Thunderstone: episode guide

Series 1 (a) | Series 1 (b) | Series 2 | Series 3

Episode 1.01

February 12, 1999 (Ten)
Written by Michael Joshua
Directed by Colin Budds

Noah's obsession with the holodeck lands him in trouble again when he overstays his allotted time in the VR program. Dr. Pretorius, his teacher and a member of the North Col Triumvirate, must impose the penalty of punishment duty topside in the Impact Winter blizzards. He must also remind Noah of the necessity of order in North Col and his responsibility within the small community that survives in this underground research centre following the impact of the Nemesis supercomet with the Earth.

But whilst his mother and father, Liz and Simon, and his sister Becky sleep, Noah's inquiring scientific drive and his fascination with the now extinct animals, forces him back to the holodeck. A power glitch from his Photon-Transmitters (PH-Ts) fuses with two on-duty holocops, resulting in a bright white light that engulfs him and he is gone — arriving in what he believes is a holodeck programme. But the sun is too hot and the holograms are real. They are the Nomads and this is Haven.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr. Pretorius, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels, Jonathon Dutton as Morgan, Jeremy Kewley as Holoteacher, Shane Nicholson as Holocop, Kamila Webb as Holocop, Jonathan Kovac as Holocop

Episode 1.02

February 19, 1999
Written by Annie Fox
Directed by Colin Budds

The Nomads, led by Arushka and with Noah as their prisoner, narrowly escape capture by the marauding Protectors, who are gathering workers for the Thunderstone mine.

In the safety of their cavern, the Nomads question Noah. All he wants is to return… back to the future and his home in North Col, where his family and Dr. Pretorius are bewildered and concerned by his disappearance. Where is he? Is he dead?

As Jett, Sutch and the Protectors follow their leader Tao's orders, and close in behind the wheels of their menacing vehicles, the Nomads take Noah with them into the night. The chase intensifies until Noah, using his mini PC, foils Tao's new weapon, the Sentinel.

As the Nomads sleep, Noah emerges into the dawn of a new day. Surveying Haven's beauty as he tries to activate the PH-Ts, Noah is tackled. A prisoner again, but whose?

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Denis Moore as Savage, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels

Episode 1.03

February 26, 1999
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Colin Budds

Noah is being marched across the alien landscape of the Red Desert, his unimpressed captor, Sundance, tossing the PH-Ts away. Suddenly they have company, Sundance's twin brother and Protector — Sutch! In the Keep at the Thunderstone mine Tao watches the confrontation on his screen, as Jett arrives and takes Sundance prisoner using her net gun.

Noah makes a run for it and arrives at the Sentinel Camp where he discovers a humiliated Sundance. Noah cannot leave him — their dramatic escape and destruction of the Sentinel has added further fuel to Tao's anger.

Meanwhile, the Nomads travelling the Deep Road are hoping to reach safety. Noah and Sundance join them but Noah discovers his PH-Ts are gone! If he doesn't get them back, he will be trapped here in this hostile place. Looking around him in the tunnel, he sees something familiar — he realises this is the ruin of North Col. He has been wrong — he is not in the past but in the future! What happened to everyone, to his family?

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Denis Moore as Savage

Episode 1.04

March 05, 1999
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Colin Budds

The Nomads are making their way apprehensively along the Deep Road. Arushka shows Noah the mural of the Wild Things, a hand painted depiction of a Noah's Ark of animals, wondrous creatures that no longer exist. Their fear of the Deep Road is validated when Noah's mini PC is found smashed and the mural vandalised. Something or someone is there!

Tao speeds across the Red Desert to where Jett and Savage have discovered a magnificent prize — a perfectly preserved big rig truck — The Beast. This find is what Tao has been waiting for, now he will be able to move ahead with his greater plan. Noah and the Nomads emerge into the Red Desert as the fired up Beast — blasted out of Hollow Mountain — bears down on them. Sundance bravely draws it away and they all watch in horror as the Beast gets to him before he can escape. The Beast turns around to pursue the Nomads, but they have disappeared, seemingly into thin air.

Has Sundance been captured? Noah has his PH-Ts, but what good are they without a power source? He could be stuck here forever!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage

Episode 1.05

March 12, 1999
Written by Annie Fox
Directed by Colin Budds

As Arushka and Chip arrive at the Thunderstone mine to rescue Sundance from the Protectors, Noah joins them. This could be his ticket home, a chance to access power. Tao, whose plans are constantly thwarted by the Nomads, wants them caught! He has the Beast and will be the master of the desert.

Leaving Chip on guard, Noah and Arushka get into the mine. Covering themselves in Thunderstone powder they make their way into the tunnel. Arushka creates the diversion that Noah needs and then escapes to return to Chip who has been joined by a very alive Sundance.

