2023 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[Slade]

It’s OK h&lover, just relax.

Eden’s reaction to how off Cash was about being engaged to her was wonderful.  So self-absorbed.  Hopefully that will be a red flag for him.  I do think Cash genuinely likes her as opposed to before where I felt he just wanted to sleep with her but it’s clear she’s way more invested than he is.

I’m going to reserve judgement but I will be disappointed if Justin ships Ava back to her mum.  Leah seemed surprised and supportive when she offered to break the news.  She can't show it but I’m guessing she’s over the moon.

Regarding Rose and Mali, I can see it from both sides.  Mali had a point that Rose seemed more focused on revenge than being with Xander but I do get where she’s coming from because I would feel the same if that was a member of my family.  I was shocked but not surprised Mali finished with her.  He did have reservations about dating her initially and whilst I think he had a point he was more out of shape about the way Rose was being very dismissive of him (which I didn’t like at all) than the fact she wouldn’t stay at the hospital with her brother.

The girl that ODed was cute.

[H&Alover]

I could see it from both sides with Mali and Rose, Xander was under sedation so she would have just been sitting there tying herself in knots not being able to do anything to get the guys that did it and who killed Jamie.  She probably felt she'd be of more use to him getting on with it. Surprised she would be allowed anywhere near the investigation though seeing as she is so close to it, but it seems only her and Cash work there. Oh  no we did see other cops drifting about!    What a coincidence that young girl who'd had an OD was brought in just as Rose was waiting to see how Xander was and what she'd OD'd on was what in the back of the ambo.  Cash very wisely took him off to the cells when Rose started losing it with the dealer, he could later say to his brief she was being aggressive which could jeopardise the case.  On the other hand Mali is very much a  family man so would find it very odd she hadn't stayed with Xander.  It may seem he's been under for days but it was only the next day in H&A land.

Good that we saw the interview with Justin and Leah had with his lawyer and what the options could be.  He, obviously, had to put his hands up and said he'd be pleading guilty, after all there were police and the other standers by who witnessed what he had done.  At least his last assault won't be brought up against him in court.  Not so good when he came back and said Conor was claiming he'd suffered psychological damage as  well as physical. Then the fact it couldn't be proved she sent it and  that she'd sent it to Theo.  But Justin was there when he got it and showed it to him.   They will need to get Theo back to prove it all.  Wouldn't Ava need to tell the lawyer she did send it and why?  

Jett has only just got engaged so isn't John running far ahead of himself wanting to pay for the wedding, it's not as if it's going to be next week is it.  Besides as Maz said he should respect Jett and his ladies wish to want a small occasion.   

 

[CaptainHulk]

Ava chucking blame

[pembie]

1 hour ago, CaptainHulk said:

Ava chucking blame

I blame Leah if she hadn’t run off she could have helped Justin sort Ava out 

And when Justin was getting things sorted out for lawyer what was Leah doing baking muffins lol

[Slade]

13 hours ago, pembie said:

I blame Leah if she hadn’t run off she could have helped Justin sort Ava out 

And when Justin was getting things sorted out for lawyer what was Leah doing baking muffins lol

That’s the spirit!

I didn’t like the way Ava was with Theo at all.  She blamed him for the mess that she caused (And it looks as though she hasn’t apologised to him/Kirby for what she did?).  Theo was impressive, prepared to be the one to offer the olive branch and reconcile things with Ava for Justin's sake even though he was the victim.  In saying that I did really like how she gets on with Roo who appears to have done a massive U-turn.  I do understand Justin’s argument for wanting Ava to go back to Nina’s as if he goes to jail, he won’t be there to look after her anyway and he doesn’t want her to witness him being incarcerated.

Even after the honeymoon phase, if that episode wasn’t an indicator that Felicity hadn't completely thought though getting married, I don’t know what is.  Seems like she was expecting everything to stay magical.

The only thing I have to say about Marilyn is poor Heather.

[CaptainHulk]

Chucking Blame on Theo when it was a situation SHE created!

"You were supposed to rescue me rararara..."

It is INFURIATIANG when people blame-shift and *won't* own what they've caused.

16 hours ago, pembie said:

I blame Leah if she hadn’t run off she could have helped Justin sort Ava out 

And when Justin was getting things sorted out for lawyer what was Leah doing baking muffins lol

Ava would done the whole "Just so, we're clear; You are *not* my mother!" and stock door slaming.

Felicity proving my feeling not being mature enough for marriage. TF is she expecting?!

[H&Alover]

Even Justin apologised to Theo for blaming him.   Ava was blaming Theo, guilt maybe?  But he was the bigger man by going to see her and wanting them to be  a team to stand by Justin.  'They' keep saying he could get the highest sentence but how many years is it? I can see why Justin wants her to go back to Nina, but wouldn't she need to be there to give her evidence?  She sent the text after all, never mind who she sent it to.  She told Justin it was her fault so why the switch in blaming Theo.   Theo and Kirby had only just come back from their break, Irene had to fill them in on what had happened. 

Leah was there for both of Justin's meetings with his lawyer.  You're right Captain Ava would have told Leah "You're not my mother".  Ava does do a lot of walking off in  a strop, bet she is like that at home too.  Has Justin filled Nina in on what has happened?

