Ocean Girl: episode guide


The Snake Bite

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Episode 4.14 (66)
December 04, 1997
Written by Colin Budds
Directed by Colin Budds

Jason and Winston climb the mountain on Neri's island to install surveillance equipment. While making their descent, Winston is bitten by a snake and falls the rest of the way down. Back on ORCA, technicians are preparing to upgrade H.E.L.E.N. but when they shut her down improperly, the entire station loses power. Neri and Brett trek across the island for a rare flower that can counteract the snake venom while Cass leads the effort to get H.E.L.E.N. back online.

On the distant Planet of the Oceans, a fast-acting virus has ravaged the world's oceans and Malakat, as the leader of a growing rebel faction, is planning an invasion of Earth. Back on ORCA, a signal from deep space has been picked up by the receiver on Neri's island — it is Malakat scanning for signs of the underwater pyramid.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Damien Bodie as Louis, Tony Briggs as Dave, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Jackie Kelleher as Female Elder, Anthony Hawkins as Male Elder

A Spirit Appears

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Episode 4.15 (67)
December 05, 1997
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Colin Budds

Jason and Brett return to their father's farm with Neri for Jason's birthday but soon after arriving Paul is called away on business. While at the farm, Neri has a series of fleeting encounters with a mysterious young girl. Emma warns Neri of a coming danger while Neri helps Emma overcome her fears. Later, a story told by Paul and a new farm hand about the history of the property reveals the girl's true identity.

Back on the Ocean Planet, Mera faces an angry crowd of people demanding answers to the problems facing their planet. The installation of the ORCA's new H.E.L.E.N. 6000 computer is completed, but not without some growing pains.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Damien Bodie as Louis, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Molly McCaffrey as Emma, Tom Hutchings as Luke, Victor Bizzotto as Computer Technician

Helen Learns the Laughter

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Episode 4.16 (68)
December 08, 1997
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Colin Budds

On the Ocean Planet, Mera is pursued by the rebels but is able to reach the safety of the Pyramid of the Elders. To distract Neri from her worries about her sister Mera, Jason brings Neri to ORCA to relax. Malakat and Shersheba send a group of rebels to Earth. They pursue Neri as she swims back to her island but are driven off by Jason and Brett in the Minifin.

Shersheba leads an assault on the Pyramid of the Elders. Mera is able to escape to Earth with a new Golden Ankh moments before the elders trigger the destruction of the pyramid. As the Pyramid of the Elders is destroyed on the Ocean Planet, the underwater pyramid on Earth returns.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Damien Bodie as Louis, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Jackie Kelleher as Female Elder, Anthony Hawkins as Male Elder

Mera Escapes to Earth

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Episode 4.17 (69)
December 09, 1997
Written by Helen McWhirter
Directed by Colin Budds

Mera's spacecraft splashes down on Earth but as she swims to the surface she is surrounded by rebel commandos. Having watched the craft come down from Neri's island, Brett, Neri and Jason rush out to rescue Mera. Once safely back on the island, Mera tells of the spread of the red virus on the Ocean Planet, the rebels' growing power, and their plans to invade Earth after melting the polar ice caps

Malakat makes arrangements to return to Earth with Shersheba while Neri hides the new ankh in the river near the Bates' farm. Winston picks up Praxis radar activity near ORCA. Agent Shelby has monitored Mera's craft as it arrived on Earth and after successfully linking it with previous activity in the area, he is able to get Project Sphinx reopened. Neri observes Shersheba returning to the underwater pyramid with her commandos.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N.

The Race

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Episode 4.18 (70)
December 10, 1997
Written by Helen McWhirter
Directed by Colin Budds

Richter talks Elly Hauser into rejoining agent Shelby on the newly reopened Project Sphinx. Winston, Cass and Brett program H.E.L.E.N. to provide "just the facts" if questioned about pyramids. Louis overhears them talking about pyramids and tells Shelby and Hauser what they're doing. After a little prodding by agent Shelby, H.E.L.E.N. reveals the existence of the underwater pyramid near ORCA.

Shersheba leads a group of commandos in a search of the nearby islands for Neri and Mera but they are unsuccessful… until Brett is observed in a boat heading towards an island. Shersheba informs Malakat and plans a search of the island. After showing newcomer Ilona around ORCA, Louis challenges her to a race to the galley.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Phil Reilley as Camper

The Attack

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Episode 4.19 (71)
December 11, 1997
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Colin Budds

Shelby requisitions the Minifin to get a closer look at the underwater pyramid and Dianne assigns a reluctant Jason to be his pilot. Approaching the pyramid they encounter a group of commandos and come under attack causing the Minifin to lose power and sink towards the ocean floor. Jason is able to jump-start the Minifin using the battery from Shelby's GPS receiver and safely brings them back to ORCA.

