australian television information archive

Episode 4.01 (66)

Written by Vicki Madden-Custo and Pieter Aguilia
Directed by Catherine Millar

Steve's sudden disappearance causes concern for his friends who are caught unprepared for the eventual news of his fate. Matt's father arrives in town to spend a few days with his son but the pressure he places on Matt only adds to his troubles and Matt quickly finds himself suspended from school after inadvertently punching Mr. Bell. Bolton moves into the warehouse.©tzuk

Starring: Vince Poletto, Inge Hornstra, Salvatore Coco, Emma Roche, Jon Pollard, Ada Nicodemou, Ian Bliss, Barbara Gouskas, Ivan Kants, Stephen O'Rourke

Guest Cast: Rona McLeod as Sergeant Baker, Bruce Barry as Paul Logan (uncredited)

Note: Jon Pollard is finally elevated into the starring cast after appearing in a reoccuring guest role for the first three series

Episode 4.02 (67)

Written by Vicki Madden-Custo and Pieter Aguilia
Directed by Catherine Millar

As a part of the coroner's inquest, police officers come to both Hartley and the warehouse to question the students about Steve's death. Con, stuggling to deal with his lack of remorse, delays publishing a tribute issue of the school magazine in favour of a music magazine that he's been working on privately. Allie's decision to let Matt move into the warehouse so soon after Steve's death upsets Danielle. New teacher Rhonda Brooks starts work at Hartley.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Rona McLeod as Sergeant Baker

Note: Deni Gordon joins the cast

Episode 4.03 (68)

Written by Howard Griffiths
Directed by Geoffrey Nottage

Matt and his fellow students launch a petition against a veteran teacher whom they believe to be incapable of preparing them for their final exams. However, the group have mixed reactions when they realise their formalised complaints have cost the man his job. Katerina needs to make some quick cash after crashing Con's car. With help from Bolton — and some inadvertant tips from her teacher — Katerina turns to betting on horse races. Danielle's friends are concerned that she may have turned to drugs.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Arthur Dignam as Athol Pike, Kenny Graham as Panel Beater, Ramsay Everingham as Bunka, Kathy McMorrow as Katerina Driving Double

Episode 4.04 (69)

Written by David Phillips
Directed by Geoffrey Nottage

Matt and Deloraine's absences are quickly noticed by the school's staff and students. Unbeknownst to them, Deloraine has had a second heart attack and while in hospital has chosen to take an early retirement. Rhonda discovers Danielle's drug problem, but reporting it to June Dyson, the school's new headmaster, results in Danielle being expelled. Danielle friend's rally around her to see she gets help for her addiction, and with Deloraine's support, Dyson agrees to let her stay in school. Katerina's experimentation with her hair colour gives her a good excuse to where a hat to school.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Belinda Giblin as Suzie Miller, Jennifer Hardy as Nicole Miller, Ramsay Everingham as Bunka, Josephine Hayllar as Sarah Jane.

Note: Diane Craig joins the cast. Stephen O'Rourke's final episode

Episode 4.05 (70)

Written by Phil McAloon &, Kris Wyld
Directed by Chris Langman

After knocking down Dyson while racing through the school corridors, Bolton breaks into her office to retrieve his confiscated blades. Catching him in the act, Dyson keeps Bolton from going on an upcoming school excursion that he was largely responsible for organising. When his classmates support him by refusing to go without him, they soon find themselves on detention. Con hires a new manager for the Shark Pool but must get rid of him when he starts taking over the business. Matt sets Danielle up on a date with his cousin but she meets up with the wrong guy.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Arthur Angel as Antonio, Taiva Hanson as Corin, Harvey Callaghan as Michael, Robert Underhill as Security Guard, Chris Sanrinna as Nerd, Daniel Carlin as Post Punk, Grant Noy as Boy on Bike, Gillian Statham as Dyson Double, Tonto as Dog

Episode 4.06 (71)

