australian television information archive

Life's Surprises

Episode 5.12 (*100*)
Tuesday, February 05, 2013 (8:45)
1.547 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Julie muses on the nature of life's surprises when she receives two big ones — the unexpected return of one child, and the sudden departure of another. Nathan, returning home unannounced, is taken out by the elated family for a boisterous family lunch. Marvelling at all the changes that have occurred since he's been travelling, Nathan has massive news of his own and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Meanwhile, Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs to heal, but has no idea how to do it. Nathan fast-tracks things by offering the keys to his apartment in London as a quick getaway. Meanwhile, worried about his recurring memory loss, Ted finally plucks up the courage to go to a doctor.

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, Lauren Claire as Saskia Clark-Rafter, Gillian Emmett as Ted's Doctor, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Filling the Void

Episode 5.13 (101)
Tues, February 12, 2013 (8:45-?)
1.325 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Ian Watson

Jake is settling into a comfortable, productive routine with Sian when a familiar whirlwind blusters back into his life... Alex. Turfed from his room in light of Alex's reappearance, Matt gratefully takes up Julie's offer of a spare bed. Dave is concerned Matt will become a freeloading mainstay at their house, but Julie, trying to fill the void left by her absent children, sells him on the idea. Meanwhile, Ben's absence is being acutely felt by Emma, but her sadness is momentarily eclipsed by her joy at the reappearance of her father, Mark, who is still smarting from a breakup of his own. Carbo too is missing Ben when cousin Voula turns up on their doorstep, having heard about the now-vacant room.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Olivia Stambouliah as Voula Karandonis, Charlotte Hazzard as Heather McCarthy, Steve Vidler as Mark Mackey, Henry Nixon as Bryn Perry, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Bad Habits

Episode 5.14 (102)
Tues, February 12, 2013 (? - 10:15)
na
Written by Alison Boleyn
Directed by Ian Watson

Dave bets julie that she can't refrain from giving advice. For "mother-to-all" Julie, that's of course impossible. Rita discovers that honesty is the best policy when dealing with new housemate Voula but it is a difficult concept for Carbo to learn. Coby is drowning in his new relationship with Heather and resorts to desperate measure to break up with her. Alex's drug habit and friendship with Sian's brother (Frankie's ex) is a cause for concern for all involved. Emma has high hopes for her parents getting back together.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Olivia Stambouliah as Voula Karandonis, Charlotte Hazzard as Heather McCarthy, Steve Vidler as Mark Mackey, Henry Nixon as Bryn Parry, Oliver Trajovski as Waiter, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: episodes 5.13 and 5.14 aired together as a 90 minute episode (including ads) meaning the episodes were cut down to fit the shorter 66 minute combined runtime.

Moments Of Clarity

Episode 5.15 (103)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 (8:45)
1.321 million viewers (2nd)
Written by David Lawrence
Directed by Roger Hodgman

In light of his ongoing tests, Ted isn't sure whether he should reveal his health concerns to his family. When he suffers a mild stroke and witnesses how badly the incident affects Julie and Dave, he resolves to keep the tests to himself. Emma's dad has moved into Donna's spare room as he searches for a house to buy. However, when old habits begin to rear their ugly head, Donna has a big decision to make. Meanwhile, Matt and Voula find their usual roles reversed — with Matt playing the lovesick pursuer and Voula the one fleeing the bedroom in the middle of the night.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Olivia Stambouliah as Voula Karandonis, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Andy Anderson as Jim Barton, Steve Vidler as Mark Mackey, Oliver Wenn as Dr Rosso, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Displacement

Episode 5.16 (104)
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 (8:40)
1.412 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Abe Pogos
Directed by Roger Hodgman

Julie is in denial about Ted's health and Dave carefully voices his concerns but Julie doesn't want to discuss it. Meanwhile, Jake is still having issues with Alex who's partying too hard.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Olivia Stambouliah as Voula Karandonis, Samantha Tolj as Sian Parry, Andy Anderson as Jim Barton, Henry Nixon as Bryn Parry, Camille Piazza as Chris, Asha Clark as Party Girl, Elliott Westin as Barry Potter, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Keeping Step

Episode 5.17 (105)
Tuesday, March 05, 2013 (8:45)
1.392 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Martin McKenna
Directed by Jet Wilkinson

Julie feels at odds with both Ted and Dave over the severity of Ted's condition — and falling back into step is going to be easier said than done. Meanwhile, despite having rejected Coby's initial interest in her, Frankie is finally letting her guard down. But can she open herself up enough to admit her true feelings for Coby, or are they destined to never quite fall into lock step?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Mark Lee as Duncan Galloway, Angela Kennedy as Beverley Barlow, Gary Boulter as Gunter Adler, Sam O'Sullivan as James, Monique Dykstra as Sue Campbell, Briony Williams as Nicolas McAlister, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

That Heady Rush

Episode 5.18 (106)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 (8:40)
1.382 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Jet Wilkinson

Frankie is caught up in that heady rush a new relationship brings. She seems to be coping pretty well. But can she contain the tsunami that is Coby? Dave is riding a heady rush of his own when Duncan offers the Rafter Electrical team a big contract. But celebratory drinks take a sour turn, and Frankie's forced to rebuff a drunken pass. She assumes it's over and done with. Little does she know, the moment will come back to haunt her.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, NO Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Mark Lee as Duncan Galloway, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Got What It Takes

Episode 5.19 (107)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 (8:45)
1.352 million viewers (2nd)
Series Producers: Chris Martin-Jones, Bill Hughes
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Dave is determined to take his business to the next level, beginning with his new contract with Duncan. But when Duncan's wandering eye puts him on a collision course with Coby, does Dave have what it takes to stop the impact? Meanwhile, Frankie's not impressed with Coby's seeming lack of maturity, starting with his inability to let go of his rage over Duncan's pass at her. How much more will Frankie be able to put up with?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Mark Lee as Duncan Galloway, Coby Connell as Arna Fisher, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, et al

Weathering the Storm

Episode 5.20 (108)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (8:45)
1.199 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Drew Proffitt
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Given the circumstances with Coby, Dave and Julie try to end their business dealings with Duncan but he holds them to their contract. Coby's actions have also created a wedge between Donna and Julie, putting strain on their friendship. Unable to avoid Frankie, Coby steps up, taking full responsibility for everything. When Frankie expresses her regret over what happened, Coby reads it as regret over their break up. Carbo, Retta and Emma are also feeling the strain as they launch their new venture as an urban garden business. After the wet weather leads to a less than bustling first day of business, Retta struggles to maintain a positive face at the opening drinks.

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, Jarin Townet as Cooper, Mark Lee as Duncan Galloway, Celia Ireland as Colleen Bourke, Coby Connell as Arna Fisher, Mark Duncan as Doug Douglas, Laurence Giovenco as Delivery Man, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Free to Choose

Episode 5.21 (109)
Tuesday, April 09, 2013 (8:45)
1.155 million viewers (6th)
Written by Boaz Stark
Directed by Pino Amenta

Hours have passed since Coby took off and he's not answering his phone. Dave is feeling privately guilty over having not stopped Coby from leaving when he had the chance. So when he learns that a drunken Coby recently accosted Duncan and tried to get him to drop the assault charges, he calls the troops into action. But time is short, as now they aren't the only ones looking for Coby — the police now have a warrant for his arrest.

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Celia Ireland as Colleen Bourke, Mark Lee as Duncan Galloway, Andy Anderson as Jim Barton, Jarin Townet as Cooper, Robert Tsonos as Aged Care Facility Manager, James Pope as Policeman, Ezliabeth McLean as Nurse, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Rewriting History

Episode 5.22 (110)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 (8:45)
1.422 millin viewers (3rd)
Written by Margaret WIlson
Directed by Pino Amenta

As Dave and Julie's 30th wedding anniversary approaches, thoughts naturally turn to family and history. But Julie's view of the past is rocked by a surprise admission from Ted. Meanwhile, Julie also assumes their celebration will be a small affair, but little does she realise, Ben and Nathan have returned for the occasion! Coby is finding it hard to adjust to life in Remand, hiding his pain behind a veneer of black humour. Can he rise to Dave's challenge and put the time to good use?

With: Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Brooke Satchwell as Frankie Calasso, Lauren Claire as Saskia Clark-Rafter, Tom O'Sullivan as Logan, Jarin Towney as Cooper, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Essie & Poppy Fidirikkos and Isla Davies as Edward Rafter