Episode 6971

Extended Summary

Ryder tries to make small talk about surfing with Dean as he comes up from the beach, then tries to ask him about the abandoned hideout. Dean says it’ll have to wait as he has community service, rejecting Ryder’s suggestion he ditches it by pointing out he doesn’t want to go to jail. He joins Willow and the rest of the group as John briefs them on picking up litter, addressing them as “perps” and warning them they’re now under “Palmer’s law”. Meanwhile, Tori comes into the Diner and tells Leah that Robbo’s out and not responding to her texts. She hasn’t changed her mind but does just want to get on with telling him. Mason comes in and complains about Tori forgetting she’s meant to give him a lift to work, saying no-one cares about anyone else.

Robbo is in his counselling session with Meredith, who asks why he came back, since he doesn’t need her permission for the IVF. Robbo says her opinion matters to Tori. Meredith asks if he’s just going to tell her what she wants to hear before suggesting they start again. Back in the Bay, Ben finds Leah putting up a Closed notice outside the bait shop and offers to keep an eye on the place. Ryder comes back and Leah tells him to be home by six for dinner and studying. Ryder complains that she’s not his keeper but basically agrees.

Willow and Dean are picking up litter near the beach. Willow is rambling somewhat, complaining that their talents could be put to better use: She could give boxing lessons, Dean could fix cars or do building work. Dean tells her it’s all right to talk about Karen and says he’s thinking of visiting her: He needs to know how she is. John tells them off for talking. Back at the counselling session, Meredith asks Robbo his favourite family memory. Robbo recalls a day at the beach where he and the children built a sandcastle and stayed when a storm drove everyone else away. It was the last perfect moment they had together. Meredith asks about Lauren. Robbo says she was there but it’s not about her.

Willow and Dean are finishing their session. Willow asks Dean what he’s planning to do now and Dean says he’s not going straight to Mangrove River. John collects the equipment in, making pointed remarks about any going missing. He says he believes in leopards and spots. Willow suggests to Dean that the same may be true of Karen, that she won’t change. She does however offer to go with him, although Dean thinks Karen would be even less pleased to see her. She heads off to work and Dean offers to help John take the stuff inside, saying he’d be happy to do any other work. He leaves another message for Karen, then offers Ryder a game of pool and a chat about the hideout.

Tori and Mason are in the admin station at work with Mason expressing irritation at Tori making a sucking sound. Tori tries to talk to him about thinking Robbo isn’t up to being the donor but Mason loses his temper, saying she’s moping about a baby that never even existed. Tori objects but Mason tells her to read the room next time. Later, Tori calls Mason aside and tells him he shouldn’t have spoken to her like that in front of everyone. Mason retorts that she started the conversation. Tori says she has to send him home, since he can’t be rude to the staff or patients. Mason leaves without a word.

Dean tells Ryder a story about how he and five mates were in the hideout surrounded by police. He explains they were always safe if they got there, since there was a hidden room with a tunnel. Leah turns up and Dean heads upstairs to give them space. Leah says Alf and Roo didn’t want Ryder hanging out with Dean. Ryder retorts that they’re not there and says Leah’s nothing to do with him so should back off. Ben overhears and approaches Leah, offering to talk to Ryder.

Robbo tries to end the counselling session but Meredith wants him to talk about Lauren. Robbo says he loved her but they had problems. In flashbacks, we see Robbo and Lauren in a stationary car, with her unhappy that he missed Sophia’s school presentation. Robbo says his work’s important, they’ve just made a breakthrough and he can’t come home now. Lauren leaves, saying not to expect them to be home when he does come. Back in the present, Meredith asks if they were. Robbo says if he’d gone with her, his family would still be alive.

In Salt, Ryder complains to Dean that his home’s like a police state. Dean retorts that Ryder doesn’t know how lucky he is to have people who care, whether blood or not. After Dean’s gone, Ben suggests Ryder listens to what he said, saying he owes Leah an apology and everyone misses the boy that was dating Coco. Meanwhile, Willow finds Dean lying on the grass outside. He says he’s not drunk and has decided that, since she hasn’t responded to his messages, he’s not going to visit Karen. He asks if she meant it about her and Colby being his family and gets her to buy him a drink.

It is evening as Robbo and Meredith come to the end of a long session. Meredith thinks Robbo took a positive step and wonders about ongoing therapy. Robbo doesn’t think it’s for him. He asks if she thinks the IVF is a good idea. Meredith suggests he examine his motives, since having another child won’t erase his guilt. Meanwhile, Tori arrives home and finds Mason, saying they can ignore each other or talk. She acknowledges she was insensitive and Mason accepts the apology. Tori says Mason’s been hurt but it’s not fair to take it out on everyone else. Mason says fair doesn’t exist: He did everything right but lost the baby, Dempsey and Beth. Tori says it does exist, just not as much as it should, and he can’t stop being a kind, sweet person.

Next morning at the Diner, Leah tells Ben that Ryder apologised as soon as he came home and thanks him. Ben says she should thank Dean, since he said much the same to Ryder first. Ryder comes in and says one of Alf’s friends is outside the bait shop, offering to take care of it. Leah gives him the keys but instead he goes to the customer-free bait shop and starts helping himself to supplies.

Tori goes to see Robbo at his flat and tells him she doesn’t think they should go ahead with him as donor. Robbo tells her he went back to Meredith but Tori thinks he’s trying to replace his family and says he can’t.