australian television information archive

You've Got to Have Friends

Episode 4.12 (78)
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
1.587 million viewers (1st)
Written by David Lawrence
Directed by Nicholas Bufalo

Julie's new friendship with Donna is tested when she discovers that Donna suffers from Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Greg Hatton as Nick Steven-Jones, Hattie Boydle as Personal Trainer

Tipping Point

Episode 4.13 (79)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
1.546 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marieke Hardy
Directed by Steve Jodrell

Dave's successful friend Warney offers him a shot at the contract for a big office rewiring job, and Dave leaps at the chance. But blinded by ambition, Dave ignores the fact that he doesn't have a hope of getting the job done in time. Meanwhile, Tom encourages Ben to consider opening up his own bar and offers to help him organise the finances. But upon hearing of this potential business deal, Coby immediately becomes suspicious of Tom's motives. Also, Retta is feeling the pressure of wedding preparations, which increase when Carbo brings his livewire cousin Voula in to help. Meanwhile, Jake is trying to resist his burning attraction for Bree, at least in the face of Alex, who's making his own unsuccessful move on her.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Olivia Stambouliah as Voula Karandonis, Craig Ball as Sparrow, Sean Brandtman as Foreman, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, Warwick Allsopp as Celebrant, Warren Ekermans as Clown Witness

Notes: I haven't noticed any previous instances but "embedded advertising" is now appearing alongside more traditional product placement. But if you're selling product placement ads to Coca Cola, why do you also have a scene of Nathan drinking a Pepsi? Justin Rosniak last appeared in episode 2.22

Trust Issues

Episode 4.14 (80)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
1.605 million viewers (1st)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Steve Jodrell

Ben opens up to Emma about Melissa's death, and the cathartic experience enables him to finally get some closure.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Ben Maclaine as Phil Armstrong, Michele Durman as Sarah, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Risky Business

Episode 4.15 (81)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
1.608 million viewers (1st)
Written by Jenny Lewis
Directed by Roger Hodgman

Ben initiates a night on the town with the boys, and everyone is impressed by the up-market nightclub he takes them to. After the VIP treatment, Ben reveals that Tom put him in touch with Chris, a nightclub owner who is courting Ben as a potential investor in his next business venture, causing alarm bells to immediately sound for Nathan. At the club, Nathan realises how rusty he is at chatting to women and, prompted by his mates' teasing, forces himself to take a chance. Meanwhile, Carbo and Retta reassess their own sex life and promise to always surprise each other. But a return to the club prompts them to take their own risks, which, funnily enough, become a little too public.

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Ben Maclaine as Phil Armstrong, Michelle Durman as Sarah, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: Credits are as they aired but are incorrect (from 4.14)

Second Chance

Episode 4.16 (82)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (8.30)
1.445 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Chris Hawkshaw
Directed by Roger Hodgman

Everybody is up in arms about Tom's disappearance with the insurance money. Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies. But will Coby dig his own grave by coming clean with Dave and Julie? Jake and Bree rekindle their attraction, however Jake backs off, not wanting to upset his lovesick brother, Alex. But how will Alex react once he becomes aware of his brother's affair?

Featuring: John Howard as Tom Jennings

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Kristian Schmid as Alex Barton, Kris McQuade as Brenda, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Small World

Episode 4.17 (83)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (9.30)
1.252 million viewers (3rd)
Written by Martin McKenna
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Julie comes into contact with Matt Jennings, an affable and flirtatious taxi driver. Little does she know, that Matt is actually Tom's other son — Dave's half-brother.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Justin Rosniak as Warney, Peter Lamb as Gordon Weaver, James Russell as Waiter - Mick Ryan, Glen Butcher as Roger Wiseman, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Note: after he takes the family's photo, Michael Caton's line "there's one for the pool room" is a nice nod to Caton's 1997 film The Castle

