Episode 8211

Extended Summary

Justin approaches Valerie and tries to chat to her about Theo’s interview but Valerie is still eying Rose nervously and doesn’t say much, claiming she’s missing Leah. After she’s gone, Justin talks to Rose, having heard about the baby. She says they’re working on it. Valerie heads home and finds Theo listening to music in a rather hyper state. She says she saw Kirby talking to a police officer. Theo says it was probably Rose, who’s a friend. Valerie isn’t reassured by the idea that he’s friends with cops. Theo appears to be worried about the idea of Kirby talking to the police for a moment, then says he’s just messing. Valerie warns him she’s got a lot to lose.

At the hospital, Tane asks Dana why the baby’s being admitted if she’s all right. Dana says they can’t keep the baby in emergency so she’s going to have her own room and a dedicated paediatrician. They, Mackenzie and Mali join Harper in the room with the baby. Harper is still trying to sort out emergency foster care. Mackenzie and Mali try to get Tane to come home with them but he isn’t swayed.

Later, back in town, Mackenzie and Mali discuss how intense he is. Mackenzie says family’s everything to him while Mali suggests it might be to do with what happened with Felicity. Mackenzie asks what he’s heard and Mali says that Tane wanted children and Felicity didn’t so the marriage ended. Mackenzie says there was a lot more to it than that.

While Tane watches over the baby, Harper finishes a phone call. She admits they’re having trouble finding emergency foster care because of a shortage of carers in the area: It could take days or weeks. She hopes they’ll find the mother or family before then. Tane is dismissive of the idea and Harper says it’s not up to them to judge. Dana returns with a patient bracelet that just says “Baby X”, saying she wishes they had a real name. Tane leaves. Dana hopes he’s going home to sleep; Harper doubts it.

Alf finds Roo outside the surf club with some presents people have left for the baby. She says they should set up a donations table. Tane comes past and they ask him about the baby. Tane is planning to head back there shortly and is closing the gym, telling them about the trouble with finding foster care. Roo asks if there’s any news of the mother and he rather brusquely says there’s nothing.

At the farm house, Mackenzie has been filling Mali in, saying Tane was excited about trying for a baby only for it to be a lie. Tane turns up and declines an offer to join them for lunch, saying he’s just there to get a change of clothes. He doesn’t think the hospital is any place for a baby. Mali suggests he’s a bit involved and Mackenzie suggests he’s being influenced by what happened with Felicity. Tane says the baby’s been abandoned by the most important person in the world to her and he’s not going to do the same.

On the balcony at Salt, Justin joins Theo and Valerie and congratulates Theo on the interview, saying he’s going to get some drinks in. Theo reads the interview on his phone, where he says that the crowd singing along gives a connection, and is impressed, especially since he doesn’t remember saying it. Valerie thinks that’s a cause for concern and tries to get him to calm down, worrying that Justin might notice something and that the Lyrik fans will pick up on something the way Kirby has. Theo tells her to trust him.

Mackenzie and Mali hear a car outside and briefly think Tane’s home but it’s Rose, who notes the polce have had a lot of calls claiming to have information and hopes following up on them will lead to something. Mackenzie gets a call from Levi and turns her phone off. Rose wonders why there’s no sign of the father or other family and Mackenzie reflects on looking for someone who doesn’t want to be found.

At the hospital, Dana finds Tane is back and says the baby’s lucky to have him looking out for her. Tane says she was right that the baby should have a name and calls her Maia, Maori for courage. Dana says it’s beautiful.

Alf and Roo run into Harper in a park area and chat to her about the gifts left at the surf club. Harper suggests talking to Rose. They mention what Tane said about the lack of emergency carers. Harper observes that the carers have to be ready at a moment’s notice and prepared to give up the child suddenly. She reassures Roo that if they do find the mother, they’ll try to help both her and the child, before going to give Tane and Dana their dinner.

Next morning, Theo gets up to find Valerie has made breakfast. She says she was being paranoid the previous night. They kiss, separating as Justin comes home and tells Theo that he’s been contacted by a radio station wanting to do an interview with him for a segment about lead singers. It’s today. Theo is a bit worried and Justin says they’ll sort out a game plan after he has a shower. Theo asks Valerie for another pill, saying it’s the only thing that got him through the other interview.

Outside the surf club, Mali and Mackenzie discuss Rose trying to track down the mother. Alf tells them Tane’s regulars have been asking when the gym reopens. Mackenzie wonders who’s rostered on and Alf explains that Tane closed the gym. Mali is concerned but Mackenzie says it’s his choice and they should give him space.

At the hospital, Tane is preoccupied with sounds of hospital and baby crying. Rose and Harper approach with Rose saying no-one’s come forward and they’re trying to trace the baby’s blanket. All three enter the room where Dana is putting the name Maia on the crib. Rose says it’s cute but asks them not to make it public: A new name is a new identity and it might discourage the mother from coming forward. Tane says the damage is already done. After Rose has gone, Tane asks if Harper’s had any luck finding Maia a home before saying he’ll be her emergency foster carer. Harper looks worried and Dana looks nonplussed.

Theo and Valerie walk on the beach. Valerie thinks it’s too risky for him to go on live radio while high and worries he’s being needy. She is concerned that Leah and Justin will make her leave if they find out she’s been giving him drugs. Theo follows her to the coffee cart, insisting that Leah and Justin won’t find out, and if they do he’ll leave her out of it. Valerie tries to get him to keep quiet in public. Theo says she takes all the pills she likes to forget about her brother, prompting her to walk away.

Harper tries to get Tane to rethink, saying there’ll be no nurses or back-up, and it’s a full-on process. Tane reminds her it’s going to take weeks. Harper agrees to get the ball rolling ,saying he’ll need referees, proof he can provide a safe home, and health and background checks, plus his passport and permanent residency information, since only they can foster. Tane admits he’s not a permanent resident. Harper says that’s a problem.

Theo follows Valerie apologising for what he said. Valerie says she’s going to go and not to follow her. Kirby appears and congratulates Theo, saying she’s heard about the new interview and offers to help him prep for it. She says the other interview was great and, even though she’s not happy with how he got through it, it shows he can do it.

Mali is sat with Tane by Maia’s side. He compliments the name and says he’s sorry Tane can’t look after her and would have done the same in his shoes. Tane says it’s not fair and wonders what’s going to happen to her now.