Nichol liked that the plot also showed how Ben's depression affects Maggie and Ziggy. He also wanted to be sure that they conveyed Ben and Maggie's commitment to one another, and he praised Morassi's work in particular, saying she "does it justice, absolutely." Ben spends most of his time at the caravan park, where he meets Dean's mother Karen Thompson (Georgia Adamson). Her "flirtatious nature" makes Ben smile for the first time in months and he finds comfort in her kindness. A TV Week writer observed that the pair seem to share a good chemistry, as Ben enjoys Karen's "cheeky attitude". Maggie and Ziggy attempt to raise interest in Ben's surf business, but the response is low until they get Ben to offer free surf lessons. Ben is "slightly buoyed" when Dean pays him, until he learns the lessons were free and arranged by his family, which leaves him feeling embarrassed and he tells them to go to hell. This results in Maggie giving him an ultimatum – get professional help or their marriage is over.
