australian television information archive

Slings and Arrows

Episode 1.01
NZ: July 12, 2005 (TV3)
Aus: Dec 11, 2006 (Nine)
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Vanessa Alexander

It's one hell of a day for Cheryl West. On the up-side, her number one son is becoming the first West ever to graduate university and Cheryl couldn't be any more proud. There is no way she's going to miss the graduation ceremony, no matter what else happens. On the down-side, her husband, Wolf, is getting sentenced on various burglary charges. But Corky, the family lawyer, has assured them he'll be out in a year — at the most. It's not great, but the family has lived through worse in the past. It's an occupational hazard. Then there's a familiar knock on the door and the family nemesis, Detective Sergeant Wayne Judd, leads his police team on yet another search of the West property. Which is when Cheryl's day starts getting worse.

Staring: Robyn Malcolm as Cheryl West, Grant Bowler as Wolfgang West, Antony Starr as Van West, Antony Starr as Jethro West, Siobhan Marshall as Pascalle West, Antonia Prebble as Loretta West, Frank Whitten as Grandpa West

With: Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Trevor Sai Louie as Mr Hong, Roy Ward as John Stierson, Charles Unwin as Mr Smail, Jason Hoyte as Corky, James Ashcroft as WINZ Guy, Connaugh Laverick as 10 year old Jethro, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

The Rub

Episode 1.02
NZ: July 19, 2005
Aus: December 18, 2006
Written by Rachel Lang
Directed by Vanessa Alexander

Cheryl's plan to march her family down the straight and narrow road has not got off to a good start. There is rebellion in the air. Van is not enjoying working for the Hong family, paying off his debt to them as their pool boy and driver. Pascalle's modeling career, meanwhile, is under severe threat. She's working at the Snapper Shack fish and chip shop, where the fat is playing havoc with her complexion. Even worse, there is no way she'll ever get the $1500 to pay Rene, her photographer, to finish her portfolio. Worst of all, the money has run out. Cheryl's job as a checkout chick may satisfy her desire for honesty, but it sure as hell doesn't pay the bills. There's only so much mince a family can eat by candlelight because the power's been cut off, before tempers begin to fray.

With: Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Trevor Sai Louie as Mr Hong, Josephine Davison as Suzy Hong, Jeff Kingsford-Brown as Noel Greenwood, Aidee Walker as Draska, Ana Tuigamala as Mrs Tusitala, Toni Potter as Braelee, Phil Brown as Rene, Michael Koloi as Oscar Fusilama, Eryn Wilson as Robby, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

A Little More Than Kin

Episode 1.03
NZ: July 26, 2005
Aus: January 01, 2007
Written by Rachael Lang, Maxine Fleming
Directed by Mark Beesley

The West girls are visiting Wolf before they head off for a bit of a night out. They're off to a going away party at the Markham's house. Allen and Lexy are two of Cheryl and Wolf's oldest friends — old enough for Wolf to know exactly what a womanising bastard Allen is. Being pissed off with Wolf for his opposition to her grand plan for the family, she's quite happy to let Wolf's imagination do its worst. With him stuck in there and Allen all on his own while Lexy heads off to Paris. Who knows what might happen? Meanwhile, as the 'Maori' law clerk at Trapman-Stierson, Jethro is working on a potential goldmine of a case — misappropriated land, Treaty money — big fees for the company and big ups for Jethro if he can find the incriminating evidence. Enter Hugh, Jethro's law clerk rival, onto the scene. Hugh is an up himself son of a judge and he wants in on Jethro's job.

With: Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Katrina Brown as Noel, Chris Hobbs as Allen, Beth Kayes as Lexy, Erroll Shand as Hugh, Teuila Blakely as Savannah, Roy Ward as John Stierson, Ana Tuigamala as Mrs T, Toni Potter as Braelee, Ben Marshall as Paul, Eruera Sutherland as Gang Member, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

The Cause of This Defect

Episode 1.04
NZ: August 02, 2005
Aus: January 02, 2007
Written by Rachael Lang
Directed by Mark Beesley

A young guy runs from the police. He hides in a wheelie bin. Bad move, as the rubbish truck comes along, picks up the bin and tosses it into the back. Thus ends the short, tragic like of Billy (The Kid) Grady West. He may have been Eric's son, but the Wests were his true family — to the extent that he added their last name to his. It's the day of the funeral and the wake is to be held at the West house. Cheryl comforts Eric; Van is stricken by guilt; Pascalle turns her grief at Billy's death on her little sister, accusing Loretta of being uptight, repressed, and most probably the oldest virgin in West Auckland; Jethro worries about his Mum and the inevitable return of Wolf.

