The Last Tuesday on Neighbours…

The Kennedy’s

Susan is devastated when Mal chooses Izzy

Directly continuing from Monday’s confrontation, moronic Malcolm chose Izzy. Susan’s lip tremble is a work of art. Jackie Woodburne is one of the people I am going to miss the most. Truly.

Later, Susan found Karl gazing at the infamous Kennedy Kids painting that when my wife started watching Neighbours again a few months ago, couldn’t believe was still hanging above the mantlepiece. It is legendary. They visited Mal and Izzy at their hotel and made peace. Susan even apologised for making her son choose and offered her support of their relationship and their move to Ramsay Street in order to maintain her own relationship with her eldest.

Thankfully, we know the relationship won’t last and Izzy hasn’t changed. While Malcolm was in the shower, Izzy received a gift from millionaire Shane Ramsay with a dinner invitation. To be fair, she binned it. But this is Izzy. She will have ditched Mal and hooked up with Shane by the final. I’d bet number twenty four on it!

David and Aaron

David and Aaron had both been looking at apartments in New York and Aaron had even got The Shed valued to see if emigrating was a possibility. Never mind that David, with a criminal record would be so unlikely to get a Visa to live in the States the whole plot is completely implausible but whatever! Let’s suspend our disbelief, I guess.

Their only concern seemed to be Nicolette and Jane. However, when they proposed the idea to Nicolette, she, having spoken to Kiri and with them having decided not to hold each other back, decided to go with the boys. She too has a criminal record and would also not be likely to get a Visa! Thinking about it, it’s very odd that in one Street we have a Doctor and two nurses all struck off. And even weirder that Freya can be struck off from nursing and yet it’s entirely possible for her to become a paramedic. None of them could have gone to The Karl Kennedy Medical School where he started off as a GP and can now perform any kind of life saving surgery required in any situation. I really am going to miss this show!

Anyway, Nic was very keen to escape Jane, with whom she had had a big argument over Byron’s departure. She accused her of letting her own judgements on his life being the reason he left, likening it to the time she left the UK because of Jane’s fear of Mrs Mangel finding out she was a lesbian.

Paul and Terese

The plaque for Josh and Doug will remain (Back to the Bay)

Paul found Terese looking at Josh and Doug Willis’s plaque. She thanked him for ensuring it would stay where it was when the hotel was sold. The grief and tension between them was incredibly strong. I am so desperate for them to get back together and I am really going to miss their scenes. #Praise

Arriving home, Terese laments for her life with Paul, even imagining him sitting on the sofa, as if they were still together. Going through the paperwork for River Bend, Terese weeps. She knows it isn’t what she wants. Glen silently observes her. He knows it isn’t what she wants too… I do feel a bit sorry for Glen. But he is also quite annoying.

Toadie and Mel’s Wedding

Nothing will get in the way of the wedding… (denofgeek)

So, while Yashvi, Toadie and Mel continued with the wedding plans, it became more and more apparent that both their histories – him and Sonya, her and Joe and everything in between, blocking their path.

When Yashvi pocket called Toadie, he overheard a sad conversation between her and Mel, where the bride to be fretted that they would never truly be able to move forward when they were constantly being pulled back into the past. He then made the momentous decision to sell his house so that he and Mel could buy a new place together nearby but not on Ramsay Street.

Paige the Estate Agent

Karl and Susan – and the rest of us, were in shock… (Metro)

Meanwhile, Paige was contacted by the Rodwell’s about a valuation. They have literally just moved in! And they upset the whole Street when they did! How ridiculous! And rude! So, Karl and Susan found themselves stepping outside to discover that the whole of Ramsay Street is up for sale…

The Rodwell House
Chloe’s House
Toadie’s House
David and Aaron’s House
Terese’s House

I’m sorry but this is not how I wanted Neighbours to end. I wanted to think of my favourite characters continuing to live their happy lives on Ramsay Street, not all abandoning ship and running away. Actually, I’m not sorry. I’ve been so happy with all these amazing tributes and how graciously the show has handled everything but I will be genuinely sad if all my favourite characters say goodbye. How can they ever bring back the show if everyone has moved away?

