Season 6

1999 · 42 episodes

The sixth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 10 February 1999 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 24 November 1999.

1Dancing with the Devil - Part 1Adam has left the force, and Mt. Thomas, and Probationary Constable Jack Lawson has barely arrived in Mt. Thomas before he is in trouble with the police. Jack's misdemeanours are small ones and quickly forgiven as his unassuming charm disarms Maggie and Dash. Even Tom can't find fault with the new recruit, whose initiative and enthusiasm for menial tasks prove an immediate asset. But Jack's sunny welcome to Mt. Thomas is clouded by a report of sexual assault at the local retirement home. This one requires a woman's touch. Maggie and Dash visit the home to discover the alleged victim is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. She claims her assailant is the devil. Maggie is not prepared to dismiss the report and neither is Dash, who finds the devil alive and well in the Mt. Thomas video store in the form of a plastic mask. As the new kid on the beat, Jack is ready for some action. PJ and Ben aren't about to let him shine all day long and dispatch him on a wild goose chase around the
2Dancing with the Devil - Part 2After her attack, Maggie refuses to play victim as PJ and Ben battle to unmask the devil. Maggie recovers from the assault by the devil who has the women of Mt. Thomas terrified. Always the copper, Maggie refuses to be treated like a victim but she's got her work cut out for her with PJ and Ben fighting to protect this reluctant damsel in distress. PJ and Ben's theory on a prime suspect collapses when a witness leads them to the local reverend who runs a group for troubled men. They are certain he is protecting one of them. But when Maggie receives a threatening tape and pornographic magazines are found in the reverend's car, the Heelers drag in the man of the cloth to air his dirty laundry. Media reports whip the town into a frenzy. Anxiety turns to anger when the Heelers release their prime suspect, then the mother of the young victim takes matters into her own hands and shadows the Heelers, looking for clues to nail the suspect. Tom decides to hold a public meeting to calm things do
3Winning at all CostsJack is the only competition for Dash and her athletic brother, Alec, in the Heritage Day Races, and the McKinleys aren't about to let a boy from the bush swallow their odds. The Heelers lay their bets on Jack, which only spurs Dash on. Alec has returned to Mt. Thomas as the new physical education teacher with high hopes of coaching the girls' hockey team and his two best players to stardom. For Alec the game is to win, at any cost. Dash is proud of her big brother but at a loss to defend him when she sees his star hockey player slap him hard across the face. What could he have done to deserve that? A rejected schoolgirl crush? Maggie discovers Alec was accused of sexual interference with a student at his last school, then catches him hugging another student. Dash, protective in her disbelief, goes on the defensive. Maggie seems determined to nab her brother and Dash is none too pleased about it. Two young hockey players claim Alec coaches them in more than hockey, and when Alec gets c
4Love is the DrugMaggie and PJ are caught in the crossfire of a jealous husband spying on his wife and her lover at Govet's Leap. Determined to expose the philandering louse, the husband takes a video tape of them before settling the score with his fists. PJ springs to the defenceâ€”but who's going to defend him, when the tape submitted for evidence exposes Maggie and PJ canoodling? The Boss won't have a bar of this. Their jobs and their relationship are on the line. Dash is having her own clandestine affair on the Internet with a knight called Lancelot whose romantic handle masks a more deviant agenda. Jack reckons she should get a life. Romance on the Internet seems safe, until it seeps into the real world and Dash's virtual buddy becomes a living nightmare. When a young girl with a reputation as the town bikey is found drugged and raped after an evening at the nightclub, Dash has a hard time finding sympathy. Letting her personal opinion of a victim get in the way of her job is unprofessional, but thi
5An Eye for an EyeWhile checking out a routine disturbance, Dash and Jack witness a freak double fatality involving two popular young locals. Dash's upset turns to anger when she discovers the car accident was caused by a boy with a crush on one of the victims. Between Dash's fury and the victim's distraught brother, he'll be lucky to walk away with just his crash injuries. Jack sees a different side to the culprit, who is a country boy like himself and appears genuinely distressed. The only way Jack can deal with this senseless waste of young life is to understand what went wrong. Is this guy really capable of a twisted lover's revenge or was the vehicle somehow responsible? The bereaved families aren't asking questions. They want a head on a stakeâ€”an eye for an eye. With the council election just days away, Chris's campaign manager jumps onto the tragedy as a fine platform for youth issues and government spending. If kids had something better to do, proper entertainment facilities, they wouldn't be ho
6Wishful ThinkingCupid comes to Mt. Thomas in the form of Ben's mischievous daughter, Emma. Dressed in a fairy costume and armed with magic dust, Emma's wish on this visit is to find her dad a new wifeâ€¦ and Maggie is the fairy godmother of her dreams. Police work and parenting without a babysitter are an impossible combination in the busy Mt. Thomas station. While Emma schemes and tiny Josh adds to his vocabulary of naughty words, Maddy watches silently and sullenly. That's one troubled little girl. Jack is also troubled after his routine roadworthy check of a semi-trailer puts its owner/driver off the road and out of a job. Where's he going to find $20,000 to fix his rig by the morning? If only Jack had the answer. But when two new tractors are reported stolen and carted off in a semi, Jack's dilemma appears resolved. If only the solution hadn't dropped from the back of a truck. It is only when the luckless truckie becomes the victim of a hit and run that the Heelers detect a frame gone wrongâ€¦ and tha
