The Slap: episode guide


Hector

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Episode 1
Thu, October 06, 2011 (ABC1, 8.30)
0.946 million vewers (5th)
Screenplay by Kris Mrksa
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Based on Christos Tsiolkas's best-selling novel, The Slap is an eight-part drama series that traces the shattering repercussions of a single event upon a group of family and friends. It is a searing portrait of middle class life, and the mores and morality that shape modern, multicultural Australia.

At a suburban barbecue a tight-knit group of family and friends celebrate Hector's 40th birthday. Food and wine flow, and as the guests enjoy a long, lazy lunch they debate everything from soap operas to state schooling.

When the kids start climbing the walls after too much playstation, Hector sets up a game of backyard cricket. It's all going well until four-year-old Hugo takes his turn to bat and gets bowled out. Suddenly the game escalates into a fight, resulting in Harry, Hector's cousin, slapping Hugo, who is not his son.

The event and what follows ricochets through the group to devastating effects.

  • Starring:
  • Jonathan LaPaglia as Hector,
  • Sophie Okonedo as Aisha,
  • Melissa George as Rosie,
  • Alex Dimitriades as Harry,
  • Essie Davis as Anouk,
  • Lex Marinos as Manoulis,
  • Sophie Lowe as Connie,
  • Blake Davis as Richie
  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Raffaele Costabile as Rocco,
  • Oliver Ackland as Rhys,
  • Eugenia Fragos as Elisavet,
  • Caitlin Tsiolkas as Angeliki,
  • George Vasilakakos,
  • Tony Briggs as Bilal,
  • Peta Brady as Shamira,
  • Carlin Briggs as Ibby,
  • Soraya Briggs as Sonja,
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Anouk

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Episode 2
Thursday, October 13, 2011
0.912 million vewers (7th)
Screenplay by Emily Ballou
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Anouk leaves the BBQ feeling more appalled at seeing Hector and Connie flirting than Harry slapping Hugo. Lately, Anouk's life is full of pressures — her mother is ill and she is losing control at work with one of the younger writers constantly undermining her by liaising directly with her boss. Feeling ill from what she thinks is stress, Anouk goes to see a doctor, where she learns she is pregnant with her much younger boyfriend's baby. Feeling shocked, she tries to talk to Aisha, but can't bring herself to. All her worries seem to disappear when Rhys proposes they quit their jobs to travel around the world together. Between her age, work and the responsibility of looking after her mum, Anouk feels miles apart from Rhys and like she's holding him back.

Back at work the next day, Anouk and her boss get into a heated argument which results in Anouk quitting. Later that night, Anouk meets up with Aisha and Rosie to tell them she has quit her job. When the conversation turns to Rosie telling them that she and Gary are pressing charges against Harry, Anouk thinks the whole situation is ridiculous and doesn't hold back saying so. Rosie and Aisha are both upset at Anouk's reaction, and she storms out feeling estranged from her friends.

When Anouk goes over to Rosie's house to apologise the next day, she tells her that she is pregnant. As she tells Rosie that the pregnancy is her chance to change things, Anouk realises that she doesn't really believe it and she knows what she has to do. The next morning Anouk wakes up to find Rhys cooking breakfast. Unaware of what happened the day before, Rhys is overcome with emotion at the idea of having a baby with Anouk. But when Anouk tells him there is no longer a baby, Rhys is hurt and angry, and splits.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Gillian Jones as Rachel,
  • Oliver Ackland as Rhys,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Paul Ireland as Cooper Finch,
  • Ashley Zuckerman as Dylan,
  • Ngaire Dawn Faire as Female Storyliner,
  • Jane Bayly as Nurse,
  • Angeline Thompson as Doctor Louise,
  • Allison Adrino as Cigarette Girl,
  • Joshua Allen as Drunk Flatmate,
  • Mia Lethbridge as Camilla,
  • Mahalia Brown as Alicia,
  • Addam Bramich as Soap Actor 1,
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Harry

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Episode 3
Thursday, October 20, 2011
0.858 million vewers (7th)
Screenplay by Brendan Cowell
Directed by Matthew Saville

Harry has everything; the Brighton Beach mansion, the beautiful wife, a son, and a successful business. But Harry stands to lose all of that as a result of slapping Hugo at Hector's birthday.

