Previously
- Amy tells Paul never to contact her again
- Paul lambasts Naomi for her backfired attempt to bring Amy back into his life
- Josh begins a new job with Forrest, selling supplement tablets
- Amber tells Josh to think about why he's doing the job
- Mark promises to butt out of Tyler's work business
- Tyler and Mark are shocked when their brother Aaron shows up as an exotic dancer
The Waterhole
Tyler seems amused that Aaron ('the Kid from Kalgoorlie') is up on stage doing a striptease, as Sheila continues to egg him on. Mark looks fairly horrified, though.
TYLER: What's he even doing here? I thought he was meant to be down the mines?
Mark admits he knew Aaron was coming to town, as he asked him to come and visit to cheer up Tyler. But he had no idea he was doing dancing for a living. At this point Aaron throws off his shirt, and a delighted Naomi catches it! Sheila leads the applause for Aaron, and announces that he'll do his routine each time someone calls 'bingo'!
NAOMI: Bingo!
SHEILA: Err, you have to play the game first!
NAOMI: I'm just celebrating his natural born talents.
SHEILA: Oh well, celebrate away!
The music resumes and Aaron continues to perform! He heads into the crowd to give Naomi his miner's hat, while nearby Mark still looks unimpressed. Eventually he tells Tyler he can't watch this, and heads to the bar.
No 32
Preparation is underway for the most awkward dinner party ever, as Josh, Imogen, Amber and Daniel share cooking duties. Amber quietly thanks Imogen for getting Josh to come over; she's hoping the dinner will ease the tension between the two boys.
IMOGEN: Surely they're over the caveman routine by now.
Daniel asks after Imogen's self-defence classes with Forrest; she says she's really enjoying it. Conversation moves on to the baby; Josh wants to know when they can find out the sex, and Amber says they have to wait till the 20-week scan in two months' time. Daniel thinks they should wait until the birth to learn the gender.
JOSH: Better to know beforehand.
DANIEL: Why?
JOSH: Well for one, we can decide on a name.
DANIEL: You want to name the baby before it's born?!
AMBER: We can always have two sets of names picked out.
Daniel's argument is that they won't know the right name until they've met the child.
JOSH: So you want to leave everything till the last minute is what you're saying?
But Daniel says overplanning might take the magic out of the experience. Amber interrupts, telling them dinner is served, and they all take their seats.
The Waterhole
Tyler and Mark go backstage to catch up with (topless) Aaron. He manages a sweaty hug with Tyler, but Mark declines.
MARK: So - the Kid from Kalgoorlie, hey?
AARON: Yeah. Had a career change!
MARK: Didn't want to let us know?
AARON: Oh, I didn't realise this was your local. I was gonna give you a call after the gig.
Aaron explained his agent booked him the gig when he said he was coming to town. Sheila comes in and seems pleased to learn that Aaron is a Brennan brother! She just about avoids drooling, though, and says Aaron's needed back onstage.
AARON: Maybe you should stay and watch. Might learn a thing or two.
Tyler eagerly returns to the crowd, and Mark follows, shaking his head.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Karl is testing out his cocktail-making skills on Paul, to help him improve his customer service at Off Air. But Paul isn't impressed with the glass-to-gin ratio.
KARL: Luckily, I possess the most important skill a barman can have.
PAUL: Really, what's that?
KARL: The ability to lend a friendly ear to those who need it. Rough day?
PAUL: No, actually - life's pretty good at the moment.
KARL: And things with Amy?
PAUL: Yeah, you know. Still a little formal, but I am looking forward to getting to know her.
Karl points out that Paul should be grateful to Naomi for bringing Amy and Jimmy into his life, but Paul's still mad that she went behind his back to do it - and insists Naomi crossed the line.
KARL: Don't you think that line was a little bit blurred when the two of you discovered you had romantic feelings for each other anyway? Look, I know you like to hold a grudge - but maybe on this occasion you should let it go.
At this point, Paul gets a phone call.
PAUL: What time do you call this, then? Ah, Sue Parker! To what do I owe this pleasure?... What?!
The Waterhole
Aaron continues to excite the punters (and Sheila) with his exotic dancing. Paul stalks in, and furiously beckons Sheila over.
PAUL: An exotic dancer at The Waterhole? Have you lost your mind?!
SHEILA: Correction! He's not an exotic dancer, he's an excellent entertainer. And he's a Brennan!
Sheila adds that the event is raising money for bowel cancer, and that she hoped Paul would be sympathetic. But he simply marches over to Mark and Tyler.
PAUL: So, Mr Universe is related to you, is he?
MARK: He's our brother.
PAUL: Hahaha, why am I not surprised?! This is in the worst possible taste.
NAOMI: Oh, come on, have a sense of humour.
PAUL: I own this establishment - this meat market stops right now!
Sheila tries to tell him what a money-spinner it is, but Paul reminds her it's not a nightclub - and tells Naomi that he'll ask her opinion if he wants it.
