australian television information archive

5835 Plus One

Episode 3.01 (15)
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Ratings: 767,000 viewers (4th on the night)
Written by Deborah Parsons
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa Atherton is in a very good place. She's in love with local mechanic Nick, daughter Holly is about to fly the coop to study in Melbourne, and she is embarking on a new chapter of her life as co-owner and editor of the Rainbow's End Echo. For a few precious moments, everything is perfect.

If only she didn't want more… Louisa demands the first issue of the new-look Echo make a big statement. It's a tall order, complicated by the fact her colleagues and part owners, Vivien and Gavin, have very different ideas about what makes a good story. Life tilts further off balance when Holly fails to get into her university course. At a time when everything is falling into place for Louisa, Holly's world is falling apart.

Life is cruel. Minna knows that. Months after Sandy's death she's gripped with a grief that threatens to sink her — if it weren't for Holly and her struggle, or the vexation of being double-billed for Sandy's funeral by local undertaker Lionel Smithwick.

Louisa's struggle to find a story leads to despair as the local news fails to inspire, fails to deliver or fails to materialise. With Nick's encouragement she pushes her quest to the wire. At the eleventh hour it seems she will have to settle for a headline that celebrates the arrival of Gavin's new desk —a minor historic curio.

Thank God for Nick. When the bubble bursts for Louisa and Holly, he's still standing, a rock in the maelstrom, a true believer… Just as life is restored to a manageable state of upheaval and Louisa basks in the realisation that chaos may be the new perfection —Nick asks Louisa to marry him.

Cast (in order of appearance): Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Cameron McKenzie as Greg the Young Cop, Col Cameron as Signwriter, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Denis Moore as Jeweller, Julia Blake as Minna Franklin, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Larry Parrish as Newsagent, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Gerrard O'Connor as Laurie, Mandy McElhinney as Tamara Denning, Chloe Schaefer as Receptionist, Shapoor Batliwalla as Dr. Sanjay Harani, Paul Doyle as Courier, Christopher Murphy as Newborn Baby

Notes: The 12 episode third series was filmed from May 3 to September 15, 2010. Matt Levett takes over from Tim Phillipps in the role of Holly's friend Sean Smithwick.

Mind The Gap

Episode 3.02 (16)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Ratings: 0.673 million viewers (5th)
Written by Max Dann
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa loses her engagement ring and worries to Marg and Deb that it is a bad omen. Secretly fearing her decision to marry Nick is wrong, Louisa's anxiety escalates.

Holly needs to make a decision about her future. Should she compromise her dream and enrol in a course she's not so interested in? Or take a gap year and risk her mother's wrath?

After years of non-driving, Minna announces her intention to get her drivers licence back. Pursuing her independence at all costs, Minna sits the licence test.

It seems that Minna is not the only one to be double-billed by Smithwick Funerals. Louisa discovers a string of bad debts plague Lionel Smithwick's business dealings with local residents.

When Louisa discovers Lionel has a gambling problem pressure mounts on the Echo staff to do something about it. Holly's boyfriend Sean, is ignorant of his father's shame and the real reason for the business's financial woes. Unwilling to expose Sean to a painful truth, Louisa confronts Lionel to put things right, in return for burying the story.

Louisa is now determined to stop a pokies consortium taking over the local pub. She presses an unusually secretive Marg to come clean about the pub's takeover and warns that any pro-gambling parties are in for a fight. Marg makes a surprising revelation.

Cast: Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Denis Moore as Jeweller, Cameron McKenzie as Gregg the Young Cop, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Haiha Le as Rita Lim, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Andrew Bayly as Lionel Smithwick, Francis Greenslade as Ray Mumphrey [sic], Pam Jones as Molly Mumphery [sic], Kirsten Law as Vet Assistant, Alicia Bonaddio as Ber Person

Womb To Tomb

Episode 3.03 (16)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ratings: 0.565 million viewers (10th)
Written by Max Dann
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa comes to the rescue when local woman Tamara Denning falls on hard times after her husband leaves her and their three young children.

Louisa faces a sobering motherhood challenge when Holly's gap year starts to echo her worst fears. Holly's grand ideas about finding herself seem to have run aground in a haze of junk food and day time television. Desperate to snap Holly from her torpor, Louisa enlists her help to look after Tamara's young children, with near dire consequences. A close escape shakes Holly up and prompts some reflection about her responsibility to herself and others.

Minna continues to find life tough going without Sandy. Pesky visits from enthusiastic young priest Father Samuel further cement her intractability. Minna is both shocked and heartened to learn Father Samuel is Sandy's parting gift to her. When Father Samuel laments the difficulty he's having connecting with his local constituency, Minna puts him to good use. Father Samuel becomes instrumental in easing the Rainbow's End childcare crisis, and a purposeful Minna reconnects with life and her community.

