Recap
- Michael meeting David from the school board
- Toadie and Sonya claiming they're "just friends"
- Andrew telling Chris to stay away from him
- Summer trying to stand up for Chris
- Michael and Libby arguing about Pirate Net content
- Libby making a complaint against Michael
Erinsborough High
Michael and Lucas catch up with Chris in the hallway and ask if he's ready for the big basketball semi- final today. Chris doesn't look too excited, but Michael says he'll be great; they'll thrash the Elliott Park team, no worries. Lucas points out Libby chatting with David Whitaker from the school board and Michael looks uneasy.
Later in Michael's office, David has explained Libby's complaint to Michael, who pastes on a pained smile and says, "I'm sure we can work through Libby's issues". David wants them both to keep in touch with him, but in the meantime he's going to spend the morning looking around the school. Michael invites him to watch the basketball game at lunch time before showing him out. Once he leaves, Michael sarcastically thanks Libby for bringing in a third party.
MICHAEL: You didn't get your way so you dobbed me into the board.
LIBBY: If you weren't doing the wrong thing in the first place I wouldn't have had to call him.
MICHAEL: You disagree with policy I expect you to raise it with me first.
LIBBY: I tried! Over and over, you won't listen.
MICHAEL: Libby I respect you as a teacher and I want us to be able to work together, but this is not...
LIBBY: Yeah so do I. But I'm tired of trying to do the right thing then being hung out to dry. If I have to go over your head, I will.
Libby rides out on her high horse and Michael looks annoyed.
Harold's Store
Toadie, Sonya, Callum and Sophie are eating breakfast together but Callum claims he's feeling sick. Toadie knows he just wants to stay home and watch his new TV. Callum tries to get Sophie to back up his story, but Toadie's onto him and sends them both off to school. Sonya and Toadie compare notes on the mind- numbing work day they've got ahead of them - until they get the bright idea to spend some 'alone time' together at #30.
Number 30
Toadie and Sonya burst inside with Sonya giggling that "this is so naughty". They start kissing, but Toadie's phone begins to ring. Toadie wants to ignore it but Sonya says it could be important and convinces him to answer. It's the school - Callum is in the sick bay claiming he's got salmonella. Toadie tells them that Callum's just faking it, but it's school policy that the parent has to come in and check on the student before they can go back to class. Toadie reluctantly leaves, telling Sonya he'll be back as soon as he can.
Erinsborough High
Natasha finds Andrew listening to his iPod in the classroom. He's checking out some new DJs because he's thinking about getting back into party planning. They snipe at one another while Chris crosses past them to sit with Summer. He tries to strike up a conversation with Millsy, one of his basketball team- mates, but Millsy looks uneasy speaking to him. He tells Chris that "some" of the team reckon he should sit this game out. Summer's eyes flash with anger and she asks him why (Andrew is also listening in on the conversation), but Millsy claims they're just looking out for Chris. Word has gotten out about him being gay and the Elliott Park team will probably make his life hell. Summer calls that a load of bull and tells Millsy that it's him and his mates who have the problem. Libby walks in to start the class and Chris tells Summer just to leave things be.
After class, Chris stops in to have a chat with Michael and tells him he needs to get another captain. Michael says he's the best player and he should be leading the team, but Chris says his own team- mates don't want him on the court. If they can't work together they've got no chance. Michael says if that's the case then the team needs an "attitude adjustment". He advises Chris to just go out and play like it's any other game.
MICHAEL: I know the last week hasn't been easy but you've got no reason to be afraid or ashamed. You've already taken the hardest step. And I'll be there on the sidelines to support you: we all will. So what do you say?
Basketball Court
It looks like Chris has said yes as we watch him warm up on the court. Natasha and Andrew walk over to Summer, who is watching from the side.
SUMMER: Didn't expect to see you here.
ANDREW: I'm here for the team, always have been.
NATASHA: And I'm here to rate the players for my radio show.