Sign of the Times

Episode 4.18 (84)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 (8.30)
1.481 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Abe Pogos
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Dave's increasingly exhausted as the demands of his new job take their toll, and for the first time in his life he forgets his anniversary. Julie convinces Dave that his exhaustion is a sign that he ought to get away for a few days. So he takes the hint, heading off for a much needed mini-break, unaware that Matt has been roped in as a replacement worker in his absence. How will Dave cope with his half-brother's forays into the Rafter world? Meanwhile, Carbo finally tells Ben he's already married and brainstorms how best to break the news to his mother.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Denise Roberts as Bonnie Bright, Lani Tupu as Psychic Simon, Jenna Hughes as Resort Attendant #1, Sam Tautua as Waiter #1, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Leap Of Faith

Episode 4.19 (85)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
1.535 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Ted is trying to find the new purpose in his life. He decides to do all the things he's always wanted to do, but has never had the time: home-brewing, volunteer work, finding a job — even skydiving. But when Donna declines his request for a job at the Boat Club, Ted is dealt the first of many blows to his confidence.

Meanwhile, Ben agrees to go to the movies with Emma, knowing that so long as other friends go with them, there's no pressure of the evening feeling like a date. But when Retta gets food poisoning and can't go, and Carbo refuses to leave his wife's side, it means that for Ben, the pressure is back on: it's now a date. Meanwhile, Dave is struggling to take his own leap of faith and accept his brother Matt.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter, et al

Butterfly's Wings

Episode 4.20 (86)
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
1.548 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Dave and Julie discover how one inexplicable chain of events can almost end in disaster. Dave is alone with Ruby when he gets a call requiring his presence back on site. With no babysitter, Dave takes Ruby with him and enlists Coby to look after her. For a brief moment Coby takes his eyes off Ruby and she wanders into the building site. Panic sets in when Dave discovers she's locked herself in a room with a dangerous drop. Will they get to her before it's too late?

Meanwhile, Ben is doing his best to take things slowly with Emma. Carbo, having witnessed Ben and Emma's kiss last week, makes his disapproval known. Ben gets his own back by winding Carbo up about his impending wedding, in particular the fact that Carbo still hasn't told his mum he's married

At home, Ted awaits the arrival of a case worker for the Great Mate organisation. Their meeting will determine whether Ted's suitable to be a mentor to a socially deprived young boy. Despite Bree's insistence that she just wants to be friends with Jake, he begins to suspect otherwise and tries to maintain his distance from her.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Jarin Townet as Cooper, Rebecca Massey as Audrey, Alan Lock as Project Manager, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Sleepwalking

Episode 4.21 (87)
Tuesday, March 12, 2012
1.710 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Boaz Stark
Directed by Pino Amenta

When Ben and Retta discover Carbo sleepwalking, they decide enough is enough — he's got to tell his parents he's already married before he hurts himself! But before he can, Carbo receives an unwelcome surprise: Rita and Theo arrive a day early... and suddenly admitting the truth isn't easy, especially when it's face-to-face.

Ben finds his affections for Emma growing despite himself. When they have their first argument, Ben is forced to confront his feelings. Will he finally be able to tell Emma how he really feels about her, or will he continue to sleepwalk through life?

Ted is finding it difficult to engage a shy Cooper in conversation, but is pleasantly surprised when Donna quickly breaks through the boy's shell. Donna and Ted seem to be becoming fast friends. But when Donna overhears Ted reading a bedtime story to Ruby she begins to feel pangs of attraction for Ted.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Dina Panozzo as Rita, George Spartels as Theo, Catherine Jermanus as Helen, Jarin Townet as Cooper, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter

Endings and Beginnings

Episode 4.22 (88, finale)
Tuesday, March 19, 2012
1.471 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Margaret Wilson
Directed by Pino Amenta

Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

With: Hannah Marshall as Loretta 'Retta' Schembri, Merridy Eastman as Donna Mackey, Zoe Cramond as Emma Mackey, Camille Keenan as Bree Jennings, Jacob Allan as Matt Jennings, Craig McLachlan as Steve Wilson, Sabella & Hannah Storey as Ruby Rafter