Previously on Neighbours
- Susan finds out Karl has been on a dating website, and tries to help set him up
- Susan tells Priya she needs to choose between her marriage and her other man
- Andrew has a fit in front of Paul, who later tells him he can't work in Charlie's; Andrew blames Tash
Lassiter's Complex
Susan is leaving the news offices, and is on the phone to a potential candidate for Summer's old job when she's approached by none other than her sister, Carmel! The pair are delighted to see each other - Carmel's now teaching drama in Sydney, but is taking an extended break and thought she'd come and see Susan. Susan asks if there's been a problem with Darcy, but Carmel assures her not: she's just come to catch up with her sister. They head for coffee.
No 28
Summer is with Chris. Tash comes in, looking truly upset, and doesn't even register the news that Chris is moving in next door. They ask her what's wrong, and she finally tells them about Andrew's epilepsy and how she's been keeping it a secret for him. Summer and Chris are duly shocked, realising that's why he's been acting so oddly. Tash is convinced Andrew hates her because she pressured him into going for the tests in front of Paul, shortly before he collapsed. Chris and Summer demand she tells them the full story.
Harold's
Carmel remarks on how much the place has changed since she was last here, but Susan's distracted with work stuff on her mobile. Carmel suggests she needs some time off, and that they should take a road trip, or at least spend some time together. Susan is still curious as to why Carmel's shown up out of the blue; her sister admits that she's left her husband Robert and is in the process of divorce. It's clearly a touchy subject and Carmel doesn't really want to talk about it, but Susan reassures her it can be fun being single. She suggests that Carmel should come and stay with her for a while, and Carmel agrees.
Erinsborough Hospital
Andrew's not over the moon when Summer and Chris turn up offering sympathy. He says he couldn't tell them about his condition because they were sore at him about the crash; Chris in particular feels guilty for heaping the blame on Andrew since the accident but Andrew tells him it's not his fault. Summer tries to persuade Andrew that Tash wasn't responsible for the fit he had in front of Paul, but Andrew is convinced otherwise and tells them he's lost Charlie's as a result. Summer tells Andrew they're there for him, but he gets upset and tells them they don't understand, before turning away from them.
Lassiter's Complex
Susan and Carmel discuss how they should spend the day, when they run into Ajay. Susan introduces him to Carmel, who goes in for a kiss on the cheek and openly flirts! Once he's gone, Susan disapprovingly tells Carmel he's married and he has enough on his plate without her 'friendliness'. Carmel is eager to learn more...
Nearby, outside the hotel, Paul meets Priya. She thinks she's there for another hook-up, but actually Paul wants to ask her advice about Andrew and his epilepsy. She's surprised, but tells Paul he needs to give Andrew some hope, and something positive to focus on. This gives him an idea, and he walks off.
Community Centre
Susan tries to tempt Carmel into the city to see an art exhibition, but Carmel spots a sign for a speed dating event outside the community centre and decides that would be a far better option! Susan isn't keen on the idea but Carmel eventually talks her into it.
Indoors, Carmel explains the speed dating rules to Susan: they get to talk to each of the men for five minutes before a buzzer sounds and the men move on. If they like a man, they have to write down his number; and if he likes them, he'll write down theirs. At the end, the participants whose numbers match can get each other's names and phone numbers. Susan and Carmel take their seats - but Susan's horrified when Karl suddenly turns up to take part!
Erinsborough Hospital
Paul arrives to see Andrew, telling him the doctors have said he can go home soon. He also wants to talk to him about his future. Paul explains he's only made him stand down from Charlie's because of concern for his health - and while he stands by his decision for now, he says further down the track he'll reconsider, once he's seen Andrew managing his medication etc. Andrew is heartened by this, and promises he'll prove he can manage the bar again. Paul says it's possible, but conditional on him getting better.
ANDREW: I'll prove to you that I can do it.
PAUL: Andrew, you don't have to prove anything to me. Just get better, hey? And I should have put it to you this way in the first place.
ANDREW: Thanks, Dad.
Andrew gets emotional and Paul hugs him.
