It is with great sadness that we reach the final week of Neighbours, one of the best shows ever created.  I hold my hands up – I am very tearful about this.  I think if it was ending voluntarily, it would be different.  But this beautiful, creative and inclusive show being taken away in its prime is such a loss.  However, they are handling it themselves with such grace.  I wouldn’t expect anything less.

And so, this week, we see each character’s story wrap up and we reflect on all that has been.  I felt it was the right thing to do, to review each episode, as it this is my last chance to do so.

This episode alone had so much in it, including a rightful focus on Jane Harris, some lovely moments between Chloe Brennan and Elly Conway, Susan Kennedy at her legendary best and some actual flashback footage of the amazing Madge Bishop.  What more could we want?

Clive Gibbons and Jane Harris

Clive was lamenting over how to fix things with Jane, including his past history of betrayal, including cheating on Beverly Marshall with Sheila.  Meanwhile, Jane got the wrong end of the stick when son, Byron returned Clive’s watch to him.  Danielle had stolen it in the hope that Clive would have to visit her but he didn’t.  Once Byron had explained, Jane apologised but with the news that Byron was leaving for South Africa with a client, she wanted to spend his last evening with him instead.

In the meantime, Clive received a phone call from Sheila!  Is this just a name check to honour the legendary Sheila Canning/Collette Mann or is she making a surprise return?  She just disappeared, like poor Marlene Kratz who went on a cruise and never came back…

Chloe Brennan and Elly Conway

Elly meets Nicolette who throws her quite the barb about how she is the reason that she and Chloe never stood a chance.  I have always been a #chelly fan so I am quite enjoying the idea that Elly is the person Chloe has always loved and loved the most – including husband, Pierce Grayson.  However, every time Elly refers to herself as ‘queer’ it feels really awkward and out of place.  Just saying.

Upon David’s advice, Elly decides to take the pressure off and give Chloe the time and space she needs to make a decision.  She opts to return to Sydney, promising to wait for as long as it takes.  Chloe seeks advice from David, who thinks that Elly is genuine about her feelings.  I am very hopeful for a reunion but Chloe, you only have a few days to sort your head out!  Hurry up!

Shane Ramsay

Shane is still finding his feet after coming into his money.  He assures Terese that written into the contract with Paul is the promise that her son, Josh’s plaque will never be removed.  A good reference to his tragic death in the explosion at Lassiter’s, that Terese has never truly recovered from.  If only she knew he was now a Doctor called Logan over in Home and Away.  Shane flirts with Izzy when she helps him choose a new car and it turns out that they both want to buy number twenty four.

Izzy Hoyland and Malcom Kennedy

Freya puts her foot in it with Izzy and Malcolm about number twenty four, sending them charging round to the Kennedy house, demanding to know what has happened.  Susan admits that she has asked random estate agent, Paige Brennan to look for another buyer.  Sending Izzy outside, Malcolm confronts his mother who demands that he chooses between her and Izzy.

The Ramsay Street Memory Book

Levi, Freya and Toadie talk through the memory book with Harold Bishop (who steals every scene he is in), as quite rightfully he should be the first to put in his entry.  He shares his memories of his wife, Madge and in a surprise, beautiful moment that made me well up, we were treated to actual footage of Madge herself!  We saw Lou Carpenter interrupting a date between Madge and Harold and we saw Madge and Harold’s wedding.  Thank you, Neighbours!  Putting in flashbacks of these amazing memories (without overwhelming us and overdoing it) is just wonderful!

When Levi and Freya approached Shane for his entry, he told them about meeting Daphne at a Buck’s Night, falling for her and ultimately losing her to Des Clarke and once again, we were treated to a flashback of the party.  This was all just so perfect and I am so excited for the next episode and to see whose memories and what past footage we may get to see.

To Be Continued…

• David is pondering going to New York
• Nicolette is considering going with the boys to New York but has only just started dating Kiri who is moving to River Bend for work
• Yashvi Rebecchi is back to help Toadie and Mel with the wedding (but didn’t bother to show up for Mackenzie and Hendrix’s or when Hendrix Grayson died)
• Yashvi and Ned are back together

Name Drops: Danielle Pendlebury, Beverly Marshall, Sheila Canning, Andrew Robinson, Madge Bishop, Charlene Robinson, Lou Carpenter, Des Clarke, Daphne Clarke

Arrivals: None

Departures: Elly (returned to Sydney), Byron (left for Cape Town)