Latest UK Episode Discussion (2006-2017 Seasons)

[H&Alover]

Nothing seemed to be happening very much in that episode and I don't just mean the 'fight'. Rachel was way below the belt to use John's own words to use the riot as an example of people exercising their way of expressing themselves. Was that reverse psychology that Rachel used on Tony and what made John change his mind? I must admit I was puzzled too as to the length of the rounds, Colleen must have had the rules explained to her. At least maybe John and Tony will be able to have a laugh about the whole thing. Harry is a little darling though.

Well I must admit Jill was nothing like I thought she would be! From the way both Romeo and Mink talked about her I imagined her as someone who did drink but was rather downtrodden and depressed, rather than a flirty man eating type. Liked that John said his lady friend wouldn't like it him having a drink with another woman, good for you. Alf seemed equally nonplussed when she flirted with him. We know Marilyn was joking when she called him gorgeous, but Colleen didn't get the joke. I'm guessing at some time Jill did take note of Romeo's address to be able to find him. The caravan park must be a magnet for all runaways and people looking for runaways as everyone gravitates there when they arrive. Not quiet sure why Marilyn gave that little snigger when she heard Jill call Romeo Todd, it's a perfectly good name.

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's episode count this week:Four.

Another episode I found it very hard to muster any real interest in.Firstly, Romeo.Same as last episode with his expression barely changing throughout.And I'm not sure why Todd is supposed to be a funny name either, although having only his mother call him that is a nice touch.I think Jill is a character who could get very irritating very quickly if she continues to be so one-note and I'm not sure if we're meant to overlook the fact she effectively got rich by killing her husband or not.Would an insurance company really pay out for that, even if they think it was Mink that killed him?(On the subject of names, Jill's surname is given as Carpenter in the credits, same as Mink, so it's still not clear where Romeo got Smith from.Working theory:Romeo's using his father's name and Jill and Mink got their surname from his stepfather, who may be Mink's real father but probably isn't.)

Martha and Hugo:Presumably we're meant to be going "Awwww, how cute" but it feels like they're in a fools' paradise, completely ignoring the real world, and that the plot's kind of stalled a bit.

Leah and Elijah:Their effectiveness as a couple aside, they've known each other for about five minutes, he seriously thinks that's the right time to propose?Is it because as a vicar he'd feel more comfortable sleeping with her if she had a ring on her finger or is he just clueless?Thankfully she had the sense to tell him that they're not at that stage yet."Not now" has two "no"s in it?Well, yeah, if you're doing a word search but in terms of what it actually means...

[H&Alover]

I did have a thought (a pretty cynical one) that maybe there was another reason to Jill killing her husband apart from saving Xavier from getting a beating. It must have been a pretty substantial pay out as she says she hasn't worked since then. I didn't get the impression they were all that well off to be able to afford the premiums he/she would have had to pay for it. I guess Romeo was referring to the fact maybe Jill could have afforded to get better legal advice for Mink.

I admit it does seem very quick for Elijah to ask Leah to marry him, but sometimes it does happen that way. I suppose if she didn't have VJ to think about Leah maybe wouldn't be so hesitant.

Hugo and Martha, she really isn't being realistic is she? At least Hugo knows he can't stay inside the house forever. Martha is very likely to give the game away by being suddenly all upbeat and cheerful and walking around with a grin on her face. It's also putting a big strain on Gina and Xavier having to carry on pretending not knowing where he is.

[Red Ranger 1]

I'm still really not sure what we're meant to make of the Austins' actions.It still feels like we're meant to be going "Awww, how sweet" at Martha frolicking around with a guy who's on the run from the police rather than questioning her sanity.Xavier seems to have lost touch with the real world completely and Rachel gets made to feel bad for being the only sensible one among them.When you get a scene of Gina encouraging Xavier to get Ruby to lie to the police, including her own mother, you're left feeling that there's something seriously wrong with this picture.

I get that Gina's having a stressful time but she did seem to overreact to seeing John talking with another woman, even if he didn't help his case by looking as guilty as sin about it.I winced with him when she inevitably walked in just as Jill planted one on him.It's interesting that Tony, who doesn't even like John, is always pretty supportive of his and Gina's relationship, almost as though he recognises that he's good for her.Jill is fast becoming unbearable and I'm not sure why Alf is being so nice towards her even if he has got a thing for annoying women in early middle age.Jill must have had a pretty hefty payout to be able to give away $50,000(or $100,000 if she was going to offer Mink the same amount)and still be well off.I expected Romeo to tear the cheque up straightaway although he got there in the end.Bit odd that Xavier says she didn't get the money by doing anything illegal, I suppose it depends on your point of view.At least we got a bit of banter between Xavier and Romeo, the best thing about both characters.I loved Romeo's assessment of Xavier's state of mind as "I don't care about the ex-rock star with the supermodel wife hanging out with my girlfriend."Incidentally...Liam wants to record a duet with Ruby?Isn't that overstepping staff/ student boundaries a bit?

