australian television information archive

About...

Trapped is the story of a group of ordinary kids thrust into an extraordinary situation, when they are left alone, struggling to survive, at a remote scientific research station.

For some of the kids, the research base already seems like a prison. No stretch of beautiful sand beach or warm turquoise sea is going to make up for being away from the "real world". For others, it's a coral paradise they are free to explore and enjoy, without having to share it with any tourists. And there's always the thrill of knowing that the work their parents are doing over on the research island is not only top secret but incredibly important for humankind.

Then one day a stranger and his son fly in. The man flashes his ID card and heads over to the island research base, promising his reluctant passenger that he'll be back by dark, and they'll be out of there. Only he doesn't come back. And neither does anyone else. As the days pass, and there's no news, the kids come to realise that whatever has happened on the island has left them on their own, with no communications, two thousand kilometres from anywhere.

Their only choice is to rely on their own resources to survive until they can find out what's happened to their parents, and uncover the terrible secret that is behind the Eden Project. And, at the same time, cope with all the usual challenges of growing up: Friendship, First love and Families. For, as the days pass, one thing becomes very clear: unless they find out the truth, they will probably be here forever. In addition, someone, or something, is watching them from the bushes!

Trapped

Episode 1.01
Sun, November 30, 2008
Written by Paul Bennett
Directed by Jeremy Rice

When Ryan's father goes to investigate a scientific research facility based on an off-shore island, he finds himself stranded with a group of strangers. When nobody returns from the island, Ryan receives a cryptic message from his dad, instructing him to cut off communications — isolating the base camp from the island, the outside world, and leaving them all trapped!

With: Simon Stokes as Scott Cavener, Kim Walsh as Maggie Monks, Craig Mathieson-Henschke as Mr Taylor

Note: Marcel Bracks is also credited as the drama coach

The Price We Pay

Episode 1.02
Sun, December 07, 2008
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Jeremy Rice

Josh dumps Ryan in the middle of the mysterious forbidden zone to pay him back for cutting off their communications. Shocked by his actions, the girls insist on rescuing him. Meanwhile, Maggie leaves Rob in charge of the kids in a desperate attempt to keep them all occupied and out of trouble.

A Joke's a Joke

Episode 1.03
Sun, December 14, 2008
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid, Paul Bennett
Directed by Jeremy Rice

With their parents still not back, Ryan tries to enlist Natasha's help to retrieve the walkie talkie from Maggie. However, he still has a lot of making up to do before she will give him the time of day. Meanwhile, tired of being bullied by his older sister, Jarrah, Zuke takes off, setting up camp in a cave. Unbeknownst to him, he is not alone! Ryan receives a call from his father explaining they won't be back until week's end.

Come with Me If You Want to Live

Episode 1.04
Sun, December 21, 2008
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Jeremy Rice

Jarrah takes a stand when Maggie demands that the kids all move onto the veranda where they can be better suppervised. However, self-sufficiency doesn't offer the others the same creature comforts as Maggie. Meanwhile, Natasha discovers that Josh has a secret.

To Catch a Thief

Episode 1.05
Mon, December 22, 2008
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Jeremy Rice

Natasha attempts to teach Josh how to read without the others finding out. Emma makes a startling discovery about her sister while searching for a food thief with Zuke.

Haunted

Episode 1.06
Tue, December 23, 200
Written by Paul Bennett, Hamilton Budd
Directed by Ben Young

Zuke's fears are brought to the surface when he discovers something spooky in the bush. Jarrah wants to split up Josh and Natasha.

Acting Out

Episode 1.07
Wed, December 24, 2008
Written by Kate Rice, Hamilton Budd
Directed by Ben Young

Despite Em's shock over Lily's secret, the sisters find a way to deal with the situation during their parents' absence. Meanwhile, Jarrah challenges the boys to a fishing competition with amusing results.

Yo Prince

Episode 1.08
Thu, December 25, 2008
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Ben Young

Natasha realises her true feelings for Ryan, but has she left it too late to say anything? As it is Ryan's last day at base camp, Jarrah doubles her efforts to make an impression. Unfortunately, an accident is not what she had in mind.

Who Can You Trust?

Episode 1.09
Fri, December 26, 2008
Written by Paul Bennett, Hamilton Budd
Directed by Ben Young

Frustrated and confused that his Dad still hasn't returned from the island, Ryan decides to go to the island himself.

Warning Signs

Episode 1.10
Mon, December 29, 2008
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Ben Young

Josh dares the kids to enter the forbidden zone. What they find in there, however, is worse than they could ever have imagined.

With: Brad Albert as Mystery Boy

What the Tide Brings

Episode 1.11
Tue, December 30, 2008
Written by LeeAnne Innes
Directed by Sam Barrett

Maggie's boat returns without her, prompting the question: where has she gone? Rob goes on strike when Natasha, following Maggie's directive, refuses to give him the keys to the office. Meanwhile, Lily enters the forbidden zone to find the mysterious boy.

