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Magic Moments
> 2018
> Christmas 2018/Jim's Ghost
Episode 8002
Written
by Jason Herbison, Directed
by Chris Langman, Produced
by Natalie Mandel
Channel Eleven: 25/12/18, Channel 5: 25/12/18
Toadie proposes the idea for a concert... Liz arrives and suggests that Bea should lead the carols... Shane asks Dipi to hand over her tarot cards... Paul
mentions to Jane that it has been 25 years since Jim died... Delaney informs Leo that she knows from an informant that he betrayed her uncle... A worried Leo
tells Paul that he doesn't want to reveal his troubles to Terese as she is already anxious about things... Delaney plays Paul a tape recording from Mannix
revealing what Paul supposedly did to him... Delaney blackmails Paul into helping her out with Leo and in return she will not reveal that he murdered Mannix...
Toadie starts with a speech at No. 30 as he sits on the grass with Sonya and Nell, whilst each of the Ramsay Street households is celebrating Christmas
morning, exchanging gifts and remembering those they've lost:
"Christmas in Australia. Well, it's pretty much the same as it is all over the world with a few differences I suppose. Presents are exchanged. Some people
spend heap of money, others not as much. It's a time for family to celebrate those that are with us and remember those that we've lost. Christmas is a day
that we look back on the year that was. The good times and the bad. What we've achieved and what we haven't and what we want for the future. If we're lonely
then it can be the hardest day of all. So that is why we decided to have this concert to let everyone know that they're not alone. There is always a friend
or a neighbour to turn to."
As he finishes his speech Sonya and Nell clap, and then talk about how Bea will be leading the concert.
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Meanwhile at the Lassiters complex, an agitated looking Bea walks off after seeing the preparations for the concert begin to take shape.
At no. 22, a worried Leo looks at his phone and then quickly puts it away as Terese comes over. He asks Terese if she would be okay if he went over to
Lassiters to help with the concert preparations, but Terese wants to join him as she feels bad leaving Jane trying to sort things out. Leo assures her that
everything is okay and for the time being she should stay home with Piper. They kiss as Leo leaves, and once he has departed Piper gives Terese her Christmas
present.
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Over at the penthouse, Jane gives Paul his Christmas present, joking that she struggled to find something for the man who has everything. Paul opens the
gift bag and finds a glass bauble inside, which Jane explains has been hand decorated. She goes on to explain that a few years ago she and Mrs Mangel started
the tradition of creating hand decorated baubles, and in a moment of sadness she tells Paul that she wants to hang a bauble on her tree each year to remind
her of when the tradition started. Feeing reflective at this being the first Christmas without her nan, Jane is told by Paul that Mrs Mangel would be proud
of how she has been able to move on through her grief. Jane hopes that Paul is right and then mentions that Jim would probably think the same thing about
Paul, considering the 25-year anniversary of his passing. As Jane leaves with Paul's present in tow, she invites him and Leo to join her for eggnog later,
just as Leo arrives at the penthouse. Once Jane has departed, Leo asks Paul what has been happening regarding the situation with Delaney.
At no. 28, Bea returns home and hugs Susan and then Liz, wishing them both a happy Christmas. She is carrying a bag of lemons and informs Susan and Liz that
they are to help her vocal chords for the concert later. Bea quickly changes the subject after Liz suggests that she should use the stage name Honey Bea at
the concert, asking Susan if she is going to arrange a phone call with Karl and Holly. However, Susan looks flustered and heads off, telling Bea and Liz that
she has a prior commitment to keep but is sure that Bea will be great tonight at the concert. Worried by the abrupt nature of her departure, Bea asks Liz if
she thinks Susan is okay, but Liz is sure that everything is fine, and brings the conversation back around to the concert by asking Bea what she will sing.
She tells her that she will open the concert with the carol 'O Holy Night', but Liz isn't keen on this idea. As Ned arrives at No. 28, Bea heads out with him.