Lucas comments to Michael that David hasn't rocked up yet, but Michael thinks the less pressure on Chris the better. Speaking of, Chris calls his team together for a pep talk and says they need to go through their game plan one more time, but the team don't look enthused. Millsy points out that Elliott Park are sledging them already. Summer fumes but Andrew tells her not to make a scene unless she wants to make things worse for Chris. Millsy reckons they should just chuck in the towel now, the other team already think they're a joke, but Andrew swoops in to save the day. He tells the team that he's planning a big party for after the finals - so they better win this semi- final to make it happen. Once he guarantees them free entry and "girls falling all over them", the team say they'll play. Chris thanks Andrew, but he just walks off on him. Summer goes up to Chris and warns him to be careful, but Chris says he's not going to let anyone beat him.
First Commercial Break
Basketball Court
Michael sees David walk in just as the game's about to start. The ref calls the teams onto the court and Chris holds out his hand to the other player in the centre to shake, but the surly Elliott Park dude just glares at him. The game begins but poor Chris is all but ignored by his team- mates, even when he's out in the open and has a clear shot at the basket. When Chris eventually gets the ball he shoots and scores. The crowd cheer but it doesn't even warrant Chris a high- five from Millsy. Summer looks worried.
Number 30
Toadie bursts in the door, not noticing that Lyn has stopped by for a chat until he leaps into the lounge room with no trousers on. Realising his faux pas, he yelps and quickly ducks behind the couch. Lyn is flustered, and apologises for bothering them, but she spoke to Steph today and is really worried about her. Toadie's concerned about the baby, but Lyn says that Steph just needs a friendly voice to talk to... Like, now perhaps? Sonya pats Toadie's hand and he walks off to put some pants on.
Some time later, Toadie wraps up his call to Steph and tells her to ring him any time. He hangs up and tells Lyn that she was right, Steph just needed a friendly voice. Lyn thanks him and then scurries away, saying that she's imposed enough. Toadie apologises to Sonya, who says that everything's fine, but she's not really in the mood to restart their smooch session.
TOADIE: What did Lyn say?
SONYA: No, nothing. It's just that sitting here with your ex- fake- mother- in- law whilst you're on the phone to your ex- pretend- wife...
TOADIE: Doesn't do it for you.
SONYA: No. I know it's all out in the open but it's just going to take a bit of time for it not to be so weird.
TOADIE: I'm lucky that you're here at all, so if it takes weeks or months I'm fine with that.
Toadie suggests they eat nachos and watch a DVD instead. Sonya's happy with that idea, but all of a sudden Callum and Sophie walk in the door. They're home for their lunch break while poor Toadie and Sonya can't even catch a break.
Basketball Court
The score is 35- 50 in Erinsborough High's favour as Chris shoots another basket. Natasha admits to Summer that the game isn't as boring as she thought. Chris gets another point just as the final buzzer goes, and the crowd goes wild, but Chris soon realises his team- mates are celebrating without him. When the captain of Elliott Park approaches him, Chris shakes his hand, but the little punk just says, "We'd rather be losers than gay". The punk's team- mates laugh and poor Chris looks crestfallen before seeing red and rushing after the punk to push and shove him. A fight between both teams breaks out and Summer dashes into the melee to help Chris, but Andrew grabs her by the waist and drags her out so she doesn't get hurt. All the adults step in to break things up and David watches it all unfold with a disapproving stare.
Second Commercial Break
Erinsborough High
Michael and Libby talk to Summer and Chris in the hallway. Summer says that Chris shouldn't be punished because it wasn't his fault, but Michael says she's in trouble too. Natasha sticks her nose in and says it was pretty cool that Summer went all "Charlie's Angels" on the team, but Michael shoos her away. Chris says he's sorry for losing it, but Libby replies that he'll have to apologise to the Elliott park principal and the boy in question. Michael adds that there was a school board member present (he glares at Libby) who wants to discuss the incident with him. He tells Chris that what he did today was inappropriate, but there were extenuating circumstances so he'll take that into consideration. Chris says that he can't get suspended - his parents would go ape, especially after everything that's happened - but Michael assures him it won't come to that. David approaches them and Michael leads him into his office for a chat.
