australian television information archive

Operation Sphinx

Episode 4.01 (53)
November 17, 1997
Written by Michael Joshua
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Brett and Jason are out testing a new diving suit when Jason encounters a strange bright light deep underwater. Spooked, the brothers quickly leave and head off to see Neri on her island. Back on ORCA, Winston is puzzled by a magnetic anomaly on his scans of the ocean floor. Even more strange is that the anomaly is in the shape of a perfect square. Dianne announces to the boys that she is thinking of pursuing the vacant position of ORCA Commander. Jason matches the location of Winston's magnetic anomaly to where he saw the strange lights. Neri is also intrigued by the region prompting a closer investigation of the site.

Neri swims out to the location with Jason and Winston following in the Minifin, ORCA's new submarine. What they find surprises everyone — a huge underwater pyramid! Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Praxis (Preventative Response And eXtraterritorial Intelligence Service), agents Jake Shelby and Elly Hauser are dispatched to Egypt where reports suggest signals from outerspace are being received. In Egypt, Professor Malakat and his young assistant continue their search for the underwater entrance to the Pyramid of Mystery.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Tony Briggs as Dave, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N.

The Mysterious Pyramid

Episode 4.02 (54)
November 18, 1997
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Visiting ORCA Pacific headquarters for her job interview, Dianne is surprised to discover the interviewer is her ex-husband who is the new CIC of ORCA Pacific. She is even more surprised to learn the job of ORCA Commander is hers if she wants it.

A return visit is made to the pyramid by Neri, Jason, and Brett. Neri finds a way in and the boys follow in the Minifin. While exploring the pyramid's interior, Neri activates a holographic recording which relays a cryptic message about a quest. A doorway is opened revealing a swirling vortex which pulls the trio in. They emerge inside another pyramid, and upon exiting, discover that they are in Egypt! Meanwhile, Agents Shelby and Hauser begin their search for the receivers of the alien transmissions while Malakat and Shersheba continue their own search.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Tony Briggs as Dave, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn

Note: 1998 AFI award nominee for "Best Childrens Television Drama" (Jonathan M. Shiff)

The Transport

Episode 4.03 (55)
November 19, 1997
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Now in Egypt, Neri, Jason, and Brett wander into an archeological dig and meet Professor Malakat and Shersheba. After the Minifin is found abandoned, Winston tracks the signal from Brett's vid-phone to Egypt, but discounts his unexpected findings as a phantom signal. Back in Egypt, Malakat begins to take an interest in the strange travelers he's taken in and has Shersheba befriend Jason hoping to find out more about Neri. Jason is able to make a quick phone call to ORCA and tells Cass where they are.

Out searching for Jason and Brett in the Minifin, Dianne and Winston encounter a forcefield surrounding the pyramid and are forced to turn back. From an analysis of the material in Neri's clothes, Malakat determines that she is not from Earth and his interest in her grows. When Shelby and Hauser enter the camp, he directs the agents to the kids. Shelby contacts Dianne and promises to send the boys back to Australia but Neri will have to stay behind due to problems verifying her identity. Forced to make a quick escape, Jason commandeers a jeep and the trio escape and join up with a tour group headed back to the Pyramid of Mystery.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Big Bad Ralph as Horace, Michael Joshua as Tour guide

Note: 1998 AFI award nominee: "Best Childrens Television Drama" (Jonathan M. Shiff)

The Golden Ankh

Episode 4.04 (56)
November 22, 1997
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Using a DNA sample obtained from a strand of Neri's hair, Praxis identifies Neri as an alien and make her capture their top priority. Wandering in the desert looking for the Pyramid of Mystery, Neri, Jason and Brett get a ride from two Bedouins who bring them back to their camp. Although concerned they've only been picked up for the reward, after Neri rescues a young Bedouin girl from a well, the trio become honoured guests. The kids are told a curious story about an ancient Bedouin man who was abducted by people who "live like fish."

The next morning the chieftan takes them back to the well that holds the entrance to the Pyramid of Mystery but they are spotted by Malakat and Shersheba who, after summoning Shelby and Hauser, pursue them into the pyramid. Inside, Neri locates a golden ankh and opens the water portal allowing her, Jason and Brett to escape. They emerge on the other side to learn they've been transported to a cave in the Outback. Back on ORCA, Dianne is forced to tell Jason and Brett's father the entire truth about Neri and what has happened to their sons.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., George Vidalis as Chieftain, Rodney Afif as Bedouin, Ramez Tabet as Bedouin, Josie Palermo as Belly Dancer, Nina Godino as Bedouin Child

Stranded in the Desert

Episode 4.05 (57)
November 23, 1997
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Leaving the cave to seek help, Jason is found by Jakamarra, a young Aboriginal guide. He drives Jason back to the cave but he won't take them with him citing a legend about a "whale woman" who was pursued after leaving the very same cave. Tracking faint signals from the vid-phone, Winston locates the kids in the Outback. Hauser and Shelby arrive on ORCA where Louis is more than happy to help the agents.

