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Magic Moments
> 2025
> Harold's Departure
Episode 9224
Written
by Jo Zantuck, Directed
by Chris Adshead, Produced
by Andrew Thompson
10: 14/04/25, Amazon: 14/04/25
Agnes and Harold seem to be getting on well... JJ confirms that Agnes and Madge are distantly related... Paul is unhappy about Chelsea spending time with
Darcy... Karl asks if there's anything he can do in return for Darcy helping with his painkiller addiction... Darcy notices the tension between Terese and
Chelsea... Darcy asks Chelsea if she secretly wants to annoy Terese... Darcy offers to help Terese get intel on Chelsea, if she helps him in return by giving
him a job at Eirini...
Terese doesn't understand what Darcy is getting at, but he says that he's noticed how uncomfortable the two women are in each other's company and he's
offering to help Terese get the inside track on her rival. Terese tries to deny that there's a problem with Chelsea, but Darcy explains that he could find
out if Chelsea is still interested in Paul. Terese doesn't want to play games and says that, even if she agreed to this, Karl wouldn't be interested in a
job share. Darcy, however, believes that Karl would be grateful of the support, but this still doesn't change Terese's mind and she tells him to drop the
subject.
 ..
At Eirini, Karl, Susan, Paul and Harold are gathered with Agnes to welcome her to her new apartment. Susan and Paul apologise for Terese's lateness, neither
of them sure where she's got to, and Karl asks Agnes about a pile of books she's brought with her. She explains that it's research for a book she's writing
about mind over matter. As Karl and Agnes chat, Paul asks Harold if he's over the shock yet, not only that she looks so much like Madge but she's a long-lost
relative. He adds that Hilary is redrafting the family tree as they speak, and then he decides to head off to look for Terese. Susan then notices that Harold
seems a little out of sorts and he admits that he needs to get something off his chest, before asking if he could go home with Susan.
At the penthouse, Terese arrives back to find that Paul isn't here, but Chelsea is. She's busy feeding Thomas and says that Paul went to Eirini, but Terese
can't believe that she just let herself in to wait for him. Chelsea insists that the front desk staff know her and that Paul will be delighted to get some
quality time with his son, snidely adding that she's sure that Terese wouldn't want to stand in the way of that. Paul then arrives, happy to see Terese and
surprised to find that Chelsea and Thomas are there. He quickly goes over to see his son and Three watches with discomfort as Paul and Chelsea get close and
talk about the colour of Thomas's eyes and how they're turning green like his daddy's. Terese then calls Paul over and says that she's thinking about getting
an early night and was hoping that he could join her. Before he can reply, Chelsea comes over and asks Paul if he wants to feed Thomas. Paul tells Terese that
he'll have to take a rain check on their early night and he goes over to Thomas, leaving Terese looking very unhappy.
 ..
At no. 28, Harold has broken the news to Karl and Susan that he's planning to leave to go back to Queensland. He explains that Sky and Lana have build a flat
for him in their back garden, but they only told him about it the other day. Susan is surprised that he's been thinking about leaving and hasn't told anyone,
but he says that he wanted to make sure that Agnes was settled in first and that it didn't feel like he was leaving because of her. He explains that this is
all about family and, although he sees everyone in Erinsborough as his family too, he's not getting any younger and nor are his family members up in
Queensland. He then breaks the news that, so as not to drag things out, he's booked a flight for the following day. Karl and Susan are clearly devastated
to be losing him again.
The next morning, at no. 22, Darcy is surprised when Terese walks into the garden and announces that she'll take his deal - as long as Karl is fine with it
and for as long as he needs the backup. They shakes hands and she then asks what he knows about Chelsea's intentions. He admits that he knows nothing yet,
but if anything crops up, he'll tell Terese. She tells him to make sure that he does, adding that this has to stay between the two of them.
 ..
At Eirini, Karl and Susan have told a surprised Paul about Harold's impending departure. Karl says that they suspect he's been planning this for longer than
he's admitting, and they all agree that they'd enjoyed having him around again. Paul says that he was 'shipping' Harold and Agnes, and Karl is surprised to
hear this terminology coming out of Paul's mouth. Paul then accuses Karl of being a fuddy duddy, adding that he might be the one to inherit that title now
that Harold's leaving. Paul then explains that he dropped by to give something to Terese, who then appears behind them all, with Darcy in tow. She says that,
after much consideration, she'd like to welcome Darcy to the team, as support for Karl. Whilst Paul and Susan are shocked, Karl says that it sounds like a
wonderful idea, but Susan thinks that they should all go inside and discuss it first.
