Harper is at the centre of yet more tension this week when Jo quietly starts to move into her life in a way that pushes all her buttons. Jo helps Harper search for a place to rent with Dana, and her involvement upsets Harper, who feels Jo is overstepping, especially since Jo has history with Tane Parata, Harper’s ex‑fiancé. When Jo shows up at the beach house, Harper makes it very clear: Jo needs to back off.

Meanwhile, Tane is stuck in the middle. Although Jo’s actions are often well intentioned, from Harper’s perspective they feel intrusive. Harper feels her boundaries are being crossed, especially now that Jo is not just a friendly presence but becoming involved in the more personal details of Harper’s life. Harper makes a stand, insisting that Jo should stay out of her decisions.

Jo’s motives are complicated. On one hand, she wants to show kindness and support—renting together, offering help. On the other hand, the emotional history with Tane means Harper sees Jo’s involvement as more than just friendly support; it feels like meddling that threatens the fragile balance Harper is trying to maintain.

Tane, for his part, is troubled. He cares about both Jo and Harper in different ways, and Jo’s increasing closeness to Harper stirs up old feelings of guilt and confusion. He understands why Harper is upset, yet he also sees Jo’s good intentions. The friction between these three—Harper, Tane, Jo—grows, forcing each of them to confront whether certain relationships and boundaries should shift.

Harper’s demand that Jo stop interfering is firm. She wants control over her life, her home, and her choices—especially at this time, when everything else feels uncertain. Her stance leads to confrontations: emotional exchanges, arguments (sometimes private, sometimes in front of others). There are moments where Harper questions how much she can trust Jo’s role in her life, and whether Jo truly respects her space.

Jo reacts in turn. She doesn’t always agree with Harper’s perspective but tries to show empathy, arguing that she only wants what’s best. Jo believes Harper deserves help and stability, especially given Harper’s pregnancy and what she’s already been through. But Jo underestimates how much past history and emotion complicate what might otherwise be a simple offer of friendship.

As the tension builds, both Harper and Jo are forced to reflect: what are their boundaries? Where does help become interference? And how much of what Harper perceives as meddling comes from concern vs. from lingering feelings of jealousy or insecurity?

In the end, Harper’s message is clear: Jo needs to step back. Tane is also urged to recognize that his relationships—past and present—have consequences and that what Harper is asking for now is respect. Whether Jo accepts that or pushes back, or whether Tane will mediate, remains to play out. But one thing is certain: Harper is drawing a line. And in Summer Bay, once lines are drawn, things rarely return to the way they were.