australian television information archive

Answering The Call

Episode 5.01 (89)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
1.126 million viewers (7th)
Series Producer: Chris Martin-Jones
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Kevin Carlin

A few weeks have passed and life is busy for the Rafters. The new improved Rafter Electrical is up and running, they're conducting interviews for a new sparky, and Rachel is due to return for Julie's birthday party. But Julie's optimism is nearly derailed when Rachel can no longer make it.

Julie, already suffering the birthday blues, is rocked when she learns of the sudden and untimely death of an old school friend. But the love of family and friends buoys Julie for when life comes calling again. And sure enough, it doesn't take long, with Julie getting a surprise invitation from the charming editor of a local paper.

After interviewing two male sparkies, Dave is stunned when an attractive woman arrives for the interview. Despite her good interview, Frankie isn't Dave's first choice. He denies being a sexist dinosaur and insists he's making his decision on merit. Julie disagrees, pushing for Frankie.

Coby arrives home from overseas, having cut short his trip — he reckons Europe is extremely overrated. He discovers in his absence Matt has moved into the house with Jake. Meanwhile, Ted continues to bond with Cooper, Retta is putting out a few feelers for jobs, and Emma takes tentative steps to claim more of a place for herself in her relationship with Ben.

Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, George Houvardas, James Stewart, Ryan Corr, Hannah Marshall, Michael Caton

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Melissa Jaffer as Mrs Montague, Jarin Towney as Cooper, Holly Fraser as Elisha, Shane Peters as Cousin Nemo, James Lugton as Roger Bannister, Timothy Parsons as Lars, Ross Lonergan as Rough Nut, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: Hannah Marshall is promoted into the starring cast

Great Expectations

Episode 5.02 (90)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
1.211 million viwers (5th)
Written by Boaz Stark
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Frankie is having trouble finding her place at Dave's, as what he considers to be chivalry, she perceives as sexism and she fights hard to earn respect on her own merits. Coby too is having trouble adjusting to his new workmate. But is his disapproval masking deeper feelings?

The deadline for Julie's first newspaper column is looming. As a subject continues to elude her, Julie procrastinates, scrubbing the house from top to bottom as she waits for inspiration to strike. In desperation, she runs with a suggestion from Dave she initially scoffed at, fingers crossed her foray into the world of writing isn't short-lived.

Meanwhile, Ben is having trouble with asking Emma to stay the night. — another bridge to cross in his grieving process for Mel. Expectations abound for Carbo and Retta too, with Retta implementing a stringent savings plan in her quest to save a deposit for a house of their own.

Stress on Ted escalates when Cooper's sister makes another blackmail threat. Rattled, Ted makes a poor judgment call in his attempt to defuse her, making a delicate situation worse. He turns to Donna for advice and does his best to make amends. But is it too late?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Colin Taylor as Mr arthur, Rebecca Massey as Audrey, Jarin Towney as Cooper, Holly Fraser as Elisha, Susan Ling Young as Mrs Chan, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

The Power Of Words

Episode 5.03 (91)
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
1.118 million viwers (6th)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

It's Valentine's Day, and matters of the heart are front and centre. Ben and Emma try to dodge the pressure by doing a shift at the Boat Club. Donna is still carrying a candle for Ted and Julie is unimpressed when Ben encourages Donna to invite Ted to a romantic dinner. It gets off to a rocky start, with Ted turning up at the wrong venue, but Ben rushes to the rescue, and Emma is even more smitten than before, but pressure returns in spades when those 'three little words' are uttered and someone misses the moment to reciprocate. Meanwhile, Matt decides to play a joke on his flatmates by surprising them both with anonymous Valentine's Day cards.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Lindsay Moss as Radio Announcer, Jenna Hutton as Sales Assistant, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

The Things We Do For Love

Episode 5.04 (92)
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
1.178 million viwers (6th)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Despite Coby trying to hide his true feelings, it's becoming obvious that he has the hots for Frankie. But when the gang arrange to go out for drinks after work, Coby has too much to drink and makes a fool of himself. Julie finds herself with a nose out of joint when Ted invites Donna over for dinner. Annoyed with her attitude, Ted tells Julie in no uncertain terms to pull her head in. Retta is loving life as a career woman and finds herself hugely inspired when her bosses lay out a five-year plan for the company. Enthused, she attempts to rope Carbo in so they may plan for their futures together.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Judgement Day

Episode 5.05 (93)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
1.210 million viwers (5th)
Written by Trent Roberts
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Jake's world is thrown into a tailspin when his father Jim makes a surprise return into his life. It's off the back of this that a shaken Jake makes several poor judgements that threaten not only his job but also his relationship with Dave.

With: Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Andy Anderson as Jim Barton, Simon Corfield as Liam "Haro" Harrington; John Varipatis, Peter Banicevic & Owen Thomson as The Scribes; Felino Dolloso as GP, Clare Garenr as Medical Secretary, Anna Lawrence as Waitress, William Piperitis as Jim's Mate, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Secret Fears

Episode 5.06 (94)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
1.241 million viwers (5th)
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Dave struggles with his secret fear that his relationship with Jake is permanently damaged and that Julie's relationship with Adam might turn out to be more than just professional. Will Dave be able to rein in his fears before they cause him and his family even more heartache? A love-struck Coby completes a painting for Frankie. At first she's thrilled — until she learns how he really feels. When talking to Sian, Frankie admits the truth about who she is really trying to suppress her feelings for. Who does Frankie fancy, and could it make things even more awkward at work? Meanwhile, Ben's having issues. Carbo and Retta are filled with constant expressions of affection, permanently reminding him of Emma's unreturned 'I love you'. Should Ben return the sentiment — even if he isn't a hundred percent clear on his own feelings?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Andy Anderson as Jim Barton, Narelle Valentine as Helen Knight, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

The Great Escape

Episode 5.07 (95)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
1.337 million viwers (2nd)
Written by Martin McKenna
Directed by Pino Amenta

Ben is being driven quietly crazy by the baby-obsessed Carbo and Retta. Feeling edged out of the world they are creating, Emma suggests that the two of them get out of town for a few days, a large step forward in their relationship for Ben. But once you've found escape, the trouble comes returning from it. After being romantically shunned by Frankie, Coby does his best to avoid her at work; however, when the awkwardness becomes too much to bear, Frankie makes a proposal. Meanwhile, Julie begins life as the 'new kid' at the local newspaper, and her new lease of life inspires Dave to move forward with his own business plans, leading to frustrations between the couple. Will venturing into a new future drive a wedge between Dave and Julie?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, John O'Hare as Fred Fintsloe, Sophia Roberts as Debbie, Libbi Gorr as Medical Voiceover, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Unwritten Rules

Episode 5.08 (96)
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
1.152 million viwers (5th)
Written by Kim Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

Julie admits to Donna that she's had a recent raunchy dream about Adam but denies anything is wrong in her marriage. Questioned by Ted, Dave also comes to the same conclusion. But alone that night, Julie and Dave argue yet again, this time about who will babysit Ruby, as Julie has a movie premiere with Adam and Dave is taking his employees away to a seminar. When Julie can't go to the premiere, Adam drops by later that night, and Julie is primed for some easy company after the tension with Dave. They chat for hours, discussing life's journeys and confiding a few secrets. Julie maintains it's all very innocent. Dave, too, is up for a big night, drinking until the small hours with his team. And then one brief moment threatens to destroy everything.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Patrick Thompson as Pete McInnis, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss

Episode 5.09 (97)
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
1.384 million viwers (3rd)
Written by Kim Wilson, Jenny Lewis
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Following an awkward moment, Frankie announces she's going to quit, but Dave convinces her not to make an rash decisions. With a niggling feeling of guilt, Julie tells Dave about Adam's visit for a late-night drink, stopping short of sharing her growing attraction to her boss. Confiding her crush to Donna, Julie is given further pause for concern when Donna warns her she could be moving into dangerous emotional territory; however, when Julie receives some shocking news from Dave, will she be forgiving or be driven into the arms of her boss?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Letting Go

Episode 5.10 (98)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
1.371 million viwers (2nd)
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Tension remains high in the Rafter house as Julie and Dave struggle to forgive each other. Ted is caught in the middle and is sick of having to hide the real reason behind their squabbles from Ben.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Cameron Daddo as Adam Goodman, Jarin Towney as Cooper, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, et al

Notes: as with series 4, Seven has placed PTTR on hiatus allowing Winners & Losers to assume the timeslot for its second series. 12 episodes of PTTR remain in series 5 and a 6th (of just 12 episodes) will follow.

The Right Time

Episode 5.11 (99)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
1.416 million viwers (2nd)
Written by Rick Held
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

For Ben, it finally feels like the right time to move on from Mel and start a new chapter with Emma, beginning with the purchase of their country cottage. Emma is prepared to put aside her misgivings about the rapid pace at which this is all happening and she and Ben excitedly book an appointment with the bank to set up a loan. But when Ben lends his support to Carbo and Retta by taking them to the hospital for an ultrasound appointment, he begins to reminisce about Mel and the surprising intensity of his feelings throws Ben into a tailspin. Will he be able to put the past behind him for good, or is now simply not the right time to move on?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Banon, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Patrick Wilson as Malcolm, Carmelo Pizzino as Salsa Instructor, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, et al