2025 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[H&Alover]

Leah recovered her near blunder at the coffee cart when she said to David, I've met Lacey by saying she'd been in the Diner.  Irene wisely kept her mouth shut.  Then doing the same when she met Jo.  Leah was again showing her good side when she spoke to Lacey after asking Theo to leave them alone to talk so is keeping Lacey's secret and she did warn her she'd met her sister. 

Then later, of course they did meet and didn't have the warmest of reunions.  That is going to be a very interesting backstory, it explained why David forgave the driver.  It seemed from what we saw, there had been a crash, Jo was driving, mum got killed, but wouldn't the cops who were first on scene done a BT on Jo.  Jo 'says' she doesn't remember what happened.  David will be getting a real shock when Cash brings in both his  daughters  under arrest for affray OK he doesn't yet know Jo is David's daughter.  It certainly seems to have festered for Lacey, has Jo been away from home wherever that is.  

David has met three of the Bay's stalwarts then - Alf, Leah  and Irene, only John and Marilyn to go.  Both Alf and Irene seemed to think he was a good guy, Leah, of course, knows his other side. I do get the feeling Alf and David will be clashing at some point.  Love to see David and John meeting. May seem a  silly question but how far away is Yabbie Creek from the bay, did he really drive there just to get a cup of coffee?  With Cash, it's kind of his beat so he would be there more.

I'm supposing David and Jo had agreed to meet up in the bay at some time which was why she was heading there, only for her to break down.  

Yes, Jo is a good looking woman but I like to think Tane would stop and help even if it had been a man or older woman.  He wasn't invading her personal space, just asking if he could  help, he kindly offered the use of his First aid kit but backed off when she insisted she was OK. Her ranting at her car was funny but at least she didn't grab a branch off  the nearest tree and give it a good thrashing. She was also muttering to herself about  "Yeh, yeh I know I should keep my phone on charge". 'Talking' to dad' obviously as it sounded like the kind of thing he'd drum into  both his girls.  

I thought it was where Jo left it and was it the next day?  Jo did mention it was the fan belt and the bonnet had been left open and it wasn't going anywhere was it. After sending him away with a  flea  in his ear, David did have to grudgingly admit Tane had done a good job. OK I wouldn't know how to put one on but it's not rocket science.   Anyone remember the good old days when it could be fixed by using a pair of tights or going even further back a  stocking. 

 Completely off topic but I did like Jo's jacket/blouse. 

Lacey it seems is finding it tough working at Reefton Park and Leah has re-offered that she can work at the Diner but if dad is likely to be popping in it would be tricky.   Theo has offered to give her some money when he sells his car, which he had been thinking of since he got it back.  He loved the car, but it was used to  nearly kill him.  She rightly refused saying she wants to be independent - , but then he offered it as a loan once he'd paid off the money he owes.  He should get a god price, it hadn't been driven that much and there was no damage done to it. 

Cash, for some reason can't catch a break with David, he does seem the kind of cop who keeps his private life completely separate from his cop life.   Though saying that Eden suddenly breezing to whine about her problems wouldn't have gone down well with any new sargeant.  All those who at present who do that will have to be told to stop.  They have let things slip that way, folks just dropping in, dropping lunch off, wanting to have a chat, mainly it has to be said to Cash - It is a cop shop. 

That road trip of Eden and Abby's will be an interesting one.   Will Eden be abandoned at the roadside?  Do have to say, going back an episode, Eden chucking all of Jimmy's Birthday presents to Abby  in the bin was NOT on, so good for Abby getting them back out again.   Eden does need to hear it from Debra in person that she has forgiven Jimmy. 

Mali's taking on surfing lessons did take over his first business, he was too good at it.  

 

[Red Ranger 1]

David is definitely proving to be the person Lacey claimed he is: Totally by the book until it's his family drama, at which point he's happy to ignore the rules and expects other officers to play ball. This is, of course, ameliorated by the fact that David and Jo are listed as regulars (even if they're still not on the opening credits!) suggesting that they're meant to be broadly sympathetic characters and around long-term, so if David is keeping a secret then it's probably not going to be too earth-shattering.