The Ramsay Street History Book

Levi and The Rodwell’s interviewed Lucy about the history book. She told them all about her beloved Gran, Helen Daniels. I expected it but I wasn’t prepared for it, all at the same time. We saw flashbacks to precious memories of Helen/Anne Haddy – her kindness, her advice, her love, her support and her gentleness. It was just magic and took me all the way back to my childhood, loving all those scenes with Helen. I used to hang on her every word after school. She was such a comfort and a joy to watch, everyone’s Gran. I am so happy that this is how Neighbours have chosen to honour the characters who made the show what it is but cannot visit either because the characters or the actors or both have passed on. Beautiful.

Name Drops: Sonya Rebecchi, Amy Greenwood, Joe Mangel, Mrs Nell Mangel, Holly Hoyland, Pam Willis, Josh Willis, Doug Willis

Arrivals: None

Departures: None

Neighbours: May I Return (To the Beginning)…?

Tragically, the Neighbours cast and crew, not to mention us as devoted fans are counting down the days until our beloved show comes to a hopefully temporary end on 1^st August, with a huge double episode. But by now, most of us will have heard of some major cast returns and some of them are SERIOUSLY exciting!

Harold Bishop (Ian Smith)

The first person to be mentioned, several weeks ago was Harold Bishop, such a classic character that the café is still named after him, long after his departure. He is so loved that the show wasn’t even capable of killing him off without bringing him back to life! Nobody would ever be able to forget the beautiful love story that was Harold and Madge (Anne Charleston) – the humour and the tragedy. It could not end without him. If only Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), his old sparring partner was returning with him!

Joe Mangel (Mark Little)

We will also see Joe Mangel (Mark Little) with whom I am very much hoping we might also see his daughter Skye and her wife, Lana (Stephanie Mackintosh and Bridget Neval). Joe was always a loveable character and it was one of the show’s most memorable and tragic episodes when wife, environmentalist, Kerry was shot and killed. We saw Skye, a police officer return a couple of years ago a marry teenage love, Lana, finally getting closure on the relationship that started all those years and had to end abruptly due to homophobia. It was the show’s second gay marriage and really showed just how far Neighbours has come in terms of diversity and celebrating the LGBTQ community.

The Kennedy Family

Benjamin McNair as Mal Kennedy
(Digital Spy)

There are so many iconic families on Ramsay Street and Neighbours are clearly doing their best to represent as many of them as possible in the characters they are bringing back, as well as making sure they keep the current, radiant cast shining. It is a joy to hear that Mal Kennedy (Benjamin McNair) will be winging his way back to his parents from where he ‘lives’ in London. If only Libby and Billy (Kym Valentine and Jesse Spencer) would drop in too. They could pose for a new portrait! My wife has been tuning in for these last few months and she was shocked to see it still hanging in Karl and Susan’s lounge!

Also on her way back to Erinsborough is Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta), Susan’s niece, prompting the hope that after everything they have been through over all these years, #Chelly might finally get their happy ever after. I did like Chloe and Nicolette for a while and this Kiri seems quite nice but Chloe and Elly were the original couple. Nobody ever quite moved on from them, did they?! Next week, we will be seeing Pierce Greyson (Tim Robards) return, in line with his son Hendrix’s tragic diagnosis but let’s hope that doesn’t mean a reunion for him and Chloe because quite frankly that never worked for me. Just saying.

The Rebecchi Family

Morgan Baker as Callum Rebecchi
(Digital Spy)

Poor Toadie has been through so much during his life on Ramsay Street. He lost his first wife, Dee Bliss. He found true love with Sonya until she died from cancer in possibly the saddest ever storyline the show has ever aired. Then there was the whole Dee/Andrea insanity, which I was hooked on from start to finish! And it has taken a respectful amount of time but he has finally found love again with Melanie Pearson. So, it is lovely that his mother, Angie and his and Sonya’s son, Callum (Leslie and Morgan Baker) will be here for the end.