Number 30
Toadie and Sonya are trying to watch their DVD in the lounge room but Callum and Sophie have the TV too loud in Cal's room. Toad calls the kids out, and the sound dies down. Cal's all, "It's just noise" and Toadie's all, "Well what if we want to make some noise?!" and Callum gets this disgusted look on his face - he thinks Toadie and Sonya are gonna go at it there and then. Once Sophie cottons on she cringes and runs outside, telling Callum to get her bag. Callum quickly gathers their things and races after her. Toadie tries to call out after them that "it's not like that", but they're already gone. When he sits back on the couch and the DVD player freezes, Toadie thinks the day can't get any worse, but Sonya waggles her eyebrows and says there's something else they could be doing. Getting the hint, Toadie tells her to unplug the phone - he'll deadlock the door!
Erinsborough High
Libby and Lyn have a stilted conversation with one another about Summer - she's to go home for the rest of the day and she'll be in detention for the remainder of the week. When Summer sees her Nan she says she wants to wait for Chris, but Lyn says she's coming home now. Callum finds them and wants to hear more about the fight, but Lyn tells him to cut it out.
LYN: I think it's time you gave up this crusade, love.
SUMMER: It's not a crusade. I'm Chris's friend and right now I'm the only person standing up for him.
LYN: And I don't believe that for a second.
Summer just scoffs and asks if they're going home or not. Across the hall, Libby walks into Michael's office to find him looking stressed out. He tells Libby that he tried to convince David to go easy on Chris, but David said that after Michael's other "disciplinary failures" the board wants to send a strong message. Chris will be suspended. With perfect timing, Chris knocks on the door and immediately knows by the look on Michael's face that there's bad news on the way.
CHRIS: I'm being suspended aren't I?
MICHAEL: I'm afraid so.
CHRIS: You told me I wouldn't.
MICHAEL: I'm sorry, Chris, I put up every argument I could but he wouldn't budge.
LIBBY: We can talk to your parents if you need us to. We can explain that you were provoked.
CHRIS: It won't help, they were already freaking out. You told me I wouldn't get suspended!
MICHAEL: I know, mate, I let you down.
CHRIS: (upset) And that's all you have done, right from the start. You go on about respect and support but you're full of it. You haven't helped me at all.
MICHAEL: I'm sorry.
CHRIS: You don't get it, this is my life.
He exits and Michael looks morose. Libby tries to call him back but Michael just says to let him go, "I think we've done enough".
Third Commercial Break
Number 26
Lyn is trying to get Summer to calm down, but she's pacing around, worried that Chris hasn't returned any of her calls. She can't believe that he got suspended. Lyn says she's concerned about Summer, but Sum just rattles off the old 'don't worry about me, Chris is the one who needs our support' spiel.
LYN: That's what I mean, you're too worried about him. Summer, I think we need to put some space between you and Chris for a while.
SUMMER: What?
LYN: I don't think you've had a long, hard think about how you feel.
SUMMER: (feigning ignorance) Huh?
LYN: You know, the break up, about... His change of heart.
SUMMER: (raising her voice) He came out, Nan, and I'm fine with that!
LYN: Yeah well it would be fine if you were angry or upset with Chris instead of everybody else.
SUMMER: I'm not the one being discriminated against and I am not going to let them win.
There's a knock at the door - it's Chris. Looking upset he said that his parents couldn't deal with the fact that he got suspended, on top of everything else, and they kicked him out. He's got nowhere else to go. Summer says he can stay with them for as long as he wants, but Lyn just looks even more worried.
Preview
(Tomorrow on Neighbours)
(Diana chats with Declan)
DIANA: We get one shot at this.
(Rebecca also chats with Declan)
REBECCA: Don't let Kate go without a fight.
(Dec sees Kate but she stuns him with her Candace knowledge)
(Andrew seeks out his father)
ANDREW: Something big is going down.
(Diana gloats at Paul)
DIANA: One phone call, that's all it's going to take.
(She speaks with Declan again)
DIANA: By this time tomorrow the Robinsons will no longer be in control of Lassiter's.
(Lyn sits down to talk with Chris)
LYN: You have got such a lot on your plate, the last thing you need is a family feud on top.
(Chris is angry with Summer)
CHRIS: Why the hell would we be friends? We've got nothing in common. I don't want any more of your help alright?