Rachel turns to drugs and alcohol to cope with her grief. Jack gives up on life as the pain of losing Martha overwhelms him.
Extended Summary
It’s the middle of the night and Leah is awoken by the sound of smashing glass in the kitchen, she is shocked to find Rachel, clearly intoxicated, huddled over a broken bottle on the floor. Leah takes it from her, insisting she will take care of the clean up. Rachel’s alcohol fuelled emotions begin to overwhelm her as she is haunted by the guilt she feels over the helicopter accident. Leah tries to calm her, but Rachel is hell bent on blaming herself. Leah watches on, concerned, as Rachel stumbles back to her bedroom, armed with another glass of alcohol. The next morning, Rachel is badly hung-over and snaps at Leah. There’s a knock at the door and Alf appears – it’s the last person Rachel wants to see. Alf jumps in to an apology but Rachel doesn’t want to hear it. Leah and Alf are alarmed by Rachel’s increasingly darkened behaviour. As the day progresses, Rachel’s self-loathing overtakes and once again, she bites back at Leah. Rachel realises she has overstepped the mark and makes a peace offering with a cuppa. Leah is somewhat hopeful that Rachel may be sorting herself out. But once out of sight, Rachel retrieves a pill from a small bottle in her pocket and washes it down with a swig of wine. Rachel is on a path of self-destruction!
Kit and Kim are huddled around the fire as they talk of the loved ones they know will be worried sick about them. Kim is certain that Rachel is strong enough to overcome the recent tragedies and stay positive – if only he knew! As the sun rises, the group gather and Kit tries to offer some relief with food – but as she passes around the small portions, they can’t help but wonder how long they can possibly survive out in the bush with little food and water? Everyone is wearing thin and the pain of their injuries is taking over. Colin pipes up, insisting they get a move on and find a clearing for easier visibility for those searching for them. Kim disagrees and wants to stay with the wreckage. A full blown argument erupts – eventually ending when the group makes a vote to go with Colin. They pack up their gear and begin their trek further in to the bush – but clearly Kit and Kim are deeply concerned this could be a terrible mistake.
Meanwhile, Tasha prepares to be discharged from hospital and Jack is doing his best to cover his own fears, knowing he still has a long haul until he is well enough to escape from his hospital bed. Jack reiterates that no matter what happens, he will always be there for Tasha and the baby. But once Tasha is gone, his façade falls and it becomes clear that Jack is being overwhelmed by his anxiety. Tony arrives to find Jack in a miserable state and despite Tony’s efforts to buoy Jack’s spirits, Jack insists that no one could possibly understand what he is going through. To add fuel to his fire, at that moment, Macca appears. Macca tries to make peace but Jack snaps at the mention of Martha’s name and yells that Macca is the one that deserves to be dead! Macca hurries out, deeply hurt by Jack’s ferocious attack.
Tony is filling Alf in on Jack’s deteriorating condition. Alf offers some friendly advice but their conversation is interrupted by a phone call. Tony is shocked to receives the news that Jack has discharged himself from hospital! The search begins with rising fear that if Jack doesn’t take his anti-rejection medication for his transplant, then it may be potentially fatal. Alf eventually finds Jack but he is unresponsive to Alf’s pleas to return to hospital. As Jack opens the door to his home, he is overwhelmed by the sight of rose petals and unlit candles that fill the room. It was Martha’s romantic surprise intended for their wedding night. Alf’s heart goes out to Jack and leaves him to be. Once alone, Jack notices a package on the table labelled “Holden Wedding” – he retrieves the DVD and gazes at it, unsure of what he will do.
Meanwhile, Tony calls on Tasha to offer Jack some support. As she arrives at the front door, she pauses at the sight of Jack, watching intently at the television screen. As the images of Martha and their wedding day unfold before him, his eyes fill with tears and slowly he allows the grief to consume him. Tasha moves towards the couch and sits beside him. Jack is surprised to see her but as Tasha takes him in to her arms, Jacks allows himself to be comforted as he sobs his heart out.