Summer Bay is about to be rocked by a deeply emotional and unsettling storyline as Home and Away favourite Marilyn Chambers pushes herself beyond her limits — with devastating consequences.

In scenes set to air next week, the much-loved character suffers a shocking collapse after relentlessly putting everyone else’s needs ahead of her own, proving once again that

Marilyn’s big heart may also be her greatest weakness. At the centre of this harrowing arc is Marilyn’s fierce loyalty to her close friend and colleague Leah Patterson,

who is still drowning in grief following the tragic death of her nephew, Theo Poulos. Determined to shield Leah from further pain, Marilyn quietly takes on an overwhelming workload, convincing herself that staying strong for others means ignoring her own exhaustion. But as the pressure mounts, it becomes painfully clear that Marilyn is running on empty — and the cost could be far greater than she realises.

From the outset, Marilyn throws herself into work with relentless energy, juggling responsibilities across the coffee cart and the Diner while Leah struggles to function emotionally. Marilyn’s intentions are pure: she wants to give Leah the space to grieve without worrying about practicalities. Yet her self-sacrificing approach quickly begins to take a physical toll, even as she refuses to slow down.

It doesn’t take long for Alf Stewart to notice that something isn’t right. The sharp-eyed Summer Bay stalwart watches Marilyn race around the Bay, barely stopping to catch her breath, and realises she’s trying to do too much on her own. Alf, who has seen countless residents burn out over the years, gently steps in with a practical solution — suggesting that the coffee cart be temporarily shut so customers can be redirected to the Diner instead.

The idea is meant to ease Marilyn’s burden, but even this small concession isn’t enough. Despite Alf’s intervention, Marilyn remains visibly exhausted, her focus slipping as fatigue sets in. One telling moment sees her accidentally deliver the wrong order to a confused Bree Cameron — a rare mistake that highlights just how stretched she’s become.

The following day, Leah checks in on Marilyn, sensing that her friend has been carrying more than her fair share. Marilyn, however, insists everything is “going brilliantly,” brushing off Leah’s concern with her trademark optimism. Leah urges her not to overdo it, and Alf echoes the warning — but Marilyn is resolute. In her mind, stopping would mean letting Leah down, something she simply can’t bring herself to do.

As the day wears on, Alf’s worry deepens. He watches Marilyn work through the entire shift without taking a single break, her determination bordering on self-destruction. When he threatens to call Leah and tell her the truth, Marilyn panics, pleading with him not to intervene. She’s convinced that Leah has enough on her plate and that she can handle things — even though her body is sending increasingly urgent warning signs.

Marilyn’s breaking point comes late in the day, after hours of nonstop work. Just when she thinks she can finally rest, an oblivious Leah calls with another request — asking Marilyn to organise the staff rotas. It’s the final straw. The stress, exhaustion, and emotional strain collide, and Marilyn suddenly collapses, hitting the floor as everything goes black.

The moment is shocking, not just because of the physical fall, but because of what it represents. Marilyn has always been the one holding others together — the emotional glue of Summer Bay — and seeing her so vulnerable is a sobering reminder that even the strongest hearts have limits.

Yet, in true Marilyn fashion, the danger doesn’t end there. When she regains consciousness, instead of calling for help or confiding in her friends, she chooses silence. Marilyn convinces herself that the fainting spell was nothing serious, dismissing it as a momentary lapse rather than a serious warning. When she checks in with Leah and Alf again, she lies, pretending that everything is perfectly fine.

Leah, consumed by her own grief, fails to notice that Marilyn looks pale and unsteady. Her focus is understandably elsewhere, and Marilyn’s cheerful façade does the rest. But not everyone in Summer Bay is so easily fooled.

Bree Cameron quickly picks up on Marilyn’s condition when she witnesses her having another dizzy spell. As a doctor, Bree’s instincts kick in immediately. She starts asking pointed questions, clearly unconvinced by Marilyn’s attempts to brush it off. Cornered, Marilyn reluctantly admits that she fainted earlier that day — a confession that sends alarm bells ringing.

Bree doesn’t mince words. She urges Marilyn to stop working, get some rest, and eat properly, warning her that ignoring these symptoms could have serious consequences. For a brief moment, it seems like Marilyn might finally take the advice to heart.

But the following morning proves otherwise.

Despite promising Leah that she would take the day off, Marilyn turns up for work bright and early, determined to carry on as if nothing has happened. Her stubborn resolve speaks volumes about her character — and her fear of letting others down — but it also raises the stakes even higher.

When Leah discovers Marilyn back at work, the truth finally hits home. For the first time, Leah steps in firmly, no longer asking but telling Marilyn that she needs to go home and look after herself. The power dynamic shifts as Leah realises that Marilyn’s attempt to protect her has crossed a dangerous line.

The storyline shines a spotlight on the emotional cost of caregiving and the often-overlooked toll it takes on those who are always there for everyone else. Marilyn’s collapse isn’t just a medical scare — it’s a wake-up call, forcing the people around her to confront how much they rely on her strength.

As viewers brace for the fallout, one question looms large: will Marilyn finally listen before it’s too late? Or will her refusal to slow down push her toward an even more serious health crisis?

With emotions running high and relationships tested, this powerful arc promises heartbreak, tension, and hard truths — proving once again that in Summer Bay, even the most selfless acts can come at a devastating price.