With: Brad Albert as Mystery Boy

Seeing the Light

Episode 1.12
Wed, December 31, 2008
Written by John Rapsey
Directed by Sam Barrett

As concern escalates about their parents, the kids decide what to do next. Lily and Zuke devise a way to communicate with the island.

With: Brad Albert as Mystery Boy

Only the Brave

Episode 1.13
Thu, January 01, 2009
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Sam Barrett

Ryan attempts to leave for the island, even though he has no idea which way to go or what he will find when he gets there.

With: Brad Albert as Mystery Boy

Together We Are Not Alone

Episode 1.14
Fri, January 02, 2009
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Sam Barrett

Ryan and Jarrah risk everything and leave for the island. Meanwhile, at base camp the intruder draws nearer and Rob confesses to Natasha that he's not who he appears to be.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

If You Go Down Into the Woods Today...

Episode 1.15
Sun, January 04, 2009
Written by Paul Bennett
Directed by Sam Barrett

Stranded at the medical outpost on the quarantine island, Ryan and Jarrah repair their boat and decide to return home. Meanwhile, much to Lily's disgust, Josh and Rob initiate a hunt to track down the intruder. Ryan starts to question whether kissing Jarrah was the right thing to do.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Danger Among Us

Episode 1.16
Sat, February 07, 2009
Written by Ben Young
Directed by Claire Marshall

As Rob attempts to convince everyone that Gabe is not alone, Lily sets out to prove him wrong by crossing the forbidden zone in search of answers.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Turncoat

Episode 1.17
Sat, February 14, 2009
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Claire Marshall

To gain Rob's trust, Ryan makes a shocking decision to turn on his friends, sacrificing his relationship with Jarrah in the process.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Testing Times

Episode 1.18
Sat, February 21, 2009
Written by Pete Gleeson, Hamilton Budd
Directed by Claire Marshall

In order to get closer to Rob and discover his secrets, Ryan betrays his friends. Meanwhile, Jarrah proves to Lily that she can trust her instincts, and Josh extends a hand of friendship to Gabe.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

True Colours

Episode 1.19
Sat, February 28, 2009
Written by Lucinda Marty
Directed by Claire Marshall

On a mission to find Gabe's old boat, Josh is torn between loyalty to Ryan and a desire to protect Natasha's feelings.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Acting Up

Episode 1.20
Sat, March 07, 2009
Written by Kate Rice
Directed by Claire Marshall

Ryan has a dangerous accident will collecting materials to build a raft. As his life hangs by a thread, Ryan and Natasha finally declare their feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Lily, Josh and Jarrah take a stand, breaking Gabe out of prison.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Good People

Episode 1.21
Sat, March 14, 2009
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Paul Komandina

When Rob destroys Schwartz's diary, Lily helps Gabe let go of the past and move on. Zuke stumbles upon the research lab belonging to Gabe's father and comes to realise that he has been wrong about Rob.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

The Wood for the Trees

Episode 1.22
Sat, March 21, 2009
Written by Paul Bennett
Directed by Paul Komadina

To everyone's shock, Jarrah refuses to be rescued and sacrifices her freedom in return for information about the island. Emma and Zuke scheme to get Rob to reveal the encoded diary to them. Josh comes to terms with just being Natasha's friend while Gabe and Lily demand answers from Ryan.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Drawing the Line

Episode 1.23
Sat, March 28, 2009
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Paul Komadina

When Zuke goes missing, Jarrah escapes from her prison to search for him, abandoning her plan to get the map. Ryan and Natasha suffer a setback while testing the raft but are rescued by Josh and Gabe.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Actions Speak Loudest

Episode 1.24
Sat, April 04, 2009
Written by Tracey Defty-Rashid
Directed by Paul Komadina

Faced with the truth that both Rob and Ryan have been lying to her, Natasha has to decide between them. The boys try to convince Natasha that Rob cannot be trusted.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

Punchlines

Episode 1.25
Sat, April 11, 2009
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Paul Komadina

The kids force Rob to leave camp, but it comes back to haunt them when they discover he holds the key to Zuke's health. Gabe is invited to stay at camp, Elly plays miracle worker, and Rob has an unlikely defender.

With: Brad Albert as Gabe

The Island

Episode 1.26
Sat, April 18, 2009
Written by Hamilton Budd
Directed by Paul Komadina

The kids' plan to go to the island is thrown into disarray when a message is found from Mr. Taylor warning the kids not to come. After deciding to risk the votage, the kids arrive at the island but discover only more questions. Abandoned, they are trapped once again, however, they are not alone...

With: Craig Mathieson-Henschke as Stuart Taylor, Brad Albert as Gabe, Luisa Mitchell as Abandoned Girl

Note: the story continues in the follow-up series, Castaway (expected to air in 2010)