Previously on Neighbours
- Terese is served a court summons for defamation against Ezra
- Gary asks Paul for some cash- in- hand work
- Brad grabs Ezra and threatens him
- Brad blames Paul and tells him to fix things
- Paul warns Ezra not to mess with him
- Terese discovers the beaten body of Ezra at the back of Harold's
Lassiter's Complex
Paul exits The Waterhole, and Naomi pounces asking if he's received her emails regarding 'Naomi Canning Enterprises'. She suggests she could be involved with the festival that Paul is planning, but he shoots her down and says it's not going to happen as it's not financially viable. Naomi suggests organising carols for Christmas, but Paul is reluctant as the current carol service is organised by Sue Parker, and he doesn't want to cause any political tension. As Naomi continues to make proposals and promises about the event, Paul gets a phone call and immediately has to leave, telling Naomi they'll speak later.
Police Station
Matt informs Paul that Ezra has been assaulted. He's suffered from a bruised kidney, broken ribs and severe facial injuries. Whilst Ezra didn't see the assailant, witnesses saw Paul speaking with him before the incident. Although Paul dismisses the idea it could have been him, Matt suggests that Paul hired someone on his behalf. Paul states it could have been a completely random attack, and Matt agrees that it's possible.
Erinsborough Hospital - Consultation Room
Karl is treating Brad for bloodied knuckles. He tells Karl that he was working out at the gym, and dropped a 5kg weight on his hand. Karl notes that his knuckles look grazed, but Brad tells him that he caught them between the weight and the rack. Karl says he'll give Brad an X-ray to make sure no bones are broken, but looks very sceptical about Brad's story.
No. 26
Naomi tries to enlist the help of Chris and Nate for the running of the Christmas carols. She asks them to call lighting companies to get discounts or free services. When Chris questions her 'enterprise', she explains that everything is happening very fast so she hasn't had time to hire anyone, so will need their help for free. Naomi guilt trips them into donating their time and the service will help the Erinsborough Hospital children's ward.
NAOMI: And then we'll get everyone on board, and then Paul will give us the full green light!
CHRIS: You haven't even got the okay from Paul yet?
NOAMI: Not completely, no.
NATE: Ah, so this green light is more of an orangey red?
NOAMI: I prefer to think of it more as a lime.
Naomi begs them for their help so she can start a real career. They reluctantly agree. As Chris disappears to the bathroom, Nate picks Naomi's brain about what to get Chris for Christmas. Nate suggests a sandwich press that Naomi laughs off, and she advises him to think romantic and expensive.
No. 22
Matt calls in and Terese tells him she has nothing else to tell him regarding Ezra. He tells her that he needs to speak to Brad, but neither can get hold of him. Matt insinuates that maybe Brad had something to do with the attack, when Josh appears and asks what's going on. Josh's explains his alibi - being on community service all afternoon-Matt asks for his supervisor's details. Terese gets angry, but Josh points out that he does have a record. Brad returns home, and quickly hides his bloodied knuckles in his coat pocket. Brad tells Matt that he took a walk from Lassiter's lake to Eden Hills and back, but there's no one that could confirm his story.
BRAD: I didn't hurt Ezra if that's what you're thinking. Although I can't say I'm that upset about it.
Lassiter's Complex
Karl meets Susan outside Harold's. Susan explains the full story about Ezra's attack, and Karl says that he didn't see him be admitted to hospital. Susan asks who he thinks did it, and Karl says that he had a patient with a very smashed up hand. Whilst careful not to disclose the identity of the patient, he tells Susan that it's someone they both know. He begins to question the validity of the story about the weight, and comes to the conclusion that he'll have to report it to the police.
No. 22
Karl drops by and tells Brad he knows about the assault on Ezra, and that Brad didn't hurt himself at the gym - even the receptionist at the gym said he hadn't been in. Brad admits that in actual fact he punched a wall behind Lassiter's as he was so angry about the Ezra situation.
BRAD: It was stupid and embarrassing.
