Latest UK Episode Discussion (2006-2017 Seasons)

[H&Alover]

Although I'm not condoning anything Hunter did, Charlotte had her own agenda, Hunter wasn't responsible for her killing Denny, as hard as it would have been for any parent to turn their child in or let him turn himself in which is what he wanted to do, that would have prevented everything that followed, then she killed that other man in cold blood. Olivia did brow beat hunter into ringing Peggy. 

Forgot to say Peggy did enquire at Alf's first so that is how she knew where Hunter was.

Marilyn and Leah totally bullied Kat into that lunch date, refusing to take her no for an answer, well it backfired on them when she left Salt upset.

Be a rebound romance for both Ash and Tori if it does happen, besides we all know how fickle Tori is. 

Was that another example of people in the bay leaving their door unlocked or did Anderson, being a PI, pick the lock to Scarlet's van to plant that camera/bug? Her husband does sound like a real piece of work, I think it's tonight we find out what the real problem is. Two tough guys to kidnap one woman, really, but then of course Anderson would have told the other guy Justin was on the scene. Were they both quick enough to note Justin's reg number?

[Red Ranger 1]

So after yesterday's "Close ranks and protect one of the in crowd" performance, today we get the Hunter Pity Party, with Peggy doing a 180 for no real reason and joining the Saint Hunter Fan Club.Again, while they address the fact that Hunter contributed to Charlotte's death (her own actions played a part but he contributed), no mention of Denny...and if Hunter had really wanted to turn himself in, rather than it being a knee jerk reaction that Charlotte quickly talked him out of (given that he then kept quiet for two years, the moment could have passed before he got to the police station), then he'd have done so and she'd still be alive.Has everyone just forgotten that her body was found with the safe that they now know Hunter stole?Olivia is again whiney and childish, especially in the first half, to the point that I wonder how either of the toxic pair can stand each other.VJ is once more a better friend than they deserve, which makes the fact that the show continually dumps on him, killing his wife and taking his daughter away, while letting that awful pair come up trumps feel even more unjust.I was horrified at Hunter saying they'll get married one day because that's exactly the sort of thing this show would do...although they've got better lately, we haven't had a truly bad sunset ending since April and Dexter four years ago.Maybe Brax and Ricky but that was for reasons other than their relationship.Mostly.

Scarlett finally comes clean to Justin, at least over some things.Presumably Max's death was the event that changed Gary, although we don't know the circumstances as yet.Not clear if that phone message is significant or she just likes hearing his voice.In other news, Ash and Tori have a moment.They might work (although it would reduce the chances of VJ getting his daughter back still further, so I'm against it for that reason alone) but it is rather quick.Then again, sometimes the rebound relationships are the ones that last!

[c120701]

Why wasn't the plaster that Leah put on Tori in the diner, blue?

Also, if Leah doesn't own the Diner building, what exactly did she lend Irene & Roman the money for back in 2008? Was it to buy the lease & fund the relocation?

I don't understand how the Pier and the Bait Shop/Diner/Apartment are being treated as separate freehold entities though.

The farmhouse has had a new kitchen and some replacement furniture ready for sale then. I hope it gets a lick of paint, as much as I like the set, I hate that living room. It wouldn't be so bad if it was wider at one end so you could see the divider between the lounge & kitchen/dining area more easily.

[Psychic Wombat]

I'm surprised Hunter puts up with miss squeaky voice, it must be like having a dentist drill in his ear 24/7!

So,Tori is a high ranked doctor but can't put a plaster on her own finger, doesn't inspire confidence lol.

Liking the Scarlet storyline and Scarlet a lot, hope she comes back.

[Red Ranger 1]

Ash had moments with both Kat and Tori? Lucky guy! To be honest, I could see a relationship with either of them working and I do still feel a certain amount of loyalty to Ash and Kat despite all their problems. Loved the way Leah was telling Tori she imagined it and then went "Er, hang on..." Nice role for Justin too.And I did appreciate a mention of VJ looking after Luc, I'm grabbing any crumb I can get.

I think Leah being frosty towards Maggie has gone on long enough, especially when it's coming from something as petty as Leah being embarrassed that she got caught eyeing up Ben.Mind you, Alf and everyone else might find themselves less well disposed to the Astonis when they find out they're their rivals for the pier purchase.The Diner being leased when all previous indications have been that Irene and Leah own it outright is rather out of nowhere, although the flat has always seemed like a separate property.So, Roo says that she wants to be a teacher and next thing she's arranging teacher practise at Summer Bay High?Excuse me while I bang my head against the wall a bit...

