Episode 4300

Australian Air Date: 20th October 2006
UK Air Date: 16th February 2007
Cat No: HAW5-430

Johnny and The Boys arrive to terrorize the Bay. Rocco is faced with a life threatening choice. Ric takes Matilda on their first date.

Extended Summary

Rocco wants to know what the hell Johnny is doing here? He wants Rocco to do some business for him – but he’s not interested, explaining that he has a new life now, but Johnny won’t give up that easily… The next day Rocco is studying hard at school when Johnny enters – Rocco is afraid that someone will see him and tells him to go, but his brother reminds him that they have business to discuss – he has no choice. Rocco agrees just to get rid of Johnny, which pleases him – he’ll be back with The Boys at lunchtime and he’ll give Rocco ‘the stuff’. Rocco slumps, angry at falling back into the fold. He later snaps at Cassie saying he doesn’t need her help, which is seen by Brad and Sally – they wonder what’s going on? That afternoon Johnny and The Boys turn up and start harassing the female students – Rocco races over to get rid of them and as Johnny hands his brother the drugs, Brad appears. He tells the boys to leave, luckily he hasn’t seen the deal taking place. Johnny gives Brad serious attitude before screeching off out of the school grounds, leaving a rattled Rocco. Brad turns to him, unimpressed, they need to talk. He demands to know why Johnny and the gang were at the school – Rocco is defensive saying they just wanted to say hi. Brad doesn’t buy it as Rocco storms out. Meanwhile Johnny and The Boys get comfortable at the Diner. Colleen panics as Irene tries to control the situation – they’re causing trouble and she wants them out. They’re disturbing the customers. Brad tells Sally what’s happened – he’s worried Rocco’s been drawn back into the gang, something just isn’t right. Sally promises to take care of it. She tries to calmly talk to Rocco – he assures her he has nothing to do with the gang anymore, it was a social visit – he really wants to make a go of it here, that’s his past. She accepts this and as she moves off, the tormented Rocco pulls out the drugs – he hates the position Johnny has put him in again… Rocco makes a deal with a student and as the money and drugs exchange hands, Brad clocks that something is going on. He advises Rocco to stay clear of the dodgy student – he’s bad news. Rocco tells him to rack off, he’s sick of being hassled and reckons Brad has it in for him. Rocco heads to the Diner and gives Johnny the money from the deal – he tells him that Brad nearly busted him, saying the guy has it in for him… Johnny then decides to pay Brad a visit in the car park that afternoon. Brad braces himself and tells them he’ll call the police if he sees them at the school again – Johnny laughs in his face and speeds off leaving a rattled Brad. He lets Sal, Colleen and Irene know about the incident – he really thinks Rocco is back in the gang. Sally hopes this isn’t the case, but Brad lets her know it’s a brotherhood you can’t escape – you join it for life… That night Rocco hands the final installment of cash to his brother and makes it clear that he’s finished – no more. Johhny is suddenly cold and threatening – you made a blood oath bro – you know there’s only one way out of this, so what’s it going to be? Rocco knows that if he doesn’t stay in he will be killed – what will he do?…

Ric asks Mattie to a fancy restaurant, to get dressed up and suggests a place Matilda has been dying to go to and he’ll pick her up at 12 – it’s a surprise. Ric does his best to play the perfect gentleman as they turn up to the restaurant. He’s nervous as he tries to pull out her chair, make all the right moves, but he clumsily steps on her feet, spills water on the table – all going horribly wrong in his eyes, but all Matilda can see is the trouble he’s going to. Matilda thanks him – she really appreciates it, but Ric is horrified when his meal arrives – it’s a tiny portion of raw stuff and it tastes gross! He tries to eat it, covering how bad it all is, but Matilda is thrilled to be there and is loving her meal. A snobby waiter adds to Ric’s unease by being completely patronizing and Matilda calls him on it – this isn’t Ric’s scene at all, is it?

Ric admits that he just wanted to impress her – he knows she likes this sort of thing. She thinks that’s the sweetest thing and suggests she has a better idea. They get out of the restaurant and Mattie buys Ric some fish and chips. She thanks him for the effort he made with the restaurant, but assures him it’s not necessary – she wants Ric to be himself, that’s the guy she’s fallen for. He’s pleased to hear it. A moment of URST, then they lean in and kiss for the first time!