2018 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[H&Alover]

Mason had got the OK to pass on the info about Bella from his supervisor, not that was any anyway. No  problem with Christina and her fancying Hunter but is she is his course tutor so things can't go any further, never mind he is 18 and an adult it would be a breach of trust.

[D.B]

By far, the Ty storyline is the most interesting I have seen in an extremely long time. They're portraying it so well, and there's so much care and sensitivity in it. I feel so sorry for Ty and I respect him so much as well. He didn't want to come out at school yet, and it must have been so tough for him to have done it, and he only did it to defend Raffy, so he earns my complete respect. And i love how caring everyone else is, how Roo offering her door open for anytime Ty wants to talk, to John and Marilyn being their best here, and I absolutely love Coco, Raffy and Ryder here, their words were so wonderful and inspiring. I suppose the song in the school and everyone's reaction did seem a bit cheesy, but honestly I liked it, it was nice. Raffy and Ryder were wonderful today, and their banter at the end was fun, and I really enjoyed Maggie and Roo's conversation. Also thank god, that they found a match for Maggie, it's not guaranteed, but it's about time we got some good news.

Hunter and Christina- I am extremely confused as to what's going to happen there. 

[Red Ranger 1]

Not sure what to make of the Justin and Willow stuff, although it did remind me, after months of them barely interacting, that they actually play off each other well.The episode mostly killed time until they found out things we already know but it's hard to see Justin just giving up from hereon in.

When I saw the last episode, I thought Christina didn't "notice" Hunter until she saw him with his shirt off, but it felt from here like she's giving him this opportunity because she fancies him.He didn't look entirely comfortable about her touching him and, while I'm not normally one to defend Hunter, as with Jennifer not taking no for an answer, there's an awkward feeling that if the genders were reversed it might be more than a little uneasy.

Ben again shows how high Maggie is in his priorities, while being typically blunt with Diana.Good that she and Maggie have cleared the air.Not sure that Ziggy needed to apologise to her but she got a holiday out of it...

[Slade]

Diana was a lot better yesterday than the last time we saw her but I'm still slightly suspicious because of her manipulative nature.

There initially appeared to be chemistry with Hunter and Christina on Friday but he did seem uncomfortable when she was putting her hands on him after hours in the gym (I would have just laid back and enjoyed the experience).  She seemed OK before but it felt like there was a more sinister side to her in that episode.  I do find it quite funny though how Alf is team Hunter.

Willow is like a vampire - Sucks the life out of anybody around her.  I don't find her to be an interesting character and I feel she makes other characters around her uninteresting.  In terms of trying to help with her gambling addiction, I honestly don't think she's worth it.  I do find it's interesting that she's blames her recent predicament on her breakup with Justin.  Hopefully Justin won't get back with her as that is the last thing he should be doing with an addict as I mentioned in my post with Brody recently re him marrying Ziggy.

[H&Alover]

Let's get the silly observation out of the way first - just where did Justin go for that coffee -  Colombia?  Definitely think it's time the locals got a discount they use the rooms enough.

We'll skip over why Diana hadn't got the letter but Ben's phone message obviously did the trick and she was a lot more reasonable and she did listen to Maggie rather than trying to impose her will.  I think she made the right decision to go back home at the moment it should just be Ben, Ziggy & Coco, there won't be any news for a few days anyway.  While a lovely gesture on her part to give Ziggy & Brody $5000 for a honeymoon overseas wonder how Brody will feel about leaving Salt for what may be a while.  he was OK with a week but  it is his business he'll be leaving.

Although Willow accepted she had a problem she now seems to think she can handle it on her own when it soon become apparent she can't. With Brody's addiction keeping him away from drugs was more easily resolved but with Willow she can use her phone to call a online bookie anytime or as in her case calling an old friend of her dad's to put a bet on for her.  Luckily this time Justin was within earshot to stop her, her desperation when the horse won and she hadn't been able to place a bet on it. Justin dropped the ball by blurting out about the $3000 therefore revealing Dean had told him.   She is so used to doing things for herself by herself but there does come a time when even the most independent person has to accept help. Be interesting to see how Justin goes from here seeing as she revealed her breaking up with him turned her back to the dark side.

Looks like Hunter has realised Christina's attention is more than it should be going by his conversation with Mason, may be wise not to confide in Olivia in his fears.  It's how he is going to handle it from now on which will decide if he continues to let her train him. She is his course tutor so a different situation from him and Jennifer and she is the older adult in this.  He's had enough of controlling older women. I may be wrong but I think she clocked he'd sensed what she was doing wasn't right, also and I may be totally wrong but it may not be the first time she's tried this. Echo's of Angie and Nick spring to mind.

 

[Red Ranger 1]

I’m continuing to like the repartee between Justin and Willow, there’s definitely chemistry there. Willow’s chat with Tori was interesting, it seems like she associates gambling with happy times with her father, which may explain the allure. Again, Tori worked far better doing medical stuff than obsessing over guys that she may or may not fancy, although giving Willow her phone back just because they’ve had a chat seemed downright insane: There’s no magic cure and it’s hard to see how putting the tools to act on temptation back in her hand will help. Frankly, I’d be inclined to say “No, I don’t trust you” when she asked if Justin wanted to check she really was going to see a counsellor (which we’ve only her word on). Elsewhere, Patrick O’Connor is imbuing Dean with enough vulnerability that I have a bit of sympathy for him even though that money still probably doesn’t come from window cleaning. A few shifts at the garage wouldn’t really dent a $6,000 debt but the money would still come in useful so it seemed silly to turn that down.