I find my sympathy is mainly with Kirby here. If Remi wants to be on Avalon's album, that's up to him, but he made a commitment to Kirby and he's not keeping to it. I wasn't keen on the way Avalon convinced him to stand his ground with Kirby, it just felt like stirring up trouble.

Alf and John both had a word with Mali but didn't really get a satisfactory response.On the one hand, Dean did kind of drag Mali away from his old boarding shaping business to run the board shop.On the other hand, as Alf and John point out, he's worked hard to make it a success.

[H&Alover]

Well that was a bit of a faff. Had there been any warning?

There was Cash thinking he was doing the right thing by arresting both daughters following David's orders to go by the book but still got blasted by him, I'm guessing Cash found out Jo was David's other daughter and not a random woman when he took her name at the scene.  David  did kind of back down, but still bent his own rules.   Not making excuses but any cop would have that double standard problem when it's family. 

I can't see  David  covering up something really bad, don't forget Jo and Lacey didn't just lose their mum David lost his wife in that accident.

We did find out more about what happened from Jo's flashbacks and her talk with dad.  Cops did the right thing it seems, did a BT and Drugs test on her,  checked if there were skids marks indicating she'd swerved to avoid something.  She does claim she can't remember anything but maybe she had blacked out for some reason - an undiagnosed illness like epilepsy.  A lot of people on the H&A FB pages hate them, but I think there is  a lot more to them.  I wonder if maybe Jo had been away form home and only just returned six months ago which prompted Lacey to leave.    

I liked the fact Lacey opened up to Cash, she grew to trust and like him when under his care.  Does she really think her dad would cover up for Jo or still hurting from her mum's death and not properly grieved. 

The one I'm definitely NOT liking is Avalon, she just casually walks up to Kirby and lets her think Remi is working on her album as in  producing not as we all know playing on it. Remi's not exactly 'cheating' on Kirby but as Justin pointed out he can't give her 100% as he's stretching himself too far.  Justin, of course, also got it in the neck as he knew what Remi was doing and didn't say anything.    She is a wind up merchant and it looks like she may be leading him down the wrong path - DON'T GO THERE REMI. 

It does seem Mali is having a   tough time,  Alf was a lot more easier on him than John was - btw I like how John very wisely stepped away when I think it was Jo and Lacey  when they were having their spat.  Mali had been very happy just making and shaping his boards which he then sold onto Dean and before him Ben.  It was his choice to move to the bay and break away from his family to be independent and was able to sell his boards direct to the public and take orders for new ones, but over time things have  overtaken his original business, maybe he's missing it?

[Red Ranger 1]

I can see David convincing himself it was just an accident and shutting down any attempt to suggest otherwise, whether that's from Lacey or his subordinates, because deep down if Jo was at fault, he doesn't want to know.

Alf's episode count this week:Three.No Bree for the second week running, despite two references to her being around.Could they not afford her that month?

Avalon continues to come across as a rather manipulative person.Again, Remi's instinct tells him to go and make peace with Kirby, and again, Avalon was in his ear, telling him he'd done nothing wrong. Mackenzie suddenly fangirling on her did break things up a bit. It was a bit much to expect Kirby to join them (especially with Avalon making the offer), but this was never about her wanting to stand in Remi's way, it's about him neglecting his commitment to her. So Mackenzie finally gets Remi to play a gig after about two years of attempts! Of course, Avalon then demonstrates why she really shouldn't be trusted...

John's talk to Mali seemed to go better when it was one-on-one rather than an uncoordinated double team with Alf, and his argument that Mali should either make use of the space or give it over to someone who would seemed to be hitting home, but by the end Mali is just looking for loopholes to get around it.

Mackenzie had a point about Levi opening her mail: Looking at it and seeing the logo is fair enough, but he stood have stopped there. That's about the only point she did have though, and despite claiming it was just a last resort, she's soon mounting him in a way that was bordering on non-consensual just because a piece of paper told her to.