Cast: Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Simon Maiden as Father Samuel, Mandy McElhinney as Tamara Denning, Nicole Freeman as Courtney Denning, Alex Faull as Luke Denning, Rohan & Alec Matcott as Harry Denning, Laura Burzacott as Childcare Worker, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Cliff Ellen as Clem, Janet Foye as Lorna Lincoln, Matt Levett as Sean Wmithwick, Alicia Bonaddio as Bar Person, Ray Gross as Bar Fly, Alexandra Whitford as Friend #1, Caetlyn Armstrong as Friend #2, Kieran Pontelandolfo as Friend #3, Zav Cracknell as Friend #4, Georgia Chara as Bike Salesperson (uncredited)

Laid Bare

Episode 3.04 (17)
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Ratings: 0.714 million viewers (8th)
Written by David Hannam
Directed by David Cameron

Minna's secret plans to take up ballroom dancing again are hijacked when she confronts a burglar in her home.

The spate of house burglaries has the Echo team asking if Rainbow's End is in the grip of a crime wave. When Marg is publicly vilified for what looks like the unfair dismissal of the pub's barman Conrad, Louisa wonders if Marg's instincts about the guy are worth investigating further.

Sean's father and local undertaker, Lionel Smithwick suffers a fatal heart attack. In preparing a tribute to a respected member of the community, the Echo team face the consequences of their decision to bury the story of Lionel's business scams and gambling. Holly struggles to support Sean who is left with his grief and an enormous burden of debt and obligation.

Nick unwittingly forces Louisa to confront her fear about marriage when he insists they buy a new bed.

Cast: Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Haiha Le as Rita Lim, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies; Zachary Buchanan, Patrick Jovaras, Jake Novak & Will Luby as Radio Star Band; Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Deb Jessen as Mother, Lucy Wischer as Daughter, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Andrew Bayly as Lionel Smithwick, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Todd MacDonald as Conrad, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Cameron McKenzie as Young Cop Gregg, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Teresa Blake as Holly Driving Double, Adrian Clarke as Crematorium Technician, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim

Cat Fight

Episode 3.05 (18)
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Ratings: 0.681 million viewers (6th)
Written by Ysabelle Dean
Directed by David Cameron

When Domestic Cat Regulations come to a head in Rainbow's End, Louisa finds her two closest friends, Deb and Marg, fall on opposite sides of the argument. At a town meeting it becomes evident that the issue clearly divides the community.

Louisa and Nick take the first big step towards arranging their wedding and meet with Marg to discuss the ceremony. When Marg recommends pre-marriage counselling and Nick strongly resists the notion it sets Louisa questioning if she really knows Nick.

Sean is under enormous pressure with the troubled business his father left him and not surprisingly his relationship with Holly is also showing danger signs. Holly comes to the realisation that she is not the right person to be working alongside Sean at Smithwick's Undertakers but nor does she want to leave Sean in the lurch.

Cast: Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Haiha Le as Rita Lim, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, Alex Charles-Ffrench as Trivia Team Member, Chloe Foster as Local

Fryberg's Folly

Episode 3.06 (19)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Ratings: 0.667 million viewers (5th)
Written by Josephine Dee Barrett
Directed by David Cameron

Minna is thrown off-kilter when her long-estranged sister, Frida, returns to Rainbow's End. Frida has come to launch the second edition of her novel, The Orchid, a work based on her experiences of growing up in Rainbow's End.

There has been a long and bitter estrangement between the sisters over the book and their past. The launch coincides with the anniversary of the Orchis Fryberg Gold, an orchid discovered by Minna and Frida's father. It has been the calling card for a park established by their father, a park that is now struggling from the effects of the drought.

Holly's favourite trees are dying and she thinks the Council is neglecting them and Minna is giving up too easily. Holly sets about trying to save the trees but in the process both she and Minna discover that it's all too easy to waste one's life living in the past.

Meanwhile, Nick moves into Louisa's shack and the couple discover the art of negotiating space and living together.

Cast: Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Rowan Francis as Tree Man, Lynette Curran as Frida Fryberg, Paul Cooper as Limousine Driver, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Haiha Le as Rita Lim, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Caroline Gillmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Yvonne Fix as Shower Lady, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Cameron McKenzie as Young Cop Gregg, Michael Fry as Mayor, June Jones as Council Official

Insurgent Activity

Episode 3.07 (20)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ratings: 0.531 million viewers (9th)
Written by John Reeves
Directed by Daina Reid

The Army come to Rainbow's End to perform a training exercise and Nick is recognised from his time spent in Queensland. Louisa is shocked to learn Nick was once a tent-boxer and has been hiding an incident from his past.

At a time when all Louisa wants is to be secure in her relationship the rug has been pulled from under her. She was about to take a leap of faith and marry Nick but now Louisa is questioning if she really knows him at all.

