Previously on Neighbours
- Andrew and Tash continue to get on better, as he manages Charlie's remotely by camera/microphone
- The pair successfully conspire to hide the system from Paul
- Chris arranges a union rep meeting for Aidan without asking him first, and is duly told to stay out of it
No 26
Kyle's getting the Christmas decorations out when Chris arrives home. Kyle comments that he's still recovering from Aidan punching him in the jaw during the bouncy-castle boxing. Chris is looking worried; Kyle tells him to cheer up as it's nearly Christmas, and Chris explains that Aidan has told him to back off from trying to help with his job troubles. Kyle says Aidan's probably just stressed, and tells Chris to stick to his guns if he wants to help.
CHRIS: Except he told me to back off!
KYLE: You know how many times I heard that from Jade?
CHRIS: Aidan's not Jade.
KYLE: Fair enough. But he's still your boyfriend. Just because he says he doesn't want your help, doesn't mean he doesn't need it. Just keep clear of his left hook!
No 22
Next morning, Andrew is being ultra-helpful to Paul, making him coffee and toast. Andrew says since he's being doing so well managing his epilepsy, he wants to talk about coming back to Charlie's. Paul tells him he's not ready to go anywhere near Charlie's yet; he admits Andrew's been handling his illness, but doesn't want to set him back to square one by dropping him back into the stress of Charlie's. Despite Andrew's protests, the answer is still no, and Paul goes off to work, leaving Andrew frustrated.
No 26
Kyle is going through the decorations box and finds a load of Christmas cards from last year, including one from Jade. He explains to Harley, who is helping, that he and Jade hooked up last year - but that this Christmas is going to be even better, as they're going to have a share-house Christmas bash, before the day itself (which they'll spend at Sheila's in Frankston). Rhys comes in, and Kyle asks if he'll do the cooking for the house Christmas party. Rhys is in a foul mood as usual, and tells Kyle he'll have to find someone else. Harley suggests they get takeaway, but Kyle says he'll step up and do the cooking instead.
Later, Kyle has bought a chicken to do a practice run, saying it can't be that hard, but a sceptical Harley insists Kyle's terrible at cooking and that he'll only ruin it. Kyle challenges Harley to do better: Kyle will use the barbecue, Harley the oven, and whoever's tastes better wins. Harley accepts the challenge.
Harold's
Aidan's having breakfast when Chris comes in - things are still tense between them. Chris apologises for overstepping the mark, and Aidan asks him to join him for breakfast. Chris continues that he's not sorry for trying to help, and that he's just trying to do the right thing by Aidan, as Aidan was trying to do by Andrew when he helped him do the anonymous blood test. Aidan's mood quickly sours again, asking if Chris listened to what he said yesterday.
CHRIS: Why are you being like this?
AIDAN: Because I'm not needy like you, Chris.
CHRIS: What's that supposed to mean?
AIDAN: It means that I don't need support or help, or whatever you want to call it. And I don't want it. I like dealing with stuff by myself, and I don't want to be weak.
CHRIS: I don't think you're weak!
AIDAN: Look, I'm dealing with this by myself. And if you can't respect that... I'll see you later.
Aidan leaves.
Charlie's / No 22
Tash is wearing her Bluetooth microphone under her hair today, so Paul can't see it. Andrew starts telling her off remotely about things she got wrong yesterday, which leads Tash to ask whether things went badly when he talked to Paul. He admits Paul still wouldn't let him go back to Charlie's, and that he can't run the place from his laptop forever.
Paul comes in and starts praising Tash for all the extra work she's been doing - until he notices that one of the staff members working was there late last night as well, meaning he hasn't had the statutory rest period. Paul starts laying into Tash, who's responsible for the roster, but with Andrew shouting in her ear as well she gets flustered and shouts at Andrew to shut up! Paul thinks she's talking to him and gets really annoyed - then notices the microphone and demands she give it to him. He then turns and sees the camera, twigs what's going on, and begins telling off Andrew directly!
No 22
Later, Paul comes home and lays into Andrew all over again, saying he was stupid to attempt to manage the place from home. Andrew tells Paul he was desperate; he still deserves to be in charge of the bar as he's been running it since he learned he had epilepsy anyway.
ANDREW: I have epilepsy, Dad. It's not a disability. The fact that it has taken you this long to figure that out proves it.
Tash walks in as the volume of the argument rises.
PAUL: The reason it has taken me this long is because I trusted you to put your health first!
ANDREW: I am putting my health first!
PAUL: Oh, enough Andrew! For goodness sakes, if you want to gamble with your career, that is fine. But I'm damned if I'm going to sit by and let you gamble with your life.
ANDREW: What life, Dad? I am wasting away in this house! Look, I'm not an invalid Dad!
PAUL: You can throw all the tantrums you like, but that's the way it is.
