to talk to Christina to get the full story.
Charlie's
Andrew and Ringo are getting on like a house on fire when Donna arrives (she forgot she was due to meet Ringo).
Commercial break later and while Andrew is at the bar getting the coffees, Donna wants to know why Ringo is being friendly with him, so he explains that Andrew cleared things up.
Andrew returns with the coffees and wants to know when the tour of Erinsborough continues, and new bestie Ringo suggests showing him the lake but not before he quizzes him on his accent. He explains the hints of a Scottish accent being down to spending a few years in Scotland with his mum.
RINGO: Lakes probably not a good idea, he's probably seen enough of them.
Paul and Rebecca rock up after he finally managed to have a conversation with Christina. She is annoyed at Andrew for not being in Erinsborough earlier since he was supposed to head there straight after his exams. Andrew explains his delay was due to him going to schoolies (to run his dance party) and Ringo is stunned to find out how young he is while at the same time Donna wishes she was elsewhere! Paul is annoyed at Andrew using him as a cover and Andrew tries to turn it around by explaining that it was a significant business opportunity.
ANDREW: Sometimes you've just to go for it.
This softens Paul up while Donna can't believe what has been said.
Church
Lyn ropes Steph into helping her take stuff to the church for the fete... and whilst they are there suggests she has a word with Father Corrigan. Steph isn't amused at her mum and wants to leave her to it; however she relents and agrees to help but is left to do so alone when Lyn runs off to see if someone can let them into the church as it's locked.
Steph spots a gardener and asks him if he's seen her mum (he hasn't) so instead asks if she can leave the boxes with him since Lyn's gone AWOL. Gardener guy asks if there is a message to be passed on and she replies "nice try". "And she'll know what you're talking about" he asks and Steph tells him about her mum trying to trick her into talking to the priest. "That's not on" he tells her, which meets with full agreement from Steph.
STEPH: She reckons I've got this problem.
GARDENER GUY: You'll be stuck here all afternoon once they get preaching at you.
STEPH: They just don't stop.
GARDENER GUY: Yes. It's not as if a priest's going to tell you something you don't already know.
STEPH: (half laughing) Hell yes.
GARDENER GUY: It's the way people work. I reckon people usually know the answers to their own problems. They're already feeling guilty enough as it is; don't need some crusty old religious type banging on about it.
It then dawns on Steph as to who she is talking to!
STEPH: You're the new priest?
FATHER CORRIGAN: That obvious?
STEPH: Only for the last part.
FATHER CORRIGAN: I always get that little bit sanctimonious in the final run, damn! Sean Corrigan.
STEPH: (shaking hands) Steph.
FATHER CORRIGAN: But you can call me Father.
Father Corrigan tells Steph that he can go and put on the dog caller if she wants to talk to him. Steph takes the plunge and admits that there is something bothering her but adds that she knows what she has to do. "Good for you" he says just as Lyn arrives and acting all innocent too.
Lyn does the formal intro's and adds that she hopes that the two of them can have a chat, but Father Corrigan replies that it won't be necessary. He departs saying that his work is done, which Lyn finds highly amusing!
Hospital
Steph arrives at the hospital just as Lucas begins convulsing. The medics head into his room followed by Steph but Jodie ushers her out and closes the door and blinds on her.
Final commercial break later and Steph asks Peggy about Lucas when she exits his room. She explains that he convulsed, which is common for head trauma cases. Peggy adds that he is stable and they are doing more tests but can't answer Steph's question of whether Lucas will wake up or not.
Steph enters Lucas' room (Peggy gave her the go-ahead) and is shocked at seeing him lying unconscious.
As the titles come up there are a few changes - Rebecca is now Rebecca Robinson, Libby is back to being Libby Kennedy (Ben is still Ben Fitzgerald). Added to the cast is Andrew Robinson - Jordan Patrick Smith whist Dan has been removed.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Steph wanting Lucas to wake up.
- Lucas ordering Steph and the Ramsay Street Residents away.
- Paul wanting to know the full story from Andrew when he's chased home.
- Andrew wanting help from his dad.