Sindi and Stuart were finally rescused from the cellar of the pub as the week began, but it didn’t look like their troubles were over. Stu realised that the injuries to his eyes were serious and that they’d have to be given time to heal before he found out whether he’d see again. Meanwhile, Toadie overheard Sindi and Stu professing their love for each other. When Sindi finally sat him down to thank him for helping to save her and to confess her relationship with Stu, he said that he knew about it and was fine with it. However, his true feelings were revealed when he got home and started ranting at Connor and Carmella, admitting that it would be inappropriate if he said anything to Stuart at the moment. Things only got worse when Stu was released from hospital and announced that he’d be going to stay at number 28 with Sindi for a while. Elsewhere, the body pulled from the pub was revealed to be that of Gus Cleary, and the mystery continued when it was revealed that he’d been murdered before the fire had burnt the body. Things weren’t looking good for Lou and Max, whose insurance claim was already looking dodgy, and then they, along with Karl, were dragged in for questioning over Gus’ death. This year’s season finale seems to have opened up more storylines than in any year before, and it will be interesting to see how the various characters deal with their difficult situations in weeks to come.

Paul Robinson was worming his way back into the community this week as he befriended David Bishop and encouraged him in his bid to get onto the local council. Meanwhile, Lee Thomas, mayor of Erinstown, Idaho, was in town and also taking a great interest in David. However, her’s was an interest of a different kind, as she propositioned David, giving him a key to her suite at Lassiter’s, where he could meet her that evening after a gathering with the Erinsborough Mayor. Later in the week, Lil realised from David’s behaviour what had happened and vowed to get one over the American harlot. She ended up confronting Lee, who was having breakfast with Paul, and managed to guilt her into arranging another meeting with the Mayor, in order to help David onto the council. Paul was doing more deals when he bought back Lassiter’s, beating an offer from the American organisation, Affirmacon, which Lee was representing. She was impressed enough with his deals to offer him a job with her company, which he turned down. Having Paul back in town, even for only one week, has already brought back a business element to the series, which had been missing since the days of Cheryl Stark.

Steph found her situation getting worse this week, as her own mother turned against her in the wake of Charlie’s death. With the funeral approaching, Lyn tried to avoid having to speak to Steph at all, and even Summer quickly picked up on the tension between them. Lyn finally went over to number 32, and told Steph that she didn’t think it would be appropriate for her to attend the funeral. However, the following day, not only did Steph, along with the rest of the Hoylands, turn up, but so did Valda. Charlie’s son, Michael, didn’t appreciate Steph being there at all, and walked out in the middle of the wake, only to be met at the door by Sergeant Douglas, who was there to arrest Steph for attempted murder. At the station, she pleaded her innocence and was granted bail of $10,000. Another shock came when Paul Robinson paid for Steph to be released and he told the Hoylands that he felt like the people in Ramsay Street were still his family and he should look after them wherever possible. However, it wasn’t all looking so rosy, as Lyn still struggled to decide whether or not to give a statement implicating her daughter. When she called round to number 32 with a parcel for Steph from her sisters in America, Max pleaded with Lyn to think about what she was doing. He asked her if she really wanted to see Steph spend years in jail…

After announcing her family’s plans to return to Ottawa several weeks ago, it was finally time for Lana to bid farewell to her friends in Erinsborough. A party was held in her honour at number 24 and Sky made a speech about her best friend, explaining how brave and inspirational she was. Lana said a final goodbye to George, who she’d only met the week before. The gang then headed down to Grease Monkeys, where Sky announced plans for one final act of rebellion. She and Lana went to the temporary coffee shop at the community hall and created a painting, which showed an Australian and a Canadian holding a peace sign over the head of the Queen. Although they thought it would get a negative reaction, the adults seemed quite impressed with it the following day, and it looked like some of Lana’s message about equality and tolerance had gotten through. The gang then headed outside as Lana got her taxi home, before leaving Australia. She left with some wise words for Serena – who she told not to give up on finding love – and with a pen from Sky, which she should use to write her first novel. Sky summed it up perfectly when she said that Lana showed everyone around her how to be brave. She was a fascinating character, whose sexuality was only a small part of who she was, rarely even being mentioned in her later episodes. Her popularity can truly be noted this week, as she managed to come in as the second most popular guest character ever in Perfect Blend’s 20th Anniversary Vote. Here’s hoping we’ll see her back in Erinsborough one of these days.

Finally this week, there was another new face in town, as Shazza Cox moved into the house behind number 24. She quickly managed to hop over the fence and gatecrash Lana’s farewell party, where she seemed to find her soulmate in the form of Stingray. Apart from him having a ‘Shazza’ tattoo on his bum, they were also both from Colac and listed ‘jumping into a swimming pool on a BMX’ amongst their interests. Surely a match made in heaven. Serena didn’t seem to think so, however, as she looked to have lingered too long and missed her opportunity to get back with her ex. Having left Erinsborough, we also got one final glimpse of Jack Scully this week, as he arrived in LA. At his hotel room, Nina was waiting, dressed as a maid, to surprise him. The couple vowed not to be separated again and fell into an embrace on the bed…

Notes: Full summaries of Monday and Wednesday's episodes (Nina and Jack's Reunion, Lana's Departure) can be read, here.