australian television information archive

Strange Encounters

Episode 1.01
August 29, 1994
Written by Peter Hepworth
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Dr. Dianne Bates and her two sons, Jason and Brett, arrive at the underwater ORCA research centre for a six month stay, during which time Dr. Bates, a marine biologist, will be studying whales with the help of her assistant, Winston Seth. Dianne's youngest son, Brett, takes to the station immediately but Jason is unhappy with his new home and cannot wait to leave — and is not shy about making his feelings known.

Dianne's first job at ORCA is to place a transmitter on a whale to monitor its brain waves. Out on the ocean, Jason is selected to tag the whale with the transmitter but as he prepares to do so a mysterious girl suddenly rises up out of the water pleading with him not to harm the whale. Surprised, Jason freezes, unable to do anything, and his mother is forced to shoot the transmitter onto the whale. Back on ORCA, Jason tries to tell his mother about the girl he saw but she doesn't believe his story. Sure of what he saw, Jason is determined to find the girl.©australiantelevision.net

With: Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Rodney McLennan as Spotty Kid, Mary Ann Russell as Pilot

Bad-Berry Dreams

Episode 1.02
September 05, 1994
Written by Peter Hepworth
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Brett and his friends welcome new arrival Vanessa Lane to ORCA with a practical joke. Quick to seek revenge for her very public embarrassment, Vanessa sets Brett adrift in a boat. When a tropical storm rolls in, Commander Lucas halts the search, much to Dianne's dismay, leaving Brett alone on the ocean to face the elements.

When the storm finally lets up, Brett finds that his boat has washed up on an island. He wanders ashore looking for help but instead he encounters Neri, the girl Jason saw in the ocean, and she cares for Brett after he eats poisonous berries. When a search party approaches the island, Neri takes Brett back to his boat and asks him not to tell anyone about her. Brett agrees but once back on ORCA, he reveals to Jason that he too has met the mysterious girl.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Doris Younane as Celia, Steve Broomhall as Search Officer

Secrets

Episode 1.03
September 12, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Mark DeFriest

After receiving his boat license, Jason's first assignment is to go out and mark the location of an illegal drift net. Neri meanwhile, responding to warning calls from Charlie, goes out to the net herself only to become entangled while trying to destroy it. Jason and Brett arrive in time to save Neri and after explaining to her that the net isn't theirs, she agrees to show them her island.

The next day when Neri takes the boys to her island, Brett wanders off while chasing a tree frog and becomes stuck up to his neck in quicksand before Neri and Jason come and pull him out.

Back on ORCA meanwhile, Froggy and Zoe find themselves in possession of a storeroom full of chocolate bars when Froggy hacks into H.E.L.E.N., the station's computer, to gain access to restricted food items. When Veneesa finds out and threatens to turn them in to Commander Lucas, Froggy and Zoe have no option but to dispose of the evidence.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N.

Hell 'n' High Water

Episode 1.04
September 19, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Having already fooled Damien into performing an embarrassing chicken dance in front of everyone, Vanessa gets herself paired up with Jason on a diving task hoping to find out what he and Brett have been getting up to when they're away from ORCA. Out on the ocean, Neri appears from beneath the waves to warn Jason that an earthquake is coming.

When Jason and Vanessa return to ORCA, Commander Lucas is angry at Jason for abandoning their project as there is no sign of any geological activity. When an earthquake does strike, Damien and Lee become trapped in a compartment which begins to fill with water. Froggy tries to hack around H.E.L.E.N.'s refusal to open the hatch that will let them out, but when he fails, it is left to Damien to rescue himself and the Commander's daughter.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N.

Past Imperfect

Episode 1.05
September 26, 1994
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Brett's birthday party proves to be a smashing hit with his friends but Brett is disappointed when he doesn't receive a gift from his father (his parents are divorced). Following a heated argument between Dianne and Commander Lucas over the acquisition of new equipment for her research, Winston suggests to each of them that their working relationship would be best served if they made an effort to be nicer to one another.

