australian television information archive

The Power of Steam

Episode 6.01 (21)
Sun, November 10, 2019
Written by Tim Balme, Nic Sampson
Directed by Oliver Driver

The Brokenwood Aeronauts, a group of Steampunk enthusiasts, are having their annual convivial in a barn that has been kitted out with all manner of rustic Victorian bric-a-brac.

Joyous news is in the air when a local festival to celebrate their sub-culture is announced. But not long after, body parts are in the air, too, when an explosion kills one of their members — Lionel Bridges.

Mike and his team are taken into a world of dress-up and escapism where all the suspects have alter-egos; the perfect place to hide a motive, evidence or a weapon. Was Lionel the victim of revenge, jealousy or simply an unfortunate accident?

Cast: Neill Rea as Mike, Fern Sutherland as Kristin, Nic Sampson as D.C. Breen, Cristina Ionda as Gina, Colin Moy as Hughes, Elizabeth Mcrae as Mrs Marlowe, Pana Hema-Taylor as Jared, Karl Willetts as Frodo, Andrew Grainger as Alden, Phil Peleton as Neil Bloom, Zoe Robins as Cleo, Beth Alexander as Poppy, Dan Veint as Billy, Geoff Houtman as Nigel, John Leigh as Lionel, Geraldine Brophy as Elsa, Dan Weekes as Bart, James Kupa as Tim, Ascia Maybury as Dr. Carlton, Suivai Pilisipi Autagavaia as Wanda, Lucy Wigmore as Petra, Hamish Parkinson as Dr Devious

A Real Page Turner

Episode 6.02 (22)
Sun, November 17, 2019
Written by Fiona Samuel
Directed by Aidee Walker

World-renowned crime-writing author Jack Rudd visits Brokenwood to give a reading at the local book club from his latest novel ‘Knife in the Back’. He visits — but never leaves, falling victim to a method of murder portrayed in his own book.

Jack was a literary rock star — tall, dark and sexually magnetic — and it transpires he cut quite a swathe through the womenfolk of Brokenwood before he met his demise. And one woman in particular has a close personal connection to DSS Mike Shepherd.

When Mike and his team delve into the backstory of the book club members it is quickly revealed all of them knew Jack and all had an axe to grind or — was it a knife — in the back?

Cast: Neill Rea as Mike, Fern Sutherland as Kristin, Nic Sampson as D.C. Breen, Cristina Ionda as Gina, Elizabeth McRae as Mrs Marlowe, Pana Hema-Taylor as Jared, Lucy Wigmore as Petra, Roy Ward as Reverend Greene, Anna Baird as Maxine, Toni Potter as Toni, Lily Powell as Lindy, Blair Strang as Hamish, Matt Whelan as Jack Rudd, John Callen as K.L Carnaby

Dead Men Don't Shoot Ducks

Episode 6.03 (23)
Sun, November 24, 2019
Written by Tim Balme
Directed by Murray Keane

The members of the Brokenwood Duck Stalking Association are set to shoot on the first day of the new season. Fingers are ready on the trigger as the eight hunters wait patiently for ducks to fly. But then the misty morning presents an unusual sight as a lone wildlife protester sails into the duck shooting cove. Ducks fly, shots are fired but only the protester, Leslie Garrett, falls down dead.

With nobody prepared to take the blame Mike and the team are led to believe Leslie was shot by a mysterious ninth hunter seen briefly through the mist. Unable to determine who it was, Mike is forced to think more laterally than usual. Was Leslie’s death just a case of careless use of a firearm or were the ducks never the target in the first place?

Cast: Neill Rea as Mike, Fern Sutherland as Kristin, Nic Sampson as D.C. Breen, Cristina Ionda as Gina, Colin Moy as Hughes, Elizabeth McRae as Mrs Marlowe, Pana Hema-Taylor as Jared, Karl Willetts as Frodo, Zara Cormack as Kimberley, Jason Hoyte as Ray Neilson, Shane Cortese as Dennis, Mark Ruka as Tamati, Calvin Tuteao as Walter, Phil Brown as Lance, Renee Lyons as Jenny, Edwin Wright as Don Ducker, Narelle Ahrens as Marion, Wesley Dowdell as Ollie, Brett O’Gorman as Tony, Alex Ellis as Leslie

Dead and Buried

Episode 6.04 (24)
Sun, December 01, 2019
Written by Tim Balme
Directed by Katie Wolfe

A suspicious suicide in Brokenwood Women’s Prison leads Mike and the team to uncover a complex murder. And for Mike this one is personal — he knew the victim Corina Doyle from his days prior to Brokenwood.

As Mike and the team investigate they’re brought into contact with several familiar female convicts from the past: Trudy Neilson, Brenda White and Rayleen Hogg. They’re all doing their time and all up to no good.

And with Corina’s passing new information surfaces about an old crime. A secret from her past that will answer a nagging question that Mike has carried for 8 years.

However, for that secret to come out, Corina had to entrust it with someone and that someone wants Mike to do a deal.

Cast: Neill Rea as Mike, Fern Sutherland as Kristin, Nic Sampson as D.C. Breen, Cristina Ionda as Gina, Elizabeth McRae as Mrs Marlowe, Colin Moy as Hughes, Pana Hema-Taylor as Jared, Roy Ward as Reverend Greene, Zara Cormack as Kimberley, Jason Hoyte as Ray Neilson, Aroha Rawson as Denise, Tracy Lee Gray as Trudy, Yvette Parsons as Rayleen, Amanda Billing as Brenda, Romy Hooper as Corina, Teuila Blakely as Angela, Michelle Leuthart as Kasey, Laura Hill as Miranda, Tomai Ihaia as CJ Walker, Donna Franks as Nancy, Tameka Sowman Vahatau as Jonesy, Helen Steemson as Shaz

Note: this episode references the murder cases from episodes 2.4 (Yvette Parsons), 3.2 (Amanda Billing) and 4.3 (Tracy Lee Gray)