Neighbours Episode Guide: 2764-2788

Episode 2764
Network Ten: 12/12/1996
BBC: 18/06/1997
UK Gold: 11/06/2003

Written by Ray Kolle
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura

Summary:-
A strong attraction grows between Phil and Ruth - but will they ever let it develop? Madge comes to the realisation that home is where the heart is, although she is sorely tempted by Lou's offer.

Episode 2765
Network Ten: 13/12/1996
BBC: 19/06/1997
UK Gold: 12/06/2003

Written by Christopher Gist
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura

Summary:-
Lou and Harold have a show down to see who's the best Santa for the Christmas party. Debbie gets motivated and starts up her own business. Has Libby wrecked her relationship with Darren by not being honest with him?

Episode 2766
Network Ten: 16/12/1996
BBC: 20/06/1997
UK Gold: 13/06/2003

Written by Lyn Ogilvy
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Vince DeBolfo: Alan King
Post Person: Warwick Begg
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Are Libby and Darren too different to be together? Billy blows his chances with Anne because of his new neighbour's taste in videos.

Note: Script Producer Greg Stevens credited again.

Episode 2767
Network Ten: 17/12/1996
BBC: 23/06/1997
UK Gold: 16/06/2003

Written by Jenny Lewis
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Inspector Stanton: Martin Hopkins
Vince DeBolfo: Alan King
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura

Summary:-
Catherine and Sarah decide they have to get rid of Vince. Anne forgives Billy, and Debbie's home catering company is shut down by a health inspector.

Note: Final appearance of Luke Handley

Episode 2768
Network Ten: 18/12/1996
BBC: 24/06/1997
UK Gold: 17/06/2003

Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Dino Pozzo: Diana Osborn
Matthew Pozzo: Jake Notarfrancesco
Postie: Gerard O'Connor
Thief: Mark Judah
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Harold and Lou still can't work out their differences - but Madge holds a secret they both want to share. Debbie works frantically to save her business, and gets by with a little help from her friends.

Episode 2769
Network Ten: 19/12/1996
BBC: 25/06/1997
UK Gold: 18/06/2003

Written by Rick Held
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Cliff: Peter Ashby
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl, Murray & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Harold is not having any luck getting people interested in his Christmas concert. Helen tells Phil to bite the bullet and admit his feelings for Ruth - but can he do it?

Note: Madge not in this episode

Episode 2770
Network Ten: 20/12/1996
BBC: 26/06/1997
UK Gold: 19/06/2003

Written by Karyn Noble
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
1996 Series Finale
Romance blossoms between Ruth and Phil, but Toadie's efforts with Cupid's bow don't exactly have the desired effect, leaving Billy and Anne worse off than ever. Lou annoys Harold by giving Madge a romantic Christmas present and a serious accident befalls Mal - the question is, can Karl save his own son's life?

Episode 2771
Network Ten: 20/01/1997
BBC: 27/06/1997
UK Gold: 20/06/2003

Written by Helen MacWhirter
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo
Cast List
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Doctor: Gillian Anne
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
1997 Series Return
Mal's life hangs in the balance as Karl struggles to save his son. Lou's emotional u-turn leaves everyone baffled. Ruth and Phil decide to stay apart - but can they live without each other?

Note: New titles design.

Episode 2772
Network Ten: 21/01/1997
BBC: 01/07/1997
UK Gold: 23/06/2003

Written by John Upton
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo
Cast List
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Phil and Ruth are having difficulty staying away from each other. Lou's card night comes up trumps in the form of a friendship with Harold. Billy refuses to forgive Toadie for his interference with Anne's Christmas present.

Episode 2773
Network Ten: 22/01/1997
BBC: 02/07/1997
UK Gold: 24/06/2003

Written by Ian Coughlan
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo
Cast List
Guest stars
Vince DeBolfo: Alan King
Daryl Naylor: Jeff Keogh
Attendant: Brett Cousins
News Reader: Gary Newton
Dahl & Bonnie: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Billy is determined to prove to himself that he can do wild things without Toadie around. Darren and Libby patch up their differences and Vince continues to annoy the girls at Number Thirty.

Episode 2774
Network Ten: 23/01/1997
BBC: 04/07/1997
UK Gold: 25/06/2003

Written by Michael O'Rourke
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo
Cast List
Guest stars
Vince DeBolfo: Alan King
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Catherine devises a plan to get rid of Vince. Karl has gained the reputation of an incompetent doctor and Toadie decides to leave Erinsborough.

Episode 2775
Network Ten: 24/01/1997
BBC: 07/07/1997
UK Gold: 26/06/2003

Written by Luke Devenish
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo
Cast List
Guest stars
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl, Murray & Casserole: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Harold and Lou try to organise a friendly scrabble game, which turns into a full-on battle. Billy and Anne seem destined never to get together. Karl is not happy when he finds out about Billy's bungy-jumping adventure.

Episode 2776
Network Ten: 27/01/1997
BBC: 08/07/1997
UK Gold: 27/06/2003

Written by Susan Bower
Directed by Chris Adshead
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Dahl, Murray & Casserole: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Lou and Harold both want to buy the same bus - for very different reasons. Mal and Catherine's romance is causing trouble with Catherine's housemates and Billy and Toadie just can't seem to work out their differences.