Neri and Mera hide in a cave when Shersheba and her commandos arrive to search the island. Shersheba closes in but she and her commandos are frightened off by a flock of birds. After eavesdropping on Shelby's report to Richter, Ilona reports what she's heard back to Malakat. Hauser interrupts the transmission and becomes suspicious of Ilona. The president of the Global Union gives Praxis the authority to take over ORCA to use as a base from which to attack the underwater pyramid.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Tony Briggs as Dave, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Catherine Wilkin as Madame President, Ric Anderson as Commando

The Taking of Hostages

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Episode 4.20 (72)
December 12, 1997
Written by Linden Wilkinson
Directed by Colin Budds

Praxis begins moving their equipment onto ORCA — including several nuclear weapons. Jason and Brett travel to the underwater pyramid to propose a meeting between Neri and Malakat to discuss a compromise solution to their people's migration. Hauser is opposed to Shelby's heavy-handed approach to dealing with the aliens.

Neri meets with Malakat on a deserted beach. During their talk, Malakat reveals that he was responsible for her mother's death. Meanwhile, Mera is captured by Shersheba and her commandos who will only release her in exchange for the Golden Ankh. Cass and Winston realise Malakat has a spy on ORCA. Richter arrives on ORCA and assumes command of the station. Neri is torn over the decision on whether or not to exchange the ankh for her sister but Jason won't help her, telling her it is a decision only she can make.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Kim Carter as Ilana's mother, Marie-Louise Walker as Shalamorn

The Red Virus

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Episode 4.21 (73)
December 15, 1997
Written by Annie Fox
Directed by Colin Budds

Paul and Brett Bates are given an audience with the President of the Global Union to voice their opposition to Praxis' adversarial stand against the aliens and are granted an immediate suspension of all attack preparations. Malakat tells Shersheba and Mera that he was responsible for the creation and release of the Red Virus on the Ocean Planet. Hauser discovers that Ilona is a spy from the Ocean Planet when she walks in on her making a report back to Malakat. Realising its potention for good, Neri retrieves the ankh back to her island.

Hauser tells Cass and Winston about Ilona and asks for their help in 'understanding' the aliens. Mera locates a hidden passage in her cell inside the pyramid which gives her access to a source of water. Shersheba rebukes Malakat for his arrogance and controlling behavior reminding him that she will be the one in power when Earth is conquered. In response, Malakat stops advising her on what actions to take. Feeling the need to do something, Shersheba takes a vial of the red virus and releases it into the ocean.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Catherine Wilkin as Madame President

Before the Countdown

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Episode 4.22 (74)
December 16, 1997
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Colin Budds

As the deadly red virus spreads through the ocean, Jason must restrain Neri from going to Charlie's aid. Through the secret passage in her cell, Mera gains access to the central core of the pyramid and uses its power to send a telepathic message to Neri. Richter, along with Paul and Brett Bates, appears before Madam President of the Global Union. With the red virus unleashed, she grants Praxis the authority to attack the pyramid.

Shersheba encounters Neri in the ocean. She demands that Neri hand over the Golden Ankh to ensure the safety of both Earth and the Ocean Planet. When Neri goes to ORCA, she is spotted by Louis who informs agent Shelby. When Praxis checks the security footage, H.E.L.E.N. has already erased all traces of Neri's arrival, destroying Louis' credibility with Shelby. Neri decides to use the Golden Ankh to stop the virus. Concerned for her safety, Jason returns to the underwater pyramid to deliver the terms under which Neri will hand over the ankh to Shersheba.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Rhona Rees as Ilona, Catherine Wilkin as Madame President, Kim Carter as Ilona's Mother

The Countdown

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Episode 4.23 (75)
December 17, 1997
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Colin Budds

With Praxis' attack against the aliens pending, all of ORCA's non-essential personnel are evacuated to the mainland. Louis informs agent Shelby that Hauser has secretly kept Ilona off the evacuation list which leads to Praxis discovering that she and her mother are aliens. Convincing Richter of his importance, Louis also gets taken off the list prompting Brett and Cass to stay behind as well.