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Back at the penthouse, a worried Paul regales Leo with the story of the recording that Delaney played him earlier, in which Mannix accused Paul of murdering
him. Unable to fully recollect the series of events leading up to Mannix's death, Paul tells Leo that he thinks it could have happened and that he may have
killed him. As he frets about this Jane reappears at the penthouse and asks Leo if he would like some breakfast while he's here, but he declines the offer and
tells Jane and Paul that he must get home. Before he goes and after Jane once again leaves, Leo promises Paul that he will resume talking to Delaney to see
if she can provide some truth to the recording. He leaves as a concerned Paul looks wistfully at the bauble on the Christmas tree.
At no. 30, Shane is playfully teasing Nell with a water pistol as a worried Toadie assures Sonya that it's okay if she needs to have a lie down after just
being released from hospital. Despite this, Sonya tells Toadie that she should be okay and just wants to be with her family at this time of year. She also
mentions that she has got a gift to donate to the Charity Present Day, which reminds Shane of Dipi's tarot cards which he thinks could be given as a gift
also. Dipi doesn't look too pleased with this but holds her tongue, just as Bea arrives looking anxious. She tells the group that she will not be able to
sing at the concert, but Dipi is convinced that this is just nerves. Although Toadie is disappointed with Bea's decision, she insists that she shouldn't have
signed up in the first place and suggests that they find another singer to take her place. Having made her declaration Bea leaves, as Sonya suggests that they
ring Susan for assistance.
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At the hospital Susan is standing outside Finn's room. She hears her mobile ringing in her bag, but she doesn't answer the call. Instead, she enters the
hospital room, looking gravely at Finn.
Concert preparations are underway at the Waterhole as Terese is talking through the final details with Jane, although Jane is more concerned with the fact
that they now don't have a singer. Terese suggests that they give Sonya, Toadie and the others some more time to come up with an alternative, and then notices
the bracelet that Jane is wearing. She is admiring of the bracelet as Jane explains that it was a gift from Paul, who she opines is a beautiful man despite
his flaws and the bad things others have to say about him. Leo arrives at the Waterhole to speak to Paul, concerned after hearing the recording that Delaney
has played to him. He informs Paul that Delaney gave him a piece of paper with map co-ordinates showing the location Mannix is buried, a couple of kilometres
from where Paul dropped him off. Although Paul agrees that the co-ordinates are in the right area, Leo is doubtful as to the veracity of Delaney's claims and
plans to go to the location on the map tomorrow to find out the truth. Unwilling to wait another day, Paul tells Leo that he wants to find out the truth now,
despite it being Christmas day. He laments that if he is indeed responsible for Mannix's death he could end up in jail again and lose his new life with Jane,
and therefore he tells Leo that he is going out to the location to find Mannix's body. Puzzled as to what he should tell Jane, Paul suggests to Leo to tell
her that he is visiting Jim's grave.
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Before he departs, Paul goes back into the penthouse to look at the bauble on the tree once again. He decides to take the bauble and leaves again.
At the lake, Ned joins a wistful Bea who is sitting on a walkway. They share a kiss as Ned produces some mistletoe, although he tells Bea that he hoped
that this would take place at her house. Ned realises that Bea's reluctance to sing at the concert and return to no. 28 is due to Liz's presence, and Bea
admits that she doesn't want to let people down and is worried that Liz will be smug if she makes a fool of herself again. Realising that this has happened
before, Ned asks Bea to share with him the previous time this has occurred. Beginning her story, Bea tells Ned that she was in Sydney for Christmas with Liz
and Elly when she was 9 years old, during which time Liz forced Bea into a carol contest at a nearby shopping centre. Feeling anxious and nervewracked, Bea
froze after starting to sing 'O Holy Night' and accidentally wet herself in front of a crowd of people for which Liz, rather than comforting her stricken
daughter, started laughing at her predicament. Although appalled at Liz's behaviour, Ned tries to assure Bea that it was a long time ago. Bea counters that
it has taken her a long time to be able to sing again and she only resumed singing as it allowed her to make some money from busking, however Ned tries to
remind her that if she doesn't face her demons and sing tonight then Liz will have won. He suggests that her fear of singing isn't entirely to do with Liz
and encourages her to face her fears if she wants to sing more often. Despite Ned's tough words, Bea looks thoughtful at his suggestion.
