australian television information archive

Episode 1.01

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 (8:30, Seven)
Ratings: 1.945 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Happily married couple, Julie and Dave Rafter are over the moon when Ben, their last child, finally decides to leave home. After raising three kids, the couple are free! It's a chance for them to do what they want, when they want and on their own terms. However, less than 48 hours after Ben moves next door, all dreams of freedom are completely upended — their three kids think being with their parents is a lot more comfortable than being out on their own, and they're returning with the same sure instinct of homing pigeons

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey Merchant, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Roy Billing as Ron Barrett, Olivia Stambouliah as Nurse, Tony Chu as Henry

Notes: ratings for the premiere of Packed to the Rafters place it behind only the debuts of Always Greener (2.06 million) and Sea Patrol (1.97 million) but ahead of McLeod's Daughters (1.89 million). The 22 episodes of series one were filmed from February 9 - Spetember 25, 2008

Episode 2

September 02, 2008
Ratings: 2.045 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital.
When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them?
An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked.
Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil.
Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey Merchant, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs, Roy Billing as Ron Barrett

She Ain't Heavy

Episode 1.03
September 09, 2008
Ratings: 1.960 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Pino Amenta

Rachel's growing alcohol dependence sends her family over the edge. Her careless actions could spell the end for one of them.
Julie desperately brings the family together for a therapeutic barbecue but simmering tensions erupt.
Ben finds himself the unlikely counsellor to both his sister and grandfather Ted as they confront traumatic turning points in their lives.
When Ted's humiliating secret is discovered by Rachel, she unwittingly sets him on a path to self-destruction.
Narrated by the Rafters' middle child, Ben, tonight's episode focuses on the dramatic and comic repercussions of his move towards independence and responsibility; and the on-going tension for Julie and Dave as they deal with the dark secrets of their family.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs

How Did We Get Here?

Episode 1.04
September 16, 2008
Ratings: 1.895 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

Sammy and Nathan's marriage is in crisis when she can no longer bear keeping the secret reason for their move into the Rafter home. This leaves Nathan with no option but to count on the family he's always taken for granted.
Relating the story of how he met beloved wife Sammy, Nathan is forced to face his feelings of worthlessness as a son, husband and provider.
In revisiting the evolution of his relationship with Sammy, Nathan takes us to his wedding day — both the happiest and saddest day of his life, as a beloved family member collapses.
Wealthy princess Sammy faces obstacles at every turn as she struggles to fit into crowded, suburban life with the Rafter family.

With: Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs, Jerome Ehlers as Tony Westaway, Sarah Chadwick as Maria Westaway, Julie Hamilton as Louise Taylor, Kris McCord as Oliver, Sophie Cook as Monique

Lines of Communication

Episode 1.05
September 23, 2008
Ratings: 1.945 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Ben finds himself in uncomfortable possession of a devastating secret which could blow his family apart, and with Dave's freelance career failing to take off, Julie makes a tough decision which tests the strength of their marriage.
Julie is starting to feel the financial strain of the family's new living arrangements as Dave struggles to find work. Tempers flare when Dave buys a new van they can't afford without telling her. Eager to ease their money woes, Julie tells Dave a white lie she later regrets.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissy Merchant, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs

Facing Demons

Episode 1.06
September 30, 2008
Ratings: 1.836 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Rachel faces up to her shameful past. In flashbacks, she tells how she met, fell in love and eventually left Daniel, the man responsible for emailing their private video.
Ted decides to move back home but what is he hiding?
Narrated from the perspective of the Rafters eldest child Rachel, this episode focuses on the aftermath of her sex video and its repercussions on her and her family.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Julie Hamilton as Louise Taylor, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs, Michael Booth as George, Malcolm Kennard as Ronan, Veronica Sywak as Talia

Self Made Man

Episode 1.07
October 07, 2008
Ratings: 1.979 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

Nathan's world is turned upside down as Julie and Dave make a splash at his father-in-law's 50th birthday party.
Nathan learns a valuable lesson about wealth and happiness when the life he has and the life he wants collide.
Determined to teach Nathan a lesson about family loyalty, Rachel sets out to humiliate him by dating his rich and snobby best friend.
Narrated from the perspective of Nathan, the episode deals with the journey towards Nathan's epiphany that he's not so different to the rest of his family and that isn't a bad thing.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey Merchant, Jerome Ehlers as Tony Westaway, Sarah Chadwick as Maria Westaway, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Roy Billing as Ron Barrett, Kris McCord as Oliver, Daniel Goodridge as Young Nathan, Brooke Sheehan as Suki, Peter Schotter as Roberto

