Episode 5193

Episode Title: Tom Scully's School Days
Episode Number: 5193
Australian air date: Wednesday 18th April 2007
UK air date:
Writer: Sarah Mayberry
Director: Jet Wilkinson
Quotes: Lolly Allen.
Guests: Tom Scully (Andrew Larkins), Mike Wisher (Brendan Stroud).

  

Tom starts his first day of principle of Erinsborough High with a bang. He adopts an unusual method of introducing himself to the students, sitting in on Susan’s English class after pushing all tables and chairs aside and inviting the students to relax on a collection of large cushions heaped in the middle of the room. Susan is unimpressed by Tom’s out of the box thinking but his casual attitude towards teaching impresses the class. Though Tom is sitting in he quickly commands the class as they begin reading “Much to do about nothing”. He interrupts a student and asks the class what they feel about the lead characters. Susan attempts to step in, pointing out that discussion comes at the end of reading, but Tom presses ahead. He frustrates Susan further as he links the story to the use of unresolved sexual tension. Susan pulls a face as he references the UST between Seth and Summer in the first season of the OC. Tom continues to please the students of Erinsborough High as he overhears Lolly enquiring about when Pepper will return. He listens as Susan tells Lolly that Pepper will not be return and jumps in once Susan leaves. He tells Lolly that he’ll try and get Pepper to change her mind after the strong recommendation Lolly had given her. Susan’s anger with Tom boils over at the end of the school day. She vents that he appears to be undermining her simply because he is annoyed with her rejection of him. Tom’s voice hardens and he lashes back at Susan suggesting that she is bitter because he secured the role of principle. He points out that he was appointed as she school board wants a shake up of teaching at Erinsborough High and tells Susan that she should give him her resignation if she doesn’t wish to work with him on introducing change.

Rachel concern over Lolly’s relationship with Ringo increases as she spots Lolly and a half dressed Ringo in the bushes. Lolly had been helping Ringo out after he was forced to flee his makeshift bedroom in the General Store stock room wearing only a pair of boxers. Lolly made Ringo work to get her to retrieve his backpack and clothes from the General Store. Rachel, Bree and Zeke witness the end of this as Lolly laughs and Ringo sheepishly changes from the PE bib and skirt Lolly had leant him whilst he waited. Rachel attempts to confront Lolly over as she continues to feel Lolly’s intentions for Ringo go beyond friendship. Lolly denies this outright and explains exactly why she and Ringo where hiding in the bushes. Rachel is forced to apologise for her mistake however Lolly’s continued involvement with Ringo’s life continues to worry Rachel.

Frazer’s good spirits remain as he throws himself into rehab. His positive attitude is infectious and spreads to Rosetta as she calls on him to discuss his legal case against the racetrack. Frazer waves away the discussion telling Rosetta that he has been inspired having watched a group playing basketball in wheelchair. He drags Rosetta along with him as he goes down to watch another game. As the game finishes Frazer approaches on of the players and asks if he could sign up. He receives a fairly cutting response as the player quickly points out that being in a wheelchair doesn’t automatically get you a place on a basketball team. Frazer’s attitude isn’t dampened by this though and he insists that Rosetta practice throwing the ball with him as they talk about his case. Rosetta later admits to Lolly that she is filled with love for Frazer despite his suggestion that they should remain friends. Rosetta manages to get information about Ringo from Lolly as she inadvertently reveals that he is still living in Erinsborough. Ringo is encouraged to visit Frazer who Rosetta suggests will be pleased to see him despite demanding that Ringo returns home in the days after the accident. Ringo is hesitant as he enters Frazer’s hospital room and jumps as it appears Frazer will repeat his demand for Ringo to leave Erinsborough. He doesn’t though and instead tells his brother that he loves him and that he should return to number 30 to live under Frazer’s care.

Sky continues to cling to Spiritualism and Terrance’s strong words see her redouble her efforts to contact Stingray, Kerry and Madge. Harold’s resolve against Spiritualism wavers as he forces Ringo to dive for cover in the General Store. He tells Sky that he has felt a presence during the last few days in the shop and combines this with things like Ringo accidentally knocking Madge’s “Ramsay Recipes” cookbook off the General Store kitchen counter to a feeling that Madge may be trying to contact him.