Storyline Spotlight: Melbourne (Jan - Feb)

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We left the golden beaches of Summer Bay and followed Miles and Charlie all the way to the Victoria state capital, Melbourne for the first time ever.

Melody recently confessed to smoking marijuana and locking the doors of the building where the formal was being held, resulting in people being trapped when Kane's car crashed into the kitchen.

After a long chat with Miles, Mel came to the conclusion that she was a burden on her family and household, so she packed up and left in the early hours of the next morning.

Miles and Charlie showed up in Melbourne to find Melody. Charlie had been told that a trucker picked Mel up and left her in Melbourne.

Melody woke up in a homeless shelter in the Melbourne suburb of St. Kilda. But unfortunately for her, she was out of her depth already. Her bag was stolen by the time she noticed, so she had no money or clothes. She was distraught by this and another homeless girl called Kayla talked to her about how to earn money. She said that there were "ways of making cash" and that they do what they have to do, even if it is selling yourself on the streets.

But the homeless life was beginning to get to Melody when she went searching with Kayla for food. Kayla got the last bit of food from a van nearby at a refuge, but said that it was all she had and wouldn't share it. Mel was approached by a boy, Archie, who offered her his food, but she kindly refused and walked away with Kayla.

Archie approached by Charlie a few moments later. She asked if he had seen her, but he said no because he thought Melody might get into trouble. Miles and Charlie split up to search for Mel. Charlie stumbled upon the shelter where Mel has stayed the night before, but the guy, Terry, said she got her stuff stolen and was never going to come back. He agreed to contact Charlie if she appeared again.

Miles stumbled upon a girl who he thought was Melody. But she was asleep, and once he realized it wasn't her, he noticed that she didn't have a pulse. He rang the ambulance, who then managed to revive her.

Melody turned up at the shelter where her bag was stolen. She asked Terry if her bag had showed up since she left earlier, but it hadn't. She asked if she could stay there for another night, but the shelter was only licensed for 10 people, and it was first come first serve, leaving Melody without a place to stay. Terry told her about the police looking for her and he asked her to ring the number to inform them that she is OK.

At a hotel, Miles and Charlie chat about both of their recent failed relationships. Charlie said she didn't want to put him in an awkward position by ranting about Roman, but Miles said it was OK if she did. She quickly changed the subject by asking Miles about Kirsty and how he's coping. They both change the subject to Melody again, but the issue of sleeping arrangements comes up. They agreed to leave their clothes on and seperate the bed in half with a pillow wall.

Back on the streets, Mel was out and she came across Kayla. She noticed Kayla was wearing her clothes, and confronted her about it. But Kayla didn't take it too well and threatened Mel with a broken bottle. Archie from the refuge came over and broke up the potential fight and took Melody away so she could cool off.

Miles went for a midnight walk because he couldn't sleep, and he was deep in thought when he returned to the hotel room where Charlie was awake. He told her about life on the street and how he used to see a girl like Melody and how she was having a rough time. He said that he was going to sleep on the cathedral steps, as did she, but when he woke up, she was dead. He admitted that he had forgotten about it until he saw the girl earlier who had no pulse because she overdosed. Charlie comforted Miles and told him Mel will be fine. And they share a kiss, but both come to the conclusion that it was an emotional time for both of them and that they needed comfort.

Melody and Archie, walked along the promenade. He tossed her a blanket, but Melody thought he was asking her to sleep with him. He told her that he'll use the mattress, but she could have the blanket. Melody looked out over the water, scared.

The next morning, Melody talked to Archie. Archie commented on Melody's willingness to be here, and he admitted the real reason as to why he was on the streets. He was being bashed around by his stepdad and was tired of telling people he got the bruises by falling off his bike. He told her that there were cops looking for her yesterday, but assured her that he didn't say anything about seeing you. Mel said they're better off without her in their lives. Archie changed the subject to food, which was one Melody definitely wanted to talk about!

Mel and Archie went to a local food market. He stole some corn on the cob, and Melody was so pleased that she had something to eat. Archie offers to take Melody sight-seeing because she's a "tourist". But Archie bumps into a local gang by accident and tactfully pockets the main guy's wallet.

At the same market, Charlie, Miles and a Melbourne cop discussed how they'll search for her. But Archie saw the cop and thought that he's going to be arrested for stealing, so he grabbed Melody and ran. Miles saw Mel and ran after her. Meanwhile, the main guy realized his wallet had been stolen, so they went back to get Archie.