Written by Kristen Dunphy
Directed by Chris Langman

Con is ecstatic after receiving word that he has been accepted for a student exchange programme to the United States. Unaware of Con's application, Katerina is visibly upset by the news that he'll be leaving and goes so far as to suggest that she may be pregnant hoping that he'll stay. Accusations of favouritism surface when Andrew lends Allie his computer so that she can finish an article that she is writing for the school paper. Ronnie takes Andrew powerwalking after he mocks the activity. With Con leaving, Matt lands himself a new job at the Shark Pool and buys Con's car.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Hugh Baldwin as Graham Brown, Drew David as DJ, John Clingan as Craig.

Note: Salvatore Coco departs (he returns for one episode at the start of series 5)

Episode 4.07 (72)

Written by Charles Strachan
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Declan Costello, a new student with a violent reputation, arrives at Hartley. After their first encounter at the Shark Pool, Bolton's instant dislike of Declan only intensifies when Katerina shows an interest in him. Bolton steals Ms Brooks' stereo on behalf of Katerina after she was dismissed from dance classes for arriving late. Matt starts a school cross country team and talks Roberto into coaching him, Allie, and Declan.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Elaine Lee as Maria [Costello], Matt Reeder as Blue, Russell Byrne as Stretch, Sean Garlick as Supervisor, Kelly Abbey as Katerina Dancing Double.

Note: Rupert Reid joins the cast

Episode 4.08 (73)

Written by Vincent Gil
Directed by Karl Zwicky

New student Anastasia Sumich is greeted by the Hartley students in their usual hostile manner. Katernia leads the assault against Stassy and the two girls eventually get into a fight. Declan and Matt however, feel for Stassy and make an attempt to befriend her. Katerina steals Declan's wallet but can't bring herself to admit what she's done and give it back. She returns it to his home where she meets his mother. Iit is an invasion of privacy that angers Declan. Andrew comes under investigation on a charge of sexual harassment when Stassy lies to her strict father about why she was held back after school. Declan gets his revenge on Katerina.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Vincent Gil as Boris Sumich, Elaine Lee as Maria.

Note: Tara Jakszewicz joins the cast

Episode 4.09 (74)

Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Catherine Millar

It is Friday the 13th and a thunderstorm rages. Danielle is left alone in the warehouse to watch a horror movie Miss Brooks assigned the class to watch but after she begins to receive strange telephone calls, Dani asks Katerina to come over to keep her company. Matt and Allie attend the big party Matt has organised at the Shark Pool. Ronnie attempts to watch the horror movie with Andrew at his apartment. Danielle discovers the identity of her mystery caller.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Scott Burgess as Damien, Mark Kounnas as Constable Phil Dwyer, Adam Hughes as Constable Mark Sharp, Nick Robinson as Surfer, Justin Whitman as Unidentified Figure

Episode 4.10 (75)

Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Catherine Millar

Bolton befriends Dyson's son Gary, who is in a wheelchair as the result of a recent drunk driving accident, when Gary comes to visit his mother after his stint in a rehabilitation centre. Declan convinces Danielle not to say anything to Allie when they see Matt and Stassy kissing. When Allie eventually discovers Matt's involvement with Stassy, she gives him an ultimatum to move out of the warehouse. Bolton helps to turn around Gary's argry-at-the-world attitude to help him mend his strained relationship with his mother. Allie looks for recruits to form a school netball team.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Marc Gray as Gary Dyson

Episode 4.11 (76)

Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Andrew Prowse

Stassy borrows Allie's essay and copies it to hand in as her own but when Ronnie confronts her about the matching papers, Stassy claims that it was Allie who copied her work. Declan gets into trouble gambling and when he loses his friends' rent money, he resorts to stealing money from the Shark Pool to cover his debts. After leaving the warehouse, Matt moves in with the Bordinos.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Elaine Lee as Maria, Paul Rogers as Leo Fine, Matt Reeder as Blue

