Perhaps the most bizarre story of the week, and certainly the most worrying for the residents of Ramsay Street was the disappearance of Toadfish. Following on from last week’s mysterious photographer gathering evidence of Toadie and Sindi kissing at No.30, Rocco was shown the photographs and immediately ordered that the two be separated. Despite trying to draw Sindi away, the wannabe mafia boss was unsuccessful and henceforth put plan B into operation. Calling on Toadie, pretending to need his legal advice regarding the purchase of an apartment, Rocco managed to take him away from Ramsay Street, never to be seen again. Sindi arrived only seconds too late to warn Toadie that her ex had something planned for him… Connor and Stuart became worried when Sindi revealed what Rocco’s reaction had been to the news that she and Toadie were an item, and demanded she help them track down their friend. Sindi, however, was confident that Rocco never harmed anyone, preferring to frighten people a little.

Things got a little more mysterious when Toadie’s car was taken the following day, and someone took what they believed to be his toothbrush, but actually turned out to be Stuart’s. Sindi paid a visit to Rocco demanding to know what he’d done with her new boyfriend, but all Rocco could contribute was a provocative statement that he had filled Toadie in on Sindi’s past as an exotic dancer. Heartbroken that her past may have jeopardised her chance of happiness with Jarrod, Sindi confided in Susan and Scott about his disappearance. In real life, of course, the reason behind Toadie’s kidnapping was to account for actor Ryan Moloney’s wedding at the time of filming, and subsequent holiday period. This storyline has been entertaining to watch, certainly, but doubts remain as to whether we can ever take such a dramatic plotline seriously when Rocco has only ever been up until now presented as a comical character. Even during this latest kidnapping story, the same comical Italian-style music has been retained, lending it a degree of humour.

Lori’s return to Erinsborough continued to cause problems for the newly coupled Michelle and Connor. Valda made her feelings on the matter well known as she told the world and his wife what a mistake her granddaughter was making in postponing New York indefinitely to stay with Connor. However, after a chat with Lori about Connor and a heart to heart with Valda, Michelle decided after all that she would be best going back to New York to finish her studying, especially given the complications that would arise if Lori and baby Madeleine decided to stay on in Erinsborough. The end of the week saw a tearful goodbye, reminiscent of Michelle’s original departure this time last year. Lyn, however, was furious with her mother for having influenced Michelle’s decision to leave home yet again, especially when she learned that Valda had hinted that she would give Michelle a substantial amount of money to stay in the States. Ironically, Lyn had only the previous day been meddling in Valda’s love life by expressing her anger when Lou asked her advice about winning back Valda. Lyn was disgusted that he considered her mother a ‘consolation prize’ following Trixie’s betrayal, and told him in no uncertain terms that she wouldn’t help him win her round.