The Willis Family

Kate Kendall as Lauren Willis
(Digital Spy)

Paige Brennan (Olympia Valance) is also due to return again, although not with husband, Mark as far as we know. I’m not the biggest Mark fan but with the Brennan family having made such a huge impact on the Street, it would have been amazing to see Mark and Tyler (and Tyler’s partner, Piper) reunite on screen with their siblings, Chloe and Aaron – not to mention Piper and half-sister Paige back together again.

However, Paige’s mother, Lauren Willis (Kate Kendall) will return! And so will Ned Willis (Ben Hall), who has barely left. Ned has got himself into quite a lot of bother recently, having cheated on girlfriend, Amy with Harlow. He must take after his father. Deciding he needs to start afresh, Ned decided to head off to Sydney but it has been confirmed that both he and ex-girlfriend – and clearly the love of his life – Yashvi Rebecchi (Olivia Junkeer) will both return for the finale. So, does this mean they will get their happy ending after all?

Ned and Yashvi – reunited?
(Digital Spy)

But most importantly, Ned is heading to Sydney to spend time with his mother, Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia) – no relation to Mark etc. Natalie recently won The Masked Singer UK and added her voice very loudly to the #SaveNeighbours Campaign so could it be possible that she might also return?! This would be amazing! Especially with Lauren, the third Mrs Willis back on screen, albeit played by a different actress, but still the same character who had an affair with Brad when Beth was in a relationship with him way back in the 90s. Neighbours, you need to make this happen. Three Mrs Willis’s on screen at the same time: Beth, Terese and Lauren! Ramsay Street actually could explode after all!

Will Beth make one last return to Ramsay Street…?
(ITV)

Also returning as part of the Willis clan are Kyle and Roxy Canning (Chris Milligan and Zima Anderson). They too have only left the show very recently. With Kyle only just recovering from testicular cancer, these two are a couple of the level of Scott and Charlene in terms of just how much they love each other. I’m not a TV wedding crier by any stretch of the imagination but I got very emotional at this one. And now, despite the odds, they are expecting a baby!

Chris Milligan and Zima Anderson as Kyle and Roxy Canning

Other Notable Characters

Also back for the finale are: Shane Ramsay (Peter O’Brien), Des Clarke (Paul Keane), Joel Samuels (Daniel MacPherson), Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingwaighte) and Amy Williams (Zoe Cramond).

The Robinson Family

Melissa Bell has returned as Lucy Robinson
(Digital Spy)

The final family with returning character are the Robinson family. Paul can expect two of his many children to return: Elle and Andrew (Pippa Black and Jordan Patrick). Lucy Robinson (Melissa Bell) is already on screen, attempting to rescue the mess Paul has made – and is blaming Terese for – of the fashion show. She is due to be joined by gay best friend and father of her baby, former resident, Chris Pappas (James Mason) who moved to live with her in New York. As far as Paul and Terese are concerned, they remain together in the credits, so I hold out hope that by 1^st August, they will be back together, where they belong.

Scott and Charlene (Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue)

Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue as Scott and Charlene Robinson
(Metro)

And of course, the return that everyone is talking about… Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by the legendary Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, who began their careers in Neighbours in the 80s and went onto become global superstars. This has been the ultimate dream cast return for decades and I can hardly believe it is actually happening! Scott and Charlene have been mentioned regularly throughout the years with their extended family still living on Ramsay Street. In fact, Jason’s real life daughter plays Harlow! In the fictional world, Scott and Charlene have been happily married all this time and remain one of those couples and make you believe in true love! Their wedding was watched in the UK by 20 million people!

They went onto have two children (off screen), Madeline and Daniel, both of whom turned up on Ramsay Street as adults. Daniel arrived in 2014 and eventually married Imogen Willis, daughter of Terese, who eventually married Paul, brother of Scott! I am secretly hoping that Daniel and Imogen (Tim Phillips and Ariel Kaplan) might also find their way back home for the end!

