(Monday 4^th – Friday 22^nd May 2020)

Firstly, many apologies for how long it’s been since I updated my Home and Away blog!  No excuses really.  But here’s about three weeks all in one go.  Woosh!

So, what started as a lovely party for Ben’s birthday and a celebration of his achievements in overcoming his depression, turned into a complete nightmare for Maggie as Ben’s brother, Marco returned.  The story always was that Marco hit on her, Ben punched him and Marco had him arrested.  Cue: a big split in the family.  As it turns out, what actually happened was that Marco and Maggie had a one night stand.  Marco always had feelings for Maggie and having split temporarily (as it turned out) from Ben and feeling heartbroken, nineteen year old Maggie got drunk as a party and ended up in bed with him.  Now, Marco has turned up in the Bay claiming to want to mend things with Ben but really, he is blackmailing Maggie into buying into his business.  At the last minute, Maggie changed her mind and decided she needed to confess all to her husband.  Should be an interesting week next week!

Worried about the state of John and Marilyn’s marriage and her family’s possible role in their split, Gemma succeeded in befriending John and helped the couple at least get talking again, even after he stirred the pot after Ari and Mac hooked up.  Oh!  Ari and Mac hooked up!  No, I didn’t see that one coming either.  And nor will Colby when he finds out as he was very much looking forward to getting back together with Mac!  Well, he has messed her about rather too much for too long really.  Dean should set up a side business as a fortune teller…

Speaking of Colby, he reluctantly agreed to allow Bella to abandon school and take up photography at TAFE – on the proviso that she continued her counselling (the course being paid for by Dean who only recently had to borrow money from Mac).  Of course, she lied and didn’t attend counselling and of course, she was found out.  During this time, Bella also became close to Nikau and despite well-meaning but meddling Ryder (who completely crossed the line of confidentiality and friendship) telling him about her experience with Tommy, the pair decided to make a go of things.  I can’t say I’m a huge Bella fan but then whose to say how anyone would behave if they had the upbringing and experiences that she has suffered?  I do like Nik though I hope that having some joy in her life might calm down this whole Bratty Bella thing we’ve had on repeat for such a long time.

Not that Willow is leading by terribly good example at the moment, not that I blame her either!  Utterly shattered by her breakup with Alex (as am I!), Willow took all her heartbreak out on all her friends until Dean couldn’t take it any longer and persuaded her to go away with him for a few days to clear her head.  He and Colby couldn’t resist asking if she was ‘gay now’, to which she wasn’t sure why it mattered.  The only thing she knew was that when she was with Alex, her life had direction.  Well, I’m pleased that the show hasn’t just completely forgotten this story and the relationship, as it did with Charlie and Joey back in 2009.  And with Zoe Ventura apparently back based in Sydney, perhaps there is hope yet for the return of Doctor Alex Neilson, now they know just how popular this pairing has been!

For now though, Tori has returned to work with Jasmine by her side mostly seamlessly.  However, before long, Jasmine realised that she was very overdue her period and without so much as doing a test, announced to the world that she was pregnant!  I feel like this isn’t going to be that simple…

Leah suddenly twigged that she had seen nothing of Mason since her return, prompting Justin to have to break the news that he (and Robbo) had passed away.  As if the whole thing had been storyboarded perfectly, that was the week that Mason’s ashes arrived, allowed an emotional private ceremony for Justin, Tori and Leah to say goodbye.  So private that not even Brody or Raffy were invited.  Charming!

After an epic row where Leah accused Justin of being just like Douglas, thanks to him caring about so much and therefore crowding her while she tried to recover from her ordeal, Justin promised to back off and have some space.  But thankfully, they seemed more together than ever before.  I’m relieved.  They really are a lovely couple and I do hope that Justin is ‘the one’ for Leah after such a ‘colourful’ romantic history.

Home and Away has returned to filming & airs five days a week, Channel 5, 1:15pm & 6pm

There is a sneak peek episode on 5Star at 6:30pm on the same days

These reviews are based on the Channel 5 episodes