The Flying Doctors: episode guide


A Good Drop of Red

Episode 6.01 (127)
Thu, March 01, 1990
W: Vince Moran
D: Pino Amenta

When Tom attempts to take a holiday, the flight to Broken Hill doesn't go as smoothly as he'd wish. En route, along with Kate, a couple of businessmen and a pregnant woman, the plane makes an unauthorized diversion from its flight plan before a bird-strike causes it to crash in the middle of nowhere. Against all advice, one businessman goes off in search of help. When the pregnant woman goes into labour it's up to Luke to track them down before it's too late.

Starring: Andrew McFarlane as Dr Tom Callaghan, Liz Burch as Dr Chris Randall, Brett Climo as Dr David Ratcliffe, Robert Grubb as Dr. Geoffrey Standish, Lenore Smith as Kate Standish

Regulars: Gerard Kennedy as Luke Mitchell, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Terry Gill as Sgt. Carruthers, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Louise Siversen as Debbie, Shane Briant as Norman Sayers, Peter Whitford as Robert Bell, Jenny Seedsman as Carol, Doug Bowles as Dudley, James Patrick as Leigh Ellis

Notes: Tammy MacIntosh's first known screen credit as she debuts as Annie Rogers. Gerard Kennedy's final (?) appearance. Alex Papps does not appear.

The Hero

Episode 6.02 (128)
Thu, March 08, 1990
W: Vince Moran
D: Catherine Millar

New pilot Gerry O'Neill gets off to a rocky start when his car breaks down on the way to Coopers Crossing and he accepts a lift from a local scoundrel, Felix. Employed on a local property, Felix wears out his welcome and loses his job but a health crisis lands him in hospital just as he is needed to help search for a missing boy who has run away from home. Desperate to help, Felix leaves hospital to help search for the boy.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Terry Gill as Sgt. Carruthers, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Charles Tingwell as Felix, Peter Hosking as Ron MacKay, Lisa Armytage as Edna MacKay, Cameron Kavanagh as Gordon MacKay, Rod Densley as Keith Hamilton

Note: Justin Gaffney's first appearance as pilot Gerry O'Neill

Suspicion

Episode 6.03 (129)
March 15, 1990
Story: Shane Brennan
W: John Lord
D: Pino Amenta

Chris' suspicions are raised when she is required to look after a criminal, Evans, who is police custody. She is convinced that it is a case of police brutality and does everything in her power to intervene. However, after leaving hospital in Coopers Crossing, Evans' true colours are revealed with catastrophic consequences.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: John Wood as Sgt. Frank O'Leary, Stephen Hall as Const. Pat Chandler, Yves Stening as Evan Waters

Notes: this episode comes four years before John Wood would appear in the career-defining role of country copper Tom Croydon in Blue Heelers. It is eerie how much this role feels like a mirror universe Tom Croydon.

Daddy's Girl

Episode 6.04 (130)
W: Peter Kinloch
D: Catherine Millar

Memories come flooding back for Tom Callaghan when an old girlfriend, Megan Price, flies into Coopers Crossing with her wealthy businessman father, Warren. An explosion at Warren's gas field results in several injures requiring the doctors to provide assistance. With the Nomad lacking the capacity to carry all the wounded back to hospital, Megan pressures Tom to get her father to hospital at any cost. Holding firm, Tom stays behind with Megan and Warren whose undisclosed heart condition leads to a tragic outcome. Meanwhile, an auditor spends the day at headquarters going over the Doctors' books.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Nina Landis as Megan, Vincent Ball as Warren, Tom Coltraine as Gary Foster, Tom Watson as Foreman, Evelyn Krape as Miss Beatty

Two Sisters Running

Episode 6.05 (131)
W: Shane Brennan
D: Catherine Millar

A woman dying from cancer is involved in a car accident with her grandchildren, while searching for their father who is working in the opal fields. On her deathbed, the woman asks Geoff to locate their father, Michael O'Connor, who walked out after the death of his wife. However, when Michael denounces all responsibility and the girls find themselves alone in the world, they run away. Can Michael be persuaded to return to the Crossing and accept responsibility for his own, lonely children?

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Warren Owens as Dougie, Phyllis Burford as Donna Symmons, Emily Mortimore as Kelly, Sarah Downs as Hannah, Stuart McGreery as Michael O'Connor, uncredited as Bryce, uncredited as Jack Cameron

Dangerous Games

Episode 6.06 (132)
W: Terry Stapleton
D: Ian Gilmour

Vic becomes jealous of Nancy's rekindled friendship with a man she nearly married. Ralph, an elderly rodeo champion, refuses to accept the fact that he is not a young as he used to be and it takes a serious injury while training Nick to convince him to take things easy. When Nancy falls down the stairs, only a dangerous operation can prevent her from being paralysed for the rest of her life.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: John Ewart as Ralph, Liddy Clark as Carol, Clive Hearne as Roy McKinley, Dennis Coard as Charles Palmer

Milk Run

Episode 6.07 (133)
W: Tom Hegarty
D: Catherine Millar

DJ has a mystery to solve when a young boy radios in about an accident involving his mother, but their location and identity are not clear enough to send immediate assistance. Chris is offered a job opportunity of a lifetime by a professor from Sydney, but will she accept his generous offer and leave the Crossing?

Regulars: George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Louise Siversen as Debbie, Jonathan Hardy as Tyler Wells, Katy Brinson as Lois Murchinson, Eric McCubbin as Ben Murchison, Richard Neal as Rod Murchinson

Point of No Return

Episode 6.08 (134)
W: Joe Kelly
D: Pino Amenta

What begins as a routine clinic run to the Mondobella Homestead turns into a series of disasters, and they all come down to one overbearing woman — Pauline Grant. David is forced to land the Nomad in a violent thunderstorm after Debbie is incapacitated by the delayed effects of a head injury that could cost her her career.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Louise Siversen as Debbie, Maureen Edwards as Pauline Grant, Peter Sumner as Harry Grant, Angela Kennedy as Amanda Grant, Simon Kay [Simon Bossell] as Mark Reid

Small Mercies

Episode 6.09 (135)
W: David Allen
D: Ian Gilmour

Following a call out to an isolated homstead, Tom finds himself in need of urgent medical attention when a car accident leaves him stranded in the outback with a young boy. An old girlfriend of Nick's from Broken Hill shows up in town, creating trouble for Annie.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Sudi De Winter as Jason, Mary Lou Stewart as June Nichols, Sheryl Munks as Sue, Tom Travers as Haggerty, David Robson as Ernie Pullen, Keith Kay as Old Bill

Notes: Sheryl Munks appeared in episode 3.23 as one of two bandits who took Emma hostage. Sudi De Winter appeared previously in ep 5.17.

A Painful Extraction

Episode 6.10 (136)
W: Denise Morgan
D: Pino Amenta

DJ's father arrives in Coopers Crossing wanting DJ to return to Greece with him to help him run the family business. Chris diagnoses tetanus affecting an old man who lives alone on an isolated property.

Regulars: Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, George Kapiniaris as D.J., Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie, Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley

Guests: Syd Conabere as Russ Hemple, Owen Weingott as Jannis Goannides, Lois Collinder as Mabel, Dimity Barber as Tilly, Bindi Edwards as Sue

Notes: the final episode for George Kapiniaris, he began in 2.01. The spelling of DJ's surname is revealed by the credit for Owen Weingott. Syd Conabere's third appearance (3.08, 4.03)

The Climber

Episode 6.11 (137)
W: Leonard Rosen
D: Pino Amenta

David's past catches up with him when two old university friends, Peter and Karen, come to visit him at Coopers Crossing. When Karen falls ill, Tom searches for a cause which includes the food served by Vic and Nancy. The new radio operator, down from Alice Springs, runs a tight ship.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: David Roberts as Peter Gardiner, Lucy Bayler as Karen Traill

Note: Beverley Dunn joins the cast as Clare Bryant, the new radio operator

Dead Reckoning

Episode 6.12 (138)
W: Vince Moran
D: Kath Hayden

When charter pilot Doug Holland flies into Coopers Crossing to refuel his aircraft, a nightmare begins for Geoff, Kate and the others when is diagnosed with typhoid and disappears with his plane. When they locate him, Kate is taken hostage and left for dead in a damaged plane following a crash landing.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Ric Carter as Doug Holland, Jeff Truman as Madden, Mary Sitarenos as Robyn Whaley, uncredited as Ken, uncredited as helicopter pilot #1