[H&Alover]

Absolutely agree Red (it looks like it is just you and me on this), the Austins (and Martha the most) seem to be treating the whole thing very lightly. Shouldn't Hugo's face be on Wanted posters by now, it must be more than 24 hours since the deadline? Did my ears deceive me or did Ruby say to Xavier about the Hugo thing, she wasn't sure if she could lie to Charlie!!!! Excuse me is this the same Ruby that asked Xavier (who she wasn't actually with at the time) to lie to give Charlie an alibi when Grant was killed? Hugo certainly has more savvy than Martha as shown when she got home and wondered why he hadn't put the lights on.

I actually felt sorry for John last night (didn't think I would ever be saying that), but as you say Red, he didn't help himself by looking so guilty. It was pretty obvious that he was going to be sprung when Jill launched herself at him. Gina was all ready to give him the benefit of the doubt as well when she saw that. I suppose in a way it's good that Gina isn't too involved with John at the moment what with Hugo being around. Nice of Tony (and a surprise) to stick up for John. Wonder what Gina will think when she finds out that Jill is Romeo's mum! Nice bit of banter between Xavier and Romeo when Romeo told Xavier Jill had been hitting on John and Romeo said " You're single, have a girlfriend, you could be next" (or something like that).

Yes, it was an odd remark of Romeo's about her not doing anything illegal, considering she had killed her husband, not that the authorities know that of course. I thought it was much more subtle and an insult when Romeo gave the envelope back and she opened to find out he had torn the cheque up.

Mmm, Ruby and Liam getting closer, Xavier had two chances to say he would like to have spent time with Ruby, but he passed them both up, then looked all pissed off about it. Is Liam officially a member of the teaching staff? Not sure about the legal/ethical aspect there.

[Red Ranger 1]

Hi there, H&Alover!Yeah, it does just seem to be the two of us posting here at the moment.(Anyone else want to chime in?We'd love to hear your opinions.)My take on Liam and Ruby is that he isn't a member of the teaching staff but he is a member of the school staff so it's probably on a par with Kirsty and Trey last year.

Well, a lot of the things that were irritating about the last episode were still there, although there was some pretty good stuff in as well.I am fast becoming worryingly fond of John, I liked the way he slept all night outside Gina's house to try and talk to her.Although his expression when Jill made that comment about the kiss left me worried that he's going to start thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy.I really liked the little scene between Tony and Gina and the fact that even though he was grinning when John was rejected at the surf club he gives her an even-handed view of the situation.("I can't imagine any woman wanting to kiss John Palmer but that doesn't seem to bother you.")Although when he asked her if John ever let her down, I half-expected her to say "Well, there was the time when my eldest son apparently died and he spent the next three weeks avoiding me but I guess that was just a phase."Most interesting thing is Romeo's attitude:A few months back he considered John as bad as his stepfather and was convinced Gina would end up like his mother and was making pretentious "I hope one day I can help you" speeches.Here, he effectively defends John to her.

Xavier finally seems to realise exactly how much trouble they're in.It seems as though whatever happens, whether or not Hugo is caught, whether he turns himself in, they're gonna be in danger for the rest of their lives(or the rest of Hugo's life, whichever's shortest).It's as if the moment Hugo decided to do things his own way instead of going to the police he doomed them all.Although there'll probably be some pat solution(or even non-solution)a few weeks down the track.The police didn't think to search the roof space?I would have done.Nice little scene between Tony and Rachel:I could see both their points of view, Tony can forgive Hugo because he's his nephew and he wants to think the best of him, while Rachel saw the results of his handiwork and recognises that even though he tried to do the right thing he was still pretty ruthless about it.(Interesting that no-one seems to have commented on the fact that Rachel effectively arranged for Hugo to be arrested by stopping Tony telling him Martha was all right.)The final scene was a big letdown though and I suspect the next episode will be an even bigger letdown.Tony gives Hugo one of the most listless punches in television history:either he went to hit him and missed and Hugo staggered back anyway or he hit him in the arm.And after everything's she said in this episode and the previous one, I was expecting a stronger reaction from Rachel.I don't think she'd refuse to treat him but given that he's just placed her family in danger and dragged her and Tony into assisting a fugitive, I thought she'd do a bit more than give him a really severe glare.

