australian television information archive

Look into My Eyes

Episode 2.01 (23)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 (8.30)
1.520 million viewers (5th)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Pino Amenta
Producer: Jo Porter

When a psychic bagel lady makes some troubling forecasts about the future, Julie becomes increasingly concerned as one by one the predictions come true. Rachel faces a crisis of confidence as she prepared to attend a school reunion... with her imaginary boyfriend, Giles. Ben is eager to please Melissa upon her return. Nathan learns some tricks of the trade while working with Warney.

Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Jessica Marais, Hugh Sheridan, Angus McLaren, Jess McNamee, Michael Caton

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Denise Roberts as Bonnie Bright, Christian Barratt Hill as Don Barrett, Cherie Cassidy as Janice Leadbetter, Ashley Ricardo as Tarsha McNeil, Travis Nippard as Mark Antico

Notes: ratings do not include the Melbourne audience where the episode aired one week later. Filming on series two began in early 2009.

Dodging the Issue

Episode 2.02 (24)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
1.821 million viewers (1st)
Written by Abe Pogos
Directed by Pino Amenta

Julie is convinced that Warney is ripping off Dave's business. But Dave is positive his mate is doing no such thing and his loyalty to Warney is strengthened when he discovers they shared similar childhoods. Meanwhile, Nathan's easy working relationship with his father is tested when he is offered a job by a real estate agent he once interviewed with. Dave knows he should be thrilled for his son but he can't help feeling betrayed and abandoned. Ben and Melissa are tentatively dating, but the arrival of a handsome new doctor — Luke Hanson sets Ben on a destructively jealous path. Dave's feelings of abandonment forces him to face up to his childhood. Deserted by his parents and adopted out at a young age, Julie suggests to Dave it's time he discovers the truth about his past. But is he ready to find out?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Peter Bensley as Derek, Geoff Morrell as Tim Connelly, Ivan Hudson Zelic as Luke Hanson

Living by the List

Episode 2.03 (25)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
1.791 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Encouraged by her best friend Libby, Rachel reluctantly agrees to be set up on2.03 a blind date but gives Libby an impossible checklist of necessary qualities her date must possess. Libby comes up with the goods in the form of handsome, successful, well travelled Marcus but the date is a disaster. Undeterred, Libby tries again.
Ben's determined to win the job of manager at the boat club. He goes to the interview and meets Fergus, his rival for the position. Derek their boss gives them a challenge — one slow night each to turn a decent profit. Who'll get the job?
Nathan has started his new job as a suburban real estate agent. However, he's stunned when his boss Tim relegates him to a very junior role.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Geoff Morrell as Tim Connelly, Peter Bensley as Derek, Belinda Bromilow as Libby, Ivan Zelic as Luke Hanson, Michael Booth as George, Zachary Drayson as Fergus, Marcel Bracks as Max, Diarmid Heidenreich as Camel, Gus Murray as Ritchie, Wayne Bradley as Marcus, Ian Davie as Good Looking Guy

Glittering Prizes

Episode 2.04 (26)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
1.857 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Nathan's life is finally back on track. He's on the verge of pushing through a major sales coup and his boss Tim raises the possibility of a future partnership in the business. However, a spanner is thrown in the works when Dave's ex-bandmate and close friend Steve Wilson returns from touring to announce that he's launching a new division of his label and approaches Nathan to join the new venture.
Both Dave and Sammy express reservations and Nathan is forced to choose between the glamour of the music industry and the security of real estate — what will he decide?
Rachel meanwhile continues to rise to the bait of Jake's brazen teasing flirtation and Ben gives Melissa an ultimatum — it's all or nothing.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Craig McLachlan as Steve Wilson, Geoff Morrell as Tim Connelly, Ria Vandervis as Layla, David Campbell as Himself, Kate Ceberano as Herself, Rhys Bobridge as Himself, Belinda Bromilow as Libby, Ivan Zelic as Luke Hanson, Diarmid Heidenreich as Camel, Max Van Veenendaal as Young Nathan, Adam Ireland as Cinema Attendant
Uncredited: James Stewart as Jake, Michael Booth as George

Brave New World

Episode 2.05 (27)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
1.926 million viewers (1st)
Written by Chris Hawkshaw
Directed by Cherie Nowlan

Pregnant late in life, the chances of Julie and Dave's child having Downs Syndrome are already high — but the results of preliminary ultrasound indicates those chances are even higher. Although they must wait for blood tests to confirm, Julie and Dave find themselves contemplating a likely future as parents of a child with a disability. Julie, though rattled, reminds Dave they have already made their decision about the baby — as far as she's concerned, they're having the child, no matter what. Meanwhile, Carbo falls into a surprising physical relationship with a lonely customer.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissy Merchant, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie Stevens, Diane Craig as Marjory, David Baldwin as Frank Reynolds, Allison Cratchley as Abby, Alison Bell as Susannah, Fiona Press as Dr Sandra Marsh, Kim Lewis as Toni, Sara Zwangobani as Sonographer, Ria Vandervis as Layla, Emily Blatchford as Amber, Kelly Paterniti as Summer, Erin Browne as Personal Trainer

Little Arrows

Episode 2.06 (28)
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
1.878 million viewers (1st)
Written by Dave Warner
Directed by Cherie Nowlan