After interceping Winston's transmissions to the Outback, Hauser and Shelby set out to capture the trio. They soon meet up with Jakamarra who is able to lead the agents astray long enough for Jason and Brett's father to arrive in a helicopter to rescue Neri and the boys. Before leaving, Neri gives Jakamarra the golden ankh for safekeeping.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Tony Briggs as Dave, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Heath Bergerson as Jakamarra, Harriette O'Kello as ORCA Officer

The Lie Detector

Episode 4.06 (58)
November 24, 1997
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Mark DeFriest

With Jason and Brett back on ORCA, agents Shelby and Hauser arrive soon after in search of Neri. Shelby locks down the base hoping to trap Neri inside but Dianne orders an evacuation of the base to countermand the lockdown order and with the base reopened, Neri is able to escape. She returns to the underwater pyramid and, after activating the hologram, learns that the image is that of Shalamorn, her mother.

In Egypt, Malakat and Shersheba's true natures are revealed. Shelby subjects Jason and Brett to a lie detector test but Winston is able to use H.E.L.E.N. to allow the boys to safely deny all knowledge of Neri. Jason, Brett and Neri are flown by the boys' father to a farm on the mainland for their safety but unbeknownst to them, Praxis looks on.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Barry Friedlander as Garron, Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn, Harriette O'Kello as ORCA Officer

The Bug

Episode 4.07 (59)
November 25, 1997
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Praxis moves in and apprehends the kids at the farm. Jason and Brett are returned to ORCA while Neri is transported, by boat, to Praxis headquarters. En route however, Charlie jostles the boat allowing Neri to jump overboard and escape. Cass locates the bug Praxis used to track Jason, Brett, and Neri to the farm hidden in Jason's watch.

Jason, Neri and Brett return to the underwater pyramid, placing the Praxis transmitter on Charlie as a decoy. Inside, the holographic image of Shalamorn informs Neri of a crisis on the Ocean Planet and tells her that she is a princess destined to lead her people. Meanwhile, Malakat and Shersheba have arrived in Australia to begin their search for the underwater pyramid.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Tony Briggs as Dave, Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn, Zev Eleftheriou as Captain

A Wrong Friend

Episode 4.08 (60)
November 26, 1997
Written by Linden Wilkinson
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Shersheba makes a surprise visit to ORCA and Dianne gives Jason the task of showing her around the station. Louis pesters Winston about the magnetic anomaly and threatens to tell his father — ORCA's second in command — until Cass brings up the matter of Louis' excessive use of his father's credit card. After intentionally missing her shuttle off of ORCA, Shersheba asks Jason to give her a tour of the reef which he reluctantly agrees to do. While watching Shersheba dive, Jason jumps in to save her when she appears to be drowning.

Jason is unable to find Shersheba but she is pulled to safety by Neri who Charlie called away from the pyramid to help. Back in the boat, Malakat suddenly appears and Shersheba quickly recovers. A struggle ensues between Neri and Shersheba but Jason is able to force Malakat and Shersheba overboard. As Jason and Neri make their escape, Neri comes to the realization that Malakat and Shersheba are also from the Planet of the Oceans. Back in their seaside residence, Malakat is able to discover the location of the underwater pyrramid using information Shersheba acquired while at ORCA.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N.

The Hunt for the Golden Ankh

Episode 4.09 (61)
November 27, 1997
Written by Annie Fox
Directed by Mark DeFriest

The return of Praxis to ORCA prompts Cass and Brett to seek Winston's help to delete all of H.E.L.E.N.'s records of Neri from her database. Louis observes them while hiding inside an airduct and informs Shelby and Hauser of what is happening but by the time the agents can act, all of the records have been erased.