Episode 4.12 (77)

Written by Chris Roache
Directed by Chris Langman

The senior class is participating in a work experience programme. Katerina is eager to go to work at an advertising agency but is disappointed to learn she has been given the job of receptionist. Bolton works with a carpet layer and is excited at the prospect of being hired on permanently while Matt has a ball with his position with a professional basketball team. Danielle and Allie follow a television reporter whose desire to do a story on Dani's drug problem doesn't sit well with Allie. Meanwhile, Stassy and Declan, who are the only students without job postings, learn what it's like to be teachers at Hartley.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Tina Bursill as Trish Ferro, Bill Young as Cecil, David Franklin as Justin, Peter Gow as Mr. Wong, Ben Borgia as Boy, Kristy Lorroway as Girl, Michelle Owen as Girl, Peter Stonham as Student, Yvette Cantali as Julie

Episode 4.13 (78)

Written by David Phillips
Directed by Chris Langman

An old flame from Andrew's past visits him en route to her new research job in Antarctica. Katerina spends the evening struggling to manage the Shark Pool on her own while the rest of the gang work on a science project at the warehouse. Their work, and fighting, comes to an abrupt end when Matt is electrocuted. Andrew accepts Dana's offer to join her research team and announces his departure from Hartley.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Anne Looby as Dana, Matt Reeder as Blue

Note: the final episode for Ian Bliss

Episode 4.14 (79)

Written by Elizabeth Coleman
Directed by Andrew Prowse

Bolton costs Hartley the first round of a debate competition by agreeing with his opponent, a girl from St. Catherine's Girl School [Allie's former school] whom he has a crush on. Bolton asks Linda out on a date but after a dinner with her traditional parents, they forbid Linda from seeing him again. Hartley wins the second debate on the strength of Bolton's inspired concluding argument on the topic of racism, but afterwards Linda tells him that she will be moving back to Taiwan with her family. Stassy's home life interferes with her school work. Katerina flirts with Internet dating.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Amanda Chan as Linda Tam, Jon-Claire Lee as Mr. Tam, Jeamin Lee as Ms. Chan, John Andrews as Chairperson, Chris Hanrahan as Waiter, Russell Byrne as Stretch, Dan Butcher as Yob

Episode 4.15 (80)

Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Karl Zwicky

New teacher Tom Summers, son of school Superintendent James (aka Don) Summers, arrives at Hartley as Dyson begins a programme to teach the girls auto mechanics and the boys cooking. Matt doubts Tom's claim to being a part-time professional basketball player and challenges him to a game of one-on-one. Tom's assignment that his class bake cupcakes for the teachers is too tempting an opportunity for the guys who decide to lace the icing with laxatives. Upon learning the cupcakes will be used at a parent-teacher meeting to be attended by Superintendent Summers, the class confess their deed to Tom who must act quickly to intercept the contaminated cupcakes. Allie begins writing a novel with a promise from Tom to show it to his girlfriend who is an editor. Katerina receives word that her internet suitor is coming to see her and Declan gets a gig playing his songs at the Shark Pool.©tzuk

Guest Cast: John Clayton as James Summers, Ryan Lahodiuk as Matt Double, Philip Bishop as Tom Double, Ingrid Gillet as Katerina's Composite.

Note: Simon Baker-Denny joins the cast. John Clayton's character was previously credited as Don Summers in series 1 and 3

Episode 4.16 (81)

Written by Sally Webb
Directed by Catherine Millar

After Danielle discovers the body of her deceased neighbour, Danielle and Allie decide to volunteer their time to an organisation that provides companions for senior citizens. The arrival of Katerina's internet friend, Charlie Byrd, proves that two can lie about their appearance. Charlie attempts to win over a now disinterested Katerina by promising he has the contacts necessary to acquire tickets to a sold out Take That concert. In return for Bolton's help in securing the tickets, Charlie agrees to help him keep in contact with Linda who he's been out of touch with since being banned from the school's computer lab for running up a $200 internet bill. Declan contemplates dropping out of school when his mother is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Elaine Lee as Maria, Betty Lucas as Violet Abernathy, Syd Conabere as Jack Shaw, Jean Taylor as Deceased Old Lady [Maggie]

