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Magic Moments
> 2023
> Christmas 2023
Episode 8960
Written
by Lisa Maroun, Directed
by Iain Barret, Produced
by Andrew Thompson
10: 25/12/23, Amazon Freevee: 25/12/23
Haz sees Holly ripping up the scarf on the Canine Cam... Holly admits to being jealous of Mackenzie and Haz... Holly says that she knows that Mackenzie
admitting to having feelings for Haz... Haz and Byron fall out over Byron breaking his confidence, and Byron says that he'll leave... Paul tells Aaron that
he's bought a family pass to the zoo for Isla for Christmas, asking if Aaron can pretend it's from him so that David doesn't find out... Terese is delighted
to get council approval for the joint school and retirement home... Melanie tells Jane that Paul was responsible for helping them get council approval...
Terese is disgusted with Paul and tells him that she's not surprised that nobody can stand to be around him...
At no. 22, Toadie comes downstairs wearing a Santa hat with a bag of gifts for Nell and Hugo, who are embarrassed by his antics. Terese, meanwhile, is in
the kitchen preparing food and Toadie joins her, where she says that she's putting her anger towards Paul on hold until after Christmas.
 ..
Next-door at no. 24, Isla is excitedly opening presents, with Jane, Nicolette, David and Aaron. Aaron asks Jane how late she stayed up, chatting to Mike
and Sam in the UK, and she admits that it did go pretty late, as she had a lot to rant about after what Paul did. David says that nothing that Paul does is
a surprise to him anymore, but Jane decides that they're not going to talk about Paul, as it will spoil the day. David agrees, and he opens Isla's final
present - an annual family pass to the zoo, which Aaron quickly claims is from him. Jane thinks it's a lovely gift, and something that Paul can't spoil,
as Aaron looks guilty.
At no. 28, Karl, Susan, Melanie, Chloe and Elly are gathered in the kitchen. Elly says that she feels bad about making Susan eat and run, but Susan insists
that she's happy to be going to Sydney later, though she isn't convinced when Elly says that Liz is looking forward to seeing her. Chloe wonders if she should
be going with them, but Elly insists that they'll be back, along with Aster, before she knows it. Holly then appears and tells them not to wait for her before
opening presents, saying that she has somewhere to go but she'll be back for lunch. Chloe suspects that she's gone to see Haz, and she, Elly and Karl go to
sit down. Susan then checks that Melanie is OK - Mel insists that she's fine, but as she's left on her own, her face says otherwise.
 ..
At no. 32, Byron and Haz are sitting around feeling very sorry for themselves. Mackenzie reminds them both that they're meant to be having a party, and
hopefully some fun, today, but she gets no reply. The Leaning Tower of Pizza then suddenly collapses, and Mackenzie wryly wishes them both a Merry Christmas.
She goes outside to get the backyard ready for the party, as Haz says that it was lucky they didn't rent out Byron's room, as he clearly hasn't gone to Tahiti.
He says that he changed his mind, and he leaves, just as Holly comes in. She notices the pizza boxes all over the floor and asks who lost the bet - Haz just
says that they all did. Holly tells Haz that she managed to get away from the family as they need to talk, Haz tells her to go first. She explains that she's
not proud of herself, but she did ask for Mackenzie's blessing when they first started dating, as she was trying to be a good friend, and Mack swore that
she'd never act on her feelings. Haz wonders if all of this is trying to tell them something, but Holly says that there's no rush and no pressure. She then
shows him his Christmas gift - a coffee stamp engraved with his initials. He thanks her, but says that he thinks they should take a break. Holly looks upset,
and just nods her head.
At the penthouse, Paul is happily playing with Abigail when Leo comes in and tells his daughter that they need to go now. Paul admits that he's grateful
that Leo is still talking to him, but Leo says that it's Christmas, so he didn't have much choice. Paul says that his motives were honourable when he
interfered with the council bid, but Leo reminds his father that he always says that when he does these things, and that he needs to understand how Terese
and David are feeling right now. Paul insists that he does understand, but Leo isn't convinced, and he and Abigail then leave to visit Isla.
 ..
Back at no. 32, Mackenzie is outside, decorating a Christmas tree by the pool. Sadie turns up, having left her parents at their holiday home, and says that
she needs to help sort things out between Mack and Holly. Mack ignores Sadie, who says that she shouldn't have given that scarf to Haz, just as he comes
outside and says that Holly's gone home for lunch, but she'll be back later. Sadie asks how things are going between Haz and Holly, and he admits that he
suggested that they take a break, at which point Sadie decides that she should make herself scarce, claiming that she needs to go home and get some limes.