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Over at no. 28, Liz is surprised as a resurgent Bea and Ned decide that she won't be allowed to attend the concert later, informing her that they don't
believe she has good intentions for Bea and will try to stop her from being a success. Upset at these comments, Liz informs Bea that this is a really bad
thing to say to her, but Bea's mind isn't for changing and she once again insists that Liz must not attend. As she gives this ultimatum Susan, Toadie and
Sonya arrive at no. 28, which allows an angry and bitter Liz to clarify to them all that Bea will indeed be performing at the concert, but she won't be
allowed to attend. Angry at the rejection, Liz storms off, leaving Bea to explain the situation to the group, insisting that this behaviour is typical of
her mother. As Bea and Ned leave, Susan asks Nell to go and find their presents and she'll prepare the gravy. A worried Toadie asks Susan if everything is
okay as she didn't respond to his calls, but a distracted Susan insists that she is okay. Despite these reassurances Toadie isn't convinced and insists that
Susan tell him what is really going on.
The concert is about to begin at the Lassiters complex as people take their seats. After Toadie's probing earlier there is an awkwardness between himself
and Susan. Susan is aware that her confession about visiting Finn has left Toadie unimpressed, and he agrees that he is struggling to understand why she
would need to visit Finn Kelly. To justify her behaviour Susan explains to Toadie that it's Christmas time and she feels sorry for Finn after everything
that has happened, as well as feeling guilty about being the reason he's in a coma. She didn't like the idea of Finn being by himself and felt that he
should have at least one visitor at this time of year, but Toadie reminds Susan that Finn is by himself due to the actions that he took, and this should
be the end of it. As they continue to argue this point Jane arrives at the ceremony and asks Leo if he has seen Paul. Aware that Paul is on the trail of
the missing presumed dead Mannix, Leo lies to Jane and tells her that he hasn't seen him. He offers to call Paul to see what's happening.
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As he is driving along a road toward the location of the map co-ordinates provided by Delaney, Paul's phone rings. He answers and informs Leo that he hasn't
made it to the location yet and is still driving, which leaves Leo confused as he expected him to be there by now. Paul mentions that he took a few wrong
turns as all the roads look the same, and then asks Leo if Jane is wondering where he is. He is pleased with the cover story Leo gave to Jane about Paul
visiting the cemetery and Jim's grave, and admits that this isn't a complete lie as he planned to visit it at some point today. A worried Leo suggests to
Paul that he should put off this excursion until tomorrow, but Paul assures him that he needs to do this today and that Leo should go and enjoy the concert.
With everyone seated for the concert, Terese welcomes them and explains that resident Valerie Grundy's passing has inspired this event. She calls up Toadie
to give the same speech that he was practising earlier, as it was he who thought up the idea of the concert originally. As Toadie prepares to give his speech
a puzzled Yashvi asks Shane where Dipi is, but Shane doesn't know.
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It turns out that Dipi is behind the counter at a deserted Harold's, as Liz comes in with offers of help. Surprised to see Liz at the complex after she was
banished from the concert, Dipi asks her what she is doing here. Liz explains that technically she isn't at the concert, and with everyone busily awaiting
Bea's song, they won't suspect she is at Harold's.
Back on the road Paul continues to drive to his destination, glancing at the bauble he has hung in the car.
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The concert is about to begin at the complex, but Terese is upset that Paul won't be in attendance. Leo tries to assure her that Paul will try and get back
as soon as possible. Meanwhile a worried Bea is feeling regretful about changing her choice of song, but Ned thinks that she has chosen a great alternative
and tries to reassure her that her performance will be fine. He reminds her that Liz isn't in attendance, and they share a kiss.
At Harold's, Dipi is explaining to Liz that her tarot card predictions often come true, informing her that the cards told her someone close to her would die
in Christmas 2011 and this is what occurred. She goes on to tell Liz that her uncle was thrown from a horse and since then she has become obsessed with the
tarot cards. As they continue to chat they hear cheers from the concert next door, and Liz goes to listen at the door.