Note: First appearance of Kate Straub as Lisa Elliott - permanent in credits. Madge doesn't appear in this episode.

Episode 2777
Network Ten: 28/01/1997
BBC: 09/07/1997
UK Gold: 30/06/2003

Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Chris Adshead
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Announcer: Gary Newton
Dahl, Murray & Casserole: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Catherine, Jo and Sarah stop quarrelling and get a new flatmate. Toadie decides to leave Ramsay Street for a life in the country, but is prevented from going at the last minute.

Regular cast includes 'Lisa Elliott: Kate Straub'

Episode 2778
Network Ten: 29/01/1997
BBC: 10/07/1997
UK Gold: 01/07/2003

Written by Louise Le Nay
Directed by Chris Adshead
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Bonnie: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Libby joins the men at Handy Sam's, and finds life as a labourer is hard work. Lance receives some humiliating news - but will he accept it without a fight?

Episode 2779
Network Ten: 30/01/1997
BBC: 11/07/1997
UK Gold: 02/07/2003

Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Chris Adshead
Guest stars
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Bonnie & Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Libby plays a workers prank on Darren, but he has the last laugh. Debbie approaches Phil about taking over the coffee shop, but Phil wants a written proposal.

Episode 2780
Network Ten: 31/01/1997
BBC: 14/07/1997
UK Gold: 03/07/2003

Written by Kit Oldfield
Directed by Chris Adshead
Guest stars
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Bonnie & Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Toadie gets the better of Karl - again. Susan must give Lance the benefit of the doubt or risk him giving up school. Is Debbie ready to run her own business?

Episode 2781
Network Ten: 03/02/1997
BBC: 15/07/1997
UK Gold: 04/07/2003

Written by John Hanlon
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Bonnie & Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Debbie finds a new investor for the Coffee Shop in Joanna. Philip joins the Parent Teacher Association to be with Ruth. Toadie and Lance break Susan's sentimentally-prized vase.

Episode 2782
Network Ten: 04/02/1997
BBC: 16/07/1997
UK Gold: 07/07/2003

Written by John Upton
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Tom Suleyman: Russell Murphy
Maureen Suleyman: Gillian Hardy
Grace Tripplet: Caroline Wilson
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Bonnie & Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Philip and Ruth find working together quite difficult. Debbie and Philip's relationship crumbles over Debbie's plans for the Coffee Shop. Toadie's damage to Susan's irreplaceable heirloom is discovered.

Episode 2783
Network Ten: 05/02/1997
BBC: 17/07/1997
UK Gold: 08/07/2003

Written by Xenia Michael
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Bonnie & Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
The bus is in a decrepit state, but Lou and Harold are fired up with enthusiasm. Rumours circulate about a romance between Ruth and Phil. A letter arrives for Harold from an unknown woman.

Episode 2784
Network Ten: 06/02/1997
BBC: 18/07/1997
UK Gold: 09/07/2003

Written by Victoria Osborne
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Claudia Harvey: Anne Phelan
Kid 1: Joshua Feldschuh
Kid 2: Timothy Fatur
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura

Summary:-
Harold is less than happy with Madge's meddling. Mal won't teach Catherine to drive - but will she find a willing teacher in time to pass her test? Anne and Hannah hit upon a brilliant idea and are convinced they won't get caught.

Regular cast includes 'Lisa Elliott: Kate Straub'

Episode 2785
Network Ten: 07/02/1997
BBC: 21/07/1997
UK Gold: 10/07/2003

Written by Ray Kolle
Directed by Tony Osicka
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Claudia Harvey: Anne Phelan
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Darren leaves Catherine in the country after an argument during their driving lesson. Hannah and Anne wag school and almost get sprung. Madge can't live with Claudia a second longer.

Regular cast includes 'Lisa Elliott: Kate Straub'

Episode 2786
Network Ten: 10/02/1997
BBC: 22/07/1997
UK Gold: 11/07/2003

Written by Lyn Ogilvy
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Claudia Harvey: Anne Phelan
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Anne and Hannah's wicked web unravels when Susan fails to be deceived. Claudia comes between Harold and Madge but should Madge pass on her farewell letter. Cath and Darren share feelings that will only get them into trouble.

Note: Lisa Elliott now permanent

Episode 2787
Network Ten: 11/02/1997
BBC: 23/07/1997
UK Gold: 14/07/2003

Written by Scott Taylor
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Harold Bishop: Ian Smith
Madge Bishop: Anne Charleston
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura

Summary:-
Cath and Darren have to do something about the attraction they can't help but feel for each other. Harold decides to go after Claudia, leaving Madge worried that he won't return. Ruth and Phil feel that power may be going to Susan's head when she gives Anne and Hannah a harsh punishment.

Episode 2788
Network Ten: 12/02/1997
BBC: 24/07/1997
UK Gold: 15/07/2003

Written by Kit Oldfield
Directed by Robert Meillon
Guest stars
Holly: Trained by Luke Hura
Dahl: Trained by Jason Hura

Summary:-
Susan gets on the wrong side of her students. Catherine's driving lessons are a disaster. Debbie and Philip's rift is far from being resolved.