Ramsay Street
Amy and Ned are sitting on the wall outside No 30. She's disappointed that Levi isn't accompanying them. Ned says it's understandable that Levi wants to spend time with his mum.

AMY: Do you know anything about her?
NED: No. Only that she obviously puts Levi into a panic.

No 26
In the kitchen, Sheila tells Levi she's as shocked as she is that Evelyn has turned up unannounced.

LEVI: Are you sure you didn't give her a call? Just to make life harder for Amy and I?
SHEILA: I wish I'd been that clever.

Meanwhile, Evelyn is on the sofa in the living room, when Kyle comes in along with Roxy and greets 'Auntie Ev' with a hug. We learn Kyle was still a kid, maybe about 12, when they last saw one another.

EVELYN: I'd been looking forward to meeting Bea. Hopefully Levi's next girlfriend won't muck him around while she figures out what she wants.
KYLE: Well, it's funny you should say that -

But Levi and Sheila have come in in the meantime, and Levi quickly cuts Kyle off, changing the subject before he can say anything about Levi's new relationship.

Lassiter's Complex
Mackenzie joins Toadie and Rose for a meeting about the Rebecchi Law sponsorship of the film festival. Rose is clearly disappointed not to have Toadie to herself again, and even more so when Toadie announces he's leaving Rose in Mackenzie's capable hands! However, she extracts a promise from Toadie before he leaves that he'll be at the promo party tonight, ostensibly to ensure press coverage of the sponsorship.

ROSE: Is Melanie coming?
TOADIE: Yeah, I don't want her to miss out.
ROSE: Oh, that's noble of you - and brave, given her track record! My car is still in the shop.
TOADIE: Rose, Melanie says that she didn't do it.
ROSE: I guess I'm just lucky that there was no seafood handy.
TOADIE: I have spoken with her, and she swears that it wasn't her.
ROSE: Okay. It still is just really an important night for you professionally. Maybe just keep her out of the photos.

Acutely aware of how awkward it's getting, Mackenzie changes the subject back to sponsorship admin, and Toadie leaves them to it.

The Waterhole
Amy is briefing Rose on all the organisational details for the party tonight. As Amy leaves the pub, Melanie and Mackenzie come in. Rose is around the corner out of sight, and listens in on their conversation.

MACKENZIE: I get that you're worried, but Toadie stood up for you at the meeting with Rose.
MELANIE: Yeah, well, it's just a pity he didn't do it sooner, like, when she first accused me.

Mackenzie tells Mel to put it out of her head and have fun with Toadie tonight. She asks Mel what film character she's dressing up as.

MELANIE: I have been inspired by Toadie's favourite film, which is Legally Blonde (...) He can quote the entire thing. And his 'bend and snap' - well, it's something that's probably not appropriate for your eyes (...) His favourite part of the movie is when Elle Woods wears a bunny costume, so I'm gonna pick one of those up (...) I have it on really good authority that I look fantastic with ears.

She mimes rabbit ears to Mackenzie.

MELANIE: Can you see it?
MACKENZIE (bemused): Yes.
MELANIE: Cute?
MACKENZIE: Okay, you can put those down now.

Unseen nearby, Rose has heard all of this conversation, and adopts a scheming expression...

No 22
Everyone gathers in their film-themed costumes for the promo party. Ned is one half of the Men in Black, while Roxy, Terese and Kyle are dressed respectively as Geena Davis (Thelma), Susan Sarandon (Louise) and Brad Pitt (JD) from the film Thelma & Louise.

ROXY: We look absolutely amazing. Ned is only jealous because he misses his little brother-husband.

Roxy goes on to explain to Terese that the reason Levi isn't coming is that he's terrified Evelyn will find out about his polyamorous relationship with Amy and Ned. Kyle gives us some insight into Levi and Evelyn's backstory.

KYLE: Basically, my uncle Frank had an affair with Evelyn when she was young, and her parents didn't approve of her keeping Levi, so he had to take her in.
TERESE: Poor Evelyn.
ROXY: Yeah. And poor Jackie. (to Kyle) You know, if you ever cheat on me and you knock up the girl, I am not raising that kid with you.
KYLE: Good to know (!) Anyway, it was always super-awkward at family gatherings if Auntie Jackie and Auntie Evelyn were there together. But they made it work for Levi, you know, it was good. He ended up having a relationship with his mum.
ROXY: She takes him out to lunch all the time. He has a little calendar for the countdown to every time they're gonna hang out. It's super-cute.
NED: Well, if they're close, then why doesn't he just tell her the truth?
KYLE: Well, she loves him, but she's from a pretty conservative family. You know, the whole pol - pol...
NED: Polyamorous.
KYLE: ... polyamorous thing just wouldn't fly.

No 26
Levi is updating Evelyn on Yashvi's recovery following her car accident, explaining she now lives in Sydney. Evelyn admits she'd always wondered from how Levi talked about her whether he and Yashvi were a romantic prospect, but he insists she was just a really good work partner.

SHEILA: Plus, she was in a relationship with Ned, and you'd never cross that line, would you, love?

Levi and Evelyn agree they have a lot to catch up on - he wants her to tell him 'all about the brats', and they also need to exchange notes on shared books, podcasts and keto banana bread. Sheila, who appears to be feeling a little left out of all the bonding, tells Evelyn she's been making all Levi's meals keto-friendly.

EVELYN (coolly): Well, how else would you do it?

Evelyn suggests she and Levi go out for dinner, and doesn't seem keen when Sheila suggests The Waterhole, but Sheila insists on arranging the 'best table in the house' for them. Levi goes to get his jacket, and Sheila attempts to engage Evelyn in conversation - but Evelyn seems to have little interest in talking to Sheila, and instead goes to have a look at Levi's bedroom. Sheila looks concerned.

No 30
Hendrix and Mackenzie are applying some rather impressive-looking zombie make-up for their party costumes.

HENDRIX: I think we look *dead* gorgeous.
MACKENZIE: Of *corpse* we do.

Toadie comes in, dressed as Mad Max, and joins Karl, who's playing his guitar in the kitchen, dressed as Bradley Cooper's character Jackson Maine from A Star Is Born. Toadie asks for Karl's help in warding off any Rose and Melanie drama tonight, admitting he feels stuck in the middle of their acrimony over the smashed windscreen.

KARL: Sure. If things get truly awkward I can sing 'em a song.

Melanie comes in, but Toadie's concerned she's not in her costume yet - he's keen to leave as he says he promised Amy he'd be there for the start of the party, so Melanie says she'll change here and catch up with him there. Toadie and Karl leave, and Melanie then explains to Hendrix and Mackenzie the real reason she's not in her costume.

MELANIE: Apparently some blonde woman came [into the costume shop] before me and bought up everything remotely to do with the movie, including bunny costumes!
MACKENZIE: Uh, at which shop?
MELANIE: All three that I went to! She took everything. It's got to be Rose (...) She is definitely trying to undermine me.

Mackenzie decides they should improvise, and rustle up a costume for Melanie using Nell's craft box. As Mack and Mel head into Nell's room to get started, Hendrix bares his zombie-teeth in the mirror!

The Flamingo Bar
Amy is setting up for the promo party. An uncostumed Levi comes in, and compliments Amy on her own Men in Black outfit. He apologises for bailing on her, but makes it clear he thinks Evelyn would react badly if she knew he was in a polyamorous relationship. Amy understands it's not easy, saying she's still getting 'attitude' from Toadie about it.

AMY: But I just think if we're open and honest about it, it'll change people's reaction.
LEVI: Not my mum's.
AMY: She loves you, Levi. She'll get over the rest.
LEVI: It's not about love, Amy. Look, my mum sacrificed so much when she gave me to Dad and Jackie. I just don't want to be a disappointment to her.
AMY: ... Are you ending things with me?
LEVI: No! No, I just... I just want to put things on hold. You know, just while she's in town.
AMY: Okay. Well, I feel terrible saying this, but, umm... I kinda can't wait till she's gone.

They laugh, and Levi wishes her luck with the party, before leaving. Amy looks worried.

The Waterhole
Evelyn is at a table, waiting for Levi to show up for dinner. Sheila fusses around her, again trying to engage her in conversation, and trying to work out why Evelyn doesn't want to talk to her.

SHEILA: Must've been a terrible shock to you when you found out the truth about the attack on Levi. I know he's talked the whole thing through with you, but he told me not to call. Perhaps I should have. I really apologise.
EVELYN (coolly): Okay.
SHEILA: We've all worked so hard, you know, to get through it together, as a family. I'd hate for anything to set us back. Levi has forgiven me, but if you still want to have a crack, hit me with it.
EVELYN (coolly): If my son has moved on, then so have I (...) You took the consequences, lessons were learned, and here we are.
SHEILA (confused): So, that's it?
EVELYN: Honestly, I have nothing to say to you right now, but you seem to want me to talk.

For once in her life, Sheila is lost for words, and confused as to the reason for Evelyn's coldness. But at this point, Levi arrives. Sheila again feels out of the loop, as she leaves Levi and Evelyn to enjoy one another's company.

The Flamingo Bar
The promo party has begun in the outdoor area, and Karl, Toadie, Roxy, Kyle, Ned and Amy are all on deck, as well as numerous suitably costumed extras - including Gandalf! Lorant Mathieson, the head of the film festival, tells Amy how impressed he is with the party.

Spotting Ned and Amy in their matching Men in Black outfits, Karl excuses himself from Toadie and goes over to chat to them about their relationship!

KARL: Hello, guys. It's the ménage without the trois! Where's Levi?
NED: Prior engagement.
KARL: Yeah, well - I heard about what you guys have cooked up. It's very avant-garde!
AMY: Oh, we're pulling out all the French words this evening!
KARL: Well, if anyone would approve of your arrangement, it's the French.

Karl is desperate to ask them some questions about 'how it works', but Ned pretends to hear a voice over his earpiece, and he and Amy quickly excuse themselves and walk away!

Meanwhile, Melanie has arrived in a craft-box approximation of the Elle Woods bunny outfit from Legally Blonde, but somehow Toadie doesn't get the reference!

TOADIE: Very crafty! Uh, okay... Bridget Jones's Diary?
MELANIE: Legally Blonde!
TOADIE: No way! Oh, great minds *do* think alike.

He calls Rose over, who predictably is also dressed as Elle Woods, however in a different, non-bunny outfit from the film.

MELANIE: You look fantastic.
ROSE: Oh, I wish I had thought to be as thrifty as you! I could've saved myself a bit of cash.
TOADIE: Who would've thought you'd both come as Elle Woods? See, you do have things in common - like great taste in movies.

Melanie forces a smile!

Meanwhile, Karl is talking to Terese about his new favourite topic - Amy, Ned and Levi's relationship!

KARL: It's all about communication, but without oversharing to avoid jealousy.
TERESE: Oversharing, huh? (!)
KARL: Yeah, it's a bit like my first band. That was a trio that could swing! (laughs, then adds hurriedly...) Because we played swing music.

Nearby, rabbit-ears Melanie is mouthing off to zombie Mackenzie about Rose stealing her costume idea by buying up all the Elle Woods outfits in town. Mackenzie concedes that it does seem very tactical of Rose.

MELANIE: She wants my man!
MACKENZIE: Yeah, but he's here with you. So just focus on that, and don't let Rose get in the way.

Meanwhile, Hendrix zombie-walks over to Rose, who doesn't recognise him until he says who he is! He congratulates her on her 'great costume heist'.

ROSE: Whatever do you mean? (!)
HENDRIX: It's like butter wouldn't melt!
ROSE (looking at Melanie): That woman is just, like, non-stop red flags. Toadie is too nice. He will never leave - I have to, like, save him from himself.
HENDRIX: What's the next plan of attack?
ROSE: I dunno. I really hoped that this costume thing would've set her off.
HENDRIX: Wait, you want that bomb to explode? Hasn't your car suffered enough, Rose?
ROSE: No, I thought that if Melanie goes haywire and embarrasses Toadie yet again, it might just be the final push he needs to just get out.
HENDRIX: Don't just focus on Melanie. You need to show Toadie why *you* guys are meant to be. Like, how much fun you guys had last summer.

Rose declares she needs to find a man dressed as Indiana Jones, and runs off to do so!

Shortly afterwards, Toadie and Mackenzie head indoors, but Mackenzie notices Rose is there. Keen to prevent Toadie from getting too involved with Rose, Mackenzie suggests he take Melanie for a walk around the lake, for 'a proper chat' - but it's too late, as Rose has seen him.

She's taken Hendrix's advice to heart, and has decided to resurrect the prank wars she and Toadie engaged in while she was working for him last year. She's hidden a giant rubber snake under one of the cloches on the food table, which makes Toadie jump.

ROSE: It's an oldie, but a goodie!
TOADIE: Yeah. I'm gonna get you back.
ROSE: Oh, are you? Sure.

Zombie Mackenzie disapproves from a distance. As Toadie leaves, zombie Hendrix comes in.

HENDRIX: Some guy just assumed I was a World War Z zombie. What a clown! I mean, he was *dressed* as a clown. But how insulting, huh? I'm obviously inspired from Cargo.
MACKENZIE: I think Rose is definitely trying to make a play for Toadie.
HENDRIX: Oh, is that so terrible? She's obviously a better pick for him.
MACKENZIE: Well, it's inappropriate, because Toadie is taken. Also, can you please stop with your opinions about Rose and Toadie? I told you to drop it already, okay?
HENDRIX (grumpily): Okay.

Back outside, Toadie is critiquing Kyle for 'putting on a pair of jeans and calling it a costume'.

MELANIE: Hang on a minute. He has had to go to the drawer and open it to get those jeans out.
TOADIE: Oh, you're right, that *is* a lot of effort (!)

Toadie calls Rose over to take a photo of him with Melanie, Roxy and Kyle, directing her to his jacket pocket where he says there's a camera - but there's something white and sticky in there instead, which Rose gets all over her hand.

TOADIE: I told you I'd get you back!
ROSE: This means war.
TOADIE: Oh, I'm just warming up.
ROSE: Oh, you are going down!

Melanie looks annoyed by their pranking contest banter, and walks off.

Meanwhile, Ned walks over to Amy, who's fiddling with her phone. She admits she's been thinking about texting Levi, 'to check in'. Ned says she should do it, insisting it doesn't bother him.

AMY: No, I'm not going to. I mean, he pressed pause and, you know, I'm here with you. That's all I need.

They hug.

The Waterhole
Evelyn and Levi have finished dinner, and Sheila is clearing their plates.

EVELYN: It was very generous portions. Quite decent for pub food.
SHEILA: For pub food? What do you mean?
LEVI: Nothing, Gran, she's just trying to be nice.
SHEILA (whispering): No, she wasn't. She's been cold to me ever since she got here. And I've been asking why, and she won't tell me. (louder) Evelyn, I need to know what's going on.
EVELYN: Sheila, there's nothing.
LEVI: See, Gran? Chill. Maybe you're just overthinking stuff.

Sheila quietly remarks that they should deal with it later, but Levi insists there's no issue. Sheila walks off, and Levi suggests to Evelyn that they head home. A concerned Sheila watches them go.

The Flamingo Bar
Amy passes a drink to Rose, which she had requested as a 'special order' from the bar. Rose is with Terese, and tells her that ticket sales for the film festival are going well. They separate, and Rose joins Karl, Toadie and Melanie. Karl is discussing his Bradley Cooper role.

KARL: See, the trouble with 'Shallow' is it's a duet - I need two of me.
MELANIE: Hey, Rose - you must have so many people to schmooze. Don't feel you need to sort of babysit us.
ROSE: Oh, none of them are as fun as you guys.

Rose tries to palm off the 'special' drink to Toadie, claiming she doesn't like it. But Toadie is not fooled, and puts his finger in, then tastes it to confirm it's a glass of pure lemon juice. He tells her she'll have to do better than that. Rose now laments she doesn't have a drink, so Toadie directs her to take his - a glass of pink liquid of some variety.

Rose takes one sip, and immediately spits it out - largely on Melanie's face! Whatever was in the glass has got in Melanie's eyes, and she starts yelling. Toadie explains the drink had chilli in it - another prank for Rose. Disoriented by the pain, Melanie falls backwards into a table full of food, which promptly collapses under her weight! Toadie rushes to her aid as everyone looks on in horror.

No 26
While they're alone, Sheila apologises to Evelyn for overreacting to her comment at the pub, admitting she can be overprotective and read too much into things.

EVELYN: Don't worry. I know all about the protective routine. After all, I was victim of it for the past 24 years.
SHEILA: What?
EVELYN: Please, we're grown-ups. And I can really say that now, as opposed to when I was just a young woman, working up the courage to face you all. I suppose it was a bit foolish to think that all your talk of family would include welcoming me.

Sheila seems surprised by this.

SHEILA: You were always invited. You just stopped coming.
EVELYN: Is that how you remember it?
SHEILA: We wanted you in Levi's life.
EVELYN: Really? The dreaded other woman? And the way Jackie used to look at me...
SHEILA: She was hurt. Can you blame her?
EVELYN: You pride yourself on being the generous matriarch. You could've made it easier. But you stood back. And Jackie poisoned everyone against me. Yeah, I did something wrong, and I deserved punishment, but... I love my boy. For years, every time I went near him, all I was allowed to feel was shame. Do you know what that does to a person?
SHEILA: ...
EVELYN: I tried to visit him three times since he's moved here, and every time I lost my nerve. That's why I didn't tell him I was coming this time, because I didn't want to get cold feet again.
SHEILA: I am so sorry, Evelyn. What can I do?
EVELYN: Stay out of my way. I've missed out on enough time with Levi, thanks to you.

Evelyn walks off, leaving Sheila looking horrified.

Coming up on Neighbours
- In the pub, Evelyn asks Levi if he knows Amy and Ned
- Kyle tells Sheila, 'It's not our place to tell her - it's Levi's'
- Rose tells Mackenzie that Mel's not right for Toadie; Mackenzie replies, 'Oh, and I suppose you are?'
- Toadie tells a sad- looking, hospitalised Melanie, 'I don't know how I feel'