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Magic Moments > 1997 > Helen's Death Episode 2965
Written by Ray Kolle, Directed by Chris Adshead
Madge
claims Jack Ramsay was a wonderful man... Phil, reading from
the Robinson diary, exclaims Jack Ramsay is a “liar and a
cheat”. Hannah thinks Ramsay Street should be called Robinson
Street, and changes the street sign accordingly. Madge goes
to see Phil with Harold, and accuses Hannah of altering it.
At Erinsborough High, Jacinta snipes at Lance, but he gets
his own back by insulting her in front of the class. Jacinta
sneaks back into school at night and sabotages Lance’s magazine,
with a crude drawing of Susan inside. Susan sees the drawing
and tells Lance that it is way out of line, and that she can’t
think of any reason why she shouldn’t suspend him...
At
Erinsborough High, Lance and Amy are in the classroom, wondering
how the drawing got into the magazine. Lance says that someone
must have switched the pages when they weren’t looking, and
wonders why they did it. Lance reminds Amy that Susan said
she was going to have to suspend them both over it. Amy says
she shouldn’t be suspended, because she didn’t draw it. When
Susan comes in, Lance says that the newsletter had nothing
to do with Amy. They explain to Susan that the original page
didn’t have the drawing of “Kinky Kennedy” in it, and that
someone must have switched it. Amy remembers that they left
the photocopier when they took the first batch to Lance’s
locker, and that someone must have switched it then. When
asked who, the best Lance can come up is the cleaner. Susan
says that because Lance was in charge of the newsletter, and
because Lance handed it out, he is responsible, and suspends
him for a week.
 . . . 
At the Coffee Shop, Debbie asks Toadie if he’d like to work
for her again, and he says that he would, provided he can
have time off to study. He says he needs to concentrate this
year – Debbie agrees and asks if he can start tomorrow, and
he says he can and heads outside. Just then, Madge comes out
of the kitchen and Debbie says that Helen is home from hospital,
and that she’s heard about the feud her and Hannah are having
over the street name. Debbie says Helen gave her instructions
to dig out an old video and have them watch it later on. Amy,
Lance and Toadie burst in and sit with Amy’s friend. She says
how the picture is hilarious, and that the teacher’s will
"spew" when they see it. Amy says that they already
have, and that Lance has been given the blame. She says it’s
“bad luck”, and Amy and Lance probe her as to how she knew
he wasn’t to blame – all she reveals is that Jacinta might
be able to tell them something about it.
 . . . 
At
Erinsborough High, Lance and Amy quiz Jacinta over what happened,
and she says she knows nothing about it. As she goes to leave,
Lance grabs her arm, not letting her get away. Susan sees
and tells them to break it up, and that Lance shouldn’t be
on school property. Lance says to Susan that he’s only trying
to find out what Jacinta knows about the page, and Susan orders
the three of them into the classroom to get to the bottom
of the argument.
 . . . 
At
Number 26, Phil, Helen, Debbie, Hannah, Madge and Harold are
sitting in the living room arguing about the Ramsay/Robinson
feud. Helen asks Phil to play the video, and Scott and Charlene’s
wedding is played. Harold remarks how Helen is a wise woman,
and Phil agrees to bury the family feud. Harold suddenly realises
that he remembers the wedding.
 . . . 
Susan
asks Jacinta about what has happened, and Susan says he has
no reason to accuse her. Jacinta leaves and Susan says Lance
has no evidence to suggest Jacinta was behind the sabotage.
 . . . 
Afterwards,
Lance and Amy stand in the corridor, discussing Jacinta, and
Lance says he’s disappointed in Susan for not believing him.
Lance says Amy can help him out by tricking Jacinta into telling
her what happened.
Back
at Number 26, the group are still watching the wedding. Madge
teases Harold about mishaps that apparently befell him in
the past, and Harold refeuses to believe any of the things
she lists. Debbie goes to get the birthday cake, and Hannah
says she’s glad Helen’s home. Helen says it’s great to be
home.
 . . . 
Ruth
and Lance argue over his suspension, and Lance tries to tell
Ruth the truth. Ruth tells Lance to get some evidence and
then take the matter up. He says he will.
Jacinta
and her gang are in the Coffee Shop, and Amy asks to speak
to her in private. They go over to the drinks counter and
Amy begs Jacinta to tell her the truth. Toadie listens in
on their conversation. Amy says Lance doesn’t deserve what
has happened, and Jacinta says the group isn’t the same and
that Lance has broken everyone up. She asks Amy to join their
group again and ditch Lance.
 . . . 
At
Number 28, Susan explains to Karl what has happened. She says
she believes Lance is innocent, and said she acted the way
she did because the school inspector was there. Karl reassures
Susan that she acted correctly and cheers her up by making
her laugh, and he leaves to go to work.
Back
over at Number 26, Hannah puts the wedding on again. Helen
says how she’s feeling tired, and says she’ll be alright on
the couch with Hannah when Phil suggests she takes a lie down.
As the group watches the video, she falls asleep.
 . . . 
 . . . 
Amy
and Lance are wonder what to do about Jacinta, and Amy promises
that she is commited to Lance. Toadie hatches a plan to get
Jacinta back. Amy and Lance then stage a mock break-up, which
Ruth walks into the middle of, believing that they are having
a real fight. Toadie predicts that if they managed to convince
Ruth, they’ll have no trouble convincing Jacinta.
 . . . 
At
the Coffee Shop, Jacinta’s friend comes in and tells her group
that Lance and Amy are fighting outside. Jacinta witnesses
the argument, and Lance leaves once Amy apparently dumps him.
Over
at Number 26, the wedding finishes for the third time, and
the group teases Harold about his patchy memory. Debbie and
Madge head to the kitchen to wash up, and Hannah tells her
dad she’s glad to have Helen home. Harold says how he always
planned on marrying Doris Day, and - when asked how he can
recall that vow - smiles and says there are some things you
just don’t forget. Hannah looks at the sleeping Helen and
smiles, before returning her attention to the video.
 . . . 
 . . . 
At
the Coffee Shop, Amy apologises to Jacinta and says things
can get back to the way they were before her relationship
with Lance.
Back
at Number 26, Madge and Harold leave as Karl comes in to check
on Helen. Hannah says Helen’s not asleep, and Karl solemnly
confirms that Helen has died. Breaking down into tears, Hannah
admits she knew a while ago, but didn’t know what to do. Phil
hugs Debbie, who is unable to comprehend the news, as Karl
explains that Helen peacefully slipped off whilst she slept.
 . . . 
 . . . 
 . . . 
Notes:
The "sad" theme tune was used to finish this episode,
with a montage of stills from Helen's reign on the show. This
is the only episode of Neighbours to feature no closing
actor or production credits. In the UK, the scene with Lance
and Amy at their lockers was cut for timing reasons.
Comment: The Lance and Amy storyline aside, this was a very moving
episode, and Helen’s death was, I feel, handled well. I’m
glad she died at home rather than in a hospital, and that
her friends and family were with her. Watching this episode
is all the more poignant, now that Anne Haddy, who played
Helen, has passed away.
Multimedia
Closing Tribute
Credits Realvideo: 1300k
Summary by Billy
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