2018 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[pembie]

Yes I don't really understand why Robbo freaked out its not as if he has any real feelings for Ebony so him running into the bathroom and forgetting about his phone seemed quite strange 

And now his gone back to having his name cleared again probably to discover his really Mary Poppins or he was the one who Framed Roger the Rabbit

I'm no fan of Robbo but my goodness Macarhy is beyond stupid don't the police in this town ever get bored by not cracking a case haha 

[Little bean]

2 hours ago, D.B said:

 Are we suppose to believe that Ebony, who got involved with this in the first place to get revenge for her brother's death, would kill off her own mother to do it? How does that work?

To me it actually kind of does make sense. They clearly didn’t get on and if Ebony had originally suggested a perfectly good way of getting money out of Justin (which she ultimately succeeded in doing) but was shot down by Hazel who insisted in the kidnapping idea, then Ebony could have held her mother responsible for Boyd’s death all along. If your own mother is willing to turn you into a murderer because she can’t manage the dirty work herself then why wouldn’t you turn on her. 

[D.B]

2 hours ago, Little bean said:

To me it actually kind of does make sense. They clearly didn’t get on and if Ebony had originally suggested a perfectly good way of getting money out of Justin (which she ultimately succeeded in doing) but was shot down by Hazel who insisted in the kidnapping idea, then Ebony could have held her mother responsible for Boyd’s death all along. If your own mother is willing to turn you into a murderer because she can’t manage the dirty work herself then why wouldn’t you turn on her. 

Honestly I didn't think about it like that. When they talked yesterday and Ebony suddenly became all serious, I thought she had it with her mother's whining but with what you said here, maybe she did hold Hazel responsible and got revenge on her as well as she did on Robbo and Colby. So, yeah, you make a very good point here.

[Red Ranger 1]

Yeah, I was going to make the same point. I think Ebony probably does think that Hazel's partly to blame for Boyd's death and so had her on her list of people to get revenge on.Boyd got killed because he did what Hazel told him to and now Hazel was thinking she could order Ebony about in the same way, only for Ebony to prove that she's not her puppet.Unfortunately, her plan pretty much makes no sense and is only working because both Robbo and McCarthy have had lobomotomies.I've always thought that, on the whole, McCarthy was competent and professional, but here he's quite obviously got an axe to grind.I don't blame him for being bitter about Robbo basically getting away with a murder committed on his watch because he has friends in high places, but that doesn't mean he should give such a slapdash investigation and only focus on the bits that make Robbo look bad.Although he seemed clued in later on, I'm not even sure if he paid any attention to what was happening with Colby, who'd probably have died waiting for him if it wasn't for Dean and Willow.Also, what exactly is meant to have happened?I'm at a loss as to what McCarthy thinks Robbo's motive is (revenge for the Morgans?), and also how exactly is Hazel meant to have been poisoned? The 000 call referred to a man forcing his way into the room while a woman screamed for help, which would fit if she'd died violently, but is Robbo meant to have forced his way in and then shoved the poison down her throat?What do they think the significance of the empty bottle in Robbo's bin is: A spillage? Why don't the police have a clue that Hazel had a daughter, which seems to be public record? (Or are the feds messing with the files the local cops get again?) Why doesn't Robbo just show McCarthy the picture he got from Lance with all the evidence instead of handing him the number? Meanwhile, it seems Colby would be fine by now if not for this reaction, which is a bit lucky for Ebony and unlucky for him.

As often, the Astonis' storyline was slight but sweet.Ben probably should have asked Maggie for help in the first place instead of Googling it.

[CaptainHulk]

Police Ineptitude in soaps is kind of getting old now. 

I would actually laughed if YCPS got smokebombed and the feds sprung Robbo with the Chopper and him dangling from the ladder ala Bruce Willis/Tom Cruise/etc while "Highway to the Danger Zone" plays.

I imagine it to play out like this:

McCarthy: Your federal mates ain't gonna swoop into save you this time!

