Episode 7228
UK airdate: Wednesday 08 January 2020 at 13:15 and 18:00 on Channel 5
Australian airdate: Tuesday 08 October 2019 at 19:00 on Channel 7
Dean is feeling under the pump with his surf lessons after Ziggy posted free promotional sessions around town. Unfortunately, Dean is not getting a lot of repeat customers. So, between night shifts at Salt and his days completely booked out with lessons, he's finding no time to do the necessary paperwork, let alone find time for Ziggy – despite her best attempts.
However, as Ziggy continues to both demand time of him, and book in more free classes, the pressure is building and building. Dean doesn't do this kind of pressure very well – he's hard up, holding down one job, let alone two and a girlfriend.
Finally, as Ziggy stops by his morning class, in blissful ignorance on her way for a surf and asking questions he doesn't have time to answer, Dean loses it. It's a venting rant as he blows his top at Ziggy.
What to Read Next
Meanwhile, Maggie and Ben have come to verbal blows. Ben was looking so promising with his initial steps toward digging his way out of depression, but the pills are making him feel sick and tired. He's refusing to take them and Maggie is furious after all, as she had to deal with the same side-effects for her chemo medication. But when Ben claims this isn't life or death it strikes a nerve with Maggie – it was certainly looking that way a couple of weeks ago.
It's a deep blow, but stubborn Ben's rebuttal is to reject not only the pills, but the psychologist's visit tomorrow. He storms out and Maggie is left at a loss, feeling like they're back to square one with his sickness.
Ziggy encourages Maggie to give Ben space and they go to the gym and Salt for a workout and carb-load. But through this, Maggie can't shake the feeling that Ben won't help himself. She's in despair and it's heartbreaking.
However, when Ben finds Dean in the middle of the night, he quizzes him on Karen's treatment. Knowing Ben's dilemma, Dean offers that the pills and sessions worked hand in hand… and worked. Come morning, Ben surprises Ziggy and Maggie with a compromise – he's still unsure about the meds but he'll go to the psychologist. That's enough for Maggie – this acceptance for help is a sign he can save himself.
Elsewhere, with Justin and Leah in the city by Tori's side, Mason has been charged with looking after Ava, but he has also been charged with keeping her worries and Tori's complete medical truth at bay. However, Ava is an inquisitive young thing and quickly begins to realise that she's not getting the full picture. Worse still, Mason as a doctor knows the cold hard truth of Tori's condition, it's not good and he's deeply concerned. There's a good chance she'll have brain damage when she wakes from her coma – if she wakes.
Mason does his best to bury his fears in front of Ava, but as she pries and questions, the pressure builds on him. Finally, after a phone call to Brody that leaves Mason emotionally vulnerable, he's caught off guard by Ava, unable to sleep. She gently calls him out, knowing he's scared, but that's okay because it is scary. She suggests it would be easier if they were both scared together.
Mason relents, accepting his niece's support. He welcomes her into his arms on the couch and as they watch a late-night movie, he allows himself a moment to grieve for his family in crisis.
Also today, Willow feels the pressure of being acting manager of the gym after Mason left to pursue his internship and Robbo remains MIA. Willow is doing her best to make sure things aren't splitting at the seams. As she discovers Tori is in a coma and Robbo must look after baby Grace, she realises she's in for the long haul. She needs to keep the books balanced, hire a new staff-member and she needs to do right by Robbo.
It all begins to get too much and as her day comes to a close, she's not sure she can take it much more. But with Irene and Marilyn she lays eyes on a photo of little Grace and she immediately is struck by the gravity of this poor baby's possible future, her mother's situation and all who are concerned for her. It's plenty enough to give Willow the reality check she needs.
