Return to Eden was the spin-off of a hugely successful mini-series of the same name from 1983. Clearly based on the primetime US soaps that were so fashionable at the time, the show picked up the story seven years after the events of the mini-series. In the original story, mining heiress Stephanie Harper had survived an attempt on her life after being rescued by a doctor who was also a plastic surgeon. He rebuilt dowdy Stephanie with supermodel good looks, and she was able to return to society unrecognised, calling herself Tara Welles. By the end of the mini-series Stephanie had reclaimed her life and home (Eden) and got together with her surgeon, her previous husband was killed, and Jilly was in prison for her part in Steph's attempted murder.
At the opening of the 22 part follow up, Jilly was released from prison, and an uncovered old document proved that she was in fact Stephanie's half sister. Feeling a responsibility towards her, Stephanie was willing to share her fortune. But that was not enough for Jilly. She wanted revenge for the years spent in prison, and to take everything that belonged to her, Harper Mining and Eden. Enter suave businessman Jake Sanders, the brother of Stephanie's previous husband, out to avenge his brother's death. Jilly and Jake teamed up to form one of the most gloriously camp double acts in the history of soap.
Also involved in the intrigue were Stephanie's children from an even earlier marriage. Dennis was a playboy who loved the high-life, but Harper Mining also meant a lot to him. His sister Sarah had dreams of becoming a fashion designer, after a stint as a concert pianist. She spent most of the series in a complicated plot involving her love for family friend Tom McMaster. After becoming romantically entangled with Tom she had reason to believe he was actually her half brother. To her horror she was already pregnant with his child. She escaped into an unhappy marriage with amateur boxer Angelo Vitale, before losing the baby and finding out that Tom wasn't her brother after all.
Meanwhile, Dennis's love interest came in the form of secretary Cassie Jones, who switched allegiance from Jake and Jilly to the Harpers after a crisis of conscience.
As the series progressed, the plots became more complicated and outrageous. Memorable episodes involved a crocodile in the swimming pool, a deadly snake in the shower, breakdowns, hysterics, suicide and blackmail. Jake's reluctant admiration for his adversary turned to love, but he still continued to fight Stephanie for control of "the company"..
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