australian television information archive

Episode 2.1

Written by Alister Webb
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The Mellop kids try to use their father's new fax machine to invite the Moonlings to the nursery's relaunch party but the signal is intercepted by the Grubs, a ravenous alien species who have just invaded Peaceful Planet. Harmony and her cousin Darren have swapped homes for the holidays. Darren helps the Mellop kids log on to a pan-galactic bulletin board where they make contact with Ebony. She appears as a hologram in the Mellop's dishwasher and warns them about the destructive Grubs who are on their way to Earth.©tzuk

Starring: Troy Beckwith as Michael, Davud Walters as Jason, Sally Warwick as Samantha, Bill Conn as Bill, Julie Godfrey as Jocelyn, Max Phipps as Bernie, Ilan Ostrove as Darren

With: Rowena Wallace as Newsreader, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.2

Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The Grubs send a holographic fax beginning a musical countdown to their arrival in nine days. Ebony explains how the Grubs travel across the vast distances of space using Woops, Windows of Opportunity, and gives the Mellops plans to make one of their own. Samantha tries phoning the Grubs to uninvite them from the party but only excites them more to come and wreck the planet. The Grubs tell Sam they'll reconsider coming if she can send them a model of the Sydney Opera House. With dollar signs in his eyes, Dump makes the first leap through the Mellop's Woop.©tzuk

With: Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.3

Written by Sharyn Rosenberg
Directed by Karl Zwicky

After Dump steals Samantha's Woop-equipped bedroom window, the Mellop kids search for where he has hidden the window. Darren returns the window when he learns his uncle stole it. Unfortunately, the window is missing the molecular exciter that makes the Woop work. They may have trouble finding after it gets buried under a pile of manure.©tzuk

With: Johnny Pace as Quizmaster, Michael Butcher as Truck Driver

Episode 2.4

Written by Alister Webb
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Jason tries building a model of the Opera House but isn't sure what it looks like. Using instructions from Ebony, Sam and Darren build a molecular exciter detector out of fridge magnets and garden shears. The pointy end leads them to the device in Grubs' back pocket but they don't know how to retrieve it without him knowing. The fate of the planet will depend on Darren stealing it back. The Grubs send a second musical countdown message to announce their arrival in eight days.©tzuk

With: Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.5

Written by Ray Harding
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The Moonlings deliver a cold fusion reactor to the Mellop kids, and with the molecular exciter back in their hands thanks to Darren, the Woop is restored. Jason uses the window to travel to the Opera House to snap some reference photos. Sam tries to demonstrate the Woop for her father but he is too distracted by Dump's argument with Mr O'Neill to see. Things are beginning to fall into place with just the model of the Opera House left to complete. Michael suggests Sam get aunt Jocelyn to finish it. As a precaution Sam doesn't want anyone else using the Woop but Michael asks for Ebony's help to determine the Woop's power reserve level. Darren uses the Woop.©tzuk

With: Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Jeff Kevin as Mr O'Neill, Chris Bancroft as Security Guard, Michael Kozuki as Japanese Tourist, Kumiko Sano as Japanese Tourist

Episode 2.6

Written by John Hugginson
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Sam's father is growing increasingly concerned about her "crazy stories". Darren has delivered the Woop window to his uncle who is using it to start an airline. Dump even secures a bank loan after demonstrating the device for his banker. Reluctantly agreeing to let Dump keep the window until they need it, the kids get Dump to let them check the power level of the Woop as they are concerned about how long it will run with Dump using it. Jocelyn begins building the Opera House model believing she is helping Sam with a school project. After receiving the Grubs' third countdown message, the kids decide to get Dump's rival, Mr O'Neill, to help them recover the Woop.©tzuk

With: Jeff Kevin as Mr O'Neill, Russell Newman as Mr Braithwaite, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.7

Written by John Hugginson
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Jason recruits Mr O'Neill to help recover the Woop by framing it as a chance to get back at Dump for killing his flowers. Despite Dump's ban on anyone associated with the Mellops from using the Woop, a disguised Mr O'Neill makes it through the window portal back to the Mellop residence but, as anticipated by Samantha, he lands squarely on top of aunt Jocelyn's nearly complete model of the Opera House. Meanwhile, the Woop dumps Dump out in woop woop. Royal Dump Air attracts the attention of the media but with Dump nowhere to be found, it is dismissed as a hoax which upsets Dump's bank manager who has funded the endeavour.©tzuk

With: Adam Bowen as Bobby, Kevin Golsby as Dr Ken, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Jeff Kevin as Mr O'Neill, Russell Newman as Mr Braithwaite

Episode 2.8

Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Karl Zwicky

With Dump abandoned in the middle of the outback by Mr O'Neill, Sam reaches out to Darren to let him stay at her house until he gets back. The Grubs send another musical countdown message but they've skipped a number — they'll arrive in five days! Darren goes online to the galactic bulletin board and discovers the Grubs' home planet is on the other side of the galaxy which is outside the range of the Woop. It will be impossible to deliver the Opera House model and save the world!©tzuk