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The cheers continue at the concert as Toadie motions Bea on stage. Before she begins her performance Bea explains to the crowd that she will not be singing a
carol as originally planned, but instead will sing a song which shows how she really feels about Christmas even when people don't make it easy for her. She
starts singing 'Just for Now' and the crowd are swept up by the performance, waving candles in time to the music. A proud Ned looks on as Bea delivers her
song, whilst Liz continues to listen from Harold's. Meanwhile Paul continues to drive towards his destination as Xanthe records the song on her phone, and
at the hospital, Finn remains in his coma.
Back on the road, Paul continues to drive, although he is struggling to see in the dark and suddenly loses control of the car, hitting a gate and coming to a
sudden stop.
Paul becomes semi-conscious due to the impact but in his drowsy state he hears a voice, his father Jim asking him what he has done now. Shocked at hearing
the voice of his dead father, Paul is even more stunned as he sees Jim reflected in the bauble hanging in his car. He asks Jim if he is dead, but Jim assures
him that he hasn't died, however he isn't happy and tells Paul that he tried to teach him right from wrong but for some reason Paul has always wanted to take
his own path. Jim reminds Paul that he has been in similar situations before where he has been accused of killing someone, although Paul tries to defend
himself by contending that he was suffering from a brain tumour at the time. He is adamant that Paul is trying to cover his tracks again, but Paul defends
himself for a second time by telling Jim that he is trying to protect Leo. Paul goes on to talk about his sons Leo and David and daughter Amy, but a worried
Jim suggests that he is close to driving them away, similar to the way Elle and Andrew have moved overseas, Cameron is dead, and Robert stuck in prison. Paul
admits that he didn't want to be this man who keeps repeating the same mistakes, assuring Jim that with his new life with Jane he is determined to change and
become a better person. Admitting that Jane is a lovely person who would be good for Paul, Jim tells him that it's never too late to be the man you want to
be. With these final words Jim's image disappears from the bauble, as a distraught Paul pleads with him not to go.
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Back at the concert, everyone cheers as Bea concludes her performance. She looks really pleased when she comes off stage, as does Ned. Sonya congratulates
Toadie for bringing the idea of a concert to fruition and they share a kiss, just as Bea shares a hug with Ned.
At Harold's, Liz is amazed by Bea's singing and doesn't understand how she didn't know before that her daughter was such a good singer. As she muses on this,
Dipi is continuing to use her tarot cards and looks concerned as she draws out the Death card. A concerned Liz asks Dipi if everything is okay, but an
astounded Dipi informs her that the tarot cards have revealed someone close to her is going to die.
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After his surreal confrontation with Jim, Paul is at the cemetery digging up a grave. He stops digging when he sees a foot in the earth, and turns around
to see Jim standing watching him. Jim turns away from Paul and starts walking towards a distant light, as Paul contemplates what to do next.
Featured Regular Characters: Toadie Rebecchi, Sonya Rebecchi, Nell Rebecchi, Terese Willis, Piper Willis, Leo Tanaka, Paul Robinson, Sheila Canning, Gary Canning, Xanthe Canning, Amy
Williams, Shane Rebecchi, Dipi Rebecchi, Yashvi Rebecchi, Susan Kennedy, Bea Nilsson, Ned Willis
Guest Cast: Alan Dale as Jim Robinson,
Annie Jones as Jane Harris,
Debra Lawrance as Liz Conway,
Rob Mills as Finn Kelly,
Geoff Paine as Clive Gibbons,
John Turner as Hugo Somers
Trivia Notes
• Past characters Elle Robinson, Andrew Robinson,
Cameron Robinson, Robert Robinson, Mrs Mangel and Holly Hoyland are mentioned
• Alan Dale makes a one-episode return as Jim,
appearing as a vision to Paul, and he would go on to make another appearance in a dream sequence in 2019. The character was
last seen when he was killed off in 1993
Summary
by Michael
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