.
Weekly Reviews > Episodes 4148-4152 by Rhys
UK Broadcast: Monday 10th February - Friday 14th February 2003
Writers: Katrina Foster, Martin McKenna, John Upton, Ray Kolle, Noel Maloney. Directors: Jovita O'Shaughnessy, Tony Osicka

This week's episodes of Neighbours on the BBC were originally broadcast around Christmas time in Australia, and begin the gradual build-up to the season finale...

Harold and Rosie are taking charge of the Erinsborough Players' production of Oklahoma, and Rosie is pleased that despite the difficulties both she and Harold are having with Lou, that they are getting on well. However, things soon take a turn for the worse, when Rosie's suspicions of Ruby get the better of her. Harold allows Ruby to serve behind the counter at the Coffee Shop to ease the rush, but when Harold discovers the cash in the till is less than the registered amount on the receipts, Rosie subtly suggests that Ruby may know the money's whereabouts. Harold is infuriated and snaps and Rosie, accusing her of being jealous of his happiness. The following day, Rosie returns to the complex to apologise to Harold, who takes pleasure in informing the Minister that the "lost" money had been misplaced by Harold, and later found. Harold accepts Rosie's apology, but she still has doubts about Ms Dwyer's motives. Later in the week, Lou returns from visiting Louise, and displays an air of anticipation as he asks Rosie if she's had time to consider their relationship. Rosie confirms his worst fears, in as much that they can only ever be friends. Lou takes this badly dismisses Rosie. Harold, hoping that the time away may have appeased the animosity between he and Lou, goes to visit at No. 22 with a casserole as a goodwill gesture. Lou rejects both it, and Harold in a fit of anger and hate. Later in the evening, the stress of having walked home from Lassiter's and trying to cope on his own takes its toll, and Lou collapses in the living room. He is eventually discovered by Karl, the following morning, who rushes him to hospital. Karl later confirms Harold's fears that Lou may die.

Nina is continuing to enjoy her friendship with Taj, but is still intrigued by her secret admirer who continues to text message her. The anonymous person suggests he and Nina meet at Lassiter's Lake. Taj offers to accompany her to the lake to ease her nerves and tells her he'll hide in the foliage while the meeting takes place. Nina waits a few seconds for her mystery man to arrive, when along strolls Taj, again, carrying a picnic hamper. He admits that he is Nina's admirer, but he was too shy to come clean earlier. Nina is absolutely thrilled and the two share a kiss. School is soon to close for the Christmas holidays, and Taj suggests that he, Nina, Michelle and Connor along with Lori and Jack spend a few days down on the coast. They all agree, and even Joe is willing enough to allow them, providing Jack keeps and eye on his sister. Just before they leave, Michelle receives a phone call from Tahnee in New York. Tahnee confesses that Taj already has a girlfriend. Michelle confides in Connor about this, and despite Connor's advice to the contrary, Michelle spills all to Nina. Nina decides the best course of action is to confront Taj directly at the beach. She asks him straight up if he is already involved, to which he is left speechless. The beach scenes are a welcome change to the on-set filming of Lassiter's and the studio - and the younger cast members appear to be genuinely enjoying their scenes together.

The air of confusion between Lyn and Joe is evident again, especially when Lyn allows the play committee to use the garage at No. 26 to hold a meeting. Joe is livid when he discovers them all in there one night. Lyn stands up for herself, stating that if he is allowed to spend all day in there with Connor and his other male peers, then she has every right to invite her associates round to have a meeting. Angered that his "private space" in the garage is being invaded, Joe resorts to removing the fuses in the garage's power supply, cutting out the lights, bringing the meeting to an early finish. Lyn later discovers the supposedly "blown fuse" hiding among the dirty laundry, and confronts Joe in the Coffee Shop. They have a comical row in front of the customers. This scene involving Joe in the Coffee Shop is one of many that have taken place recently, with various characters, and are almost becoming a trademark for his character. Joe, invariably, cannot keep his temper and lets out involuntary shouts - rendering the Coffee Shop silent for a second or two, until he realizes he's made an exhibition of himself. They are, however, typically "Joe" - the stereotypical 'Aussie' who speaks his mind, and usually very loudly, too!

Lyn, however, is more concerned about her son's relationship with Lori. Lyn has a sense that all is not ok between them, and confronts Jack about it, asking him if the real reason he left New Zealand was to break up with Lori, not banking on her following him to Australia. Jack dismisses Lyn's fears, and assures her he loves Lori. Lyn is no doubt also concerned that she does not share the closest of relationships with Lori, and this comes to a head when she snaps at the Kiwi babe for suggesting some alterations to Susan's wedding dress, which Lyn is designing. Lyn, however, feels guilty for losing her temper, and has a heart to heart with Lori. They both agree to be more tolerant of each other and they call a truce. Connor is also keen to ease the tensions in the Scully house - most notably, the sleeping arrangements. So, he offers to make a bedroom area in the garage for him to sleep in. Joe loves this idea, because he sees it as a surefire way of keeping the womenfolk out of the garage! Quite how anyone could realistically sleep in an unheated, bare-walled garage every night is beyond our comprehension!

Other notable plots, which appear during the week, are Boyd's relationship with Heather, which has suffered a rocky patch of late. To try and impress her, Boyd decides to give her a gift of a council road sign bearing the name "Heather Street". Max, however, finds out and orders Boyd to return the sign to its street. Max, kindly, gets a friend of his to replicate the street sign at his metal works. Stuart becomes increasingly jealous when Felicity emails him photos of her, with a bunch of male co-workers from New York. After some jokey remarks from Stephanie, Stuart decides he's going to New York too - on the next available flight!

Dione tells Toadie about Darcy being aware of the trouble between her and Martin Cook, but Toadie finds it hard to believe that Dr. Tyler will sacrifice his links with Melbournian society just to help Dee's plight...

Notes: The beach used in this week's episodes the same one where many Neighbours scenes of the past two years have been filmed - most recently, Matt Hancock's hiding from the police and the occasion when Flick was hounded by her obsessed school friend, Colin.