Episode 5206

Episode Title: Mary had a little pram
Episode Number: 5206
Australian air date: Monday 7th April 2007
UK air date:
Writer: Helen MacWhirter
Director: Tony Osicka
Quotes: Janelle Timmins.
Guests: Mary Casey (Rowena Wallace), Kevin Casey (Zen Ledden), Dr Demi Vinton (Angela Twigg)

  

Elle attempts to put her friendship with Oliver and Carmella first despite her feelings for Oliver and the unease she displays when seeing them as a couple. Elle’s self control is tested with the absence of Carmella who has left Ramsay Street for a few days to settle after a row with Oliver over the doctor prescribed pills she had been taking. An opportunity arises as they realise that they will both be dateless for an upcoming Lassiter function. Elle begins to suggest they should go together however she is interrupted by the return of Carmella and is left to watch as Oliver rushes to Carmella’s side. Carmella informs Oliver that she has successfully overcome her addition to the pills and that things can return to normal. Elle remains positive and puts effort into embracing the friendship that both Carmella and Oliver offer her. She stumbles a little as she mentions the function to Carmella only realising that Oliver hasn’t brought it up as the words leave her mouth. Elle impresses Carmella as she calms her as she panics realising that Oliver appears to have withheld the information from her. Elle sends Carmella off to find a dress and chastises Oliver for not telling Carmella about the function when they meet later.

Paul receives bad news from the specialist who he was referred to by Dr. Charlotte Stone. He is told that he has a benign brain tumour. Whilst benign, the tumour is still growing and has been caught at a late stage so the specialist states that surgery to remove it is needed. She goes on to explain that such surgery carries with it risks of complications such as permanent brain damage. She encourages Paul to seek the comfort of loved ones to help share the burden of things to come. Paul attempts to talk to Elle however she continues to snub him believing he needs to look after himself rather than rely on her for hand outs as she believes him to be as he approaches her in the General Store. Paul’s few words about believing in herself and living life to the fullest capture Harold’s attention as he listens to the conversation from afar. Later Harold finds Paul in the local Lassiter park and brings with him a package of food from the General Store. Paul thanks him and questions whether Harold has though about his own death. Harold answers him honestly though he appears to realise something is wrong with Paul given his behaviour.

Ned returns to Erinsborough after leaving for Oaky a few weeks ago. He tells Elle that he has returned to atone for his sins by handing himself in to the police. Elle pleads with him to reconsider especially as his actions would implicate her father and prison time isn’t the revenge Elle wants. Instead she encourages Ned to seek other ways to make up for his wrongdoings and she accompanies him to number 26 where he tells Janelle and Janae that he was the one who stole their possessions several months ago. Both Timmins’ are furious however Ned’s promise that he will pay back the money and that they can do whatever they want to him so they feel justice has been satisfied. Janae isn’t happy with the deal but Janelle agrees to work with Ned rather than turning him over to the police.

Pepper and Kevin remain locked in the small children’s bedroom of the Casey house. Pepper tells Kevin that the only way to get Mary to drop her guard is to play out her fantasy of a romance between the pair as it was when they were teenagers. They put on a show and Mary watches through the small peephole in the door. A while later Mary opens the door as Kevin and Pepper are asleep together on the small bed which occupies the centre of the room. Mary wheels in a trolley with cakes on it and tells them that it’s as a reward for good behaviour. Kevin gears up to overpower Mary however Pepper intervenes and gets Mary to leave the room. Once Mary’s footsteps fade Pepper tells Kevin that she has her own plan to escape from captivity. She rips paper from magazines and begins piling it in scrunched bundles on the floor. She then takes one of the candles Mary had left on the dining trolley and lights the paper. Pepper waves away Kevin’s concern that Mary may not answer their cries despite the fire and these prove valid as Mary is slow to react to the blaring smoke alarm. She approaches the locked door of the room she is holding Pepper and Kevin tentatively. She seems frustrated that the pair have outsmarted her and annoyed that it seems their previous closeness had been a lie. Eventually she unlocks the door as smoke engulfs the room and Pepper and Kevin begin to choke. As she sees the flames, Mary rushes into the room in despair. She grabs various items that haven’t been consumed by fire, distraught that her shrine is being destroyed. Kevin dashes from the room as Pepper attempts to get Mary to run with them. With her back turned to the door, Pepper fails to notice Kevin collapsing as he leaves the room or the door which locks shut behind him. As Pepper whirls back to the closed door she realises she is trapped and tries to snap Mary from her sobbing so she can retrieve the key to unlock the door.