Of course, everyone knows that since departing Erinsborough, Kylie went onto have an incredible pop career and became a huge gay icon and ally. She has lent her voice to the cause and is cherished by the LGBTQ community the world over. So, there is something particularly special, I think, that she is returning not just to the show that began her career but to the show that has developed itself from a soap that competed with all the others, to a soap that celebrates diversity in such a magical way – far beyond any others. And I watch them all! When Kylie and Jason were Australia and the UK’s sweethearts, there were no gay characters. Through the years, they tried and failed with characters such as Skye and Lana and had successes with others such as Chris. Now, we have Aaron and David, who even have a child and have been accepted as foster parents. We have Nicolette. We have Chloe. We have had the privilege of following Mackenzie through her journey as a beautiful, graceful transgender teenager. I believe we’re about to meet a non-binary character in the coming weeks. Aaron and David had the first gay wedding on Neighbours and walked down the aisle to ‘Especially for You’ by Kylie and Jason themselves! So, to have them back is an amazing thing, despite the circumstances.

Although, I am dreading that final episode and having to say goodbye to one of my most favourite ever programmes, I admire the dignity with which all the cast and crew have approached things. I also salute every single fan, who with true Ramsay Street Spirit, has campaigned for the show to be saved. I am proud to have been tweeting away, desperate to save the show we love and I have really enjoyed making those connections. I am excited for all the cast members who love the show so much that they wanted to be part of its celebrations and goodbyes. And I will also never lose the hope that even though the show will be rested, it will return.

Neighbours: Memories…

(Monday 17^th – Friday 21^st February 2020)

When Ned suspects that Yashvi is working for Zenin, he foolishly interferes and takes her place, once more messing up the whole thing. Of course Yashvi isn’t working for Zenin; it’s a sting operation and she’s working undercover for the police. Yashvi manages to put in some damage limitation and Zenin is at least caught out but unfortunately, Ned is caught too. It’s funny really. When these two first got together, she was the young, immature one who was absolutely besotted with him. Recently, Yashvi has really grown up and he just seems to make mistake after mistake. I think she’s outgrown him.

Ned interferes with bringing Zenin down…

Things get worse for Ned as, in the dog house with Yashvi, he also finds himself in trouble with the law. The case is much bigger than with just the local police and who is the Detective covering their area? Detective Mark Brennan! Newly promoted, just in time for Neighbours 35^th birthday! Toadie is furious to learn that Ned sent Zenin a forged letter from him on letter headed paper, which prompted his offices to be broken in to. Therefore he can’t represent him. And while Terese and Paul tell Ned off for blaming Yashvi for keeping secrets, Mark advises Yashvi to rethink her choice of relationship while she has a promising career ahead of her.

Mark’s friends and family are thrilled to see him back in Erinsborough. Ned apologises to Toadie but Shane is determined to see him out of Yashvi’s life. Roxy is oddly familiar with Mark considering how badly he treated her before his departure. Mark agrees to give a talk to the Buddy Club.

Another returnee to Erinsborough is Lucy Robinson. Chloe is surprised although apparently she was copied in on emails. Evidently she has been flooded with emails with Paul in a bid to overwhelm her and make her miss Lucy’s arrival. She is immediately under pressure from Lucy, although Pierce stands up for her. Terese does her best to encourage Lucy to support Chloe who is having an absolute nightmare back at the hotel but nothing Chloe does is good enough.

It’s the last straw when Chloe is let down over the royal wedding dress but while Lucy is at least willing to listen to her other ideas, Paul tears a strip off of her. Encouraged by Pierce to stand up for herself, Chloe goes too far and loses it with him, getting extremely personal as she attempts to put him in his place. Having witnessed the argument, Lucy decides to let Chloe go. She also asks Terese to resume her role at the hotel in her place. Despite her guilt over Chloe and her love of the Buddy Club, Terese takes the job. Well, what has Lassiters been without Terese at the helm? Terese immediately has ideas about the wedding expo, looking at infamous weddings from Erinsborough past. She asks Toadie about displaying Sonya’s wedding dress as part of the expo. She accidentally offends Chloe by asking to resume her previous role as her Executive Assistant. She was only trying to be nice…

Meanwhile, Elly’s family and friends gather for Aster’s Naming Day Ceremony, conducted by Susan. Finn and Bea are named as Godparents and Shaun is mentioned a lot. There is no way this guy isn’t coming back from the dead at some point. His ‘death’ was way too odd. No grandparents on either side bother to show up and Elly’s so called best friend, who was at one time going to be the kid’s step-mother is too busy with her own life to attend either. Mark and Elly come face to face for the first time since the baby has been born. It’s awkward. She kind of thrusts the baby at him. It’s more awkward. Aaron also backs out of the ceremony and goes for drinks with Mark. Chloe and Pierce join them, with Chloe having just been fired.

