Episode 4220

Extended Summary

Rachel’s sitting on the beach, bereft. Around her, people are going about their daily routines. A reminder that life goes on – but not for Rachel. She’s struggling to face the reality that Kim may be gone, forever. After a moment, Leah sits down beside her. She gives Rachel the chance to open up and Rachel admits she’s finding it hard to reconcile the fact that only three weeks ago she got engaged; was going to NY, where she would begin her new life with Kim. Back then she thought to herself how lucky she was; her life was perfect. And now, she has nothing. She breaks down, and Leah holds her in her arms. Later, Leah opens the door to a reporter who’s keen to ask Rachel a few questions. Initially the questions are fairly innocuous, until the Reporter asks how Rachel feels about being the one who organised the chopper? Leah intervenes, suggesting the Reporter backs off, but the Reporter isn’t done yet. She goes for the jugular, wondering if Rachel feels any guilt at what she’s done? Rachel becomes so distressed she rushes out. A worried Leah is leaving a message for Rachel. Please call and let me know you’re okay.

Lost in thought, Alf stares down at a framed photo of himself and Martha, just as Morag appears from upstairs. Morag assures Alf that there is still a chance Martha and the others are alive. Alf thinks it’s time to face reality. It’s been 5 days since the chopper went down. Morag assures him they can get past this. But Alf honestly doesn’t know if he’s capable of it. Morag’s concerned about how low he’s getting.. Alf decides to head out for a walk, keen for some fresh air, leaving Morag troubled. Alf’s wandering along the water’s edge, deep in thought. Rachel’s approaching from the opposite direction. She talks freely about how awful the situation is – the not knowing – holding onto the faint hope that they’re loved ones could still be alive. She can’t stop thinking about it. Alf is non-responsive, simply letting her talk. Until Rachel asks how he is doing, and only then does Alf voice his true feelings. A flash of anger sees him blaming Rachel for the accident. They shouldn’t have been up in that damn chopper in the first place! It was unnecessary! Rachel’s left reeling. Alf returns to the house, forlorn. Morag tries to rally him out of his funk, with a heartfelt plea about how the town needs him – especially at a time like this. Alf looks at her wearily and admits he can’t be that person anymore. He simply can’t see how a small Summer bay community can survive the loss of six loved ones in the space of two weeks. The moment’s interrupted by the arrival of the same reporter we saw earlier with Rachel and Leah. She’d like a comment from Alf about he thinks the town will be affected by this tragedy. Alf – hesitates. Then tells the reporter he has something he’d like to say…

Matilda’s returning home from the hospital. All are dealing with the news of the scaled down search. Surprisingly, however, Beth appears to be carrying on as normal as she ushers Matilda inside, fussing around her as she tells her how happy she is to have her home. Tony gently points out that Beth shouldn’t feel she has to be the strong one; she can allow herself to feel the loss – it’s looking increasingly improbable that Kit and Robbie survived. But Beth rejects that. She’s confident everyone is going to be okay. Is Beth in total denial? She fusses over Mattie to the point where Matilda starts to feel smothered, and irritated that Beth appears to be fixating on her. Finally she snaps at her mum, reminding her that Kit and Robbie could be dead – how on earth is fluffing the cushions, and washing her clothes and making her food going to bring them back?! Lucas and Mattie are wandering along the grassy knoll. Matilda’s wearing a jacket that conceals her neck and chest, but it’s hot and she’s clearly uncomfortable. Lucas gently suggests taking the jacket off. After some hesitation and gentle, well-meaning coaxing from Lucas, Matilda takes the jacket off. They pass a few locals and no one bats an eyelid. Lucas smiles, pleased. But his triumph is short lived when a girl from school, Jill approaches. She’s full of genuine sympathy: Oh my god, Matilda, you poor thing! While she means well, it hits a raw nerve, and a devastated Matilda rushes off. Matilda rushes into the house (now wearing her jacket), keen to go to her room and stay there, but Beth steps into her path. Increasingly irrational, Beth insists that she be made aware of where Matilda is at all times – and if she goes out she must always leave a note. Matilda tries to explain that she only went out for a walk, but Beth presses the point – this is non-negotiable. Build to the point where Matilda feels so much pressure, and mindful of her experience at the beach, she escapes to her room, deeply upset.

There’s a sombre mood in the surf club; a town grieving. The moment is broken when the server turns the volume up on the radio. Tony and Beth are surprised to hear Alf’s voice. He gives a rousing speech about the spirit of Summer Bay and the strength of the community in times of tragedy. As he speaks, we see Lucas comforting Mattie, Leah watching Rachel as she downs another stiff drink…and Tony and Beth listening to Alf’s words. As Alf finishes up, Morag moves toward her brother – she’s proud of him. It’s a small step on the long road to healing…Rachel is telling Leah about her encounter with Alf. Leah is thrown when Rachel admits she agrees with Alf – that she is at fault. She was trying to be super doctor and now her friends are dead. Leah tells her she’s being ridiculous – and that Alf wouldn’t really have meant what he said. He was probably just lashing out, looking for someone to blame. But Rachel doesn’t take that on board. As she pours herself yet another drink, she tells Leah that she believes Alf had every right to lash out. The truth is everyone is dead because of her. As the sun sets over thick bushland, we come across a small clearing. Remnants of the chopper litter the ground; and nearby sit our four survivors!

Oh my god – they’re alive! But after five days in bushland they’re looking extremely worse for wear – cuts and abrasions scar their faces and bodies. They’re dehydrated and exhausted and quickly losing hope. Martha looks across to her friends, her voice penetrating the eery silence, as she admits their greatest fear. ‘It’s been 5 days. No one is coming for us.’