Mackenzie then asks Haz how Holly took the news - he says that she seemed alright, but then he asks Mack why she told Holly to go for it with Haz, when she
then admitted to having her own feelings for him. Mackenzie is shocked as Haz says that Holly feels like she's been played by her best friend, and insists
that she would never do that, and she never wanted anyone to find out about her feelings. She asks Haz if they're going to be ok with each other, as it's
going to be a very awkward party if they're not, and he smiles and says that everyone's cool. But they're clearly not.
At no. 24, Aaron and Jane are putting the turkey in the oven.
 ..
At no. 22, Nell is telling a terrible cracker joke which everyone pretends to find hilarious.
Back at no. 24, Isla and Abigail are opening more presents, as Byron arrives for lunch and Jane hugs him.
 ..
At no. 28, Melanie pulls a cracker with Susan, which has a motto telling her that the New Year will bring new cheer. Mel says that, after the last year,
things can only get better and she leaves the table as she starts to cry. Susan and Karl go after her, and she says that there isn't going to be any cheer
for her next year, with all these charges that she has to face all on her own. Susan and Karl insist that she isn't on her own, as she has them, and Karl
then decides to lighten the mood by playing his guitar. Elly, Chloe and Holly try to make their excuses to leave, but Karl shouts at everyone to sit down
for a Christmas sing-a-long as Susan shakes her head in disbelief and Melanie continues to cry.
At no. 24, as the other adults are with the kids in the lounge, Nicolette and Byron are chatting in the kitchen - she asks if he's still mad at her about
speaking to Tamara behind his back. He jokes that he's always mad with her on some level, and he wonders what to do with the necklace that Reece sent to him.
Nicolette suggests that she should hold onto it and if Byron decides that he's ready to wear it one day, he can ask for it back. He hands it over, then
leaves to join the party at no. 32. Meanwhile, Aaron breaks the news to David that the zoo pass was actually a gift from Paul and that he took Isla up to
visit him at the penthouse the other day. David is clearly disappointed and asks Leo if he's going to spend any time with Paul today. Leo says that he was,
but he's decided not to, and that he might go over to the party later. Nicolette overhears this and looks upset for Paul.
 ..
At the penthouse, Nicolette arrives with some leftovers for Paul, saying that the turkey is Mrs Mangel's recipe and that she needed to make sure he wasn't
all alone, crying into his eggnog. She asks how his actions have damaged the council vote - Paul replies that there won't be any damage, if Nicolette can
persuade Jane and Terese to keep their mouths shut. Nicolette tells him that she can try, but if it all does come out, then he's going to have to fix it,
as the school means everything to Jane. Paul says that it seems to mean a lot to Nicolette too, after the protest and this 'little redemption tour' she's
been on. Paul then points out that Jane doesn't actually know the other reason why Nicolette wanted to get out of Erinsborough and move to the country,
but she ignores his remark and tells him to sort out the problem with the council.
At no. 22, Terese, Jane and Toadie have met up to exchange gifts and discuss the possible repercussions for their project if they come clean about Paul
bribing a councillor. Jane points out that Paul has nothing to do with the school or Eirini Rising, so that should count in their favour, but Toadie
reminds them that there's still the person connection of Terese being Paul's ex-wife. Jane says that she can't in all good conscience reopen the school
in the hope that Paul's corruption doesn't come out, and Terese admits that she feels like she's entirely to blame for all of it. Toadie doesn't see how,
but Terese says that Paul is fixated on her and he'd never have gotten involved if it weren't for that.
 ..
At no. 28, Nell and Hugo are visiting Melanie - Hugo has bought a grabber to help Melanie pick things up, but it appears that he quite likes using it
himself. Mel subtley suggests that Hugo and Karl go outside and see if it's any good for picking vegetables. Once alone with Nell, Mel says that she
sometimes forgets how funny she and Hugo can be, and she's grateful for the unplanned visit.
At no. 32, the party is getting started and Sadie checks with Mackenzie that it's ok for her to invite some friends. Mackenzie gives her approval then
makes a quick getaway as Holly arrives. Holly doesn't want to talk about what happened with Haz, but their conversation is cut short as Sadie gets a message
from her friend, Bianca, who wants to bring Richie Amblin to the party. Sadie says that it's going to be a hard no, as he used to date Mackenzie and it'll
be awkward, but Holly looks interested and, after watching Haz and Mackenzie playfully making drinks together, she looks up Richie on social media and
invites him along to the party, suggesting that it would make a great surprise for Mackenzie.
 ..
As the party continues, Nicolette and Aaron are trying to get David to dance, but he complains that the music is terrible and has no words! Chloe, meanwhile,
it questioning Leo about his love life - he says that just because she and Elly are obnoxiously happy, they don't all have to be. Mackenzie looks unhappy,
standing on her own, as Sadie and Holly dance together, while Haz goes and sits with Byron. He says that it felt like a betrayal when he spoke to Holly, and
Byron apologises, saying that his head's messed up after everything with Reece. Haz stands up and offers Byron a hug but then awkwardly picks him up and they
end up knocking the Christmas tree into the pool. Leo says that, if it blocks the pool filter, it's coming out of their bond. Richie then shows up and
Mackenzie is surprised, but happy, to see him.
Later, over at no. 22, Toadie is worried about Terese, who is sitting looking at paperwork, wondering what to do about the council situation. He's about
to say something, but then Nell and Hugo ask her if she wants to play Monopoly - she tells them to set up the board while she gets the snacks. Toadie then
grabs his phone and keys, telling Terese that he's going to get ice cream, and to tell no. 32 to keep the noise down.
 ..
Toadie arrives at the penthouse, where Paul says he isn't interested in a self-righteous lecture. Toadie, however, says that he believes this is Paul's
way of trying to make his way back to Terese - but the only time he's ever shown that he truly loves her is when he walked out on their vow renewals and
set her free. He says that now Paul has gone back to his scheming, thinking that's the way to win her back, but Paul simply tells Toadie that he and Terese
are cut from the same cloth, whereas she and Toadie have nothing in common. Toadie points out that Terese is happy with him, and she never was with Paul,
so it's time to let go, and to take down the wedding photos from the shelves. Toadie wishes Paul a Merry Christmas and leaves, as Paul looks at his wedding
photos, wondering if Toadie is right.
Back at the party, Holly is pleased to see Mackenzie and Richie chatting to each other. Mack is chatting to him about the scene he made at the school
protest, and asks how he's getting on. He says that he's busy with work and family, but he's single, and he asks Mack if she's seeing anyone. She says
that there's been nobody since Hendrix - Richie thinks that Hendrix would want her to get back out there, but she isn't so sure. Holly, meanwhile,
smiles to herself as she watches them chatting.
 ..
The next morning, Mackenzie is walking out onto the street with Richie, telling him that she needs to crash, so she won't wait with him for his ride.
They hug and he tells her that he's never stopped caring about her. He leans in for a kiss, but she stops him and says that she only sees him as a friend
now, what they had is in the past. He explains that he only came to the party because he thought she wanted to see him, he got a message from her friend who
asked him to come. When Mackenzie asks which mate it was, Richie says that he can't remember, but her name was a bit Christmassy...
 ..
In the backyard, Mackenzie storms in to find Holly attempting to clean rubbish out of the pool. Mack tells Holly that she was out of line when she invited
Richie, but Holly replies that Mack was out of line when she flirted with Haz. Mackenzie adds that Richie just tried to kiss her, which made her feel very
uncomfortable, but Holly points out that nobody considered her feelings, and they continue to argue and drag everything up until eventually Mackenzie
says that Holly is being ridiculous and walks away. As she does so, Holly loses her footing and falls into the pool - Mackenzie stops and looks, but
doesn't appear to care and simply leaves the yard, unaware that, under the water, Holly's dress is caught on the Christmas tree and she's struggling
to breathe...
Featured Regular Characters: Toadie Rebecchi, Nell Rebecchi, Hugo Rebecchi, Terese Willis, Jane Harris, Nicolette Stone, David Tanaka, Aaron Brennan, Isla Tanaka-Brennan,
Susan Kennedy, Karl Kennedy, Melanie Pearson, Holly Hoyland, Byron Stone, Mackenzie Hargreaves, Haz Devkar, Paul Robinson, Leo Tanaka,
Abigail Tanaka, Sadie Rodwell
Guest Cast:
April Rose Pengilly as Chloe Brennan,
Jodi Gordon as Elly Conway,
Lach Millar as Richie Amblin
Trivia Notes
• This episode had no opening titles, but just featured a
festive title card which can be seen here
• Past characters Hendrix Greyson, Mrs Mangel and Reece Sinclair are mentioned
Summary
by Steve
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