In the latest unfolding drama of Summer Bay, tensions escalate across multiple storylines as familiar faces grapple with personal demons, familial strife, and professional challenges. Central to the week’s events are the strained dynamics between Levi and Eden Fowler, whose relationship with their estranged father, Jimmy, becomes a major flashpoint. Eden, having returned from a visit, announces her decision to invite their father to a significant family event. While Abigail expresses delight, Levi vehemently opposes the idea, deeming it a terrible mistake. A heated argument quickly erupts among the siblings, forcing Cash to intervene. Levi believes inviting Jimmy will only lead to trouble, a sentiment Cash somewhat echoes, gently advising Eden to prioritize mending her relationship with her father first. Acknowledging Cash’s wisdom, Eden takes the first tentative step towards reconciliation the following morning, making a crucial call to Jimmy to test the waters.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Booth’s intense pursuit of a family with Levi takes a concerning turn. Driven by a singular desire to conceive, Mackenzie attempts to initiate intimacy with Levi at every available opportunity. Their persistent efforts even lead to an awkward encounter when Bree inadvertently walks in on them getting frisky in Levi’s office. Following this, Levi expresses his growing concern to Mackenzie about her increasingly obsessive behaviour. His worries are so profound that he confides in Bree, though their conversation is abruptly cut short when Mackenzie, undeterred, summons him back to bed. This escalating behaviour hints at a deeper emotional struggle for Mackenzie, leaving Levi increasingly unsettled.

Professional ambitions and personal struggles intertwine as Dana Matheson sets her sights on a coveted nursing position within Levi’s unit. Confident in her abilities, Dana believes the job is hers for the taking. However, her hopes are quickly challenged by the arrival of newcomer Jo, who proves to be formidable competition. During their respective interviews, Dana struggles to demonstrate sufficient medical knowledge, a stark contrast to Jo, who breezes through the technical questions. Yet, the interview takes an unexpected turn when, during the personal questions segment, Jo breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by the recent death of her mother. Despite this, Jo and Dana later debrief over a drink, with Jo kicking herself for what she perceives as a botched interview. Ultimately, Dana’s confidence is shattered when Levi delivers the disappointing news that she has not secured the cardiac nurse position. Seeking solace, she turns to Sonny, but his response isn’t what she hoped for. The blow intensifies upon learning that Jo was chosen over her. Despite her frustration, Sonny’s eventual show of unwavering support manages to lift Dana’s spirits, restoring stability between the couple.

Elsewhere, Remi Carter finds himself teetering on the brink of exhaustion as his workload becomes increasingly unmanageable. Kirby is visibly angered when Remi fails to show up for their scheduled recording session, only to discover him asleep in his own backyard. Remi attributes his no-show to an overwhelming schedule, but Kirby’s frustration turns to accusations of favouritism when she later finds him with Avalon. Feeling guilt, Remi attempts to rectify the situation by booking another session for Kirby, promising to make amends. His struggle, however, only deepens. As he continues to burn the candle at both ends, pulling an all-nighter to assist Avalon with recording her album, the pressure mounts. Kirby, meanwhile, suggests to Avalon they collaborate on a duet. Justin, enthusiastic, informs Remi he needs to get to work on the new project. Pushed to his absolute limit, Remi’s desperation culminates in a worrying moment as he pulls a bag of drugs from his pocket, contemplating them as a potential solution to his crushing burden. This development signals a dangerous path for Remi.

In other developments, Tane Parata embarks on a journey of self-discovery after a significant change of plans. Harper, grappling with resurfacing memories of their past split, begins to have serious second thoughts about accompanying Tane on their planned honeymoon. Realizing that her true desire is for a boyfriend, not merely a travel companion, she makes a difficult video call to Tane at the airport, informing him that she will not be joining him. While Harper vows to find a way to move forward, Tane, with remarkable resolve, decides to proceed with the trip to Japan alone, choosing to embrace the journey as a solo adventure.

The challenges of securing employment prove formidable for Lacey. Her initial job search yields poor results as Mali turns her away from the board shop, and Eden dismisses any possibility of her working at Salt. However, a glimmer of hope emerges the following day when Mali has a change of heart and offers Lacey a position. Mali tasks Lacey with teaching a beginner surf class, a task for which she is completely unprepared. Theo Poulos, witnessing Lacey’s panic, steps in to rescue her. Unfortunately, Lacey later jeopardizes Theo by allowing him to take the surf lesson she was meant to be teaching. John reports the pair to Mali, forcing Lacey to confess that she has absolutely no knowledge of surfing. Fortunately, Mali demonstrates a forgiving nature, agreeing that Lacey can instead manage the sales and administrative aspects of the business while he continues with the surf lessons. This resolution offers Lacey a much-needed second chance.

Finally, a poignant storyline unfolds as Roo Stewart opens her heart and home to a new foster child. David and his junior officers respond to a report about an unstable woman named Samantha, who has been sleeping rough in a tent. At the scene, they discover stolen phones in Samantha’s possession and her young son, Cohen, hidden inside the tent. With no other recourse, David is compelled to place Samantha under arrest. Little Cohen, unable to remain with his mother, is introduced to his new foster carer: Roo Stewart. Roo and Marilyn quickly bond with Cohen, discovering his endearing love for books and good food. Harper, in her official capacity as a social worker, also visits the house, offering reassurance to Cohen. However, the situation takes a heartbreaking turn when David informs Roo that Samantha has tragically relinquished her parental rights to Cohen, expressing a desire for no further involvement in his life. This devastating news leaves Roo with a profound decision to make, prompting the question of whether she will agree to take Cohen on permanently, providing him with a stable and loving home. These overlapping narratives weave a complex tapestry of emotional highs and lows, promising a week of significant developments and challenging choices for the residents of Summer Bay.