A Bride To Be

Episode 6.13 (139)
W: Tim Gooding
D: Brendan Maher

Fired ranch hand Walter Lister does a bit of cattle rustling to pay for a honeymoon with his love of twenty years, Alice. However, when "Whistler" collapses, Tom diagnoses him with terminal cancer.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Martin Vaughan as Whistler, Pat Thomson as Alice, Craig Sherborne as Graeme, Eric Donnison as Madigan, John Quinn as Warner

Note: Martin Vaughan's third guest appearance (1.01, 4.13)

A Place for the Night

Episode 6.14 (140)
W: Howard Griffiths
D: Brendan Maher

While flying a girl experiencing unexplainable paralysis to Broken Hill for medical tests, an electrical fire forces Gerry to make an emergency landing in the middle of the bush. Geoff and Kate decide to stay the night in an eerie homestead occupied by two strange sisters.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Amanda Douge as Kath, Josephine Byrnes as Lilah, Jamie Jackson as Stan, Jane Hall as Jenny McIntyre, Paul Glen as Ken McIntyre, Brenda Addie as Karen McIntyre

Notes: Jane Hall is mis-credited as Jan Hall and Brenda Addie's character is mis-credited as "Laren" McIntyre. Possibly Amanda Douge's first tv role.

End of the Rainbow

Episode 6.15 (141)
W: Julie Phillips
D: Ian Gilmour

While searching for the cause of an opal miner's asthma, David, who suffers from claustrophobia, finds himself caught in a cave in. Against a background of romance between David and a miner's daughter, a daring rescue mission begins.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Terry Gill as Sgt. Carruthers, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Annie Jones as Lorna Jackson, Tim Robertson as Dan Jackson, John Raaen as Kevin Palmer

Double Vision

Episode 6.16 (142)
W: David Allen
D: Viktors Ritelis

When Peta Rowlands and her daughter Kim arrive at Coopers Crossing, Kim soon develops a crush on Tom. The residents tease Tom about it but he suspects that Kim has a serious problem after she stows away in the Nomad's cargo hold.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Alice Garner as Kim Rowlands, Gillian Jones as Peta Rowlands, Harold Baigent as Lance Simpson

Note: Alice Garner appeared previously in episode 4.22 while Harold Baigent was in 2.14

The Boy in the Boot

Episode 6.17 (143)
W: Vince Moran
D: Pino Amenta

A bizarre incident occurs when, following a car accident, Tim Sewell is nearly incinerated in the boot of his father's car and refuses to speak about it. The boy's father is reluctant to admit to an untreatable medical condition and refuses treatment. He checkes himself out of hospital and heads back on the road with his son, wanting to give his son a taste of life in the Outback before he dies. Soon after, the man's American ex-wife arrives looking for her abducted son.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Terry Gill as Sgt. Carruthers, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Don Barker as Rex Sewell, Natalie Mosco as Jess Sewell, Jonathon Kernutt as Tim Sewell, Susan Ellis as Ellie Martin, Jan Freidl as Di Martin

Windows of the Soul

Episode 6.18 (144)
W: Sue Hore
D: Catherine Millar

A Vietnam veteran feels he has nothing to live for and refuses to have crucial heart surgery. However, when his Vietnamese daughter arrives in search of her long-lost father, David tries to convince him that he has something worth living for.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Bruce Myles as Bill Henschel, Khym Lam as Lou, Bruce Kilpatrick as Paul Currie, Smiley Rowe as Michael Currie, Kyla as 'Rowdy' The Dog

Rest In Peace

Episode 6.19 (145)
W: Shane Brennan
D: Ian Gilmour

While out horseback riding with Annie, Nick makes the gruesome discovery of two bodies inside an old car in a dried out creek bed. Inside are the bodies of a couple who were reported missing six years earlier. While Tom delves into the case searching for the answer to the mystery, Annie takes an interest in the troubled couple's son.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: John Polson as Michael Jordan, Tony Hawkins as Det. Bennett

Life Line

Episode 6.20 (146)
W: Lynn Palmer
D: Viktors Ritelis

Chris undergoes an emotional crisis after receiving some devastating news about her father and is forced to make a monumental decision: stay in Coopers Crossing or leave for Sydney to support her father in his hour of need. Meanwhile, she is deeply involved in a case of a phantom pregnancy.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Justin Gaffney as Gerry O'Neill, Tammy MacIntosh as Annie Rogers, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Norman Kaye as Bill Randall, Zoe Carides as Mandy Sinclair, Mark McAskill as John, Margaret Peerman as Pam, Cory Dee as Adam

Note: the final episode for Liz Burch.

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