Harry tries to downplay the seriousness of what could happen to Sandi, his wife, who is very agitated. He turns to his cousin Hector, for support, but Hector is torn between his loyalty to his wife, who is best friends with Rosie, and his family.

Harry's anxiety continues when Gary rings late one night threatening to go to the media. Harry has lunch with a lawyer friend, who reassures Harry that he has nothing to worry about, but Harry is not convinced.

When Hector suggests to Harry that perhaps he should talk to Gary and Rosie and apologise, he is at first furious at the idea, but when Manolis warns him that he is turning into his father who died angry, he relents. But his apology to Gary and Rosie doesn't go as planned, with Rosie refusing to accept it. She further antagonises him by asking him if he beats Sandi and Rocco. Harry's anger boils and he runs out of the house before he loses control again.

Not being able to shake his anger, he returns to Gary and Rosie's house later that night with a crowbar. He is about to get out of his car when he is haunted by an image of his father. As he drives home, Sandi calls him to tell him that Rocco has run away. When Harry finds him, Rocco breaks down blaming himself for Harry slapping Hugo. Harry is distraught at what this is doing to his family. When he arrives home, the police arrive to question him.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Steve Mouzakis as Andrew Petrious,
  • Katherine Halliday as Kelly,
  • Hung Le as Van,
  • Raffaele Costabile as Rocco,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Nyah Shahab as Angela,
  • Charles Zammitt as Pano Apostolou,
  • Aris Gounaris as Alex,
  • Cihangir Tohumcer as Con,
  • Dinesh Mathew as Sunil,
  • Claire Rojo as Constable Lions,
  • Nick Mitchell as Constable Rucker,
  • Jackie Diamond as Tanya,
  • Fiona Macys as Annalise,
  • Kaitlyn Maree Clare as Shop Girl,
  • Craig Irvin as Hector Driving Double,
  • Ross Mccaffer as Rich White Neighbour,
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Connie

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Episode 4
Thursday, October 27, 2011
0.811 million vewers (9th)
Screenplay by Alice Bell
Directed by Matthew Saville

When Hector broke things off with Connie, her feelings for him didn't change, if anything, they got stronger. So, when Hector drives her home one night after babysitting, she kisses him, and Hector, in a moment of weakness, takes things further. Connie is thrilled by this development until she sees Aisha at the vet clinic, and her excitement turns to guilt. She tries to make contact with Hector but he doesn't respond. Unable to resist seeing him, and knowing Aisha is out, she dresses up and visits him at home, aiming to seduce him. But her plan goes awry when Hector not only rejects her advances, but tells her he regrets their affair and will never love her.

Devastated and humiliated she takes off to a party, where she finds Richie, and blurts out that Hector raped her. Richie is shocked and insists she tell the police, but she refuses. At the party, Connie quickly forgets about Hector when she comes to the attention of Ali, a handsome, popular boy from school. Connie is enthralled by her new love interest after he walks her home at dawn and asks for her number. As she slides into bed, still tingling with excitement, the teenage Connie is oblivious to the trouble her lie has created.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Maude Davey as Tasha,
  • Jane Allsop as Tracey,
  • Emily Weaton as Jenna,
  • Charlotte Nicdao as Tina,
  • Dimitri Baveas as Ali,
  • Ivan Bradara as Lenin,
  • Basil Sikiotis as Jordan,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Afaf Alfawwal as Arabic Old Woman on Bus,
  • Abbi Taleb as Younger Arabic Woman,
  • Jack Haycox as Himself (Handsome Jack),
  • Jennifer McAuliffe as Connie Hand Double,
  • Mia Lethbridge as Camila,
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Rosie

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Episode 5
Thursday, November 03, 2011
0.915 million viewers (7th)
Screenplay by Cate Shortland
Directed by Robert Connolly

Rosie receives notification of the court date. Finally Harry will be punished for what he did. But her relief is short lived when she realises she is alone in her crusade. Aisha won't attend the trial as it puts her in a difficult position with her family and Anouk won't testify as she's staying out of it. Even Hector wants nothing to do with it, and is only going because he's been summonsed.

When Rosie starts to doubt herself her spirits are lifted by Shamira, a guest at the BBQ who contacts her and agrees to testify as a witness against Harry. Thrilled to have an ally Rosie tells Gary, but he hates that things have gone this far and pleads with her to let it go. Rosie refuses, she's in too deep, and Gary lashes out revealing his disdain for his wife.

