2025 Season - UK Episode Discussion

[flashbulb]

Going back to the Remi cheating storyline, did people find the fact he cheated on Bree as shocking as I did? It takes a lot to shock me these days but I don't think I've been as shocked at anything that has happened in Home And Away since the normally placid Willow brutally slapped her friend and housemate Jasmine back in Season 31.

I just didn't see this coming at all...the main reason is that Home And Away, unlike in the old days, just doesn't do cheating storylines anymore. Obviously Bree, Levi and Lacey were all already in relationships when they joined the show but those relationships merely formed a part of a backstory so they don't really count as cheating storylines.

The last proper cheating storyline that I can remember was when Brody cheated on Ziggy at the backend of Season 31/beginning of Season 32. People will no doubt correct me but I don't really remember any cheating storylines since then.

I think the lack of cheating storylines has been a good thing for the show. To me, they just seem boring, very cliched and lacking in originality...and there were too many in the past. Their scarcity means that when there "actually" is a cheating storyline, they have the power to shock or at the very least resonate with the viewers in the same way as this one did with me...which is in stark contrast to a soap like Coronation Street, where I am more shocked if an episode goes by without any cheating taking place.

I'm also shocked because Remi's relationship with Bree has a lot of depth to it. They've been through an awful lot together and have always come through the challenges they've faced all the stronger...it's especially shocking knowing what Bree went through with Jacob and how supportive Remi was of Bree during this period where she was so vulnerable. You would think that would be at the forefront of Remi's mind all the time!

[H&Alover]

I spotted the new editions in the opening sequences and a few tweaks on who is now in the cast.

Tane does have a lot of explaining to do.  It isn't something you casually drop into  a first date, oh by the way I've got a son but I'm not with his mum.   I know It's a cliche  but the situation is complicated. He and Harper only slept together as he thought he was going to  prison because he kidnapped Maia/Poppy.  David comes out with another cliche comment you don't want anyone who has baggage.  He, I'm guessing knows about Tane's criminal record, said kidnapping, not turning Perri into the cops, his brother's  criminal history. The fact  he has a seven year intensive correction order. He did reveal to Jo he was the civilian that got Cash into trouble with her dad. I'm guessing he is still doing the project he set to help under privileged kids, gone  a bit quiet on that front.  Archie would always come first no matter who Tane takes up with. 

Tad confused why did Tane take himself and Archie off to Mac and Levi's and not go home?  Levi was being very much in daddy mode and, I think he'd make a good one. It did trigger Mac into taking another pregnancy test.  Archie is a lovely baby and very good at being held by various people. 

David did try and find  out more info about Cohen's nan, who she knew, did she go out much. I'm guessing Cohen's reticence  was maybe because Samantha told him not to talk to the cops and he blamed David for his mum being in prison.   Wouldn't the local cops have looked round her place to find any info, address books, letters from family?  Depends what the locals are like and why the local cops didn't get much from them.  May seem an  out there that idea by Harper but they may be more comfortable talking to someone  who isn't  a cop, but taking Archie with her just to spite Tane  was petty, poor little lad being driven round all day as mum is on a mission.  She was honest with Cohen by admitting  she had spoken to his mum before his letters were sent and she'd said she didn't want contact with him.  Like Roo I thought Cohen being quiet and not eating was a reaction to his mum not wanting him but does it does appear to be medical.  She hasn't had any experience of childhood illnesses, unless I've missed it still no mention of his age,  he hadn't said he wasn't feeling well, maybe again another influence from Samantha as they moved around a lot. 

[Red Ranger 1]

Alf's back and right at the beginning of the week too for maximum impact! He let the question of Roo fostering again drop remarkably easily, but ironically she's kind of proved his point that she gets too involved: Suddenly deciding to adopt Cohen is a massive leap from where they are. I grew up believing that if you get tonsillitis then they remove your tonsils, but I guess that's me being a 20th century throwback!

Well, a lot of people in Australian Discussion were predicting something wrong with Levi. That remains to be seen, of course, but it was odd that he didn't get tested at the same time as Mackenzie just to make sure.

Bree seems to be compartmentalising quite well aside from being snappy at Sonny and anyone else that mentions Remi. Sonny, meanwhile, finds himself in the odd position of being the most together one. I'm not sure that Remi's making any ground in talking to Bree like that, does he really have anything new to say? I guess putting it on the line isn't the worst plan.

