Packed to the Rafters: episode guide


Removing the Block

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Episode 1.12
November 11, 2008
1.959 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Ted steps back into the weird and wonderful world of dating. His journey begins when, encouraged by Louise's letter to the future, he attends a meeting of Friend Finders — a social networking group for people over 50. His first experience is bewildering and he finds himself cast as 'fresh flesh' — especially by two very different women, Helen and Marjorie. But is the newly widowed Ted ready for anything romantic?
Dave tries to implement a household roster; Rachel embraces a macrobiotic lifestyle with disastrous results; and Julie lets her hair down for a night of pre-Christmas clubbing.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Gennie Nevinson as Helen, David Baldwin as Frank, Vanessa Downing as Shirley, Helen O'Leary as Angela, Amber L'Estrange as Doorbitch [Stacey], Myles Pollard as Paul, Paul Winchester as Ric

Smile Through the Pain

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Episode 1.13
November 18, 2008
2.013 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Dave's birthday celebrations end in disaster after a fight breaks out in a pole-dancing club. Forced to take on extra work to pay some unexpected bills, Dave reluctantly bonds with Warney — and discovers the beginnings of a surprising friendship. Ben is traumatised after a violent hold-up at the Boat Club; and Julie cramps Rachel's style when she and Caroline sign up for her yoga class, taught by a hot young instructor.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Bernard Curry as Vishnu, David Webb as Dr Wesley, Alana Landsberry as Dental Nurse

A Mother's Radar

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Episode 1.14
November 25, 2008
1.824 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Julie struggles with the realisation that her 'mother's radar' is not always exact when it comes to her children's problems.
Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with Vishnu, her hot yoga teacher, a secret from the family — but is he all that he seems?
Desperate for some time to themselves, Nathan and Sammy organise a romantic tryst at one of the properties Nathan is meant to be selling, and tensions rise when Sammy's successful ex boyfriend returns to Sydney.
Julie knows that Dave is keeping a secret, but is shocked when he reveals the truth — he's starting to consider Warney a friend.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Jai Courtney as Damian, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Sophie Cook as Monique, Bernard Curry as Vishnu, Anthony Gooley as Owen, DAvid Hynes as Karl, Chris Truswel as Call Centre Manager

Note: As with City Homicide, Seven is holding back the remaining episodes of the first series of Packed to the Rafters until 2009.

Natural Justice

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Episode 1.15
February 03, 2009 (8.30pm)
1.873 million viewers (1st)
Written by Sue Hore
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo

Ben willingly takes on a call to jury duty where he meets Kat, a massage therapist with a refreshing perspective. Meanwhile, Dave's fledgling business is struggling under the weight of too much work until he gets a helping hand.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Melanie Vallejo as Kat, Jai Courtney as Damian

Having it All

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Episode 1.16
February 10, 2009
1.685 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo

Looking for direction and focus, Rachel throws herself into a new chapter in her life. This includes not only a rather confronting and embarrassing night of speed-dating but also the nerve-wracking experience of applying for a job far above her level of experience. Rachel's run of daring open-mindedness takes a blessed turn when she — literally — runs into an attractive and intelligent, but much older man, Rob.
Meanwhile, Dave's struggling with son Nathan as his new manager. With Nathan throwing his weight around, and Warney look to Nathan as boss, tempers begin to flare.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Melanie Vallejo as Kat, Simon Bossell as Rob, Michael Booth as George, Raelee Hill as Lucy, Belinda Bromilow as Libby, Jonathan Dutton as Simon, Don Christopher as Gavin, Danilo Zivkovic as Hot Guy

Note: the book that inspired Rachel was "An Angel at my Table" by Janet Frame

Changes

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Episode 1.17
February 17, 2009
1.737 million viewers (1st)
Written by Dave Warner
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Dave sees red when he learns that the man Rachel is seeing is an old cricket friend from many years ago. He remembers Rob as a tireless lothario. So he takes matters into his own hands, paying a visit to Rob's bookshop to warn him off his daughter. Julie is very much on Rachel's side — till she discovers Rob is now divorced and has two teenage boys.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Simon Bosell as Rob, Gennie Nevison as Helen, Melanie Vallejo as Kat, Septimus Caton as Ton, Adam Roberts as Toby, Alyssa Jane-Cook as Pauline, Helena Ormsby as Grace, Callan McAuliffe as Rhys, Julie Sellars as Deanna

