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Australia’s most epic love story: Karl and Susan

Alan and Jackie. Greatest people ever.

No one does angst like Karl and Susan!

Karl and Susan are an institution!! They're the only constant in this crazy world!!

Please don't split up Karl and Susan. Fun and laughter should be #neighbours11 not constant depression/drama. I'd watch H&A if I want that.

Karl and Susan have always been my proof that true love exists. Without Karl and Susan, I don't know how I'm meant to believe.

Susan and Karl were surrogate parents to an entire generation!

(Karl & Susan) have a connection that goes beyond any other relationship - Jackie Woodburne

No one can take anything away from the Kennedys though. To many, Fletch and Jackie ARE Neighbours, and no one can deny that they've earned that respect. I'm always a little surprised when I remember that they're not actually a real married couple. The performances in their scenes together represent a high water mark in Soap Opera acting, IMO.

Karl and Susan are in a class of their own. Matching a massively talented actor to a truly great character doesn't happen that often, but when you have two of those matches at the same time and the characters are also a couple, the actors have perfect chemistry with each other and are ready to stay on the same show forever, that's truly rare.

They are unique, not just for Neighbours but television in general. They're the show's biggest asset.

Do you have nicknames for each other?

A: "Jacks".
J: I call him "Fletch" and, on occasion, "You fat fool". And that is, of course, a joke, because anyone who knows Alan knows that he has the body of a Greek god.

What's something fans wouldn't know about you both?

J: Alan likes to rehearse naked... does that count? (laughs)
A: Jacks can't work past about 9:30am without having an extra hot, skinny milk latte.

What's the worst thing Karl ever did?

A: The thing about Karl's misdemeanours is that while he thinks he's a strong person, he's actually very weak. With Izzy and Sarah, he was carried along on a wave with no real control. I mean, he didn't want to be with Sarah, but he couldn't find a way for it not to happen.
J: What a crock! (Adopts mocking voice) "I couldn't control myself. I just fell on her face." For God's sake! "Oh, I was powerless against her beauty!"
A: For two years!

As you and Jackie are such good friends, do you find it hard to stay focused, or do the more intimate scenes?

A: Being good friends makes it much easier to be focused and intimate. There are no agendas or discomfort. We just have fun!

Do you think Karl could ever be tempted to stray again?

A: I don’t know that he would be, but Karl’s a funny creature, in the sense that he’s not malevolent in any way, and he’s certainly not sleazy or anything like that; he’s the sort of person that gets blown along by the wind a bit.
He tends to get caught up in things he can’t control: he likes to think he’s in control of his world, but he’s often not. It’s not so much that Karl would go out seeking an affair, but what would be interesting is if somebody came along who took a fancy to him. I think he’d probably find it hard to resist.

What is your relationship like with your onscreen family?

Kym: They really are like my family. Jackie [Woodbourne] is like this oracle of wisdom. And Alan [Fletcher] is Daddy – I call him ‘Daddy’. He’s hilarious. He’s so smart and I always go to him for advice. They’ve really had such an impact on who I’ve become.

Susan: I would paint you in lurid colours, standing naked before an open window with a stethoscope around your neck.
Karl: That’s very interesting. Why the stethoscope?
Susan: I don’t know, I just said it.
Karl: There’s a school of thought that believes whatever you say, however flippantly it has meaning.
Susan: I would choose a stethoscope because it symbolises your ability to listen to the deep places in my heart.
Karl: Oh that’s beautiful. Did you just make that up?
Susan: Yes of course I did.
Karl: That’s very interesting.
Susan: Yes thank you Dr Freud.
Karl: Would you like to paint me?
Susan: I don’t paint.
Karl: But if you did paint.
Susan: Oh Karl I hate it when you go on like this.
Karl: Oh come on it’s an interesting physiological question.
Susan: No, no it’s not, it’s really not.
Karl: Oh right, I’m sorry I wont say another word.
Susan: I wonder how you’d paint me.
Karl: Fully clothed.
Susan: I knew you’d have to say something that lasted three seconds. Why fully clothed?
Karl: Well I happen to believe that unseen nakedness is far more enticing that having everything on display.
Susan: You sweet old-fashioned thing. How do you feel about hot choccie in bed?
Karl: What could be better.
Susan: That’s what I love about you, you have very low expectations.
Karl: Why the open window?
Susan: Oh Karl enough.
Karl: Come on really why?
Susan: Probably so I could shove you through it afterwards.
Karl: That’s very interesting.

KARL: The phone's unplugged.
SUSAN: Dr Kennedy.
KARL: Yes, nurse?

Karl: Hey, can I tell you, it was a privilege having children with you
Susan: Aww, likewise (they kiss...for the second time in one ep!)

KARL: I’m lying here and all I want to say…hear your voice and tell you I love you. You’ve been my best friend, Susan…and…and our life together and our family is more than I deserve.

Sarah Beaumont: You and Karl have the relationship that everyone wants

Susan, Judy and Cheryl walk into the pub all giggling.