I'm glad that, after they were interrupted at the start, Leah and Justin made it to the gig together and had a good time. Marilyn probably should have given it a rest earlier than she did though.

[H&Alover]

Personally I can't see David covering something like that up if Jo was at fault, he'd want to make sure everything was done by the book.   Another thing I  thought was maybe Mum and Jo were having an argument  so distracting her.  It was said there were no skid marks so she hadn't been speeding. Does Lacey have any reason why she thinks Jo has to be responsible?

I'm missing Bree and would have liked to hear her angle on the Kirby/Avalon/Remi problem. Eden, of course, is away visiting mum so we haven't got her views on it.  Avalon did get Remi's loyalty to Kirby and  that is why he's feeling guilty so  to her for that, guess she hasn't got anyone who she can say that about.  That was  Mac, a capable, level headed  businesswoman,  going all starstruck meeting Avalon, getting all tongue tied like a teenager.  But of course then she offers her and Remi drinks at Salt on the house of course and chucks in a free meal.    Blige Mac got that gig sorted out pretty damn quickly, getting  the equipment together, putting word round that Avalon Bracken would be playing there that night.    Again another  for  Avalon even asking Kirby is she wanted to join them and at least Kirby didn't go off on one.   It was a good night so I'm guessing Mac made a profit with all the food, drinks being served.   She couldn't help herself though and did sneak in and saw how much fun Remi was having.  But then a BIG  for Avalon offering Remi what she did, OK if that helps her to get through,  that is her business but you leave 'our' Remi alone.  

Leah  did come across as a bit down when talking to Maz and how it was now Theo had left and yes she has conceded he had his own life now, even said he was an adult.  But instead of it being just her and Justin like she though it would be, it's just her as Justin is busy dealing with Kirby and Remi and what's that other place - oh yeh the garage.    Maz did help a bit by dropping hints to Justin, how handy then the gig was on that very night so they could go on their date night.  They certainly were having a very good night, guess that will be carrying on after they got home.  No Theo though, had he done his three days? 

Could be seen from both sides Levi opening that box and  there was  a BIG clue as to where it was from so he didn't really need to but Mac did lie what it was.   It could be debated if they 'agreed' they wouldn't  go down that route yet as they had only being trying for two months, but I'm guessing even after having  assured she had no need to worry yet she would.   Then making that big show of dumping it all in a box, she sneaked one out and, putting a different swerve on it, seduced Levi.  

Mali looking up the terms and conditions of the lease of the board shop has got him pondering what John said to him earlier.  Biggest  shock though was John and Alf agreeing on something.   

Seems Tane is going to Japan alone. 

 

 

 

[Red Ranger 1]

Interesting spat between Mackenzie and Harper, who have basically both got what the other one wants.Harper wants a loving partner and Mackenzie wants a baby, and it's not happening for either of them.I can't say I really have any sympathy for either of them though, because they're both being ridiculous.When Mackenzie went to see Levi, I thought for a moment that maybe she'd got the message but no, it was just another excuse to jump him, and she doesn't realise how obsessed she's being.At least Bree got released from her black hole in time to offer Levi a sympathetic ear.

Meanwhile, it finally dawns on Harper, far too late, what a daft idea "Go on a platonic holiday with Tane and hope he falls in love with me" was.Marilyn demonstrates that her shipping can be rather hit and miss by gushing over the whole idea.Seriously, Tane tried to do the decent thing, offering the holiday to her and laying down ground rules for them going together, and she's wasted it over a schoolgirl fantasy.

Avalon might have terrible ideas of the best way to stay awake, and bugging Remi when he was trying to sleep wasn't good either, but at least she seems to have started to respect Kirby a bit more: I wouldn't be surprised if she came up with the idea of Remi finishing Kirby's album that night instead of working with her. It's kind of amusing that all the women seem to have heard of her when Remi and Justin needed to look her up.

