Episode 6488

Extended Summary

Justin and Ash return from their unofficial search of their missing loved ones, frustrated and exhausted after their fruitless efforts. They intend to just grab more supplies and go back out, but it’s not long before news of the explosion comes via the SES radio, and everyone’s left on tenterhooks, fearing the worst.

Meanwhile, the aftermath of the explosion sees the crash site shrouded in thick smoke. We discover Leah and Billie have miraculously managed to escape from the plane in the nick of time. Mason has suffered burns, but Evelyn is unscathed, having been shielded by him. As the group rally around Billie, they hear the sound of an approaching chopper. Relief sweeps over them. They’ll finally be rescued. It seems the nightmare is over.

As the survivors arrive at the hospital, Leah supports Billie, as she has done throughout their entire ordeal. We witness the emotional reunions between loved ones. Leah and Zac, Irene and Olivia, VJ, Billie and Ash. But when Alf, Roo and Justin query where the others are, Irene realises there’s been a terrible misunderstanding. She must break it to them that Duncan, Nate, Tori and Brody are still out there. Justin is beside himself to hear that no-one has seen Brody since the crash, and Phoebe fails to stop him going straight back out to search for them. He’s still convinced this is his fault and will do what he can to right this wrong. Meanwhile, Billie receives the news she’s been longing for – that her baby is safe and well. Overcome with gratitude, Billie gushes over Leah’s selflessness in the face of danger. Leah puts it simply – she would do anything for her unborn grandchild, which piques Billie’s guilt. If only they knew the horrible truth.

Evelyn and Mason are recuperating together. He can only conclude that it was a miracle they survived the crash. Evelyn is, however, more circumspect. There’s the sense she’s searching for a deeper meaning, which Mason finds a little odd, given his brother and sister are still missing. When Phoebe comes in to check on Mason as per Justin’s request, he queries where Justin is and Phoebe is forced to break the news that he’s gone to search for Tori and Brody. Mason is now fearful for his entire family.

Olivia’s struggling, her worry over Irene is all consuming. When Hunter drops by to check in on her, she opens up about her fears. There’s a hint of the connection they share, a sense this trauma has brought them closer. Later, after they’ve learned that Irene and Leah have been found safe and well, Hunter runs into Tabitha who queries him on Olivia. She hasn’t heard from her. Hunter briefly fills her in on the rescue and tells her that he and Olivia have been spending time together the last few days. Annoyed, Tabitha reminds him that he and Olivia are still broken up. She’s confident Olivia would prefer to be supported by her, not Hunter. Hunter points out that Olivia hasn’t even contacted Tabitha throughout this ordeal. As far as he’s concerned, Olivia needs her real friends right now. Simmering with anger, Tabitha goes to the school and breaks into Zac’s office. Using the pin code she filmed weeks ago, she logs onto Zac’s computer and adjusts one of Hunter’s trial HSC exam results. It seems it’s payback time.

Alf’s gutted when he learns that Duncan is still lost out in the wilderness, along with Nate, Brody and Tori. He distracts himself by helping out at SES headquarters, but once he’s home with Roo, finally his stoic façade crumbles. They both struggle to remain hopeful, but try to support each other through the fear that Duncan may not return. Overcome with regret and despair, Alf recalls the last few tense exchanges he shared with his son, desperately wishing there was some way he could take it back.