Talking with Froggy and Zoe about divorce and step-parents, Brett gets the idea that there may be a relationship at work between his mother and Commander Lucas — especially when he sees how nice they are being to each other of late. Brett's belief seems to be further validated when he finds himself suddenly being given a private tour of the bridge by Commander Lucas, during which Brett casually mentions some unsettling details about his mother hoping to disinterest the Commander.

After saving Jason from a shark while out swimming near her island, Neri tells Jason her life story — at least that which she remembers. For Jason, the strange story she tells only serves to reinforce the importance of keeping her a secret.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Peter McDonald as Father, Leilani Krans as Young Neri

The Real World

Episode 1.06
October 03, 1994
Written by Michael Joshua
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Jason's frequent use of the boats results in Commander Lucas banning him from using them for a period of one week, effectively cutting him off from Neri.

A pair of eager property developers arrive on ORCA expressing an interest in building a resort on a nearby island — Neri's Island. Jason volunteers to be their guide on a visit to the island and after convincing Neri of his good intentions, he and Neri are able to scare off the developers keeping the island safe. Witnessing the developers spurs Neri's interest in seeing more of Jason's world.

When Jodie takes forty dollars from a lost wallet belonging to one of the developers, Vanessa forces her to spy on Jason and Brett in order to keep the theft a secret. Adding to her woes, Jodie tries a tanning cream to attract the attentions of Billy, another new arrival.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Tim Robertson as Blunt, Neil Melville as Lambert, Elliot Hayes as Billy

Remember When

Episode 1.07
October 10, 1994
Written by Alison Niselle
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Neri brings Jason's attention to a toxic dump in the ocean that is making Charlie sick. When Jason is reprimanded for leaving an important project, it is up to Lee, Brett, Froggy and Zoe to prove to Commander Lucas that there is toxic waste being dumped in the ocean near ORCA. While Jason tends to Neri who has become sick, the others recover a barrel of the waste and dramatically unveil it during a presentation by Zenco, a mining company and a major sponsor of ORCA research — and the company responsible for dumping the waste. Neri expresses her desire to see the inside of ORCA.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Charles Tingwell as Mr Carmody, Nick Carrafa as Haig, Peter Webb as Max, John McCullough as Zanco P/A

Behind Enemy Lines

Episode 1.08
October 17, 1994
Written by Ian Coughland
Directed by Brendan Maher

After visiting Neri on her island, Jason reluctantly agrees to reciprocate and show Neri his and Jason's home on ORCA. After stealing one of Vanessa's uniforms and obtaining a fake ID from Froggy, Brett takes Neri on a long-winded tour of ORCA's maintenance sections that he hopes will bore Neri into making her visit a short one. Neri however is quickly captivated by ORCA — just as Damien seems to be with her. Getting separated from Jason and Brett, Neri wanders into Dianne's lab where she encounters Dianne and Commander Lucas.

Meanwhile, Vanessa discovers that one of her uniforms is missing — and has an idea of just who is wearing it. Fortunately, Jason and Brett are able to get Neri away from an insistent Vanessa and off of ORCA before any more trouble arises.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Tenley Gilmore as Valda, Emanuela Leoni as Valerie, David Watson as Male Crew Member, Leila Koran as Neri Look-A-Like

Breaking Away

Episode 1.09
October 24, 1994
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Brendan Maher

As the kids are preparing for their shore leave to Port Jackson, Neri makes a surprise visit to the station forcing Jason and Brett to take her with them. Damien invites Neri to a movie but the experience frightens her and she runs off. On her own, Neri meets a young boy and helps him retrieve a stolen bracelet.

Returning to ORCA, Jason and Lee find themselves alone together but Commander Lucas' arrival makes for an awkward moment. Neri asks Brett what kissing is like and when he suggests she try it, she does — with Damien.