The day of the court case arrives and Gary and Rosie are barely speaking. Hector gives his statement, then Rosie, and then the prosecution annihilates her. Harry's lawyer assassinates her character, revealing that Gary is an alcoholic and that Rosie suffered from post-natal depression. Her irresponsibility and questionable parenting skills become the reason things escalated that day. Harry is found guilty but with no conviction recorded as the offence is deemed so minor. Rosie is shaken to the core. She returns home and lies to Hugo, telling him Harry was punished, but the ordeal has changed everything.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Gillian Jones as Rachel,
  • Tony Briggs as Bilal,
  • Peta Brady as Shamira,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Carlin Briggs as Ibby,
  • Soraya Briggs as Sonjah,
  • Steve Mouzakis as Andrew Petrious,
  • Christopher Waters as Magistrate,
  • Wilhelmina Stracke as Margaret,
  • Stephen Lovatt as Police Prosecutor,
  • Silas James as Publican,
  • Targan as Len,
  • Justin Anderson as Magpie Cap Man,
  • Amanda Ma as Maria,
  • Salim Fayad as Real Estate Agent,
  • Lisa Edwards as Mother,
  • Darcie Catania as Daughter,
  • Luther Hill as Hugo Picture Double
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Manolis

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Episode 6
Thursday, November 10, 2011
0.906 million viewers (6th)
Screenplay by Kris Mrska
Directed by Tony Ayres

As a man approaching the end of his life, Manolis hates what the slap is doing to his family. His wife is full of vitriol, Hector and Aisha are being torn apart by their split loyalties, and Aisha, furious with Harry, will have nothing to do with the family. When Manolis notices Hector still harbouring resentment towards Harry after the court case, he tries to reach out to him, but Hector rejects his efforts. Hector, as always, is consumed with his own problems. He's getting anonymous text messages calling him a rapist.

Sandi pleads with Manolis to talk to Aisha, but even he is not sure he can turn her around. Manolis is further dismayed by the selfishness of his family, when Hector appears indifferent to the news that his godfather has died, and seems put out by Manolis's insistence that he attend the funeral. Manolis reminds him that it is a mark of respect, and important that he attend with Aisha and the children, but only Hector turns up.

At the funeral, Manolis runs into his old friend Thanasis, who brags about leaving his sick wife and his new sex life with a much younger Filipina. Manolis is shocked, but secretly envious that Thanasis has put his own happiness first. His envy turns to irritation though after one too many jibes from Thanasis, and he lashes out, humiliating himself. Hector extricates Manolis from the melee and they stop off for a drink on the way home. Hector confesses his affair to Manolis. Manolis then reveals his own secret. Koula was in love with someone else when they married, but Manolis stuck by her because they had a baby on the way. He put family first and is now regretting it. Hector is shocked.

Manolis decides to meet with Aisha to try to put an end to the familial disharmony. He implores her to forgive, to come to Greece with the family, but with Harry coming too, Aisha will not be swayed, and he loses it with her. Regretful, he returns home to Koula, feeling feeble and powerless. But to his surprise, Koula is delighted by his taking action and the ice between them thaws.

  • With:
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Eugenia Fragos as Elisavet,
  • Chris Wallace as Thanasis,
  • Steve Mouzakis as Andrew Petrious,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • George Vasilikakos as Sava,
  • Caitlin Tsiolkas as Angelika,
  • Thomas Hatzilepos as Dimitri,
  • Louise Mandylaris as Georgia,
  • Olga Xerizotis as Paraskevi,
  • Costas Laras as Thimios,
  • Chris Wallace as Thanasis,
  • Kostas Makrygiannakis as Funeral Director,
  • Abigail Jovan as Hooker,
  • Alex Tsitsopoulos as Young Greek Guy,
  • Melanie Lockman as Young Woman,
  • Jack Haycox as Himself (Just Jack),
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Aisha

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Episode 7
Thursday, November 17, 2011
0.832 million viewers (7th)
Screenplay by Emily Ballou
Directed by Robert Connolly

Whilst the court case is over, the repercussions of the slap are far from resolved for Aisha. Her marriage is buckling, and Rosie isn't returning her calls. Relief comes in the form of a veterinary conference on the Gold Coast. No family. No drama. No slap. At the conference she meets the charming, charismatic Art Martinez, one of the keynote speakers. Art is gorgeous, interesting and doing some exciting work around the globe. They click instantly.