[H&Alover]

Harper and Mac were two sides of the same coin - one has a loving partner who wants a baby and the other has a baby who she adores but not a loving partner.  It did finally dawn on Harper that she shouldn't expect that Tane would fall in love with her, he just wanted to go on a 'family' holiday.  The mad idea Harper had of them going to a temple and he'd realise he does love her.  Just as well, as late as it was, she decided not to go.  A holiday in Aus or NZ would have been tense enough but going thousands of miles  away  and not knowing anybody would have been really traumatic. It was the fact the honeymoon/holiday was booked for Mr & Mrs. Parata that clicked for her.  I thought Harper had asked Tane to go with her rather than asking Dana. Irene caught on better even backing Tane hanging up on Harper saying he would have been at the Departure Gate.   Hopefully he will take the time away to cool down and think abut how to handle it when he comes back.

Levi did look a tad tired- poor guy.  Mac 'said'  she wouldn't use that ovulation kit  that again but of course she will, she'll just have to be more subtle about it.   Don't the docs at ND's have locks on their doors? Bree just walked in on what Mac was doing to Levi, but then she has been there   herself with Levi.    Levi then did admit what Mac was doing and how worried he was that she was obsessed about having a baby.

  It was good to see Bree again  though she nearly caught him handing Avalon's drugs back to her, hope he manages to at some point and they don't  fall out of his bag and Bree sees them. Bree also went all girl fan on her but  I thought Justin and Remi knew who she was?   Irene looked a bit blank though.  May just be me but I think Avalon and Kirby look a lot alike.   Kirby even gave Avalon a pass about Remi being asleep when he should have been at the studio.    

Back to Levi again - it seems Eden has had a talk  with mum so is going to ask Jimmy to her Wedding but Levi is against it for reasons of his own.  We know he took Jimmy's side when the marriage broke up but it seemed they had become distant.   Last time we saw Jimmy it was when he tracked Levi down to the bay.  

[Red Ranger 1]

I have no sympathy for Harper, who was typically self-absorbed. And I don't blame Tane at all for getting on the plane without her, to go on a holiday that had been arranged and paid for and which he'd offered to her to go with someone else only for her to insist they go together and then change her mind at literally the last minute. I'd have done the same, but having said that, I suspect Tane may regret it when he finds himself stuck in Japan on his own and missing Archie.And of course Harper has taken the decision to go back to work partly to teach him a lesson.

I'm still not sure about Jo but we got a bit more to her character here than "Doesn't get on with Lacey".She at least doesn't seem entirely sure about David as well, directing his comment about Lacey not handling her grief back at him.I noticed she left out the "I've also got a sister in the area who hates me" bit when opening up to Levi.So Jo and Dana have opposite outcomes with their interviews.I'm tempted to say that Dana might have got to read up on the subject if Irene hadn't insisted she spend the night holding Harper's hand, but to be fair, she'd probably have just stayed in the Diner chatting to her new best friend.

We saw Levi objecting to Eden inviting their dad to the wedding in the promo, so I'd have hoped we'd be a bit further along by the end of the episode, rather than just an argument that doesn't resolve anything. I think what he's getting at is that the wedding isn't the right time to bring him back into her orbit after ten years of not saying a civil word to him, and she should meet him first and take the pressure off, but I guess we'll have to wait for him to explain it.

[Red Ranger 1]

Levi did a really bad job of explaining himself frankly, repeatedly saying "You've not thought this through" instead of giving any reason why it was a bad idea. I think we eventually got to him thinking that it might lead to a family argument at the wedding, which was oddly specific, and meant it was down to Eden to come up with the idea of meeting Jimmy and hashing things out before the wedding.Well, she's got six months. I did like Cash desperately trying to break the awkward silence at the start but I don't blame Abigail for getting fed up and going into work.

Eden was completely out of line with Lacey and there didn't even seem to be any real resolution to it. I thought for a moment that Mackenzie was going to tear a strip off her but then she just shrugged and let it go. Of course, Mali then went to the other extreme, hiring her without any attempt to explain what the job was or find out if she could do it. I know Kirby used to help out with lessons but Abigail was just manning the shop so I'm not sure why he assumed Lacey would do that.

