Previously on Neighbours
- At the Eirini Rising launch, Karl confronts Jacob Burchmore, revealing he knows he's the mystery pooper
- But Jacob's grandmother Shirley says this can't get out; if it does, she won't be buying into Eirini Rising
- Susan is appalled when Karl accepts a bribe from Shirley to keep quiet, in the form of a snazzy new bike
- Karl tries to justify the bike to Susan, saying it's not a bribe and would alleviate pressure on Terese
- Leo obtains dashcam footage of Shannon, Krista's ex- drug dealer, sneaking around the vineyard
- He tells Andrew that it must mean Shannon is the one who poisoned the wine
- Uncomfortable with how close Nell and JJ seem to be getting, Toadie bans them from seeing one another
- JJ's attempt to prove to Toadie he's not a bad person backfires; Toadie reiterates his order to stay away
- But Terese suggests to Toadie that refusing to compromise may only push Nell away and cause her to rebel
- Toadie returns home and is furious to find Nell and JJ on the floor together in her bedroom
No 22
We continue where we left off; Nell and JJ scramble to their feet, Nell insisting to Toadie that it's 'not what it looks like'.
TOADIE (to JJ): Go home. Now.
JJ: Yeah.
As JJ leaves, Nell insists it's her fault; she talked him into coming over.
TOADIE: I came home to talk to you about lifting the ban. You can kiss that goodbye.
NELL: Dad, please...
TOADIE: Clearly I was right to keep you two apart!
NELL: We weren't doing anything!
TOADIE: You were on the floor, all over each other!
NELL: We were messing around! JJ was trying to grab my phone.
TOADIE: It's more than that, and you know it.
NELL: Dad, JJ's just a friend. That's it.
TOADIE: You have zero credibility! I have zero trust in you now.
He walks out, leaving Nell upset.
No 28
Karl is fiddling with his new bike in the living room, and Susan comes in and moans at him that he'll get grease everywhere. Mackenzie calls round looking for Holly, but Susan explains Holly's not in this episode (AKA, at work). Mackenzie is impressed at Karl's fancy new bike, and asks where he got it.
KARL (shifty): Erm... it was a gift.
MACKENZIE: Nice! From who?
KARL: No one you know.
SUSAN: No, go ahead, Karl - tell her.
KARL: It's my private business.
MACKENZIE: Oh! I'm sensing there's a story here.
Karl explains how the serial pooper turned out to be the grandson of Shirley from Eirini Rising, and reluctantly explains that the bike was a 'gift' from her.
MACKENZIE: Oh, to buy your silence!
SUSAN: Yes.
KARL: No!
MACKENZIE: Karl, that's bribery.
KARL: No, no - technically, it's not bribery. Because I accepted the bike to help Terese, not for my own personal benefit.
SUSAN: And you just keep telling yourself that!
KARL: A happy Shirley is less headaches for everyone, right? Including you.
But Susan is unimpressed. Mackenzie spins one of the bike wheels admiringly, but Karl makes it clear he doesn't want her touching it!
Erinsborough Hospital
The next morning, we check in with Dex, who is eating breakfast in his hospital bed while Cara and JJ are visiting. Cara remarks that JJ seems 'extra quiet' today. He claims he's just tired.
CARA: Well, you must've had a decent sleep. You were already in bed by the time we got home last night.
DEX: Or he's just jealous because Crimesborough did an episode on me.
CARA: Oh, we've got a celebrity in the family! Make sure it doesn't go to your head, hey? You know, I'm just glad it's put a smile on your face.
Leo turns up, looking a bit sheepish. He asks if Andrew has been in touch with them about Shannon; Cara confirms they heard from him last night. Leo's not sure if she's been arrested, but says they should know exactly what was in the wine soon.
CARA: Well, I hope you're not here to give JJ another spray.
LEO: No, no. Quite the opposite, actually. Look, I'm so sorry, mate. It was the stress talking, and umm, none of this is your fault, alright? Shannon was gonna get revenge no matter what.
JJ: Yeah, thanks, that means a lot.
LEO: I actually owe all of you guys an apology... When I found Hilary's bottle of wine, I held onto it instead of handing it in. And if I had, we might know more about what's going on with Dex.
CARA: Why hold onto it?
LEO: Well, I thought it might have been a manufacturing issue, so I wanted to do my own test before handing it to police.
CARA: So, you had the nerve to have a go at JJ when you were pulling stunts like this.
LEO: I know, and... I'm sorry.
CARA: ... Well, at least you apologised.
Leo tells JJ that there's a function booked at Yorokobi tonight, and he's welcome to work a shift if he wants to. JJ thanks him, and Leo leaves.
CARA: I could've said so much more, but the last thing that we need is more grief right now.
JJ: ... I think some is already on its way. Yeah, umm... you might get a call from Toadie today.
No 22
Nell is on the patio cooking bacon and eggs when Toadie and Terese emerge.
TOADIE: She's probably sucking up to get out of the bad books.
But Nell hands a plate of breakfast to Terese, who thanks her, before taking her own plate indoors and pointedly leaving Toadie empty- handed!
TERESE: Well, you can share mine.
TOADIE: Anyone would think that I was the one in the wrong.
TERESE: Yeah, it's because she doesn't know where you're coming from.
TOADIE: It's not that hard. She broke the rules.
TERESE: Yeah, and that won't be the last time that that happens. We know better than anyone that when you're a teenager, all you want is to be heard. You need to listen to her, just like she needs to listen to you.
TOADIE: It's not that simple.
TERESE: It actually is. You know, she's just confused (...) She doesn't understand why you're being so tough on her, so you need to be honest with her.
TOADIE: Nell obviously knows a lot about Sonya's past. But there's also a lot that she does not know. And if I open that door, I don't want it to ruin the memory of her mother.
TERESE: You know, if Sonya was here, what would she do?
TOADIE: Tell her everything, so that history doesn't repeat itself.
TERESE: And there's your answer. You need to give your daughter more credit. She can handle it.
Toadie gets a phone call from his mum Angie, but he declines it, saying it won't be anything important.
TOADIE: She probably needs the answer to a crossword or something. I've got bigger fish to fry.
Lassiter's Lake
Krista tells Leo that she's seen Andrew taking Shannon into the police station, so hopefully they'll get some answers soon. She reassures Leo that there's no evidence to suggest Shannon tampered with any of the other stock - once he has confirmation of this, he should be able to salvage the stock he had to recall.
LEO: And once Shannon's charged, there'll be no more recalls.
KRISTA: No more podcasts.
LEO: And no more stress.
They kiss, and Leo thanks Krista for being there for him through all this.
Erinsborough Police Station
Andrew is interviewing Shannon in the interrogation room in relation to the poisoning. He says the police have witnesses that put her at the vineyard on the day in question.
SHANNON: This is a stitch- up.
ANDREW: Just answer the question. Were you at the vineyard that day?
SHANNON: No. I was crook, in bed.
ANDREW: Can anyone verify that?
SHANNON: Yeah. My dog (!) Look, Leo Tanaka's got it in for me. As if I would poison his wine.
Andrew then shows her the photo of her sneaking around the vineyard.
SHANNON: ... Okay, I was there. But I didn't touch his wine bottles (...) I wanted to mess the place up a bit - you know, break a few things. But there were too many people, so I bailed.
ANDREW (incredulous): Property damage? That's your story?
SHANNON: Yes. To get back at Leo after he dobbed me in to you guys. Look, give me full points for pills and party drugs, but I don't know squat about poisons.
ANDREW: There is a boy in hospital right now not getting the treatment that he needs. Do the right thing; tell us what you put in that wine bottle.
SHANNON: ...
Ramsay Street
Toadie approaches Nell in hope of clearing the air, saying he's ready to listen to what she has to say.
NELL: I know I've made some bad decisions, but JJ didn't make me do them. I can think for myself. And I know you don't like JJ because he's got into lots of trouble. But good people make bad decisions - you're living proof of that! So why is JJ the only one who can't make up for it? And if you're worried about him being my boyfriend, don't be - we're just friends.
TOADIE: ... Being a parent is one of the scariest gigs around, and you don't always get it right. But part of the job is making sure that your kids learn from the bad choices that we've already made. But it's a bit unfair because there's no guarantee that you are gonna make those same choices.
At this point, Cara, Remi and JJ come out of their house, and Toadie asks for a chat.
CARA: Look, if this is about JJ being in Nell's room without permission, he knows that wasn't cool.
REMI: They were just trying to cheer each other up. And JJ's already promised it was purely platonic.
TOADIE: Yeah. I know that. Which is why I'm lifting the ban.
JJ and Nell look happy.
TOADIE: But there is one proviso. You two can hang out, as long as there is somebody else around. I don't want you on your own.
NELL: What?
JJ: How's that gonna work?
CARA: Don't you think that's still overkill?
TOADIE: You might think so, but I'm doing what I think is best for Nell.
Angie phones again, so Toadie goes off to take it, and Cara and Remi get into their car.
JJ: What made him change his mind?
NELL: I think he actually listened to me for once.
Lassiter's Complex
Shannon is being led through the courtyard by police. Leo and Krista are nearby; he tells her that Andrew didn't have any luck with Shannon. Krista has more bad news, meanwhile.
KRISTA: The Crimesborough podcast released another episode today. Apparently the host got an anonymous tip.
LEO: What about?
KRISTA: About you holding onto the bottle before handing it over to the police. They're suggesting that you're hiding something, and that the poisoning was all your fault.
Eirini Rising
In a café area, Shirley Burchmore is listening to the Crimesborough podcast when her grandson, Jacob the serial pooper, sits down to join her.
SHIRLEY: I must keep listening to this.
JACOB: I told you it was juicy.
SHIRLEY: Why would Leo Tanaka want to poison Hilary? I mean, she is incredibly annoying, but even so...
JACOB: Aren't they related? Maybe he's speeding up his inheritance.
SHIRLEY: What inheritance? It's obvious to look at her - she doesn't have money.
JACOB: Every year we have our work Christmas party at Yorokobi. Not anymore.
Karl turns up on his bike, all friendly with them as he raves about how great the bike is. Shirley remarks that she's glad he's enjoying the gift. But at this point a police officer, Constable Neyland, turns up, wanting to speak to Jacob.
CST. NEYLAND: Would you mind coming down to the station?
JACOB: Regarding...?
CST. NEYLAND: It's best we discuss it in private.
Jacob reluctantly leaves with the officer. Shirley is clearly concerned it might be about the public pooping, as she turns on Karl.
SHIRLEY: You'd best have stuck to our agreement.
KARL (worried): I... I assure you, I have.
Erinsborough Hospital
Nell and JJ are visiting Dex, and have told him about being caught together in Nell's bedroom, and Toadie's rule that they can only spend time together when other people are present.
DEX: I'm happy to be babysitter whenever you two wanna hang out. But I charge by the hour.
JJ: Yeah, nice try.
Dex teases JJ for not being able to get Nell's phone off her after she showed him the funny picture last night.
DEX: Bet I could've got it.
NELL: Yeah, sure. If the poison you took turns you into a superhero.
JJ: Well, we'll know for sure when you start wearing your jocks over your tights.
DEX: Hey, if Superman can pull off that look, so can I.
Nell gets a message, and says she needs to head home. Dex looks disappointed.
DEX: Are you sure? I mean, JJ's really boring on his own.
JJ: Oh, as soon as you're better, you're getting a dead arm.
But Nell doesn't want to give Toadie anything else to complain about, so JJ offers to walk her out. In the corridor...
JJ: Who knew being friends would be so hard, huh?
NELL: Drama with a capital 'D'.
JJ: Well, in the end, I think it's all worth it.
NELL: ... Same.
But Nell looks as if she might like something more than friendship.
No 22
Toadie and Terese are sorting some washing, while discussing the situation with Nell. Terese asks if Toadie brought up his thoughts about Sonya, but he admits he decided not to broach that with Nell, keeping the conversation general instead.
TERESE: Well, I'm proud of you for making a compromise.
Toadie has more news - having now spoken to Angie, it transpires that she's going into hospital for a hip replacement next week. In addition, his dad Big Kev has broken his ankle, and is going to struggle physically while Angie's in hospital. Though...
TOADIE: Emotionally I think he's gonna be quite thankful for the break. According to Stonie, he and Mum have just been at each other's throats.
TERESE: Whoa. How bad are we talking?
TOADIE: Bad enough that Stonie needs a break, too.
TERESE: Well, you should go to Colac.
TOADIE: Are you sure? I mean, it's really bad timing - with Nell, and your work, and what's going on with us.
TERESE: That can all wait. They need you. And we can come visit.
Terese gets a message from Susan, informing her of a problem at work with Karl.
Eirini Rising
Susan and Jacob stand by as Shirley lays into Karl.
SHIRLEY (to Karl): I have seen monkeys play the guitar better than you.
KARL: There's no need to get personal!
SHIRLEY: Well, you should have thought of that before crossing me.
KARL: Shirley, I didn't cross you!
SHIRLEY (loudly): Oh, and by the time I am finished, everyone in Erinsborough will know that you are nothing but a quack!
Terese arrives as Susan tells Shirley to calm down. Jacob explains to Terese that he's been charged with public indecency. Shirley thinks Karl reneged on their deal and told the police.
KARL: For the hundredth time, I didn't do anything!
JACOB: Do you have any idea what this could do to my career?
KARL: Yes, because it nearly happened to me!
SUSAN (to Jacob): And you should have thought of that before you decided to poo in public!
SHIRLEY: How dare you? That's it. We're taking that bike back.
KARL: Oh, no, Shirley... Shirley, be reasonable! Shirley, please, can we talk?
But Shirley and Jacob are already walking away - with Karl's bike! Karl looks crestfallen.
Yorokobi
The vineyard bar is set up for the 21st birthday party they're hosting tonight. Leo tells Krista that he's emailed the Crimesborough podcast host, Liv Bellen, and asked her to take the episode down. He hasn't had a response, but has figured out that the tip- off the podcast received came from a fan forum, but there's no way of working out who posted it.
KRISTA: Well, who knew that you held onto the bottle?
