Kush is pushed to the limit…
AS JEAN’S MENTAL HEALTH DETERIORATES FURTHER, HE’S FORCED TO BEAR THE BRUNT…
Normally, Kush wouldn’t ever act the way he does – but he feels he has no choice…”
Kush is a man on the edge this week, as Jean’s behaviour spirals out of control. Already worried, Kush is further horrified when he learns that police want to talk to Jean, who has been pestering them with calls over Whitney’s disappearance – in spite of Whit’s recent return!
As Jean’s pal Shirley urges Kush to tell her what’s going on, it becomes clear to the pair that extreme measures are required. But when they press ahead, Jean takes a turn for the worse – as she collapses and suffers a seizure on the market!
“Normally, Kush would never act the way he does – yet things are pretty extraordinary in the
Slater household just now,” shares Davood Ghadami, who plays Kush. “He doesn’t have the support from the rest of the family, and can only see things getting worse, so feels as if he has no choice but to make this unilateral attempt at trying to keep things stable.”
Having already discovered that Jean has stopped taking her bipolar medication, Kush is at his wits’ end. So when Shirley informs him the police have arrived in the wake of Jean’s constant calls regarding Whitney, it’s yet another blow.
“Kush is more than a little shocked,” sighs Davood. “He’s never been around Jean to see how she reacts while going through a bipolar episode, but he knows something is wrong. He’s already piling the pressure on himself in trying to keep the family together – and the new worry of Jean wasting police time is another red flag.”
In the absence of his girlfriend Kat, and Jean’s daughter Stacey, Kush has been left to deal with Jean’s problems alone. But while he’s made an honourable effort to do all he can for her, it’s a seemingly impossible task.
“Kush and his son live under the same roof as the Slaters,
so his main aim is to keep the family unit strong,” explains Davood. “Being in a house with five kids, and having all the responsibility dumped on him is such a mammoth task, but he’s taking it day by day. Jean is a central part of the Slater family, so Kush is determined to put things right. He wants to prove himself, and to be the man of the house.”
Nevertheless, Shirley’s offer of help comes as a huge relief as Kush struggles to cope.
“Shirley realising what’s going on is what he’s been absolutely desperate for – someone else to give him support and guidance,” admits Davood. “He needs someone to hold his hand through this, someone who knows Jean well – and Shirley knows her far better than anyone. Even Mo, who should understand more than them all, hasn’t provided any help. So Shirley is just what Kush needs.”
There’s a terrible shock in store for both Kush and Shirley, however, when – shortly after they make a drastic decision in tackling Jean’s worsening condition – Shirley discovers her friend having a seizure. As panicked Shirley rushes to help Jean, can she save her – and are she and Kush to blame for Jean’s collapse?