Arushka decides that she cannot just abandon Noah and she returns to the mine, walking into a trap. Now she and Noah are Tao's captives. The distraction caused by Arushka's arrival gives Noah the chance to grab his PH-Ts. He powers them up and the two of them white-out. They have arrived… somewhere… a trumpeting sound greats them and they turn to find themselves face to face with their first real animal — an elephant!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, John Cousins as Protector, Arthur Serevetas [Arthur Penn] as Protector

Episode 1.06

March 19, 1999
Written by Everette DeRoche
Directed by Colin Budds

Noah and Arushka stare gob smacked at the huge creature before them. This is a circus in 1999 — they have gone back too far! Arushka doesn't hear or care about Noah's concerns — these are real animals not just images on a wall. She never wants to leave. Noah tells her in a couple of years the animals and everything else will be gone when the Nemesis Comet strikes. Noah sets off to find a power source, leaving a saddened Arushka to look around. All of the animals are amazing but when she meets the beautiful circus horse Moshi she is totally captivated.

As Noah drags Arushka away from the circus they meet Sophie and Mingus, a pair of animal liberationists set on freeing the circus animals. Whilst trying to prevent the animals from escaping, Noah and Arushka are caught and accused of the break-ins.

In North Col, a quantum aberration convinces Becky that Noah may have time-travelled.

Tao roars across the Red Desert in the Beast, telling Jett about his latest weapon — the mobile Sentinel tracking device. They can run but they cannot hide!

Noah and Arushka are being escorted to a waiting police car when a lion escapes its cage. The crowd panics but an entranced Arushka is captivated by the beauty of the King of the Jungle.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Maria Mercedes as Ivana, Tony Rickards as Royal Valenti, Marieke Hardy as Sophie, Andrew Botham as Mingus, Simon Wood as Policeman, Janet McLeod as Stilt Walker, Heidi as Moshi

Note: episode 1.18 writer Marieke Hardy appears in one of her last acting roles before switching her focus to scriptwriting

Episode 1.07

March 26, 1999
Written by Everett DeRoche
Directed by Colin Budds

With the scaped lion on the bonnet of the police car, a horrified and amazed crowd watches as Arushka calms him. She achieves instant star status when she gestures the animal back into his cage.

Ivana arrives with Moshi and speaks quickly with Arushka. She understands the future Arushka comes from and asks Arushka to take Moshi with her. Using power from a nearby news van, Noah activates the PH-Ts and in a flash of white light Arushka, Noah and the beautiful black horse Moshi are gone! Instantly they reappear in Haven and the first animal brought through time has arrived!

Becky, experimenting with her own PH-Ts hoping to discover what happened to her brother, shrieks with delight as she witnesses their time journey. He's alive! Pretorius quizzes Becky about what she saw but he and Becky's parents give little credit to her story. Becky wants to try to recreate the conditions at the time of Noah's disappearance but is not allowed.

Lost without Arushka's leadership, the Nomads, spotted by Tao's mobile Sentinel, are captured as they flee to safety. Noah, Arushka and Moshi launch into a rescue mission. Noah hijacks the Beast while Arushka liberates her friends. The Protectors are closing in on Noah when Arushka and Moshi gallop into the fray and scoop Noah from the Beast and on to freedom!

Arushka fears that Moshi must not be the only animal in the future of the world. She tells Noah if he helps her she will help him get to a power source to effect his escape home. What choice does he have?

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels, Maria Mercedes as Ivana, Tony Rickards as Royal Valenti, Anita Cerdric as Jennifer Wilde, Andrew Botham as Mingus, Simon Wood as Policeman, Heidi as Moshi

Episode 1.08

April 02, 1999
Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Tao has a plan to capture the Nomads — with the help of his Sentinel he will trap them in their own lair! In the Beast he watches on the monitor as Arushka and Chip release Moshi and Noah and Geneva head towards the mine. He and Jett race across the Red Desert chasing the signal, closing in.

Noah and Geneva manage to hide just in time, thwarting Tao. But inside the Beast Sutch continues to record the Sentinel's readings, logging the caverns entrances. Tao outlines his plan to Sutch and orders more Protectors and supplies of Thunderstone. He will get them this time!

Having secreted himself in a Protector vehicle returning to the Beast, Noah is shocked as a hand grabs him. Its Sundance. But now they are both trapped as protector guards surround them!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Heidi as Moshi

Episode 1.09

April 09, 1999
Written by Jenny Sharp
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Still trapped under the Beast trailer, Noah and Sundance see Arushka approaching on Moshi. Tao, impressed with her bravery, and interested in Moshi, steps out to confront her, giving Noah and Sundance the chance to get inside the Beast trailer and sabotage the map co-ordinates that would lead to the capture of the Nomads. With the mission accomplished Noah and Sundance say their farewells, Noah heading off to the Keep and a power source for hs PH-Ts.

Tao dispatches the Protectors, offering a reward, to whoever captures Noah. The glittering prize of a vehicle all the incentive they need. Alone, Tao tries to contact the Shadowmaster but with no answer — he storms out.

With the Nomads safe again for the moment, Arushka heads to the mine where Noah has been captured by Jett. Quick thinking gets Noah and Arushka into the Beast trailer. Accessing the power source, Noah grabs Arushka's hand and they white-out as a volatile Tao rips the door open. Where are they now?

