Neighbours explores homophobia in Varga-Murphy family storyline

 Dex faces trouble at school.

Neighbours explored the upsetting effects of homophobia in Thursday's episode as show newcomers JJ and Dex Varga-Murphy faced a difficult first day at school.

JJ and Dex were keen to settle in as they joined Erinsborough High, but things got off to a rocky start when their mum Remi paid an unexpected visit.

Remi popped into the school as Dex had forgotten to bring his inhaler with him. Eavesdropping on the conversation, school bully Noah Dawes overheard a reference to Dex and JJ having two mothers.

When Dex and JJ confirmed this was the case, Noah tried to humiliate Dex in class by making offensive jokes about the Varga-Murphy family.

Erinsborough High's headteacher Jane Harris witnessed the end of Noah's outburst and immediately stepped in to shut it down, sending him out of the classroom.

Jane then called in Noah's father Pete, confirming that the troublemaker would be suspended for three days. Pete voiced his disappointment over Noah's behaviour, but also complained that the punishment was too harsh.

Back at home later, Dex reassured Remi and Cara that he'd received support from the other students.

Dex said: "It wasn't a big deal – Noah was just showing off, trying to be a big man.

"It's way harder for Noah than me – all the kids at school think he was being a tool."

In a moving conversation, Remi and Cara reflected on how the family's experiences with similar situations have changed over time.

Remi pointed out: "It was less than last time, which was better than the time before with JJ.

"The other kids siding with Dex – that's new. I like that. It is getting better, isn't it?"

Cara replied: "Maybe this is the last time we'll have to have this conversation."

The drama at school soon fed into the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Erinsborough High, as Jane learned that Pete was stirring up trouble.

Pete threatened to withdraw Noah permanently from Erinsborough High if his suspension wasn't cancelled – and he claimed to have the backing of other parents who'd do the same with their own children.

With Jane under pressure to keep pupil numbers high to avoid the school being closed down, could she be forced to change her mind about Noah's punishment?

Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach.