2023 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[Dan F]

5 hours ago, H&Alover said:

But an ID still wouldn't mean Esther is Andrew's mum

Exactly - first quick thing Cash could do was check out the records to verify that Esther Lawrence changed her name. Secondly and most importantly, they should have done a DNA test before letting her anywhere near Andrew. I know there's the whole 'but he's over 16' thing, but a professional has already established that his social/educational age is that of a 8-9 year old, so surely they should class him as a somewhat vulnerable young adult.

[Red Ranger 1]

Given that there'd presumably be a DOB on record for Esther Lawrence, the first step would be to check it matches the one on the ID.Next would be to contact the people who issued the ID (whatever the Australian equivalent of the DVLA is) to check that it's genuine and that it is the same person that they've been looking for.Maybe I'm being naive but requesting a DNA test seems a bit paranoid.Of course, the whole thing was ridiculously rushed, with Justin and Leah basically going "Hello, strange lady we know nothing about who only turned up today and who Andrew clearly doesn't know! Come and take him!"

Anyway, today. I'm still not sure why Alf, Marilyn and Roo, who all live together, seem to have conversations anywhere but their house with no-one else involved or eavesdropping (so, sorry, H&Alover, that one doesn't work). And I'd have thought it was pretty obvious why the voice was disguised: So the person speaking can't be identified by their voice. Anyway, Marilyn and Roo did the sensible thing and spoke to the police. (I was rather amused that they insisted on speaking to Rose: They obviously know Cash is useless.) Of course, we then had another of those moments where I'm left wondering why John is so nice to Marilyn when she's always so horrible to him in return...

At least Mackenzie showed him a bit of respect in recruiting him to get Mali to his party, even if he is going about it by the most roundabout way possible. Mali still hasn't told his family he's moved (apart from Elandra), although at least that means we haven't missed anything. His conversation with Rose was painfully awkward.For all his shock, it was probably Xander that convinced Mackenzie not to invite Rose, given his comments about them needing time and distance.

Fair play to Tane for inviting Felicity to go with him and fair enough her choosing to stay behind, even though Mackenzie does seem to be on more of an even keel now.

[H&Alover]

Thing is cops,  or rather Cash, didn't seem to do any of that.  Even with doing it online would take sometime, check one system to see if it matches up with   what they have and depends how far back you have to go. Wanting a DNA test for a random stranger claiming to be someone's mum isn't paranoid and especially, as who as Dan F said, is classed as vulnerable adult and not your average 17 year old.   It does seem from the trailers it all unravels tonight rather  spectacularly especially for Cash.  Jason loses it so will he be banged  up as he breaks one of his bail conditions?   He & Leah were taking Cash's word for she said who she said she was. 

But we don't know who could be listening do we?   How is it obvious, as I said I didn't think Maz had spoken to anyone at SO and even if she had there are other people there who she hadn't.  Seems a bit bizarre and very OTT for them to use a disguised voice to threaten someone.   But I do have my own crazy theory as to what I have read in spoilers.*   Anyway correct decision for once,  with Roo & Marilyn going to the cops, touching she wants to keep Alf of  it  so he can go and see Martha and not worry.   Cash is rather tied up and OK useless,  I hope TPTB aren't suggesting a woman cop would be more sympathetic than a male one as that message was definitely menancing.    She is good at what she does and got on it pronto.  Who ever did it has laid a false trail so know what they are doing.  Maz wanted Alf left out of what was happening and that she Roo were going to the police so maybe she wanted to keep John out of it too as he would be right there for her if he knew.  Rose was taking it very seriously and it appeared she was right to. 

*Which brings me to my out there theory as to who sent that voice message -  Heather (or someone she knows)!     I'm guessing she is still locked up or if she is does she have access to what is going on in the outside  world so was able to read the piece on Marilyn in the paper.  Those comments could easily be something she would say knowing how she felt about Maz.  Plus she was good at getting  people to do what she wanted.  Plus there is something I have read which would be very OTT even for the ruthless people behind SO. Whacky I know but it's just my theory so not  a spoiler. 

Missed seeing Tane going, did he go straight from the mooring the boat to the airport, wouldn't he need his passport, did he pop home and get it.  Couple of reasons Felicity gave, one of them being it involved his family but now it's hers so didn't really wash, Tane would have needed her there just as someone to talk to. 

Mali obviously doesn't live that close to his mum as she would have clocked he wasn't around as much.  Lovely photo of him and his dad sent by Elandra.  Nice idea of Mac arranging a surprise party for him.  Oh John trying to keep him away from home and SALT only he could play it like that.   I haven't seen todays yet  so only saw the disappointment on Rose's face when Xander said he was off to Mali's party which she hadn't been invited to. Did he not twig it could have been what he implied to Mac about keeping Rose and Mali apart for a while?  Xander or Mac could have asked her then it would have been her choice not to go. It certainly wasn't Mali's fault he didn't know he was having a party. 

 

 

[CaptainHulk]

Couple people on here probably would be salivating at the thought of Heather striking back. 

Wouldn't have turned Rose away looking like that tbh. That little blue number looked great on her.