Taking the Lead

Episode 1.08
October 14, 2008
Ratings: 1.886 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Ben's world is turned upside down after a drunken one-night stand. Dave must face up to the secrets of his past while Carbo strikes up a surprising friendship with unexpectedly romantic results.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Gillian Alexy as Lauren , Craig McLachlan as Steve Wilson, Daniel Lissing as Heath, James Tobin as Interviewer, Gil Balfas as Marco

Suburban Boy

Episode 1.09
October 21, 2008
Ratings: 1.868 million viewers (1st)
Written by Dave Warner
Directed by Pino Amenta

Dave reconnects with his foster brother, '80s rock star Steve Wilson, leading to an offer he can't refuse. Meanwhile, after a risky gamble with his boss's money, Nathan races the clock to save his job. Then, Carbo declares his feelings for Chrissy, but will she return them?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Craig McLachlan as Steve Wilson, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Drew Forsythe as Fred Mackie; Band: Dario Bortolin, Dave Williams, Rocco Pezzano; Krystal Forscutt as Steve Wilson's PA, Leischen Pogue as Sierra

All in the Planning

Episode 1.10
October 28, 2008
Ratings: 1.926 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Rachel is faced with a terrible decision. Ben gets the wrong idea when he stumbles upon a secret in Melissa's handbag. Sammy is offered the possibility of a glamorous job in London — but will she leave Nathan behind?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Luke Pegler as Daniel Griggs, Andy Whitfield as Nick Leigh, Isabella Fiori as Soula Jnr, Jake Fiora as Agysilas, Emily Fiori as Zoe

Away From It All

Episode 1.11
November 04, 2008
Ratings: 2.067 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Julie forces her dispirited family to the beach for a restorative weekend away — leading to everyone feeling restored but Julie herself. Ted receives advice from beyond the grave. Melissa's life is in danger when she goes into sudden anaphylactic shock during a Rafter BBQ. Romance beckons for Rachel — but is she ready to embrace it?

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Khan Chittenden as Ewan, Naomi Yoshinaga as Registrar

Note: Although it was the most watched episode do date, due to the Melbourne Cup drawing 2.156m viewers, this was the first episode of PTTR that was not the most watched program of the night

Removing the Block

Episode 1.12
November 11, 2008
Ratings: 1.959 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Ted steps back into the weird and wonderful world of dating. His journey begins when, encouraged by Louise's letter to the future, he attends a meeting of Friend Finders — a social networking group for people over 50. His first experience is bewildering and he finds himself cast as 'fresh flesh' — especially by two very different women, Helen and Marjorie. But is the newly widowed Ted ready for anything romantic?
Dave tries to implement a household roster; Rachel embraces a macrobiotic lifestyle with disastrous results; and Julie lets her hair down for a night of pre-Christmas clubbing.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Gennie Nevinson as Helen, David Baldwin as Frank, Vanessa Downing as Shirley, Helen O'Leary as Angela, Amber L'Estrange as Doorbitch [Stacey], Myles Pollard as Paul, Paul Winchester as Ric

Smile Through the Pain

Episode 1.13
November 18, 2008
Ratings: 2.013 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Dave's birthday celebrations end in disaster after a fight breaks out in a pole-dancing club. Forced to take on extra work to pay some unexpected bills, Dave reluctantly bonds with Warney — and discovers the beginnings of a surprising friendship. Ben is traumatised after a violent hold-up at the Boat Club; and Julie cramps Rachel's style when she and Caroline sign up for her yoga class, taught by a hot young instructor.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Kate Fitzpatrick as Marjorie, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Bernard Curry as Vishnu, David Webb as Dr Wesley, Alana Landsberry as Dental Nurse

A Mother's Radar

Episode 1.14
November 25, 2008
Ratings: 1.824 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Julie struggles with the realisation that her 'mother's radar' is not always exact when it comes to her children's problems.
Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with Vishnu, her hot yoga teacher, a secret from the family — but is he all that he seems?
Desperate for some time to themselves, Nathan and Sammy organise a romantic tryst at one of the properties Nathan is meant to be selling, and tensions rise when Sammy's successful ex boyfriend returns to Sydney.
Julie knows that Dave is keeping a secret, but is shocked when he reveals the truth — he's starting to consider Warney a friend.

With: George Houvardas as Nick "Carbo" Karandonis, Zoe Ventoura as Melissa Bannon, Caroline Brazier as Chrissey, Justin Rozniak as Warney, Bernard Curry as Vishnu, Sophie Cook as Monique, et al

Note: As with City Homicide, Seven is holding back the remaining episodes of Packed to the Rafters until 2009.

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Episode 1.15
2009
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Episode 1.16
2009
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2009
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2009
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2009
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2009
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2009
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2009
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