PAUL: Now wrap this up now. And while you're at it, wrap him up as well.
He storms off, while Tyler looks amused.
No 32
At the awesome foursome's dinner party, Josh is still whining on about having to know the baby's gender, so they can buy the right coloured clothes.
DANIEL: See, this is what I hate about knowing the sex of the child.
IMOGEN: Daniel! Could you please pass me the cheese?
DANIEL: So automatically, if it's a girl we buy pink dresses, and if it's a boy, blue shorts?
JOSH: So?
AMBER: Why does it matter what the...
DANIEL: Well why pigeonhole the baby? Whether it's a boy or a girl, we shouldn't predetermine what clothes we get and what toys to buy.
AMBER: Okay - I'm gonna go to the bathroom. When I get back, I really hope this conversation's over.
Once she's gone, Imogen intervenes.
IMOGEN: You both suck! Can't you see that you two fighting is causing Amber stress? ... The whole reason that Amber organised this dinner is that so you two would get along. And I know that this is a really weird situation, but you need to get over yourselves. Stop competing, stop arguing, and just pull together so you can get Amber through this.
The Waterhole
Sheila is telling Mark about how Aaron was recommended to her. Mark explains that Aaron used to work down the mines and before that, was a mechanic. Sheila says she's raised $500 for bowel cancer, and the three Brennan brothers leave for home.
SHEILA: Impressive family tree, that.
NAOMI: Mm-hm.
SHEILA: Love, I didn't like the way Moneybags spoke to you tonight.
NAOMI: Oh, Mum, please don't start.
SHEILA: I didn't like the way that you let him speak to you like that. I think it is a very bad day when a Canning woman compromises her spirit... Stand up for yourself. You deserve better.
No 24
The Brennan brothers crack open some beers. Mark is playing dad, telling Aaron to stop fiddling with his phone so they can catch up properly. Aaron brags that his profile now has 5,000 followers, but Mark still seems uncomfortable about his new job as a dancer, telling him there's no real future in it.
AARON: Who cares? I'm happy!
TYLER (to Mark): Why can't you see the funny side of this?
But Mark just tells Tyler to get his feet off the table!
MARK: Why didn't you tell us before now?
AARON: Honestly? I didn't want to deal with your opinion about my life.
MARK: We're brothers. We're meant to know everything about each other.
AARON: And now you do. Why are you giving me such a hard time about this?
Ramsay Street
Sheila and Imogen are gossiping about the new Brennan brother, when Mark, Tyler and Aaron appear, all topless, and proceed to gratuitously frolic down the street together.
IMOGEN: Woah.
SHEILA: Close your mouth, love, it's rude.
Imogen goes over and welcomes Aaron to the neighbourhood, before leaving.
IMOGEN: Bye Tyler, see you Brennan.
AARON (to Mark): Why does everyone call you Brennan?
TYLER: I never figured that out.
AARON: I thought we were meant to know everything about each other (!)
Mark goes inside, while Aaron tries to work out what's been getting Tyler down. Tyler claims he's all good.
AARON: Ty, come on. Who do you think you're talking to?
TYLER: I kind of stuffed up, okay? I'm in over my head with a few people, and I can't tell you any more than that.
AARON: Alright. But if there's anything I can do...
TYLER: No. I reckon I can sort it out myself.
AARON: Offer's there, man.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Naomi's trying to organise a meeting for Paul for tomorrow, but he says it'll have to be in the afternoon as he intends to have lunch with Amy and Jimmy. He's abrupt with her when she tries to involve herself, and even more so when she attempts to defend Sheila's bingo/stripping event. But Naomi finally snaps and tells Paul he's being unfair.
NAOMI: You're still furious with me for sending that letter, but you wouldn't be going for lunch with the daughter you haven't seen in 20 years if I didn't. Not to mention the fact that things were actually looking up between us before she arrived. But you know what - if you can't see that, if you just want to keep on punishing me, I don't think I can take it. In fact I won't - I won't. This is over.
PAUL: Hang on, what are you talking about? What's over?
But Naomi's already in the lift.
Erinsborough Hospital
Amber is lying on the hospital bed waiting for the latest scan, while Daniel and Josh compete in fussing over her with water, cardigans and pillows.
JOSH: Is there anything else we can do for you?
AMBER: A French manicure would be great. And if you guys could just serenade me with the new Ed Sheeran song?
Karl turns up to perform the ultrasound, and quickly locates the baby and the heartbeat, much to the assembled parents' delight. But he notices an irregularity in the heartbeat and looks worried, before doing the usual Karl thing of (badly) trying to pretend he isn't worried.
AMBER: You're not gonna tell me there's twins in there, are you?
KARL: No, no, no. You don't have to worry about twins...
The Waterhole
Paul comes in to talk to Naomi. He asks if she was talking about their working relationship or their 'friendship' when she said it was over. She says both, if he's going to keep biting her head off. Paul apologises, and admits he's been taking his stresses surrounding Amy out on Naomi.