Sisters, Minna and Frida are making up for lost time but Minna becomes increasingly alarmed when she thinks Frida is purloining Holly's life for her work.

All Holly wants is to go out and have some fun with Sean but he is completely bogged down with work. The situation reaches breaking point and the couple argue — Sean lets loose taking all his frustration out on Holly. When she seeks to reconcile with Sean at the pub later that night, she finds him in the arms of a female Army cadet. Holly is heartbroken.

Cast: Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Laura Gordon as Donna Fricker [Fry], Chloe Gordon as Sal Djordjevic, Peter Flanigan as Staff Cadet, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Craig Annis as Captain Scotty Boyd, Cliff Ellen as Clem, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Lynette Curran as Frida Fryberg, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Simon Kearney as Cam Pettigrew, Lisa Campos as Trina Pettigrew, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Damien Aylard as Dean Cantwell, Lauren Brown as Donna Double

Every Time We Say Goodbye

Episode 3.08 (21)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Ratings: 0.558 million viewers (10th)
Written by John Reeves
Directed by Daina Reid

Louisa is thrown in the deep end when Vivien unexpectedly leaves her to manage the annual Heritage Society fundraising concert. It comes at a time when Louisa is endeavouring to get her relationship with Nick back on track.

When a teenage boy, Jed, arrives in Rainbow's End to reconnect with Nick, Louisa welcomes him into their home. Louisa bends over backwards to make Jed feel like a part of their family but his errant behaviour and cavalier attitude drives a wedge between her and Nick.

Minna and Frida are getting along famously. Minna is so caught up in the delightful company of her sister, that in an unguarded moment, she agrees to reprise an old duo with Frida at the concert.

Holly is suffering from heartache. Jed's arrival at the shack comes as a welcome distraction and the two lost souls form an unexpected friendship.

Cast: Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Lynette Curran as Frida Fryberg, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Reef Ireland as Jed Foley, Caroline Gilmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Jade Amantea as Jed Driving Double, Janet Foye as Lorna Lincoln, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, Cliff Ellen as Clem; David McDonald, Kelvin Mounsey & Steve Poulter as Piper Ensemble; Nadia Javni as Girl #1; Elizabeth Miller, Isabella Smith, Lucy Stirling & Cindy Banh as String Ensemble; Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Arch Galloway as Ollie Turpin

Dirt Rich

Episode 3.09 (22)
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Ratings: 0.696 million viewers (6th)
Written by Ysabelle Dean
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa and Nick are finally ready to take the plunge — a wedding date is set.

However, as their marriage is in the making, another is coming to an end. Unbeknownst to Deb her husband, Trev, has been living a double life. He has another partner and a newborn baby and wants a divorce and his share of the farm.

Louisa and Marg come to Deb's aid and guide her through the emotional minefield of the break-up. Louisa puts Deb in contact with local lawyer Dan Ghedes. But Deb can't see how to move forward and resigns herself to losing the farm and everything she loves.

Meanwhile, Holly, although broken-hearted over Sean, meets Dan and finds him to be everything her ex-boyfriend isn't. In the first flush of this new attraction it's difficult for Holly to understand Louisa and Nick's concerns.

Holly's friend Rita is also having issues with her mum — it seems that Lily never likes Rita's boyfriends. In an effort to try and win Lily over, Rita's boyfriend Aidan invites Lily to dinner — the trouble is he can't cook.

Cast: Scott Bowie as Hamish, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Edwina Warren as Sue V/O, Lliam Amor as Trev V/O, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Caroline Gilmer as Marg Braithwaite, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Mike McLeish as Dan Ghede, HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, Paddy Eldred as Paddy, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite

Heartache

Episode 3.10 (23)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Ratings: 0.616 million viewers (7th)
Written by Ellie Beaumont
Directed by Daina Reid

Louisa wants to deliver a great community newspaper but Vivien's absence is making this a challenge so Rita is hired to fill in.

But an even bigger challenge lies ahead for Louisa when Gavin presents her with a poorly written article. Louisa struggles with how to tell Gavin writing is not his strength. Nick suggests she lie but she can't and tells Gavin the truth who immediately after has a heart attack. Of course Louisa feels responsible.

Louisa isn't alone in her guilt. Rita thinks she caused Gavin's heart attack because she told him that morning he was old, and breaking up with him was the best thing that ever happened. Marg thinks that she is to blame — she's been hassling Gavin for months to sell the hardware store and sever the last remaining tie between them.

Minna's bid for independence comes to an end when she is caught driving without a licence. She is charged and summoned to appear in court. Not ready to be dependent on her family she decides to find other means of transport. A trip to the bike store and Minna soon discovers the wonders of electric bicycles.

Sean really wants a second chance with Holly and is going to great efforts to try and prove himself worthy of her again. In a heartfelt effort Sean reveals to Holly how much she means to him.