I liked that Charlie and Angelo were professional at the farm and that Martha and Xavier didn't give them any real hassle.The conversations between them were interesting:Angelo is frequently guilty of tunnel vision but we know that he's right about Hugo and he was sort of right about him before (even though Hugo wasn't as high up in the organisation as he thought).Not sure about his assessment of their relationship, Charlie's always challenged him and rightly so.But the kiss...I was laughing my head off during that scene, the way they were both completely befuddled and confused by it.Seriously, they need a lot more scenes like that rather than the constant fighting, that was the funniest and cutest they've been.

[Brian]

Well, a lot of the things that were irritating about the last episode were still there, although there was some pretty good stuff in as well.I am fast becoming worryingly fond of John, I liked the way he slept all night outside Gina's house to try and talk to her.Although his expression when Jill made that comment about the kiss left me worried that he's going to start thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy.

Xavier finally seems to realise exactly how much trouble they're in.It seems as though whatever happens, whether or not Hugo is caught, whether he turns himself in, they're gonna be in danger for the rest of their lives(or the rest of Hugo's life, whichever's shortest).It's as if the moment Hugo decided to do things his own way instead of going to the police he doomed them all.Although there'll probably be some pat solution(or even non-solution)a few weeks down the track.The police didn't think to search the roof space?I would have done.

I liked that Charlie and Angelo were professional at the farm and that Martha and Xavier didn't give them any real hassle.The conversations between them were interesting:Angelo is frequently guilty of tunnel vision but we know that he's right about Hugo and he was sort of right about him before (even though Hugo wasn't as high up in the organisation as he thought).Not sure about his assessment of their relationship, Charlie's always challenged him and rightly so.But the kiss...I was laughing my head off during that scene, the way they were both completely befuddled and confused by it.Seriously, they need a lot more scenes like that rather than the constant fighting, that was the funniest and cutest they've been.

Ah Red Ranger, are you feeling lonely? Does noone else want to come out and play with you? Alright - I'll give it a go then.

Well for a start, I don't like John, haven't done ever since he badmouthed Martha when running for local council. And why haven't we heard of all the wonderful things he's doing for the community now? He was pathetic sleeping outside Gina's - what did he expect? Tea and toast in the morning? And if i was Tony, I would have belted him by now - outside the ring!

Whether Liam is a member of the teaching staff or not, he is an adult working with vulnerable teenage children and he has a duty of care towards them. No way should he be in a 1to1 situation with Ruby and the head should know about him coaching Ruby. Feel sorry for Xavier being sidelined by him. Been pleased to see a lot of Xavier recently (I know you're not keen on him) - I love his character and the great worry that Hugo is causing him, both before and after meeting him again. Pity he told Ruby, but he is the sort of person who needs someone to share troubles with. Hope Ruby can keep the secret. By the way, why haven't you done an episode count for him?

As for Charlie and Angelo, they both need to get a life. You don't mix business with pleasure - it always goes pearshaped!

Thye sgouldn't go out and make a muckup of a search together.

You didn't mention Romeo and his mum. Feel sorry for him seeing her like that all the time. Good for him tearing the cheque up - seeing a more mature side to his character.

[charmed60]

Ill chime in!

The positives about that episode were that I loved the scenes between Gina and John - I thought Sonia played a brilliant part with the comedy of it all and her facial expressions as well as pouring the jug of water over him was classic! I was quite impressed with Tony, the way he defended John and didn't let his own opinions of him influence his advice to the sister. It was a nice little sibling scene between the two of them at the school and I liked Tony's line about him being an arrogant tool and how maybe Jill just thought he was so irresistible that she had to kiss him I can't say I went as far as changing my opinion about John, I still dislike him but I do think he didn't really do anything wrong there, he couldn't help Jill throwing herself at him.

I'm quickly becoming more and more fond of Romeo. I love the way he's so polite and calls John Mr Palmer and also how mature he is, he's obviously put up with a lot from his Mum and it's sad that he's so embarrassed of her although understandable. How old is he meant to be?? He seems so much older than I think he actually is.

You're not the only ones who are annoyed that everyone's seemed to totally forget what Hugo did and I'm glad that Rachel at least is not that easily forgiving. He tried to kill people and seriously hurt all those immigrants including the father of the child Martha adored and looked after - has she forgotten about that? I think he's so selfish coming back and putting his family in danger like that so I can't say I was too upset when Rachel didn't immediately rush to sooth his broken wrist. The scene with little Harry on the beach was I loved how he pointed at gurgled at the birds, very sweet.

