Latest UK Episode Discussion (2006-2017 Seasons)

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's episode count this week:Two. Roo was only in one, although she was credited for no appearance on Monday.

So, Olivia didn't listen to Irene (who was conspicuously absent after doing her three episodes) and did sign the contract after all.I really don't know what to make of Axel.It feels like we're meant to mistrust him, with the camera lingering on him giving sly looks, but it seems like he's working for a respected and established firm, which doesn't really fit the con man vibe.Are his superiors not aware of how he treats his rookies?Is he planning to convince Olivia to set up with him apart from The Firm?

Raffy is a lovely person again and I really liked the way Coco opened up to her about the bulimia.Tag team with the Astoni parents as they both reach the three episode mark, but Maggie doesn't get a chance to make anywhere near as much of an impact as Ben with less than half a dozen lines.And I may be being picky but it feels like once again Raffy's the one having to make sacrifices, as she gives up her fledging romance with Ryder so as not to upset Coco.I mean, I know Coco didn't take advantage of having a clear run but still.

Hard to get excited about the Ash/Tori stuff which just felt like delaying tactics and filling screen time until the more interesting characters are rostered on again.Also hard to care about Justin getting beaten up by a woman who used to be engaged to Mark Brennan in Neighbours when we've seen the scene about three times already in promos.

[atrus]

So Ben has gone up slightly in my estimations since H&A has returned, from "worse than Brad from Neighbours" before Christmas to "equally as bad as or marginally better than Brad from Neighbours" right now. His chat with Coco did it, I think, even if I stopped to wonder whether caring about one's daughter is something that should really be so uncommon as to attract plaudits - and even if he was back to behaving like a neanderthal towards Brody later on. He was pretty belligerent with Diana too, but then she deserved it - and he did successfully make amends again afterwards. I suppose where he definitely does have the edge on his surfboard-liking counterpart from the other show is that he does actually seem to be pretty devoted to his wife, although I'm frequently unclear on why she puts up with him.

Ryder didn't look especially bothered when Raffy told him there was nothing between them, which leads me to think his investment in both girls is fairly skin-deep. Him trying to cuddle up to both on the couch at the same time felt like another sign that this is little more than a game to him, since surely even Ryder would twig that even teenage girls would be put off by the blatantness of this. Okay, so they apparently weren't put off - but they ought to have been. I can see why they'd enjoy his company as a friend, but having them both immediately besotted with an undeserving Ryder left me with a bit of a sense that they were being robbed of their agency to further the storyline, really.  Nonetheless, the scene where Coco told Raffy about the bulimia seemed to resolve that, as they both effectively decided to ditch him in favour of their friendship as a result. We got confirmation that Ryder is 17 but how old are Coco and Raffy? If Raffy is really 14 then I'm quite surprised that Justin and Brody were as relatively relaxed as they were about him draping himself on her.

As for the likelihood of Mick having any success with a custody battle - I'd be interested to know of any real-life precedents, but I don't want to be depressed by what I might find if I research it. Personally, morally, I think the most involvement a rapist should ever expect to have in the resulting child's life is to be forced to pay maintenance - with no reciprocal right to any access whatsoever. But then of course there is a burden of proof with rape, and Mick has never been charged with that and cannot be now Billie is dead. Nonetheless, he has kidnapped Luc before, and I feel like this, combined with the family's anecdotal testimony of what he did to Billie, should be enough to rule him out of any involvement. I can equally see why none of the Summer Bay residents have any particular faith in the authorities taking that stance, though. A lot of the stuff around the DNA test was pretty contrived, with the lab clearly only calling Summer Bay House to alert the characters to the storyline given that they went straight ahead with the test anyway after that, despite the apparent flaws in Mick's application. I can see why Ash is contemplating going into hiding but it's not fair on anyone else - neither the other relatives in Luc's life nor Tori, who very much has the t-shirt in that regard - and would only end in tears.

Still yawning at the Olivia plot. From what I've absorbed of it, which isn't much, it feels like your archetypal Evil Corporation Takes Advantage of Talented Naïf kind of storyline. Well, I don't much care for Olivia, so I don't much care she's being taken advantage of.