[H&Alover]

Saint Charlotte as her own mum said made her own choices - Hunter stole the safe, but he didn't contribute to her killing Denny that was her doing  as was a lot of her actions. Hunter had 16 years of being influenced by Charlotte, starting off with her telling him Zac had abandoned them so formenting all that hate towards him.  VJ did well finding Peggy and persuading her to talk to Hunter again and she acknowledges  there was someone else in Saint Charlotte's life . I think she, Charlotte,  wanted to believe  Zac   was Hunter's dad rather than some random or  maybe someone who wasn't as nice as Zac.

Olivia was upset because Hunter shouted at her but she did her own fair share, a lot of truths came out there on both sides, one very true one, Olivia did nag him into contacting his nan. Though to be fair to her she isn't the only one to nag people into doing things they don't want to do, Irene, Leah and Roo all spring to mind, they all stick their bib in.  Hunter didn't have a rant at VJ though did he? Now all that is out in the open, it has been festering for the last 20 months, maybe Olivia and Hunter can move forward.

Obviously more to Max's death than Scarlet told Justin, it seems Gary blames her, maybe she was away with work and not there when whatever happened happened. Her son had the same name as Ava's friend which now explains Scarlet leaving Salt in a hurry. Maybe that message was the last one before his death, handy Justin is so smart phone savvy.  All those looks between them then could be the start of something, they both said they had feelings for each other, husband aside of course. Justin, or course would have experience in throwing people off the scent.

My eyes might be going but I thought Tori had cut her hand not her finger.  Always easier for someone else to put a plaster on for you.  Being around Ash gave Tori a touch of the clumsies.  There definitely was nearly a moment between Tori and Ash though I don't think he was aware of the tension as Tori was until she bolted off. They got on well, though he wasn't aware of Tori's true feelings. I do like Justin playing big brother, one moment she's telling him she's got a thing for Ash, then she's not doing anything about it because of Kat, then 'it's' back on again. Then Ash is asking Justin has he seen Tori because he needs to talk to her. He certainly is a busy lad, taking on everyone's troubles. That was one awkward talk between Tori and Kat, Kat pouring her heart out to Tori how she still loves Ash but it's Luc she has problems with and she knows she comes with Ash.  And Tori having to sympathise with her, asking if there is no chance they could make it work, ignoring Ash's call. Nice scene with Ash and Kat telling each other they love each other and deciding to go out for dinner which turned out to be a downer for Tori as I think she was expecting the evening to end up differently to how it did. Btw I know it's 'fashionable' but why do guys, Ash was the guilty one this time, button their shirt up all the way yet wear no tie? It just make them look nerdy, Ash looked fine until he did that.

Leah doesn't like Maggie because she embarrassed herself over fancying Ben and Maggie was OK about it, go figure.

So OK someone had to own the pier, but it's only after all these years we find out the bait shop, the Diner and the flat, which wasn't actually lived in for years, until Charlotte moved in is part of the deal? I think the Diner/flat come as one unit but the bait shop is separate.  I always thought Irene owned the flat Charlotte paid her rent as did Roo when she briefly moved in, did she then pass the rent money onto the real owner. I think Irene said something  a few months back about 'the landlord'.  I know it's not a biggie in the scheme of things and we didn't need to hear Alf/Irene/Leah bang on about the landlord and that he's/she's putting the rent up, not getting vital repairs done etc , but still a surprise. So when Irene said she would buy Leah's share of the Diner she meant her share of the lease - yes? Both Alf, understandably, and Ben are interested in buying the pier.  Had to smile at Alf's grumbling that he didn't want outsiders getting their hands on it, that it should be a local person - 'for local people'. Leah is on board as I reckon Irene will be and I dare say even Roo would be interested. Ben, of course, is an outsider but I think would be a sympathetic one and not change much if anything, apart from the rotting boards. Meanwhile whilst he is thinking one thing, Maggie has her mind elsewhere e.g the farmhouse, where did she say she found the key, not under the mat?   Her and Roo may have bonded over their mutual occupation but that could change if Maggie gets her wish, just happening to overhear Roo's conversation and putting herself forward as Principal and Roo ends up working for her. How's the head Red (sorry), probably worse now. Should someone warn Maggie the Principal's job is a poisoned chalice? The farmhouse could do with brightening up, seeing as it doesn't seem to get a lot of sun in that room. I thought the Astoni's didn't have much money yet they are planning to buy/rent the farmhouse and buy the pier and attachments.  Mind you they do have run the plan by Ziggy and Coco who are both old enough to  be consulted about such a big life changer. This may be a radical idea but what if they all joined forces and bought the pier between them, that would not only spread out the cost but also leave Ben & Maggie more money to play with regarding the farmhouse, or is that too mad/sensible?

