Episode 7336

Extended Summary

Ryder finds Evan on the balcony at Salt. Evan says he came there for the company. Ryder asks if he’s got a gig planned or is working on a song, saying he knows musos are always working on something. Evan says usually but not at the moment and he’s there to get to know Ryder. Ryder says that he’s never needed Evan in the past so there’s no need for him to stick around now but Evan says he’ll see him later. Mackenzie has been loitering nearby and comments to Ryder on his dad sticking around. Ryder says he doesn’t know why. At the Parata house, Gemma tells Nikau off for putting his feet on the furniture. Tane tries to say it’s okay in his house but Gemma says it’s not in their house. Ari gives Nikau some money to go get pizza. Nikau is reluctant but Tane gives him some more to get beer. After Nikau’s gone, Ari says they need to set ground rules, rejecting Tane’s suggestion to relax and have fun.

Nikau arrives at Salt and tells Ryder about the new place. Ryder congratulates him but is rather distracted. He is surprised that Nikau is living with both his uncles, since they seem to hate each other. Nikau thinks things will be different now. Ryder arrives home to find Evan giving Roo another week’s rent. Ryder doesn’t understand why, saying Evan’s a nice guy but he doesn’t see the point in him hanging around. Evan suggests having dinner together at Salt and Ryder reluctantly agrees. After Evan has gone, Ryder complains to Roo that he isn’t even getting to know Evan because all he does is make small talk. Roo says she knows what it’s like to be in Evan’s shoes and to give him time.

Gemma tells Ari and Tane to set the table. Ari asks Tane where he got the money for the place from. Tane is evasive, calling it a windfall. Ari asks how he’ll afford rent for the other months and Tane says something will fall off the back of a lorry. Ari refuses to accept that, saying eight years in prison and Mikaere dying means he has a problem with that sort of behaviour. He puts money down on the table, saying it’s his share of the rent. Tane doesn’t want to take it and Gemma tells them to learn to agree or both leave. Nikau arrives back and wonders what happened. Later, as they are finishing the meal, Tane says he’s going down the beach tomorrow and invites Nikau. Gemma says Nikau’s meant to be opening the bait shop and Nikau says he’ll just tell Roo he can’t do it. Ari tries to tell him to honour his commitments but Gemma doesn’t appreciate the help and Ari leaves. Gemma gives Nikau some leftover pizza and sends him on his way. She asks Tane not to wind Ari up and says she appreciates what he’s done but they will all contribute to the rent.

Ryder and Evan have finished their meal at Salt and Evan suggests they do it again tomorrow. Ryder wonders if he has a gig or a young groupie to chat up but Evan laughs off the suggestion. Ari arrives and is greeted by Mackenzie. He is frustrated by Tane, saying he doesn’t want to lose another brother and can’t make him see how stupid his life is. Mackenzie says sometimes people are the way they are. Ari notes at least he can keep an eye on him now, explaining that they live together. Meanwhile, Marilyn has called round the caravan park with leftovers, which Roo notes is a whole meal. Marilyn admits she cooked too much and forgot how quiet an empty house is. Roo says she loves it but Marilyn says Roo has Ryder, with Alf and Martha coming back. She notes John’s keeping her company and would probably stay over in the spare room if she asked but she feels she needs to stand on her own two feet. Ryder comes home and complains that Evan got him to do all the talking while give nothing back, saying he’s done.

Next morning, Ari tries to sneak Mackenzie out of the house only to find Gemma, Tane and Nikau already up and having breakfast. Gemma and Tane invite Mackenzie to join them but she says she has to get to work and quickly leaves. Nikau notes he didn’t know they were back on. Ari says they’re not and Tane implies he might make a move himself in that case. Ari seems set to square up to him but Gemma says they need to get on. Later, in the garden, Ari appears with two spades and hands one to Tane, calling it a peace offering. He says Gemma’s right that they need to get on and reminds him of one of Mikaere’s sayings: When family’s bad, everything’s bad. They clasp hands. Gemma sees them digging a hole from the window and calls Nikau over. He realises they’re making a hangi. Ari tells Tane to dig down half a metre.

Ryder calls Mackenzie, saying he can’t come in to work. Roo overhears and Ryder says he can’t bear the thought of Evan turning up for another one-sided conversation. He’s hoping if Evan sees he’s not there he’ll get the message. Roo meets up with Evan on the beach and says she’s been supportive of him and Ryder getting to know each other but she thinks he needs to stop and maybe come back another time. Evan says he’s there now and connecting with Ryder is the most important thing for him. Roo says Ryder thinks he’s hiding something and she thinks he’s right.

John and Marilyn walk along the beach. Marilyn thanks him for walking her to work. John says he was in the area but Marilyn guesses he knew she’d be missing the Paratas and need the company. Later, Marilyn is alone in the Diner when a familiar voice calls out asking what he has to do to get a cup of tea: Alf. Marilyn is delighted to see him and asks about the honeymoon. Alf says you don’t ask about that but Martha is at home unpacking. He wonders why John isn’t propping up the counter as usual. Marilyn says there’s something she needs to tell him, but before she can go on, Ryder comes in and is similarly delighted to see Alf, saying he won’t believe what’s been happening.

Roo and Evan are sat near the beach. Evan admits there is a bigger reason why he’s there but she’ll just have to trust him. Roo isn’t keen to do so, saying she knows what it’s like to have been an absentee parent and can keep a secret. Evan says he wants to connect with Ryder because he’s dying.