Terese, Susan, Paul and Karl head into Karl's office, where Terese is apologising for springing this on Susan, who admits that she would have liked to have
had a conversation about it before a decision was made. Terese explains that, as Karl had approved it, she believed that Susan would have agreed too, and
Susan is very surprised to hear that her husband already approved the idea. A sheepish Karl says that he spoke to Darcy and told him that he'd be happy to
do a job share, though he'd expected there to be a little more discussion before it actually happened. Karl insists that his worries about Darcy are no longer
a problem, but Paul thinks he's 'losing his marbles' and says that he still doesn't trust Darcy, but Terese points out that he listened to Chelsea when she
stood up for him. This silences Paul and Terese says that the residents all seem to like Darcy and, this way, nobody will be left waiting for an appointment
when Karl reduces his hours. Jane then rushes in and says that she's just heard the news about Harold, leaving Terese to ask what's going on.
 ..
In her apartment, Agnes is also surprised by the news that Harold is leaving later that day, though he says that there's no time to waste at their age.
Agnes admits that she was hoping to get to know him better, and he says the same, so suggests that they could write to each other, like penpals. He says
that they could send updates and stories about their lives, and Agnes has the idea of sending him chapters of her book to proof read. He asks her not to
feel disappointed and tells her that this can be a fresh start for both of them.
Outside Eirini, as Paul and Terese are walking out, he tells her that she's making a big mistake by hiring Darcy. She asks if they can change the subject,
preferring to talk about Harold's farewell party, but they're both surprised when they see Chelsea arriving. Darcy quickly appears and says that she's here
to meet him, for a coffee to celebrate his new job. He asks Terese if they've all finished talking about him, and she says that the meeting is over, before
sending Paul off to do something for Harold. She then tells Darcy that he can meet with Susan shortly to sort out the paperwork and suggests that first he
can 'do what he needs to do' with Chelsea. Once Terese has gone, Chelsea and Darcy sit down together and she's touched that she was the first person he
thought of when he wanted to share his big news. He admits that she's the only friend he's made since he came back, adding that he's happy to have a new
job title to impress the potential investors in his new clinic. He adds that he's hoping that Paul won't do anything to spoil his efforts, wondering if he
truly believes that he would do anything to hurt the nice people at Eirini. Chelsea thinks that there might be another reason why Paul doesn't like him -
he might be jealous of their closeness. As they chat, Karl and Susan appear - they go over to them and Susan apologises if she didn't seem pleased about
Darcy's new job earlier. She explains that it was just a surprise and that Harold's news had already got her off kilter. As they go to leave, Darcy calls
Karl back over and says that he's drawn up a new schedule for them both, though Karl isn't impressed and says that, as the person currently in the job,
that's up to him to do. Darcy reluctantly agrees and Karl walks off, as Darcy then suggests to Chelsea that they go could back to his for some lunch. She
says that she doesn't have the babysitter for much longer so she'll have to bring Thomas, but Darcy is unfazed by this.
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At no. 28, Karl is preparing food for the party, as Susan says that the pies are in the oven and everyone else is bringing a plate. Karl comforts her,
saying that they're all going to miss having Harold around, but Susan says that she'd have liked a little more warning. Karl thinks that maybe Harold was
worried that people would try to talk him out of going. Across the room, Jane notices that Terese is also distracted and asks her if it's about Harold. She
admits that she's worried about Darcy and Jane asks if there's more to his hiring that she should know about. Terese says that Darcy is growing close to
Chelsea, which makes him a good ally to have, but decides that they should focus on Harold for now, though Jane looks unconvinced. Meanwhile, Aaron and
Max are hanging a Farewell Harold banner across the fireplace when they hear Harold coming and they all shout 'Surprise' as Paul brings him into the house.
Harold is thrilled and admits that this is going to make it even harder for him to leave. As Susan says that they're just calling it 'new beginnings',
Harold suddenly asks if they can invite someone else.
At no. 22, Chelsea brings Thomas, in his pram, out into the back garden, and says that she's sad that she never got the chance to get to know Harold, who
Darcy describes as a 'local legend'. As he's preparing the food, Darcy is intrigued as Chelsea says that she's had an idea for his business - a public
investor session. She explains that getting a group of investors in one room can open up competition between them and Darcy adds that he's only been
targeting investors in healthcare, but he could afford to widen the net a bit. He tells her how smart she is, adding that she's very attractive, then
leans in for a kiss but she quickly moves away and starts talking about the investors again, then goes to check on a crying Thomas, leaving Darcy a little
confused and disappointed.
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At no. 28, Harold is telling everyone that they shouldn't have gone to so much trouble for him, and that they should all really be at work! They insist
that he's worth it and Terese warns him to pace himself, as Gino is organising another little farewell at Eirini later. Harold looks worried, but Karl
insists that there'll be plenty of time before they need to get to the airport. Agnes then arrives, admitting that she wasn't sure that she had the right
house, and she thanks Harold for inviting her but says that she feels like a gatecrasher. Harold says that they can look at it as a pensioner swap -
Erinsborough is losing him and gaining her. Paul then tells her that Madge used to live on this street and Agnes says that she knows and that she was
trying to guess which house it was when she arrived. Harold then looks over at Jane and says that they can do better than that.
