Episode 4551

Australian Air Date: 19th November 2007

Who does Jack really want to be with? He has twenty four hours to decide. Martha escapes the hospital attacker, but it looks like he’s slipped away again. Do Ric and Matilda get things back on track?

Extended Summary

After being attacked in the hospital car park, Martha manages to fight off her assailant, escaping more or less unharmed and leaving him with some deep gouges in his arms. The police take DNA samples from under her fingernails and she goes about trying to forget it happened. When Jack learns that Sam let Martha cross the car park alone, he’s not happy. Sam reacts badly, resenting his anger, which goes beyond professional, highlighting his feelings for Martha once again. Having spoken to Sam, Reverend Hall tells jack that he should be supporting his wife to be after a terrible error of judgement, not attacking her, and if he doesn’t work things out with Martha soon, Hall won’t marry them.

Affronted, Jack tells him to go to Hell. When she finds out, Sam goes off at Jack for jeopardising their marriage, he’s defensive, and as far as he’s concerned it was none of Hal’s business. When Sam goes to Martha’s apartment to apologise, she finds Michael instead, and is frustrated by his lack of jealousy. Meanwhile, Jack finds Martha, to tell her that they’ve had no luck finding a match for the DNA. Then when he apologises for Sam not walking her out, she tells him not to make a big deal, his fiancé had plenty of reasons. Fresh from his meeting with Sam, Michael sees them together, and the seed of doubt planted by Sam sends out a shoot. As Jack leaves the surf club bar Michael walks out after him and stops Jack and he draws a line, he’s been patient, but it’s time for Jack to back off from Martha. Words are exchanged and results in Michael landing a good right hook square on Jack’s chin.

When Jack gets home, Sam’s is waiting. She’s talked Reverend Hall around, and she doesn’t want to fight anymore. But she asks him if the wedding’s still worth having. Jack’s confused, but Sam has finally made a decision. She gives him twenty four hours to make up his mind, once and for all. He can stay at Tony’s house tonight, and if he doesn’t show up to the wedding rehearsal the next day, she’ll know his answer. Head reeling and walking along the beach that night, Jack comes across Martha once more. He tells her the way he feels, split between his love for two women, and they fall into a kiss.

Ric and Matilda are working hard to fix their problems, having a romantic dinner, but everything feels a bit awkward, and when Lucas appears, fresh back from the States, they’re eager for the interruption. Still desperately wanting to get things back on track, the next day Matilda puts together a basket for a surprise picnic with Ric. Unfortunately, Ric’s had the same idea. When they meet at the beach, each carrying their own surprise picnic basket, the couple can’t help but laugh, finally remaking the connection they’ve been trying to force. It looks like things are back on track.