KARL: Brad, I hope you realise I'm going to have to tell the police.
BRAD: What, they're going to make assumptions and then they'll put me through the wringer! My family don't have to deal with that, we've suffered enough.
KARL: I'm sorry, but I'm legally obliged to.
BRAD: But I didn't do anything!
KARL: Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
The Waterhole
Naomi is on the phone to a sponsor who sounds interested about the carol service. Nate comes in and shows Naomi the present he got Chris - a very expensive watch. She says he should be getting very lucky on Christmas day! Paul comes in and Naomi pounces again to tell him all about her successful planning. Paul reminds her that he never asked her to do this, but she counter-argues that he'll be able to stick it to Sue Parker. Paul gets a phone call and Naomi glances over and recognises it as Gary's number, confirming it on her own phone. Paul discovers that Gary is her brother. Paul dismisses his call, saying that Sheila must have given him Gary's number, and quickly distracts Naomi from the issue, giving the green light to 'Erinsborough Carols'. As soon as Noami is gone, Paul calls Gary back.
PAUL: Why didn't you tell me you were related to Sheila and Naomi? Because then I wouldn't have hired you, it's too close to home! Gary, stop, you will get your money. I just want you to lay low, and I will call you when I'm ready.
No. 22
Terese comes downstairs from a nap, and notices Brad's hand, and he is quick to defend himself, explaining that he punched a wall and then headed to the hospital after his walk. Terese asks him to look her in the eye and tell her he had nothing to do with hurting Ezra, and he swears he didn't. She believes him, and then Brad gets a call from Matt. He says he'll be at the station soon. Terese promises Brad that she'll be there for him whatever happens.
No. 26
Naomi is buzzing about getting the green light from Paul through hard work and persistence. Chris shows off the present he's bought Nate for Christmas - a black t-shirt with a photo of Karl's porcelain pig Elvis on the front. Naomi suggests he get Nate something more expensive. She tell him about the expensive watch that Nate's bought, and tells him that he should match it and avoid embarrassment. Naomi looks guilty, and Chris reluctantly goes to shop for something expensive.
Police Station
Brad gives Matt his side of the story, but Matt warns him that it isn't look good for him.
MATT: Obviously I'm aware of Ezra's attack on Terese, that alone gives a motive. Then we've got several witnesses who saw you threaten him. After that, you more or less disappear until you turn up at the hospital with a busted hand.
BRAD: I'm well aware of how this looks, that's why I lied in the first place.
MATT: Which doesn't help your case either. In fact, if I didn't know you personally and could vouch for your character, I'd have enough grounds to arrest you on the spot.
No. 26
Nate walks in on Chris wrapping his present - an enormous flatscreen TV. Nate laughs at it calling it a "bogan TV". They both admit to what they wanted to get each other, and realise that they'd been manipulated by Naomi, as neither of them are into materialistic presents.
Harold's Store
Naomi's phone call is interrupted by Nate and Chris who blast her for influencing them over their presents, and not letting them listen to their own instincts. They make her promise never to give them relationship advice again - it's her Christmas present to them.
The Waterhole
Josh is playing darts, and Karl asks how Brad is. Josh is angry that Brad is now the prime suspect, and points out that Brad wouldn't have come to the local doctor if he really had attacked Ezra. He insists that Brad isn't a violent guy, but Karl doesn't look convinced.
Lassiter's Complex
Brad explains to Terese that all of the evidence is circumstantial. Matt comes over to inform Brad that Ezra is now flying back to Perth and that both of the civil cases have been dropped.
MATT: It supports the theory that this wasn't a random attack, it was done specifically to make him back off. I'm sorry, but I've had orders from my superiors to arrest you for the assault on Ezra Hanley.
Brad is lead into the police station, as Paul watches on in the background looking guilty.
Unmissable Drama
- Imogen tells Josh to prepare themselves for the worst
- Things are weird between Amber and Daniel
- Daniel tells Imogen to stay strong and give things time, but she doesn't know if she can