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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. Bittersweet is how I describe the finale. It was so beautiful yet so heartbreaking. So wonderful to see so many of the cast (old and new). I am beyond ecstatic that Jane and Mike will be together again! It was so special to see how it was wrapped up. Kudos to everyone involved. Seeing Madge, Sonya, and even Finn was just Brilliant!!! The videos were a wonderful idea! Susan was right. It is home!! And I’m so glad most of them stayed. And that Mike is back in the street! And how beautiful that Sam is his daughter!!! I really believe it could have (and should have) continued forever (if possible). There is nothing like this show! I would have loved to see Lou once more. I’m a huge Tom Oliver fan. I did note the envelope Terese put the document back into was addressed to a “Mr. T. Oliver” That was so lovely!!! Thank you to everyone for such a beautiful show. It will live on in our hearts forever – that’s what family does!

  2. I echo everyones thoughts on the finale and Guy Pearce, brilliant, breathtaking, dreamy. I had always wanted Jane and Mike together, just magic. I’ll touch on things I haven’t seen mentioned. It was great to see Andrew Bibby make an appearance as Lance with a nod that may indicate he and Amy might get together. Was he her donor? They slotted Dan McPhereson in brilliantly. Having him clarify Amy’s situation with Toadie. I would have liked to see the Rodwells feature more in the final few eps. New neighbours, life goes on. Loved that Paul and Therese found their way back. Odd comeback in the final scene, Ian Rawlings mugging, I’m not sure he crossed paths with Melanie and wasn’t that close to Toadie, why was Phillip even there? Natalie and Holly, nice surprise, great together. Spin off for these two? I didn’t recognise all in the video. Did not catch Carla Bonner or Steph McIntosh. Will definitely have to watch again.

  3. I havent watched Neighbours for many years now but was able to go through the nostalgia and looking through the storylines that have happened during the past 30+ years – the intros. Was able to catch up the final few episodes on 10play & noticed that they have put in some reflections. The cameos were great and that in the last ever scene, there was a big party reunion at Ramsay St. It was a very good sendoff for this show.

  5. I will admit that I cried. And you just made me cry again. It was a really good ending. Loved seeing some of the older characters come back. I was really looking forward to the Beth, Lauren & Terese reunion. But unfortunately Beth was on a screen.

  7. The finale was great, however 10 using Masked Singer and Hunted on screen graphics and pop ups was horrible. Reminded me why I stopped watching free to air in the first place.

  8. Thanks for all of the Neighbours interviews and stories from TVT over the past few weeks, it was also great tuning in to watch the show again over the past couple of months. The finale was excellent and with everything going on in the last few episodes it managed to balance them all quite well. Definately a fitting end to the Neighbours story.

  9. A beautiful (and sad) final episode, especially the last scene. A touching end to past and present characters. Ramsay Street do know how to throw a good street party. lol.

    For the cameos, Guy Pearce was excellent, and Peter O’Brien was great. The hype surrounding “Scott and Charlene” was big, so when their brief appearance was just that – brief – it seemed underwhelming.

    I’m one of the 38 people who did watch the show on a regular basis in recent years. So, Neighbours, Farewell. Im going to miss my 6.30pm weeknight habit

  10. Just watched it and the cast and crew did themselves proud. That final scene especially with Susan and especially the ghosts of Ramsey Street was so well done.

    Loved them editing around Guy clearly not being on set the day Kylie and Jason were.

  11. I was a total mess last night.
    As much as I love Kylie & it filled my heart seeing her & Jason back – she only said 5 words which I found weird.
    But the highlight for me was Guy Pearce – when the motorbike came past I was in tears, when they both reached for the heart I was off again.
    The scenes with Annie Jones were just gorgeous.
    Can we just give Jackie Woodburne the Logies now – she was just incredible – the final scene was just magical.
    Networks need to cast a new drama around her – one of the countries finest actors.
    Also seeing the faces we lost, Doug, Madge, Sonya etc – I was bawling like an old queen (oh I am one lol) – it was just a beautiful beautiful ending.
    Australia now has a huge hole to fill in the local television industry.

  12. And, that folks is how you wrap a soap opera. .Well done to Jason Herbison and his team. Job well done.
    For all the talk of Jason and Kylie returning, it was the Guy Pearce and Annie Jones who stole the show for me. Their story arc was just so touching and I shed so many tears. Good on Guy Pearce for the return. I’m also thrilled (as expected) the final moments belonged to Susan Kennedy. Jackie Woodburne is a legend. The end of an era indeed.

  13. I was surprised at how much Guy Pearce contributed, a job well done. Too bad Kylie and Jason’s contribution was such a token gesture, otherwise a good send off.

  14. I haven’t watched the show since the days of Scott and Charlene, Mike, Jane, Clive, Des and Daphne, so I actually got al those references. It was all the modern characters and plots that I had no idea about, but at least they were wrapped up at break-neck speed.

    The cheekiest line was “boy they set this up fast” referring to the street party which was completely absent when S&C arrived “shortly beforehand” while everyone was at the wedding. Obviously their scenes were shot separately without the rest of the cast and crowbarred in.

  15. It was a huge task to bring the series to a dignified end after 37 years, but they did it! Wrapping up current storylines but also allowing past characters to tie up their own loose ends. That last speech by Susan Kennedy (who else??) was gold and then seeing the ghostly vision of Madge almost did me in.

    And a huge credit to Guy Pearce who didn’t just do a facetime cameo but ran with the whole storyline. And the plot twist to make him Sam’s father was out of nowhere but a brilliant link!

    A great job from all involved. And thank you, too, David for your coverage/interviews this week. It has been awesome.

  16. I really enjoyed the finale, it was great to see so many returning faces in the street party even if they didn’t have a speaking role (Ian Rawlings, Nathan Borg, Scott Major and a few more), and quite a surprise to see Madge, Doug, Sonya, and Hendrix too, even Jason Herbison got himself a role at the ice cream cart. Did anyone else notice the envelope Terese was holding was addressed to “T. Oliver” in a not to Tom Oliver (Lou Carpenter).
    It was a pit they didn’t have a special opening titles, but it has been very refreshing all week not to hear Bonnie Anderson’s rendition of the theme, which has been my very least favourite – ok, maybe on par with the competition winners theme back in 2013.
    @cazz81 there was a cough and you miss it comment by Shane Ramsay to Jane Harris who said he organised some surprise guests which led Jane to walk up the drive of #24 and see Charlene and Scott.

  17. The final was very well done, particularly the way they used a reunion as a way of including former stars.
    Guy Pearce really was the stand out of the show.
    How much did they pay Kylie and Jason to basically stand there and do nothing? Didn’t even explain why they were there! Could have had Scott and Charlene surprise everyone buy buying one of the houses!
    The only negative was that you were waiting for something bad to happen. It is Neighbours afterall! Just felt a bit of asugary sweet ending

    1. Guy Pearce was excellent no doubt, but let’s not forget it took two to make that story arc work and Annie Jones was also fabulous. Well done to both!

      1. Totally agree their scene’s were some of my favorites, they had not missed a beat both were wonderful. The beautiful actress Henrietta Graham playing Sam and her scene’s with Guy just lovely.

  19. I loved the finale and thought they wrapped things up really well. Was it a bit rushed at times? Yes, but given the short timeframe they had to pivot and wrap up storylines, it was to be expected.

    I loved the balance between past and the present. I loved the easter eggs – lovely nod to Tom Oliver on the envelope that Terese puts the contract for River Bend into. It flows much better if you watched the entire week leading up to it – all the returns, the flashbacks (Lucy’s recollection of Helen was truly touching).

    The Natalie Imbruglia/Holly Valance cameo was genius. Worked so well and I forgot how entertaining Flick Scully could be:

    It was lovely even seeing Susan put aside her anger and part some comforting words to Izzy.

    Home and Away’s message to the show was also beautiful. Class act.

    I disagree strongly with others who say that Neighbours outstayed its welcome. Neighbours will always be welcome. I will miss this show immensely.

    Thank you Neighbours.

  20. It was just pure soap perfection. All the cameos were just great, and that ending with the street party and everyone celebrating already had me in floods of tears. But then seeing Madge and Sonia, well that ended me!!
    Have already watched it twice and will no doubt watch it a few more times over the weekend!!

  21. It was a lovely send off indeed. That final scene with Susan walking the street was very well done. Guy Pearce for me was the standout of the finale. My only gripe was the editing seemed a bit off & the commercials were badly placed. Time for a Karl & Susan spinoff. Jackie Woodburne is wonderful. And it was a treat to see Jonathan Dutton too.

  22. There are many things I liked about how they wrapped up this iconic 37-year series. Too many to mention in fact, so I’ll just say it was perfect.

  23. Love it I wish they didnt get rid of eva moray that was the biggist mistake they made she was there for 8 years that was the begining of the end
    Dissapointed they didnt Ask craig back he was a big part of the susceess of neighbours he got me tood
    Will miss neighbours but it did outstay its welcome

  24. Guy Pearce stole the show and his storyline with Annie Jones was genuinely touching and well done. I think the finale was about as good as you could hope for. Was an explanation actually given as to why Scott and Charlene showed up?

    2. There was also no explanation as to how Holly and Natalie were sitting around the same tree, with Nat looking at the Ramsay St facebook page. Was it all a dream or a bit of a tribute episode?

      1. This was previously explained. Freya and Levi were reaching out on Facebook to anyone who had previously lived in the street to contribute to the Ramsey Street history book.

      2. I took it as ..It was one of the chance meetings (it’s a small world) you know travel half way around the world and bump into someone from your neighbourhood/work/school, Natalie (Beth) was looking at Facebook and when Holly (Felicity) sat down on the bench recognised Karl’s voice and then saw it was him. Then the conversation went from there and then it tied in with the things Susan was saying people come and go but always find a way back to Ramsey Street.
        I quiet liked the scene thought they were able to take advantage of both Natalie and Holly living in the UK.

    3. I didn’t think it needed to be explained. The do each have a brother that live in (or was visiting) Ramsey Street, so I just assumed they came for a visit.

    4. I think Shane was on the phone to them earlier in the episode when Therese ran past him after leaving the wedding (he was asking someone “what time?” etc. etc.). Then he ended up in bed with Izzy and commented that it was 12:00 afterwards. Essentially, there was no real explanation of why Scott and Charlene drove all the way from QLD to Ramsay Street, but there were tiny references that they were going to be there (from Shane and then from Paul to Jane outside the house).

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