The only thing I really want to mention on the Charlie/Angelo storyline was how much I laughed when Angelo, quite seriously and with a straight face said.."maybe I'm losing my cop instincts?"

[H&Alover]

Hi guys, nice of you to join Red and me. Although I have never been John's biggest fan (has anyone?) I believe he genuinely likes Gina and she is overreacting, though part of that could be attributed to worrying about Hugo. At least now she has heard from Romeo what Jill is like she will now accept he had nothing to do with it. I had the same thought when he stopped on the beach and looked back at Jill, almost as if he was thinking (maybe) that since he is being accused of cheating he may as will do just that. I actually thought it was kind of sweet he spent the night outside Gina's (although, just to be picky, it is still Martha's). She looked surprised (and dare I say rather impressed) that he had done that! She had better make it up with him quick or Jill will be in there like Flynn.

It can't have been easy for Romeo to admit his mum was a man chaser, I suppose charmed he seems to be older than he is (16?) because he grew up in foster homes and when he was younger he looked after his mum.

I thought those scenes between Charlie and Angelo were rather lovely She is not afraid to tell him when he comes across as too focused, although he was spot on when he said he had been right about Hugo in the beginning and everyone else said he was wrong. That kiss surprised both of them, but they both enjoyed it. So Hugo hid in the loft, how did he get up there? Xavier had to use a ladder to put the money up there and so did Martha when she found it and put it back, yet Hugo managed to do it without using one. Hence I suppose him falling out after it was all clear. As for Charlie and Angelo not searching the roof space, I think a warrant only allows the police to search open space such as in rooms and outbuildings, but I could be wrong.

Like you Red I could see both sides of Tony and Rachel's argument for and against Hugo. Tony knows what Hugo did was wrong, but that he did make amends and as he said he is family, so perhaps he feels he ought to forgive him. Whereas Rachel treated Hugo's victims and saw how they had suffered so from a doctors point of view her sympathies are with them. Be interesting to see if her doctor instincts will kick in and if she will attend to Hugo or not. After all she must have treated other criminals in hospital, though of course in those cases it hasn't been a member of family (albeit by marriage).

[Red Ranger 1]

Yes, thanks for chipping in, people, and keeping H&Alover and myself company.I didn't comment on Romeo and Jill because it felt like there wasn't anything new but I do think the storyline provides an interesting new perspective on Romeo, I assumed his aversion to alcohol was because of his stepfather but now it seems as much to do with his mother.I think he's meant to be 17 or 18, a year younger than Nicole and a year older than Ruby and Xavier.

I was kind of afraid it wouldn't follow on from the previous episode with Rachel and Hugo given that they were all nearing their episode limit but I wasn't expecting the storyline to disappear completely, aside from Angelo making an oblique comment about search warrants.Although it's slightly frustrating to be left on an unresolved cliffhanger, I actually didn't mind that much because after all the high drama of late it was nice to get a light and fluffy episode.Well, kind of.Leah and Elijah continue to work a lot better with other people.I liked Leah's scenes with Charlie and Miles' scenes with Elijah.("No, no, no, don't ask me for advice, that never goes well...")I'm glad Leah seems to be sticking to her guns and realising it's too soon.(Although her speech about proposals led me pondering that she turned Vinnie down the first time, albeit with extenuating circumstances, and was engaged to Ted before him...)Irene seems to have reverted to teenagehood, her "Oh, that's so romantic" speech at the start felt like she was channelling Ruby although she calmed down a bit later.Marilyn's advice made me cringe, I was practically chanting "Don't listen to her, Elijah, don't listen to her" throughout.The ending confused me to start with since I thought Nicole knew about Elijah's proposal:Thinking back, perhaps she didn't, but it still felt strange that she'd just assume he was looking after the ring for someone else and barge in on him and Leah.

So...Charlie and Angelo.I'm going to ignore the warning bells and hope they carry on writing them in this vein instead of having them fall out in a couple of weeks because they think it makes for good drama.Because they were adorable here.Angelo gets another scene of getting drunk and pouring his soul out to Alf, which is always good to see.Nicole's advice was...not so great but, we had a thread on this a while back and I'm 99% certain that's the first time we've seen Angelo and Nicole talk to each other so that's got to be noteworthy.And Alf's sarcastic "Do you want a saucer of milk?" made me smile.I was cringing during their desperate attempts to be casual and egging Angelo on during the scene where he's debating whether to go back into the office or not.Their final asking each other out was rather sweet.

There was something about Marilyn and Colleen as well but my interest levels dropped to about zero around that point so I can't be bothered to comment.