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“How do you begin to describe a street?”: Neighbours bows out in nostalgic hug.

The final street scene gathering of Neighbours will go down as one of its finest, and a TV history moment.

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The history, oh the history….

Where to begin in trying to encapsulate 37 years of Neighbours loves, tears, laughs, medical emergencies, deaths, break-ups, disasters, and coffee cups at Harold’s?

Writers Shane Isheev and Jason Herbison, sharing script duties across a triple episode farewell, fittingly begin with the history album with words from Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), who was with the series from its earliest incarnation on Seven to its final swansong at 10.

There will be others from those early years, notably Peter O’Brien as Shane Ramsay, but in this tale in which storylines have signposted a major exodus, we are reminded, “Time is running out for everyone…”

Everyone, including the audience. And very possibly the soap genre itself. Neighbours’ finality is a warning shot across the bow for its contemporaries.

There’s so much to cram into this final that, alas, there’s not even time for the full opening credits. Aww. I would have liked me a full Barry Crocker one last time…

The finale pivots around several major storylines: Toadie’s (Ryan Moloney) wedding to Melanie (Lucinda Cowden), Paul and Terese’s (Rebekah Elmaloglou) undeniable yearning for each other, Izzy’s (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) attempted implosion of the Kennedy clan (Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Benjamin McNair), Jane Harris’ (Annie Jones) future with or without Clive Gibbons (Geoff Paine), Shane’s bid to buy Lassiters and a slew of property sales as residents eye new futures.

How can we possibly resolve all these when there are distracting nostalgic cameos to celebrate too? A tall order, which writers mostly get right thanks to one last wedding and sentiments prompting soapie U-turns left, right and centre.

For true fans there were nods to the past, including Clive replicating his debut in a gorillagram, old vision of faces including Mrs. Mangel (Vivean Gray), Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy), Daphne (Elaine Smith)….

Others will arrive in the flesh including Toadie’s son Cal (the perfectly cast Morgan Baker), Des Clarke (Paul Keane), Angie Rebecchi (Lesley Baker), and a mysterious, helmeted motorbike rider in the form of Mike Young (Guy Pearce), here to visit daughter Sam (Henrietta Graham) who works at Lassiters. Surprise!

Young Sam was even given one of the finale’s cheekiest lines: “It’s not a street. It’s a court.”

“That’s a very good point. Nobody has ever bothered to explain that,” dad Mike replied.

The photo album, which miraculously seemed to shift from set to set as required, was also enough to bring Izzy to her senses, admitting after all her years of (brilliant) home-wrecking, that she only ever truly, wanted to belong. A funny way of showing it Hoyland, but the audience thanks you nonetheless! Susan got the final word in this argument, “You are not getting my approval” yet ever the loving parents, declined to tell foolish son Mal we told you so…

But the arrival of Mike, with Guy Pearce under-playing his scenes like the fine actor that he is, sent Jane into doubts over a proposal from Clive.

“We are raw, we are damaged but it should’t make me give up on trying to be happy.” Take that, Meryl Streep.

One sequence juxtaposing multiple Should-I-Shouldn’t-I debates (including Paul & Terese) was done with such dizzying speed I was yelling at my TV to please “slow down!” A street clash led by an intoxicated Clive with a lamp as his weapon of choice was also soapie silliness, but presumably needed for plot purpose.

It was a whistle-stop tour of the Ramsay Street living rooms for Mike, hilariously necessitating those Plain Jane spectacles one last time, bringing soapie viewers the union they had longed for.

Later we would hear, “Jane you were the first person I wanted to see when I came back here. The reality is I’m still in love with you – probably more now that I used to be. I realise it’s a bit much, but if I was here, we could take things slow and just see how it goes.”

The other reconciliation was between Paul and Threse, inspired by romance all around them. “You’re it for me.” Australian poetry, right there, folks.

But we were all here for one moment.

A green mini driven by former mechanic Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and husband Scott (Jason Donovan) swung into the street to the strains of “Especially For You” (note: not “Suddenly”) and parked smack bang in the middle of it. The show’s favourite couple were home in a pop culture moment that was a miracle to bring off.

Looking like they were still dressed in ‘80s attire (really?) and saying next to no dialogue, simply being back together, forever, was enough. There was another nod to the past to check the window where Scott first encountered Charlene ‘breaking in.’