Having enjoyed such a lovely family day together, Susan and Karl invite Elly and Aster to stay the night. However, things go bump in the night when everyone else is asleep and it’s just Elly and Finn awake. Finn is under pressure from Trent constantly trying to contact him and Elly is emotional from the day just gone. Of course an emotional conversation leads to a kiss. And during the kiss, Finn has a flashback to kissing Elly during the life he has forgotten. They both panic, Elly because she has cheated on her sister and Finn because a) he has cheated on his girlfriend and b) because of what a flashback could mean. She goes home and neither of them gets any sleep. He considers telling David the truth but backs out when he imagines his Doctor’s response. He retreats further when Susan reiterates that he is very much part of their family now.

Jane just about manages to talk her way out of trouble with Susan for rooting through her files. She goes through various suspects including Mr Muggleton who has just jetted off on an expensive holiday during term time and out of the blue and then Ritchie who we know from Erinsborough High, has completely reformed and is now dating Mackenzie. So, with those two ruled out, it’s back to the drawing board but one thing I am finding annoying is that Jane is supposed to be exceptionally intelligent. I’m not saying clever people wouldn’t fall for a catfish, especially someone lonely and vulnerable like Jane but would she really be charging around the way she is, trying to find out who tricked her?

Harlow and Hendrix argue over Clementine again. But then, what don’t they argue over? When Mark finds the cat at home, he throws her out, not knowing that they have shared custody. Outside, Harlow accidentally reverses over her with the car! No! That’s horrible! Poor little cat. At least she had caviar for her last meal, I suppose. But seriously, this is unnecessary trauma, killing off the cat…

Hendrix is devastated and blames Harlow, believing that she did it on purpose because she hated her and hates him. Harlow, Hendrix, Ned, Terese and Roxy gather for Clementine’s funeral (Piper sends her thoughts and a book, being that she was originally her cat). Terese says a few words, including the fact that Clementine was the first person she told about her cancer. Hendrix is genuinely emotional, explaining that Clementine was the only person who really gave him a chance on the Street, no questions asked. He finally realises that her death was an accident when Harlow expresses her regret and appreciates how much love and joy she brought to people’s lives. When Harlow gives Hendrix one of the cat’s toys, she also offers her friendship. They are about to kiss when Harlow sneezes, allergic to the toy. It ruins the moment and I still don’t think it’s acceptable to kill the cat just to bring these two together. There were other ways! But I guess I’m pleased that they’re heading in the right direction.

Hendrix is devastated over Clementine’s death…

Hendrix is furious when he learns that Mark put the cat out, prior to her death, prompting him to apologise to Terese and the family for his role in her death. I am reminded why I am probably the only viewer who never really liked Mark.

Two other things to note: a very random story about Naked Roxy hosting a naked brunch, attended by Naked Kyle, Naked Aaron, Naked Toadie and Naked Karl. Also, so much love to Neighbours for their tribute to Eastenders’ 35^th birthday. They had a fab shot of Eastenders themed cocktails outside The Waterhole. One birthday soap to another. I’d just love it if Eastenders, who are famous for slipping in an extra scene here and there, would return the gesture in a few weeks when it’s Neighbours’ birthday.

Happy birthday, Eastenders – love Neighbours!

Channel 5, 1:45pm and 5:30pm

Neighbours: Plain Jane Super Brain

(Monday 10^th – Friday 14^th February 2020)

Jane Harris returns to Erinsborough and she seems to have a real spring in her step. It soon transpires, at least to us, that she has a new man in her life. However, all is not as it seems as she speaks to him on the phone about making a ‘transfer’ and by the next day, the champagne she’s bought and the hotel room she’s decorated have all gone to waste and her mood is completely destroyed. Poor Jane.