 

[Red Ranger 1]

At the risk of being a broken record: Hunter might not have a legal responsibility for Denny's death but in my mind he does have a moral responsibility.Even more than Charlotte, her death was directly connected with the robbery he did.And even if you think he's entirely blameless, you would expect someone to ask the question "So how did the safe you stole end up buried with a murdered body?" Maybe they're asking it off screen, maybe he's explaining, maybe everyone's as fine with that as they are with everything else.But the lack of on screen mention is egregious, especially from Alf, who was close to Denny and was still angry with Hunter: The fact that he didn't mention Denny's death as a reason for not immediately dismissing Hunter's crime is almost inconceivable.

Anyway, today.Frankly, the farm house is even more of a poisoned chalice than being school principal as I mentioned the other week (Bruce, Romeo, Oscar, Hannah, Denny, Billie) so the Astonis had better watch out if they're planning to live there... Alf and Leah still don't know who outbid them, as it turns out Ben and Maggie didn't need help.Ben did mention redeveloping which may raise alarm bells with the current leasees.Coco (who apparently was named after the breakfast cereal and/or the monkey that advertises it...) being talked into staying was vaguely reminiscent of the similar speech to Skye, who she's starting to remind me of...except living in Summer Bay didn't quite work out for her.I did sympathise with Ziggy for a bit and to be honest her deciding to go back to the city on her own is fair enough, she's not a child, but she may be in for a big wake-up call if she's going to try living on her own.She has indeed been sending out mixed messages to Brody.

Raffy not being willing to play ball to John and Marilyn is hardly surprising.She was never going to accept them playing parent when she's been shunted around so much already, being left on the outers by the Morgans, parachuted out of Ash and Kat's to stay with a weird older couple that she doesn't know that well, plus that period when she kept being sent to stay with Phoebe... Part of me thinks that since it's only meant to be temporary they should back off, but at the end of the day they are responsible for her, even if they did seem to be being a bit alarmist at times, and need to keep an eye on things.

[harrietjames]

16 hours ago, Red Ranger 1 said:

.And even if you think he's entirely blameless, you would expect someone to ask the question "So how did the safe you stole end up buried with a murdered body?"

Charlotte was a suspect in that murder. I guess they found no reason to suspect that Hunter was (directly) involved in Denny's death and that the safe he had stolen was put there by Charlotte covering for him, not him personally. Was he back with his Gran at the time of Denny's death?

[H&Alover]

Hard to keep up with the comings and goings of Hunter, but I think he was at his nan's when Denny was killed, I remember Saint Charlotte scrubbing the floor.  The police have only just found out Hunter stole the safe and but, and it is a but, may have excluded him as the killer due to the time line.  Red I think Hunter is one subject we are not ever going  to agree on, but the arguments for and against him are interesting.

Double whammy then, echoes of that  other cursed house -  Home Farm in Emmerdale!  Has the seller taken it as a given that Dan & Maggie can afford to pay more than Leah & Alf, surely the whole thing hangs on them being able to sell their house for a price enabling them to buy the pier and the farmhouse?   No idea of house prices in Sydney, but they must be confident it'll be enough to cover all the costs. Will Granny be expecting her money back from the sale of the house she bought? So it was just Leah and Alf putting in the offer as Iren couldn't afford it.  Actually, not to put a downer on it, not always a good idea to have friends as your landlord/landlady, one thing complaining to a virtual stranger about repairs that need doing, but when it's someone you know and are close to you may feel awkward about doing it and whinging when the jobs aren't being done quick enough. I think Ben could be willing to listen to the locals, he's not been in the bay long, but he's seen how the place works, how well the Diner does and the bait shop, I don't believe he would change things just for changes sake,  he doesn't strike me as a Brett Macklin type - at least I hope not.  Maybe my mad idea could still happen. When the news breaks will it give Leah more reason to dislike Maggie?

Was a forgone conclusion neither Ziggy or Coco (just as well mum wasn't into Sugar Puffs then) would be happy at the sudden move to the bay.    Room wise they don't have any complaints, one for each of them. Ziggy got it wrong about mum and dad talking Coco into staying when it was Raffy who being nearer her age could put the argument from a teenagers point of view with no (well almost no) hidden agenda.    I think theirs would be a good friendship, Raffy could introduce her to the real world instead of an online one.  Doesn't seem anyone for Ziggy though.  Amazing how different the girls look when they and even shock, horror !  She, as she said, is an adult so perfectly within her rights to go back the city, fully expecting I guess Jared to put her up, seems she has a shock coming there- he actually comes out with that old cliché - 'It's not what it looks like!' Course it is, he obviously got a new girlfriend right after Ziggy left if he didn't have her on the go already. I'm guessing Brody will talk her into going back to the bay. 