Jane shows Harold and Agnes into no. 24 - he tells Agnes that this is where he lived with Madge. As he's having a look around, Agnes suggests that it
must hold a lot of special memories; Harold then remembers when he first arrived at the house and found Charlene and Madge dressed as clowns. Agnes notices
that he's distracted and he says that he was thinking about what a clown Madge was - literally - to which Agnes says that it sounds like a story. Harold
tells her that he shared so many memories with Madge in that house but he becomes upset as he thinks about her death. Agnes thanks him for showing her the
house - Harold says that she's part of the family now and if this house stands for anything, it's family.
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At no. 28, Susan receives a message from the Varga-Murphys, saying that they'll be arriving soon. Everyone else is looking at the Ramsay Street History
Book and laughing at the photos when Jane, Harold and Agnes return. They show Harold a picture of him with Mrs Mangel and he remembers the time they were
both drunk and danced together, only to be interrupted by a shocked Madge and Jane. Paul says that Mrs Mangel was Harold's second biggest partner in crime,
but Lou Carpenter was first. Harold then remembers the time that he accidentally pushed Lou into the pool and he tells everyone that Lou is making plans to
visit Port Douglas. As he sees a photo of the Erinsborough Festival, Harold remembers the day he crashed his camper van and hit his head, then woke up
believing that he could see and hear Madge again. Max asks if he really could see Madge, and Harold simply says that it wasn't to be the last time, before
looking over at Agnes. She says that he seems to have had a very interesting life in Erinsborough. He says that 'interesting' is one word for it, but
'privileged' would be better. As he thinks back on more memories from his time on Ramsay Street, Harold gives a speech:
 ..
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"Almost forty years ago, I arrived in this street. I came in search of a lost love and not only did I find her, but I ended up making the best possible
friends a man could ever have, really. There have been good times, but there have been incredibly sad times too but even in my darkest hours, I was never
alone. This has been more than a street for me, you see, and you have been more than neighbours. My life has been enriched by knowing every one of you. You
will all always be in my heart. Always."
 ..
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At no. 22, Paul and Terese walk into the back garden, having been tipped off by Cara that Chelsea and Thomas were with Darcy. Thomas has fallen asleep in
Darcy's arms, but Paul wants to get a photo of his son to send to Harold. Paul insists, but Chelsea and Terese think it's a bad idea as Thomas will be
unsettled and will probably just start crying. Paul tells Darcy that he can see through his act and suggests that Chelsea shouldn't be spending time with
him, but Chelsea says that she's made her position clear on the matter and she doesn't understand why Paul is getting so stroppy about it, as even Terese
seems to like Darcy enough to hire him. Paul thinks that Darcy is just very good at pulling the wool over people's eyes, but Chelsea questions if he's
becoming upset for another reason, hinting that he might be jealous. Paul insists that he's doing his best to stay calm and again says that he doesn't want
his son to be around a man like Darcy. Chelsea then tells a shocked Paul that he'll have to get used to it, as she and Darcy have started seeing each other.
Featured Regular Characters: Harold Bishop, Terese Willis, Paul Robinson, Karl Kennedy, Susan Kennedy, Jane Harris, Aaron Brennan, Max Ramsay
Guest Cast:
Mark Raffety as Darcy Tyler,
Viva Bianca as Chelsea Murphy,
Anne Charleston as Agnes Adair,
Charlie Lyon as Thomas Murphy
Trivia Notes
• After appearing on a recurring basis for almost a year, Ian Smith departs as Harold Bishop in this episode, though would go on to make a cameo appearance
a few weeks later in episode 9249, which would mark Anne Charleston's departure as Agnes
• Past character Sky Mangel is mentioned, whilst clips are shown which feature past characters Madge Bishop, Charlene Robinson, Lou Carpenter, Mrs Mangel,
Toadie Rebecchi, Catherine O'Brien, Sarah Beaumont, Hannah Martin, Anne Wilkinson, Billy Kennedy, Paul McClain, Tad Reeves, Sheila Canning, Naomi Canning,
Lucas Fitzgerald, Mark Brennan, Sky Mangel, David Bishop, Liljana Bishop, Serena Bishop, Kerry Bishop, Joe Mangel, Jim Robinson, Des Clarke,
Beverly Marshall, Helen Daniels, Daniel Fitzgerald, Bridget Parker, Steve Parker, Miranda Parker, Rebecca Napier, Donna Freedman
Summary
by Steve
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