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Robert Altson as Ferris, Russel Allan as Protector, Heidi as Moshi

Episode 1.10

April 16, 1999
Written by Alison Nisselle
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Noah and Arushka white-in, arriving in some bush country abundant with wildlife, and to Arushka's delight, horses. Her reverie is shattered as gunshots ring through the air. An outraged Arushka runs to the noise and confronts Bully and Mac who are trying to cull kangaroos. Not happy at being interrupted they warn Noah and Arushka off. They are saved from these lads only to be imprisoned by their saviour, Duane, an alien fanatic who saw them arrive. This time they will have to believe him, he has proof!

In Haven, the Shadowmaster has contacted Tao, demanding that he make the capture of Noah his first priority. Travelling to the Deep Road, Tao forces Ferris, a young timid boy, into spying on the Nomads. He wants to know where they hide.

Free again, Arushka and Noah prepare to leave. But things go terribly wrong and Noah arrives back in Haven in the company of dozens of animals, birds and the sheepdog Dolly — but without Arushka. Arushka is alone and trapped in the past!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Robert Altson as Ferris, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels, Samuel Johnson as Duane, Christopher Chapman as Bully, Gabriel Egan as Mac, Trigger as Dolly

Episode 1.11

April 23, 1999
Written by Alison Nisselle
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Arushka, still trapped in the past and hunted by Bully, Mac, and Duane, saves Mac from being trampled by a wild brumby. Awed by the mystical effect she has on the animal, they listen to her story. Duane and Mac agree to help her but Bully standing alone is not to be trusted.

Tao has dispatched his Protectors to Noah's arrival co-ordinates. As they close in on Noah, Dolly sends them scattering, terrified as they have never seen a monster like this dog. Noah must get to a power source and go back and save Arushka… who is with Duane and Mac rounding up horses when Noah whites-in. In a race against time, Bully having called the police, Noah powers up his PH-Ts and he and Arushka, now astride one of the horses, white-out.

Tao is preparing to demonstrate his dominance over the animals that have his troops cowering when Noah, Arushka and the horses arrive in a whirlwind of light and dust and power. The Protectors again run scared from these strange beasts. More animals have arrived in Haven!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Denis Moore as Savage, Robert Altson as Ferris, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, John Cousins as Protector, Samuel Johnson as Duane, Christopher Chapman as Bully, Gabriel Egan as Mac, Trigger as Dolly

Episode 1.12

April 30, 1999
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Mark DeFriest

Arushka now has the horses she wanted but Noah tells her he can't help her bring back more animals to Haven — he wants to go home. Bidding them farewell he heads off towards the mine. On the way a brave and loyal Dolly saves him again and his journey must be abandoned.

The Shadowmaster exerts his power. Tao must mine more Thunderstone! He orders Tao to leave Noah to him, he has a plan!

The Nomads have made their way back to the Cavern, but unknown to them, lurking in the darkness, following and watching their every move is Ferris.

The Triumvirate summon Noah's family and Dr. Pretorius to appear before them. The charge is one of unauthorised scientific experimentation. North Col's strict laws must be obeyed if they wish to remain part of the community.

As the sun rises on a new day Noah wakes from a dream of a world full of animals. He forges a pact with Arushka — together they will save animals from past and bring them to the future, to Haven.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Robert Altson as Ferris, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels, Nina Landis as Syndia, Ernie Bourne as Pohl, Shane Nicholson as Holocop, Trigger as Dolly, Heidi as Moshi

Episode 1.13

May 07, 1999
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Mark DeFriest

In the middle of the red desert a furious Tao stands before a burning effigy of himself. Unguarded, the Beast's trailer looms behind. Noah and Arushka enter it and begin the first of many risky sorties to access the power they will need to bring back the wondrous collection of animals that will fill the magnificent landscape that is Haven.

When the mission is accomplished, it is time for Noah to leave but Tao's tightened security will make this the most dangerous attempt of all for Noah.

Ferris, fleeing from an unexpected meeting with Dolly and her new-born puppies, is captured by an equally nervous Savage and Rork. They gather up the puppies and head to the Keep with Ferris where Tao is demonstrating the Electronets — his latest weapon in his war against the Nomads and now the animals as well. Using this distraction to his advantage, Noah sneaks into the mine but is himself a victim of the Electronet.

Tao has finally captured Noah, who's still a little stunned yet still refuses to talk. But Tao has Dolly's puppies, and unless Noah co-operates, he will harm them with the Electronet!

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Noah Daniels, Mereoni Vuki as Arushka, Daniel Daperis as Chip, Damien Fotiou as Sundance/Sutch, Anna-Grace Hopkins as Geneva, Kate Keltie as Becky Daniels, Nathan Wentworth as Kwan, Gerard Kennedy as Dr Pretorius, Stuart Halusz as Tao, Elena Mandalis as Jett, Jasper Bagg as Rork, Denis Moore as Savage, Nikki Coghill as Liz Daniels, Andrew Larkins as Simon Daniels