Episode 8020

Extended Summary

Mackenzie and Mali chat about the success of his relaunch. Mackenzie mentions that the rent is due on the first of the month, which she hadn’t told Mali before. She writes the information on a small white board she brought home from Salt and hung on the fridge. Mali says she’d better not write for him to clean his room on there and Mackenzie says he always cleans it anyway.

At the community service house, Robbie puts a bag in the skip but hides the copper wire next to it, which Justin sees. Robbie offers to cut Justin in on the wire if he gives him a lift. Justin says Robbie must have stuffed up like the rest of them, so suggests he take the hint and doesn’t stuff up again. Cash steps in, pointing Robbie towards a pile that will seem him through to the end. Unhappy about being singled out, Robbie says he’s going to make an official complaint for bullying and harassment.

Tane goes up to see Felicity in Salt. He tells her about Kahu asking for a $1500 loan for the PT course. Felicity isn’t sure what the problem is and Tane explains Kahu had a reputation for not sticking to things. Felicity says the two of them did once too. Tane doesn’t want him bailing but Felicity thinks he’s committed. Tane notes he knew there was a reason he married her. Felicity suggests it’s not the main reason.

Downstairs, Mackenzie helps Mali carry some boxes in and directs him to post a photo from the launch on his socials. He immediately gets a response from Elandra saying she’s proud of him. Kahu comes in with another box and Mali gives him some free wax and offers him a deal on a board. Tane calls Kahu over. Kahu is surprised when Tane says he’ll give him the money and tells him he won’t regret it.

Rose looks at Mali’s post at the Diner flat. Xander catches her doing it and wryly calls it healthy. Rose complains that Mali looks happy and obviously got over her quickly, admitting she’s seen more than one photo. She offers to cook something for Xander or go for a walk. Xander suggests going to the Diner instead. After she’s left the room, he winces and clutches his wound site.

At Salt, Mackenzie serves Kahu and they introduce themselves to each other. Felicity says the food’s on her but Kahu insists on paying his own way. Mackenzie and Felicity are both impressed with him and also discuss Mackenzie living with Mali. Mackenzie gets a phone call and tells Felicity it was Gabe’s business manager: He died this morning.

Robbie continues to follow Cash around, insisting he’s going to make a complaint. Cash tells him he can do that but for now he should get back to work. Justin approaches Robbie and tells him not to make the call, otherwise he’ll tell the police about the watch he pocketed and the copper wire. At the Diner, Rose comments on Xander ordering a bowl of chips and leaving her to eat them all. Irene comes over and asks Xander how he’s feeling and when he’s going back to work. Xander says he’s quit and Irene asks what he’s planning to do. Xander thinks Rose has put her up to it and ignores her denial.

Mackenzie is still serving at Salt. Felicity says she’s arranged for someone to stay on and cover her shift so Mackenzie can go home but Mackenzie insists she’s fine. Felicity tries to talk to her about Gabe’s death but Mackenzie refuses and decides to head home after all to avoid the conversation. Felicity follows her downstairs, attracting the attention of Mali and Tane, who sends Kahu to set up a class. With Mackenzie having gone, Felicity explains to the boys. Mali decides he’ll go home with her.

Cash hands Robbie a note with the e-mail address for the complaint at the end of the session. Looking over at Justin, Robbie says he was just winding Cash up. Justin tells Cash he’s going to wash up and go to Salt for a drink. As they talk, a hand pokes through a gap in the fence and puts a note in Justin’s bag. Meanwhile, Mali arrives home. Mackenzie says she left work to avoid Felicity and tries to get Mali to leave, saying Gabe didn’t want her there at the end so she doesn’t have the pain. Mali says he’ll be in his room if she needs him.

That evening, Irene turns up at the Diner flat and gives Rose some cake to apologise for putting her foot in it. Rose says it wasn’t her fault and wishes her luck on her trip. Xander appears and is still upset about Irene. Rose isn’t happy that he won’t let her express an opinion and goes off to bed. Xander winces in pain again once she’s gone.

At Salt, Justin produces drinks for himself and Cash. Cash says he’s got a text from Eden about the gig and Justin hopes he’ll be able to focus on the band again soon. Tane comes in and asks Felicity about Mackenzie. Kahu comes in, saying he’s just signed up a member. He thinks they’re having second thoughts about the money and seems willing to accept that. They tell him Mackenzie got some bad news.

Mackenzie paces up and down in the dark, eventually grabbing a wine bottle and pouring herself a glass. Before she can drink anything, she bursts into tears. Mali comes in and sees her but leaves without saying anything. Meanwhile, Justin arrives home and starts unpacking his bag. He finds the note which says “Please help. Need food. I live in the house with the blu letta box.”

Next morning, Mackenzie and Mali are walking on the beach. Mackenzie thanks Mali for giving her space. He says you can’t stop yourself from grieving and reveals his dad died when he was a kid. After Mackenzie has gone, Mali sees Xander and calls out to him but Xander collapses in pain. Mali rushes over to help him.