Community Centre
The buzzer goes, and Karl is Susan's next speed date! They look at one another awkwardly. Susan explains Carmel has just turned up, and that she's only doing the speed dating for her, because of her split from her husband; she doesn't want Karl to think she's keeping an eye on him. She says she was overcompensating before by encouraging him to find a new life partner, and in turn Karl says he should have told her sooner that he was looking for a new serious relationship. They agree not to write one another's numbers down!
No 24
Priya's home alone, and Paul drops around to thank her for her advice about Andrew, which he says paid off - now Andrew's talking to him and smiling again. Priya's pleased but intrigued to know why he's telling her, since they 'don't do sharing'. Paul says he thought she'd be interested; she thanks him but tells him to leave! He's also bought her flowers, but she tells him she won't be able to explain them to Ajay - so he takes them away with him, slightly deflated, telling her he'll text her soon to meet up again.
Charlie's
Paul hovers over Priya's name on his mobile, and eventually decides to call her - but at that moment, she walks in with Ajay for dinner, so he puts his phone down. Priya seems genuinely happy to be with Ajay (for a change) as they laugh and joke together. Annoyed to see them so chummy, Paul slams down his glass and walks out.
Erinsborough Hospital
As a happier Andrew prepares to leave, Georgia gives him advice about not drinking or driving, avoiding stress etc. During the debrief, she reveals that the tests they've done have already shown he's been self-medicating. Andrew looks sheepish; evidently he'd been hoping they wouldn't find out. Georgia explains he'd been taking far too high a dosage, and that if he hadn't come in when he did, he could have killed himself. Pending the final test results, she gives him a new prescription and tells him to stick to the dosage, and he should be fine. Andrew thanks her but is worried about what he's learned.
Community Centre
While Susan talks to another thrilling speed-dater, it's Carmel's turn with Karl - and she's telling him about her divorce. He tells her about the Peru trip; Carmel's really impressed that he went by himself, and also starts flattering him about his song 'Free as a River', which she still remembers. He explains that The Right Prescription has had a renaissance recently, and invites her along to their next gig. Only if he pays her, she quips.
Charlie's
Tash is cleaning tables when Andrew walks in. She prepares for another lecture, but he tells her he's on the right medication now and should be okay. She smiles and tells him it's great news.
ANDREW: Look, I wanted to say sorry for what I said. I was pretty angry, I was upset. And I was scared, and - well I took it out on you, and that wasn't fair, Tash.
TASH: No it wasn't.
ANDREW: I was just completely freaking out about losing Charlie's. And I asked a lot of you Tash. Too much, probably. Yeah - way too much.
TASH: More apologies. Looks like they treated your personality as well your epilepsy after all.
ANDREW: I didn't deserve your help. After what I did with the app. I was stupid. I was a lousy business partner, and I - I want you to know that I am sorry. Believe me, that's real, and I wanted you to know.
He turns to leave.
TASH: Hey Andrew? Thanks.
ANDREW: Could you do me one more favour?
TASH: Never again!
ANDREW: Just look after this place while I'm gone. Because I will be back one day.
TASH: I know you will.
Community Centre
Now all the speed-dates are over, Susan tells Carmel that it was the most painful experience of her life! Carmel says a couple of them were alright: Number 4, who's already gone, and another one, about whom she doesn't elaborate! Susan asks if Carmel really isn't planning on getting a single name or number after all that, but Carmel glances in Karl's direction and then at her sheet - she's put his number at the top of her list! Carmel says no, screws up the paper and suggests they go for drink instead.
Charlie's
Susan and Carmel look at the drinks menu, and Karl comes in. Carmel asks innocently if he saw anyone he fancied, but he says five minutes isn't long enough to find anyone. He asks what they're doing tonight; Susan has a DVD night planned. Carmel invites Karl to join them, to Susan's annoyance; he declines, but suggests they come to his place tomorrow for brunch. Susan reluctantly agrees.
Monday on Neighbours
- Susan tells Carmel she still loves Karl, but doesn't want to be with him anymore
- Vanessa thanks Lucas for standing by her, while Lucas warns Rhys not to turn up at the wedding