Neri and Jason dive to the underwater pyramid where Neri once again activates the Shalamorn hologram. The pair are told about a rebel faction on the Ocean Planet that is opposed to a peaceful migration to Earth. Soon after, Malakat and Shersheba arrive and tell Neri and Jason of their own plans: as part of the rebel group, they plan to use the power of the pyramid to melt Earth's polar icecap to prepare the planet for their people's arrival. Malakat also reveals that he caused the spacecraft that Neri and her father were on to crash to earth. Malakat demands the Golden Ankh be tuned over to him, but Neri and Jason refuse and are able to escape through the water gate. They emerge in the Outback cave where Jakamarrahas been waiting for them.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Tony Briggs as Dave, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Barry Friedlander as Garron, Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn, Heath Bergerson as Jakamarra

The History of the Whale Woman

Episode 4.10 (62)
November 28, 1997
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Jakamarra takes Jason and Neri to where he has hidden the Golden Ankh. Malakat discovers the location of the Outback cave and informs Praxis of Neri's whereabouts after the two sides agree to cooperate. Brett interrupts their meeting with an anonymous phone call to Agent Shelby informing him that Malakat and Shersheba are aliens themselves.

Shelby and Hauser track Neri and Jason through the Outback, and after being joined by Malakat and Shersheba, they find Jason, Neri and Jakamarra and close in. Agent Hauser pursues the kids up a cliff face but she slips at the top. Neri sees Hauser about to fall and goes back to save her allowing Agent Shelby to apprehend her. Shersheba takes possession of the Ankh but Jakamarra grabs it from her and tosses it to Jason. Jason's father arrives by helicopter and Neri emplores Jason to take the Ankh and escape. Reluctantly, Jason boards the helicopter and must watch as Neri is taken away by Praxis.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Heath Bergerson as Jakamarra

Cheat

Episode 4.11 (63)
December 01, 1997
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Neri is taken to Praxis headquarters where she is interrogated. Neri's captures prompts Jason to put the Ankh out of reach of Malakat and Shersheba; he drops it into the deep ocean. Neri's deteriorating condition and Praxis's uncaring treatment of her results in Hauser developing a sympathetic attitude towards her.

Showing Jason footage of Neri from Praxis' security cameras, Shersheba convinces him that she and Malakat have Neri and offers to return her in exchange for the Ankh. Jason and Brett arrive at the transfer location but Shersheba, disguised as Neri, grabs the Ankh and runs back to Malakat at which time they discover the Ankh is a fake. Knowing the boys would need to have the real Ankh to be able to make a copy, Shersheba sneaks back onto ORCA and, with help from Louis, is able to learn where the real Ankh is hidden. Retrieving it from the ocean depths, Shersheba returns triumphantly to Malakat.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates,, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn, Belinda Davey as Dr Laviche

Imprisoned in the Bunker

Episode 4.12 (64)
December 02, 1997
Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Malakat and Shersheba attempt to unleash the power of the pyramid but are told by the Shalamorn hologram that the Ankh must be "prepared" first. Praxis resorts to using an experimental procedure to keep a deteriorating Neri alive. Paul bates locates the blueprints to the Praxis bunker and a rescue plan is devised.

Malakat figures out that the secret to re-energising the Ankh lies in the Outback cave. Using H.E.L.E.N., Winston and Cass are able to hack into Praxis computers and flood the facility forcing an evacuation. In the ensuing confusion, Agent Hauser helps Neri escape and turns her over to Jason and Brett who were able to enter the bunker through the flooded aqueduct.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn, Belinda Davey as Dr Laviche

Attempt at Revival

Episode 4.13 (65)
December 03, 1997
Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Rescued from Praxis, Neri is taken back to ORCA but she cannot be revived. Back at the Outback cave, Malakat and Shersheba successfully charge the ankh. At Praxis headquarters, all records of Operation Sphinx are destroyed and Agent Hauser hands in her resignation. Louis calls Agent Shelby to tell him that Neri was brought back to ORCA but with the project over, Shelby dismisses him.

Jason and Brett take Neri's body back to the underwater pyramid and Malakat and Shersheba arrive soon after to use the charged ankh. Shersheba uses the Ankh to activate the pyramid but as she is about to place her hand on the sacred stone to complete the process, Jason places Neri's hand there first. The pyramid comes to life and Neri is miraculously revived. In anger, Shersheba destroys the ankh bringing about a large seismic event. Jason and Brett escape with Neri and watch as the pyramid slowly sinks into the ocean floor. Neri returns to ORCA for a reunion with Dianne and Winston before returning to her island where Neri and the boys speculate about what happened to Malakat and Shersheba. Meanwhile in Egypt, two familiar faces reappear.©australiantelevision.net

With: Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, George Henare as Malakat, Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, Damien Bodie as Louis, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn