Summer Bay has weathered countless storms over the years, but few losses have cut as deeply as the one now echoing through the town. In this week’s profoundly emotional episodes of Home and Away, the community is forced to confront the devastating aftermath of Theo Poulos’ death—a tragedy that has left loved ones fractured, hearts heavy, and the familiar coastline cloaked in grief.

Theo’s death was as shocking as it was heroic. In a moment that will be etched into Home and Away history, he made the ultimate sacrifice during counsellor Wendell’s violent rampage. As Wendell’s car hurtled toward his girlfriend Lacy, Theo acted without hesitation, shoving her out of harm’s way and taking the full force himself. It was an instinctive act of love and bravery—one that saved Lacy’s life but cost Theo his own. The suddenness of the tragedy has sent shockwaves through Summer Bay, silencing once-bustling spaces and leaving the town struggling to process the loss of one of its brightest young souls.

At the heart of the devastation is Theo’s aunt, Leah Patterson, whose grief threatens to consume her. Actress Ada Nicodemou delivers a raw and deeply affecting performance as Leah spirals between sorrow and fury, unable to reconcile herself with the reality of Theo’s death. Speaking to TV Week, Nicodemou explains that Leah is “completely shattered,” describing a woman who cannot yet accept what has happened. Her pain manifests as anger, and she lashes out at those closest to her—not out of cruelty, but because she simply doesn’t know how else to survive the enormity of her loss.

Leah’s anguish is compounded when she is barred from attending Theo’s funeral, a decision that devastates her and leaves her feeling excluded from the final goodbye she so desperately needs. Missing the service becomes a breaking point, intensifying her grief and deepening the emotional chasm between her and her husband, Justin. While Leah’s pain is explosive and raw, Justin processes his sorrow in a quieter, more contained way. His attempt to remain composed only fuels Leah’s resentment, and their opposing responses to loss threaten to tear their marriage apart at a moment when unity is more crucial than ever.

As Leah and Justin struggle to navigate their shared grief, Theo’s friends are facing their own reckoning. Remy Carter, Theo’s closest mate, is on the cusp of launching his long-awaited record label—a dream that once pulsed with excitement and possibility. Music was the foundation of Remy and Theo’s bond, and the label was meant to be a joint venture, with Theo playing a key creative role. Now, with Theo gone, the dream feels hollow, overshadowed by the absence of the person who inspired it in the first place.

Remy and their friend Sunny find themselves at a crossroads. Should they abandon the project entirely, unable to imagine moving forward without Theo? Or should they continue, transforming the label into a tribute to the friend they lost? The decision weighs heavily on them, and ultimately, they choose the path that honors Theo’s spirit. Determined to do right by him, Remy approaches Justin, seeking not only his blessing but his guidance on how to pay tribute in a way that feels meaningful rather than exploitative.

The conversation that follows is as painful as it is necessary. For Justin—and later Leah—the discussion opens wounds that are still painfully fresh. When Theo’s personal belongings are returned to the family, the reality of his absence becomes impossible to ignore. Among the items is Theo’s beloved guitar, a symbol of his passion, his talent, and the dreams he carried so fiercely. For Leah, the sight of it is overwhelming. Memories of Theo strumming chords, losing himself in music, and talking endlessly about the future come flooding back, unlocking a torrent of emotion she has been holding at bay since his death.

In a moment of unexpected clarity, Leah and Justin later visit Remy’s new recording studio. Surrounded by the echoes of creativity and ambition, they realize that Theo’s presence can still be felt—if they allow it. Leah suggests that Theo’s guitar be mounted in the studio, taking pride of place as a permanent reminder of who he was and what he stood for. It would be more than a keepsake; it would be a symbol of his talent, his heart, and the future he never got the chance to live.

Remy and Sunny are immediately moved by the idea. For them, the studio was always meant to be a space fueled by passion and purpose, and honoring Theo in this way feels right. When the guitar is finally mounted, they unveil a plaque beside it bearing the words: “In this house, music is never a waste of time.” The phrase, once spoken by Justin to Theo, resonates deeply with everyone present. It encapsulates Theo’s belief in creativity, his refusal to give up on his dreams, and the encouragement he received from those who loved him.

As Leah gazes at the tribute, something shifts within her. The pain is still there—sharp, unrelenting—but it is joined by a glimmer of light. In this space, Theo is not defined by the way he died, but by how he lived. His legacy is no longer just a source of heartbreak; it becomes a source of inspiration. Leah realizes that even in the depths of despair, there is room for hope, for remembrance, and for healing.

Theo’s emotional goodbye marks the end of a chapter for Home and Away, but it also signals the beginning of something new. His absence will continue to shape the lives of those he left behind, influencing their choices, their relationships, and their understanding of what truly matters. Through music, memory, and love, Theo’s spirit lives on in Summer Bay—immortalized not just in a studio wall, but in the hearts of everyone he touched.

As the town slowly finds its way forward, one truth remains clear: Theo may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.