Dianne and Winston come to the conclusion that the whale they've been observing (Charlie) is actually communicating with the small animal that accompanies him (Neri) but Dianne is not happy by Jason's lack of interest in the success of her research.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Jermaine Herbohn as Sam, Lyndon Daly as Kevin, Rhys Hine as Matt, Michael Richards as Nick, Louise Bennetto as Gift Shop Owner, Megan Holloway as Shop Attendant; Bianza Griffin & Todd Pilkington as Couple No. 1, Lisa Thorpe & Phillip Bartlett as Couple No. 2; Smithfield High Corroboree Group: Andrew Duffin, Frederick Duffin, William Duffin, Daniel Glutchen, Dennis Hunter, Gordon Hunter, Timothy Wason, Sam Wason

-In The Deep End

Episode 1.10
October 31, 1994
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Brendan Maher

New monitoring equipment leads to a breakthrough in Dianne's research allowing her and Winston to finally hear Neri's communications with Charlie. When the transmitter tag on Charlie stops working, Dianne must go out and replace it so she can continue her work. Using their recorded songs of Charlie and Neri, Dianne and Winston are able to attract Charlie to their location.

However, Dianne runs out of oxygen while diving and is rescued by Neri, who must reveal herself to Dianne and Winston. With Dianne's research in jeopardy of being shut down, Neri voluneers to replace the lost transmitter enabling the research to continue — and allowing Dianne and her sons to remain on ORCA. Jason and Brett agree to let their mother meet Neri.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Helen Jones as Jan Slater, Elliot Hayes as Billy, Stephen Hall as Medical Officer, Rebecca Strok as Orca Nurse

The Girl Who Fell From The Sea

Episode 1.11
November 07, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Brendan Maher

Dianne asks Neri to help with her research on whales. Dianne is especially curious as to how Neri is able to communicate with Charlie. Arrangements are made for Neri to stay on ORCA but as Dianne's work with Neri continues, Jason accuses his mother of "monstering" Neri when all Neri wants is to be a part of their family. Brett recruits Froggy, and Zoe to try and catch the spy who has been stealing Dianne's whale recordings.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Elliot Hayes as Billy

Running Tide

Episode 1.12
November 14, 1994
Written by Peter Hepworth
Directed by Brendan Maher

The spy takes the stolen whale recordings back to Dr. Hellegren at the competing UBRI research station — Hellegren is eager to become the first person to communicate with whales. While the boys try to enjoy some time away from ORCA on Neri's island, Dianne continues her research, uncovering Neri's remarkable telepathic ability. Dr. Hellegren uses the stolen recordings to lure Charlie into an isolated bay bounded by an electrified net. As Dianne readies Neri for her first dance, Neri begins to hear Charlie's calls for help and dashes out in the middle of the dance. Curious as to why someone would steal recordings of whale songs, Commander Lucas decides to takes a closer look into Dianne's research and discovers all about Neri.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Nicholas Bell as Dr Hellegren, Fred Whitlock as Johansson, Elliot Hayes as Billy, Ashley Firman as Senior UBRI Guard

Siren Call

Episode 1.13
November 21, 1994
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Brendan Maher

After Neri locates Charlie, Jason and Brett recruit their friends to help rescue Charlie, but to do so, Jason must first tell them the truth about Neri. Dianne chooses to destroy all of her research on Neri after Commander Lucas tells her that he will have to file a report on Neri.

The kids infiltrate the UBRI command post and are able to release the net and free Charlie. A blood test done on Neri indicates that she is not human. Dianne convinces Commander Lucas not to file his report. Leaving with Charlie on his annual migration, Neri tells her friends to watch for her return.©australiantelevision.net

With: Jacalyn Prince as Vanessa, Guy Mallaby as Damien, Andrea McEwan as Lee, Brony Price as Jodie, Joel De Carteret as Froggy, Cassandra Magrath as Zoe, William McInnes as Commander Lucas, Miki Oikawa as First Officer, Melvin J Carroll as Second Officer, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Nicholas Bell as Dr Hellegren, Elliot Hayes as Billy, Fred Whitlock as Johansson, Ashley Firman as Senior UBRI Guard