australian television information archive

Don't Tell Me Your Dreams

Episode 1.01
Australia: Nov 22, 2004 (Fox8)
Belgium: March 05, 20005
The Netherlands: June 6, 2006
Written by Jacquelin Perske
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Frankie is a mad ball of life. Her substance abusing flatmate Tom doesn't want to know about her dreams, but they're obvious to her workmates at the newspaper.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Sophie Gregg as Denise Spinks, Salvatore Coco as Nick Papendrou, Meme Thorne as Arvi, Tamar Kelly as Police Officer, Julia Wilson as Check-out Person, Jamie Oxenbould as Anouncer [sic]

What's In A Name

Episode 1.02
Australia: November 22, 2004
Belgium: March 12, 20005
The Netherlands: June 20, 2006
Written by Tony McNamara
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Frankie tries to deal with the public humiliation that comes from rejection. The sudden death of a friend causes Tom to question whether his quest to rehabilitate himself is doomed or not. Charlie and Julia can't decide on a name for the baby. Lou doesn't take well to having a younger brother and exchanges some choice words with Julia.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Salvatore Coco as Nick Papendrou, Penny Kid as Wake Woman, Lucas Healey as Singing Man At Wake, Joe Loria as Singing Man At Wake, Eamon-Luke Davern as Singing Man At Wake, David Campbell as Dominic

Crazy Love

Episode 1.03
Australia: November 29, 2004
Belgium: March 19, 20005
The Netherlands: June 27, 2006
Written by Jacquelin Perske, Marissa Cooke
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

When Julia's ex-boyfriend, Howard, is in town for the weekend, past and present worlds collide—new-baby stress meets IKEA mayhem, and Charlie's jealousy blows out of proportion. Julia's grateful for the escape—she's grappling with the exhaustion and identity-crises of new-motherhood and Howard's arrival stirs up nostalgia for her old life, a nostalgia that lingers and leaves her wondering, "Am I really happy?" In the meantime, Frankie has come to a realisation—she wants full custody of her and Charlie's eight-year-old daughter, Lou. What's more, Frankie makes the shocking discovery that her mother is having an affair with Bill, a married man.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Sophie Gregg as Denise Spinks, John Benjamin as Arthur, Vincent Stone as Rick Lauren, Kate Alstergren as Peta Lauren

Note: the name of Charlie's business can be seen clearly on the car door sign: "Jackson and Perske", a nod to series' co-creator, co-producer and writer Jacquelin Perske

Spin Cycle

Episode 1.04
Australia: December 06, 2004
Belgium: March 26, 20005
The Netherlands: July 04, 2006
Written by Brendan Cowell
Directed by Ian Watson

Tom's gone off his meds, and as he spirals further and further down into himself, into the place he loves to hate, those that surround him want the blow-by-blow description of the fall. Frankie takes on the role of babysitter to little Toby when Julia decides to start working again. Brenda and Gerry return from vacation in Fiji, with gifts for all. Frankie is perplexed by Di's continued affair with Bill.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Matthew Le Nevez, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Ian Bliss as Darren Longmann (uncredited), Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Sophie Gregg as Denise Spinks, Ivy Latimer as Ashley McClusky, Catherine Gallagher as Rick's PA, Paul Harmer as Delivery Bloke, Brett Sheerin as Jai Double, Scott McLean as Tom Double, Scott Pollard as Police Radio Operator

Stick Sisters

Episode 1.05
Australia: December 13, 2004
Belgium: April 02, 2005
The Netherlands: July 11, 2006
Written by Louise Fox
Directed by Ian Watson

Frankie seems full of hope when Julia's ex, Howard, asks her out. However, Frankie's mood quickly changes when she realises how her friends and family feel about her dating Howard. When Charlie forgets her birthday, Julia enjoys a quiet day's shop-lifting. When store manager, Dominic, catches her, Julia finds herself first confiding in and then pashing him when he lets her off the hook.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Katie Wall, David Campbell, Frank Whitten, Kelly Butler

And: Sophie Gregg as Denise Spinks, Ivy Latimer as Ashley McClusky, Romy Bartz as Tanya, Richard Summerhayes as Hairy Man

To Dance With Death

Episode 1.06
Australia: December 20, 2004
Belgium: April 09, 2005
The Netherlands: July 18, 2006
Written by Fiona Seres
Directed by Ian Watson

