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Magic Moments > 1997 > The 1997 Season Finale Episode 2995

Written by Ian Coughlan, Directed by Philip East and Chris Adshead

Ben is teased by his rival at the race track, Steve Van Eck. Ben beats him past the finish line and Lou cheers with delight. Sarah tells Karl about the flowers she received from Ian Lewis. Ian and Sarah break up in the surgery and Sarah tells Karl that she's sick of looking for Mr. Right. Anne and Toadie are in the Coffee Shop, and Toadie lets it slip that Billy is in Sydney with Caitlin. Anne phones Sydney but no one answers the phone. She says she's worried that Caitlin will get her claws into Billy. At Sydney, Billy and Caitlin are soaking up the rays on a yacht. Toadie assures Anne nothing will happen, but advises her to get to Sydney as soon as possible...

At Number 32, Anne asks Ruth if she can go to Sydney, because she's worried about Billy. Ruth assumes that Anne means she wants to phone him, but Anne says she needs to go and see him. Anne says she's worried about Caitlin and everything, and Ruth lets her go, as she says that if something goes wrong between the couple, she'll never hear the end of it. Anne thanks her and goes to get ready, but Ruth says she will drive her to the bus station. She lists some rules - one of which is that Anne has to return home the next night.

. . .

Toadie and Karl chat in the Coffee Shop - Karl asks how he's finding living with Lou, and Toadie says it's going okay. He orders a salad roll and a coffee. As he goes to sit down, Sarah enters and orders the same thing and sits with Karl.

. . .

At Sydney, Caitlin's in Billy's hotel room. Billy is trying to ring Anne but he isn't getting an answer. Caitlin says that it obviously isn't important. Caitlin says Billy shouldn't get bogged down in the business with Anne, and instead concentrate on his swim tomorrow. Caitlin tells him to forget everything about Anne.

Anne sits on a coach, heading for Sydney.

. . .

Back at the Coffee Shop, Lou enters and approaches Ben at the counter. They speak about the race tomorrow, and say they'll meet at the track in the morning. Lou tells Ben that he's capable of beating Steve again, and tells him to think positively. As they leave they pass Sarah and Karl's table, and joke about the two of them spending so much time together. Sarah overreacts and says their behaviour is stupid.

Back in Sydney, Billy comes out from the bathroom wearing just a towel. Caitlin is sitting on the bed waiting for him. They speak about Anne and Billy says that he doubts she'll call him now that it's late. Caitlin says that if they don't sort things out, she's next in line. Billy is offended by her comment, and she says that he knows how she feels about him. Billy says he has to sort things out with Anne, and Caitlin says Billy should do what he wants to do, not what Anne wants. She tries it get intimate once again, but Billy turns her away, saying the last thing he needs is more complications.

. . .

Ben and Lou are at the racetrack checking the car. Steve approaches and says that Ben was lucky the first time, and that he won't beat him. Lou leaves to find a good spot to watch the race in comfort.

At the surgery, Sarah rants to Karl about all men having a one-track mind. Karl tells her that she's attractive, and so it's only natural for men to fall at her feet. She points out that Karl hasn't yet, and he says that's because he's married and immune. Sarah then tells Karl that Ian Lewis has a wife and kids.

. . .

At Number 26, Phil is massaging Ruth and awkwardly tries to tell her that he wants to move in with her. He stumbles over his words, and just as he's about to ask about his idea, Ruth cuts him off and says that she understands he doesn't want to move in with someone until he's married. Ruth leaves and asks Phil to pick her up in half an hour to go to see Ben at the track.

In Sydney, Billy, Caitlin and Mandi are at the swimming pool - it's Billy's turn to swim. The two girls try to psyche him up for it, but Billy says he shouldn't be doing this. Caitlin says he's a terrific natural swimmer, and she knows he can do it.

. . .

At the racetrack, Ruth, Phil and Lance arrive. Lance is videotaping the event. Down at the track, Ben's all set and Lou has some final words of encouragement with him. The race begins.

. . .

. . .

At the pool, Billy finishes his swim and Caitlin and Mandi say he was brilliant. He cheers on their other team mate with the girls.

. . .

Ben and Steve are neck and neck. Over in the stand, Phil is about to propose to Ruth when Harold, Madge and Paul arrive and stop him in his tracks.

Back in Sydney, Billy and the girls go back to the hotel room, and Mandi leaves the two of them alone.

. . .

Anne gets off the coach and picks up her bag. She heads towards the hotel...

At the surgery, Sarah and Karl are finishing their work for the day...

. . .

Back at Sydney, Billy says he's going for a shower, and Caitlin offers to join him...

Back at the racetrack, Ben and Steve are still neck and neck...

Caitlin apologises and says she should go back to her room. Anne wanders around outside the hotel...

At the surgery, Sarah speaks to Karl in the intercom asking for Mal and Catherine's address. As he reads it out to her, Sarah sees her weekend with Matt in her diary and starts crying...

Anne, meanwhile, continues to seach for Billy's room...

At the racetrack, Ben and Steve are still battling it out for the lead position...

Karl comes out of his office and sees Sarah crying. She explains that she's upset about Matt, and Karl says he'll give her a lift home...

Back at the track, Lou cheers on Ben...

Anne knocks on Mandi's door, and asks where Billy's room is...

. . .

In Billy's room, Billy says that, since Anne hasn't called, their relationship must be over...

Ruth cheers on Ben at the track...

At the surgery, Sarah tells Karl that she has no friends or family. Karl hugs her as says she is very beautiful and has a great personality...

At the race track, a car pulls into the pit-stop...

Mandi takes Anne to Billy's room, saying he'll be happy to see her...

Ben and Steve are still neck and neck...

. . .

Sarah is in tears in Karl's arms, and he reassures her that the right man for her is just around the corner. They kiss each other...

Billy and Caitlin kiss, not knowing that Anne is outside the room...

. . .

At the racetrack, the car in the pit-stop pulls out and stalls. Phil asks Ruth to marry him, but then Ben's car collides with the other vehicle and flies through the air. The crowd gasp in shock. The car lays upside down on the track after spinning through the air. Ruth screams and runs towards the car as the engine bursts into flames.

. . .

. . .

. . .

Notes: Chris Adshead directed the race sequences, with Philip East overseeing the rest of the episode

Comment: The 1997 finale is arguably one of the best episodes of Neighbours ever produced. A season finale has never been as dramatic as this, and the way the three cliffhangers were quickly intercut during the last half was absolutely incredible, and helped keep the tension running. The writing was spot on, and the stunts at the racetrack were fantastic - as well as the location shooting in Sydney. Neighbours really pulled out all the stops for this episode, creating a simply perfect ending to a fantastic year. The Australian viewers had to wait six weeks for Ben's fate to be revealed, to see if Anne catches Billy and Caitlin, and also see the consequences of Karl's intimate moment with Sarah.

To read the next episode in this sequence, click here.

Summary by Billy. Captures by Karl

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