2023 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's episode count this week:Three.

I felt like punching the air when Justin pointed out Leah (and several others) got taken hostage because Marilyn would rather lie to people than admit she had a daughter: Obviously not forgotten by him, even if everyone else wants to. I think he had to endure Marilyn as a housemate once before and hated it, but she's never short of people prepared to baby her, so of course she lands on her feet. Oddly, I didn't mind Roo's behaviour as much here and did quite enjoy seeing her dropping the act after everyone saw what they wanted to see.

I was hoping we'd hear more about Madden but nope, the show seems to have decided that aspect of the storyline's over and let's move on to Cash's dramas, not the least of which was Eden being unnecessarily resentful about him helping Harper, even if she did calm down when he gave a full explanation. It was nice to see Tane's still running the self-defence classes, even if Eden quickly ditched them for her reunion with Cash. It's a shame he wasn't privy to Felicity's panic when she thought he wanted children before, or he might have thought twice about doing it for real.

I kind of have to agree that Kirby should know that if she reads other people's stuff, she might not like what she sees.Anyway, I'm glad Theo supported her regardless.

[c120701]

Tane wanting to suggest starting a family only a couple of months after Felicity was raped seemed really insensitive, I don’t think he’s been particularly patient with her in that regard since it happened.

[Dan F]

Not sure if anyone noticed, but a loose end from the Stunning Organics storyline was quietly answered in today's ep.

Remember how Roo went off to the hospital for tests after her reaction to the face mask, and they were said to be testing the products also, but it was never followed up on-screen...?

Confirmation that she is allergic to salicylic acid.

In other words, the reaction she had to the face mask was not a fault of the product, but rather her happening to be allergic to a common ingredient used in countless skincare products (as we thought at the time). And there's nothing to say the other few people who got in touch with Maz didn't have the same.

Business practices and dodgy CEO aside, it's hardly surprising they tried to sue for defamation really after the campaign about their 'toxic' products - it's like trying to call for a ban on Hovis after being diagnosed as coeliac.

[Foellfan]

Brilliant! Love those little moments. Got a shiver at Clexane though, remember having to do the injections (needlephobe both having and doing!)

[Slade]

Judging by Eden's reaction when he told her he had been helping Harper, can't really say I blame him for not telling her about the whole corruption thing straight away.  I did find it funny he waited until after sleeping with Eden before he said something (Maybe he was worried he wouldn't get laid).  Fair play to Eden for accepting Cash's explanation but I couldn't help but think her initial objection to him helping Harper is that's Harper's an attractive female and so perceived as a threat.

When I saw bubbly Marilyn on the preview, I burst out laughing knowing Roo didn't really want to reconcile and put on an act just for Alf's benefit.  I have to admit, she was pretty ruthless.  I did quite enjoy seeing Leah deal with it but at the same time adopting Alf's approach of 'Marilyn first' was a little frustrating.  I was also glad Justin was the voice of reason, reminding Leah about Heather and the fact Roo's lying was nowhere near as bad as Marilyn's.  You'd think given both she and Justin have been hospitalised fairly recently, Leah could appreciate how difficult it is for Roo with months of pain and rehabilitation.  I can't believe I'm saying this but I did feel sorry for Marilyn when she was crying.  Not sure she deserves it given how she abandoned Heather a second time.

One concern of mine with Felicity getting married is that she made it clear she didn't want to have children and Tane was always going to suggest this at some point.  I can see the argument about suggesting it so quickly after the attack.  It will be interesting to see the aftermath.  Fair play for them not showing anything in the preview although I'm looking forward to seeing the stuff with Eden/Cash/Harper.

[H&Alover]

Alf very neatly answered my question about who would be looking after the Caravan Park  while he's away - he's closing it.  Roo had no right dragging Leah into her feud with Marilyn and expecting her to lie for her.  But, thankfully, once she knew Alf had gone, she did admit the truth to Maz.   I'm glad I hadn't misremembered Maz had stayed with Justin before.   Couldn't Marilyn had gone to Irene's?  One little point, I'm supposing Alf may be ringing either Roo or Maz while he's away to find out how things are going, how will either of them explain her absence? 

No cosmetic company even responsible ones which SO weren't,  can't cover every allergic reaction a person trying their products may have.  It wouldn't be humanly possible. But saying that a previous user had had the same reaction so it and others containing that product should have been taken off the market before it got to Roo. 

Well, if Remi and Eden will leave the lyrics to their song just lying around no surprise it could be read by anyone walking into their house, especially if you leave the door wide open.     Another lovely little scene between Theo and Kirby, great they could put their recent break up behind them and he was very supportive of her and it seems he is going to the Launch Party.  He hasn't got the same history with her and the others like she has. 

Madden could be bubbling away under the surface, Cash has just heard he's being suspended which is down to his behaviour during the case.   Cash couldn't have told Eden about the corruption case, these things are usually kept under wraps and only those who need to know know.   Cash has said to Eden before he and Harper were just friends but of course she may think there may have been something else.  Irene thought the same thing when said he knew Harper before. 

May be bad timing on Tane's part suggesting he and Felicity start a family so soon after her rape.  There is going to be a need for them to have a good talk.  I know she made it plain she never wanted kids, but guys can say that too  when they are into a relationship along the line enough to have that discussion which can be a no brainer for some couples.  He was accepting  of it at the time, but he is allowed to change his mind as Flick would be if the boot was on the other  foot. Is there a specific reason why she doesn't or she is it she just can't see herself as a mum. 

Just two weeks before the Christmas break - 17th November - so we'll have to see how the current plotlines will pan out. 