With: Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Chris Hobbs as Allen, Ben Mitchell as Paul, Daniel Mainwaring as Billy, Aidee Walker as Draska, Jason Hoyte as Corky, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Karan Purohit as Dairy Kid, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

The Infants of Spring

Episode 1.05
NZ: August 09, 2005
Aus: January 09, 2007
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Mark Beesley

Cheryl has sunk to an all time low. A career in junk mail delivery finally breaks her spirit. Even her offspring are worried about her so, spurred on by Jethro's example of how to be a loving son, they each resolve to do their bit to help out. Pascalle's still waitressing at The Champagne Club, which is not helping in her quest to be the next Rachel Hunter. Robby, the club owner, suggests that if Pascalle wants to be noticed then she should consider becoming a stripper. It's not a career path Pascalle has ever considered before, but the way Robby explains it, there are heaps of benefits. Loretta's take on helping out Mum comes in the form of trying to generate income by selling bootleg pre-release DVD's, bought from the Hongs, through the Video Hut. Meanwhile, Wolf sets Van up with a dodgy job working with Sparky, a speed-freak psycho nutter electrician/arsonist.

With: Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Tammy Davis as Munter, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Dane Dawson as Kurt, John Leigh as Sparky, Josephine Davison as Suzy Hong, Ginamarie Hufton as Emma, Andrew Foster as Pete, Trevor Sai Louie as Mr Hong, Eryn Wilson as Robbie, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

But Never Doubt I Love

Episode 1.06
NZ: August 16, 2005
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Mark Beesley

Pascalle's first modelling job brings her her first secret admirer. However, when the admirer turns out to be Constable Hickey, and his obsession turns into stalking, Pascalle turns to Van to sort Hickey out. Loretta is having huge problems dealing with the thought that Grandpa shared more than just a cell when he was locked up. His reassurances that it happens all the time when you lock men up together are, strangely, not very reassuring. Van is battling with conflicting emotions regarding Suzy Hong's pregnancy.

With: Jane Collins as Margaret, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Tammy Davis as Munter, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Josephine Davison as Suzy Hong, Trevor Sai Louie as Mr Hong, Ginamarie Hufton as Emma, Eryn Wilson as Robbie, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Briar Duggan as Yoga Teacher, Jake Lindesay as Van/Jethro Body Double

Foul Deeds Will Rise

Episode 1.07
NZ: August 23, 2005
Written by Jan Prettejohns
Directed by Jonathan Brough

Grandpa stuns the family by announcing that he and Margaret are moving to Tauranga to live together — but not before one last job. Jethro and Caroline decide to call Loretta's bluff and out themselves as a couple. When blackmail fails, Loretta faces the horror of returning to school. Jethro is admitted to the Bar, his final hurdle in becoming a fully-fledged lawyer.

With: Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Jane Collins as Margaret, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Roy Ward as John Stierson, Charles Unwin as Mr Smail, Shelia Summers as Judge, Anton Tennet as Kid, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

My Dearest Foe

Episode 1.08
NZ: August 30, 2005
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Jonathan Brough

Cheryl has an honest job — or does she? Her new job at an insurance company appears to be just what she needs until she discovers her coworkers are running a profitable insurance scam. Tempted by an offer to join, Cheryl decides she wants no part in the scheme at which point she is promptly transferred. Pascalle discovers the ugly side of the modeling industry when a cattle call for a Save The Animals From Cruelty charity reunites her with Chantelle Lazenby — a girl Pascalle hasn't seen since Irish dancing, when Chantelle was really, really fat. Now she is gorgeous and elfin and the competition standing in the way of Pascalle's destiny. Grandpa mends his broken heart through poker. The game goes on for several days as Grandpa systematically fleeces Munter, Eric and Rochelle of their money.

