Secrets & Lies: episode guide


Note: episode summaries may contain general plot spoilers but the killer's identity is not revealed in the text descriptions. You may infer their identity from the images accompanying the final episode however.

The Track, Part 1

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Episode 1
Aus: Mon, March 03, 2014
Can: Mon, July 07, 2014
Ratings: 404,000 viewers
Written by Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Kate Dennis

Ben Gundelach is an ordinary, everyday family man who finds the body of a murdered four-year-old boy. The boy, Thom Murnane, lived in Ben's street with his single mother Jess. Now everyone in the street is a suspect and Ben is shocked that he is at the top of the list.

Plainclothes cops watch Ben constantly. His once affable neighbours now turn away. Journalists swarm his home and Ben's clients pull their business. At home, his already strained relationship with his wife Christy threatens to snap and their older daughter, Tasha begins receiving online hate messages.

Under the watchful eye of inscrutable Homicide Detective Ian Cornielle, Ben's quiet suburban life begins to unravel. Ben struggles to deal with the fact that he's the prime suspect in Thom's murder. And that people believe he could be guilty. At his wits' end, Ben begins a journey to expose the killer; a journey that will uncover the ugly secrets and lies behind the seemingly benign veneer of Blackwood Crescent.

Starring: Martin Henderson as Ben Gundelach, Anthony Hayes as Ian Cornielle, Diana Glenn as Christy Gundelach, Adrienne Pickering as Jess Murnane, Philippa Coulthard as Tasha Gundelach, Piper Morrissey as Eva Gundelach, Damon Gameau as Dave Carroll, Hunter Stratton Boland as Thom Murnane

With: Mouche Phillips as Vanessa Turner, Damien Garvey as Stuart Haire, Steven Tandy as Kevin Gresham, Barbara Lowing as Elaine Gresham, Hugh Parker as Dr Tim Turner, Francis McMahon as Malcolm, Amy Humphreys as Young Woman, Miranda Deakin as Newscaster, Michael Tuahine as James Pikia, Darrin Davies as Reporter, Ngoc Phan as Reporter, Tenielle Stoltenkamp as Reporter, Nicole Rowles as Reporter, Sallyanne Ryan as Scientific Officer, Colin Smith as Shop Owner, Matthew Bell as Photographer, Chris Hillier as SOC Officer, Michael Croaker as Journalist, Ron Kelly as Journalist, Dominic Nimo as Delivery Man

The Track, Part 2

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Episode 2
Aus: Mon, March 10, 2014
Can: Mon, July 14, 2014
Ratings: 366,000 viewers
Written by Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Kate Dennis

Jess becomes an ally of Ben's when she presents him with compelling evidence that suggests her ex-husband Paul could be the killer. But with the police unwilling to listen, Ben decides to take matters into his own hands. As Ben hunts for Paul, there's mounting pressure as the case against him builds.

When Detective Cornielle visits the house with images of black metal torches, Ben realises the police have identified the murder weapon. Christy recognises one of the torches as the type Ben owns. And when Ben can't find the torch in his toolbox, it is clear that Cornielle is even closer to charging him with murder.

Ben tracks down an address Paul may be using, but when he investigates he is met with brutal resistance from two of Paul's army mates. They knew he was coming, and they're not giving anything away. Could Paul still be around? And could he be the killer?

Meanwhile, Ben's 16-year-old daughter, Tasha, is acting suspiciously. Secretive phone calls to a mysterious stranger have Ben worried that she may have got herself into some serious trouble. At Thom's funeral, Ben catches Tasha sneaking off after another suspicious phone call. Ben decides to follow — but nothing can prepare him for the relationship he uncovers when he finds Tasha.

With: Mirrah Foulkes as Nicole Hoebel, Ben Lawson as Paul Murnane, Mikhael Wilder as Ari, Barbara Lowing as Elaine Gresham, Steven Tandy as Kevin Gresham, Mouche Phillips as Vanessa Turner, Hugh Parker as Dr Tim Turner, Luke Wright as Taylor, Bradley Murnane as Ryan, Andrew Carbone as Swim Manager, Andrew Thompson as Rory, Steve Nation as Rory's Father, Catherine Miller as Funeral Director, Nicole Rowles as Reporter, Michael Croaker as Journalist, Chris Matheson as Troy Baxter

The Track, Part 3

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Episode 3
Aus: Mon, March 17, 2014
Can: Mon, July 21, 2014
Ratings: 317,000 viewers
Written by Kylie Needham, Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Kate Dennis

When Ben sees Paul Murnane entering Jess's house across the street, he rushes in to protect her. The ensuing altercation between Paul and Ben gives a clear insight into the violence both men are capable of. But the question Ben is left with is — why did Paul return? And why did he target Jess?

Working together, Jess and Ben soon uncover a secret that shocks Jess to her core. Nicole is revealed as Paul's alibi for the night of Thom's murder, leaving Paul in the clear while Ben remains the prime suspect.

When questioned by Christy about his relationship with Jess, Ben must finally admit his own shocking secret. That he once slept with Thom's mother, Jess Murnane. This revelation threatens to tear his family apart for good. But nothing can prepare him for what he's about to find.

When he checks the back of his van, he comes face to face with the murder weapon. Ben's missing torch has returned! But who put it there? Could someone in his street be setting him up for murder?

With: Ben Lawson as Paul Murnane, Damien Garvey as Stuart Haire, Mirrah Foulkes as Nicole Hoebel, Mouche Phillips as Vanessa Turner, Steven Tandy as Kevin Gresham, Luke Wright as Taylor, Bradley Murnane as Ryan, Sean Dennehy as Robert Liew, Jerome Myer as Cooper, Kathryn Marquet as Receptionist, Sandro Colarelli as Uniformed Police Officer, Darrin Davies as Reporter, Ngoc Phan as Reporter, Michael Croaker as Journalist, Michael Rodrigues as Plain Clothes Detective

The Track, Part 4

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Episode 4
Aus: Mon, March 24, 2014
Can: Mon, July 28, 2014
Ratings: na
Written by Kylie Needham, Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Peter Salmon

With Detective Cornielle moving ever-closer to charging Ben for murder, Ben becomes even more desperate to clear his name. The murder weapon is released to the press and it makes headlines everywhere. An emotionally distraught Jess goes to Ben for support. There is clearly a spark between them and with both emotionally vulnerable, they end up kissing...

Meanwhile, Ben's neighbour Vanessa Turner is hiding a dark secret that could turn Thom's murder case on its head. And Ben is about to uncover it. While helping fix a leak, Ben finds suspicious items hidden in the Turner's roof. What has Ben discovered? And why are the Turners so intent on covering it up?

But Ben is doing some covering up of his own. After discovering the murder weapon back in his van with no explanation as to how it got there, Ben decides he has to get rid of it once and for all. He waits until nightfall and throws it into the river. But someone has seen him do it. Could this spell the end for Ben?

With: Mouche Phillips as Vanessa Turner, Hugh Parker as Dr Tim Turner, Val Lehman as Patricia, Bradley Murnane as Ryan, Cory Robinson as Oliver

The Track, Part 5

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Episode 5
Aus: Mon, March 31, 2014
Can: Mon, Aug 04, 2014
Ratings: na
Written by Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Peter Salmon

With Ben still struggling to clear to his name, he discovers a strange man squatting in a vacant house close to where he found Thom. He also discovers a blood-stained blue jacket in the house's laundry. The police arrive and take the man away. But when Ben goes to show Cornielle the jacket, it is gone.

Back at home, Ben is shocked when Christy says she is leaving him. She reveals she saw him throw something in the river and gives him one last chance to tell her the truth, but Ben is torn. He cannot bring himself to reveal the truth to his wife. And with that, Christy walks out the door, taking the girls with her.

In the shadows of his family leaving, a distraught Ben is tempted by the comfort Jess offers. They fall into bed together, but inside Jess' bedroom, he finds a new clue that leaves him shocked to the core.

With: Mirrah Foulkes as Nicole Hoebel, Damien Garvey as Stuart Haire, Steven Tandy as Kevin Gresham, Barbara Lowing as Elaine Gresham, Cameron Rhodes as Felix Lanagas, et al

The Track, Part 6

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Episode 6 (finale)
Aus: Mon, April 07, 2014
Can: Mon, Aug 11, 2014
Ratings: 411,000 viewers
Written by Stephen M. Irwin
Directed by Peter Salmon

Tom Murnane's killer is finally exposed in this heart-stopping series finale.

With: Ben Lawson as Paul Murnane, Damien Garvey as Stuart Haire, Steven Tandy as Kevin Gresham, Barbara Lowing as Elaine Gresham, et al