Episode 6530

Extended Summary

Duncan tries to explain to a bewildered Roo and Alf why he’s decided to move to Hawaii. Shocked, they point out his obligations and commitments in Summer Bay including his relationship with Tori. Roo and Alf question whether Duncan and Caroline’s relationship would even work, especially given all the problems they have had in the past. Duncan protests that he now understands Caroline’s actions and that the relationship would never have ended had he known the truth. Whilst Alf acknowledges that Duncan needs to do what’s best for his family, he also feels that it’s unfair on both parties to enter into a relationship out of obligation or pity.

Having spotted Tori at the Diner, Duncan and Tori discuss his situation and Caroline’s illness. He intimates that he’s thinking of moving to Hawaii to be with Caroline and Bryce. Tori admits that she’d miss him if he went, but that she’d understand. Duncan concedes that there are a lot of reasons to go, and, with a meaningful look at Tori, many reasons to stay as well.

After a tip off from Roo regarding Duncan’s intentions, Caroline finds Duncan to discuss his move to Hawaii. Caroline doesn’t think it’s a good idea for him to go back with them because he isn’t in love with her. Whilst they both obviously care about one another, she knows it won’t work. Duncan and Caroline arrive back home to find that Alf, not quite ready to say goodbye to his grandson, has decided to go with them to Hawaii for a month.

After a bittersweet farewell between Duncan, Caroline and Bryce, Duncan bumps into Tori and gives her the news that he’s decided to stay. Now that the complications that kept them apart before are gone, Duncan asks Tori about possibly starting up again. She gives a non-committal response – but there’s clearly hope for them yet. Tori’s hesitation is challenged by Mason who encourages her to give Duncan another shot.

Evelyn’s plan is underway to make Matt move on from their kiss: she’s attempting to set him up with one of her friends. Matt’s hesitant to go along with it, but all stubbornness is forgotten when Evelyn reveals that she just wants things to be normal between them again. Sensing how serious Evelyn is, Matt concedes on one condition; he gets to pick the girl.

Despite Matt’s concession he’s being entirely unhelpful as they go through Evelyn’s options. Matt’s dismissing girls without looking at them, and finding flaws in each of them. Saving the best for last, Evelyn shows him another option who is greatly admired by a passing Mason. Matt tries to dismiss her, but Evelyn’s not having it. With the support of Mason, Evelyn persuades Matt to go out with her in a group setting to make it easier. Matt begrudgingly agrees.
Speaking with Phoebe before the ‘date’ Matt reveals his intentions to leave the first chance he gets. Phoebe, knowing his disinterest in being set up is actually due to his interest in Evelyn, tells him that if he cares about Evelyn at all, he’ll get on board with the set up because she’s not romantically interested in him. If he wants to keep his friendship, he needs to make tonight work. With that sobering revelation Matt approaches the date with determination. Unfortunately, Mason seems to have caught Samantha’s eye over Matt. Despite attempts by Matt to connect with Samantha, Mason seems to be the more interesting topic, her attention returning to him at every chance.

Despite Evelyn’s attempts to revert them back to Matt they both come to realise that it’s futile and Evelyn leaves in frustration, unfairly blaming Matt for the disastrous date. Returning to the inebriated and now entwined pair, Samantha apologises to Matt about the way the date turned out. She explains that whilst she finds him sweet, she didn’t want to upset Evelyn who clearly has feelings for Matt…. With this news Matt rushes to the Farmhouse to see Evelyn. Still upset about how the night turned out, Evelyn questions Matt’s arrival at her house. With newfound confidence he explains that he wants her. Flustered and confused about his declaration Evelyn questions his motives, but Matt insists he has real feelings for her, and so does she. Still unconvinced Evelyn starts to deny his claims, but her protests are silenced by his lips.