Also can't summon up any interest and Kat and Robbo, or whatever's going down at the garage with the car and the gun etc. Ziggy and Mason do have a nice dynamic, though.

[Slade]

On 1/18/2018 at 13:49, H&Alover said:

I'll get these out of the way first - both door related.  After all Irene went through with Mick why, oh why did she go out and leave her door unlocked so said Mick could just let himself in

Still not sure whether you're OK with someone letting themselves into somebody else's home.

For the umpteenth time finding the stuff with Mick (particularly Ash) quite amusing.  It's funny how they were trying to threaten and intimidate him re Luc but once the results of the DNA test had been revealed they were trying to be reasonable.  Obviously they realised (or believed would probably be more accurate) that he's got them by the balls.  There's a strong argument as to whether Mick's actually changed so puts into question whether he's fit to look after Luc but he had a point about Ash.  Whilst not the Kyle Braxton level of violence he's proven time again that he's always tried to resolve stuff with his fists and the he's changed argument doesn't hold water considering that he attacked, kidnapped and left Mick in the bush a few days prior.  I actually don't think Ash would ever harm Luc but I can see a half decent custody lawyer putting forward a fair case.  Whilst I understand Ash wanting to run away I think he's being incredibly reckless and irresponsible.  It's also quite selfish especially considering that he wanted Tori to run away with him.  I'm glad they're OK now and was pleasantly surprised that Brody didn't like the way she was acting towards Ash before and called her out on it.

Given that Brody is a recovering drug addict I can see why Ben would not be happy with him looking after his daughter but his attitude towards him still really annoys me anyway and just reminds me one of the reasons why I can't stand him.  I'd completely forgotten that Coco's eating disorder wasn't public knowledge.  And it's a reminder what a good friend Raffy is.  She clearly likes Ryder and was hoping for something to happen but dropped that because Coco likes him too and realised that triggered her relapse (well almost).  If it had been the other way round I'm not sure Coco would have done the same thing.  Shame they've both decided nothing's going to happen now as I was quite enjoying seeing him charm both of them.  Whilst I wouldn't have been happy if I was in Ryder's position I did find Justin scaring them quite funny and then after Coco left he muscled in on his 'date' with Raffy.  I believe he was far less aggressive than Ben would have been.

So Olivia's signed the contract without getting a solicitor to at least give it a once over.  That's a very bad move and extremely impulsive.  Have a feeling Hunter's going to be delivering the old I-told-you-so speech.

[H&Alover]

Irene's house was empty so you would think that knowing the state of mind Mick was in she'd lock it.  It seems most of the folk in the bay after a scare from anyone do for a while then slip back into their old habits. I have noticed most visitors do knock first and wait to be let in.

To be fair to Ryder he wasn't playing Raffy and Coco against each other he was treating them the same.  Raffy took Coco's denial she wasn't interested in him at face value and was why she cuddled up to him. Btw didn't Alf say the other day he'd been out of Ryder's life for 16 years, now he's 17? It was funny when Justin scared the bejesus out of them all when he switched the lights on, Raffy is a pretty adult 14 and perhaps it was because their were three of them rather than just Raffy is the reason Justin was so cool about it. Coco is 16.

Refreshing to see the PTB haven't decided that Coco's condition has been suddenly cured and she nearly succumbed to binge eating. Not sure why Raffy should have felt she needed to apologise for not being there for Coco when she really was in the grip of bulimia as it was Coco who pushed her away as she was under Jenny's thumb. I'm glad she did confide in her and told her why she nearly fell off the wagon.  Lovely that Raffy put Coco first and ditched Ryder and it didn't take long for him long to ring Coco to try his luck with her!  I think the thing with Ben and his talk with Coco is because you don't normally see a dad  have that kind of chat with their daughter, it's usually down to mum. 

Justin put forward a very good and convincing argument as to why Ash should stay out, he said what I did he has a great support system whereas if he goes on the run he'll only have Tori - if she had decided to go with him. Although Tori wouldn't have been in the same danger as she had been when they were in WP they would still have been looking over their shoulders and while it's OK while Luc is a baby she'll grow up.  Another thing is when they got caught he'd definitely lose any chance of custody. Mick does have the legal right to apply though morally  is  another matter altogether. It's not Morag's field but I bet she knows someone who is an expert in family law who could help them. It looks from the trailers that someone has the 'bright' idea of stealing Mick's tablets which to be fair to him he has been taking religiously to keep himself on an even keel. Were they hoping he'd  show his true colours, if so looks like it's going to backfire badly. That very desperate phone call he was making saying he daren't go out without them, then we see him lurking in the shadows.

