Previously on Neighbours
- Haz listens in on Byron and Sadie's chat using a covert app, but closes his laptop when Mackenzie arrives
- Byron feels intimidated by Andrew, and Sadie tells Wendy that she and Andrew need to back off
- Andrew pulls Byron up for having worn tyres on his car, and orders him to have them replaced
- Felix tells JJ he needs some fast cash; JJ asks if it's to do with his old mates
- Remi asks Felix to have a word with JJ, saying nothing she or Cara says seems to get through
- JJ reacts incredulously when Felix does what Remi asks, but Felix reminds him his mums care about him
- Felix replaces Holly's ruined book, but leaves his incriminating map of the Eirini Rising site inside
- Aaron gets a phone call from a voice that sounds exactly like David's
- Jane tells Nicolette she'll be giving Mike 'something to remember' in their video chat
- Later, Dex is shown a video at school of Jane peeling a banana and telling Mike how much she misses him
Erinsborough High School
As Jane walks through the corridor, she's mildly disconcerted to see pupils giggling and whispering. Aware they've all seen the video of Jane and the banana, Dex looks uncomfortable. JJ turns up and asks Dex what's amusing the other pupils so much. Dex shows JJ the video on his phone.
JANE (voice): Oh, baby. Let me show you just how much I miss you.
JJ: Where did this come from?
DEX: Five kids have sent it to me in the last hour. The whole school must've seen it by now.
JJ: That's not good.
DEX: I know. Apparently Mrs Harris doesn't have a clue.
JJ: Oh, she must've been hacked.
DEX: Do you think we should tell her?
JJ (scoffs): Exactly how would that conversation go? (...) Look, trust me - you don't want to be anywhere near that dumpster fire. Just delete the video; pretend you never saw it (...) It'll either die down and she'll never know, or she'll find out on her own. I've been in enough trouble lately - I don't want to be getting involved.
Eirini Rising construction site
Felix and Slade have met up to discuss their plan to rob the plant and materials from the construction site. Felix tells Slade he's drawn a map, but when he looks in his bag he can't find it. He tells Slade they'll have a twenty- minute window during the security guards' handover to get in and out - so they need to stay focused and move fast. They agree to meet at 6.15am tomorrow to carry out the crime.
Slade asks when he'll get his cut; Felix replies it'll be in a day or two.
SLADE: Oh, man. I can't wait to get out of this place.
FELIX: Yeah. Just need to pull this off, and we'll be home free.
Lassiter's Complex
Remi and Cara are chatting to Andrew and Wendy outside the pub; Remi asks Andrew to thank Felix for talking to JJ for them, as he seems like a completely new kid since their talk. They promise to shout him a drink next time he's off- duty. As Wendy and Andrew walk off, Andrew is laughing; Wendy assumes he's pleased about JJ and Felix. He says he's actually laughing about something that happened at work, but doesn't elaborate.
Meanwhile, Remi and Cara have taken a seat at a table and are having some drinks.
CARA: So, now that Felix has used his powers for good... shall we let JJ spend some time with him?
REMI: My head says maybe. But my gut still doesn't understand why JJ bonded so strongly with a stranger.
CARA: Hmm, okay. But is it possible that we're coming at this all wrong? Maybe Felix is a positive influence?
No 32
Byron is on the patio when Sadie turns up, but he's not in the best mood following his run- in with her dad. He explains to Sadie that he had to leave his car on Power Road after Andrew declared it unroadworthy because of the tyres.
BYRON: Which makes no sense, as I just got it serviced, and the mechanic said they were good for another six months.
SADIE: Well, this isn't fair... and this is because of me.
Byron looks troubled.
Erinsborough High School
Jane comes into her office and is surprised to see a bunch of bananas sitting on her desk! Nicolette turns up to drop off Jane's lunch which she's forgotten to take with her.
NICOLETTE: At least you're sorted for fruit.
JANE: Yeah. It was on my desk when I came in.
NICOLETTE: What, did a student leave them for you?
JANE: I guess so. Apples are more traditional, but who says it can't be bananas?