Frankie is experiencing a great change, and while it should be making her happy, it's causing concern. The single mum has fallen in love with Julia's ex, Howard. But she's wondering whether she can cope with juggling her new relationship, being a mum to her young daughter, Lou, and work stresses. Meanwhile, new parents Charlie and Julia should also be enjoying themselves, but something is about to snap. When an argument between the couple escalates, Julia says she's had enough. She moves out, taking their baby, to stay with her parents. Gerry struggles to deal with the aftermath of being beaten up by some youths while driving his taxi. Seperated from his family, Charlie spirals downward into a depression. Di is confronted by Bill's wife. Frankie calls things off with Howard.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Katie Wall, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Ivy Latimer as Ashley McClusky, Angela Punch McGregor as Angela Morris, Ian Bliss as Darren Longmann, Kate Hansen as Policewoman at Hospital

My Family Up A Tree

Episode 1.07
Australia: January 10, 2005
Belgium: April 16, 2005
The Netherlands: July 25, 2006
Written by Brendan Cowell
Directed by (not given)

Frankie has a change of heart about Howard but her newfound enthusiasm puts Howard on the back foot. Meanwhile, Frank's working on her entry for the prestigious Blake Art Prize—the deadline looms as she grapples with spiritual inspiration and, as love with Howard stalls, she can't help feeling a little jealous of Tom's wild, burgeoning anti-love-fest with Sonia. Angela and Di discuss their relationships with Bill. Tom helps his father return to work and comes away with a greater appreciation for his job. Charlie and Julia cautiously rebuild their relationship—with shared surfs, Latin love, and sunrise secrets, while Lou presents her family tree to her class—her own very special family that just keeps growing and entangling.

Guest Starring: Katie Wall

And: Angela Punch McGregor as Angela Morris, Ivy Latimer as Ashley Mclusky [sic], Erin Marshall as Girl in Cab, Rex Wood as Banjo

A Different Planet

Episode 1.08
Australia: January 17, 2005
Belgium: April 23, 2005
The Netherlands: August 01, 2006
Written by Louise Fox
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Tom and Charlie realise they're living on different planets when Tom flags a career change as a cab driver. Tensions simmer between Julia and Frankie as Frankie's relationship with Howard really blossoms. An unexpected tragedy changes the lives of everyone.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Paula Arundell, Katie Wall, Anthony Phelan, Kelly Butler

And: Ian Bliss as Darren Longmann, Angela Punch McGregor as Angela Morris, Ivy Latimer as Ashley Mclusky [sic], David Alan Lee as Father Chris, Rhonda Doyle as Adele Rodger, Ansuya Nathan as Dr Chan, Kieran Revell as Jogger, Hayley Carr as Young Girl, Trent Yee as Chinese Waiter

Note: this incredible episode deservedly won the 2005 AFI awards for "Best Direction in Television" and "Best Guest or Supporting Actor in Television" for Max Cullen, likely in no small part due to his moving performance of "The Wild Mountain Thyme".

Only Mortal

Episode 1.09
Australia: January 24, 2005
Belgium: April 30, 2005
The Netherlands: August 08, 2006
Written by Jacquelin Perske
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Frankie and Charlie are deep in their own worlds of pain. She finds solace in dreams while Charlie pushes away those trying to help him and turns to work, drink and nicotine to numb his grief. He won't open up and Julia is left to grieve alone.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Katie Wall, Anthony Phelan

And: Ian Bliss as Darren Longmann, David Alan Lee as Father Chris, Angela Punch McGregor as Angela Morris, Ivy Latimer as Ashley Mclusky [sic], Rachael Gorham as Dr Mary Davies, David Baldwin as Holden, Jack Rickard as Boy, Julia Davis as Sharon

Note: this episode won the 2005 AFI award for "Best Screenplay in Television"

Garden Of Love

Episode 1.10
Australia: January 31, 2005
Belgium: May 08, 2005
The Netherlands: August 15, 2006
Written by Fiona Seres
Directed by Jessica Hobbs

Frankie and Charlie are travelling down different roads to try and find a way forward. With their house on the market in an attempt to leave behind painful memories, Charlie and Julie begin to drift apart, she turning her focus to her work while Charlie retreats inwards, pushing away Julia in the process. As her birthday approaches, Tom is concerned for Frankie in light of the promise he made her.

Guest Starring: Damon Herriman, Kelly Butler, Damon Gameau

And: Katrina Campbell as Connie Stanmore, Megan Seres as Arty Woman, Glenn Millanta as Man

Note: appearing in this episode as "Art Woman", artist Megan Seres is responsible for creating all of Frankie's paintings.