Episode 4578

Australian Air Date: 20th February 2008
UK Air Date: 28th March 2008
Writer: Faith McKinnon
Director: Geoffrey Nottage

Sam helps Johnny. What power does he hold over her? A guilty charge falls on Aden’s innocent shoulders. Annie rejects her brothers love.

MORAG BELLINGHAM (CORNELIA FRANCES)
SAM HOLDEN (JESSICA CHAPNIK)
JOHNNY COOPER (CALLAN MULVEY)

Extended Summary

Aden finds a drunken Annie who has passed out on the beach. He stands over her, his expression eerily unnerving. Is Annie in danger? Aden initially takes pleasure in seeing ‘good Christian’ Annie in a drunken state, but her incoherency quickly makes Aden realise how serious the situation is. Elsewhere, Geoff voices his fears about Annie’s wavering faith – he’s scared she’s going off the rails… if only he knew! Back at the beach, Aden picks up a rag doll like Annie and hauls her towards the surf club. Already distressed, in search for Annie, Geoff with Tony in tow is horrified to see Aden with his hands on Annie’s head.

Aden is trying to keep her propped up, but for everyone else it appears as though Aden is trying to take advantage of her. Geoff is quick to send verbal accusations at Aden, who immediately becomes defensive. The tense attacks between these two boys continue as Annie is taken to the Surf Club, where Tony and Martha take control. Both Jack and Rachel show up… Rachel confirming Annie has severe alcohol poisoning whilst Aden is questioned by Jack. Blame is quickly placed on Aden. Indignant, he seethes aware how bad this looks, even though, for once, he really is innocent.

Once at the hospital, whilst Annie falls in and out of consciousness, Geoff is hurt that she turns away from looking at him, he does seek comfort in Irene’s reassurance. Everyone is waiting for Annie to properly wake so that they can hear the true story, however when she finally awakes she can’t remember a thing. Things aren’t looking good for Aden.

Martha checks the alcohol supplies and it looks as though Aden’s story checks out that Annie stole the alcohol. However, everyone is sceptical that Annie would be lured into drinking and blame remains heavily placed on Aden’s shoulders. It doesn’t take long for Aden to be the centre of ridicule from other teens, only making him grown more and more heated. Passing over with Morag, she quickly becomes intrigued by the troubled young boy and questions Alf about him. Alf is adamant that Aden is simple a bad egg, but for Morag Aden reminds her of what Ric was once like. She believes everyone deserves a fair hearing.

Jack and Martha find themselves awkward with one another, not sure how to deal with their current relationship. Martha is frustrated with Jack’s businesslike manner with her, but Jack stresses that for them to get along, Martha and Sam need to get along. Does Martha have a choice?

Whilst Sam organises with Tony to rent Lucas’ old room so that she can start up her painting she crosses over with Martha at the Surf Club. With Jack’s words ringing in her ears, Martha offers an olive branch to Sam. But her friendly efforts are met with impatience and intolerance from Sam. She cuts Martha down in a spectacular fashion, making it known that Jack is now her property! Martha is left shocked and shaken. We’re left wondering ‘where did that come from?’ But we soon find out that Sam’s mood and defensive reaction is because… she is the one helping Johnny. What is he holding over Sam?