Ted's burgeoning relationship with Marjorie appears to be going romantic gangbusters until he meets her daughter Susannah and her pregnant partner Abby, who've left the Gold Coast to live with her. Conservative Ted is taken aback when he discovers the couple's baby has been fathered by Susannah's brother. Ted is however determined to try to be friends — but Susannah rejects every attempt. The situation is made more difficult when Ted decides that Susannah is taking her mother for granted. When he makes the mistake of sharing his concerns with Marjorie, Marjorie not unnaturally sides with her daughter. Will their blossoming relationship be over before it's even had the chance to begin? Meanwhile, Ben gives into the flirtation of a young woman at the boatclub, and Rachel is determined to hate gorgeous tradie Jake.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie Stevens, Alison Bell as Susannah, Allison Cratchley as Abby, Charlotte Gregg as Elly, Ivan Zelic as Luke Hanson, Kelly Paterniti as Summer, Lee Reading as Security Guard

Belonging

Episode 2.07 (29)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
1.904 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

Sammy is forced to assess her place in the Rafter family when her mother Trish has a breakdown and is left with nowhere to live. To Ben's surprise, Melissa turns up unexpectedly at the Karandonis house with her bags — but is she back for good? Meanwhile, Rachel is fighting her attraction to Jake after their night of passion. Will she give into Jake's charms again?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Sarah Chadwick as Trish Westaway, Christopher Stollery as Simon Radic, Sarah Grant as Alison, Meg Macintosh as Nerida, Stephen Peacocke as Waiter

What's In A Name?

Episode 2.08 (30)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
1.894 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

A stray dog stirs up long buried nightmares from Dave's childhood. A week into Trish's stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Sarah Chadwick as Trish Westaway, Christian Barratt-Hill as Don, Shannon Dooley as Chynna, Diarmid Heidenreich as Camel, Claire Scott as Tania, Kelly Paterniti as Summer (uncredited)

Naked Visions

Episode 2.09 (31)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
1.931 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Ian Watson

Ben faces three things he never wanted to see — his mother naked, his father crying... and hesitation after he pops the question to girlfriend Melissa.
Ben's troubles begin when he inadvertently stumbles on Rachel taking artistic pregnancy photos of a naked Julie. Given the mainly positive reactions to the photos, Julie decides to celebrate her changing body by putting an enormous copy of a nude photo smack bang in the middle of the lounge-room.
Dave's growing attachment to Ben and Melissa's dog continues to puzzle those around him. Only Julie knows the truth: the dog has provoked the recollection of a traumatic incident in his past. So when the dog is badly injured in a car accident, Dave breaks down in front of Ben. However the dog proves not to be the only link to his past when Dave's original birth certificate finally arrives — is Dave ready for the answers he's been seeking? Rachel and Jake take their newfound relationship a step further when Jake shares a family dinner with the Rafters. Ted and Dave assume that Jake won't be able to cope with the naked photo of Julie — but Jake scores himself major brownie points by admiring the artwork. Encouraged by his maturity, Rachel tells Jakes some home truths about her past — including her sex tape. Will it scare him off?
Meanwhile, Ben's relationship with Melissa is put to the test when a series of misunderstandings causes him to think she is cheating on him. Her anger and betrayal prompts Ben to take a good hard look at their relationship. The result? To propose marriage. But does Melissa want to marry Ben?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Sarah Chadwick as Trish Westaway, Ria Vandervis as Layla, Kathy Luu as Vet, Sasha Siljanovic as Real Estate Agent

Ready To Catch You

Episode 2.10 (32)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
1.943 million viewers (1st)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Ian Watson

Dave has finally opened his original birth certificate. Inside is the name of his birth mother, but his birth father is 'unknown'. Encouraged by Julie, Dave tells the rest of the family. Buoyed by their enthusiasm to find out more, Dave fills in an online profile for an organisation which brings adopted parents and children together. Initially thrilled when the organisation finds his mother, Dave is devastated when they reveal she doesn't want to see him. But is the door closed forever?
Meanwhile, Rachel invites herself to Jake's place for lunch to meet his family, keen to take the next step in their relationship. But all her expectations are challenged by Jake's cheeky brother Alex, who has cerebral palsy, and their mother Grace, who takes an instant dislike to Rachel.
Things go from bad to worse between Rachel and Grace when Jake is injured in a workplace accident. When Rachel dashes to his side, Grace finally lets loose, telling Rachel to leave her son alone.
Nathan is slowly being pulled into the darker side of the music business. After kicking yet more goals for the company, Layla suggests they celebrate with cocaine. Nathan resists initially, then gives in — what harm can a few lines do?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Gillian Jones as Rachel 'Chel' Warne, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Ria Vandervis as Layla, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Mercia Deane-Jones as Grace Barton, Jim Holt as Bill Tonks, Belle Toy as Young Rachel Warne, Justin Hile as Felix

Power Play

Episode 2.11 (33)
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
1.912 million viewers (1st)
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Kevin Carlin

After turning up at the Rafter house and disappearing without so much as a word, Rachel 'Chel' Warne uses an electrical ruse to lure Dave to the shop where she is working. Although the meeting is awkward, Dave invites her to lunch the next day. The whole family is nervous about the encounter, but Chel soon charms them all — apart from Dave. Will the pain of his past prevent him from embracing a future with his mother?
Jake and Rachel's worlds collide when Jake invites himself to her launch of 'Rampant', a men's body spray. Jake feels like a fish out of water at the launch, but when the sound system blows, who else can save the day but an electrician?
However, Rachel and Jake's romantic night together at a hotel is interrupted by a phone call from Jake's overprotective mum Grace, trying to emotionally blackmail him into coming home early. Rachel has had enough and confronts Grace… which Jake witnesses. Whose side will Jake be forced to take?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, James Stewart as Jake Barton, Gillian Jones as Rachel 'Chel' Warne, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Mercia Deane-Jones as Grace Barton, Silvia Colloca as Verna, Belinda Bromilow as Libby, Michael Booth as George Spiteri, Sebastian Guy as Dirk, Kim Fardy as Trent