Note: Sebastian Goldspink joins the cast

Episode 4.17 (82)

Written by Suzanne Hawley
Directed by Catherine Millar

Mr. Summers announces a new Creative Marketing project which sees the kids pair up to create and market environmentally-friendly products. Matt and Bolton push their "Bolton Beads," Danielle markets Declan's repackaged musical talents, while Katerina dismisses Charlie's practical idea only to see her perfume endeavour fizzle. Meanwhile, Stassy and Allie's fashion project is threatened by Stassy's father's steadfast refusal to allow his daughter to work after school or go to the final presentations at the Shark Pool. With her mother's help, Stassy goes behind her father's back to attend the presentations but when he sees her picture in the newspaper the next morning, their heated argument culminates in Stassy leaving home. After learning Tom has been helping Allie with her book, Dyson warns him against working alone with Allie.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Veronica Lang as Vera Sumich, Vincent Gil as Boris Sumich, Dean Sammut as Stassy's Brother 1, Mark Sammut as Stassy's Brother 2, Henry Lien as Bead Boy 1, Damien Babb as Bead Boy 2

Episode 4.18 (83)

Written by Tim Gooding
Directed by Karl Zwicky

It's the day of the school's cross country race. Tom's girlfriend, book editor Vicki Hodge, looks at Allie's work and asks her to skip the race so they can work on the book together. Bolton passes out photocopies of pages from Allie's novel, the characters of which seem strangely familiar to its readers (and not at all flattering). Hurt by Allie's representation of him in her book, Charlie tries to impress his classmates by entering in the advanced race but it is too much for him and he collapses midway through with an irregular heartbeat. Tom invites a pair of scouts from the Sydney Stilts basketball team to come out and watch Matt run and despite Matt not finishing (he stopped to help Charlie), they offer him a tryout. In all the confusion, Bolton rolls his way to an easy, if short-lived, victory. Matt and Allie break up.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Vanessa Steel as Vicki, Steve Carpino as Don Rice, Kevin Copeland as Richard Hoffman

Episode 4.19 (84)

Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Rocco returns from America (Con is doing well) and consults Roberto about the possibility of selling the Shark Pool. Unbeknownst to Roberto, Rocco is once again in financial trouble and is hoping to raise enough money with the sale of his share to clear his debt with Leo Fine. When Roberto refuses to sell, Rocco resorts to stealing money from the business to pay off Leo. When the theft is discovered, Matt must stand up to defend Declan when Rocco attempts to place the blame on him. Bolton approaches Dyson about finding a way to help Stassy out with her financial troubles but it is Allie and Danielle who land Stassy an interview with a modelling agency after they send out Stassy's photo without her knowledge. Despite his good intentions, Stassy doesn't appreciate Bolton meddling in her life. Katerina reneges on the agreement she made with Charlie while he was in hospital to go out on a date with him.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Angelo D'Angelo as Rocco, Paul Rogers as Leo Fine, Adam Schofield as Policeman 1, Geoffrey Perry as Policeman 2

Episode 4.20 (85)