OK we got the figure on the motorbike was a woman we didn't need the slo-mo shaking of her long dark hair to confirm it!  Name of Willow btw!  Certainly caught Justin where it hurt - ouch!  Has James Stewart hurt his leg for real because Justin is still  hobbling around whereas Mason who was paralysed and in hospital for weeks is walking about as if nothing had happened.   Looks like she is hock to some pretty nasty guys.

Olivia has gone all sleek with that new hair style and been con(vinced) by Axel is everything above board which is why she has signed that contract despite Irene, Leah and Hunter's advice. She pretty dismissive of Hunter when he approached her and Axel at Salt, he (Axel) did seem to give her a 'I've got you where I want you' look. Is he and or others after stealing her designs and cutting her out by some shenanigans. Is she still at uni btw?

[Red Ranger 1]

First impressions are that Willow seems to be another Isla: Utterly self-centred and devoid of redeeming features, but because she's hot and she's not the worst person in the storyline we're supposed to...what?Like her? Sympathise with her?Justin's insistence on making excuses for her when even Ash wanted to call the police was not only frustrating, it was completely illogical, so in a way he's only got himself to blame for what happens next.You know, when these episodes were shown in Australia, there was a spoiler released about needing money to save Buddy and I said that either it was a vet's bill or he was being held hostage.I wasn't entirely serious about the second one... Also, Willow seems to have changed her surname between weeks, judging by the credits.

Brody and Ziggy...hmm. I don't actually find them objectionable, but I don't find them very interesting either and I've never quite got what they see in each other.I can only conclude it's mostly physical on his part and a case of seeing him as the mostly-safe option on hers.So I'm not too keen at seeing that resurrected.VJ felt a bit out of place in the surfing scene (I'm struggling to remember much interaction between him and Ziggy in the past), as if there needed to be someone there and he just happened to be in the episode.

Mick isn't the most stable of people even on his medication, although maybe it was meant to be wearing off.Loved seeing Alf shut down his attempt at settling down and then shut down his annoying whining about how unfair it is.That said, I had to chuckle at Irene's "You bought a cot?!": Apple obviously doesn't fall far from the tree there... I also loved the scenes of VJ looking after Luc as usual and the idea of her having a cuddly toy called Mr Bojangles.(Was it actually a possum?)We're probably meant to be worried about Ziggy at the end, but as usual the promo dissipates most of the tension.

[Slade]

Couldn't stand that broad.  Absolutely hated her.  And I was actually very annoyed with Justin for not reporting her to the police because what...he fancies her.  I thought Ziggy was spot on.  Even when she said it wasn't her money I would have been happy for her to deal with the consequences rather than feel sorry for her.  Justin not going to the cops was actually very irresponsible.  What if Raffy had been home when she let herself into their house?

I actually quite liked the Brody and Ziggy scenes but really think he should just listen to Irene.  If he's been clean for 6 months that's good but I really think he would be better to wait another 6 months but presumably he won't - I don't think he will even wait 6 weeks.  I also don't particularly like Ziggy.  She's not been as bad as she has been over the last couple of episodes she's been in but I don't find her to be a particularly likeable person and have found her to be quite selfish.

Alf was the one who was funny today with regards to getting annoyed with Mick.  I think that episode showed what a fine line it could be with regards to him relapsing.  All it takes is for him to forgot to take his meds or for the chemist to run out.  Even putting aside the other stuff that is reason alone for him not to be looking after Luc.

[630si]

I actually really liked the mystery girl. Although I agree with Slade, I was annoyed he didn’t report her tothe police especially as Ziggy pointed out that on Friday he was having a go for not reporting stuff! His brains in his peen. I also really like Broday and Ziggy together and I’m glad they hung out and played pool etc. I hope they manage to path it up but don’t rush into anything. I think I’m time Ben will come round. The Astoni’s have been around long enough now to know the Morgan’s aren’t really bad news. I’m a bit worried for Ziggy’s safety on her walk home though, I hope Mick doesn’t strike again!!!

