when I said elope I didn't mean marriage I meant just running off together to live elsewhere

Well she ran off with Brodie not that long ago. I never thought Tyler was angling for that though!

As they both live in Erinsborough running away somewhere else might be a problem!

You were right about the attitude to Tyler - pity they don't realise he's always been the sensible one!

You can't get married at 16 or 17 without parental consent. You also can't join the Army without Parental consent.

I presume the Law is structured that way because they accept that people do mature at different times - some 16 year olds will be ready for it, some will not so the authorities leave it in the hands of the parents to decide.

It's one of the things i've been referring to all along re they 'grey' area of legality for sexual relationships and dating at that age - basically that whilst they are not deemed children, they are not yet fully adults either re making their own decisions.

I assume that Piper had a guardian when she was in Canada - was placed with a family or it might even have been a boarding school type situation. I very much doubt she was just allowed to run wild, in fact if it is anything like anybody i know that has lived on site or in a 'Halls' type scenario for a School, she's going to have less freedom than at home.

Tyler isn't the problem. Brad and Teresehave accepted that he seems sensible and caring after talking to him one to one, hence them deciding to let him take Piper to the formal. But equally, what is Terese supposed to make of discovering that he has been receiving suggestive 'private' vlog from piper? Or that he seemed to be saying no to sex just because he couldn't see how to manage it practically at the formal, rather than because it was betraying the agreement made? Not to mention the fact that he's only been around a year and snogged (and more) with both of Piper's sisters already?

I do feel sorry for Tyler, he is a nice lad who has been trying to do the right thing but Piper lies and manipulates and uses emotional blackmail so he is being compromised. Sorry, but I'm nor sure his will power would have been up to resisting her if she had been able to manage 'alone' time with him as clearly he does fancy her and also he never wants to hurt her feelings and you can bet she'd have pulled the old "don't you want me, I wanted tonight to be perfect and it's being spoilt" lines.

She did look lovely in the jump suit and i do agree she is a good actress.

ETA. Just seen you didn't mean marriage but somebody else has also mentioned it.

I'm not actually sure about the legality of leaving home at 16 either. I think social Services might need to be made aware (i think people taken into Care remain Wards of the Crown until they are 18 and again a Case worker would have to sign off marriage plans, joining the Armed forces etc) and review new living arrangements. Also things like School, who would be deemed to have parental responsibility for any discipline problems?

But, as mentioned, it isn't just her age. Some 16 year olds are mature enough for a relationship, even for marriage and becoming parents themselves. But Piper clearly isn't as she demonstrates again and again and unfortunately, that means Tyler being damned by her actions as well.

Mavournee Hazel is a stunning actress. And yes she did look great in her formal attire.

Tyler has behaved in a mature, respectful way all the way through. Such a shame he's being painted as the bad guy by Brad when it's Piper who has lied and manipulated all the way through.

I was so pleased when Brennan had a go at Brad tonight. I hate the way Tyler's been portrayed as the bad guy.

Like I said you can see Tyler deeply cares for Piper and is probably shocked by his own feelings where as I just can't hope but feel Piper is just infatuated

oh my god, yes!! i nearly had heart attack i was so over awed at piper's display of culture, depth and maturity!!

In all honesty, I think the writers just don't want to go there and condone the relationship between a 16 year old and Tyler (who I'm convinced someone here said was 23, not 25?) So something will always happen that gets in the way of them becoming a couple. And it's easier to have Piper throwing a strop every so often.

It is just a silly soap though, so nobody needs to get their knickers in a twist

You're right about it being just a soap, but this and the Jack story have provoked a lot of comment. I think the writers originally wanted to take this further but the general idea made so many people uncomfortable (on Neighboursfans too) that they seem to have seen sense - if they pay any attention at all to viewers.

Piper and Tyler would not have been a realistic couple, and after her spectacular own goal yesterday, let's hope the story dies!

Do Not Resuscitate!

They made a big deal showing the tattoo that said est 1991 - lingering shot of Piper looking at it. This makes him 24/25. Some deluded people on the Facebook page insisted she was 19 and he was 22 but who knows where they got that from. Some Piper fans see what they want to see and not what's really there. She's had a slight personality transplant to turn her into a stroppy child and he's had his age changed from early 20s (from the Russell storyline) to mid 20s from the tattoo. As usual it's sloppy writing and little changes (or is that deliberate to make the story seem more uncomfortable?) although it's not as bad as rewriting he history between Lauren and Brad which drove me nuts. It is a silly soap I agree but it's light hearted and more fun to debate the stories than EE and CS. I once commented on the EE board about a couple of characters and spent the next few weeks being PMed by an irate fan who turned out to be a tad unhinged. We don't have that here . We can express an opinion and take the mick and all is good (almost).

According to people on Neighboursfans, the writers can't condone the relationship because of the age rating of the show. I think it's rated G in Australia so it's meant to be suitable for children.

Is it just me of are Benthe seeming more forced everyday. The chem is just not there between them like Angthe had.

Unless that tattoo refers to something other than his own date of birth, which they really should have stated at some stage when his age was going to be so crucial to what many would view as the 'morality' of this story and whether Brad and Terese were being reasonable or not in having an issue with the relationship, then I don't see how it can refer to anything but his date of birth. 1991 - makes him 24 or 25 depending on whether he has had his birthday yet in 2016. She, as we have been told loads of times, is 16 and if she's in the same academic year as Xanthe, who had her 16th birthday sometime in April or May I think (certainly after the explosion because she had the money to book the boob job), i do,'t see how she can turn 17 before January. But then I'd have thought they'd be turning 17 in year 11 and 18 in year 12 and i'm sure they're in Year 11 so it's all very confusing?!

Of course it is just a silly soap which doesn't matter. In terms of 'real life' worries it is further down the list than which green vegetable to cook for dinner tonight! I really don't spend any time ruminating on it when i'm not actually watching it or posting here.

But, as i always say about any subject, if you're going to take the time to post about it, to 'review' or discuss an episode or storyline, you might as well do so in a vaguely serious way, which to me involves look at it as if it were happening in real life - what would your view be if it was your kid, or your friend having this situation with their teenage kid.

So that is kind of the attitude I adopt when posting here, i take it seriously when debating it, but it actually means very little to me other than a way to entertain myself for 30 mins or so each day, 20 mins for the actual show, 10 or so posting here.

Wow, Piper really doesn't learn does she and has no self awareness.

It's fine for her to upload anything she wants to slagging people off (Tyler, Courtney, Tim Collins, now Elly) whether true or not but she is resenting being the subject of gossip or vitriol on Social Media as a consequence of her actions.

Piper, a woman talking to, or even flirting, with a man in a bar is not inappropriate behaviour - teacher or not.

Her flirting with a 16 year old, would have been, especially if they are a pupil.

She actually expects Ben to ignore his second cousin who he lives with? Incredible.

Why don't Brad and Terese take the phone and laptop away from the little brat?

So glad Xanthe called her on always taking it back to her and that she hadn't even apologized for ruining the dress.

Hear! Hear! She was a right little cow today - time for a bit of self-awareness, Piper!

Don't regret it, Tyler, you're well out of it! And how on earth were you on the same wavelength? She lied to you and you were too dumb to see it! You had virtually nothing in common!

Xanthe told Piper some well-deserved home truths! And yes, she should apologise for ruining the dress! And pay something towards it! Sell her ill-gotten laptop, maybe?

And Paul - what a conniving little rat he is! Despite Belinda handing back the blood money, he still tries to mess up Steph's life! Hope he doesn't succeed!

Brad and Terese should sell the laptop and phone to pay towards Xanthe's dress. And tell her she's not getting another one until she has earnt the money for it, and that includes losing the attitude. That's what i'd do if she were mine

She wants to lea leave home, fine, let her. See how far she gets without the bank of Mum and Dad.

I don't suppose it occurred to her that her not naming the teacher put everybody working at the School under suspicion for behaving inappropriately including her own Dad?

Yet another example of her not considering that people other than her 'target' might het hurt - same as the fact that tyler doesn't own the garage so that advert would cost the owner (lucas) money, or that Sonya would be the automatic chief suspect in a dirty tricks campaign against Collins.

One of these people should sue the silly little girl, or get the Police (not Mark) involved.

In the end I think it's all come together. Piper acting mature, but underneath it all she's just an immature 16 year old girl. We've all criticised the show recently, but I think if I watched this story back, it's probably been well written - it just didn't feel like it at the time. Tyler pointing out that Piper was out of control, and then he hit her hard with that line about Elly being a woman and not a girl.

Felt bad for Tyler, as he was trying to do the right thing, and be responsible, but Piper ruined it with her impetuous and immature behaviour. Loved how Terese surprised them having overheard Piper's plan. It's good to see parents actually discipline and not allow Piper to get away with her acting out, like so many teens have done in the past.

Loved Mark having Tyler's back when Brad was laying into him.

Gotta love Xanthe and how easily swayed she is by a pretty outfit. Not buying the Ben/Xanthe romance at all - well, Ben's side doesn't ring true for me. Having Alison spike the punch at the Formal was pointless as it didn't lead to anything.

Elly seems fun. From what I remember of Elly 1.0, I think this is the adult she would have grown up to be. They never ever mention Susan's other sister (or Karl's bio family), which I feel there's probably some story potential there in the future.

Feel sorry for Belinda, who is allowing Paul to get inside her head. She's only going to get hurt in the long run.

She has a lovely sparkle in her eyes and displays an endearing enthusiasm in her acting. She could be the next Aussie soap star to make it big

anyone else think its good to have gary canning a regular now? he's like a bumbling boris johnson

i was really glad that xanthe told her some home truths and elly too, for suggesting that tyler said she was an immature brat and that it was basically her own childish and selfish behaviour which caused the downfall of their relationship....

i do think that she is a fantastic actress and she will definitely make it big if she goes to hollywood!!

hahaha!! yeah, i think he is really great!!

So, Elly has been in the show before (even if it was a different actress)?

It must have been in my long period of none-watching (1992ish to 2005).

I don't remember her either. I have watched for years with no gaps and I just can't recall the character.

Sonya mentioned that Elly used to go out with Tad? Did I hear that right?

Can anyone refresh my memory of her and what she looked like? Was she a regular?

Apparently this is her.