I like Mason but he wasn’t really a very good friend to Hunter here; Hunter’s obviously not comfortable with the situation with Christina but Mason just made a joke out of it.

The Astoni stuff continues to tug at the heart strings and Ben’s breakdown in the chapel, overcome by the enormity of just how much everything is riding on this transplant, was very affecting. It’s interesting that it’ll be over three months before they know whether it was successful or not. I hope that we get a proper follow-through on it. I’ve been reminded recently of Maddy’s cancer storyline, another occasion that Home and Away defied low expectations for cancer storylines by making it very good, but which was just allowed to fizzle out with a throwaway reference to the chemo working. This time, I hope we get to see the follow-up appointments and see her getting the news, whatever it may be.

[H&Alover]

Keep forgetting to mention Ryder and his Robin William's impression when he took the mike at SBH! 

Tori is definitely a better doctor than a date prospect, even though she isn't a counsellor she did a good job in persuading Willow to see one, though there may be a slight invested interest because of Justin. If I'm right it appears she's always liked a flutter  down to her dad being a bookie, now when things go wrong, like her dad's illness she tries to recreate happy times by gambling ditto her breakup with Justin. I believe she wants to get out of the cycle she's in and has gone to see the counsellor.

I was thinking the same Red about Mason laughing off Hunter's concern about Christina coming on to him making it sound as if Hunter was full of himself.  There was definite tension on his part when he met up with her later. Question is does he throw away a chance of a lifetime by telling Christina he's changed his mind or carry on and keep it professional on his part, the lines can easily get blurred.

Oh dear Dean thought he had it tough when he was living with one ex cop - now it's two and he's an ex Fed!  Although normally he would have taken Justin up on his offer he's not going to know when Brett is going to demand his services so have to drop everything to go where he's ordered. Typical really Brett or one of his men managed to hide that stash of cash on that boat unseen but when Dean goes to retrieve it he gets nabbed by Alf.  He must have been sleeping with one eye open that night and must have been a relief when he got it packed away in the locker in the gym even then Colby had to be around.  So why is Robbo out on bail again, this time tagged, did he convince the prison authorities he'd behave? He's still twitchy re Ebony with good reason I'd say having seen the trailer.  Someone on the Australian page has mentioned the fact that Robbo had had CCTV fitted in the flat so why hadn't that been used to show what Ebony had done to Colby and maybe her dumping the phial of poison in the bin, the only thing I could think was  he had it removed after Kat died as she was the main reason he had it fitted when Kovak was after her.

On a lighter note Ty was thrown a great party, though a little sad to hear he'd never had a party before.  Good moment when Ryder asked Ty if he was jealous about him getting back with Coco and he was fine with it even joking he was 'so over him'.  Lovely moment between Ryder and Coco and the kiss, cheered on by Raffy & Ty.  I didn't think Raffy had told Marilyn about Ty's intention to run away when he was 16, obviously he's now changed his mind, he's settled and happy, but not surprising Marilyn & John are a tad jumpy.  The call from Christine was a bit odd though.

Good to see Maggie got through the transplant OK, just a matter of wait and see now, very touching moment of Ben in the chapel seeing him at his most vulnerable.

I was surprised that Brody seemed eager to go away and leave SALT and it was Ziggy who wanted to postpone the trip.  Justin did make a valid point later about Brody & Ziggy getting their own place once Maggie was a lot better and Ziggy felt OK to leave. He's more than understanding at the moment but Ziggy will have to realise at some point she's now got a husband who should come first.  Maggie would certainly agree so would Ben, they'd be glad to get the place to themselves (and Coco).

[D.B]

The stuff with Justin, Willow and Tori was interesting to see, we now know there was more background as to why Willow turned to gambling instead of starting it just because she had the app on her phone. Tori giving her back the phone is risky but I think there's more chance of her not going on the app again now that someone has actually sat down and talked to her about it without Willow flying off the handle, once again Dr Tori as her best. Seeing her with Justin again was good, it reminded me how much well they are together. Dean continues to be a puzzle to me- Justin gives him a right completely legal way to get out of this, and he refuses it? Only to get involved in even more dodgy stuff? Alf was right, he's only trouble. 

Great to see Robbo out and about again, even though he's restricted with him being tagged, which is a shame, because if Ebony's still out there, Robbo seems the only one competent enough to find her. I did like his scenes with Colby, the two really have a good friendship and now both are on their guard with Ebony if she shows up again. I also liked his conversation with Justin, Justin giving him moral support was kind of what I wanted the first time when he and Tori found out Robbo was charged for Hazel and that he also acknowledged Robbo giving himself up for Tori and the family, it helps my opinion that despite his mistakes, I believe Robbo's heart was always in the right place (I did have doubts of course during the whole Beckett Reid thing, but since he came to the bay, most of his actions have been good). 

