australian television information archive

What Lies Beneath

Episode 4.01 (67)
Tuesday, February 08, 2011 (8.30)
1.943 million viewers (1st)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Pino Amenta

It's been three months since Ben and Nathan left on their road trip around Australia. Bearded and tanned, Ben returns without Nathan and smooths over his family's concern with a plausible excuse. He believes that if he wants to fit back in with his family, he has to be the fun loving guy he was before Melissa died. At home much has happened. Coby has moved in with Jake and started his apprenticeship, Ruby has started walking, and Rita is expected to arrive at Carbo and Retta's engagement party, and nerves are at an all time high. Coby confides in Jake that he is struggling with Rachel moving in fulltime, and Ben's positive façade is questioned when his emotions bubble to the surface.

Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Jessica Marais, Hugh Sheridan, Angus McLaren, George Houvardas, James Stewart, Michael Caton

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Dina Panozzo as Rita Karandonis, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

In With The New

Episode 4.02 (68)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
1.815 million viewers (1st)
Written by Boaz Stark
Directed by Pino Amenta

As Council Clean-Up Days looms Dave gets the clean-out bug. He's distracted, however, by Nathan's return from the big road trip. Dave soon picks up on an underlying tension between Nathan and Ben, although neither brother is willing to admit to it. What happened on the road trip and why has it affected both brothers so badly? Jake and Coby head off for a rugby weekend and Rachel is left to enjoy the house alone. When she finds the key to Coby's garage, her curiosity gets the better of her. Carbo meanwhile, is playing the supportive son as Rita, still shaken by her marriage breakup, puts Carbo and Retta to work.

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Dina Panozzo as Rita Karandonis, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Sarah Snook as Jodi Webb, et al

Careful What You Wish For

Episode 4.03 (69)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
1.796 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Shirley Barrett

Rachel wrestles with the potentially relationship-wrecking pitfalls of getting everything you want — particularly when truth is number one on the wish-list. Guilt-ridden about invading Coby's private garage space, Rachel compounds her sin by inadvertently offering his artwork as part of an advertising campaign. Rachel's also having honesty issues with Jake, who's being vague about his reasons for quitting rugby. Things come to a head at Coby's party, when the police come to take Jake away for questioning. Meanwhile, Carbo and Retta continue to suffer as Rita descends further into loneliness, driving her neighbours mad with dirge-like Greek folk music. At wit's end, Retta sends Rita on a brief foray into the world of internet dating. A vacancy at the local child care centre sends Ruby's baby-sitters Ben and Ted into a spin, and they become locked in a comic competition to prove their baby-sitting worth.

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Dina Panozzo as Rita Karandonis, Diarmid Heidenreich as Camel, Martin Lynes as Paul Morgan, Annette Shun Wah as Mai Wong, Wade Doolan as Strawbs, Alex Thompson as Johnno, James Pope as Police Officer #1, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Other People's Eyes

Episode 4.04 (70)
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
1.748 million viewers (1st)
Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Shirley Barrett

The aftermath of Jake's ill-fated rugby weekend is fully felt as Julie realises how much perception and misperception can affect the lives of her family and friends. Rachel is determined to support Jake in light of his charges of attempted sexual assault — if only he'd let her. Rachel's woes are compounded when her boss, Paul Morgan tells her he expects her to deliver a contract signed by Coby as the main artist for their new alcopop campaign. Ted meanwhile reveals to Julie that he's developed a crush on a beautiful Chinese woman, Mai who teaches Tai Chi in the park every morning.

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Diarmid Heidenreich as Camel, Martin Lynes as Paul Morgan, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Torquil Neilson as Hamish, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Annette Shun Wah as Mai Wong, Kelly Butler as Medusa

The Taste Of Freedom

Episode 4.05 (71)
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
1.806 million viewers (1st)
Written by Martin McKenna
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Nathan examines what it means to be free as he receives potentially upsetting news — his divorce from Sammy is final. The Rafter family have all witnessed Nathan's heartbreak over the end of the marriage and there is reasonable concern that Nathan could suffer an emotional setback over this. However, Nathan takes this potential hurdle and turns it into a springboard for a new and better tomorrow. Coby is also grappling with the issue of freedom as the day of his sentencing hearing arrives. Having promised to vouch for Coby in court, Dave is casually confident that the kid will get a slap on the wrists and that will be the end of it.

Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Jessica Marais, Hugh Sheridan, Angus McLaren, George Houvardas, James Stewart, Ryan Corr, Michael Caton

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Martin Lynes as Paul Morgan, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Martin Harper as Troy Stanley, Edwina Rutherford as Magistrate, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: Ryan Corr is promoted into the starring cast

The Dollhouse

Episode 4.06 (72)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
1.709 million viewers (1st)
Written by Jenny Lewis
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Nathan doesn't have much luck getting attention for his Parts Exchange website, so he makes up some flyers to distribute around the town, with Ben's help — help Ben is all too willing to give when he realises Nathan's business name "Parts Exchange" reads as "Part Sex Change" when run together as a domain name. Nathan is bemused when he receives dodgy emails and phone calls and when he finally realises his mistake, is comically furious with Ben for letting him embarrass himself. Jake risks everything by returning to the scene of the alleged attempted rape to confront Jodi, hoping he can convince her he is innocent of the charge. Has Jake made the right decision, or will the confrontation land him in more hot water?

With: Ryan Corr as Coby Jennings, Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Martin Lynes as Paul Morgan, Sarah Snook as Jodi Webb, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, John Martin as Chris Stubbs

Note: PTTR will resume at a later date. Seven's new series "Winners & Losers" assumes the timeslot. FYI, series 4 was commissioned as a full 22 episode series.

Sweet Sorrow

Episode 4.07 (73)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 (8:30)
1.815 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Rachel's doubts are intensified as she visits Jake to invite him to her farewell dinner. One thing leads to another and the invitation inevitably turns into a moment of good-bye passion. With Rachel now confused, Nathan convinces her she's made the right decision and she'll regret it forever if she doesn't go. Dave's father, Tom, announces his parole has come through and he's looking forward to spending more time with the family. Rachel tearfully farewells her family and sets off overseas, but Jake takes off in pursuit, determined to catch her, resulting in an emotional roadside exchange between the two lovers.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Martin Lynes as Paul Morgan, Kelly Butler as Medusa, Tony Chu as Henry Wong, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: the Rafter's family photo in front of the Shanghai Express is a callback to episode 1.01 where the same clevery arranged photo was taken.

The Male Communication Handbook

Episode 4.08 (74)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 (8:30)
1.597 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Dave relishes finally having a relationship with his dad, Tom, despite Julie's reservations about her recently paroled father-in-law. Julie raises concerns that Tom may not have reformed his crooked ways. Next door there is tension in the air between the boys, stemming from Carbo's hurt feelings at having not been asked to be a part of Nathan's fledgling car spares business. Meanwhile, Jake and Coby are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Alex, returned from New Zealand. Alex is cagey about what happened overseas, leaving Jake wondering what really happened over in New Zealand.

Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Angus McLaren, George Houvardas, James Stewart, Ryan Corr, Michael Caton

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Kris McQuade as Brenda Fraser, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Naomi White as Megan, Shannon Ashlyn as Mia

From Little Things…

Episode 4.09 (75)
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
1.624 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Ian Gilmour

The comic rivalry between Ted and Tom continues. Ted's convinced Tom isn't looking for work at all, instead sneaking off to spend time with an unknown lady friend.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Torquil Neilson as Hamish, Kris McQuade as Brenda Fraser, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Harry & James Keskeridis as Jack

Big Kids

Episode 4.10 (76)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
1.571 million viewers (1st)
Written by Boaz Stark
Directed by Lynn Hegarty

Julie finds herself out of her comfort zone when she attends a burlesque dance class with new friend Donna. Dave comes across some lingerie that Julie has bought for her performance, but when she doesn't wear it, he is left feeling jealous and insecure about her relationship with Hamish. Meanwhile, Ted is avoiding houseguest Tom at every opportunity, and makes it clear to Nathan he doesn't trust Tom at all. Then, Nathan sees Tom entering a pub when he's supposed to be working, and finds himself in a tricky predicament when Tom denies having been there.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Helen O'Connor as Katya Stupal, Paul-William Mawhinney as Doctor, Torquil Neilson as Hamish, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Swimming in the Gene Pool

Episode 4.11 (77)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
1.638 million viewers (3rd)
Written by Trent Roberts
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo

Grace tells her sons Jake and Alex that she's engaged, and both boys are happy for her until they find out that she has never actually divorced their father. Things become complicated when Grace meets with her ex-husband, as Alex is adamant he never wants to see his father again, but Jake's curiosity is restless. Tom is recovering in hospital when he gets a visit from his granddaughter, Bree, but Coby is less than thrilled with the arrival of his feisty sister. Tom encourages them to make amends, but Coby struggles to mend bridges with his sister.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Mercia Deane-Johns as Grace, Kristian Schmid as Alex, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, et al