Previously
- Lauren laments the fact that she and Brad 'never got their timing right'
- Nate questions whether Tyler might still have feelings for Paige
- Karl browbeats Ben into forming a band with him, called KČ
- An angry Toadie considers suing Naomi for the jumping castle accident
- When Naomi says she'll do whatever it takes to help Toadie, Paul asks if she's still in love with him
Off Air
Daniel and Imogen watch bemused as Karl and a glum-looking Ben play their guitars outside the bar, in their KČ shirts! Karl has put some dreadful romantic lyrics to the tune.
DANIEL: Makes me think of us.
IMOGEN: Makes me think of buying rash cream.
It turns out that it's an audition of sorts; Karl wants to play at Toadie's fundraising benefit, which Imogen is organising. Imogen reminds him it's not a concert, but says she's happy for them to perform.
As Karl and Ben leave to work on some new material, Naomi turns up. Daniel tells her about the benefit, and says they need an event planner. Naomi's reluctant, but then agrees, saying she'll do anything to help Toadie.
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is outside Harold's, leaving a message on Naomi's voicemail. He's accusing her of being childish and says they need to finish their discussion about Toadie. He goes to leave just as Brad turns up, looking for Imogen. He explains to Lauren, who's clearing tables, that he and Imogen are making marmalade for Toadie's benefit.
Brad gets a text from Imogen, saying she wants to postpone their marmalade session. Lauren selflessly offers to help Brad with the marmalade instead, saying they could use the kitchen in Harold's.
BRAD: I'm talking about a lot of marmalade here.
But Lauren thinks she can handle it, 'for Toadie'.
Lassiter's Park
Aaron and Josh are working out on the outdoor gym equipment. Aaron is encouraging Josh to go 'out on the prowl' tonight, to hook up with 'hot ladies' and thereby get over Amber. Nate turns up.
NATE: Hot ladies? I didn't know we were going back to the '70s! What do you know about women anyway?
AARON: I could write a book on the subject. Women are drawn to me.
NATE: Oh, yeah, like flies and manure.
AARON: Well, they know I'm unattainable, which is one of the greatest aphrodisiacs there is. And whilst they pointlessly try and convert me, they pour their hearts out.
NATE: Sure they do (!)
As a self-declared expert on women, Aaron offers to be Josh's wingman tonight. Nate urges caution, saying that he rushed into dating too soon after his split with Chris, and that it was a disaster.
AARON: Yeah, but unlike Josh, you're not exactly dating gold. You're more like a semi-precious metal. Hard-edged and dull.
As Nate makes faces at Aaron, Josh says he's sold on the idea of a night out. Nate wishes him luck, but Aaron says Nate should come too, and 'watch the maestro in action'.
NATE: Sure. I could use a good laugh.
No 24
Tyler and Mark are settling down to a night of dice, beer and DVDs when Paige turns up; she was supposed to be working, but now isn't. Tyler doesn't look thrilled, but Paige squeezes between them on the sofa to join in the movie night. Mark goes to fetch them all some beers.
PAIGE: Where's the remote?
TYLER: You sat on it (!)
Off Air
Preparations continue for Toadie's benefit. Naomi is explaining her ideas to Daniel and Imogen, which include a multimedia wall, celebrity appearances, chocolate fountains and 'roaming circus performers'. Imogen and Daniel are trying to steer her towards something a little more straightforward and affordable.
NAOMI: Look, guys. It is my fault that Toadie is hurt and broke, and all he has ever done is be a good guy to everybody here. So I need this benefit to be a success. Please let me.
Daniel and Imogen exchange a look.
The Waterhole
Aaron is lecturing Josh and Nate about dating, and immediately identifies some female extras in the bar who he thinks look suitable for Josh. Josh is too nervous to go over and talk to them, so Aaron offers to go and 'break the ice' first.
AARON (to Josh): Stay here. Look brooding and aloof. Shoulders! Perfect.
Nate is sceptical as Aaron heads over to talk to the women, but sure enough they seem immediately impressed with Aaron.
JOSH: Maybe he really is the babe whisperer!
But when Aaron comes back over, he's looking sheepish.
JOSH: Well?
AARON: ... Oh, they're lesbians.
Josh and Aaron fall about laughing.
NATE: Gaydar's a bit off, mate!
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Daniel comes in, and Paul asks if he's seen Naomi. Daniel says she's been helping him with Toadie's fundraiser, and says he's hoping Paul will help out too. Paul, who seems annoyed that Naomi is so preoccupied with Toadie, says he's too busy to help. He asks where Naomi is now, and when Daniel says she's gone to visit Toadie at the hospital, Paul decides to go and find her, saying they have issues to resolve. But Daniel, who's annoyed by Paul's lack of care for Toadie, advises him against it, saying Naomi needs to be there for Toadie right now.
PAUL: Yeah, well what I need is to -
DANIEL: Paul, drop the attitude and get some perspective! There are bigger things going on right now than your lovers' quarrel. I think it's time you stopped being so damn selfish, and did something for the poor guy.
Harold's Store
Lauren and Brad are busy making marmalade in the kitchen. They get on to discussing social media; Lauren remarks that no-one would be interested in her posts as she's 'not that special'; and Brad leaps in with a series of compliments. He admits that he got a Blah-Blah account but that all the kids at school spammed him with friend requests, so he shut it down and started a new account under the pseudonym of...
BRAD: Johnny Utah.
LAUREN: From Point Break!
BRAD: You know, I never would've picked you as a Keanu fan.
LAUREN: Swayze all the way. So, erm, what's your profile picture? No, no, let me guess - a famous surfer riding a wave.
BRAD: You so don't know me.
LAUREN: What is it, then?
BRAD: Alright, you were spot on. It's a surfer riding a wave.
Lauren laughs.
Erinsborough Hospital
Susan and Ben are visiting Toadie. Ben moans to Toadie and Susan about Karl making him join the band, but is at least relieved he hasn't had to do backing vocals. Ben wishes he had a way of letting Karl down gently, and Susan makes sympathetic noises.
Karl comes in, still in his KČ t-shirt. He's got some posters made up to promote the band, and asks a mortified Ben to put them up at school to 'raise awareness about coming gigs'! Karl leaves again, and Susan says that Ben has to tell Karl he doesn't want to be in the band. But Ben is worried about disappointing Karl.
SUSAN: Don't worry about the posters. Knowing Karl, they didn't cost much.
BEN: It's not that. You know, ever since I got here, you guys have been awesome. I can't repay Grandad with rejection.
SUSAN: Oh well, in that case, you'd better hurry and get those posters up.
No 24
Mark is making Paige and Tyler watch an awful science fiction film, which they are both ruthlessly making fun of as Mark earnestly tries to explain the plot. Tyler smiles to himself, as it feels like he and Paige are sharing a moment.
Erinsborough Hospital
Naomi is at the hospital, standing outside Toadie's room looking at him, when Paul turns up.
NAOMI: I'm not still in love with him.
PAUL: Then why have you been avoiding my calls?
NAOMI: Because this isn't about you, alright? I am trying to help and all you can do is try and protect your own interests.
Paul says he's trying to protect Naomi too, and calls her out for hypocrisy, saying she hardly has a blemishless record. But Naomi says that unlike Paul, she learns from her mistakes, whereas he keeps making dodgy choices.
NAOMI: You know, I might not be in love with Toadie anymore, but lately I have been reminded what a good man he is.
PAUL: And you're saying that I'm not?
NAOMI: ...
PAUL: So that's what this is about. All this means that you want to end it with me, because you don't love me anymore?
NAOMI: Oh, for a smart guy, you can be so stupid. Yes, of course I still love you. I just - sometimes I just don't think I like you very much.
Naomi walks off, leaving Paul looking pensive.
The Waterhole
Operation Get Josh Hooked Up continues apace, as Aaron spots a woman alone at a table, who Josh agrees is cute.
NATE: And hopefully not a lesbian!
Aaron invites the woman over to join them.
AARON: My straight friend here is building towers out of beer coasters. So clearly we need some new conversation.
The woman introduces herself as Milla, while Aaron introduces himself, Josh, and...
AARON: This guy's Captain Killjoy.
MILLA: Sorry?
NATE: Nate.
Aaron goes to buy some drinks at the bar, while Nate decides to call it a night, leaving Josh and Milla to talk. Aaron is disappointed Nate's leaving, not least as he was about to demonstrate his 'Level 2.0 babe whispering skills'.
NATE: Have I even seen Level 1? I'd call what just happened blind luck, mate.
Harold's Store
Brad and Lauren have finished making the marmalade, and continue to flirt as Brad leaves. Meanwhile, Karl is putting up posters for KČ, while Ben and Susan look bemused.
KARL: I think we should learn some Right Prescription songs too, just to beef up the repertoire.
BEN: Sure, sounds like a good idea.
KARL: Cool. I think we should get some banners, as well.
BEN: ... Cool.