Cast: Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Caroline Gilmer as Marg Braithwaite, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Cameron McKenzie as Gregg the Young Cop, Mike McLeish as Dan Ghede, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Mandy McElhinney as Tamara Denning, Aiden Wenke as Baby Harry Denning, Lukasz Embart as Jacko, John Pierce as Mike, Patrick Pierce as Rollsey, Chris Gibson as Waddo, Jessamy Dyer as Nurse Danie, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Colin Donald as Visitor, Katerina Kotsonis as Magistrate, Alex Faull as Luke Denning, Nicole Freeman as Courtney Denning, Georgia Chara as Bike Salesperson

Mount Misery

Episode 3.11 (24)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Ratings: 0.669 million viewers (7th)
Written by Elizabeth Coleman
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa wants her wedding to be special and has been searching for something meaningful to wear. In a surprising gesture Minna offers to buy Louisa a dress and so along with Holly, the women embark on a shopping expedition to Melbourne. But the weekend goes horribly awry when they breakdown in the bush and become stranded without mobile coverage.

Holly reveals to Louisa that she is planning to go overseas with Sean. However, with a little probing Louisa discovers that Holly isn't certain of her decision. She loves Sean with all her heart but she also wants to explore and grow and she's just not sure she can do that with him.

Meanwhile, out on a fly-fishing trip with Nick, Sean conveys how nervous he is about going overseas and leaving behind Rainbows End.

When Nick gets snagged by a fishhook he toughs it out, refusing to have his injury seen to as Sean suggests.

Marty is tired of his status at The Echo and decides to prove himself by getting a photo of the mythical panther living on Mount Misery.

Having set himself an impossible task, Marty takes a stuffed panther, the mascot of the local football club, out to the bush to photograph. However, with the discovery of some large paw prints, Marty realises the panther might not be so mythical after all.

Cast: Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Margaret Hyndmen as Bridal Shop Assistant, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Cliff Ellen as Clem, Ben Murphy as Bucks Night Guy #1, Mark Robinson as Bucks Night Guy #2, Mark Bolton as Bucks Night Guy #3, Luzio Grossi as Bucks Night Guy #4, Jim Cairns as Bucks Night Guy #5, Chris Palframan as Bucks Night Guy #6, Holly Shanahan as Christine 'Coco' Tompkin

Forged By Fire

Episode 3.12 (25, series finale)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Ratings: 0.689 million viewers (5th)
Written by Jutta Goetze
Directed by Ted Emery

Louisa wants for nothing more than to be married to Nick but things are not going according to plan. With adverse weather conditions and fire warnings, Rainbows End is instructed to enact their fire plans. Nick is called to duty with the CFA to fight the fires and the wedding is postponed.

Louisa faces the very real fear of losing everyone and everything that is important to her — Nick, her family and her community. As Media Liaison for the CFA she briefs the many journalists who have flocked to Rainbows End. Amongst them is Vince, a cocky young reporter who wants to get photos of the fire at any cost.

A car is found in the national park and Nick and his crew are sent to investigate, however the fire truck goes missing leaving everyone deeply concerned. When Louisa learns that it is Vince who put Nick and his crew at risk she confronts him and makes it clear he is no longer welcome in Rainbows End. But the damage has been done. The front page of Vince's tabloid newspaper is a photo of the fire in all its destructive glory and another of Louisa bidding Nick good-bye.

Holly helps Minna make her house fire-ready. However, when the fire draws dangerously near, Minna refuses to leave. In the midst of Louisa trying to convince her mother to evacuate, a spot fire catches in the garden. The three women have no choice but to stay and fight.

The pub is designated a 'Safe Area' for the district catering to the evacuees. Deb sets up a shelter in the beer garden to care for the injured wildlife. Marg and Gavin find themselves working happily together and becoming close once again When Nick's crew return without their Captain, Louisa is confronted with the possibility that she may have lost Nick forever.

Cast: Paddy Eldred as Paddy, Jay Laga'aia as Nick Pickering, Jamie McCarney as Ray, Kerry Armstrong as Louisa Atherton, Kaarin Fairfax as Deb Mathieson, Caroline Gilmer as Marg Braithwaite, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Holly Atherton, Julia Blake as Minna Franklyn, Andrew S. Gilbert as Gavin Braithwaite, Jon Faine as News Radio V/O, Cameron McKenzie as Gregg the Young Cop, HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Luke Ryan as Vince Savage, Marnie Gibson as Journo #1, Neil Sinclair as Journo #2, Ben Chisholm as Journo #3, Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, Anthony Winnick as Aidan Davies, Frank Magree as Marty Mason, Geraldine Hickey as Park Ranger, Cliff Ellen as Clem, Sally Pitts as TV Reporter, Adam Crouch as New Reporter V/O, Janet Foye as Lorna Lincoln, Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon