It’s the 88th of January, I haven’t seen the sun for months and I have no money. When will this month end? It’s almost been as long as the Holly and Yaz Lights Up storyline.
Speaking of that, let’s round up this week’s episodes of Neighbours.
Lights Out
Finally, we reach the conclusion of the Yaz storyline. Considering that this light festival she was organising involved lots of different locations and lots of electrical equipment, I was expecting something BIG. I thought there might be an explosion or something equally spectacular in order for her to get revenge for her brother’s death. What did we get? Max may have trouble playing Candy Crush for a couple of weeks and Yaz has left without facing any consequences. Are you flipping serious, Neighbours?
This entire time Yaz has been attempting to befriend Holly in order to get information about Keith’s death, I thought she was headed for a huge revenge plot. In the end, she made a half-arsed attempt to hurt or possibly kill Holly, but she left before making sure it was carried out properly, and she almost had a change of heart and called the whole thing off. The only reason I tolerated this plot was because I thought there was going to be a big payoff, but all we got was the “big reveal” that Keith and Yaz were related when some random photos popped up during the world’s most depressing photo montage at Eirini Rising. I can’t even be bothered to properly recap how it all went down because I’m so mad.
Yassss, Jane!
Jane goes out with a younger man with a terrible name, Clint, who is clearly really interested in a lot of the same things that she is, not to mention being very obviously interested in her as well. Although Jane enjoys talking to him, the fact that he’s a lot younger than her is putting her off, especially when she talks to Byron about it. Byron treads a very fine line between being sweet and protective and being very, very old fashioned. He is acting as though it’s absolutely inconceivable that a younger man might fancy an older woman. His reticence pushes Jane to be a bit contrary and she eventually decides to go on another date with her younger man. Good for her. Go and get it, Jane.
Seb Loses His Mind and His Job
I wasn’t very interested in this storyline until Seb lost his mind and deliberately injured his already injured arm in order to get attention from Krista. OK, Seb you’ve got my attention at least.
Leo is getting increasingly sick of Krista dropping everything to go running every time Seb has an issue with something, and Seb can tell that Leo might be saying that he’s alright with Seb being here, but that he actually wants him gone. The two of them are in the middle of some sort of Cold War as they both compete for Krista’s attention.
Leo is going Full Paul again, as he persuades Nicolette to sack Seb from his job at Harold’s. Leo has figured out that Nicolette let Yaz escape, so he uses that as leverage to encourage her to help him out. Nicolette goes through with it, and for pretty good reason, as Seb seems to spend most of his time watching cat videos with his feet up. But Seb sees Leo and Nicolette talking and he obviously begins to wonder if Leo had something to do with his sacking. We’ve already seen what lengths he’ll go to to get “Crusty’s” attention, so I’m interested to see what he does next.
Andrew Wouldn’t Survive a Horror Film
Andrew has moved into the Varga-Murphys’ house to look after JJ and Dex when they return from New York. He’s so far seen the curtains move when there is supposedly nobody at home, someone is drinking his milk and he’s heard noises several times coming from the sun room, but hasn’t checked them out even once – he’s just continued to live in the house and hope for the best. He would be the first person who got killed off in a slasher movie, for sure.
When he sees the cupboard door standing open and hears yet another noise, he finally picks up a cricket bat and goes to have a look. Presumably we will find out who the squatter is next week, and also if Andrew survives.
A Year Without David
Jane and Nicolette are doing something that really grinds my gears, and that is reminding grieving people about a death anniversary.
Grief looks different for everyone – some people mark birthdays and anniversaries, some people don’t. Both approaches is fine. What I would say to anyone who is close to a grieving person, and aware that a significant date is coming up: if they don’t mention it, you shouldn’t either.
Even though he knows it’s coming up, the reminder sends Aaron back into a grief spiral and his knee jerk reaction is to break up with Rhett, who has so far been so kind and patient with him. Dating must be so tricky after the loss of a partner, and it must be difficult to know when you’re ready to do it, but this really makes me sad. Rhett is pretty adorable. Are they really going to dangle such a sweet character in front of us and then just snatch him away?
Did Aaron really need to be reminded? Byron asking Aaron how he’s holding up ahead of the first anniversary of David’s death while him, Jane and Nicolette all look forlornly at him probably isn’t going to help make him feel any better about things.
Leo seems to have forgotten about the anniversary completely, and there’s absolutely no shame in that. Nicolette reminds him and then he is very clearly upset and guilt-ridden for not remembering. Terrific. He was doing OK and now he feels terrible. Wonderful work.
Having said all that, I very much enjoyed the conversation about grief between Nicolette and Leo. It’s alright not to mark anniversaries, or even remember them, and not talking about someone a lot doesn’t mean you don’t think about them or miss them. As Nicolette said, grief is complicated and different for everyone, and it isn’t linear either. You can be alright for weeks, months, or even years, and then you’ll hear a song or think about something and it’ll pull you right back in. It’s actually really lovely to see it being portrayed as the complicated and messy healing process it is.
Sadie and Byron Upset Vera Again
After the housemates suggest Eirini Rising as a possibility to Vera and she flies off the handle at them trying to put her in an old folks’ home, Sadie decides to enlist Gino to try to help persuade her. Gino comes over to do Vera’s hair and tell her all the juiciest gossip from Eirini Rising. Vera is having the time of her life until she realises what Sadie and Byron are up to, and then she gets upset again. I really hope she does move in Eirini Rising, it’d be perfect. She’d absolutely rule the roost, and her and Gino could spend their days being fabulous and gossiping about everyone else. These are the besties we all need. Make it happen!
A Few Random Notes
As usual, here are a few random notes I took while watching Neighbours this week, and ohhh boy, I was mad:
- Are we finally getting to the climax of the Yaz storyline? It’s been 84 years….
- WAIT. THAT’S IT?! After WEEKS AND WEEKS, all that happens is Max gets a minor electric shock?!
- So they carry on with the fireworks despite the public electrocution?
- This is it? Max is fine and Nicolette is just letting her go. THAT’S IT???!!!
- I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW.
- Who describes themselves or anyone else as a renaissance man, Jane?
- Nicolette’s mosaic bell bottoms are hideous.