Written by Marcia Gardner, Peter Aquilia and Phil McAloon
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Charlie approaches Matt to ask for his help in becoming "cool." After his make-over, the girls all fawn over the "new" Charlie. A superficial Katerina quickly changes her mind about the former nerd but despite her failed attempt to change his personality as well, the predestined couple finally hook up. A former bandmate from Declan's days in "Rapscallion" arrives with an offer to cut him in on her record deal. Unfortunately, their fateful partnership falls apart when it is revealed that she is only interested in using his songwriting talents to further her struggling career. Bolton helps Stassy through her first runway modelling session and the pair succeed in bringing down the house, quite literally. Afterwards, Stassy admits to Bolton that she never wanted to model but was only looking for a way to earn money and when her financial assistance comes through, she is able to give it up. Tom helps Allie finish her novel, entitled "Clouds in the Water," and announces to her classmates that she has been short-listed for the state literary fellowship that would see her go to the UK for a six month writing workshop if she is awarded the prize.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Rachael Blake as Lara, Bruce Venables as Sergio, Lee Watson as Waiter

Episode 4.21 (86)

Written by Philip Dalkin
Directed by Andrew Prowse

Stassy enraptures Bolton with her new-found mysticism but only manages to enrage the petty tyrant that is Katerina with displays of her so-called psychic abilities. Despite the eventual revelation of the fraudulent nature of her powers, Bolton and Stassy reconfirm their status as soulmates. Hoping to capitalise of the success of Allie's novel, Tom suggests that Hartley High be developed as a Centre of Excellence in the Humanities. Ronnie is skeptical of Tom's idea, and after reading Allie's book, she begins to get a clearer picture Tom and Allie's relationship (and subtly lets Allie know that she knows by reciting to her William Blake's The Sick Rose).©tzuk

Guest Cast: none

Episode 4.22 (87)

Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Nico Lathouris and Andrew Prowse

Dyson announces that Allie has won the state literary fellowship but Allie decides to turn down the award after having just learned that she is pregnant. When he is told by Danielle, Matt, who is now seeing Stassy, tries to do the right thing only to have Allie push him away. When Matt and Dani later observe Allie talking with Tom, they realise that it was Tom who got Allie pregnant, not Matt. Enraged, Matt assaults Tom in the schoolyard and soon finds himself before Dyson trying his best not to explain why he hit Tom. After learning that Tom has gotten engaged to his girlfriend Vicki, Allie goes to Dyson to explain what has been going on in an effort to protect Matt from being expelled. Allie's future is settled when Ronnie and Dyson convince her to accept the fellowship, which will require her to leave for London immediately. Meanwhile, Tom's teaching career is all but over after he is suspended pending an investigation of his relationship with Allie. Charlie decides to organise a party for his impending birthday but a lack of support from his friends quickly puts an end to his plans. Unbeknownst to Charlie however, Katerina and Bolton plan a surprise party for him at the Shark Pool. The event goes off as planned but is altered to serve as a going away party for Allie as well.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Jackie Fenton as Jonno, Carla Yamine as Deidre

Note: the final episode for Inge Hornstra (33 episodes) and Simon Baker-Denny (just 8)

Episode 4.23 (88)

Written by Phil McAloon
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Bolton surprises everyone when he wins the prestigious Henry Lawson poetry contest but his classmates' suspicions are soon confirmed when a new arrival, mature student Max Harrison (who has recently quit the army and returned to school for his High School Certificate) publicly reveals Bolton's work to be plagiarised. Ironically, the poems are by Ern Malley, the infamous (and fictional) Australian poet. Having already spent the prize money on a diamond nose stud for Stassy, Bolton gets a job as the slogan-spouting street-corner pitchman Chucky the Chicken ("I'm Charlie the Chicken and my thighs are going really cheap!") to earn back the money. Meanwhile, Max leads a revolt against Ronnie and her course material, but when he attempts to initiate a walkout, the class is reluctant to join him and come to Ronnie's defence. Max's short stint at Hartley comes to an end after he helps Danielle spice up her safe sex article in the school's magazine. Ms. Dyson receives a number of complaints from parents about the issue and decides to expel Max and his can't-take-orders attitude. Charlie chooses incorrectly when he must decide whether to help Roberto assemble a do-it-yourself burglar alarm or go out with Katerina. When the alarm goes haywire, Charlie lands in Roberto's bad books, which of course makes him all the more desirable to Katerina. Bolton is heartbroken when Stassy responds to his declaration of love by telling him she likes him only as a friend. Bolton returns to his familiar jocular role, as evidenced by the performance of his rousing new autobiographical poem, Shriek of the Mutilated: "There once was a young fellow from Hartley / Who thought he could do things real smartly / But he gave up all hope / 'Cause he was a complete dope / If not completely, then partly!"©tzuk

