Rites of Passage

Overview

Nathan is forced to question his motives for wanting to donate a kidney, triggering a crisis of confidence. Will he be able to put his demons to rest and in doing so, save Chel's life? Although he passes all the physical tests, Nathan is thrown into doubt when the transplant co-ordinator seeks answers on his true motivations for donating a kidney to Chel. When Sammy praises Nathan over the transplant, his feeling of pride seems only to confirm he is donating his kidney for self-serving reasons. While Ben and Rachel have no doubt Nathan is made of the right stuff, their younger brother can't seem to find the words to convince the co-ordinator or himself and he's terrified his failure will spell the end for Chel. With Chel's health on the decline, Julie and Dave decide there's no time like the present to hold Ruby's Naming Day ceremony. After a disastrous interview with a comically self-absorbed celebrant, the Rafters plans instead a much more laid-back gathering at the park and ask Rachel, Ben and Nathan to be Ruby's guardians. Baby Ruby's welcomed to the world by those that love and care for her. And perhaps something in the speech Dave makes gives Nathan the answer he's been looking for. Meanwhile, there are problems at the Barton house, with Alex struggling to accept his mother's new relationship. Alex goes out on a bender and when Grace returns from her date and finds Alex still gone, she flies into a panic. She and Jake lock horns over the whole issue, with Grace feeling that she should be more mindful of Alex's feelings and Jake insisting that she's entitled to live her life. Jake decides it's time both he and his brother stood on their own two feet and comes to a surprising solution to their joint need to cut the apron strings. Carbo struggles with his own rite of passage when he discovers some grey hairs – and not just on his head!