Episode 6451

Extended Summary

A small empty house out in the country. Irene wakes in a derelict room and struggles to free herself from a chair she has been tied to, for seemingly the thousandth time, but it’s useless. Mick whistles as he enters the room with breakfast for her. Exhausted and starving Irene reluctantly eats. Mick is convinced he’s helping his nearest and dearest by looking after her. Irene obviously doesn’t see it that way. Mick becomes agitated when she says she wants to go home. He guesses that she wants to go back to Chris and Olivia, and tries to convince Irene that they haven’t responded to any of his messages on her behalf. But Irene isn’t buying it, so Mick admits that he just so happens to be planning a little surprise for them…

Olivia and Chris rush into the Police station for a status update from Kat. There’s no progress yet, but IT are on the case trying to identify users that have read Irene’s profile on the adoption site. Olivia is flipping out with worry, but Chris soon calms her – this guy is just trying to rattle them.

Roo has stayed the night watching Alf, and is woken by Nate. They are still in unknown territory. Alf may have neurological and physical side effects when he finally wakes. Nate convinces her to go home for at least a few hours. Roo pulls Nate up on how long he’s spending at the hospital himself. He admits, with Ricky and Casey gone, there doesn’t seem much point in staying at home.

Olivia races up to Kat at the diner, she wants to try using social media to help find Roo, but Kat stops her – social media takes the power out of their hands. Olivia can’t understand why anyone would do this. As they discuss options for finding Irene’s kidnapper, neither realise Mick himself is sitting at the diner, with a photo of Olivia in his hand, watching them…

John brings the last of the Blaxland’s gear back to Summer Bay house and tells Roo he’s happy to take over watching Alf for her. Roo takes him up on the offer, she just wants Alf to wake up. Meanwhile Marilyn has arrived at the hospital straight from the airport, luggage and all, to see Alf. She takes him by the hand, talking about Europe, and missing the Bay. She hopes he wakes up soon so she can show all of her photos. He grips her hand back. Marilyn is thrilled and calls Nate and the hospital staff into the room. Alf is waking up… but what condition is he in?

Mick pulls his car up and jumps out in front of Olivia, revealing that he’s the one that sent her the photos. If she ever wants to see Irene again, she needs to get into his car right now and come with him. Olivia reluctantly does, but thinking quickly, hides her phone under the passenger seat and leaps out, knocking Mick over in the process. She bolts to safety, while Mick chooses to drive off rather than pursue. Olivia races home to Chris and explains her plan to track the car via her phone. He’s furious she took such a risk, but together they head to the station and give all of their information to Kat. The police prepare a car to track down the lead, but Kat refuses to let Olivia and Chris tag along – it’s too dangerous.

Mick pulls up outside the derelict house, but hears Olivia’s phone ringing from the back seat with a call from Hunter. He realises this could spell trouble and grows very agitated as he rushes back inside. Irene fears Mick has done something to Olivia. He flips out at this, screaming at Irene to stop caring so much about Olivia, she isn’t her kid, he is! Irene tries to talk him down, saying they won’t tell anyone about what happened if he takes her home. Mick isn’t buying it, fearing they’re going to gang up on her first son. Irene is fed up, adamant that she isn’t Mick’s mother. She’s told him, he’s got that wrong. He is furious with her, she is his son, she sent him to abusive foster parents. He’s angry, things aren’t working out, so the plan needs to change. Irene has to do everything he says.

Roo lights up at the sight of a very drowsy but conscious Alf. Roo’s happy to have Marilyn and Alf both back. Marilyn finally comes home to a shocked and thrilled John. She tells him the news about Alf and they celebrate together.

Alf is tested on his cognitive skills by Nate, passing with typical wry humour, but when Nate tests his body, it becomes apparent that the right side of Alf’s body is suffering paralysis. Nate’s can’t be sure if it’s permanent or not until some scans take place. It’s early days. Roo does her best to hide her distress while Alf remains stoic.

Kat and the police find Mick’s car. The Phone is missing. They enter the derelict house, guns drawn. But find the phone abandoned inside. He’s figured it out! Kat calls in back up to sweep the surrounding bush land – he’s probably on foot. Chris and Olivia arrive, they had the address, they couldn’t just wait around. Oliva frets when Kat tells her they discovered the phone, the idea of Irene in this horrible house for weeks is unbearable.

Mick trudges through farmland, dragging Irene along via a rope. She tells him to leave her and escape, but he’s determined to make her pay for every miserable second of his life. He’s taking her somewhere they won’t find her…