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Weekly Reviews > Episodes 4143-4147 by Rhys
UK Broadcast: Monday 3rd February - Friday 7th February 2003
Writers: Linda Stainton, Drew Tingwell, Piet Collins, Kim Leeanda Wilson, Philippa Burne. Directors: Chris Adshead, Jovita O'Shaughnessy

Lyn continues to be unhappy about Lori living permanently at No. 26, and has an underlying feeling that something isn't quite right between Jack and Lori. Flick and Stuart spend their last couple of days together before she jets off to New York. Stuart surprises her on her penultimate day in Erinsborough with an engagement ring, and asks for her hand in marriage...

Flick accepts the proposal and they plan to marry upon her return from the States. Felicity Scully leaves Australia the following day with the family present at the airport to say farewell. Felicity's final scene had a strange sense of poignancy - with viewers finally realizing that she is the first of the Scully family, who arrived so prominently three years earlier, to leave the fold. Holly Valance's performance in the show has been very acceptable on the whole, with a consistent performance throughout, and she served a respectable three year period on Neighbours - a feat in itself, for someone so young with many opportunities open to her. Despite Stuart vowing to remain faithful to Flick while she's away, there is some obvious flirting between him and close friend, Libby, towards the end of the week, as they take part in a photo session for the Lassiter's limousine service.

Nina is sitting on a bench in the school grounds when she narrowly misses being hit by a football. Its owner is Taj Coppin - brother of Tahnee. He introduces himself to Nina, and she immediately takes a liking to him. When Nina sees Taj compose a text message on his mobile phone, and seconds later she receives an anonymous message from her "secret texter" - she presumes it's Taj. However, when confronted about it, he denies all knowledge. Michelle convinces Nina, despite her embarrassment, to ask Taj out on a date. Much to Nina's surprise, he accepts and they have a great time at the Coffee Shop. Jaime Robbie Reyne is the last of the trio of new actors to join Neighbours, alongside Jay Bunyan and Michelle Ang. The three young adults were discovered by casting director Jan Russ, having been auditioned, and the roles of Lori, Taj and Jack were created for them, based on their screen tests.

Darcy and Chloe's differences are more or less sorted out now, however, things take a drastic downward turn when Darcy is severely beaten in the hotel car park by an unknown attacker. Karl and Susan discover his unconscious body and he is rushed to hospital. Darcy makes a surprising recovery, but he is almost certain he knows who is responsible for his injuries. When Jordan comes to visit him, masquerading as the innocent friend, Darcy decides to confront her, in front of Chloe. Darcy's evidence lies in the threats Jordan made to him regarding his relationship with Chloe. Although Chloe is disgusted that Darcy could even begin to consider her daughter's involvement, Jordan finds her conscience and confesses she hired a hitman to scare the doctor. Chloe is embarrassed and totally ashamed - and offers to break away from Darcy. However, Darcy assures her he still wants her.

Elsewhere in Erinsborough, Dione is upset that Martin Cook refuses to back down from his counter-allegations, however, he openly tells Dione what he did and accepts she didn't like it - all in earshot of a supposedly sleeping Darcy. Darcy, however, overhears the entire conversation, but will he support Dee and risk losing his society links through Chloe and Cookie?

Harold returns from his trip away, to be informed by Rosie that Lou is in hospital. Harold is further shocked to learn that Rosie and Lou have split up. Harold, however, is smitten with Ruby Dwyer - the lady he met through the dating agency. Ruby is upset when she learns her son, Gordon, may have his country farm repossessed if he doesn't pay his bills. Harold, in his typical Good Samaritan way, offers to loan the sum of money to the son, via Ruby. An offer she grudgingly accepts. However, something is bugging Rosie, when she asks Ruby where her son is based, because she may be able to offer assistance through the church. Ruby panics and gives an erroneous place name which is different to the one Harold is aware of. Harold dismisses Rosie's concerns as jealousy because he has found happiness with Ruby. It's been interesting to see how Maureen Edwards has been integrated into an established trio of Harold/Rosie/Lou, and for the most part it's been successful - however too little has been seen of Ruby to begin with to really grab the viewers' attention. It's nice to see Rosie being given more material than just as a buffer between Harold and Lou, however.

Karl and Susan's wedding plans continue at an alarming rate, and Susan's desire to have a lavish ceremony gets the better of her when she hires Gino Esposito, from A Good Hair Day Salon, to plan the wedding - complete with flower trolley, balloons and heart shaped fireworks! Karl is still adamant he will sing at the wedding under the guise of The Right Prescription - much to Susan's horror. She has a quiet word with Harold who gives the impression that he will sing in Karl's place. This shocks Susan even more who has to confess to Karl she can't bring herself to consider either man singing at her wedding. It transpires that Harold had no intention of singing - instead he has enlisted the help of Nina. Boyd continues to worry about his father's growing closeness to Stephanie when he sees them hugging at the pub, following an air hockey tournament. A nice touch which appears at several points during the week is the close friendship between Libby and Steph. Carla Bonner and Kym Valentine seem to have a genuine warmth together and this shows on screen in the humour the two share. The dialogue between them is enjoyable at its worst, and totally fantastic at best.