The Time Of Our Lives: episode guide

series 1 | series 2

The Wedding

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Episode 1.01
Sun, June 16, 2013 (ABC1, 8:30)
Ratings: 747,000 viewers (14th)
Written by Judi McCrossin
Directed by Chris Noonan

When Chai Li's wedding doesn't go as planned, her close-knit family — brothers Matt and Luce, their wives Caroline and Bernadette, and family friend Herb — rally around to support her. But in this contemporary Australian family, everyone's facing their own issues.

For Matt and Caroline, it's negotiating the parenting of Carmody as Matt struggles to hide his increasing estrangement from Caroline. Happily-in-love couple Bernadette and Luce contemplate the shift in their busy domestic household with Bernadette's imminent return to work. Meanwhile Herb, Luce's best friend, convinces Luce to join him in a long-held dream to open up a comedy club: an endeavour that will be a test of commitment for this eternal man-child.

Starring: Justine Clarke as Bernadette, Shane Jacobson as Luce, William McInnes as Matt, Stephen Curry as Herb, Michelle Vergara Moore as Chai Li, Claudia Karvan as Caroline

Guest Starring: Tony Barry as Ray, Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Sue Jones as Rosa, Michael Dorman as Joel, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Cheree Cassidy as Alice; Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Justin Kennedy as Everett, Kate McCartney as Tracey Mancred, Charlotte Jacke as Cellist

The Aftermath

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Episode 1.02
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Ratings: 803,000 viewers (11th)
Written by Judi McCrossin
Directed by Jonathan Brough

With the wreckage of Chai Li's wedding behind them, it's a time of upheaval as everyone adjusts to new circumstances. Matt has decided it's time to tell Caroline he has made a decision regarding their marriage but is thwarted when she throws him a surprise birthday dinner on the same night.

Bernadette struggles to balance home life with her return to work as a school counselor — a task made more difficult by her colleague loading her with additional work and Luce's disastrous attempts at DIY renovations. Chai Li is still searching for an explanation for Joel's no-show at the wedding, causing friction with her well-meaning family who just want her to move on.

Guest Starring: Tony Barry as Ray, Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Sue Jones as Rosa, Cheree Cassidy as Alice, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Pia Miranda as Kristen, Damian Walshe-Howling as Ewan; Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Nicola Parry as Andrea, Fiona Harris as Nina, Calen MacKenzie as Jesse, Vivienne Awosoga as Bella, Anna McCrossin Owen as Kinder Teacher; Kinder Kids: Ivy Schwan, Dylan Schwan, Angus Hopkinson, Jules Missell; Jimmy Beary as Carmody Double

The Secret

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Episode 1.03
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Ratings: 694,000 viewers (13th)
Written by Judi McCrossin
Directed by Jonathan Brough

Keeping a secret is hard work, especially when all you really want is the comfort and support of your family. Georgie conceals the true reason for posting a raunchy profile picture on Facebook; Caroline struggles to keep her crumbling marriage a secret from Bernadette; and Matt continues to hide his relationship with Alice from everyone around him.

Meanwhile, at work, Bernadette discovers there's a reason behind her colleague's odd behaviour and pushes her to confess. But secrets have a way of getting out. Georgie finally reveals why she put the photo on Facebook and Caroline pours out her heartache to sympathetic Luce. Matt clings to his secret even as it threatens to hurt those around him.

Guest Starring: Tony Barry as Ray, Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Cheree Cassidy as Alice, Michael Dorman as Joel, Pia Miranda as Kristen, Damian Walshe-Howling as Ewan; Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Dion Williams as Lachie, Michael Tuahine as Rory, Tommy Little as Jed, Jane Bayly as Principal, Elly-Rose Tew as Maddie, Benjamin Dendle as Comic, Vivienne Awosoga as Bella

The Rabbit Hole

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Episode 1.04
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Ratings: 675,000 viewers (14th)
Written by Michael Miller
Directed by Tori Garrett

Herb and Luce entice radio star Garrick Graham to do stand-up at the comedy club, but the gig is a disaster that leaves them rattled and out of pocket.

