Episode 7550

Extended Summary

Ari is exercising at the gym with Mia looking on. She comments on how he needs to keep his hips still, touching him in a coupley manner. Ari suggests they discuss it after dinner. Ziggy comes in and says she needs to punch something, noting it’s been a tough day and also a weirdly amazing one. Ari kisses Mia goodbye after she agrees to dinner and she looks worriedly at Ziggy punching the bag. Soon after, Ari thanks Irene for opening up the bait shop for him. Dean appears and, suspecting he needs company, Ari ropes him into fishing.

At the surf club, John is looking over Leah’s research and notes it looks like a good lead but he wants to read through it all first. He intercepts Amber, asking her about her troubles with Ziggy. Amber wants a drink but John doesn’t think that would help and suggests they talk over a juice. Amber says she’s trying to be the bigger person and it sucks. In the gym, Ziggy tells Mia that Mackenzie did something, then she got into a fight with Amber, then Tane told her he loved her. Mia is surprised, since she always thought Tane was a heartbreaker. Ziggy admits she feels the same, before saying she was married and divorced at twenty-one after he cheated on her, then things went wrong with Dean and she doesn’t want to get hurt again. Mia thinks Tane wouldn’t have said it if he didn’t mean it.

At the Diner, Justin is telling Irene about Leah dragging John into her search and wants Irene to talk to her. Irene thinks Leah needs to search for Susie, but gets concerned when Justin reveals Leah’s planning to chase down a lead herself and agrees to have a word. Leah emerges and wonders why Justin’s there, virtually ordering him out and saying she’ll see him at home. On the pier, Ari probes Dean who says Amber thinks things aren’t working out and is worried about losing Jai, since they come as a package. Ari questions him about whether he really wants to be with Amber. Dean says he really likes her, they get on and they’re great parents, but she wants sparks and fireworks. Ari thinks she’s got reason to be upset if he’s only with her for Jai.

Amber tells John she should have listened to her gut and Dean and Ziggy are like two magnets being pulled towards each other. John says it’s best to get out before it’s toxic and there’s a better match for her out there. Ziggy and Mia appear from the gym. Amber goes over to Ziggy and apologises, saying she knows nothing’s going on between her and Dean. Ziggy acknowledges the apology in a somewhat standoffish way. Ziggy and Mia go back to the Parata house, where Ziggy goes to have a shower before a date with Tane. Mia asks Ari about the fishing and he realises she’s got gossip and is trying not to tell him. Mia blurts out that Tane told Ziggy he loves her. Ari looks bemused.

Amber returns to the flat. Dean tells her he hasn’t lied to her or crossed any lines but he does still love Ziggy. Amber says that she and Jai have got to go. Dean doesn’t want her to but Amber says deep down neither of them are happy. Dean wonders about Jai and Amber says Dean will always be his dad. Dean notes telling him is going to break his heart. Some time later, they’re sat on the beach watching Jai play. Amber calls him over and Jai wonders if he’s in trouble. Amber explains the two of them are going to stay with Francesca and says she and Dean don’t love each other like that but they’re still a family. Dean promises he’s still his dad. Jai hugs him, saying it sucks.

Leah is telling Irene that she’s going to track down Susie once she hears back from John. Irene asks if Justin is on board with this. John appears and asks what Leah’s planning to do if they find Susie. Leah says they’ll confront her. Irene suggests they call the police but the others think they’re not a priority with them. Irene calls Justin and tells him they’re planning to set off tomorrow. Justin protests that Irene was supposed to talk Leah round but Irene says they’re off on a wild witch hunt.

Ari continues to express his amusement to Mia about the idea of Tane being in love. Ziggy appears and heads off to meet Tane in Reefton Lakes. Ari tells Mia about his conversation with Dean earlier and how Jai’s Dean’s reason for getting up. He awkwardly wonders if it’s too late for them to try for a baby again. Mia walks a little away from him, noting that’s a big conversation, and he says maybe they’re not ready for it yet. Mia agrees. At the flat, Dean puts Jai to bed and confirms they’re still going to Movie World, all of them. He follows Amber into the bedroom, where she is packing. He says he’ll sleep on the couch but Amber asks him to stay with her.

Next morning, the three of them say their goodbyes outside the Diner. Dean promises Jai he’ll see him soon and Jai gets in the back of the vehicle. Amber says she’ll talk to a lawyer about formal access and they note they give it their best shot, hugging goodbye. Dean hugs Jai through the window before he and Amber drive off. Dean heads back to the empty flat, looking at Jai’s photo on the fridge and then sitting on the bed in Jai’s room clutching his football.