Neighbours hid a secret flashback in show return episode
Neighbours spoilers follow from Monday and Tuesday's episodes (September 18 and 19), which are streaming now on Amazon Freevee.
Neighbours fans may need to re-watch the show's return episode with fresh knowledge, as it's been revealed that it contained a subtle flashback scene.
Monday's return visit to Ramsay Street saw Toadie Rebecchi share a scene with Melanie Pearson at Number 30, but their conversation wasn't all that it seemed.
Episode one of the new season kept fans guessing over the mystery couple who'd be getting married.
In the build-up to the big reveal, Toadie and Melanie were seen wrapping a wedding present. At face value, this was presented as being in the same timeline as the rest of the episode, but in reality, it was not.
Toadie joked about struggling to find the right present for "the couple who has everything", while Melanie referenced "a groom who's been married six times". She opted to give the bride a pig trinket to keep with her on the day.
Toadie and Melanie then reflected on their own wedding day. Toadie acknowledged that things had been "a little bit weird" between them recently, but promised that he'd never forget their special day and how happy he felt.
The scene served the purpose of leading viewers up the garden path over the wedding twist, sneakily creating the impression that Terese Willis and Paul Robinson would be seen at a vow renewal. It also appeared that Toadie and Melanie were still together.
However, following the big reveal that the mystery wedding was in fact Toadie and Terese's, Neighbours has confirmed that the Toadie/Melanie scene was in fact a secret flashback.
In episode two, Toadie and Terese took a walk around the vineyard after exchanging their marriage vows.
In a moment that fans may have missed the significance of, Toadie opened up to Terese about how he'd experienced a vivid memory of Melanie earlier that day. In reality, Melanie has left town after deciding to walk out on Toadie and the kids.
Toadie told Terese: "I had my own moment this morning. While I was wrapping Susan's present, I had a memory of wrapping a present for you and Paul for your vow renewal. Melanie was there and she was looking for that exact pig trinket that she gave to you. The memory was just so clear.
"Things had been pretty strained at that time and it seemed like she was back to her normal self. I thought: 'Maybe we're back on track'."
Terese chimed in: "Then a couple of weeks later, she was gone."
Toadie then provided further insight into why Melanie decided to leave Erinsborough.
He said: "I read that goodbye letter so many times. I know that she says that she wasn't cut out to be a step-parent. I get that. I'm not looking for other explanations that aren't there."
Other dialogue in the episode placed Paul and Terese's vow renewal – where he'd left her standing at the altar – to the previous year, so the Toadie/Mel flashback took place 12 months ago.
Unusually, Lucinda Cowden was not credited in the closing titles for her role in Monday's episode.
Despite this, we know that we'll be seeing Lucinda back on screen as Melanie in the not-too-distant future.
Lucinda's return to Neighbours as Melanie was announced in April this year. She later clarified that she'd be a full-time cast member.
Lucinda told the fan-run NeighBens YouTube channel: "It's great for me, because I never had a full-time contract previously. I was just coming in [as a] guestie.
"At the end, I did – but only right until the end, otherwise I still never really knew how long I was going to be there. So I still kept my drama teaching job on Saturdays, because I was never sure whether I was staying there for any length of time.
"I am back now and I can say that I'm back full-time and I'm main cast. I will be in the opening titles – I will be in all of those sorts of things. I've got a nice big contract."
Check out more of our Neighbours coverage:
Neighbours - how to watch the show's new season on Amazon Freevee
Neighbours boss responds to shocking wedding twist in return episode
Neighbours revival shakes up show's happy ending – but you won't be disappointed
Neighbours star Tim Kano addresses surprising time jump twist
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne explains change for Susan Kennedy in new season
Neighbours star Stefan Dennis reveals how long he'd like to stay for
Neighbours to revisit forgotten Karl and Susan Kennedy storyline in new season
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4.30pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach.
Read more Neighbours coverage on our dedicated homepage
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