 

[Red Ranger 1]

I found Eden very annoying today: Not only with her attitudes towards Harper and Dana, but also with the way she managed to make the situation with Tane and Felicity more awkward by giving him false hope.Well, I say Harper and Dana, but it's clearly Harper she has a problem with, and it's clear that her main problem is that Cash has an attractive female friend that he's willing to put himself on the line for. It was nice that Felicity got involved with the sisters a bit, hopefully she won't let Eden's opinion colour her view of them going forward! Also glad to get an update on Olly, which was the best we were going to get. I was somewhat bemused that Dana was walking around free before the charges were officially dropped: Was she on bail? I guess it doesn't matter now! It feels like Cash should really be talking to his union representative rather than any of the options Eden was throwing out. Anyway, I notice Harper and Dana are regulars now, so I guess Eden will have to get used to them!

I'm trying my best to be even-handed with Tane and Felicity, and thankfully I can empathise with them both while acknowledging both of them have handled the situation badly in places. Tane's got a right to ask the question, and Felicity really shouldn't have tried to avoid the conversation, but I can understand her not liking upsetting him.Felicity's reasoning wasn't entirely solid and I can understand Tane questioning it, but there does come a point where he has to keep his word and accept her decision even if he doesn't fully agree with it. So hopefully they'll get there!

[Slade]

I still can't help but think Eden does perceive Harper as a threat.  Maybe she doesn't like the fact she's friends with Cash.  However, watching Harper this episode, I can partly see where Eden's frustrations lie and she's starting to get on my nerves.  It just feels like Harper is acting like a goody two shoes and seems to be ignoring the reality of the situation she's currently in.  When Rose called her out last week, she asked if there was a problem and she did the same today when Eden first met Dana and said, you're the sister before having a go at them, almost as if Eden doesn't have a right to be unhappy (If Dana and Harper are regulars, that's great as Dana's not bad looking at all).  In both cases Harper comes across as oblivious to why she's being called out.  And I also think Eden made a valid point about Harper not giving any indication to Felicity at Salt what happened with Cash.  The cynic in me would even go as far as to say Harper purposely brought up the stuff about the mediation with Felicity's attacker to throw off any discussion about the whole corruption case.  I think a lot of people in Eden's position wouldn't be too happy about this.  I know Cash and Irene made conscious decisions but it did feel like there was some guilt tripping from Harper.  Cash obviously hasn't told Eden he could go to jail.  Although Irene appeared to be the only one actually worried about it.

I think the whole thing with Felicity and Tane was pretty bad, although in this particular case, I can't blame her because she's been honest from the beginning.  When Eden was talking to Tane about it she tried to give Felicity an out by mentioning the timing with regards to the attack but his conversation with Felicity later on indicated he obviously wasn't having any of it.  I do get where he's coming from and have a lot of sympathy for him.  I can see exactly why he wants to have kids or more specifically start a family.  He's basically lost his and it does feel as though he doesn't have too may friends in the Bay so it's no real surprise he feels this way.  When he married Felicity knowing she didn't want kids, he was obviously trying to bide his time and hope that Felicity would change her mind.  But he's in a dilemma as it looks as though he's now starting to accept the reality of the situation that she may never want children, which I guess puts him in a scenario with regards to the marriage i.e. what next?

[H&Alover]

I think from what Harper and Dana were saying they had no idea of how Cash's actions  helping them could affect his job.  At least Dana has now been exonerated as they've got Olly and Madden  has been charged.  That was  a BIG bow up from Eden towards Harper and Dana but of course Eden is 'protecting' Cash, it's not just a possible loss of income for Cash, it's losing  a job he loves.  He did know the risk but he was trying to help an innocent person and nail a crooked cop.  He didn't take it at face value but got the evidence to back up Dana's side of it. Naturally at the time he couldn't say anything to anyone.  Hopefully the Commission and his bosses see sense and just give him a warning.  Felicity again did thank  Harper for putting  her on the right track to get help but then she found out about Harper's involvement with the  Madden case so may have a change of mind about her.  

To me and it might seem a tad easy but Flick's reason for not wanting children is there are so many bad people out there and it's not a good to want to keep wanting have children when they are so many already did seem an excuse. Yes there are bad people out there, but there  a lot of good people that always outweigh the bad.   She also said about losing her parents was so hard and didn't want any children of theirs going through that, but lots of  children have their parents for many, many years.   It's never been said - or has it - if Tane's parents are still around or if one or either of them lived a lot longer than Felicity's did and weren't under such tragic circumstances.   

[Red Ranger 1]

I think Felicity handled things well here, giving Tane some much-needed straight talking: She might change her mind in the future, but he can't rely on her doing so, and he can't pester her on an annual basis to see if she's changed her mind either, he needs to accept that the ball's in her court.So, hopefully, despite his disappointment, he'll manage to stick to his promise that this is enough.

I don't think Cash has really dealt with anything, his talk of enjoying his time off sounded like he was in deep denial and his expression at Eden's suggestion of pyjamas days was that of a man who sees it as a fate worse than death.I'm glad he met with Harper and cleared the air, and I'm liking Irene having a couple of surrogate daughters again.I do think the show is stretching things with regards to making the law work the way they want.Dana was innocent of the crime that the arrest warrant was issued for, but she must have committed some crime, because you can't assist a fugitive unless there's a fugitive to assist?

I guess it's fair for Leah to say that Justin has to be the one to tell Marilyn if he doesn't want her there, even if she did invite her without consulting anyone else in the household. Inevitably, Justin is unable to resist her little girl lost act, so she lands on her feet again.