Paul marches out, leaving Tash to reassure Andrew that he'll calm down. Andrew's not so sure.
ANDREW: Look Tash, thank you very much for everything you've done. But you can stop trying. There's no way I'm going to change his mind.
No 26
In the battle of the chickens, it's taste-testing time. Both birds are an epic fail, however; Harley left the plastic bag full of giblets inside the chicken, on the grounds that he wouldn't 'stick his hand up a chicken's clacker'; while Kyle's barbecue attempt is burnt on the outside and raw in the middle! Harley suggests they should give up and call Sheila to ask her to do the cooking - but Kyle stubbornly refuses. Harley tells him he's on his own.
No 28
Chris seeks advice from Summer, the patron saint of successful relationships, telling her that Aidan's being a stubborn idiot, and that he just wants to help him.
SUMMER: And your natural instinct is to care for people. It's what everyone loves about you.
CHRIS: Yeah, well not Aidan, apparently.
SUMMER: Especially Aidan.
CHRIS: Do you know he said I was needy?
SUMMER: Really?
CHRIS: Am I?
SUMMER: ...
CHRIS: Oh, great.
Summer says there's nothing wrong with the way Chris reaches out to share problems, but that it's not Aidan's style and that Chris may just have to accept they are different in that respect. She warns him not to force the issue, as it could result in him losing Aidan.
Charlie's
Tash confronts Paul, demanding to know why he's being so unfair on Andrew. Paul tells Tash she's lucky to have a job after her latest stunt; he denies he's punishing Andrew and tells Tash she's not a parent, so she can't hope to understand.
TASH: I know that you're doing it because you love him. I get that.
PAUL: Good.
TASH: Andrew doesn't see it as you loving him. He feels like he has no life.
Paul tells Tash that Andrew will eventually realise it's for his own good, and tells her she has a bar to run.
Later, Aidan is at the bar when Chris comes in. He apologises again, and Aidan says he knows Chris cares, but that he doesn't have to try so hard to show it. He says he knows it's Chris's first relationship, but they don't have to be involved in every aspect of one another's lives and that they won't fall apart because of that. They share a conciliatory hug and Aidan jokingly asks Chris to pay for his coffee. Aidan goes to get them a table - but Chris is still looking a bit annoyed.
No 26
Kyle's kitchen antics continue apace, as he burns yet another chicken, setting all the fire alarms off. Rhys comes in with a broom and saves the day, but is concerned that Kyle has taken on the cooking duties for the Christmas bash. Rhys twigs that Kyle is compensating for not having Jade any more, and Kyle retorts that there's a lot Rhys could do with getting off his mind as well - such as Vanessa and Lucas. Implicitly accepting his point, Rhys grudgingly agrees to cook the Christmas dinner, on the grounds that he doesn't want food poisoning; Kyle suggests they 'hug it out', but Rhys sarcastically declines and tells Kyle to clean the kitchen! Kyle looks pleased with himself.
Charlie's
Aidan and Chris are still drinking coffee when Summer comes in. Aidan sees the look between them and tells Chris to go and talk to her. At the bar, Chris complains about Aidan making him feel clingy, but Summer seems to agree with Aidan and says she's sure they'll be fine. They agree to catch up later. When Chris returns to the table, Aidan is on the phone. When he's done he reveals he's just made an appointment with the hospital union rep to talk about his disciplinary hearing. Chris is made up. Aidan goes to buy them more drinks.
Lassiter's
At reception, Paul asks one of his underlings to fetch the roster, so he can work out who to schedule Sophie with (who is starting work at the hotel this week). Tash comes in, wielding one of Paul's artificial legs (!), and slams it down on the reception desk. She tells him she got it from his house, and he calls security to throw her out. Tash makes her point nonetheless: she says Paul owns half of the complex, and doesn't let his disability get in the way of him doing his job. Paul says the situation with his leg is completely different to Andrew's epilepsy, but Tash tells him it's the same principle - there's no medical reason that Andrew shouldn't be running Charlie's. As the security guard shows her out, she pleads with Paul to give Andrew a chance.
No 22
Paul arrives home - Andrew's still in a mood but Paul tells him he doesn't want to fight anymore.
PAUL: You were right. I am wrapping you in cotton wool. The reason I was keeping you from Charlie's is because I love you. I don't want stress to trigger another seizure.
He tells Andrew he's worked out a compromise: if he spends another month at home and his epilepsy is still under control, he can go back to work. But Andrew isn't having any of it; he says he isn't spending another week cooped up in the house, and issues Paul with an ultimatum. Either he lets him go back to Charlie's, or Andrew leaves home.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- After some emotional soul- searching, Paul makes a decision about Andrew and Charlie's
- Sophie starts work at Lassiter's, and is shown around the lost property cupboard...
- Andrew thanks Tash for everything she's done for him, and leans towards her - for a kiss?