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Weekly Reviews > Episodes 4215-4219 by Rhys

UK Broadcast: Monday 19th May - Friday 23rd May, 2003
Written by: Jonathan Williams, Chris Hollow, John Hanlon, Sarah Mayberry, Piet Collins. Directed by: Chris Adshead, Julie Bates

Confessions, plotting and comedy made up a rather ordinary, though perfectly enjoyable week with the Neighbours...

Perhaps for the first time since its introduction, the saga of Darcy, Dione, Toadie and Sindi dominated this week on Neighbours. The character of Sindi is a minor gem, and Marisa Warrington continues to play her with great zeal. The beginning of the week saw the gregarious Ms Watts make a further play for Toadie's affections by feigning interest in football. The scenes in No.30 where Connor, Stuart, Toadie, Boyd and later Sindi, watch the match on TV were wonderful, with Sindi trying to apply her very basic knowledge of sport in general to the game! Later on, the crowd spilled out onto Ramsay Street for a half-time game of soccer, but Sindi unknowingly made a fool out of herself by attempting to kick the ball with her high-heeled sandals! Bless him, Boyd also fell for the seductive blonde's charms and had the proverbial taken out of him by the older guys at the very suggestion!

Otherwise, Dee was still, rather stupidly, being fooled by Darcy - believing him to be her soulmate and a saviour in her days of need! Little does she know his true motives. His cover was almost blown when a row between Dione and Toadie resulted in both parties discovering that their mutual "friend", the good doctor, had been making negative comments about them behind their backs. However, he managed to convince them that he's merely trying to be a good friend to both and his underlying wish is for them to be reunited. Sindi, meanwhile, had hatched onto Darcy's plan and demanded his help so she could 'alter' herself, both cosmetically and personality-wise to mirror Dee - thus securing Toadie's love. This particular story is a comparatively long-running one for Neighbours, but it seems, at last, the addition of Sindi to the saga, and Darcy's close call with both parties, has strengthened it and given it further scope.

You'd be hard-struck to notice Rosie had gone, judging by the wake, or lack of it, in Ramsay Street. Monday's episode opened with a brief dialogue piece between Lou and Harold discussing the impact she's had on their lives - but little more was made of it all week. Valda, it would seem, is now taking the "mature female" limelight, and immediately caused a stir - with the Japanese theme at Lou's Place continuing to keep her occupied. But not enough to restrict her offering advice and encouragement on the Connor front to Michelle. Lyn expressed her worries to Valda - suggesting that any advice on such matters should be given by either herself or Joe, and concluded that Valda would understand more if she's had children herself. The zany Aunt is hurt by this and offered to leave Erinsborough again. Later that day, Valda looked through some old photo albums and began crying at the sight of a baby. Despite the exclusive revelation by this very website, a few months ago, that Valda is in fact Lyn's birth mother, it is probable that any viewer with half an ounce of sense would have, or has, realized that Valda is certainly more than the "long lost Aunt" to Lyn, that she claims to be! Subtlety is not Neighbours' forte!

Valda continued to annoy Lou, also, with the theme nights, and her constant buying of expensive foodstuffs on the pub's account. When she suggested he wore a Sumo wrestler's garment to complement the theme, he fired her. Max, however, stepped in, pointing out that the pub's restaurant takings had increased 25% since Valda's cooking debuted. Despite initial reservations about the character's return, Valda appears to be working better than expected. She's certainly calmer and less "cut from the comic strip" than last year, but it remains to be seen how she succeeds long term. The Ramsay Street residents enjoyed themselves at Lou's expense when word spread he was going on another date with the elusive Dorothy Stevens. Harold was very apprehensive for his friend's sake - subtly hinting that Dorothy can be quite "domineering". Little does Lou know that Ms Stevens has a love of all things sexually sadistic and masochistic - or, in Neighbours' family-friendly language - "unusual". However, when Lou discovered what Dorothy's supposed "secret" was, he decided to have some fun at Harold's expense by making out he'd been to a sex party with Dorothy, much to the cafe-owner's displeasure.

The paralysis of Lori Lee also continued to be explored this week with her being allowed home. The Scullys found difficulty in getting Lori into No.26 on account of the steps leading up to the front door. However, such technicalities were soon forgotten when Lori emerged from her bedroom greeted by Lyn, the only other person present and was surprised to see Lori up already. Quite how the young girl managed to dress herself was never addressed - a serious flaw when trying to realistically convey the constraints of disability. Later in the week, though, Lori began to feel a tingling sensation in her foot while being massaged. Jack, meanwhile, confessed to his sister, Michelle, that he'd been unfaithful to Lori, and as a consequence, Michelle began blatantly ignoring Nina. Also taking his anger out on Nina, with good reason, was Taj. He cannot cope with Nina's hand of friendship so soon after she broke it off with him. He admitted that he cannot switch his feelings for her on and off. A scene of note occurred at the school when Taj, bullied by a peer (ironically, the bully character is considerably shorter and punier than Taj) for going to a school counselor, lashed out and fought the boy. Nina hilariously tried to break up the kafuffle by whacking everyone with her school bag. Bless her! Although totally cringe worthy and lacking in any believability, the sight of Nina brandishing her satchel, then the group being marched off to Candace Barkham's office made the episode!

And, finally, Alex the "Italian" barman and Stephanie set out across Australia on their motorbikes. Despite the temptation to shy away from showing their journey, Neighbours have opted for a warts and all day-by-day account of their trip, and the adventures they encounter. As nice as it is to see location shots in the Aussie bush; canoeing; camping and the like, it does of course suggest that Stephanie hasn't left Erinsborough for good, and that some unforeseen event will see her back to Ramsay Street sometime soon...

Notes: In Episode 4216 Rosie Hoyland was removed from the opening titles.