SUSAN: I might just go and get a drink of water. Tell him.
KARL: Tell him? Tell him what?
BEN: I erm - I wanna quit the band.
KARL: I thought you liked being in a band?
BEN: I do. I just don't wanna be in a band with you.
Karl acts all aggrieved, saying Ben should've mentioned this before they agreed to do Toadie's benefit. Ben says he didn't want to let Karl down, but Karl guilt-trips him about letting down all the people they promised to play for.
KARL: And Daniel and Imogen are relying on us to get people through the door. Bums on seats.
BEN: I sort of got the feeling that they weren't that into us, actually.
KARL: You're gonna have to lose that false modesty routine if you want to get on in this business. 'Cause you are great. We - we are great.
BEN: The music's not really my style. And I've always really wanted to be more of a solo performer.
KARL: Okay. As long as you realise that this industry is littered with failed musicians who left an established act to go solo.
BEN: Grandad, we've got one gig. And it's at a nursing home.
KARL: Yeah well. Toadie's benefit would've been huge.
BEN: I'm really sorry.
Karl makes out like he's taking it well, but then implies Ben is just looking after his own career, and starts muttering about whether the poster place will give him a refund!
KARL: I suppose if the Eagles can bury the hatchet, we can too...
Susan watches the fallout from the relative safety of the counter!
No 24
The movie night continues. Mark and Paige are now sitting close together, and Paige is now crying over a romantic twist in the movie, which leads her to grudgingly admit that it 'was OK'.
TYLER: It was kind of boring.
He rolls his eyes as Mark decides that Paige is 'just a squishy little marshmallow' beneath her tough exterior. Tyler proposes a Vin Diesel movie next, but Paige decides she's going to call it a night - and drags Mark swiftly towards the bedroom. Tyler announces he's going out, in an attempt not to appear like a third wheel.
MARK: Okay, well just take the recycling out when you leave.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Naomi, Daniel and Imogen are having dinner and discussing Toadie's benefit. They discuss how to keep it a secret from him so it's a surprise; Naomi says she'll threaten to set 'Sheila Marie Canning' on anyone who blabs. Paul turns up, and tells a frosty Naomi that he's decided he wants to pay for all the overheads for the fundraiser.
NAOMI: I suppose that means you want your name splashed over all the programmes in big, bold letters?
PAUL: No, I just want you to raise the most money possible.
Daniel and Imogen thank Paul, and Naomi follows him out onto the balcony.
NAOMI: That was unexpectedly nice.
PAUL: Ah, it was nothing. You know, I don't like it when you don't like me.
NAOMI: You have never disguised the man that you are, but I guess in recent weeks I have seen the not-so-nice side of you.
PAUL: Hmm. Look, I know I'm not perfect. But being with you just makes me wanna be nicer in every way.
He promises he'll try harder.
PAUL: I couldn't bear to lose you.
NAOMI: Well if you truly mean that, you won't.
They kiss and hug.
The Waterhole
Milla is tracing the lines on Josh's palm and translating them. She says they show he's 'really sporty'.
JOSH: Does it say anything about me meeting a beautiful blonde?
Suddenly, Milla's mouthy ex-boyfriend Evan shows up!
EVAN: It better not!
He tells Josh to pull his head in, because Milla is taken. Aaron intervenes, saying it's his fault, but adding that...
AARON: Your girlfriend made it pretty obvious that she's available!
EVAN: What do you mean by that?
AARON: I mean that she's been putting it out there all night!
Josh has to separate Evan and Aaron as things get heated. He offers to buy everyone a drink, but Evan leaves, taking Milla with him. Aaron denounces Evan as an 'ape', and Josh is glad that he 'dodged a bullet' by not getting with Milla.
Lassiter's Complex
Later, as Aaron is walking home, Evan turns up to 'teach him some manners'. He throws a drink in Aaron's face and is just about to give him a massive kicking, when a mystery saviour turns up and wrestles Evan away. Evan runs off in fear; and with Aaron's vision blurred from the drink, he can't make out who the stranger is that saved him. The stranger disappears into the night, despite a winded Aaron's calls for him to wait...
Unmissable Drama
- Paul tells Amy to talk to him as he's 'not the enemy'
- Imogen confides in Amber that she really wants to help Terese but doesn't know how
- A random bloke turns up to tell Kyle about his and Georgia's feelings for one another!
- Flashes of various Brad/Lauren moments as Lauren says 'There's always been a connection...'
- Text flashes across a Brad/Lauren/Terese montage, saying 'THE MOMENT OF TRUTH'