Ahead of the big wedding, fans were witness to a surprise video greeting card from faces long gone. While Producers had confirmed many, there were cameos too numerous to count: by actors Margot Robbie, Delta Goodrem, Jesse Spencer, Natalie Imbruglia, Holly Valance, Carla Bonner, Kym Valentine, Blair McDonough, Andrew Bibby, Jonathan Dutton, Mark Little, Stephanie McIntosh and more.

Such nostalgia was, if we are to believe it, enough for Toadie and Melanie to decide not to sell up after all. They were matched  by Paul and Terese and family.

A street party scene tied up all the loose ends together, fittingly led by the inimitable matriarch, Susan. This was the finale’s finest moment.

“How do you begin to describe a street? Do you talk about the houses? The bricks and mortar, the gardens and the trees?” she contemplated.

“Or do you talk about the people? The young, the old and everyone in between? Where do you begin with the history? Your own or those who came before you? When we moved to Ramsay Street, the community was already here. The Ramsays, the Robinsons. The stories from those early days are legendary, and their legacy still lives on today.”

“There have been many families over the years, of all shapes and sizes. Some of them unexpected. And friends who became like family, whether they were related or not.”

“Love has always been a central theme. How many romances were born on this street?”

Around the street were happy couples, including the group of LGBTQI led gallantly by Matt Wilson and Takaya Honda.

From high on a balcony, Scott, Charlene & co. looked down as Susan wandered amongst the folk of Erinsborough.

“The street always has a way of bringing people back. Then I think of the people who can’t come back. The people gone too soon. How would they look if they were still alive today? (inspired glimpses of Anne Charleston, Terence Donovan, Eve Morey, Benny Turland). If they’d been allowed to reach their potential? So many people that were lost…”

“Everyone deserves a place in the history of Ramsay Street, even those who watched us from afar” (a clear nod to the very loyal British audience).

“Together, we have been the perfect blend.”

With that, Karl pulls her from her daydreaming.

“Susan? Where were you just now?”

As iconic faces Paul Robinson and Toadie step into view, she answers: “I was home.”

76 Responses

  1. RTE1 in Ireland today at least in the lunchtime showing broadcast the full Neighbours Australian finale final episode. This raises question’s again about the explanation and why Channel 5 just coundn’t have showed the full Neighbours Australian version also.

  2. It’s an explanation and takes some heat off Channel 5 (maybe not rightly) but still doesn’t explain why Channel 5 could not also have shown the longer new Australian version. Yes it would push some show’s to be a bit later and not start exactly on the hour or half hour but so what.
    Was it explained to Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel) that they would film her bit but it may not even be included as it wasn’t for the U.K.?
    RTE in Ireland will probably show the U.K. version but they are showing it as 3 separate episodes this Monday – Wednesday so presumably they will have more opening credits and closing credits but still be missing stuff.

    1. Jason Herbison has issued a statement saying that the version supplied to Channel 5 was the original version, and that Australia got a slightly extended version due to the slightly longer run time provided by Channel 10 (about a minute or so), This was due to the UK airing the final 90 minutes as two episodes (as per the original plan), and Australia airing it as a 90-minute special (which meant that they only needed one lot of opening credits, rather than two, and only one recap, rather than two). According to Jason, when they discovered that Channel 10 was giving them the extra time, they hastily edited in a few extra moments, including Karl telling Toadie that he was a son to them, Beth Brennan telling her son, Ned, that she loved him and all of Skye Mangel’s video message (odd that they had edited this out in the original version, to be honest). In reality, Channel 5 aired the “original” version and Australia got an extended version.

  4. A worthy final episode which delivered on so many levels.

    In my mind, I wish to believe that life in Erinsborough will continue and it’s only the window which allows us to see the daily goings on which has closed, so I didn’t want anyone to move away from Ramsay Street. Also, it was good to see Paul and Therese finally reconcile, in spite of his many foibles, and retain control of Lassiter’s, and for Jane to rekindle her first love.

    Grundy Television has conceived some great soaps, from The Young Doctors to Prisoner, but Neighbours, with its daily mix of drama and humour, was the most inspired of all.

    Thank you to all the cast and crew, and good luck for the future.

    There will never be another Neighbours.