Robbo: Oh no?!

*big-ass explosion, smoke everywhere, chopper blades whupping*

Fed Marshall: Get on, Mate!

*Robbo fires inexplicable Grappling hook onto ladder*

*Chopper disappears into the sky*

Let's be honest, that'd be more believable!

Also, LOL @ Ben. 

 

[atrus]

I must admit I chuckled a bit when Zombie-Colby fell over, but otherwise some good drama today. It always helps when the medical technobabble is both well written and well delivered, I think. Sometimes the temptation is fudge it with vagueness, but it sounded properly researched (obviously whether it actually was or not, I can't say); and Tori is at her best when she's yammering out the names of polysyllabic enzymes and chemicals, and threatening to call in specialists only to solve the medical mysteries all by herself through sheer bloody competence. It's better than having her mope over Ash again, at any rate. Dean was quite annoying and whiny for most of the episode, but I suppose I would be too if my one true love was on death's door.

I don't know how convinced I am by the argument that Ebony killed Hazel simply as a means of framing Robbo. Nor am I particularly convinced that it's about blaming her for Boyd's death - presumably if Ebony wasn't convinced of the righteousness of the kidnapping, then she'd be equally annoyed at Boyd for mindlessly going along with it? My suspicion is there's a more deep-rooted reason for it, but I've got no particular evidence for that - I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. I'm fully prepared for the possibility that we'll get no explanation at all, but it does seem like a significant enough twist to warrant one.

McCarthy was just unfeasibly bloody-minded today, presumably for no other reason than to prolong the storyline. No-one was saying he needed to release Robbo while the investigation was ongoing, but he kept acting as if following up Robbo's leads and keeping him in custody were mutually exclusive courses of action. He just went quiet when Robbo asked what his motive was supposed to be, presumably because he was bluffing about having thought of one. And he just wasn't engaging with Robbo's explanations or story at all, or apparently doing anything to liaise with the hospital as regards Colby's condition. Why so reluctant to involve the feds? He seemed to be making calls way above his station by simply refusing to follow up the evidence Robbo was trying to give him. Even if Robbo was claiming that any old Tom, Dick or Harry could verify his story, then it would be McCarthy's duty to follow it up - but when it's the AFP he can just unilaterally declare that it's unnecessary?

Some welcome lighter times for Ben and Maggie as they prepare for the wedding - let's hope it lasts at least until the big day.

I'll reserve my ire for the upcoming Hunter/Olivia developments showcased in the promo until they actually air.

[H&Alover]

Well done Alf you took my advice and told Ryder you were proud of him and  the way he handled the situation with Ty and only revealed his secret when it looked possible Ty could be in danger. Mind you give it a couple of weeks and he'll be accused of  acting like a 'flamin' galah' again.  Maybe Ty & Ryder don't need to discuss what happened, Ryder has told Ty it hasn't affected the way he thinks of their friendship and I loved his line about there being no competition  with the girls.  Raffy is trying to handle the whole thing as well as she can and even asked Ty how he was when they crossed paths in The Diner.  I do completely understand her wanting to go home - or rather  back to the Morgan's - because it would be pushing it expecting them to live under the same roof and it does have to be her, she has a family to return to whereas Ty hasn't got anyone else.  It's better there is space between them. I suppose we may get a reaction from the rest of the Morgan's when Raffy returns home and they ask why. Had Coco done her three days which is why we haven't seen her and Raffy together since the big reveal? She has to be back today or at least tomorrow for the wedding.

