Fans of Home And Away will finally get the answers they’ve been waiting for this week when the Aussie drama returns. But be sure to have the tissues ready.
Kat Chapman (Pia Miller) and her unborn baby’s tragic death in the final episode of 2017 was one of the iconic drama’s most heartbreaking moments.
In a gripping week in Summer Bay, the local residents gather at Kat’s funeral to say goodbye one last time – while a bitter Ash (George Mason) plans to avenge her death.
It was meant to be a new beginning for Kat and boyfriend Robbo (Jake Ryan) after she sprung him from the local police station and they fled the Bay. Fans will recall Robbo, aka Beckett Reid, was arrested for the murder of assassin Novak (Mirko Grillini) and faced life in prison. But Kat refused to give up on her beau and planned their escape.
“He wanted a fresh start with Kat away from everything,” Jake, 34, tells TV WEEK of his character’s motives. “And a love like Kat and Robbo’s is worth gambling more than life on.”
But the couple’s road to happiness was cruelly cut short and ended in tragedy. Expectant mother Kat was driving when their car collided with Jasmine Delaney’s (Sam Frost) vehicle. Kat persuaded Robbo to flee the scene of the horror crash before the police arrived. She promised him they’d reunite.
Sadly, that would never be the case. And in emotional scenes, Kat died in hospital.
Her death and the loss of her unborn baby weighs heavily on Summer Bay’s residents. For Ash, the pain of losing his unborn child and former lover is almost too much. In his grief, he blames Robbo and vows to get revenge – at any cost.
On the day of the funeral, Ash is nowhere to be found. To complete the order of service in his absence, Roo (Georgie Parker) and Alf (Ray Meagher) take charge.
Meanwhile, Tori (Penny McNamee) asks Justin (James Stewart) to help locate her missing boyfriend. She’s worried she and Ash are drifting apart.
“Tori is at a big point in her life,” Penny, 34, shares. “She’s confessed she’s in love with Ash, but it could all be too much.”
For poor Ash, the last 12 months have been devastating. First, his sister, Billie (Tessa de Josselin), succumbed to cancer and then he was forced to give up guardianship of his sister’s baby daughter, Luc, for her safety. Will this latest blow be what it takes to push him over the edge?
Later, resident doc Tori is at the hospital when she receives a phone call. It’s Robbo. He doesn’t know about Kat’s death, and she must give him the crushing news.
Tori stays strong at her boyfriend’s side.
Ash grieves for his and child.
On the other end, Robbo hangs up and crumbles to the floor in anguish.
Alf leads the funeral service with an emotional tribute to Kat. As he does, Ash arrives. He’s carrying a small white casket to represent his unborn child. Ash walks solemnly down the aisle and places the casket beside Kat’s. As emotions well up, Tori rushes to his side.
“There’s another, little life we’re mourning today,” Tori tells the tearful congregation. “And I know how much his dad wanted to meet him.”
Before she can finish, Ash bolts from the church. A concerned Justin goes after him, but his mate insists he’s fine. The truth, though, is that he has a plan – and he can’t waste any time. How far will Ash go to find peace?
Home And Away returns Monday January 29.