House of Cards

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Episode 1.18
February 24, 2009
1.833 million viewers (1st)
Written by Abe Pogos
Directed by Marcus Cole

After a drunken one-night-stand with Kat, Ben faces a gut-wrenching dilemma. Should he tell Melissa the truth? He is about to do the decent thing and fess up when Kat throws herself on his mercy and begs him not to tell Melissa, fearing she will be kicked out. In spite of his nagging guilt and much against his better judgment, Ben reluctantly agrees.
Meanwhile, Dave is keen to spice up his marriage and organises a rendezvous with Julie at a city bar where they pretend to be strangers. Later Julie organises a return date in a motel room, she and Dave both dressing as the other's secret fantasy.
Sammy and Nathan's relationship becomes strained when he discovers she's lied to him about how she got the money to fly to New York for her friend's 21st birthday party.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Dina Panozzo as Rita, Melanie Vallejo as Kat, George Spartels as Theo, Septimus Caton as Tom, Donald Sword as John, Victor Kline as Barman, Helen Atkinson as Policewoman, Ryan Paranthoiene as Policeman

Over the Moon

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Episode 1.19
March 03, 2009
1.876 million viewers (1st)
Written by Chris Hawkshaw
Directed by Marcus Cole

The full moon inspires erratic and crazy behaviour amidst the Rafter clan. Ben challenges fate to grant him one last chance to redeem himself with Melissa, Julie reaches some startling conclusions about the state of her health as she clashes with her newly returned neighbour, and Rob is keen to play happy families with Rachel.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Simon Bosell as Rob, Dina Panozzo as Rita, George Spartels as Theo, Callan McAuliffe as Rhys, Adam Roberts as Toby, Daniel Lissing as Heath, Geoff Sirmai as Cake Guy

Losing the Touch

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Episode 1.20
March 10, 2009
1.817 million viewers (1st)
Written by Abe Pogos
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Julie fears that as she heads into menopause she's losing the "mojo" that has always enabled her to dispense sound wisdom to family and friends. Meanwhile, Ben resolves to declare his love for Melissa on national television — with comic results. Chrissy is having severe second thoughts about her acceptance of Carbo's marriage proposal, Rachel considers leaving home after her best friend Libby asks her to move in with her, and Sammy returns from New York with expensive gifts for the entire family.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Simon Bosell as Rob, Dina Panozzo as Rita, George Spartels as Theo, Peter Bensley as George, Belinda Bromilow as Libby, Daniel Collopy as Michael, Tasneen Roc as Female Reporter, Sarah Kaye as Cleaning Woman, Clint Faddison as Weatherman

What A Difference A Year Makes

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Episode 1.21
March 17, 2009
1.887 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Julie is struggling to adjust to what she believes is the onset of menopause and the first anniversary of her mother's death. After a visit to her doctor yields a disturbing diagnosis, Julie has no option but to share the news which will rock the entire Rafter family.
Nathan wakes up alone on the morning of his first wedding anniversary. Missing Sammy like crazy, he heads to the Westaway house determined to turn things around.
Ben is pleasantly surprised by a visit from Melissa. She reveals that she's been home to Perth, and has reconciled with her family. However, just as things start to look up for the pair, a mystery man from Melissa's past turns up unannounced.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Sarah Chadwick as Trish Westaway, Jerome Ehlers as Tony Westaway, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Brett Stiller as Shannon, Michael Bremer as Roger, Monroe Reimers as Dr Clayer, Iain McDonald as Security Guard, Maureen Green as Petra

Don't Know What You've Got Till it's Gone

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Episode 1.22
March 24, 2009
2.033 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Julie and Dave wrestle with a life-changing decision that will shake the family's foundations. Meanwhile, Rachel reveals a secret, and Ben fears the worst when Melissa's ex-fiance turns up at his door.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Sarah Chadwick as Trish Westaway, Brett Stiller as Shannon, Kate Fitzpatrick as Majorie, Fiona Press as Dr Sandra Marsh, Sarah Herlihy as Passer-by, Sara Zwangobani as Untra Sound Technician, Bailey Greaves as Boy Todler, Tess Bonham-Jones as Young Girl