Melody and Archie ran down a few alley ways, losing Miles, Charlie and the Melbourne cop in the process, but the gang were still hot on their heels. They hid behind a bin and Archie gave Melody some cash and told her to run. She got passed the gang, but Archie wasn't as fortunate. As Melody ran, Archie was beaten up.

A few moments later, Miles and Charlie stumbled upon Archie who was being treated by a paramedic. He told them that Melody was safe, but he didn't know where she went. Miles thanked him for looking after Melody and gave him some cash. "Tell her I said Hi" were Archie's last words to Miles.

After searching for Melody, Miles had a breakthrough. He checked the nearby cathedral. And there she was. He sat down beside her and told her "Archie says hi". He took her back to Charlie and they sat down while they got Mel some food. Mel tells them why she ran away. She felt like she was a burden, but Miles reassured her that she wasn't and that he loved her. She asked if Archie was OK and she hoped that he knew how grateful she was.

The last shot of Melbourne was of Archie sitting alone at the refuge where he and Melody first met.


Here is what some of our forum member's thought about the Melbourne storyline:

"I like the guy that Melody met. I would have snuggled with him under his blanket.
Charlie needs to learn how to speak to people as people, not suspects. If she had have been normal, the guy probably would have told her that he'd seen Melody. No one on the street is going to tell a cop where a missing teenager is. Even I wouldn't do that without knowing the full story. If she was a concerned friend on the other hand, she might have gotten some results.

I do not know why she kissed Miles. I didn't even know she was doing it until I looked up and there they were, making out. What the??

I also feel like there was a scene cut with the OD girl. It felt like it should have been more dramatic than it was, like we should have seen Miles watching the paramedics bring her around.

I liked that the street girl tried to cut Melody with a broken bottle. Heh."
(emmasi)



"I agree, the guy who befriended Melody seemed nice. It was kind of dramatic when Kayla threatened her with the bottle. I guess everyone is a threat to her. I also agree what you said about Charlie, Jem. Miles was talking about how he only had seen Charlie-the cop. She should try to bring out her non-cop side more often, then she might have got a bit more information. But I guess old habits die hard. And kissing Miles?! Random."
(Jen)



"Oh Charlie, I think I love you most of all.

I liked homeless boy, too. I'd much prefer it if he was a regular instead of Xavier. At least he doesn't make me want to throw things at my tv.
"
(luckyrabbit)


"What an exceptional episode this has been. It has highlighted the plight of the street kids and how desperate it must be for them at home in order for them to choose this life over what they have left behind. Archie has such a caring and sensitive young man, a young man after Miles own heart I think. I really want Miles to give him their address and tell him there was a place for him in Summer Bay if he wants it. Celeste was excellent in this episode showing various levels of loneliness, despair and desperation was very well done indeed. Although it did seem rather rushed, I am sure that this was due to the demands of production schedules and the like, but they are packing in all the important aspects of the story, Charlie and Miles were delightful. Their friendship is developing really well and I liked this enormously. The kiss was a surprise but Charlie is really becoming one of my favorites, ."
(bareenfan)



"Anyway, the episode! It was great, a bit annoying how they just kept missing Melody though, like she always seemed to be just round the corner or over the street, but that's to be expected really. Miles and Charlie were great, the kiss was a bit weird and came from out of nowhere, but other than that they were fantastic, it was really clear that they care for Melody, just wish she could see that! Sometimes when I see Charlie talking to people she just comes across like a bull in a china shop! She forgets how to act like a normal person, she's in constant police mode, speaking to people like she's accusing them of a crime rather than just acting like someone concerned for a friend. Melody looked totally lost in the city, she clearly wasn't expecting it to be so hard - she comes from a strict religious background and has spent her entire life in a small seaside town where everyone knows everyone else, she's such an easy target for thieves and bullies as she is just so innocent compared to all the other kids on the street. Her new friend is nice though, she should have shared the blanket with him"
(Tabbycool)



"Call me sad but I had a tear in my eye when Miles found Melody. I think (and hope) she's finally realised that he loves her- I loved it when Miles said he was her dad too. <3 Celeste is fantastic and I really liked the scene with Miles where she said how grateful she was to Archie. I wanted Miles to take Archie home as well though!"
(Jamey-Maria)