Episode 412

Australian Air Date: 10th October 1989
UK Air Date: 17th September 1990
Writer: Mary Dagmar Davies
Director: Brian Lennane

The funeral of Lance’s friend has a technical hitch and Bobby and Danny accept a double date with Carly and Adam.

Extended Summary

Celia is on the phone to Betty, telling her she thought Lance had lost a dear friend. Pippa brings Sally into the store to apologise for not explaining to Celia that Jonah was just a fish. Pippa says she will dispose of Jonah in the usual manner but Celia tells her not to; her reading of the Scriptures has led her to believe that the argument for Jonah is theologically sound!

Adam comes into the Diner and Carly has a moan to Bobby in the kitchen about Adam leading her and Emma on. Bobby tells Carly not to give Adam the satisfaction of seeing that he’s got to her. Carly goes out and pleasantly takes his order. Adam is confused as he thought Carly was annoyed with him over Emma.

Morag is dressing the cuts on Danny’s hand from smashing the picture and she blames Bobby. Danny asks if his going out with Bobby really bothers her and Morag says yes; she’s got a heart of stone! It’s like casting pearls before swine.

Celia is cycling and catches up with Reverend Flowers – also on his bike – and tells him he has failed to meet a genuine need. She reminds him that the Good Lord loves even the humble sparrow. The women’s auxiliary have decided he has neglected his duty and as an act of penance he must direct a free funeral service for Jonah!

At the Diner, Carly is explaining to Adam that she just wants pure, platonic friendship. Adam asks her out on the yacht tomorrow and says it could get romantic so Carly immediately asks Bobby if she and Danny want to come along too.

Celia arrives at Summer Bay House to tell Sally the Reverend has agreed to conduct a funeral for Jonah. Steven thinks it’s ridiculous but Celia tells him he could show some support. Steven says he found out from his biology teacher that Jonah died of gluttony and asks what more Celia wants; a coffin? Celia says that’s a very good idea! They all go to the mobile home to tell Lance the news. Lance finds the fish food is empty and says Martin murdered Jonah! Celia sends Steven to collect Jonah from the school.

Celia and Sally take Lance to the Diner for lunch and to talk about “arrangements”. Lance doesn’t want Jonah to be buried in Celia’s garden alongside Celia’s dead cat. Sally and Lance decide a burial at sea would be more appropriate and Adam mentions that his boat is available for charter. Steven arrives and has been unable to find Jonah. Celia tells Adam he’ll have to help Steven find the fish if he wants his money.

Bobby arrives at Morag’s to ask if Danny is interested in going out on Adam’s yacht. Morag tells Danny there’s someone here to see him… outside where she belongs!

It gets dark and Steven still hasn’t been able to find Jonah. Adam doesn’t want to lose his charter and suggests they get another fish and kill it! Carly tells him if he does he can forget tomorrow afternoon. She asks him to drop a pie round to Donald’s as Bobby forgot it.

Sally is decorating a box with beads and things as a casket for Jonah. Pippa tells her it gave Tom a good laugh when she told him about Jonah’s funeral and Sally says she hasn’t Tom laugh for ages.

Adam, Steven and the pie are at Donald’s house where Bobby tells Steven that you can’t leave anything in the school fridge. Steven discovers a new magnet on the fridge and Bobby says some little greaser made it for Donald at school. It’s a goldfish encased in plastic and Steven says it’s Jonah (because apparently Bobby couldn’t figure this out for herself)! Back at Summer Bay House, Celia says it will have to be a closed casket. They drop the plastic in and put the lid on.

The next morning, Celia and Reverend Flowers arrive at Adam’s yacht and the Reverend refuses a seasickness pill from Celia. Lance and Sally arrive and Celia hands Lance the coffin. Celia and Bobby are packing food for later in the Diner kitchen and laughing about the funeral. On the yacht, Celia sings All Things Bright and Beautiful (badly) while Reverend Flowers throws up over the side of the boat! Celia says the committal and Sally slides the coffin into the water.

At the mobile home, Lance, Sally and Celia toast Jonah with (respectively) a can of Fosters, a glass of orange juice, and a cup of tea. Celia gives Lance the flag from the coffin to remember Jonah by. She and Sally leave, and Lance pulls the plastic-encased Jonah out of his pocket; he couldn’t let him get chucked over the side!

Morag tells Danny that Bobby is most unsuitable for him, and she thought Danny was here to protect her. Danny doubts anything will happen to Morag while he’s out. Bobby arrives and she and Danny leave together. Morag tells Danny (out of earshot) to make the most of it because nothing ever lasts.

Guest Cast

DANNY PRICE (JUSTIN CONNOR)

REVEREND FLOWERS (PHILLIP ROSS)
Presided over the funeral of Lance’s dead goldfish, Jonah, before succumbing to sea-sickness.