Talking of jobs, Dana spends the day stressing but cornering Levi wasn't the smartest idea.I grimaced when Mackenzie turned up at the hospital to see Levi, expecting her to start clambering all over him again, but looks like she's calmed down.

Why on earth did we have Eden turning up at the police station for a personal conversation with Cash only a week or so after David putting a stop to that? It's like there are things, like Mackenzie giving away free food and drink all over the place, that are so ingrained that even if one episode says it's not going to happen anymore, the next writer will just do it anyway.

[H&Alover]

My comments from yesterday seems to have disappeared.  

Short recap - I don't blame Tane going to Japan - he did pay for it after all.  Hopefully he'll take the time alone to think about what Harper said. He does have Archie to consider so hope he won't  want to break off contact with Harper completely.   

I wasn't sure if Jo's meltdown was a tactical move to get Levi  to feel sorry for her, though she does have experience, but I think  he is more professional than that and he was going to contact her referees.  He does know Dana so knows she is a good, dedicated and caring nurse even if  her cardio skills aren't that sharp. 

Jo commenting on the fact David hadn't grieved for the loss of his wife being the reason she had followed him to the bay - well none of them have. 

I did  when Levi got that booty call from Mac when he was with Bree at Salt - not that Bree found it all funny - no honestly she  didn't. 

Levi, seemingly, dashing Eden's wish to invite Jimmy to the Wedding didn't go well, the argument spilling into the street. 

Bloody hell Cash - that was one whistle - nearly burst my eardrums.  It did shut them up though. 

Anyways as we saw last night Levi did admit to Cash, who was the only one prepared to listen,  he did phrase it wrong.   He meant and I agree with him inviting Jimmy to the actual Wedding would be  a bad idea.  Weddings are stressful enough without the extra problem of having  a dad who you haven't spoken to for ten years, ignore the brief meeting  last year, at your Big day. Eden did see the reasoning behind it and   we did see Eden, biting the bullet and ringing Jimmy.

I think Eden was taking the anger she was feeling against Levi out on Lacey though of course their last meeting was pretty acrimonious.   I think Lacey would work well at Salt. She's still wary at working at the Diner because she'd be working for her boyfriend's mum. 

I feel Mali was pushed into offering Lacey the job by John who'd been nagging him about abandoning the board shop.   John was a bit nonplussed that Mali had been reading up on the terms of his lease and that was no reason why he couldn't not open it.  He did gabble those instructions  as to what he wanted done.   Lacey was thrown in at the deep end - so to speak - so had to call on Theo to help out.  May not be very woke but I did    when she fluttered her eyes at him.   Not as if he'd be doing anything to injure himself, just take them through the  basic initial lessons, we've seen those before, how to lie on the board, get the feel of it, stand up, get your balance etc. Actually those instructions are  pretty world wide. I saw  a travel prog with David Suchet and he went to Hawaii and the surfing instructor he met did the same things.

What I did like about the newbie surfers was they were normal people, all shapes and sizes - not  a Love Islander look a like among them.

I'm guessing David was off duty or on a day off so that is why Eden was able to use the pop in shop - sorry Police Station - to see Cash.  Do any of the other cops there have people call into see them, drop off food?     On that point will Jo be popping in to see him now she's in the bay? 

Seems Jo may be local now she's got the job at ND's.   Sonny wasn't very understanding about Dana not getting it, him saying something like well you weren't bothered about it before you knew it was up for offer but now you are.  She did have a dig about when was the last job he did then storming off.  

It is a wonder Salt makes any profit at all with Mac serving up free food and drinks most of the time, not to mention mates rates ones too.

Seems Roo is back, did she and Alf pass each on the road to Martha's?     David turns up on her doorstep with this young lad called Cohen and tells her she's his emergency foster carer! Can the cops do that without any warning at all? 

BTW nought to do with anything - but where are all the blond blokes in the Bay?