australian television information archive

Episode 1

Australia: Sunday, July 31, 2005
New Zealand: Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Written by Christopher Lee
Directed by Cherlie Nowlan

Helen returns to The Alice to face the coroner's inquest into the death of her husband Connor at Rainbow Valley. Her dead best friend Patrick is by her side as always but she's not letting on — everyone already thinks she's crazy.

While she's been gone, ex-rock star Jack Jaffers has erected The Baa Bar — could he actually be putting down roots? He offers her a room out the back, which turns out to be a caravan with no roof, but he's as charming as ever and she accepts.

Helen reveals to her lawyer Sonia that she still believes herself to be responsible for Connor's death. Despite Sonia's best efforts to convince her it's just misplaced guilt, Helen is determined to take the stand.

Meanwhile, Toby and Michael have moved their Four Wheel Adventure business into Jack's bar and money is tight. Toby suggests they institute Night Sky Dreaming tours of the stars. Michael's insulted — he's not dressing up like a "postcard" blackfella while Toby sits around doing nothing. They fall out.

Ellie is doing her best to ignore both her estranged husband, Hugh, and Matt, the young doctor she seduced on the Ghan. Now that Matt is sharing a house with Hugh and her son Toby, things are extremely awkward. But the chemistry between her and Matt ignites again and somehow they end up in bed together.

Jack manages to miss his appearance in court, distracted by his attempt to finally tell Jess he's her father. At the 11th hour he rushes out to meet Helen at Rainbow Valley, where she relives Connor's death. With Patrick and Jack's help, Helen realises she is innocent, but she still has to get through the court case.

Matt's plans to leave are ruined when his precious plant gets eaten by a stray camel calf. He's furious — he's just got word that it's a rare species that could have valuable medicinal properties. Looks like fate has intervened, as it always seems to in The Alice.

Toby tells Michael he's decided to do the Night Sky Tours himself and proudly recites the dreaming story he learnt from a local Aboriginal elder. Michael has the last laugh — the story is straight out of The Lion King.

At the coroner's inquest Helen's name is cleared, to everyone's relief. Jack admits he's in desperate need of management and offers Helen a job. She tells him she'll think about it.

Everyone is set to collide, but The Alice has a way of intervening and giving people what they need, often in surprising ways.

Guest Cast:

• Deborah Mailman as Sonia
• Lech Mackiewicz as Kirk
• Darren Casey as Coroner
• Aaron Scully as Delivery Guy
• David Tranter as David
• Jeremy Watkins as Carpenter
• Darren Williams as Carpenter

Music:

• "Bo Bo RRawa" performed by Letter Stick Band
• "Creators" performed by Loivia Eden
• "Showtime" performed by Days Like Stars
• "Rescue Me" performed by Days Like Stars
• "Smile" performed by Olivia Eden
• "Johnny Walker's Shoes" performed by the Pigram Brothers
• "Goodbye, My Friend" performed by Olivia Eden