As December dawns over Summer Bay, heartbreak, betrayal, and long-buried secrets explode across the seaside community. From devastating grief to high-stakes police chases and emotional confrontations,

the week of December 1–5 delivers some of the most gripping moments of the year. Here are 15 massive spoilers that will shake the Bay to its core — and forever alter the lives of its residents.

1. Leah and Justin Shatter Under Grief

Leah and Justin enter the week on their knees, shattered by the unimaginable loss of Theo. The pain becomes unbearable when Theo’s mother, Cassandra, coldly blames Leah for her son’s death — and bans her from attending his funeral.

Justin gently suggests grief counseling, but Leah recoils. Instead, she spirals deeper, replaying her final conversation with Theo and convincing herself Cassandra is right. While Justin urges her to rest, he privately breaks down alone. Their shared grief, once a unifying force, threatens to tear them apart.

2. Eden and Cash Return to Heartbreaking News

Fresh from their newlywed bliss, Eden and Cash are hit with the brutal news of Theo’s death. Eden pushes Cash to return to work and hunt down the killer, determined to reclaim justice for the family. But when Eden bumps into Abigail at Salt, she senses something deeper is wrong — unaware Abigail is hiding the painful truth about Mac’s miscarriage and her sudden disappearance to Queensland.

3. A Breakthrough in the Wendle Case

At the station, David brings Cash a crucial update on counselor Wendle — and then another bombshell drops. Wendle’s payment card has been used at a local storage unit. Cash instantly pursues a search warrant, convinced the fugitive may even attempt to show up at Theo’s funeral, just as he did at Christina’s. Their hunt intensifies.

4. Levi’s Heart Is Breaking

Mac’s sudden flight to Queensland leaves Levi reeling. While Molly urges him not to follow, Levi stays put — but he calls Dean so Mac isn’t alone. When Levi learns Mac arrived without contacting him at all, his concern morphs into dread. Is their relationship over before they ever had a chance?

5. Sunny Helps Lacy Face Her Grief

A devastated Lacy isolates herself on the beach until Sunny gently joins her. As Lacy insists she’s undeserving of support, Sunny refuses to let her carry her pain alone. With Leah unable to attend the funeral, Alf and Marilyn plan a private remembrance for Theo. Sunny urges Lacy to attend, but Lacy backs away — convinced she’s unwelcome.

6. Wendle Caught — in a Dramatic Chase

David and Cash arrive at Theo’s funeral just in time to spot Wendle’s car. When they attempt to stop him, Wendle flees, triggering a high-speed chase that spills onto foot. David eventually tackles him, fury boiling over — Cash is forced to intervene before David goes too far.

At the station, new evidence is found in Wendle’s storage unit, enough to convict him for Theo’s death. But to charge him for Christina’s murder too, they need one more thing: a confession.

7. Leah Explodes at Lacy

Cash tells Lacy Wendle has been arrested, and Lacy rushes to share the news with Leah — only to be met with explosive hostility. Leah, drowning in rage and grief, tells Lacy she will never forgive her for Theo’s death. The emotional blow leaves Lacy shattered.

8. David Finally Gets the Answers He’s Needed for Years

In the interrogation room, David refuses to let Wendle hide behind lies. Bit by bit, he forces the counselor into a corner.

Broken, Wendle confesses — not only to Theo’s death, but finally to killing Christina as well. David is overwhelmed, face-to-face with the man who destroyed his family. The truth, at last, comes with terrible weight.

9. Lacy Tries to Move On — But Struggles Deeply

Despite Wendle’s confession, the emotional aftermath lingers. David urges Lacy and Joe to start rebuilding their lives. Lacy agrees to move back home, but even packing her belongings leaves her emotionally paralyzed. David and Joe offer gentle support, sharing a heartfelt moment — but Joe secretly fears Lacy is still drowning in grief.

10. Leah Hits Breaking Point with Justin

Still raw from her confrontation with Lacy, Leah lashes out at Justin, her anger wild and misdirected. Alf steps in, reminding Leah that Justin is grieving too — he is not the enemy. Leah later apologizes, but Justin realizes she needs him more than ever. He resigns from the record label, telling Remy and Sunny he simply can’t do everything anymore.

11. Harper Considers Reaching Out to Her Parents

Inspired by Archie’s need for family stability, Harper contemplates reconnecting with her estranged parents. Dana is horrified and shuts the idea down instantly. With her sister unwilling to help, Harper turns to Tane instead — hoping he may offer a path forward.

12. Joe and Tane Share a Kiss

Joe leans on Tane for support as she mourns her mother and navigates her family’s trauma. Tane reassures her that he wants to be there — that she isn’t a burden. As they prepare for Joe’s emotional visit to her mother’s grave, the moment overwhelms them both, and she finally gives in to her feelings, sharing a passionate, unexpected kiss.

13. Dana and Harper Clash — Hard

Tane accidentally pushes too far when he tries to gather details about Harper’s parents, leading Harper to shut down completely. Hoping to sway Dana, Harper brings up the conversation again — but Dana refuses to budge. She will not let their parents disrupt her life or Archie’s. The sisters are left at a painful stalemate.

14. Eden Crosses a Line

Suspicious of Mac’s disappearance, Eden confronts Levi about the truth. He confesses everything — the miscarriage, the heartbreak, and Mac’s flight to Queensland. Eden urges him to reach out, but Levi chooses to respect Mac’s space.

Ignoring him, Eden pressures Molly to call Mac. When Molly agrees, Eden seizes the phone, causing Mac to hang up angrily. Eden must then admit her interference to Levi, leaving him devastated and more uncertain than ever.

15. Cash Faces a Dangerous Decision

Tane begs Cash for more information about Harper’s family. Initially hesitant, Cash eventually opens up, revealing the dark, troubling past Harper has been trying to escape. Horrified, Tane questions whether these people should ever be part of Archie’s life.

Harper storms off — only to return hours later with her parents’ details, begging Cash to run them through the police database. Cash knows he risks his career… and possibly prison. But Harper’s desperation pushes him to the edge.