Previously on Neighbours
- Chris's boyfriend Hudson is arrested for the hit- and- run of Robbo Slade
- In the more recent past, Stephen Montague is also arrested, after the Ramsay Street siege
- Imogen locks horns with a stranger camping at the lake, who is actually Paul's nephew Daniel
Lassiter's Lake
Daniel explains to Paul that he's been on the road for a couple of months, 'picking up enough work to fill the tank'. Scott and Charlene, his parents, are keen for him to settle down and get a career, and Madison, his sister, who is just starting her QCE, thinks he's slacking. Paul laments the fact that he's been so bad at keeping touch.
DANIEL: That's alright. You've been busy running the world, right?
PAUL: Yeah.
DANIEL: I'm sorry to hear about Kate. I wish I could have met her.
Daniel also apologises for camping at the lake, saying he didn't realise Kate got shot here - but Paul shrugs it off and tells him not to let Imogen get to him. Daniel reveals he didn't call Paul straight away because he couldn't find a phone booth, and doesn't have a mobile.
DANIEL: I'd rather I call people when I want, not the other way round. You should try it sometime.
Paul invites Daniel to stay at the penthouse while he's in town, but he says he'll only be here a couple of days, so will 'crash in the wagon'. He goes to get in the car.
DANIEL: You coming?
PAUL: Coming where?
DANIEL: Where do you think? I want to see the street where my folks met.
PAUL: Good idea!
They get in the car.
Harold's Store
Callum and Bailey are tapping away at their laptops when Imogen comes in. Imogen's not in uniform; apparently Susan gave her the day off, as she thought she'd be 'stressed about the Montague stuff.' Cal reveals he was made the same offer, but he wanted to go to school.
BAILEY: You wanted to go to school?!
Cal says he needed to hand in an assignment. Sonya comes in and has overheard this exchange. Bailey goes back to school, and Cal says he'll meet him there. Sonya notes that Cal was already working when she got up, and is concerned he's been up all night working on it. But he notes that he can't win; he's either slacking or working too hard. He makes a quick and sullen exit.
Imogen joins Sonya at the table; Sonya confesses she's not sure Callum is coping with what happened with Montague. Imogen says she's okay; she's spoken to her counsellor and written about it in her journal. Sonya says she wishes she knew Cal was dealing with it in a healthy way.
IMOGEN: Well, he should try burning some sage to invite positive energy into the space.
SONYA: Sorry?
Imogen explains about her encounter with Daniel, and Sonya quickly gathers she's not a fan.
Ramsay Street
Paul takes photos as Daniel skateboards up and down the drive at No 26. He comments that Daniel is a bit old for skateboarding.
DANIEL: Skateboarding is about testing yourself, living in the moment.
PAUL: Yeah. Can't say I've ever tried it.
DANIEL: What, living in the moment?
PAUL: Skateboarding.
DANIEL: Can we get another one? I want to send some pictures to Dad. He said he used to always skate down this street.
Susan and Karl come out of No 28, and Paul introduces them to Daniel.
SUSAN: It's lovely to meet you, Daniel. We knew your grandmother, Madge.
Paul has to rush off to run the world again, so hands Daniel a key to his penthouse so he can let himself in (not having a key never apparently having been a barrier to anyone else who fancies popping up in the lift). Daniel asks if he has a washing machine.
PAUL: No, I have staff! Get the front desk to look after you.
As Paul leaves, Daniel comments to the Kennedys that he hasn't seen Paul since he was a kid, and that he seems pretty caught up in his work. Susan admits he's been more so since he lost Kate, and leaves, while Karl agrees to take more photos of Daniel.
Warrinor Prison
Hudson is shown into the meeting area where Chris is waiting for him. Chris kisses him, and they hug. Chris is still a bit wobbly after his hospital spell, but he says he's on the mend, and will be going back to work soon. Hudson apologises for being shirty in their last video call, and not having been available since, having lost his visitor privileges after getting into a fight. Hudson tells Chris he's missed him, and takes his hand. But Chris is behaving awkwardly, and starts making small talk about the supplies he's brought in. He tells Hudson he wants to help in any way he can, and they hold hands again.