Conversation turns to Aaron, as Nicolette wonders whether Jane thinks he might be having some kind of 'episode' over the purported phone call from David. Jane doesn't think there have been any other concerning signs, and Nicolette agrees - but they decide they'll check in on him after work. Nicolette steals one of the bananas to eat on the way home!
No 26
Wendy and Andrew come in to find a not- very- impressed looking Sadie on the couch. She tells Wendy about how Andrew gave Byron's car an unroadworthy notice.
WENDY: What was wrong with his car?
SADIE: Nothing. Dad was just being a bully.
ANDREW: Well, he actually had two bald tyres. He should thank me for saving his life.
SADIE: His mechanic said that he had at least six months on them.
ANDREW: Not from what I saw.
SADIE: You're only doing this because you don't like me seeing him!
ANDREW: That's ridiculous. I was just doing my job, Sadie.
WENDY: Since when is it your job to do random roadworthy inspections?
ANDREW: Well, part of being a cop is to do something when you see something dangerous.
SADIE: No one is buying that BS, Dad. You just can't handle that I have a sex life now.
ANDREW: (scoffs)
SADIE: You can't even handle me saying the word! Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!
ANDREW (hurried): Okay, cool, got it. Calm down.
SADIE: You really need to get used to the fact that I really like Byron, and he really likes me. Got it?
ANDREW: Got it. Message received, loud and clear. Thank you, Sadie.
SADIE: Good. Cos I'm gonna go over there and offer to pay for his two new tyres, so Byron can get his car back on the road.
ANDREW: Hang on, now you're being ridiculous. It's his car; it's his responsibility.
But Wendy sides with Sadie, and tells her they'll 'go halves' with Sadie to pay for the tyres! Andrew objects, but Sadie simply thanks Wendy and leaves. Wendy turns to glare at an incredulous Andrew...
Erinsborough High School
In a classroom, lots of pupil extras are laughing and chatting, seemingly about the video of Jane. Dex is the only one who isn't amused. Jane sits down to take the class, informing them that Curtis Perkins, their usual teacher, is ill. Dex dutifully tells Jane where they're up to in their textbooks, but one of his classmates, Charlie, is watching the video on his phone. Unaware, Jane tells him to put the phone away.
CHARLIE: Sorry, Miss Harris. Here, have this as an apology.
The pupils laugh as Charlie pulls a banana from his bag. Jane smiles, bemused.
JANE: Alright. I take it there is some kind of inside joke about bananas. Would anyone care to fill me in?
This is greeted with more laughter. Dex just looks uncomfortable, and Jane tells Charlie to put the banana away, then ploughs on with the lesson.
No 26
Wendy is unimpressed at Andrew's behaviour towards Byron.
WENDY: Twenty years of being a great dad, and suddenly you're this walking cliché.
ANDREW: Look, if it means that I'm a cliché because I don't want my daughter to make a mistake then, fine, I can live with that.
WENDY: How is Byron a mistake? He's nice, he's polite. He's employed.
ANDREW: He's an ex- escort, Wendy.
WENDY: Oh, so what? Felix is an ex- con. So he should never have a girlfriend again either?
ANDREW: It's not the same thing.
WENDY: Babe, if you're not careful, you're going to alienate our only child.
ANDREW: You're as over- invested as I am.
WENDY: She told me to back off, so I am.
Andrew says he's worried that Sadie is going to get hurt because of her relative inexperience. But Wendy doesn't think Andrew's stunt with the car tyres is going to help.
Harold's Café
Remi and Cara meet with Dex and JJ for a drink. Remi tells JJ that they've decided to lift the ban on him spending time with Felix, and JJ looks overjoyed, thanking them profusely. The conditions are that he isn't over at the Rodwells' all the time, and that there must be no more lying and acting out. JJ willingly agrees, and Cara and Remi leave JJ and Dex to it.
Jane comes in to meet Aaron and Nicolette, who are sitting by the window, and a load of schoolkid extras start giggling about Jane again. Jane begins to look uncomfortable, and Nicolette wonders what it's all about. Eventually Dex can't restrain himself any longer, and goes over to tell Jane there's something she needs to know - but is reluctant to say more until Jane grills him.
JANE: Is it about the school?
DEX: (awkwardly) Yes.
JANE: Mm. Is it about you?
DEX: *No.* No.
JANE: Does it have something to do with bananas?
Dex gets his phone out of his pocket and passes it to Jane, who moves it closer to a curious Aaron so he can see too. She soon regrets that, and gasps when she sees what's on the video, as the schoolkid extras continue to laugh.
Eirini Rising construction site
Slade and Felix are about to part ways having finalised their plan for tomorrow. Slade asks if he can borrow $20, as he hasn't eaten today and has been avoiding using his card to stop the cops finding him. Felix passes him the money, but at this point JJ turns up.
JJ: What's he doing here?
FELIX: He's helping me with the job.
JJ: You're working together?
SLADE: Yeah, what's it to you?
Slade approaches JJ menacingly, but Felix tells him that's enough, and to get on his way. Slade walks off.
JJ: You can't trust him.
FELIX: I trust him enough to finish the job.
JJ: Why would you even want to work together after all the stuff he's pulled?
FELIX: Well, I need an extra set of hands. And it kills two birds with one stone. Offered to cut him in, if he stayed away from you.
JJ: Why would you do that?
FELIX: Cos we've got each other's backs.
JJ is all happy again when he hears this.
Harold's Café
Mackenzie has joined Jane, Aaron and Nicolette. Jane is appalled at the video, calling it 'hateful' and 'humiliating'. In the background, Haz listens uncomfortably. Nicolette says she should have warned Jane to be more careful with her phone security when sending private videos to Mike.
JANE: This video is not real! How could you possibly think that it was?
NICOLETTE: The dress. The banana you took in for night- time breakfast?
Aaron and Mackenzie's faces are both pictures! But Jane points out the dress she's wearing in the video isn't even hers.
JANE: I would never in a million years record something like that.
NICOLETTE: So what did you do in there with him?
JANE: ... We had breakfast! And that's all!
AARON: So you're saying that the thing is fake? The whole thing?
JANE: Yes! Yes, of course it is!
Haz is the only one who doesn't look surprised by this, and brings Jane a drink, but she's too wound up.
MACKENZIE: So we have a deepfake video that looks and sounds exactly like Jane, and a call that sounds exactly like David.
AARON: You think David was a deepfake too?
MACKENZIE: Well, it makes sense, doesn't it, now that we've seen this?
NICOLETTE: Well, why would someone mess with you both like that? That is so cruel.
Jane is worried about what the school parents and the Education Department will say about it, thinking no one will believe it isn't real. Aaron can't believe he thought David had come back. Haz continues to listen, looking deeply uncomfortable.
Power Road
Cara and Remi are walking along as they discuss JJ, and their decision to let him see Felix again. Cara notes that JJ seemed happy, and Remi adds that at least he's being human again. At this point, they spot Slade emerging from Grease Monkeys with a burger. Cara tells Remi to call the police, before charging towards Slade. He runs, but Cara pursues, tackling him to the ground and apprehending him!
REMI: Hello, police? ... I need someone. There's a man involved in a kidnapping and my wife's just taken him down!
Slade struggles, but Cara has him firmly pinned to the ground, and tells him the cops are on their way.
No 32
Byron is telling Mackenzie about the tyres he has to replace due to Andrew's over- officiousness. She offers to help him fight it if he wants, but Byron is keen not to make a big deal of it for Sadie's sake.
MACKENZIE: Andrew always seemed like such a nice guy.
BYRON: Yeah. I guess you don't know somebody until you start dating their daughter.
Byron admits it's a lot more complicated dating Sadie than he first thought, given she's still living with her parents.
Sadie comes in brandishing her purse, and tries to give Byron money for the tyres, telling him Andrew was way out of line. Byron doesn't want to take it, even despite Wendy having covered half, insisting it's his problem. Mackenzie leaves them to talk.
SADIE: Will you please accept it? I feel so bad.
BYRON: It's fine, okay? Really. But it has... got me thinking. You know, your parents are obviously struggling with you seeing me.
SADIE: They'll get used to it.
BYRON: Will they, though? I mean, you and me... it just all happened really fast. And, I dunno, I think maybe... maybe we need a time- out. Give us a chance to catch our breath.
SADIE: You want to break up with me?
BYRON: It's just... it's a lot going on right now.