LEO: Well, apart from us, the police, and I told the Varga- Murphys this morning... but that was after the post was made. That just leaves the police. Maybe one of them leaked it.
KRISTA: What would they have to gain from doing that? Do you think maybe Shannon might've seen something while she was at the station?
LEO: Again, she was arrested after the post was made.
Krista tells him not to worry for now; they have a function to prepare for. She says it will soon be common knowledge that Shannon has been charged, and when the podcast reports on that, Leo will be out of the firing line. Leo says it's not him he's worried about, but Yorokobi.
Eirini Rising
Susan and Karl are in the office when Mackenzie turns up to drop off some will kits from Rebecchi Law. She notices Karl looking miserable and asks if everything is okay. Susan explains that someone has told the police about Jacob's public pooping, and Karl says Shirley's taken the bike back. Mackenzie looks guilty.
SUSAN (to Karl): Look on the bright side! Your name's been publicly cleared. That's more valuable than a bike.
MACKENZIE: Karl, I am so sorry.
KARL: Susan's right. It's only a bike.
MACKENZIE: No, I... I think this might actually be my fault (...) I caught up with my friend Leah last night. She's from law school and she knows Jacob.
KARL: Mackenzie, please tell me you didn't?
MACKENZIE: I told her about the poo.
SUSAN: And your friend reported Jacob to the police?
MACKENZIE: Well, it was either her or someone she told (...) It was only afterwards I found out that she's up against Jacob in a case, and he is notoriously hard to beat. So she must have weaponised it to discredit him (...) I feel terrible, Karl.
But Karl thinks he's spied a way out of his predicament, and tells Mackenzie she's a genius! He rushes off. Mackenzie looks at Susan questioningly. Susan shrugs.
Back in the café area, Karl has reconvened with Shirley Burchmore, and told her that he's become aware that the lawyer reported Jacob to the police. But Shirley wants to know who told the lawyer about Jacob's habit.
KARL: Oh, it doesn't really matter who it was. The important thing is, it wasn't me. So to be fair, I think you should just return the bike.
SHIRLEY: No names, no bike. As far as I am concerned, you are still to blame for what happened to my grandson.
Shirley pointedly returns to reading her novel, 'The Games We Play'! Karl sighs.
No 22
Nell is watching TV when Terese comes in. Terese asks if she's feeling better now things have calmed down between her and Toadie.
NELL: Yeah. He'll be getting bacon and eggs tomorrow.
TERESE: Okay, now listen - I know I have said this before, but I am gonna say it again. You can talk to me about anything. I will always be here to listen, with no judgement. But it's really important to know that you'll always be heard, at all times.
NELL: Thank you... I guess there is stuff I don't feel comfortable talking to Dad about.
TERESE: About boys? Any boy in particular?
NELL: Isn't it obvious?
TERESE: ... I thought JJ was just a friend?
NELL: He is. But... I also like him. A lot. You don't have to worry. It's not a thing. I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel the same way about me.
TERESE: Well, thanks for being honest.
NELL: Please don't tell Dad! He'll freak out.
TERESE: No, no, no. This is gonna stay between us two.
NELL: You're the best.
But as Nell gets up, Terese looks worried about the promise she's just made...
Erinsborough Hospital
Nell has come to see Dex again, who looks very happy of the company.
DEX: Two visits in one day! I really *must* be a celebrity.
NELL: Sorry to bruise your ego, but I don't listen to Crimesborough.
Clearly hoping to find JJ with Dex, Nell asks if he's here, but Dex says he's working tonight. Nell is disappointed, but gives Dex a drawing she's done for him - of Dex as a superhero, wearing a cape and of course, his headphones around his neck. It's captioned 'Dex- truction', and Dex seems touched by the effort she's gone to.
DEX: Wow. This is really cool.
NELL: It's no biggie - I just thought it might cheer you up.
It has... and now Dex appears to be gazing at Nell in much the same way she's been gazing at JJ!
Yorokobi
Leo is talking on the phone to a client, trying to assure them he wasn't involved in the poisoning. Krista is throwing food that was prepared for tonight's function in the bin just as JJ turns up to work; Krista tells him that the party has been cancelled last- minute. Leo finishes up his call.
LEO: That was the eighth cancellation today.
He apologises to JJ, but tells him he won't need him tonight after all. JJ leaves.
LEO: This is bad. I've got staff and bank loans to pay.
KRISTA: Yeah, it's temporary.
LEO: But this hasn't just ruined my reputation. No one wants anything to do with Yorokobi. It's gonna be tough coming back from this... I might lose the business.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Jane tells Nicolette that Vic has come to Australia for Nic and Byron; but Nic says he's here for Jane too
- Harold avoids Karl, who confides to Susan that he's concerned Harold may be hiding another health issue
- Leo tells Krista, 'There's some stuff you don't know - and it's actually a lot worse'