With: Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Sharon Tyrrell as Penny, Beth Allen as Chantelle, David Fane as Falani, Tania Anderson as Katherine, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Kirk Torrance as Wayen Judd, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Morgan Reese Fairhead as Xena, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

When the Blood Burns

Episode 1.09
NZ: September 06, 2005
Written by Maxine Fleming
Directed by Michael Bennett

When Van quits his job as lap-dog for Suzy and Tracey Hong, Mr Hong sets him up as manager of the Lucky Dollar Store where he inadvertantly starts a race war between the Hong and Doslic families when he discovers a stock discrepancy. The growing feud spills over into the West family. Mrs Doslic cancels her offer to host one of Cheryl's lingerie parties. Posters of Pascalle are defaced. Loretta gets spat at in the street. Eventually Mrs Doslic and Cheryl end up in a shopping bag fight in the supermarket car park. Jethro realises he lacks the ability to say 'sorry' when Tracey Hong demands an apology for Jethro sleeping with her while pretending to be Van.

With: Michaelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Aidee Walker as Draska, Tammy Davis as Munter, Trevor Sai Louie as Mr Hong, Vadim Ledogorov as Mr Dee, Jan Fisher as Mrs Dee, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Erroll Shand as Hugh, Teuila Blakely as Savannah, Darcy-Ray Flavell-Hudson as Damien, Brian Sergent as Eric, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Josephine Davison as Suzy Hong, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

The Fat Weed that Roots Itself

Episode 1.10
NZ: September 13, 2005
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Michael Bennett

Pascalle bags herself a real live TV star and Hoochie Mama's finances end up in the wrong pockets. The finances for Cheryl's lingerie business end up in the wrong pockets when Kasey gives all their money to her boyfriend who invests it in a drug deal.

With: Peter Muller as Grant Wilkes, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Aidee Walker as Draska, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Adam Gardiner as Murray, Morgan Reese Fairhead as Xena, Kate-Louise Elliot as Monica, Sally Stockwell as Sandy, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Angela Shirley as Journalist, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

It Cannot Come to Good

Episode 1.11
NZ: September 20, 2005
Written by James Griffin
Directed by Jonathan Brough

Van succumbs to temptation and returns to his old, wicked ways. He involves Munter in a carefully orchestrated plan to rob a money lenders next door to the Lucky Dollar Store. Needless to say the job does not go as planned. The finger is pointed at Cheryl as rumours begin to circulate that she was the one who informed on Luther Wallace. Pascalle learns a lesson in love and publicity when her affair with Grant reaches it's end.

With: Tammy Davis as Munter, Aidee Walker as Draska, Brian Sergent as Eric, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Peter Muller as Grant Wilkes, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Sally Stockwell as Sandy, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Morgan Reese Fairhead as Xena, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

To be Honest as this World Goes

Episode 1.12
NZ: September 27, 2005
Written by Maxine Fleming, James Griffin
Directed by Jonathan Brough

Van has managed to pry a few thousand of the takings from the Tongan job out of Draska's vice-like grasp to pay Corky to go ahead with Wolf's appeal — but Cheryl has no idea who the mysterious benefactor is. For her, the pending appeal raises the specter of Wolf getting out of prison — just as she has embarked on an affair with DS Judd. In prison, to make himself look like a model prisoner (and thus help his appeal), Wolf is doing a writing course, which is being taken by Caroline Darling, Jethro's girlfriend. Not that Wolf is actually doing any of the writing, because Loretta is doing it for him, but teacher is still very pleased with his work.

With: Aidee Walker as Draska, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Katrina Browne as Caroline, Jason Hoyte as Corky, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Michelle Ang as Tracey Hong, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double

Go, Bid the Soldiers Shoot

Episode 1.13
NZ: October 04, 2005
Written by Rachael Lang, James Griffin
Directed by Mark Beesley

Van and Draska, having brought shame upon the Doslic clan, are kicked out of the Doslic family home. They end up hiding in a rundown apartment, on the run from the law and shunned by all who are related to them. Despite this, Draska is still determined to carry on with the wedding. Enlisting Pascalle as her trusted bridesmaid, she moves towards her prize. Cheryl, meanwhile, has bottomed out. Her dreams for her family are in tatters and she is doubting the path of honesty she has frog-marched them down. Even worse, Wolf and Jethro's plans to free Wolf (and nail Judd for his creative use of evidence) are proceeding at pace. Will Wolf get out? Will Van go inside? Will Draska get her man? Has Cheryl got one man too many?

With: Aidee Walker as Draska, Kirk Torrance as Wayne Judd, Brian Sergent as Eric, Tammy Davis as Munter, Dane Dawson as Kurt, Roz Turnbull as Rochelle, Nicole Whippy as Kasey, Rohan Glynn as Glen Hickey, Glen Pickering as Van/Jethro Body Double