The Final Neighbours (Again!)

It's impossible to beat the what was then final episode of Neighbours from 2022. Yet, here I am, sat at my laptop with the Amazon Prime Video app open on my TV ready to press play on what will be the second final episode of the Australia soap.

Yes, I did write 'second final episode'. It could be argued that this is the third final episode because the programme was originally cancelled by The Seven Network after its first four months, but was then picked up by Network Ten.

Anyway, to cut this history lesson short: today is the final day. I am entertaining the idea of adding 'for now?' but I suspect this truly is it. 

I'm just about to press 'Play'. My immediate response to the closing episode will appear under the aerial photograph of Ramsay Street.

 I suppose this was a fitting way to end the programme.

As I mentioned, in a post published on December 3rd, the major closing storyline focused on the freeway being built where Ramsay Street stands. Therefore, Paul Robinson and Shane Ramsay have been trying to coax the residents to move to their respective developments - Robinson Towers and Ramsay Hills.

A handful of previous characters were brought back. Most were from the latter years of the original run, so that was quite underwhelming. I sense there was no desperate need to have any of the previous cast there. They should have just ran with the current crop. I know that's a controversial take. My reasoning is simple, however: they already went down that route in 2022. And they brought back bigger names, so anything else is inferior in contrast.

The spotlight should have been shone on the Amazon era of characters. Let me die on that Ramsay hill.

The series closed with Susan Kennedy realising there could be an opportunity to save Ramsay Street by fighting the development plans. Acknowledging the odds were against them, she said there could be a way to tackle it after learning of successes by residents of other areas. I couldn't help but see the hidden message in there. A shred of hope of a return for the series? Susan had explored the option of battling the development with Karl and Paul Robinson. It was those three who were last seen as the camera/drone zoomed out, and up. 

It was fitting to close with Paul, Karl and Susan - the most tenured in the series' history. 

I'm going to miss Neighbours. Just like what I wrote three years ago, the soap was a huge part of my childhood after catching it one early summer when I was home ill from school. I watched it religiously. Sure, I lapsed for a few years during the 2000s, but found my way back to it.

I don't know if Neighbours will ever find its way back to me. If it ever does, in any form, I'll be there. But, it's not an expectant wait. I very much consider it done now.