As Judy trekked along her path, her course unexpectedly intersected with Gazza's, who vented his frustration to her about the brutal slashing of his car tires. Without hesitation, Judy offered him a lift, yet in a moment of anger, she confronted him for nearly ending her life with that fateful brick hurled at her vehicle. Gazza's defenses crumbled, and he confessed his remorse, revealing that Wayne had orchestrated the attack. This revelation only fanned the flames of Judy's fury.
At the heart of the power supply mill, Fran and Judy summoned Murray, unveiling Wayne's sinister plot to dismantle the Doull family's legacy by selling off their cherished factory. Judy's narrative deepened, detailing Wayne's desperate attempts on her own life. Murray, moved by their words, vowed to safeguard the family's heritage by dismissing Wayne and, to Judy's surprise, offered her a severance package alongside her dismissal. Realizing the contract's lack of legal binding, he sought to abort the mill's sale.
Meanwhile, Svetlana approached Mick with a heartfelt request for assistance in defecting from her citizenship. He readily pledged his support, urging her to gather her belongings and flee. However, a call from the USSR shattered her plans, informing her of the tragic loss of Yvgeny's son in battle. Overcome with emotion, Svetlana declared she could not abandon Mick in his time of need, abandoning her dream of defection.
Elsewhere, Bilya's mother was aghast to see him attired in a suit for the debutante dance, a stark contrast to his cultural roots. Bilya defended his choice, crediting Eileen's efforts to uphold their community's dignity and proudly displaying a waistband as a symbol of his heritage. Rocoa, however, was incensed by Bilya's actions, which had embarrassed him at the event. Poppy, with a calming presence, begged her father to cease the commotion as Bilya and she gracefully continued their dance, their movements a testament to the resilience and unity amidst adversity.
Mick arrives mere moments before the grand opening of the Miss Universe ceremony, his eyes locked on Svetlana as he whispers a daring proposal: if she desires to break free, he will be her rock, her husband. Without hesitation, he punches Yvgeny aside and whisks Svetlana away into the night.
Yvgeny, stunned but resolute, chases after them, his heart heavy with the loss of his son and a life that feels empty in the USSR. He finds himself confessing to Svetlana that he too seeks escape, and the trio embarks on a journey to the legal office, united in their desire for a new beginning.
Meanwhile, at the glittering ball, Lam's ears are glued to the radio, anxiously awaiting news of the impending Skylabs disaster. Judy, her worries about power outages now a distant memory, encourages Mia to chase her dreams on the waves, balancing surfing competitions with her academic pursuits.
Tony's conversation with Eileen drifts to haunting memories of nuclear testing, the tragic loss of her husband etched forever in his mind. Tilly, her nerves frayed by the impending doom of Skylabs, decides to take matters into her own hands and make a public announcement. As Lam confirms the crash is underway, guests scramble to find safety amidst the chaos, abandoning the festivities.
In the midst of this turmoil, Jono finds solace in performing his heartfelt song to an empty hall, with only Lam's applause echoing through the silence. The pair, accompanied by Sandy, make their way home, only to find Van anxiously awaiting their return as the skies above are rent asunder by Skylabs' fiery descent.
Elsewhere, Eileen, Bilya, and his mother gather on school grounds, their gazes fixed on the heavens as they bear witness to the catastrophic event. Svetlana and Yvgeny, meanwhile, successfully navigate their own escape, their paths diverging yet united by the shared experience. Mick, in a moment of intimacy, presses a kiss to Russell's lips, their secret love blooming amidst the chaos.
The Bissett family flees to the beach, their hearts pounding as they seek refuge in the makeshift shelter dug by Tilly and Tony. Together, they lift their eyes to the sky, watching in awe as Skylabs crashes in a shower of fiery meteors, painting the night sky with a final, breathtaking display. The scene fades, leaving the audience with a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
Lydia, the event's organizer, stands helplessly by, her fears of the Skylabs crash disrupting the Miss Universe broadcast realized as Svetlana's absence leaves a gaping hole in the proceedings, a testament to the unpredictable nature of fate.