PAUL: Come on, surely you can understand where I'm coming from, though?
NAOMI: Honestly, I can't. Alright, yes, I went behind your back, and yes, I... ignored your very specific requests...
PAUL: You see?
NAOMI: But as soon as Amy agreed to stay, you should have seen that what I did was for your own stupid good! Because stupidly, I care about you! And I just don't understand why you are so determined to keep seeing me as the bad guy.
PAUL: I don't know either. But maybe it's because I thought there had to be something about you that wasn't perfect.
NAOMI: Oh, no, no. Don't sweet-talk me!
PAUL: No, you are smart, you are caring, and yet you're assertive because you are my match. Come on, Naomi - we are on the brink of something really exciting here. If you give it a chance. Please.
Erinsborough Hospital
Karl continues to fob off the prospective parents with assurances that everything's probably fine, despite the fact that he took ages doing the scan. But he says he's going to ask a neonatal doctor to look at the images he's recorded - for 'purely precautionary' reasons. He leaves the room, and everyone looks worried.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Naomi comes in, and Paul asks if she has an answer for him. She says she thinks it would be a shame to end things between them, but admits aspects of his behaviour have really hurt her. She tells Paul they need a 'creative solution'.
NAOMI: So I say we solve this doing what we do best. We negotiate.
PAUL: Excuse me?
NAOMI: If we are going to move forward in this venture, I have terms. Number one - I expect to be wooed.
PAUL: Alright - well how about chocolates and flowers every third Saturday of the month? Will that do?
NAOMI: Oh, no. I think we both know that you can do better than that. I mean, it wasn't that long ago you were instructing another man on how to get me back.
PAUL: Okay. And term two?
NAOMI: During business hours I expect you to be professional. No more mood swings.
PAUL: Yeah, I don't know if I can promise that one.
NAOMI: Well at least develop some self-awareness, alright? I shouldn't have to chuck a tantrum for you to realise you're being a jerk! Because I will have you know, Paul Robinson, that I am a catch - and I deserve better.
Paul agrees, but insists on a third term.
PAUL: No more interfering in my family affairs.
NAOMI: Okay. On the proviso that if I was to make a suggestion about said family affair, you'd take that suggestion more seriously.
PAUL: I think we might have a deal. How about I get Tim Collins to draw up a contract?
Instead, Naomi insists they shake on it. Paul goes to kiss her, asking if the contract is effective immediately. But she pulls away, saying she has errands to attend to - adding that she'll see him later. Paul smiles.
Lassiter's Complex
Sheila serves Mark a drink, and asks him how long Aaron will be in town, as she's thinking of making the 'red hot bingo' a regular event, despite what Paul said. Mark doesn't know how long he's staying.
MARK: In fact, I don't know who my brothers are anymore. I mean, Aaron was meant to be the sensible one. Now look at him.
SHEILA: Couldn't stop looking! ... Sorry, go on.
MARK: Tyler was just this kid who used to look up to us. And now he's all grown up and got his own life. He won't let me in.
Sheila offers him advice - not to try and recreate things as they were back at home, but to start afresh and get to know his brothers as they are now.
No 24
Excitingly, we're in the No 24 back yard by the pool, for the first time in many years. Aaron is lathering up with sun lotion, but Tyler's keen to get back to the garage. But Aaron tells him not to stress - he'll help him out with the workload there, but not right now. Aaron gets a text.
AARON: It's my ex, sending me the hundredth text for today.
TYLER: Well come on, spill. Sounds like there's a story there?
AARON: Yeah, there is. I just don't feel like ruining my good mood.
Mark turns up, and suggests they all go somewhere after their swim, for a proper catch-up. But Tyler says they have to go to the garage.
AARON: You could join us for a game of water-polo?
TYLER: Yeah, the youngsters against the, err, geriatrics!
MARK: This geriatric will kick your butt, I'll have you know.
While Tyler's out of earshot, Aaron asks Mark what's up with him. Mark doesn't know, but says having Aaron here has really cheered him up. Mark also apologises for being so moody since Aaron arrived, saying he was just surprised by the dancing. But he insists he's not disappointed. Aaron pushes him in the pool, fully clothed, and they all laugh.
Erinsborough Hospital
Amber, Josh and Daniel await news from Karl as he talks to his neonatal colleague. Josh and Daniel try to reassure a worried Amber that there's probably nothing wrong. But Karl soon appears to burst their bubble.
KARL: Why don't we just step into my office for a minute?
AMBER: Can't we just talk out here?
KARL: A bit of privacy would be good, I think.
Unmissable Drama
- Aaron confirms to Tyler that he's single now
- Aaron asks if Nate's gay, and Nate asks if Aaron's gay
- Amber gets upset about Karl's bad news and wishes it wasn't happening
- Josh tells Forrest he can't do anything illegal, but Forrest offers him a chance to make fast money...