Latest UK Episode Discussion (2006-2017 Seasons)

[Homeandawayfan.]

So Not Luke Cunningham once had his wicked way with Brody, Tori and Justin's mum.

Has VJ been SORASED again? I thought he was aged up originally from 2001 to 1999 but he turned 18 in today's episode so born 1998?

[Skylover]

I'm really sad to say goodbye to Caroline Stewart, how did other people feel about this character?

Great American accent.

[c120701]

I assume that Roo is heading towards becoming a teacher at the High School.

I love that Matt brought up Frank to Roo, especially given the timing with VJ and Billie heading into a very similar story now with his proposal.

 

[H&Alover]

I wasn't keen on her at first but know we know the truth about why she wanted to reconnect with Duncan her behaviour makes sense. Alf is really going to miss Bryce though and chuckled when he denied going soft! loved the heart to heart Caroline and Duncan had last night and how he said he wouldn't have changed a thing if he'd known about her Parkinson's. Wise decision about letting Bryce make up his own mind about getting tested, it ruined her life once she found out.  He's only five at the moment so far too young to have that laid on him.

According to his character profile VJ was still born in 12001.  No mention of this gift Zac was meant to be buying for him.  Lovely speech by Billie really heart felt.  She must have felt uncomfortable with Irene there now she is getting closer to the birth, on which point one moment she has a bump, then she doesn't.  I thought Phoebe knew VJ wasn't the babies father but the way she was talking on the beach it didn't come across that way. What made her change her mind she seemed to be determined even after that talk with Nate. Btw  Veej getting married doesn't guarantee you'll stick together. Oh back off Leah if he had wanted to tell you he would have, but all academic now.

Had to laugh at Matt and Evie pretending everything was OK between them that scene on the beach was pretty cringe making with Matt saying all the wrong things, there is obviously an attraction otherwise neither of them would have felt so awkward.  Phoebe did have a point he does tend to end up dating his friends of the female persuasion. 

Only Justin seems to be against the idea Raffy is their half sister as it would spoil the memory he had of his mum.  Tori did well, though how ethical it was I'm not sure, by tracking down the details of their mum giving birth when she was supposed to be looking after their nan. It won't be enough for Justin DNA is the only thing that will convince Justin.

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's episode count this week:Four.

I have to admit I wasn't too keen on Brody harassing Decker when the guy wasn't 100% but I guess it worked.So, the Morgans gain a hitherto unknown half-sibling when we've only just got it clear in our heads who they are, that must be some sort of record.I liked Mason playing big brother to Raffy, the first time he's had to do that.I feel a bit sorry for Hope, even though what she did was wrong and I can understand Justin being angry with her: He gave her a chance and she repaid them by stealing from their customers.But I don't think she's all bad and she definitely didn't deserve to have Phoebe crowing about it.McCarthy continues to go down in my estimation, arresting Ash for excuses Dylan Carter would have found flimsy while Justin and Kat solve the case for him.

As much as it pains me to say it, I thought Irene was a bit hard on Hunter.He had a hard time recognising that Olivia was trying to study but otherwise he didn't seem to be putting any real pressure on her, although I guess it did turn out she wasn't as keen on the gap year idea as him.

VJ's been three years older than his original age for over half his time on the show: He was 17, so now he's 18.They do seem to have moved his birthday back a bit though, it should be around the time of the finale, whereas these episodes were shown middle of October.I loved how much effort Billie put into the party and her speech to him was brilliant, I don't think her love for him has ever been more obvious.And I love that just as it seemed VJ was being a bit self-centred he went and bought Leah flowers for missing the birthday breakfast.Sadly, it all came crashing down a bit.VJ seems to have learned from others' mistakes by proposing in private but still got turned down.I have a bit of a problem with him packing his bags so soon after promising he'd be there for Billie and the baby no matter what, would just living together really be so bad?Nate's lecture seemed to have the opposite effect and I was willing to believe Billie had changed her mind, but the fact she's keeping the engagement quiet leaves me concerned that she's said yes for the wrong reasons.Her removing the ring must have hurt.

Part of me would have liked Duncan to go with Caroline and Bryce but I understand Caroline's reasons for saying no.Still not feeling him with Tori.I was really not expecting Alf to go instead and find myself wondering if that's him for the rest of the season.

Matt and Evelyn's awkwardness managed to be both funny and sweet at the same time, with delicious bluntness from Matt ("I wasn't looking at your boobs").A bit too soon after their row for Evelyn and Mason to be all buddy-buddy, and Tori saying it's taken a long time for Mason to get over her was downright weird, it's less than a month.It is a bit too similar to Matt suddenly liking Maddy, as the show kind of acknowledged, but it's better in the sense that they're both single so I can get on board from the start.Could be a fun pairing, but unfortunately the promo isn't promising.