With: Adam Bowen as Bobby, Richard Carter as Farmer, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.9

Written by Anthony Ellis
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Michael theorises that with a stronger power source their Woop might be able to reach the Grubs' planet. Ebony helps them contact Planet Peaceful, which is easily in range, to see if they know what power source the Grubs use. The kids draw straws to see will make the trip with Sam and Michael selected to go while Darren and Jason staying behind to finish the Opera House model. The kids leap through the Woop, but Dump, who was outside the house, is pulled along for the ride along with the Mellop's dog. Aunt Jocelyn searches for the owner of the paint-covered shoes that damaged her grand reopening banner.©tzuk

With: Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Rowena Wallace as Newsreader

Episode 2.10

Written by Maureen Ann Moran
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Sam and Michael take the Woop to the Grubs' spaceship leaving Dump behind on the surface of Planet Peaceful to make his own way there. They kids access the ship's library where they find a manual for Woops but are cornered when a Grub arrives. Jason covers for his siblings absence and fixes Jocelyn's banner. In London meanwhile, one of Dump's stranded airline clients is beginning to draw the attention of the media.©tzuk

With: Rowena Wallace as Newsreader, Kevin Golsby as Dr Ken, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Terry Hansen as Reporter, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.11

Written by Maureen Ann Moran
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Cornered in the Grub library, Sam and Michael are able to escape with the Woop power source information after Dump triggers an alarm elsewhere in the ship. On the run from the Grubs, Dump stumbles across the Woop window and takes it back to Earth leaving Sam and Michael trapped on the Grub spaceship. Sam and Michael are able to send a fax back home to Jason asking for help. Bill reads the message that says Dump left without them and goes to Dump for answers. When Dump tries to show Bill the Woop window, it is gone.©tzuk

With: Peter Browne as Ron, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Katy Manning as Window Guru, David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1, Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.12

Written by Sharyn Rosenberg
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Dump tries to keep Bill from panicking about his kids, promising to get them back after he gets "his" window back. Darren offers to help Jason fix Jocelyn's banner which is only getting worse. While waiting to be rescued, Sam and Michael have the idea to fax the power source information to Jason. To supercharge the Woop, he'll just need to find a compressed sun. Dump suspects Fabian, his dog, has taken the Woop somewhere, possibly to London, where Dump's stranded customer, Sir Ian, has developed a fanatical following. Darren offers to help Ebony fix her clock using the Mellop's kitchen clock for reference. He also finds in the kitchen… the Woop window.©tzuk

With: John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Katy Manning as Window Guru, David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1, Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.13

Written by Sharyn Rosenberg
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Darren wants to prove just how good a friend he can be by taking the Woop to the Grubs' spaceship to rescue Sam and Michael but cannot muster the courage. Jason comes home and makes the leap without a second thought. Tired of waiting, Sam and Michael decide to return to the library but are spotted by one of the Grubs. They are pursued through the spaceship until they run into Jason. Back on Earth, Bill calls the police but when they enter the house to discuss the missing kids, there they are, safe and sound. The kids reassure their father that they'll be there for the grand reopening of the nursery — just as soon as they find a Black Hole. After Darren is forbidden from talking by the Mellop kids, Dump tries to coax him into revealing what he knows about where a Black Hole can be found.©tzuk

With: Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Elspeth Mactavish as Policewoman, Cranston Brecht as Policeman, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.14

Written by Alister Webb
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Under tickle torture, Darren reveals to the Mellop kids that Ebony lives in a Black Hole. Working together, the Dumps and Mellops ask Ebony if she has a compressed sun to give them. She does but according to its instruction manual, they'll need an antimatter paper bag to get it out of the Black Hole. The Grubs send the next number song counting down to their arrival. Dump uses the Woop to pop over to the antimatter universe where he runs into a strange version of the Mellop family. He returns with the antimatter paper bag — and the other Mellops who must be keep away from Bill and Jocelyn so they don't all blow up in a matter-antimatter explosion!©tzuk

With: Drew Forsythe as Ralph, Kevin Golsby as Dr. Ken, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Katy Manning as Guru, David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1, Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2, Kim Walsh as Jane, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.15

Written by Alister Webb
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Dump attaches the antimatter paper bag to Bill's prize-winning orchid and sends it through the Woop to Ebony who puts in the compressed sun and sends it back. Dump next whisks the antimatter versions of Bill and Jocelyn to the safety of his caravan. While the pair hide out at the nursery, Michael and Sam check in on Dump only to learn he's taking his time in saving the world. Forcing him to deliver the Opera House model, Dump drops it off with the Grubs and returns home to begin marketing his Woop. He's willing to send the other Bill and Jocelyn home — for a price. After polishing off the Opera House model, the Grubs decide to break their promise and continue to Earth to throw a party and eat the real one.©tzuk

With: Drew Forsythe as Ralph, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.16

Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The Grubs are divided between those who want to continue sending musical faxes and those who want to speed their arrival to Earth to start partying. With the compressed sun in his possession, Dump brainstorms ways to capitalise on it's instant, unlimited energy. He settles on a pizzaria — your pizza in two seconds or less. The kids promise to give Dump a million dollar idea if he takes the "antis" back home to the antimatter world. He does but the kids then have to admit there's no idea. Darren wants to fix Ebony's clock as he promised but keeps getting put off. Just when it seems all is right with the world, the Grubs' latest countdown fax arrives — they are three days away!©tzuk

With: Peter Browne as Ron, Drew Forsythe as Ralph, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Jeff Kevin as Mr. O'Neill, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Episode 2.17

Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Karl Zwicky

A new threat to the Earth emerges — the antimatter fertilizer pellets the anti-Jocelyn gave the nursery plants. Michael rushes to the nursery to separate the antimatter pellets from the matter pellets while Sam and Jason try to distract their father. It doesn't work. The molecules of the two pellet types interact causing the plants to explode leaving the nursery a shambles. The Grubs' eighth message arrives. With the nursery reopening looming, Jason tells his father he's arranged for the gala to be covered live on TV by Dr Ken who he's promised will see "the greatest show on Earth". To save the Earth, Sam decides their only hope is to teach the child-like Grubs the difference between right and wrong. The kids are desperate to get their hands on the Woop to go visit the Grubs only to learn Dump has taken it to London for five days to drum up interest in his new tanning business.©tzuk

With: Russell Newman as Mr Braithwaite

Episode 2.18

Written by [not shown]
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Sam calls London to plead with Dump to bring the Woop back but he's not willing to cooperate having found some eager customers. Darren tries to help Ebony fix her clock which somehow triggers an Earthquake that breaks the Grubs' hourglass. Despite the loss, the Grubs send their ninth message counting down the remaining minutes until they arrive. Darren asks Ebony if she can leave the Black Hole to come for a visit. She doesn't know, is even uncertain of how she got there, but knows she is waiting for her friends to arrive. Help arrives out of the sky in the form of a flying dog kennel — Jane and Ralph have returned from the moon!©tzuk

With: Peter Browne as Ron, Drew Forsythe as Ralph, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Jeff Kevin as Mr. O'Neill, Kim Walsh as Jane, Katy Manning as Window Guru [uncredited], David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1 [uncredited], Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2 [uncredited]

Episode 2.19

Written by John Hugginson
Directed by Karl Zwicky

Jane takes Sam and Michael to London in the dog kennel where Ralph has already stolen back the compressed sun Dump was using to power his tanning business. Sam and Michael use the Woop to travel to the Grubs' ship where they accidentally disable the Grubs' countdown timer. Jane flies Darren to London to rescue his uncle who, now revealed as a fraud, is besieged by angry customers. Sam and Michael appeal to the Grubs to grow up and start acting more responsibly. Darren finally helps Ebony fix her clock, he suggests all it needs is a good thump. ©tzuk

With: Peter Browne as Ron, Drew Forsythe as Ralph, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Lauren Hewett as Ebony, Jeff Kevin as Mr. O'Neill, Kim Walsh as Jane, Katy Manning as Window Guru [uncredited], David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1 [uncredited], Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2 [uncredited]

Episode 2.20

Written by Alister Webb
Directed by Karl Zwicky

The sudden appearance of a tree on planet Gruble forces the Grubs to keep their promise to try growing up. Back on Earth, the "greatest show on Earth" is taking shape but Bill isn't impressed by Jason's dance number with Jane and Ralph. Darren uses the Woop to send Ebony a note attached to a rose asking if her clock was fixed. He anxiously awaits a reply that doesn't arrive — but Ebony does. Sitting on the porch she explains how Darren helping her fix the clock was the key to stopping the Grubs. Restarting it was what caused plant growth to restart on planet Gruble and was what allowed her friends to grow up. Her friends the Grubs. She's one too, or was. Dump is unable to make his loan repayment and pressures Darren to steal back the Woop. Darren is about to when the Mellop kids embrace him as one of their gang. Unable to repay his loan, Dump's caravan is repossessed. Dr Ken arrives to cover the nursery's grand reopening. He expects to see the "greatest show on Earth" and he does — a musical performance in the heavens by a chorus of Grubs. Harmony returns home from visiting her uncle and inquires of her father if anything interesting happened while she was away. "Nothing out of the ordinary" he replies as they watch the Grubs' performance overhead.©tzuk

With: Peter Browne as Ron, John Hamblin as Sir Ian Blind, Katy Manning as Window Guru, David Ritchie as Window Worshipper 1, Neil Young as Window Worshipper 2, Vincent Crowley as Grub, Phillip Dodd as Grub, Sandy Ireland as Grub, Rachel King as Grub, Craig Pearce as Grub, George Washingmachine as Grub

Uncredited: Drew Forsythe as Ralph, Kim Walsh as Jane, Jeff Kevin as Mr. O'Neill, Kevin Golsby as Dr Ken, Michela Noonan as Harmony