[Psychic Wombat]

Will Bree forgive Remi, that is the question. I think it will haunt the relationship if they do get back together. Like most soaps the men are portrayed as either weak or clueless so who knows.

Roo is desperate to find something to do and hence the fostering plan. I don't see why her time with Cohen can't be extended to cover the 12 month jail term and review the arrangement afterwards. I feel for Alf who probably wants a quiet life in his house. Anyway, does Roo have a good track record of bringing up kids I wonder?

Good to see Tane making a new friend in Jo, he's a good dad and needs his own life. He didn't get chance to tell her he has a newborn kid before miss hormonal flounced in lol

[Slade]

Whilst I didn't have an issue with her having a good send off, I'm glad to see the back of Kirby TBH.  I don't think she's the worst, but I never found her to be a particularly interesting character and often found her slightly annoying.  The ending she had was kind of the one I would have wished for Felicity though.

So Avalon makes a move on Remi (Surprise, surprise, never saw that coming).  I did feel a bit sorry for Bree but hated the way she spoke to Levi so was glad she apologised.  I have to say Eden and Remi's friendship is strong, particularly given Eden's stance on infidelity.  I was expecting her to call Remi out but she did go back to supporting him quite quickly and it felt like she was shouldering most of the blame on Avalon even though Remi made a conscious decision to sleep with her.

I've been team Lacey against Jo, although part of me thinks she should bury the hatchet purely in terms of the show but I do completely understand why she is carrying on the vendetta and don't blame Lacey for that.

I was kind of on the fence with Lacey and Abi.  I think Lacey should have told Mali straight away about the financial problems with the business but if Lacey was just following Mali's instructions then it really isn't her fault.

I actually didn't mind the scenes with Tane and Jo.  And I have to say Harper's jealousy was quite amusing when she interrupted their date.  Very much sour grapes.  I think Tane and Jo will probably get together but they will have to navigate Harper and of course David who isn't keen on Tane (Understandably).

[Red Ranger 1]

Well, what Cash said didn't seem to change Roo's mind.I wonder if the fact that he and Felicity didn't need a formal adoption, just to know they had a home where they were safe, struck any sort of chord.Her record of looking after youngster isn't that bad: I'm not sure how much of the credit she can claim, but as was mentioned a short while back, Maddy and Ryder both turned out okay and I think her giving them a loving and safe home was a part of that.

Chinks of hope with Remi and Bree then. I think Remi was at least honest, even if it didn't exactly catch him in a good light, and even Eden could understand him feeling like that, if not the cheating bit. Sonny was a bit optimistic but wasn't wholly wrong.

I'm glad Theo and Lacey's brief spat didn't seem to last long. I believe that Theo is Team Lacey but he's sailing close to the edge by being friendly with David. Lacey probably should have listened to David so the news didn't get sprung on her in a dramatic fashion.I can understand how losing the house would be a blow but really, when did she last go back there anyway?

[H&Alover]

Good to see Alf and Roo did forgive Maz for ringing him.  He made a good connection with Cohen, be nice to see Alf teach Cohen to fish.   

That was a leap by Roo wanting to adopt Cohen but we know what Roo is like, once she's got the bit between her teeth it's very difficult  for people to tell  her she's getting way ahead of herself. BUT and it's a BIG but then she will have to tell him his mum has effectively disowned him and nobody knows yet if he had any other relatives around.  Harper would be the first person to talk to and she'll be able to point her to who the correct person is. There must be  a period  of time to allow the authorities to look for them.   

Once upon a time, surgeons whipped kids tonsils out as soon as they first had trouble with them, but once they found the right antibiotics they stopped.  It was only  if they had recurrent problems with them, they took them out.   No-one of course knows Cohen's medical history do they, I don't think Bree asked him.  Roo shouldn't blame herself, as said she hasn't had any experiences of childhood illnesses, whereas Alf has. 

I'm guessing Levi hasn't  thought of getting himself tested before as he and Imogen would have been using contraception  and he hasn't had an ectopic pregnancy.  He's being  a very modern man doing it, still be that, probably old fashioned idea that men don't have that problem,  in his head so bravo to him. 

Both Remi and Bree were getting nudges from people, namely Sonny and Dana to talk to each other.  In Remi's case it was a pretty big one, but with Dana and Bree it was more subtle.  Bree was acting like she wasn't bothered but I saw through it as did  Dana.  Sonny telling Dana that all  the time he's known Remi that Bree the only woman he's fallen in love with.   Sonny maybe a cadger and an offloader but I do like him and he's being  a good friend to both of them.   He did kind of break his promise to Bree that he wouldn't tell Remi how she is doing, but all he said was "not well" to Remi's question.  That meeting didn't go quite as Remi hoped, he wasn't expecting  her to she forget  what he did, but if she could forgive him. 

[c120701]

Given Irene’s suspected diagnosis of Alzheimers I wonder if they thought of going down the road of Alcohol Related Dementia, but thought her recent relapse may lessen the impact as imagine how this would play had Irene given up the drink, turned her life around for 30 years (aside from the relapse 10-15 years or so ago) only for it to take her life anyway. I guess the grog is still at play, but they don’t seem to be explicitly stating it.

[H&Alover]

As Cash told Roo Gary didn't need to officially adopt him and Felicity, it was a small town and everyone knew them, it was long term fostering.  Different situation too, both parents were dead, Samantha is still alive and so may Cohen's dad.  Must have brought memories back for him so good that Eden was there for him. Maddy was older than Cohen and Ryder is a relative. Currently Roo is an Emergency Foster carer, so would she need to be re-assessed to be a  long term foster carer?  Alf did say he'd support her but doesn't want her getting her hopes only to have them dashed if things go awry.

Bree overhearing Roo saying people deserve a second chance chance made her think again about ditching Remi so I was glad she listened to what he said and why he slept with Avalon, he honestly said he didn't know why, it wasn't planned, it just happened. He'd got a high in playing on her album which he sorely missed.  I had the same thought that the fact she  loved him was why it hurt so much.  At least she has told him she needs space to really think about it all so maybe not the end.  The bay being a small town they will still 'see' each other but he will have to back off and not crowd her. 

Theo did do his best to avoid David but that last confrontation caught  him on the hop and of course- another soap cliche -  Lacey saw them talking but she couldn't hear what they were saying and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I think David was hoping Theo could break the news he needed to tell her the news about selling the family home and wanted to give  her that case to soften the blow.   I guess as both daughters are now no longer at home the place would be empty and full of memories, but it would have been  their home and somewhere to go back to remember their mum.  He obviously took a  lot of care packing that case so he's not as hardnosed as he can across as. It seemed to me it was giving Lacey pause for thought. Has Jo been told?

Trailer looked  good, though moving, and Justin caught on John had been talking about Irene so at least he has someone  he can talk to.  It was a given John asked Justin to keep it to himself until Irene told people herself, because  it's not his secret to tell.  

6 hours ago, c120701 said:

Given Irene’s suspected diagnosis of Alzheimers I wonder if they thought of going down the road of Alcohol Related Dementia, but thought her recent relapse may lessen the impact as imagine how this would play had Irene given up the drink, turned her life around for 30 years (aside from the relapse 10-15 years or so ago) only for it to take her life anyway. I guess the grog is still at play, but they don’t seem to be explicitly stating it.

Irene had looked up various causes of Alzheimer's and alcoholism was one which of course she focused on, but there are so many  reasons why people develop it.  TPTB will be able to say, hopefully, what may have brought it on and put her mind at rest. 

[Red Ranger 1]

Yes, Irene mentioned last week that she'd heard alcohol abuse can lead to Alzheimer's, but I guess there's no way of knowing for sure. We do, however, now know for sure that she's got Alzheimer's.I guess I can understand her not being ready for people to know, but with her already fumbling her way through conversations and needing John to bail her out, it can't go on for long.I've seen people commenting that it's a shame this is so similar to her hiding her alcohol relapse last year, but at least the show's making a virtue of it by having Leah wonder if history's repeating itself. And the promo indicates it's not going to last long. Talking of, another example of a promo actually showing us the end of the next episode so we're sat there all episode waiting for Justin to tell John he's figured it out, and then he does and the episode ends! Nice to get a look at Irene's photo collection too. They didn't have a better photo of Tasha and Robbie? (I know it was their wedding but it look liked someone had taken it with their camera phone during the service, which I don't think you're even meant to do!)

It's been established that David and Jo are renting a place nearby, so looks like the old house has been empty for at least a few weeks. Not sure when David got the "triggering suitcase". It did lead to Lacey attempting a conversation with him but finding out one of her most precious childhood memories didn't mean as much to him put a stop to things. Skipping work to deal with it might not have been the best idea either, especially if she's clinging onto the job by her fingertips.

I do like Cash and Eden together so it was nice to see him in supportive boyfriend mode and perhaps pushing Eden down a new life path, via some pointed sarcasms from Abby.