  5. What a farewell! Such a bittersweet walk down Memory Lane (or should that be Court 😉 ) for me. I think it was a nice blend between old and new, and gave a little something for everyone, in true soapy style. 🙂

    It’d be great if it made a comeback someday, somehow, but yeah, oh well. Perhaps a spin off series (focused on Lassiters maybe??) might be feasible? I agree with Matilda R suggestion – now would be a great time to air repeats starting from ep 1 (two, three or four a night please!!). I mean, that’s what they do with Friends, Big Bang, Frasier…

    Anyhoo, farewell Neighbours, thanks for the good times. 🙂

  6. As a fan since Day 1, I was extremely satisfied with the ending. Jason Herbison and the entire cast, crew and creative team did a brilliant job of ending the series with respect. Kudos to absolutely everyone involved! “Inspired” is spot on for the cameos by Anne Charleston, Terrence Donovan, Eve Morey, Ben Turland and Rob Mills – that was a wonderful, unexpected surprise. Guy Pearce did an amazing job (he and Annie were fantastic together) and, unlike others, I thought Kylie and Jason’s scenes worked well (the scenes Jason Herbison said were filmed with body doubles mustn’t have made the final cut, as there didn’t seem to be shots that would fit that bill in the episode). It was great to see so many former cast members appearing either in real life or via videos (I loved what they did with Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Vallance – very creative). David, thank you for your constant support of a TV icon. It will be sorely missed…

      1. After watching a second time, we did see a millisecond of Kylie’s double as Guy leaned in to hug her (there’s a publicity shot floating around of Guy and Annie hugging “Kylie”, but the double is clearly wearing a wig – this scene didn’t make the episode, though). The footage of Guy, Annie, Ian Smith, Stefan Dennis, Jason and Kylie on the balcony was clearly shot in two parts, as you never see all six of them in the same frame (as your photo above implies). It was cleverly edited, though. Jason Herbison has said that there’s probably about 15 minutes of additional footage from the final episode (including the video messages), which he says might be made available at some stage (this would be fantastic!).

  7. I think if the show does return in the future it won’t be set in Pin Oak Crescent as they were sick of sight sears in the street all the time and did not like the show being made their for 37 Years

    1. I would think everyone living and buying into Pin Oak Court knew they were buying into one of the most famous places in the world so if they wished to avoid that they could have lived elsewhere.

    2. Yeah, it would be a nuisance, but it’s been going on for 37 years. They’d know what they were getting into. But, if they can build replicas of the rear of the houses, surely they could replicate the street and the front of the houses too? Think about it, investing in a controlled set vs paying (yearly?) to access a suburban street… which would be better in the long run?

  8. Jackie Woodburne gave a beautiful and understated performance. Stylish and heartfelt. A wonderful monologue and a fitting tribute to the show .

  9. What a fabulous finale that was! For 37 years, I have watched the trials and tribulations of the residents of Ramsay Street, and the last episodes were, for me, the “perfect blend” of nostalgic and current storylines. It was a total love letter to the fans, whether you’re a regular viewer or haven’t watched in 30 years. I will miss Neighbours very much. Thank you David for your wonderful coverage this week. Now let’s get Jackie nominated for a Gold Logie next year please!!

  10. I haven’t watched it for over 3 decades but watched last night and it was great i agree with previous comments ten shouldn’t have had any watermarks or on screen advertising I would have also liked to have seen the closing credits with the original Barry Crocker theme instead of the mixture

    1. Yes, Jesse Spencer was there, well sortof. He was one of the video messages to Toadie. He had a beard too so you may not have easily recognised him from his previous Neighbours days.

      1. Can I get the number for the Erinsborough party planners who managed to set up the entire street party in just an hour or two? The street was empty when Scott and Charlene drove in. Nek minnit it’s a tent city!

  12. I guess like most I haven’t watched for many years. I remember the Mike and Jane storyline and how beautiful that they returned to it.
    It was a great ending and boy did Jackie bring it..
    I feel privileged to have watched Australian television history last night.

  13. Great ending- well done to all involved. Channel 10’s on-air advertising watermarks were intrusive and should have been dropped out of respect for the final episode. I do however applaud 10 for allowing the full closing credits playout, a rarity in primetime across the networks. David, thank you for your hard work and giving your readers detailed Neighbours updates, and excellent cast/crew interviews over the past ~6 months.