When Paul spots Jane in a state, demanding that her room be cleaned up (and also claiming that the decoration was a mistake), he takes it as another opportunity to lay into Chloe. However, he is suitable concerned about Jane’s state of mind and frustrated when she won’t open up to him. She does open up to Dipi though. Richard, the man she has been talking to online, now doesn’t want anything to do with her – since she transferred him all of her savings. Dipi is supportive and encourages her to speak to the police. Jane remains convinced that it’s all a misunderstanding until Dipi discovers that the photo he used is a stock photo from the Internet. Jane starts a job teaching at the school where Harlow behaves really oddly around her. Susan, who is already perplexed that Jane would accept such a junior position, catches Jane searching through files in her office.

With Paul still on her back and fearing she is not impressing Lucy, Chloe comes up with the idea of holding a wedding expo at the hotel. Her USP is that she is able to get a vaguely royal wedding dress. Elly helps her prep, giving hope to all the #chelly fans out there. She pitches the idea to Paul, who remains unconvinced. However, all the Neighbours fans out there will be aware that the show’s 35^th birthday is coming up soon and it will fear FIVE WEDDINGS (and three deaths!) so presumably Chloe’s idea will be a success (please let Skye and Lana be one of the weddings! Please!)

Finn opens up to Bea and Susan about his father, Trent and considers contacting him. Interfering Bea jumps the gun and contacts him herself. Always helpful. She and Elly arrange to meet Trent and discover that he did gather together the ransom money to rescue his son. Unfortunately, being an alcoholic at the time, he got drunk, slept with a woman at his hotel and she stole the cash. He then left Columbia with his tail between his legs and Finn was left abandoned to his kidnappers as his wife was only ever interested in rescuing Shaun. While Bea and Elly are eager for Trent to reconnect with Finn, they implore him not to tell him that he was too drunk and useless to save him.

Father and son do reconnect but Finn grows suspicious when he later sees Trent and Elly arguing. He confronts Elly and Bea over what they are clearly keeping from him. They are forced to tell him the truth. He is devastated and storms out. Elly catches up with him and he opens up to her about everything he went through and how his parents let him down.

Desperate to resolve the situation with Zenin, Ned enlists Kyle’s help in buying a gun from him and reporting it to the police to get him arrested. Unfortunately, Yashvi finds the gun and is utterly furious with Ned for his stupid plan. The next day, having reported it all, Zenin isn’t immediately arrested, although the police assure them they are dealing with it. Later, Zenin texts Yashvi. Something odd is going on…

Meanwhile, poor Kyle is an absolute mess. While Aaron and David and a very excited and supportive Paul are getting very excited about Mardi Gras, there is a very cute moment where a confetti cannon explodes and Kyle nearly craps himself. He later sets one off on purpose to prove he’s fine.

Against Shane’s request, Karl is busy keeping an eye on Dipi and Gary and is shocked when he witnesses the pair seemingly too comfortable together at the house. However, Dipi decides that now might be the time to try and speak to Shane. Unfortunately, that all goes out the window when Shane and Roxy get rostered on together and Dipi witnesses them sharing a bit of a moment. Furious, she comes home to rant to Gary. Karl peers over the fence at just the wrong moment – Dipi plants a kiss on stunned Gary. Overwhelmed with guilt, Dipi resolves to tell Shane the truth but of course, meddling Karl gets there first. Shane is furious but also deeply hurt when he realises that Dipi initiated the kiss. Karl is apologetic, especially when he realises that the woman he overheard him lamenting over was actually Prue, not Dipi.

Dipi and Shane finally talk things through, leading him to make a really sweet romantic gesture. He takes them through their whole relationship, reminding them of everything they’ve been through and pledging his commitment to their future. Now, we know from the promo for their 35^th anniversary that three people are going to die. Shane and Dipi have been through a massive upheaval. Now they’re desperately in love again. They are prime candidates for being killed off…

Channel 5, 1:45pm and 5:30pm