Depends, I guess, on how mature you are when you get married - Felicity loved the idea of 'getting' married but not the reality of 'being married' and what it is like.  Going on from that, from what Flick said  it seems Mac hadn't told her what had really happened between her and Gabe. She seemed to have had the idea both of them went to Mac's mum.    Apparently someone was running SALT in both their absences, so give that man/woman a bonus. 

[Slade]

I really liked Ava in that episode.  I’m glad she reconciled with Theo and I actually liked their scenes, particularly how Theo was still suspicious of her but accepting that if they were both to support Justin, he had to trust her.  Interesting that her own hypothesis re the whole stalking thing was to do with her dad and Theo effectively being the child that she wasn’t.  I do think Theo had a massive part to play and definitely think there was an element of loneliness and something missing in her life.  I did originally wonder if she was having problems with Nina and maybe used Theo as some form of escape but she’s prepared to go back home so presumably things aren’t that bad but I do wonder how many friends she has.  It’s a shame because, she sorted things with Justin and Theo, Roo was looking out for her so maybe there was potential but I think the main issue with Ava is for her to remain in the Bay she would need a group of kids her own age and that’s effectively gone from the show now (The last thing we had was Ryder/Chloe/Bella/Nikau) and Summer Bay High is non existent.  One of the things I’m going to miss the most is that lovely smile Ava has.

I’m really wasn’t happy with Leah.  Justin was prepared to let Ava stay at the beginning of the episode but because Leah didn’t want her around, she wasn’t going to let that happen.  She emotionally blackmailed her (even claiming before she spoke to Ava that what Ava wants isn’t necessarily what’s best for her) and even came up smelling of Roses.  She looked very smug during the scene at Salt where Ava was telling Justin she was going back home that afternoon.  I do actually understand why the preference for Ava is to go back to the City but I do question Leah’s motives, even though as mentioned previously, Theo was also problematic when he turned up.

I actually think Felicity not changing her name is quite telling.  I actually don’t have an issue with people not taking the spouse’s surnames.  However in this case it’s different as she’s expressed reluctance to get married on multiple occasions, not wanting to have kids so those things combined reinforces non-commitment.

[Foellfan]

Agree with the part re: Flick. I think sadly Tane is starting to see it now it really is too late and that their life ahead will end up being quite lonely for him I think but he was warned multiple times of this, even by Cash who's lovingly spent his life clearing up and trying to repair the damage Flick causes.

[H&Alover]

I have said before Ava can be nice and she does have a lovely smile.  They were good scenes between Theo and he seems to not be  her idol anymore but her surrogate cousin.   She, obviously thinks/thought, he was the son he never had.  Glad he shared the problems he had with Justin when he first turned up,  causing all that bother, getting chucked out and Justin being persuaded by Leah to give him another chance and he did prove himself.   He will, in effect, be losing a father figure. Sadly, as you say Slade if she stayed in the bay there would be no contemporaries for her to hang out with.  Seems Nina hasn't got a clue about what has been happening, has she not spoken to her daughter?   Ava can't be dragged back home either by Justin or Nina, she'd only run away again.

Typical of Ava to say she'd be making her own way back to the city, well not as if she hasn't done it before both ways and when she's been a lot younger.   But Theo is taking her it seems.

We caught a glimpse of Justin's to sort out if he goes to prison list  - the garage, Theo's apprenticeship, band management.  People are telling he might not be but he's got to be realistic, no use leaving it until the last minute. 

I felt differently about Leah's interjection with Ava, I don't think she did want to get 'rid' of her.   She did actually listen to her and Leah isn't favourite person. Leah's seeing it from Justin's side, he'll have enough  to worry about without fretting  about how it'll be affecting Ava sitting there in court.  I know I'm banging on about this but won't her evidence be needed in court as in the text message she sent.  I did groan about the old "to protect you" line though.  Ava could have stayed with Roo who is suddenly her BFF, plenty of room at the Stewart house and Ava even asked about renting a van.  Ava  even gave Leah a hug when she left. 

I think Felicity is forgetting  Tane has never been married either so it's all new to him too, he doesn't know how things should work. I think they should just carry on as before, no big expectations from each other, such as Flick having to do all the cleaning, washing up, laundry, Tane doing all the 'man' stuff.  Talking of expectations she did mention Gemma and others were dropping hints about offspring and when 'they', the bigger family, could  be uncles and aunties.   Thankfully he was on her side about that side of it.   Marilyn didn't change her name when she married John and he's pretty conservative about things like that but he took it onboard eventually.  Does that mean they hadn't signed any kind of register?  

I did  when Ava remarked about these 'young folks' never being off their phones when she was speaking to Roo, Alf and Marilyn in the Diner. 

Moving onto the light relief with Marilyn and her new beauty products, Alf did a hasty retreat,  but I'm already seeing 's and hearing 's ringing.  She's setting up this online business flogging it without even seeing or testing it or knowing what is in it.  That could really backfire on her if someone uses it and has a nasty reaction to it.   Good to see interaction between another diverse pairing - Kirby helping Maz set up her website.