VJ et al are getting very worried about the custody stuff. But surely this case wouldn’t stand up in court. 

[English Invader]

The funny thing is that I feel like I'm actually starting to root for Mick because I'm sick to death of the Luc Fellowship and the self-important attitudes of everyone in it.  I lost all sympathy for them when Alf and Irene white handed Mick on the job and the reference.  Genuine people with a genuine cause don't resort to sabotage.

 

I also suspect that Ash broke in to Mick's motel room and stole his medication to show him up because of the comment Ash made just before we see Mick desperately looking for his medication (can't remember exactly what it was but it seemed like Ash knew that something was going to happen).

 

I guess the best thing for Luc at this stage would be either a care home or a placement in an adoptive/foster family a million miles away from the Fellowship dynamic.  She needs a stable home and a stable environment and that's not something that can be achieved by committee.

[H&Alover]

Continuity error?! Once he'd been released from his shackles Justin was still using his crutch to get about at the garage, not long after he walks into Salt with no means of support, back at the Morgan house da dah, he's using it again! Confused dot.com.  Willow comes across as a lot tougher than Isla she was more a victim of whatever circumstances she had got herself in.  I say comes across as all that aggressive front could be just that. Did get confirmation her nan, whose car it was, didn't have any knowledge of that was in the bumper.  Which makes sense when you come to think of it she would have hardly taken the car into an unknown garage to fix a rattle if she had. She wouldn't believe Justin no matter how many times he told her the cops had the money so so far not coming across as likeable, she's definitely into something dodgy, if those two heavies are anything to go by. I know it's getting boring but another case of someone just being able to walk into an unlocked house and sorry Buddy you are cute but as Willow said you are a useless guard dog and now you've been dognapped! Justin, you were an idiot for not reporting her, though there wasn't much to go on, you had a good description to give them.  She may well have brought your card back, but as Ziggy knows there is such a thing as cloning.  Btw Justin, following on about what you said Red, what are you going to tell Mason, Tori and Brody when they ask where Buddy is?

I'm liking the tentative steps towards a friendship between Ziggy and Brody, as long as that is all it is, as Irene likes keep reminding him it's only six months - now - since he's been clean.  They did look like they were having fun playing pool and her teasing him after about cheating. I did notice she said she would tell Ben she had seen him so being open about it. She's not been that been that 'good' Slade, wanting to hold onto the money and the card scanner till Mason talked her out of it.  I had the feeling she was more up for it to be more than friends, but at least she didn't go in a strop this time when Brody said he wanted to be friends. They certainly made a afternoon/evening/night of it.  I liked her line about him dropping her off home would seem rather date-y. Then we've got Mick lurking in the shadows, but Ziggy looked like she was handling herself well.

I'm glad VJ had a pop at Leah for hiding the fact Mick had applied for custody, yes he is studying, but he is an adult and can handle it. He and Luc were so sweet together but I did get the feeling the actress who was playing Luc was doing a bit of method acting and doing her own thing. Mick does keep pushing it by putting  forward Irene's name as a reference for getting a flat, though he has shown initiative  by seeking one out and applying  for a job, wouldn't RSL have asked for references?  Both got sabotaged though. On some level Mick knows his limitations which is why he has been taking his meds religiously, even setting a timer on his watch to remind him when to take it.  I think he had got so wound up by Irene by Irene and Alf scuppering his plans, he dropped the tabs from the container down the sink and couldn't find the rest of them, would he really have quite such an anti reaction to not having one when he should have, wouldn't it take longer than that? he was desperate to get hold of some and told whoever was on the phone he couldn't go out without taking them, but then he immediately does just that.

[harrietjames]

2 hours ago, English Invader said:

I also suspect that Ash broke in to Mick's motel room and stole his medication to show him up because of the comment Ash made just before we see Mick desperately looking for his medication (can't remember exactly what it was but it seemed like Ash knew that something was going to happen).

Didn't Mick knock his pill bottle over and they fell down the sink?