The next day, Luce is breathalysed when moving his car. Compounding his problems, Georgie is showing signs of unhappiness at school and home. Luce questions whether he is to blame but a chance for change comes when Georgie is given an opportunity to vent her feelings in a mediation session set up by the school Principal.

Meanwhile, Chai Li comes face-to-face with a regretful and apologetic Joel, who wants her back. Acutely aware of her family's disapproval, Chai Li struggles with the choice of allowing Joel to persuade her into joining him on a trip or letting him go in the hope of finding the stability she truly wants.

Guest Starring: Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Michael Dorman as Joel, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Sue Jones as Rosa, Mick Molloy as Garrick Graham, Damian Walshe-Howling as Ewan; Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Luke McGregor as Comedian, Jane Bayly as Principal, Elly-Rose Tew as Maddie, David Lamb as Policeman

The Silver Lining

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Episode 1.05
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Ratings: 638,000 viewers (16th)
Written by Judi McCrossin
Directed by Tori Garrett

Georgie is excited to discover her Dad is working with pop starlet Clara Bell. Luce is less than thrilled but hopes the job may lead to a better paying festival gig.

Bernadette is put in a compromised position when she sees Matt with Alice. Luce warns her not to get involved but Bernadette confronts Matt with an uncomfortable ultimatum. Caroline mistakenly thinks Matt wants to get back together. However his confession leaves Caroline hurt and vengeful. She takes her anger at Matt out on Marla, the loving nanny with whom Carmody has started to bond.

Chai Li is asked to accompany her boss Ewan on a work trip to Cambodia, leading her to question whether Ewan's motives are purely professional. But every cloud has a silver lining. Caroline recognises the positive influence Marla has had on their lives and Luce has the time of his life when he is offered a chance to jam with his musical idol, guitarist, Jimi Hocking.

Guest Starring: Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Cheree Cassidy as Alice, Sue Jones as Rosa, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Georgina Naidu as Marla, Charlotte Nicdao as Clara Bell, Tina Bursill as Lenore, Tim Rogers as Tim, Damian Walshe-Howling as Ewan; Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Fiona Harris as Nina, Lawrence Mooney as Toby, Nicola Parry as Andrea; David Adams & Ernie Austin as Comedy Duo - ElbowSkin; Julian Nestola as Marla's Son, Lee McLenaghan as Comedy Club Patron, Jimi Hocking as Himself

The Truth

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Episode 1.06
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Ratings: 693,000 viewers (15th)
Written by Blake Ayshford
Directed by Ana Kokkinos

Herb is called to his alcoholic mother's house after she has a fall. He is forced to look after her and must fae the reality she will never change.

Alice starts to wonder if Matt is taking their relationship seriously. Meanwhile, Luce deals with the ramifications from his run in with the law.

Guest Starring: Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Tony Barry as Ray, Kate Jenkinson as Eloise, Sue Jones as Rosa, Cheree Cassidy as Alice, Tina Bursill as Lenore, Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Thomas Fisher as Carmody, Tony Nikolakopoulos as Anton, Keith Brockett as Dr Lam, Elise McCredie as Magistrate, Geraldine Hickey as Comic

The Mistake

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Episode 1.07
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Ratings: 752,000 viewers (15th)
Written by Kris Mrksa
Directed by Ana Kokkonos

Bernadette helps a student whose welfare appears in jeopardy but her solution causes more problems than it solves.

Meanwhile, Luce is traumatised when he unintentionally hurts Georgie and Matt struggles to balance the competing opinions of his family over how to deal with the fallout from his marriage breakdown.

Guest Starring: Anita Hegh as Maryanne, Tony Barry as Ray, Calen MacKenzie as Jesse, Alex Papps as Tom Reid, Paula Arundell as Chelsea Farmer, Mick Molloy as Garrick Graham, Pia Miranda as Kristen, Elise MacDougall as Georgie, Frances McGahey as Frances, Tully McGahey as Tully, Ben Keller as Ryan, Trudy Hellier as DHS Worker

Episodes 1.08 - 1.13