 The Astoni stuff was very sweet. It's good to see Maggie got through the transplant. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it'll work. It was heartbreaking to see Ben in the church praying, being so strong for Maggie and then breaking down about how much this transplant could mean, very well acted out. 

The Ty birthday was very nice to see and I'm glad they all came together for him, especially since he's never had a party before. Ryder and Coco- I'm divided. On one hand, it was very cute and they do seem happy together, but on the other, I was hoping for something more between him and Ty. But they're all happy now and that's what matters, though the call from Christine may mean changes. 

The Brody and Ziggy stuff was sweet, it was nice of Diana to give them the trip, but it was also nice to see them waiting for Maggie. Brody really is the patient one, isn't he? Justin gave some really good advice. 

[Red Ranger 1]

I rolled my eyes a bit at Robbo just walking back into town after dramatically (or not so dramatically, since we didn’t see it) surrendering to the police last week. The hoops the show jumps through to keep him around get pretty ridiculous at times: Are we really meant to believe that living with a former police officer who was just sacked for lying in his application is considered a selling point? The Ebony storyline has also become less interesting now that everyone knows she’s the baddie (even the police, probably, despite them still blaming Robbo for one of her crimes) and we’re just getting square-jawed declarations that she’s going to pay. I’m assuming the police are after her for the attempt to kill Colby at least, so what’s with all this faffing about sending the phone to Lance: Why not just hand it to the local police? (At worst, they’re withholding evidence!) I was glad that the Colby/Jasmine stuff got shut down even though Jasmine really wasn’t giving off unavailable vibes. Not only has Olivia learned nothing from stuffing up last time she pushed them together but Irene decided to join in.

The stuff with the teens was good though. It’s a bit flippant to have Ty declare he’s “so, SO over” Ryder, but he’s in the same boat as Raffy, liking someone that’s incapable of returning the feelings so having to accept just friends. I haven’t exactly been clamouring for Ryder and Coco to get back together, but they’ve had some okay stuff recently so I’ll go with it. Sadly, we got far too much focus on Marilyn making everything all about her and showing less maturity than a 15-year-old girl. I think John and Marilyn’s behaviour with Raffy has soured them as foster parents somewhat for me, which is a shame: The show had the perfect opportunity to put things right by having Raffy go through an uncomfortable break-up with Ty and want some distance, but instead they just kept clinging to this set-up. I will credit them with realising that that actually is part of fostering and they can’t stand in his way (even though they’re standing in Raffy’s) and I actually thought Ty was over-sensitive in thinking they wanted him out, because what they said was pretty even-handed and didn’t suggest anything of the sort, even if John’s Spartans story probably didn’t help. Nice touch that Raffy and Ryder didn’t really believe it.

[H&Alover]

It would take years of Dean doing a few shifts at the garage to pay back Brett's $6000 whereas him doing a few dodgy jobs for Brett although high risk will be quicker.  Dean has shown his decent side again by  keeping Justin, Willow and Colby unaware of what he is doing so not to drag them into it, anything goes wrong it's only him involved. 

The police at Yabby Creek couldn't find anything on the burner phone which is why Colby has got it back (I think) but as Robbo said the Feds will have better resources, hence his call to Lance, back off under cover duties(?),  until it's discovered what is on it we don't know if any evidence is being withheld. As yet though no evidence against Ebony for killing her mum apart from her being in the motel room. I take it that no-one has traced where the poison came from?

Actually Olivia & Irene interfering helped sort things out between Jasmine & Colby, they talked and decided they should now be friends, just friends.  Jasmine said it really when she said to Colby they had their chance but owing to outside influences the moment passed.  I think they'll be good as friends and maybe convenient she was there when 'Bella' made contact.  The fact 'she' knew where Bella & Colby lived wouldn't be that hard to find, old newspaper records and Ebony did sneak a look at his file which as soap plotlines dictate he'd left lying around again. He also told her something about his and Bella's life together.  Please tell me she isn't back at the motel!  It was inevitable she'd show up as Colby & Robbo were talking about her earlier and I sense trouble ahead.

Well as misunderstandings go the one between Marilyn, John & Ty was up there with the best. Marilyn totally panicked over the fact Ty might leave and of course caused utter confusion and upset Ty in the process.  However thanks to Raffy marching him off to face Maz & John it was all cleared up..  Ty may have felt his coming out had turned to out too much for John & Marilyn after all and that is why they 'suggested' if he wanted to leave they wouldn't stop him. No mention of his granddad who he had seemed perfectly happy to be living with, or maybe it wasn't as happy as he made out, has it been decided by TPTB he won't be fit enough to look after Ty?  Ty hardly mentions him and as far as we know never visited him.

Ty's 'crush' on Ryder was quite new so  maybe easier for him to let go, I think as long as Ryder is happy Ty is and they'll carry on being good mates, ditto TY and Raffy being mates after their, admittedly, tentative romance failed. Wonder what Ryder will do for his date with Coco.  Coco is a simple girl and I mean that in the best possible way she's not one for OTT gestures just as long the giver is genuine in their intentions.