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Weekly Reviews >
Episodes 2767-2771
by Billy
Originally
broadcast in 1996/1997. UK Gold: Monday 16th June - Friday 20th June 2003
Writers: Jenny Lewis, Sally Webb, Rick Held, Karyn Noble, Helen MacWhirter. Directors: Robert Meillon, Nicholas Bufalo. Christmas has arrived at Ramsay Street, with residents gathered round Ruth's for carol singing and at Harold and Madge's for a Christmas party - but it isn't all jingle bells and mince pies, as disaster awaits the Kennedy family on Christmas day...
The main focal point of this week was the 1996 Season Finale, and all of the storylines which were involved in it. One of the minor ones was the relationship between the teens (Billy, Anne, Toadie and Lance). Lance and Toadie had cottoned onto the fact that Billy and Anne like each other and so tried to set them up by giving them each a CD, and pretending it was from the other party. As would be expected, Anne and Billy soon found out the truth, which led to them blaming the well-doers for ruining their chances.
As with most of the storylines targetted at the youngsters, it was fairly predictable in its outcome and build up, which ruined its impact. I would have hoped for something more unexpected, like Anne and Billy being thankful to Toadie and Lance for giving them a nudge in the right direction, but alas Anne and Billy's inevitable partnership has been held off for longer.
On a more comedic note, we have Harold and Lou's continual rivalry being shown. Lou gave Madge some expensive pearls for Christmas, to which Harold took as "questioning [his] manhood" - the tensions and snapping continued between the two until Harold accidentally pushed Lou in the swimming pool, which is one of the funniest moments on Neighbours I can recall. Lou's utter disbelief at what Harold had done, how he had shown him up in front of everyone, was just brilliant.
I must say I am absolutely loving the way Harold and Lou are being written in these episodes, with them both using Madge as a go-between. Their squabbling and bickering is hilarious and they really do perfect the humour that the show is trying to portray. Their rivalry is fantastic viewing, and Harold, Lou and Madge make a wonderful team.
The rivalry continued when both Lou and Harold wanted to be Santa Claus for the party. Both felt they were right for the job, and they bickered and squabbled with each other hoping the other would back down. Of course, the second Harold pulled out, Lou did too - leaving Phil Martin to don the outfit for the special day.
The writers really do have the humour element of the show sorted when it comes to Lou and Harold. I love watching them fight -- I think they are brilliant as enemies always competiting and barking at each other everytime they come into contact.
Romance was beginning to blossom over at 26. Whilst baking mince pies for the party, Phil and Ruth kissed -- only to be caught by Lance. I saw that coming a mile off, but it's good that Phil and Ruth have finally advanced to "the next level". To be blunt their constant arguing was getting a bit repetitive and boring, and I'm looking forward to watching their relationship develop, even if Lance will predictably hold it back for several months as most kids in Neighbours seem to when their single parent falls for someone else.
One thing I'm not too keen on watching is Lance's reaction to his mother's interest in Phil. As we are all aware, Phil and Ruth ended up happily married, so to me it's just one big delay seeing Lance go through the cliche angsty teen role for a while before he eventually accepts Pip as a father figure.
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The highlight, of course, was the 1996 Finale's cliffhanger. After seeing the warm community spirit generated by the residents being gathered round Ruth's for carol singing, the families opening their presents early in the morning, the party at Number 24 and the general feeling of the Christmas spirit floating around, you knew it wouldn't last. Whilst renovating the pub, poor old Mal Kennedy slipped on a discarded dust sheet and crashed to the ground, with a shelf and several tins of paint landing on his throat - viewers were left on the edge of their seat as Mal's life hung in the balance, as his recently retired doctor of a father frantically tried to save his life. The annoying thing here is that the finale aired on the Thursday, so we didn't have a long wait like the Australian viewers originally did - the next episode Karl performed emergency surgery on his son, and he thankfully was saved and is now resting in hospital.
These episodes were fantastic, and I'm looking so forward to seeing the 1997 Season all over again - this is where the show really started to pick up!
Notes: The 1997 Season Premiere (Episode 2771) saw a new title sequence design air, featuring for the first time character names - as well as a welcome return to the residents enjoying a game of cricket at the end. Mal Kennedy does not feature on the new opening titles, but a new character Lisa, who has yet to appear, does.
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