Believing Malakat and his commandos to have evacuated the pyramid as promised, Jason and Neri go to the pyramid but, along with Mera, they are captured when Malakat and his commandos reappear from within the pyramid. The pending launch of a nuclear torpedo aimed at the pyramid is detected causing all those within the pyramid to flee. Frantic efforts on ORCA to stop the launch succeed but H.E.L.E.N. later admits she responded not to Dianne's orders, but on instructions from a "higher power." With the launch aborted, Shersheba and Malakat return to the pyramid and use the Golden Ankh to activate it. Malakat's first order is to begin the melting of the polar ice caps. Charlie reappears.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Tony Briggs as Dave, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Rhona Rees as Ilona, Kim Carter as Ilona's Mother, Phillip Stammers as Praxis Technician, Brett Williams as Countdown Officer, John Morris as Commando

The Ice Melts

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Episode 4.24 (76)
December 18, 1997
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Colin Budds

With the melting of the polar icecaps well under way, Malakat prepares for the invasion of Earth with seeming ambivalence towards the red virus in the oceans. Shersheba challenges Malakat to create of cure for the virus immediately and he does using the power of the pyramid.

Shersheba releases the cure into the ocean but the red virus begins to mutate and grows stronger, surpassing even the pyramid's ability to stop it. Unaware of Malakat's efforts, Neri goes to the pyramid to plead for him to stop the virus. Malakat orders her to be killed but Shersheba intervenes saying that he cannot kill the Chosen One and Neri escapes as they argue. As Neri, Mera and Jason walk along the beach pondering their next move, Neri wonders if perhaps Charlie may hold the answer.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., John Morris as Invasion Captain

The Blood Test

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Episode 4.25 (77)
December 19, 1997

Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Colin Budds

Convinced Charlie holds the key to defeating the red virus, Jason and Neri obtain a blood sample from him for testing. As Praxis once again prepares to launch their nuclear torpedo at the pyramid, commandos storm ORCA allowing Shersheba and Malakat to seize control of the station. Jason returns to ORCA to find Shersheba in command. Suspicious of him, Shersheba asks Ilona to find out what Jason is up to.

With all ORCA personnel confined to their quarters, Cass and Brett sneak through the air ducts to the lab so that they may test Charlie's blood for antibodies to the virus. Ilona overhears their plans and tells Shersheba who bursts into the lab and seizes the cure to the red virus. Ilona and Shersheba return to the pyramid to tell Malakat of the cure. Crazed with power, Malakat reveals his true colours forcing Shersheba to flee with the cure, taking it back to the Ocean Planet. Ilona joins Neri and Mera back on the island where Neri has resolved to sacrifice herself in order to destroy the pyramid.©australiantelevision.net

With: Brooke 'Mikey' Anderson as Cass, George Henare as Malakat, Lauren Hewett as Mera, Tharini Mudaliar as Shersheba, Mark Neal as Jake Shelby, Brenda Monaghan as Elly Hauser, Gregory Ross as Paul Bates, Paul Sonkkila as Richter, Damien Bodie as Louis, Tony Briggs as Dave, Nina Landis as H.E.L.E.N., Michael Veitch as Officer Danton, Barry Friedlander as Garron, Rhona Rees as Ilona, Kim Carters as Ilona's Mother

The Queen

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Episode 4.26 (78, series finale)
December 22, 1997
Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Colin Budds

Asleep on her island late at night, Neri has a vision of her mother. She tells Neri that it is "her time" but Neri admits that she is afraid of what is to come. After arriving on the Ocean Planet, Shersheba is taken prisoner by Garron acting on orders from Malakat. Shersheba tells Garron that she has brought the cure to the virus but will only release it if she is recognized as their leader. Neri stops at ORCA to discuss with the Bates family her plans to go to the pyramid. Neri asks H.E.L.E.N., who has been in contact with the underwater pyramid, to ask it to allow her to enter the pyramid undetected. Through H.E.L.E.N., the pyramid directs Neri to the "Cave of Light" in the Outback.

In the underwater pyramid, Malakat orders the pyramid to destroy ORCA, but Neri and Jason arrive and start the process to destroy the pyramid. Just as they are about to finish, Shalamorn enters the central chamber and retakes control of the pyramid. It is revealed that Malakat did not kill Shalamorn but kept her in a state of suspended animation on the Ocean Planet as he schemed to take over. Upon returning to the Ocean Planet, Shersheba discovered this and set her free.

For their actions, Shalamorn exiles Malakat but pardons Shersheba since she brought the cure back to Ocean Planet and releases her from Malakat's hold. In a ceremony in the underwater pyramid's central chamber, Neri is crowned princess and heir to the thrown by her mother.©australiantelevision.net

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