Well I didn't see that coming!!!!  Ebony (or should that now be Lisa) killing Ma Easton.  Didn't think she had pissed her off that much, but maybe Lisa is more of a psycho than mamma.  I'm interested in the time line, that capsule had to be the one Ebony/Lisa didn't use on Colby but when did she spike Hazel's drink, pretty sure she wouldn't have hung around waiting for it to work, though on second thoughts maybe she would.  But how did the one she nearly used on Robbo at the flat get his prints on it, if he'd found it, he would have had it tested out by taking it to Tori and then the cops. The timeline is also important as to how long it would have taken to kill Hazel, if Robbo has an alibi for that time, it opens up the case again.  Ebony/Lisa did say someone was forcing their way into Hazel's room, but Robbo just opened the door, no signs of the door being forced which the cops would have/should have noticed when they turned up. For a normally smart guy Robbo did allow himself to get suckered there, might be instinct to pick something up but he should have known better.  McCarthy's not being very professional if he's letting his prejudice over the feds cloud his judgement  by stubbornly refusing to contact Lance who can absolutely prove Ebony is Lisa Harding and Hazel's daughter/Boyd's sister.  She had a clean record, but so did Casey Braxton. McCarthy did seem very unconcerned about Colby even given that he is no longer a cop. Noticed Robbo got charged under the name Ryan Shaw. As for different surnames - could be Ebony married or she took her dad's name.  Funny that even Hazel called her Ebony when it's been revealed her true name is Lisa.  That's the second time she's wandered about the hospital pretending to be a doctor, guess it does go to prove if someone is wearing a white coat, uniform or scrubs and looking like you know what you are doing no-one really looks at you. She must have some medical knowledge  to pick on that particular needle which held the muscle relaxant.  Now's she driven off gloating into the sunset - OK drizzle - never to be seen again?  How long before anyone notices she's not about, apart from the cops that is who don't seem bothered.

Robbo started off well by taking that call from Lance and not making it look too obvious it was an investigation into Ebony, as we knew her  then, but her being the suspicious sort did try a sneaky look at it but he picked it up before she could. That explains the attempted seduction of him back at the flat and although he seemed up for it, memories of Kat got in the way, hence his dash to the bathroom and him leaving the phone behind so Ebony could pick up the call from Lance following up in Robbo's request to dig deeper. What she didn't know was though that Lance called Robbo back alerting him to the fact she must be onto him.  Of course it's because he duped her into thinking he liked her but murder!

Tori is back to her best being Dr. Tori!   Being a true professional but still taking the time to reassure Dean & Willow, asking them the right questions, working out why the dosage of the same stuff they were using to help him  overdosed him, he had been given quite a lot of it by Ebony/Lisa. Didn't help of course he was allergic to something that was in it, though how would you know unless he'd been given it before? Praise also Jasmine who was being professional too considering how it was her 'nearly' boyfriend they were treating. We saw the love between Maggie & Ben which I'll come back to, but a different kind of love here from Willow & Dean towards Colby.  It did take  a bit of persuasion on Willow's part for Dean to realise someone had set them up to get to Colby and lucky they went to see him when they did otherwise he would have died. The way they both stuck around showed the recent troubles were forgotten by them and Dean's reaffirmation they were his family.  Btw Ebony missed a trick by leaving the flat door open, if she had locked it - I know a rare occurrence in the bay - Dean & Willow would ,have assumed Colby & Robbo were out and left.

Ben & Maggie - what can you say about them. Loved his panic about not being able to waltz so he can dance with Ziggy - but how do we know Ziggy can waltz?  I did have the bizarre thought he was expecting Alf to teach him how to dance.  If I could dance, I'd have given him some lessons.  Has to mean Leah isn't around, she would have given him a crash course, but there was Maz.  He gave it his best bless him and that scene of them dancing was just so well.....................!