Community Centre (outside)
Imogen is on the phone, talking to Terese about the imminent results of Doug's hospital tests. Daniel flies past on his skateboard and almost mows her down! She tears strips off him for not observing the rules of the road, and starts dissing the Robinson family name, accusing him of being spoilt and rich.
DANIEL: Hey - does it look like I care about money?
IMOGEN: You're related to Paul, which means you're loaded, and you always get your way. It's in the genes.
DANIEL: He's not that bad, is he?
IMOGEN: Whatever. This conversation is over.
DANIEL: Were we having a conversation?
Imogen tells him to stay out of her way until he leaves town. Daniel smiles and walks off.
Harold's Store
Susan talks to Sonya about a problem with Callum's assignment - he's handed in a game he's designed for phones and iPads, rather than writing his essay. She's managed to convince his teacher not to fail him, given how hard he's worked on it, but it's nothing to do with what he was asked to do. It's a game set at school, and its hero gets attacked by bullies. Sonya wonders if making the game is Cal's way of coping with his experience with Montague the other day.
No 30
Sonya quizzes Callum over the game he designed, and what he was thinking when he thought of it. He explains he's been working on it for ages, and had loads of ideas for it the night before the essay was due, so spent all night working on the game instead. Sonya says she's not angry, and wonders if the drama with Montague triggered off his thoughts about the game, as a way of losing himself in a 'superhero fantasy'.
CALLUM: What, so you think I used my app as some kind of therapy?
SONYA: Well, what do you think?
CALLUM: I dunno. I was scared at the time, but that's normal, right?
SONYA: Oh, yes. No, of course it is.
CALLUM: Now I just think that Stephen guy was seriously messed up.
SONYA: Yeah, but that's no excuse for what he did.
CALLUM: Yeah, but - it's like with Troy. Just because he did bad things, it doesn't mean I have to hate him.
Cal admits the app kept him busy when he needed something else to think about - and was more fun than writing his essay.
SONYA: You know, for a teenager you're actually quite articulate. Thank you for being open with me.
Cal reveals his game is called 'Supercool Chick', and that the hero is a girl. Sonya is pleasantly surprised.
SONYA: Girls are... they're supercool. They're hashtag supercool, yeah? Shall we tweet about it?
CALLUM: Stop.
Cal walks out in embarrassment, and Sonya laughs - before picking up an iPad to play the game herself.
No 26
Georgia and Chris come in, Chris on his crutches, Georgia having given him a lift home from the prison. She says she's worried about him, as he's been quiet the whole way back.
CHRIS: What do you want? I did what you said - I made a choice, I chose my boyfriend.
GEORGIA: Yeah. But I can tell you're still thinking about Will.
CHRIS: Okay. You're right. I can't get him out of my head.
Chris is feeling 'like crap', because Hudson's worried about not supporting him, and yet he's thinking about another guy. What's more, he has no idea what to do about it.
No 30
Sonya is playing Callum's game on the iPad when Lauren calls round, and is already addicted. Sonya shows her Callum's creation. Cal's creativity gets them talking about Lauren's art, and Sonya asks why she doesn't do more, given how talented she is. Lauren says she's just so busy, but Sonya points out that she's been going through a tough time - and that, like Cal, focusing on her art might make her feel better. Lauren has a go at Cal's game.
Harold's Store
Daniel comes in and joins Karl at a table. He comments that Charlene has told him the place used to be called Daphne's, and Karl says it's been through some changes over the years. Daniel notices Karl's guitar, and comments that people don't make enough time for things they're passionate about. Georgia comes in and Karl introduces her to Daniel. Karl suggests that Daniel could have a word in Paul's ear, to try and get him to put on more live music acts when Paul reopens Charlie's.
DANIEL: Why do I get the feeling my uncle's not the most popular guy in town?
KARL: Well Paul can be very... strong-willed.
GEORGIA: Yeah. That's why he's so successful (!)
DANIEL: That bad, huh?
Daniel asks if Paul has any good friends in his life, now Kate's gone. Karl and Georgia glance at one another, but Georgia gets a phone call and excuses herself, cutting the conversation short. Moving aside, Georgia tells the caller that she's glad he/she called - and that if they think it will help, 'of course she'll come'. She promises to see them soon, then looks worried.
