It’s Christmas in February for Neighbours fans with Prime Video releasing the first batch of back catalogue episodes today.
With the news last year that Prime Video had saved Neighbours and is bringing the show back for a fresh season later this year, there was also mention of old episodes coming to the streaming service as well. And today, alongside the full 2012 season, a selection of iconic episodes from all eras of the beloved soap are also available to watch.
Fans will be able to go all the way back to the very beginning in 1985 with episode 1, which introduced us to the lives of those living in Ramsay Street – namely the Ramsays, Robinsons, and Clarkes – on that fateful day that a stripper, Daphne Lawrence (Elaine Smith), moved into Max Ramsay’s (Francis Bell) cul-de-sac.
We are also treated to the arrivals of some of the 80s most iconic characters, from Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) in episode 171 (which also happens to be the first episode that aired on Channel 10), the new face of original character Scott Robinson (now played by Jason Donovan) in episode 188, and the iconic moment Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue) tried to climb through the window of No. 24 in episode 234, all in 1986.
Rounding out arrivals is everyone’s favourite Harold “Jelly Belly” Bishop (Ian Smith) in episode 415, and the dog that everyone wanted Bouncer (Bouncer) in episode 418, which also coincided with Scott, Mike (Guy Pearce) and Charlene spending the day at the beach. A few other episodes from 1987 include the iconic Ramsay Street Olympics of episode 449, and the appearance of Russell Crowe as Kenny Larkin in episode 581.
But it’s not just the golden era of the 1980s that are the focus of these episodes. In the 1990s we get to relive the moment that Harold was swept out to sea in episode 1520, as well as the moment that Karl (Alan Fletcher) kissed Sarah Beaumont (Nicola Charles) in episode 2995, which also included Ben Atkins’ (Brett Cousins) car crash and Philip Martin (Ian Rawlings) proposing to Ruth Wilkinson (Ailsa Piper).
The 2000s gives us weddings in the form of Drew Kirk (Dan Paris) and Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) in episode 3708, and the short-lived Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) and Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) in episode 4292. And on the topic of tragedy, fans will need to have the tissues on standby as they relive the tear-jerking funeral for Drew in episode 4091.
There’s also a chance to see Thor in Erinsborough with Chris Hemsworth’s appearance as Steph Scully’s (Carla Bonner) colleague Jamie Kane in episode 4069. Plus revisit Karl and Susan’s (Jackie Woodburne) time in London with Michael Parkinson in episode 5177, and the saga of Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie) and her mother Cassandra (Tottie Goldsmith) during 2009, as well as the iconic wedding of Donna and Ringo Brown (Sam Clarke) in episode 5996.
As for the full 2012 season, fans will be able to relive the first gay male kiss in the show’s then 27-year history between Chris Pappas (James Mason) and Aidan Foster (Bobby Morley), the up-and-down relationship of Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major) and Vanessa Villante (Alin Sumarwata), Toadie and Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) growing their family, and the arrival of Sheila Canning (Colette Mann). Plus a whole lot more unmissable drama!
So whether you’ve been a regular resident of Ramsay Street since day one, have dipped in and out of the show over the years, or are a fresh face in Erinsborough, there are plenty of episodes to start living and reliving thanks to Prime Video. And with more episodes on the way every month, there’s a lot to look forward to in the lead-up to Neighbours’ return in the second half of the year.
Spend your weekend in Erinsborough and relive all the unmissable drama of days gone by.