KARL: (irritated) What's so funny, ladies?
SUSAN: Nothing.
CHERYL: Nope.
KARL: (annoyed) Oh, come on, it's obviously about me!
LOU: Come on, Cheryl. What's the joke?
JUDY: (laughing) It's just a little snippet that Susan told us about Karl's first experience.
The girls all crack up again.
LOU: (wiggling his eyebrows) Little snippet, eh?
KARL: You told them I was a virgin when we met?!
Lou looks stunned.
The girls all stop laughing.
SUSAN: (quietly) No... I told them about your first experience as a doctor and the time when you plastered the wrong leg on those twins.
There is a silence.
KARL: Drink, anyone?

KARL: Sweetie, I'll always be here.
SUSAN: I'm on top of the world with the man I love and I never want to come down

Karl: I know that look; you’ve been up to mischief haven’t you?
Susan: I know that look; you’d like to get up to mischief wouldn’t you?

Karl: Tell me something how is it we’ve managed to stay married for so long.
Susan: Because you love me and because you’re never quite sure when I’m having a go at you and when I’m not.

Susan: It’s really silly the things you miss. When we woke up in the morning we used to just lie there and sometimes we’d talk and sometimes we wouldn’t say anything. But always our feet would be all tangled up and this morning I woke and I moved my feet over to find his feet and they weren’t there. It’s silly the things you fixate upon isn’t it. Of all the stupid things to be crying about. This isn’t the way my life would go. I don’t want this.

Karl: I hate it when we fight.
Susan: Me too. But I love it when we make up.

Karl: You’re one in a million you know that?
Susan: Just a million?
Karl: I couldn’t live without you, I couldn’t.
Susan: Me too.

Susan: Karl I love you.
Karl: I know that.
Susan: I would never, never do anything to jeopardise us.
Karl: I know that too. What can I say I’m an idiot.
Susan: You’re my idiot that’s something.

Karl: As long as you remember we’ve had a wonderful marriage, we’ve got 3 fabulous, healthy, intelligent kids, we’ve got our very own Toadfish. We’ve got a great future to look forward to.
Susan: Just promise me one thing.
Karl: Name it.
Susan: You’ll always be right here.
Karl: That’s a deal.

(Susan and Karl fun into Flick and Joel kissing in a maze)
SUSAN: It's a fun maze isn't it?
FLICK: Lovely hedges.
JOEL: This one's particularly incredible, if you notice the density of the hedge itself and the height is different to the traditional hedge maze height. Also, you'll notice the different colours. That is because some parts are actually dying.
KARL: I didn't realise you were so into hedges.
JOEL: I'm not, I'm actually doing some research for Lance. Lance 'Hedge man' Wilkinson.
SUSAN: Gee, I didn't realise Lance was so into hedges
JOEL: Yeah, yeah. Well, not yet. But he will be once he knows these are here.

JOEL: So when you think about it there’s nothing wrong, absolutely nothing wrong with two friends, which is what Flick and I are, friends going out and spending a day together. I mean, that’s natural.
KARL: What about the kiss?
JOEL: Well, I wouldn’t call is a kiss as such.
KARL: A pash then?
JOEL: A peck perhaps?
SUSAN: (To Karl) Gee, pecking’s changed since our day hasn’t it?
JOEL: Maybe it looked like a kiss.
SUSAN: It would have been the pressing of lips that confused us probably.
JOEL: Ok, we just got caught up in the romantic mood of the maze.
KARL: And the density of the foliage.
JOEL: Yeah. My point, and I have a point. Is that we, Flick and myself would prefer if Joe didn’t hear about this. I’m sure you can understand.
SUSAN: Joel, how old are you?
JOEL: 21.
SUSAN: (To Karl) You would’ve never guest it would you?
KARL: No, you don’t think you’re being a bit 20 year old about this?
SUSAN: It’s fairly obvious you and Flick are an item.
JOEL: But we’re not. (Susan sighs) Is it that obvious?
KARL: Oh yeah.
SUSAN: And there’s nothing wrong with that. But for heaven’s sakes why don’t you just front up to Joe and tell him what’s going on?
KARL: It would be easier for everyone in the long run.
SUSAN: Yeah, secrecy breeds distrust.
KARL: Who said that?
SUSAN: I did.
KARL: Well done.
SUSAN: Oh thank you.
JOEL: Look, I care for Flick a lot. But telling Joe, it scares us both. I mean Flick’s still at school.
SUSAN: Funnily enough I am aware of that.
JOEL: How would you guys react if say Libby was in this situation?
SUSAN: (to Karl) We have actually been in this situation with Libby.
KARL: Yeah, Darren was older. Not much…
SUSAN: Yeah but Mike was.
KARL: And look what a disaster that was. Libby was older too.
SUSAN: Yes, but not as old as Mike.
KARL: Yes but my point is it wasn’t significant. She was 21…
JOEL: Guys, I think I might be loosing you a little here.
SUSAN: Sorry. Sorry Joel, sorry. I think that’s reasonable. But if you are serious about this relationship then you better start acting serious.