Warrinor Prison
In the fastest soap reveal ever, it turns out the mystery caller was Hudson, who has asked Georgia to come and visit him at the prison. Hudson admits he's worried about Chris and asks Georgia about him, but she's uneasy when she discovers that he's invited her here behind Chris's back. Hudson tries to trick Georgia by saying Chris 'told him what happened', then hoping she'll elaborate on it - but she doesn't fall for his ruse, and tells Hudson to stop playing games.
Hudson continues to press Georgia about what's wrong with Chris. She admits he's doing it tough, and missing Kate since her death. But when he asks if there's anything else, she says she can't answer that - Hudson needs to talk to Chris.
Harold's Store
Chris plays with his phone, and is about to delete Will's number from it. Suddenly he gets a text from the prison, saying Hudson has requested a visit. He leaves. Meanwhile, Lauren and Bailey discuss Callum's app, and Lauren thinks Bailey should explore his creative side, too. Bailey says he didn't inherit her artistic ability. Lauren reveals she's been thinking of taking up an art class, and Bailey seems pleased. He encourages her to do it, before kissing her on the cheek.
LAUREN: You do just realise you kissed your mother in public?
Meanwhile, Susan and Karl are at a table, and Susan is looking at booking herself on a celebrant course, having developed a taste for the role at Zeke's wedding. But she's concerned she won't have time to do it properly given her role as principal. Karl parrots the advice about people spending too much time doing what they're not interested in, and not enough of what they're passionate about.
KARL: I borrowed it off Paul's nephew, Daniel. Nice boy.
SUSAN: Yeah. Are we sure they're related?
Charlie's
Daniel and Paul are in the bar; the refurbs are looking good, albeit a work in progress, since the contractors are behind schedule, Paul explains. Daniel asks if the offer is still open to stay at the penthouse - he's thinking of staying in Erinsborough for longer than a couple of nights.
PAUL: Woah. Does this mean you're ready for a bit of stability in your life?
DANIEL: Maybe.
Paul tells Daniel to stay for as long as he wants, and they shake on it.
Charlie's / Harold's Store
Both Paul and Daniel are on the phone in Charlie's and Harold's respectively - Daniel having borrowed the landline at Harold's. We flit between the two conversations.
PAUL: Oh, come on, Scotty. Of course I'm happy to give Daniel a roof over his head.
DANIEL: I don't know how long I'll stay, Mum, but it's not like the rest of Australia's going anywhere.
PAUL: No, he's a great kid, and he's smart. He just seems to be lacking direction.
DANIEL: He's going in the wrong direction, making life all about business and grudges. He needs me.
PAUL: He needs me. He's, you know, he's too laid back.
DANIEL: He's too uptight.
PAUL: He lacks focus, and I can help.
DANIEL: I can help, scratch the surface. Paul's got a heart, the same as the rest of us. I think I could be really good for him.
PAUL: I think I could be really good for him.
Warrinor Prison
Chris is back for the requested visit with Hudson, and gets a cool reception, quickly gathering that something is wrong.
HUDSON: Are you seeing someone else - yes or no?
CHRIS: ...
HUDSON: You are.
CHRIS: No, not really. Let me explain.
Hudson's angry, reminding Chris of how Hudson tried to end things between them when he was first put away, and how Chris talked him out of it.
HUDSON: You made me believe that I could count on you - that you would wait for me.
CHRIS: I'm sorry. Just let me explain...
HUDSON: We're done. Okay?
CHRIS: Hudson, just hear me out.
HUDSON: You're free, Chris. Just - go and be happy.
Hudson walks out of the room, leaving Chris upset.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Georgia tells Will about Chris's break- up, and Will wastes no time in turning up at Chris's door
- Josie L is led to believe she is the model for 'Superhero Chick', but is Imogen Cal's real inspiration?
- Lauren has a good laugh when Matt offers to model in the nude, thinking only Lauren will see
- But Lou enlists Susan's help to round up as many budding artists as she can for the big event!