On that subject, I have the feeling he's more  into her than she is into him, but I think she is or could be good for him, certainly stopped him thinking about drugs and he seems a lot like his old self since she's been around. Mason may have across as a naysayer but he's right, getting into a relationship, not that it is, isn't a good idea so soon for someone in recovery. Plus of course what would Ben & Maggie have to say about it, he's about five years older than her and while not a layabout like Jared, is a recovering drug user which isn't a good choice either. As mentioned before yes she is an adult so they can't ban her from seeing him.  Zannis, who still is free, turns up, tempting him again, stay strong Brods!!!!

The truth behind Raffy's behaviour is revealed tonight and it looks like my feeling could be right, she's very insecure, all those moves in her life, various people leaving her, through death or prison, the people who she thought were her mum and dad, her real mum, her uncle who turned out to be her real dad who then dies. Hope, her sister, who wasn't, going to jail.  The Morgan's who kept leaving her out of the loop on things which did directly concern her to 'protect her'.  Moved to Kat & Ash's while Brody was recovering, though I do see their reasoning there.  Maz and John are a strange combination parenting wise, John  bad cop and Maz  good cop but they do care for Raffy and she may be 14, testing them so see how far she can push it but she does need boundaries to show her they do and aren't just looking after her to help the Morgan's out. I bet there will be one of those heart to heart talks and everything will settle down.  Wonder if she will return to the Morgan house now that Brody seems better?

[Red Ranger 1]

8 hours ago, harrietjames said:

Charlotte was a suspect in that murder. I guess they found no reason to suspect that Hunter was (directly) involved in Denny's death and that the safe he had stolen was put there by Charlotte covering for him, not him personally. Was he back with his Gran at the time of Denny's death?

The very fact that he stole the safe should have made him a suspect! They were wrong about Charlotte stealing it, would it not occur to them they might have been wrong about that too? And even if they didn't think he struck the actual blow, wouldn't they suspect he knew something about it? (Which he did, since he worked out Charlotte did it and kept quiet, and Josh got sent straight to remand for something similar, but somehow Hunter never gets incarcerated even when he tries to kill a man in cold blood right in front of the police.) It seems unlikely that everyone would remember the exact timing of his going back and forth between Charlotte and Peggy.They didn't even know at the time: Denny went to the flat looking for Hunter because Zac thought he was still in town.Maybe (and I suspect we're thinking more about this than the people who write the show) Peggy gave him an alibi when she made her statement, which would explain the police not pursuing it, but why is no-one mentioning it at all? (Because the whole thing's a lazy plot device to get Hunter off the hook and the show doesn't care about realistic reactions...)

Anyway...Alf's episode count this week:Four, and he was credited on Tuesday for no appearance. Irene was also in four.

So, the Astonis stay, which we kind of knew because they're main cast.Ziggy really should have twigged that Jarrod wasn't interested when he didn't return any of her calls.I suspect it took considerably less than two weeks for him to look elsewhere.Maggie once more comes across as warm and maternal and is shaping up to be a decent character.(And shock horror: Bringing in a complete family unit means we've got a woman with the same surname as her husband!)Coco continues to come across as a bit dour and insecure, although she's got a nice sense of humour in there somewhere.Brody introducing himself to Ben while being his daughter's getaway driver was a nice moment.Re Friends for Ziggy, there's not that great an age gap between her and Olivia (possibly less than there is between Raffy and Coco, although we haven't been told exactly how old Coco is).But instead the show seems to want her to hang around Brody, even though she's younger than his younger brother...

Did Roo forget that Marilyn wasn't with John when he took Jett in? (In fact, she was living with Roo!) I really hope the show isn't going to do something daft like have Raffy move in with John and Marilyn permanently just to give them something to do, hopefully they learned their lesson from Spencer. But if she isn't then...she's pretty much right. John and Marilyn aren't her parents, they're the people she lives with for now, and they should be gone in five minutes, because she has her own family to get back to.So John and Marilyn insisting they'll always be there for her just felt wrong.That said, Coco is right too: They are the adults, they do need to look after her and make sure she's doing the right thing, and she can't just swan around without telling them.

Zannis continues his amazing ability to hide out in public places without anyone noticing.Did he climb up the wall to that balcony or something?!