  14. I had not watched the show since the late 80s and had no idea who the current actors were so it was great to see so many of the older actors featured in the show to keep the interest there. Most of which still acted so well compared to the the newbies. Kylie’s lack of dialogue was disappointing and very obvious. But well done to Peter OB, Jason and Guy for getting into the sprit of it. Guy especially. Quite legendary to give some decent time back to the show that started it all for him. Love Guy and Annie getting back together again(Annie was always my favourite). Certainly end of an era. Well done everyone involved!

  15. Fantastic finale, couldn’t think how you could have wrapped it up any better, having not watched for many years since I was growing up was good to see some of the familiar faces return, a great achievement by all involved and to wrap up the 37 years of history.

  16. Really enjoyed spending this time with old friends and not so old. I really enjoyed Guy and Annie’s scenes they were done beautifully fully credit to both Annie and Guy. Natalie’s and Holly’s scene really well done. Peter O’Brien was also great and having the character seem good or a little bad in the vain of Paul Robinson.
    Would have like Kyle and Jason to have a little more dialogue in the scene’s they were in and I think that could have been possible but I know that timing have getting together was limited and probably had the writers on the hope. Liked having Especially Playing as they drove in to the street as an Especially for You, You the fans.

    Also enjoyed some of the fun quotes lines throughout the last episodes. Will be watching again I am sure.
    Thank you David for your articles a great send off.

  17. Was a great episode but so sad if we don’t see anything more from Ramsay Street again.

    I was wondering about a few no shows. Really nothing from Craig McLachlan (Henry), Tom Oliver (Lou Carpenter) and Scott McGregor (Mark Brennan)? Has every company abandoned Craig now? Is Tom Oliver unwell or doesn’t want to be seen again? Can’t think why Scott McGregor wasn’t invited back. Still had family connections in the street with his wife, brother and sister being there for the finale.

    1. In one of the interviews I read with the show’s creatives, they said that everyone who was invited and who was available said yes. So I imagine there were at least a few who said no due to conflicts.

      But it was never going to be possible to get everyone that fans wanted back.

      I did hear that Tom Oliver is unwell too. Don’t know if it’s true or not, but it would make sense why he wasn’t there. They did include a nod to him though – look at the name on the envelope Terese puts the River Bend contract in.

    2. Mark Brennan came back for the 35th anniversary. Two years ago, but seems like yesterday.. His storyline was pretty much wrapped up then when he reunited with Page. I wondered how she would come back, when her story was already wrapped then, but they cleverly incorporated her new real estate agent role.

  18. They nailed the finale and well done to all cast and crew. Simply perfect. A beautiful combination of paying homage to the long heritage and resolution for the current day cast. Hard to single out highlights, but Jackie Woodburne as Susan was so moving and has been a brilliant actor for all her years in the show. If there is any justice, she should receive an Australian award/s for her consistent outstanding work. Going forward, ‘Neighbours’ has such strong brand value; people know and love it. Really hoping there is a future reboot of some kind. Surely easier to commence the show again with an established audience than to stand up a new drama. There are so many more stories to tell, and the show has always done well at bringing new characters/ stories in through established characters. For example, with Jane and her two children being quite different to her and bringing a new dynamic. This will all come down to finances, advertising, and business decisions, but I remain in hope.

  19. Wonderful finale though disappointing Heather Schiĺling (Kerry Armstrong), Dee Bliss / Andrea Somers (Madeleine West) and Zeke Kinski (Matthew Werkmeister) didn’t return. Home & Away is losing too many of it’s young cast as Ryder, Bella and Chloe among others have left in just the past few months.

  20. I also hated the constant advertising for The Masked Singer And Hunted it was annoying and totally unnecessary as they are advertising both shows non stop in the commercial breaks anyway

  21. I haven’t watched since about 1989 (when I was 14) but last night binged the four final episodes in a row and I felt like one of the many characters who returned to Ramsay Street, marvelling at how much had changed, yet not feeling alienated by it all. I was impressed by the LGBTIQ representation, the recognisable villainy of the Paul Robinson I used to watch, the clever way that even before she said it, I could see how much Jane had slowly turned into a version of her nan and I even felt welcomed by the many characters who I’ve never watched before (Toadie, Therese, the Robinson offspring…). I thought it was a wonderful celebration and I hope the fans find happiness in the send off. Bravo!

  22. After watching this show for 11 years i was sad that Neigbours was finish but what a great finale that was.
    I loved Susan’s monologue about the street and at the very end i loved all the theme songs they did over the years and that was very cool.

    So RIP Neigbours 1985-2022.

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