[H&Alover]

That was a very selfless decision of Caroline to turn down Duncan's offer to return to Hawaii with her tempted as she was, he loves her, but is not in love with her.  Alf was right in his assumption it was a knee jerk reaction to her illness and if it had gone bad again it would have been more upheaval  for them all, especially for Bryce. An out of the blue decision, seemingly, by Alf saying he was going with them, but he'd got all his paperwork sorted the week before. It does tie in with Ralph Meagher's six week tour of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert.  He did miss out on those early years with Ric who was a teenager when he got to know him and he's grown really close to Bryce  and it'll be good for Bryce to know his other granddad. I thought Bryce was a lovely little lad! I think Caroline was giving Duncan the OK to get back with Tori, but I was pleased to see she wasn't going to jump straight back in there.  OK it's not strictly a rebound situation but he's still raw about finding out about her illness which she (Tori) had guessed about.

Right so all those girls Evie was looking at to set Matt up with had names but the one that he did finally and reluctantly pick didn't and we never knew it, even after Mason gone home with her!!!!  Tori asked him  and he said he didn't know what her name was or her number. Evie didn't bother introducing her, just said 'no that's Mason, this is Matt'. Sparks were definitely flying between 'girl with earrings' and Mason, leaving Evie glowering at them and Matt just bemused. On one hand Phoebe was telling Matt Evie wasn't into him that way and 'girl with earrings' was telling  him she was which seemed the more likely.  Plucky of Matt to go to the farmhouse and plant  a kiss on Evie and she didn't exactly fight him off, though she did have her eyes open. Is she just wary of getting involved with Matt as he is a friend and she doesn't want to lose a friendship or she thinks  it would be hypocritical after telling Mason she didn't want anything serious.

[H&Alover]

I'm confused, Decker told the Morgan's, well, Brody anyway, he took the baby, Raffy, to his sisters, Hope's mum,  so Hope must have known she wasn't her sister all along so why was she getting her knickers in a twist when Jackson broke the news to her as to who she really was, she's her niece whoever her mum was? Notice she also echoed the words Jackson used 'He's been lying to us all these years'. When will people learn that running about in the bush never ends well! This time it's Hope who took a tumble but hey what luck Dr. Nate just happened to be riding by so Raffy could stop him.  Good move that Hope stealing a car when you are out on bail, that would have worked wouldn't it? Get yourself nicked and definitely do jail time. It's a no brainer they have to tell Raffy the truth, she's 13 not three and Justin seemed to have done a turn around and has accepted the truth about his mum.

Rather sweet of Matt kipping in the car so as not to get his head bitten off by Evie after she had thrown him out and told him not to come back. Had to smile at his comment that he didn't sleep that well because of the history of what happened on the back seat.  Evie finally admitted she couldn't fall for Matt as she was still in love with Josh or is that she doesn't feel she should as it would be 'betraying' him and what they had?

Tori and Duncan nearly got there before family got in the way, though she did kiss him so maybe there is hope. 

Our last full week next week before the Christmas break, back 9th January.

[atrus]

Up to speed again as of today. Where to begin? I liked Caroline's exit - because I was terrified she was just going to be killed off in some gratuitous way, as guest characters are occasionally prone to - and glad that things remain on good terms with her and Duncan. I don't know how long he's staying in H&A - he's still listed in the guest cast for the moment - but I'm really hoping that if he is leaving any time soon, it's to rejoin Caroline and Bryce, as I think they'd actually make a really nice family unit if he found it within himself to put the affair behind them.

The increasing complexity of the Morgan backstory is tempered somewhat by how likeable and human the characters are, and I almost feel like I'm following it again now. Reflecting on my concerns earlier in the year, they're definitely a far cry from the Braxtons, and the show feels in a better place because of it. With the revelation that Raffy is their half-sister I'm guessing she'll be sticking around for the long haul, although could be wrong on that one. Hope is obviously doing the wrong thing in trying to drive a wedge there, but on the other hand I can understand why - she's terrified she's going to lose her only family to the Morgans, who would probably be able to provide more stability, and seems willing to resort to increasingly desperate measures to stop that happening.

I was yawning at the latest someone-steals-the-HSC-papers debacle - we seem to get this storyline pretty much every year, and like most HSC-based plots it's super-dull. While Hunter was briefly quite likeable during his tutoring sessions with Roo and the storyline has allowed some exploration of his more vulnerable side, I still think he had some nerve trying to claim that Zac's failure to be on hand to help him with his English justified him attempting to buy the exam papers. Not everyone has an English teacher parent to help them in the first place, and they don't all resort to cheating. In his defence I suppose at least he didn't go through with it, although whether that fact will be enough to sate the ire of the dreaded Department is anybody's guess.