 

 

[D.B]

Well to start off, McCarthy was very unprofessional yesterday, the fact that he didn't say anything to Robbo's question about motive or that he refused to even think about his side to the story or call the Feds os he can only focus on what made him look guilty, makes it pretty clear to me that McCarthy basically still blames Robbo for what happened to Kat and is trying to get even. This is very disappointing as I always liked him, and always seemed like a competent, fair officer, but he didn't really show it now, which is a shame. Robbo is giving him real plausible suggestions as to what happened (though of course we know it's true), and not only is McCarthy getting his prejudice in the way, he also doesn't really look interested in what happened to Colby, who could have died if it hadn't been for Dean and Willow, who, I'll admit, were very good today. Dean's obvious concern for his former friend is clear to see and is nice as well, as was Willow's concerned, but calm and comforting reaction as well, kind of makes them likeable again after the couple of weeks they had. I'll admit though, when Dean and Willow came to see Colby, the way Dean was, I was expecting him to suddenly kiss Colby on the cheek! Also Tori, after weeks of not doing much, was back in her comfort zone as a doctor, which is great to see, as was Jasmine worrying for Colby, especially after the way they parted. 

Meanwhile, of course, the Ben and Maggie scenes were sweet, none of the usual drama, just some lovely, heart-warming moments. I really liked Alf and Ben's conversation, when Alf was talking about Ben bringing Ziggy down the aisle, I'm sure he was thinking about himself at Roo's marriage, or Martha and Jack's. 

22 hours ago, CaptainHulk said:

Police Ineptitude in soaps is kind of getting old now. 

I would actually laughed if YCPS got smokebombed and the feds sprung Robbo with the Chopper and him dangling from the ladder ala Bruce Willis/Tom Cruise/etc while "Highway to the Danger Zone" plays.

I imagine it to play out like this:

McCarthy: Your federal mates ain't gonna swoop into save you this time!

Robbo: Oh no?!

*big-ass explosion, smoke everywhere, chopper blades whupping*

Fed Marshall: Get on, Mate!

*Robbo fires inexplicable Grappling hook onto ladder*

*Chopper disappears into the sky*

Let's be honest, that'd be more believable!

Also, LOL @ Ben. 

 

I swear, I would absolutely love to see that happen!

[CaptainHulk]

^ Complete with a fist-shaking McCarthy yelling "I'll get you next time, Robbo!" ala Dr Claw from Inspector Gadget 

Anyhoo, onto today's episode.

The Stripper... Wouldn't boot her out of bed in this sweltering UK heatwave! Though the build up to her was pretty obvious even if you DIDN'T see yesterday's teaser. Wouldn't see Fitzy, Charlie or Kat doing this!

It all just seemed a bit Neighbours-esque and I liked it. A stunt that would have happened in the early years too, only half the lads would be paralytic/throwing up the next day, making deal with god/down the cop shop

I knew Zigs would have her doubts. See where we go with that

HuntLivia... Oy.

 

[Red Ranger 1]

So...After all that fuss the other week, none of the hen planners bothered to turn up to the hen party (it appears we're going to have a wedding with Irene, Leah and Roo all out of town!), which didn't bear much resemblance to Marilyn's "pamper day" anyway.It's a shame that Coco got left behind when they moved on, especially since Olivia interpreted "Take her out on the town for her last night of freedom" as "Take her to that quiet restaurant where you know her fiance is then leave her sitting on her own while you flirt with your ex": I'd have quite like to have seen Cokes in the mix with the Salt crowd.(It occurs to me that the Astonis have been on the show about a year, so Coco's probably turned seventeen.)I'm not sure the stripper was necessary but no harm done and they'll still get him to the ceremony.Also not sure who was in on it: Hunter and Mason obviously were, Alf and Ben obviously weren't, but Justin seemed to veer between surprised and knowledgeable.But hey, Brody's drunken ramblings were actually kind of sweet.And hopefully that's just jitters from Ziggy.

Hunter and Olivia having sex in the office: Why? I'm not sure there's a single person left that wants them together, we finally seem to have hunted down the last Huntivia shipper.Even people who were passionate about them three years ago seemed to be put off by the whole Axel business.Last year.

I got an inkling towards the end that Willow and Dean were going to end up requisitioning Colby and Robbo's flat.Remains to be seen whether that's their permanent address.More importantly...has anyone bothered to tell Justin that Hazel's dead? You'd expect him to be on the phone to Nina about a visit.