[Foellfan]

Re: Felicity, I'm glad she stayed out of it; just because you're married doesn't necessarily mean being automatically involved in your spouse's family neck deep, especially on the sensitivity of the subject, besides subtly and sensitivity isn't exactly in Felicity's wheelhouse overly, is it?

[c120701]

I’m loving all these scenes of Marilyn in the Beach House, it’s been so long since we’ve seen it, it needs more than Irene living in it.

[CaptainHulk]

1 hour ago, Foellfan said:

Re: Felicity, I'm glad she stayed out of it; just because you're married doesn't necessarily mean being automatically involved in your spouse's family neck deep, especially on the sensitivity of the subject, besides subtly and sensitivity isn't exactly in Felicity's wheelhouse overly, is it?

Her Maturity's all over the shop

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's episode count this week:Three.

Bree annoyed me more than a little here.I'll give her credit for trying to be a good friend to Rose, but she seemed to make the wrong call at every turn.She was just as guilty as Mackenzie of treating Rose like a "psycho ex-girlfriend who can't be allowed out in public", to the point that she literally didn't let her go out in public, and unlike Mackenzie, who felt bad about making the wrong call, she ended the episode acting smug as if she was right.Not only did she stop Rose going to a party where she'd likely have received a warm welcome and everything could have been sorted out, but she then filled her head with nonsense about how it was Mali's problem.It was a relief that things were sorted out quickly when Mali turned up.It was nice that, while he didn't do a good job of acting natural, John got Mali to the party as ordered.Mackenzie responding to John taking two slices of cake by giving him a third cemented her status as the person who shows him the most genuine affection.

Marilyn spending more time at Irene's house than her own reached ridiculous levels here with her not even going home at night! Is it because the beach house is closer to the Diner or is she trying to keep Alf and Roo out of the line of fire? To try and explain a bit better, just because Marilyn might not immediately recognise an undisguised voice doesn't mean the person would want to have their real voice on record for Marilyn or the police to recognise it later.Part of me would love to see Heather turn up, but not for them to use her as a panto villain again.

The final revelation would have had more (or any) impact if the previous episode's promo hadn't already shown us not only the revelation but all the stuff that comes after it next week.And if most people hadn't guessed it already.I don't think a DNA test is necessary because everyone knows who Andrew's mother is, they just don't know where she is.If there was some way of confirming her identity, like properly verified ID or someone from the original case who knows her, that would have been enough.Instead, I'm left thinking that Theo should have left it to the professionals instead of messing everything up and the professionals (ie Cash) should have done their job instead of assuming a rock star had sorted it for them.All four of them-Justin, Leah, Cash and Theo- were so busy patting themselves on the back for giving Andrew a happy ending that they completely failed their duty of care.(Okay, Theo isn't technically responsible for Andrew, but if he was going to take it upon himself to find his family, he should have seen it through, not disappeared off before she even turned up.)To be fair, if Andrew didn't tick the magic "over 16" box, I doubt he'd have been allowed to live with Leah and Justin in the first place, so it's worked for and against them.

[pembie]

Have to laugh at both Justin and Cash really Justin for looking Andrew in the eye and promising that he won’t let anything bad happen to Andrew and then letting him drive off with first nutter to come along And Cash looking smug and proud that he thinks he has done a good job 

[H&Alover]

 

Bree did show an annoying side there, which isn't normally like her so it was kind of odd.   Rose does have more maturity than turning up at SALT and causing havoc. Don't forget she didn't know it was Mali who hadn't invited her so could she have had the notion of turning up and just embarrassing him just being there - does that make sense?   

Mac made one hell of an assumption by not asking Rose but she did apologise to Mali who did go to see Rose - taking a piece of cake - and explained what had happened and Rose to her credit did listen.  Those in the know did keep advising him he should tell his mum he's now living in the bay which he should, imagine  how she'd feel if she found out some other way. Echoes  of Kahu not telling  his mum about his big secret.   John did do a good job by keeping Mali out of the way all that time so deserved those pieces of .   Eden & Cash nearly spoilt it by turning up when they did.  Was it an open invite to the whole bay apart from the guys and gals Mali knows, certainly plenty there. 

I think both in a way about Maz staying at Irene's, she did try and get Alf to got off to Martha's early  but he wasn't having a bar of it as he'd only be in her way.  Fair enough about the disguised voice but that threat wasn't exactly idle. 

The Task Force I'm guessing would have Andrew's mum's DNA on record  or any other proof, the original team would know  who she is and what she looks like - but Cash or Yabbie Creek don't have that info.  Any responsible cop shop wouldn't just take her word and a driving licence as proof as to she said she is.  Did she not have any other paperwork - unusual I know but not everyone has a passport - something else. 

We  did see more in the trailer than we saw on Friday, is it accidental by TPTB when they that  or do thy do it to keep us watching?  It did all unrave,l well for Cash at least, as we saw the Task Force do a slo-mo from one office to another which absolutely screams it's serious. Was that a brief glimpse we got of Sarge?   Why do they feel the need for slo-mo and speedy uppy scenes??  It did appear Justin hasn't been thrown  in jail for  violating his Good Behaviour Bond as we saw him talking to Cash later on on the green by the beach. 

 

 

 

 

On 14/07/2023 at 20:30, CaptainHulk said:

Her Maturity's all over the shop

She can be mature and sensitive when it's important.