I don't think Zac is playing the field, as we seem to be being led to believe, but what exactly he is up to - and who the mystery woman is - I have no idea. (Possibly because I haven't been paying as much attention as I should have.) They seemed to be talking a lot about his past and what an interesting story he has; maybe she's writing his biography, although who would want to read it?

The Matt/Evie stuff is incredibly watchable, and a nice light-hearted thread to counter some of the angst. I don't really care that it's so soon after Josh (and Mason); they have a great chemistry - Matt seems to have a great chemistry with pretty much everyone they pair him with, which must say something for the acting - and it's just a blessed relief to see Evie doing something other than crying.

Yawn at Kat's continuing attempts to outmanoeuvre Superintendent Stonyface as regards her relationship with Ash.

[H&Alover]

Ok it's tomorrow that's our last episode till the new year.  Justin also echoed our thoughts atrus about why Hope attempted to do a runner with Raffy, she's the only family she's got and she's scared the Morgan's (which is the name she knows them by) will take her away from her and if they have to move again she'll go with them, not that they would do that.  Besides Raffy is 13 not three and can make her own mind up. We all know what happens when people try to keep secrets from people they find out by accident and hate the people who kept it from them. Phoebe is lumbered with another secret but on the up side after talking with Marilyn without saying what the actual problem is talked it though with Justin and is OK with waiting until this latest family drama is over. Though of course it being the Morgan's there will be another one!

But Hunter does have an English teacher/principal for a dad so you would think Zac could make time for him if he wants him to succeed. Hunter must have felt the same with Caroline being his mum as she was a teacher and Tank was the same. I guess there is a certain pressure for kids of teachers to do well whether real or imaginary. I was 'shouting' at him not to fall in with Rebekkah's scheme and in the end he didn't.  It didn't stop her trying it on with Olivia in revenge.  I liked Hunter's session with Roo and whatever she did it helped him understand the assignment a lot better, a hint to a future career change for Roo perhaps?  She did say she was getting fed up with what she is doing at the moment.

Now no way would Zac be dumb enough to meet his lover in Salt. I think Sam, the woman he met, is a literary agent who is going to help him get his book published.  Remember back when he and Leah were having  their 'break' and he talked about writing a book which he never got round to, well perhaps he has started on one, he is always carrying around that satchel, not something you'd take to a lovers meeting, it has to contain his manuscript. He's keeping it secret as he wants to get something in place before he makes his big reveal.

I do so like Matt and Evie and Matt was quite mature in his talk with Evie at the Diner, understanding how she still felt for Josh but telling her in a gentle way she can't waste her life being in love with someone she is unlikely to ever see again.

[TessyBear]

Okay so real estate agent, marriage celebrant (for a vow renewal although they only just got married recently), psychiatrist (although what's with the wine??), movie writer, biographer, life modelling artist aaaaand a couple other more obvious options I'm trying really hard to not think about, but I can't help it a little bit Zachary. I mean what the heck is going on there???
Well yes maybe the writers are trying to be suggestive with the flirty literary agent but I don't understand why this has to be such a big secret? Especially from Leah?!!! And why so many meetings?? I mean has Zac not told her everything she needs to know by now? I mean do they really need to have constant meetings, like all the bloomin time?? They had that lunch meeting and then the one that same night in the motel room right? Two in one day??? Then one the very next day. Can't Zac have a chance to live his life and that gives Sam the chance to write up her notes too? I mean we know Z's been going to these secret meetings for a good few weeks now. The meetings are important enough for him to spend every spare minute he has with this Sam woman... including blowing his only son off for help with the HSC in favour of going to see this woman. Cooooome oooooon Zac!!! 

It was kinda interesting to get Ash and Kat involved (sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT interested in their romantic reunion just to really mega stress) to put a little something different into their current bore fest of a storyline! When Ash was gonna tell Kat I was like "Alright if you tell me I won't completely hate you (for now)" but he didn't so I still detest Ash.

But come on it's Leah!!!! Why can't Zac tell her he's writing a book and asking Sam to help him? Does he think she's gonna tell the Daily Mail equivalent in Australia? I mean it's not like this whole thing isn't causing issues so why can't he just be honest with Leah?? I mean he'd rather tell Ash the truth over Leah?? What the heck??? And also Leah was trying to talk to him and get through to him about Hunter and Sam texts him and she's like "Come now" "Jump" well that's how he interprets it anyway and Zac's like "Alright! How high?" ZAAAAAC!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Oh my word this whole sl is doing my head in!!!!!!!!!!