Episode 6646

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Episode 6646
Scott McGregor as Mark Brennan
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"Episode 6646", also known as "The Eclipse", is the 6646th episode of the Australian soap opera

Scott McGregor) and Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin
).

Two promotional trailers for the episode were released by Eleven and British broadcaster

Channel 5 respectively. A real annular eclipse
occurred in Australia ten days before the episode was broadcast. Episode 6646 was watched by 353,000 Australian viewers, which made it the top rated programme on the digital multichannels that day. In the UK, the episode was seen by 780,000 viewers during the first showing and 1.07 million viewers during the second. Television critics thought the episode was full of dramatic incidents, while others felt sorry for Kyle and agreed that Lucas and Vanessa's happiness had been short lived again.

Plot

The episode opens one hour before the eclipse occurs. The Turner family are hosting a barbecue for their friends and neighbours in their backyard at Number 32.

Lauren Turner (Kate Kendall) is surprised to see her first love, Brad, has moved onto Ramsay Street with his family. Bailey Turner (Calen Mackenzie) shares a moment with his best friend's girlfriend, Rani Kapoor
(Coco Cherian), when she becomes upset.

At Number 26,

Patrick
(Basquait Voevodin-Knack), and discover that he has been taken.

Development

Mark Brennan, played by Scott McGregor (left), and Brad Willis, now played by Kip Gamblin (right), returned to the show during "Episode 6646".

Episode 6646 was written by

Scott McGregor) would return during an eclipse, two years after being presumed dead, causing his ex-girlfriend, Kate Ramsay (Ashleigh Brewer), to question whether she has really seen him.[2] In addition to Mark's return, Jasek said that "a whole lot of things happen" in the episode and added that it was "definitely going to be interesting."[2] Herbison commented that he was proud of the episode, saying "It's really difficult to find a story that hasn't been done before and the eclipse was something a bit fresh and original. I really liked the way several major events unfolded in the one episode".[3]

Several storylines began for various characters during the episode.[2] Mark Brennan's return was described by Hazel Bradley from The West Australian as being "nearly as dramatic as his exit", which saw him leave during a real-time episode in 2011.[4] The eclipse scenes were filmed in late 2012 when McGregor came home to Australia for Christmas.[4] Just after Kate's boyfriend, Mason Turner (Taylor Glockner), declared his love for her, Kate saw a glimpse of Mark during the eclipse.[5] Of the moment, McGregor explained "I'm not sure of all the details, but as the Sun goes behind the Moon Kate thinks she sees Brennan. But as it is dark she can't be sure."[4] The actor called it "a pretty cool return" and Kate was left "unable to shake the feeling" that Mark was alive.[4][5]

The episode also saw the return of

Lauren Turner (Kate Kendall).[6] Kip Gamblin, who was cast in the role of Brad, revealed that his character had no idea Lauren was back in Erinsborough. He also observed that Lauren's reaction to Brad's appearance was "like she's seen a ghost!"[8] All About Soap's Kerry Barrett wondered if there was still "a spark" between the pair.[6]

Episode 6646 saw

Patrick Villante (Basquait Voevodin-Knack), had been taken.[6] Lucas felt the eclipse was the ideal time to propose to Vanessa, who was "thrilled" and accepted straight away.[6] However, their happiness was short lived when they were alarmed to discover Patrick's pram empty. Lucas and Vanessa began to fear that something terrible had happened to their son.[9] Major commented "It's such a scary moment when Lucas realises that Patrick has disappeared. Shock sets in initially, so there's a myriad of different scenarios going through his head. At first he's as in the dark as everyone else about what's happened".[9] The event also marked the start of Stephanie Scully's (Carla Bonner) exit storyline.[9]

During the eclipse, Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan) sustains serious damage to his eyesight. When he and Georgia Brooks (Saskia Hampele) watch the eclipse together, his dog steals his safety glasses and Kyle makes the unwise decision to look at the eclipse without them.[6] Georgia frantically urges him to stop and Kyle screams out "in agony" as his retinas are damaged.[6] While many storylines began during this episodes, a smaller one ended. A "lovesick" Amber Turner (Jenna Rosenow), who had developed a crush on Chris Pappas (James Mason), was told by Georgia that she was "totally barking up the wrong tree" as Chris was gay and would not return her affection.[6] Despite this, Amber declared her feelings for Chris and was rejected by him. They then shared "a sweet moment" where Chris explained that if he was straight, he would want her to be his girlfriend.[6]

Promotion and broadcast

In Australia,

Channel 5 created their own promo, with the tagline "Four life-changing events. One unmissable episode."[11] "Episode 6646" was aired on 20 May 2013 in Australia and almost a month later on 17 June in the UK.[10][11] A real annular solar eclipse occurred in Australia ten days before the episode aired there.[12]

Reception

Episode 6646 was viewed by an audience of 353,000 upon its broadcast in Australia, making it the top rated programme on the digital multichannels.[13] In the UK, the episode was seen by 780,000 viewers during the lunch time showing. A total of 1.07 million viewers watched the episode when it aired in the early evening.[14] Describing the episode, a reporter for the Liverpool Daily Post stated "There's a total eclipse of the heart as the locals gather to watch the moon block out the sun, and Lauren comes face to face with her first love: Brad Willis."[15] The reporter felt sorry for Kyle after he damaged his sight during the eclipse and felt that Lucas and Vanessa's happiness was "short-lived (yet again)", following Patrick's disappearance.[15]

Writing ahead of the episode's broadcast in the UK, Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly said that Neighbours would air "a must-see week of episodes" in which "a variety of dramatic incidents" take place during the eclipse.[16] He added "As the local community gathers together to witness the astronomical event, the Ramsay Street residents are unaware that some of their lives might be about to change forever."[16] A TVTimes columnist noted that Lucas and Vanessa's romantic evening came to "a sudden halt" when they learned Patrick was gone.[17] Of the returning characters, the columnist commented "Brad Willis returns – with a new face, naturally – and Kate gets a visit from Mark Brennan. Yes, he was supposed to have died – but that's soap for you..."[17] Kerry Barrett from All About Soap observed that the episode plunged the characters "into darkness – and chaos!"[6]

In March 2015, Genevieve Hassan from BBC News included "The Eclipse" on their list of Neighbours' 30 most memorable moments.[18] Michael Hogan of Grazia included the episode in their feature on the soap's "10 Maddest Moments", stating "Rapidly running out of disasters to inflict on the residents of Ramsay Street, the show hit upon the idea of a solar eclipse in 2013. All manner of live-changing events duly unfolded under the cover of midday darkness." He added that the real eclipse, which occurred some days before the episode aired, was "boring by comparison."[19]

References

  1. Eleven
    .
  2. ^ a b c d Brygel, Jackie (5–11 January 2013). "Word on the street". TV Week (1). Bauer Media Group: 22–23.
  3. Eleven
    . November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Bradley, Hazel (14 May 2013). "Hunky detective's dramatic return". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  5. ^
    Hearst Magazines UK
    : 28. 15–21 June 2013.
  6. ^
    Hearst Magazines UK
    : 14–15.
  7. Channel 5. Northern & Shell
    . 8 February 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  8. Hearst Magazines UK
    : 28.
  9. ^
    Hearst Magazines UK
    : 22.
  10. ^
    Hearst Magazines UK
    . Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  11. ^
    Channel 5. Northern & Shell
    . Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  12. ^ Espenak, Fred. "Annular Solar Eclipse of 2013 May 10". NASA Eclipse Web Site. NASA. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  13. ^ Knox, David (21 May 2013). "House Rules lifts as The Voice becomes a marathon". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  14. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
    . Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  15. ^
    Trinity Mirror
    . 15 June 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  16. ^
    Hearst Magazines UK
    . Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  17. ^
    IPC Media
    : 29. 15–21 June 2013.
  18. ^ Hassan, Genevieve (18 March 2015). "Neighbours at 30: Memorable moments". BBC News. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  19. ^ Hogan, Michael (14 September 2023). "As Neighbours Returns, We Look Back At The Show's 10 Maddest Moments". Grazia. Retrieved 10 November 2023.

External links

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