However, yesterday I started my Top 20 Talking Points because there are too many to narrow it down to just 10! This is part 2 of the list!
As stated there are so many, but I have highlighted the ones that could have been included if they were in my Top 10 for Marriages or Deaths.
Now, I know there are many more Talking Points that Neighbours have provided. So tell me, what has been your favourite storyline over the last 4 decades?
10. Toadie & Terese’s Wedding (2023)
When it was announced that Neighbours was returning on Amazon Freevee, it was clear they would need to do something exceptional.
We had already been told there would be a time jump to explain a few absences and introduce new faces.
The blatant SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome) of Nell and Hugo was a little distracting.
However, to many, it was the wedding that got people talking. Everyone thought Terese was going to remarry Paul, but it turned out to be Toadie!
The repercussions of this echoed for months. People hated this pairing.
I didn’t mind. There was potential to bring some freshness to two of the legacy characters. I was looking forward to seeing the storylines these two would have together.
Unfortunately, the show messed it all up. The fact that an interview revealed the pairing wasn’t permanent meant people couldn’t get invested.
9. Bouncer’s Dream (1990)
Sometimes, something is so batshit crazy that it shouldn’t work. It’s hated because it doesn’t belong in a show like Neighbours.
Yet, it ends up becoming one of the most iconic storylines in the show’s history.
Bouncer has been getting it on with Rosie. The dogs are in love. Cue Bouncer having a dream that they get married and have puppies together.
8. The Faux Finale (2022)
The news that Neighbours was being cancelled shook the fans. However, the final weeks brought us #CelebratingNeighbours.
We were treated to two weeks of pure show history. Characters from years gone by returned to make an appearance, as the actors wanted to show their appreciation for what the show had done for their careers.
Mike Young rekindled his love with Jane, and Scott & Charlene also made an appearance, albeit a questionable one.
It was a beautiful send-off for a show that many have fond memories of throughout the years. Little did we know, it would return a year later.
7. Double Dee (2017)
This storyline is probably the longest-running in Neighbour…at least by soap standards.
Let me set the scene: It’s 2003. Toadie and Dee get married. On their way to the honeymoon, they drive off a cliff, and Dee is gone!
Fast forward to 2017, and “Dee” appears on Toadie’s doorstep. But it turns out to be con artist Andrea.
Over the next few years, so much happened in this storyline.
- Andrea pretended to be Dee, following everyone on the street.
- Andrea claimed that her daughter, Willow, was Toadie’s.
- Andrea swapped the DNA swabs for Willow with Toadie’s daughter Nell to give a positive result.
- Toadie gave Andrea $100,000 for Willow’s education. They took it and did a runner to London.
- Toadie caught up with Andrea in London and slept with her, all while Sonya watched on a Skype call!
- Andrea got pregnant and introduced Hugo to the street.
- Andrea was placed in a mental institution, leaving Toadie to care for the baby.
- Nanny Alice came along to help the Rebecchis at home, but Nanny Alice was Andrea’s mum.
- Nanny Alice tried to poison Sonya with shortbread.
- Sonya was diagnosed with cancer, which was originally misdiagnosed due to the poisoning.
- Andrea told Sonya about ‘Karen,’ who looked like Dee/Andrea.
- Karen turns out to be Dee.
- Sonya dies.
- Andrea and Dee meet. Dee goes over the cliff.
- Andrea pretends to be Dee… again.
- Nanny Alice saves Dee, who manipulates Alice into returning to Erinsborough.
- Andrea and Alice are caught and put in prison.
- It turns out Andrea and Dee are sisters, and Alice had no idea she had twins!
Did that make sense?
6. Susan’s Amnesia (2002)
“Stop crying over spilt milk.” Susan didn’t cry; she slipped on it and ended up being 16 again!
Not knowing she was married and had kids must have been a scary thing.
I vaguely remember the storyline, and it was on the verge of being ridiculous but somehow saved itself.
Don’t worry, Susan got her memory back when she renewed her vows.
5. The Plane Crash (2005)
I’ll be honest, I was going through a phase of not watching the show (due to work commitments), so I didn’t see this originally. Although, I’ve seen the scenes a few times since then.
It is definitely one of the most talked-about storylines, where we just thought, “WTF?”
It does make a change from getting rid of a family to have them leave Erinsborough via a removal van.
Of all the people on the plane, it was just one entire family that was killed!
4. Endgame (aka Bum Island) (2020)
To celebrate Neighbours’ 35th Anniversary, we were treated to five extra episodes.
The regular slot featured a wedding fair, while the later slot showcased the Endgame, which was packed with drama.
Finn had amnesia and couldn’t remember how evil he truly was until recently. Then he remembered that he was seeing the wrong sister.
A group from Ramsay Street headed to an island purchased by Pierce, at which point his plan went into effect.
People were being thrown down mineshafts, struck by rocks, pushed into the sea, and cars were exploding (though not on the island). There were also murders involving a crossbow and the island was set ablaze.
It’s safe to say that people are not in a hurry to return to that island for a holiday anytime soon.
Why has it been nicknamed ‘Bum Island’, I hear you cry.
Harry, who had a thing for Finn, followed them to the island and knew what Finn was doing. So Finn seduced him to get him on his side and not speak, and the viewers got the great pleasure of seeing Finn’s ass.
3. Who Pushed P.R.? (2010)
For the 6000th episode, Neighbours did their version of “Who Shot JR?”
Paul is renowned for making an enemy here and there, and he was certainly making a few this time round. It was only a matter of time before someone sought revenge. And they did.
Paul was pushed off the mezzanine.
We eventually found out that it was his wife, Rebecca, who pushed him after discovering he had had an affair!
However, instead of reporting her to the police, Paul blackmailed Rebecca into staying with him.
It didn’t last… obviously!
2. Harold Swept to Sea (1991)
I mean…nothing says iconic like Madge shouting “Harold!”
What else needs to be said? While on holiday, Harold is swept out to sea, never to be seen again!
Well, until 5 years later when ‘Ted’ ended up on Ramsay Street!
1. The Karl & Susan Slap (1998)
Susan finds out that Karl has been cheating on her. Cue one of the most iconic scenes the show has ever had…Susan slapping Karl.
I’ve rewatched the scene so many times. The emotion is raw.
Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan, oozed perfection. It felt like the heartbreak was real. To be fair, the show was breaking up the Kennedys, so it probably was.