Guest Cast: Jerome Ehlers as Max Harrison, Barry Rugless as Donny, Peter Flett as Eric Grose, Dane Butcher as Student

Episode 4.24 (89)

Written by Greg Millin
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Bolton goes to great lengths to prevent the closing of his uncle's bowling alley but receives little help from his friends. Dani and Declan win the school council elections but want no part in Bolton's idea to make bowling a school sport. Instead, Declan proposes fencing as an alternative. Katerina accuses Stassy of stealing a lottery ticket the group bought in hopes of giving the prize money to Bolton's uncle and challenges her to a dual during Declan's fencing exhibition. June sits in on Ronnie's blind date with Roger, a real "blue algae" of a guy. When Bolton learns from his uncle that the local Hartley Council is taking bribes from a developer interested in redeveloping his uncle's property, Bolton informs Dyson who convinces Roger to obtain the evidence needed to reveal the Council's corruption and save the bowling alley. A 50's themed gala is held at the bowling alley to celebrate. Matt decides to leave the Bordinos' house and move in with Stassy at the warehouse.©tzuk

Guest Cast: Michael Caton as Barney, John Sheerin as Roger

Episode 4.25 (90)

Written by Howard Griffiths
Directed by Catherine Millar

With his parents fighting and making divorce plans, Charlie's behaviour begins to grow more erratic as he falls into the clutches of a cult. When she learns Stassy was briefly involved with "The Deliverance Movement", Katerina asks for her assistance to get Charlie out. With help from Matt, Bolton, and Declan, Katerina manages to rescue Charlie from the cult's commune. Helen is irked by Roberto's laissez-faire attitude towards their impending 20th anniversary and petty jealousies about one another's coworkers only add to the Bordinos' domestic dilemmas. Feeling squeezed out by Matt's arrival at the warehouse, Danielle asks Declan about the possibility of moving in with him and his mother. Declan turns her down stating that his mother would feel embarrassed having her there but Danielle quickly realises that Declan is not telling her the truth.©tzuk

Guest Cast: David Downer as Mike Byrd, Katrina Foster as Jill Byrd, Amanda Bishop as Cult Girl 1, Bernadette Sevcek as Cult Girl 2, Ben Connolly as Sam, Ray Gregory as Policeman, Andrew Smith as Cult Heavy, Shane as Shem - the dog

Episode 4.26 (91)

Written by James Lee
Directed by Catherine Millar

With HSC exams just a few short days away, Bolton rallies his classmates to make their Muck-Up Day an event to remember. Events however go horribly wrong when a fire breaks out in the school computer lab and Dyson eyes Matt as her prime suspect and threatens to withdraw the entire class's HSC eligibility unless the culprit comes forward. Fortunately, while reviewing the video Charlie made of the day's events, Katerina spots the real perpetrator (he's an old friend of Matt's who was kicked out of school and returned to settle the score) and Matt is exonerated. Charlie proposes to Katerina, but after her acceptance, they both begin to have second thoughts about the commitment and decide to put off their nuptials — much to Roberto's delight. The gang decide to create a time capsule to mark the year's end. After burying it with her friends, Danielle announces that she has decided to take a reporter's job offered to her by a television station in Wollongong.©tzuk

Guest Cast: John Clayton as Don Summers, Josh Picker as Sonny, Sean Garlick as Police Sergeant

Note: the final episode for Emma Roche, the last original starring cast member (Jon Pollard has been with the show since the start too but he was a guest star until 4.01)