After the conference, Aisha meets Hector at a luxurious resort in Byron Bay for their anniversary. They are polite but distant. At dinner they get into a fight about Harry, and it is revealed they know he's hit Sandi in the past. Aisha accuses Hector of covering for Harry and blames him for revealing Rosie's secrets at the trial, but the truth of it is she feels guilty. Unable to cope, Hector breaks down and confesses to an affair. Aisha feigns distress, but deep down feels nothing.

Back home, Rosie finally agrees to meet Aisha. Aisha tells the truth about Harry's history of violence and Rosie explodes, leaving their friendship destroyed.

Aisha, Hector and the kids attend Rocco's birthday party. Alone with Harry, Aisha confronts him about his mistreatment of Sandi and vows never to forgive him.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Valentino Del Toro as Art,
  • Jane Allsop as Tracy,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Fanny Hanusin as Female Vet,
  • Timothy Bell as Eddie Michaels,
  • Maggie Miles as Check-in Woman,
  • David Ford as Old Greek Man,
  • Lyn Ford as Old Greek Woman,
  • Tawni Bryant as Resort Waitress,
  • Paul Fennell as Male Masseur,
  • Warwick Sadler as Cab Driver (Stunt Driver),
  • Louise Rocchi as Café Woman,
  • Olaf Savage as Elegant Waiter,
  • Amy Jarvis as Teenage Girl,
  • Anthony Tobias as Taxi Driver,
  • William McInnes as Narrator

Richie

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Episode 8 (finale)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
0.831 million viewers (8th)
Screenplay by Brendan Cowell
Directed by Tony Aryes

Ever since Connie told Richie that Hector raped her, Richie hasn't been able to think of anything else. He starts harassing Hector anonymously, sending texts and spying on him at the pool. Somehow concern for his friend becomes tangled up with Richie's own obsession with Hector.

Richie feels increasingly alienated from Connie who's wrapped up in her new boyfriend and friends. He spends more and more time with Hugo to fill the gap. When Rosie and Gary announce they are moving to the country, Richie is devastated.

After swimming laps at the pool, Richie follows Hector into the change rooms. As Hector dries off naked, Richie takes a surreptitious photo on his phone. Hector springs him and protests and Richie bolts into a cubicle. Thinking quickly, Hector calls the number that has been sending him anonymous messages, and Richie's phone rings, exposing him.

That night Richie goes to Connie's house and insists that she tell the police about Hector. Connie refuses, angry that Richie has brought it up again. The next day after school Richie spies Hector talking to Connie, and feeling his world cave in, seeks refuge at Rosie and Gary's house. When he arrives clearly distressed, they press him for the reason, and Richie blurts out the secret that's been eating him up.

Gary and Rosie jump on the revelation and immediately march Richie to Aisha's vet clinic. When Gary confronts Aisha about it, she feels sick, refusing to believe it. Connie arrives and denies it, turning on Richie and accusing him of making it all up out of his obsession with Hector. Confused and distraught, Richie runs home and swallows a bottle of pills. His mother finds him just in time and rushes him to the hospital, saving his life. Later, Connie explains herself and apologises by taking Richie to a music festival. Richie is relieved to have his friend back.

  • With:
  • Anthony Hayes as Gary,
  • Diana Glenn as Sandi,
  • Brendan Cowell as Craig,
  • Jane Allsop as Tracy,
  • Toula Yiannis as Koula,
  • Dimitri Baveas as Ali,
  • Ivan Bradara as Lenin,
  • Emily Wheaton as Jenna,
  • Basil Sikiotis as Jordan,
  • Maude Davey as Tasha,
  • Charlotte Nicdao as Tina,
  • Brooke Fairley as Chelsea,
  • Julian Mineo as Hugo,
  • Adrian Van Der Heyden as Adam,
  • Liberty Townsend as Melissa,
  • Raffaele Costabile as Rocco,
  • Tom Travers as Old Man,
  • Tristan Meecham as Pool Attendant,
  • Kate Leatham as Dog Owner,
  • Jamie Azzopardi as Person Undressing,
  • Russell Menzies as Derrick,
  • Jane Lundmark as Rosie Picture Double,
  • Jake Pierce as Gary Picture Double,
  • William McInnes as Narrator