SADIE (annoyed): Sure. Because who wants to risk dating the overprotective cop's daughter, right? Who wants that hassle? Way more trouble than it's worth.
BYRON: That's not what I meant.
SADIE: Byron, I'm not stupid.
She slams the money down on the counter, and walks out. Byron sighs.
Lassiter's Complex
Felix is chatting to JJ. Felix says JJ's mums are pleased he's reacted well to their ban being lifted, but JJ says it's all for nothing as Felix is leaving tomorrow once he's done with the robbery.
FELIX: That's the plan. Hey, I just wanted to say, in case it wasn't clear... if I had any choice, I wouldn't be going anywhere near Slade. Sometimes you've gotta use the tools that are available.
JJ: Yeah, well, he's definitely a tool, you're not wrong about that!
But at this point, they see Andrew marching Slade towards the police station, followed by Remi and Cara. JJ rushes up to them and asks what happened.
REMI: Your mum took that little thug down like a sack of potatoes.
JJ: For real?
REMI: Mm- hm. Citizen's arrest.
CARA: Yeah, well, I wasn't gonna let him get away again.
REMI: You don't have to worry about him anymore. He's not getting out for a very long time.
JJ doesn't know whether to be pleased Slade is locked up, or concerned that Felix no longer has an accomplice. He looks back at Felix, who shrugs. JJ follows his mums towards the station.
No 24
Jane and Aaron reflect on the deepfake attacks. Jane wants to talk to the police, so the perpetrator doesn't get away with it - who knows who they might attack next. Aaron nods.
No 32
Mackenzie and Haz are in the garden; Mack can't stop thinking about what's happened to Jane and Aaron.
HAZ: Yeah. It's awful.
MACKENZIE: I mean, can you imagine how much of a scumbag you'd have to be to play with someone like that? It has to be someone they know.
HAZ: ... What makes you say that?
MACKENZIE: Because, what payoff is there in hurting a stranger? Both of those attacks were so personal. It has to be someone who really wants to get at them.
HAZ: ...
MACKENZIE: I honestly don't know how I'd cope if someone did something like that to me.
Mack takes their drinks cups inside, but the moment she's gone, Haz heads over to his laptop on the patio. There's a folder on the desktop named 'Jane' and Haz swiftly deletes it, before closing the laptop and looking guilty...
No 26
Sadie comes in as Wendy and Andrew are setting the table for dinner, and tells them her relationship with Byron is over.
SADIE: Thanks, Dad (!)
ANDREW: Did, uh... did Byron break up with you?
SADIE: He's calling it a time- out, but I know what that really means.
WENDY: Did he say it's because of what your dad did?
SADIE: He didn't have to. I mean, what guy would want to risk being thrown into solitary confinement for dating the local cop's daughter?
ANDREW: Look, I think everyone is blowing this situation out of proportion.
SADIE: Don't patronise me! I know what this is. You wrote up Byron's car to intimidate him.
Sadie walks out. Wendy gives Andrew a look.
The Waterhole
JJ and Felix are playing pool, and discussing Slade's arrest. Felix says it means his plan is stuffed; he can't rob the construction site anymore. But he says that at least Slade won't dob on him; he won't want to land himself in more trouble than he's already in.
FELIX: I can't do it alone. There's not enough time, and the gear's too heavy.
JJ: And there's no one else?
FELIX: You think I'd be dealing with Slade if there was?
JJ: Let me help you. I can do whatever Slade was gonna do.
FELIX: No. No way.
JJ: Why not?
FELIX: Because you've never done anything like this before.
JJ: So? I still wanna help you.
FELIX: Breaking the law, JJ, this is not a game.
JJ: Yeah, I know. But like you said earlier, you were doing this to make sure that Slade stops hassling me. And now I can make sure that those bad dudes who got you in trouble stop hassling you. I can do this, Felix. I'm gonna do it.
FELIX: ... Alright.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul asks Leo if he'd consider moving back to the penthouse
- Felix tells JJ he can't find the map he made of the construction site
- But Holly's found it in the book Felix gave her; Karl asks what it is
- Chelsea plays seductress with Paul, but noting she's tried it a few times, he asks her what's going on