7Pillow TalkAfter a vicious attack on an elderly woman, Jack runs down a prime suspect near the crime scene and he's one nasty piece of work. Cocky, confident and preying on vulnerable women, Troy is the kind of gutless crim who enjoys the sport of making a cop's blood boil. He is an antagonist who intends to wind PJ up like a taut guitar string. With scant evidence and Sally Downie as his legal advisor, the Heelers are going to have a hard time nabbing Troy. Their only hope of an ally is his hapless girlfriend, who is intimidated into silence. When a terrified victim dies of a heart attack and a brazen Troy threatens Maggie, PJ's frustration reaches breaking point. He would give anything to lose his badge, just for a moment. Tom lets Sally know he's more than a little concerned about her defending a man with a record of violence against women, but she will not be cowed by Tom Croydon! This is the not the first time she and Tom have clashed over ethical obligations but it could be their last. Afte
8The Good WeedSeeds of a greener lifestyle are planted in Mt. Thomas. Councillor Chris Riley has concerns about a proposal for an abattoire by the river but the locals won't hear of any opposition. They need jobs for their kidsâ€”forget environmental concerns! The Heelers can't ignore the matter when the pub's beer delivery is smashed by some dangerous stunt driving that nearly takes Jack out as well. When Tom's ex-army and retired policeman buddy, Bob, decides to grow organic herbs, his crop-spraying neighbour is furious. He reckons Bob is growing weeds, but if he sprays his own land Bob's patch will be contaminated. Tom finds himself planted firmly in the middle of two men who have a right to their livelihood, but at grave cost to each other. Loyalties to an old mate must be put aside. This becomes far easier when Bob hires Tom's sweetheart, Sally Downie, to sort things out and begins to romance her after hours. Tom is confounded when cannabis plants are found on his mate's property. He's an ex-copp
9By the BookOut alone on a routine call, Jack confronts a dangerous driver who threatens him with what Jack thinks is a sawn-off shotgun. Jack panics and shoots. No one is hurt; however, the driverâ€”a local troublemakerâ€”plans to play the situation for all it is worth. He cries attempted murder, and claims Jack has also stolen some money from his glove box. He doesn't like the ""pigs""â€”""always harrasin' somebody"". Inspector Falcon Price arrives to conduct a full investigation and is greeted by a fine melee. Darren Dawson, the troublemaker, is whipping up a protest in the station for the benefit of anyone who will listen. When a young graffiti artist brought in for questioning accuses Jack of beating him, Dawson takes up his caseâ€”it's police harassment and it's all ""Shooter's"" fault! Falcon Price is most unimpressed. Tom comes under pressure to prove he has a handle on his newest member and that the police's reputation in Mt. Thomas remains upstanding. After Falcon Price's car is stolen from outside th
10Dirty MoneyOut alone on a routine call, Jack confronts a dangerous driver who threatens him with what Jack thinks is a sawn-off shotgun. Jack panics and shoots. No one is hurt; however, the driverâ€”a local troublemakerâ€”plans to play the situation for all it is worth. He cries attempted murder, and claims Jack has also stolen some money from his glove box. He doesn't like the ""pigs""â€”""always harrasin' somebody"". Inspector Falcon Price arrives to conduct a full investigation and is greeted by a fine melee. Darren Dawson, the troublemaker, is whipping up a protest in the station for the benefit of anyone who will listen. When a young graffiti artist brought in for questioning accuses Jack of beating him, Dawson takes up his caseâ€”it's police harassment and it's all ""Shooter's"" fault! Falcon Price is most unimpressed. Tom comes under pressure to prove he has a handle on his newest member and that the police's reputation in Mt. Thomas remains upstanding. After Falcon Price's car is stolen from outside th
11Married to the JobBen becomes the knight in shining armour for a victim of domestic violence after she misconstrues his offers of support for affection. While Ben is blind to Vanessa's growing attraction, Dash and Tom try to warn him of the danger of caring beyond the call of duty. As Vanessa preys on Ben's responsiveness to her calls for help, Ben's professional boundaries invade his private life. His wife, Rachel, arrives in town unexpectedly, seeking a reconciliation. She quickly finds that little has changed: Ben is still married to the job, except that now she has another rival for his affectionsâ€”and it is not the abused woman. Both women can sense there's something special between Ben and ""that blonde policewoman"", and he becomes the apex of an impossible emotional triangle involving Rachel, Vanessa and Maggie. Maggie is angry at PJ's unwillingness to help clear her father's name in a murder investigation and pressures Ben for some useful contacts. With an irate PJ on his back to keep her out of t
12Web of LiesThe Heelers call a full-scale investigation when Maggie goes missing after delving into the drug ring that killed her brother Robbie. Warned against trying to break the syndicate, Maggie refused to listen. Now she is in real danger. PJ's fears for Maggie's safety escalate when the body of a young boy is found. They learn he had hoped to become the syndicate's local dealer and had made contact with Maggie. Overwrought, PJ blames Ben for giving Maggie the leads to investigate the ring. The tension between them mounts as they struggle to find her. When St. Davids sends reinforcements, Inspector Draper and Detective Sergeant Craig, PJ is suspended from the case. It is all too apparent to the Heelers and his district superiors that PJ's relationship with Maggie goes far beyond the professional. Even Tom can hide his knowledge no longer. Unable to pursue her trail officially, PJ teams with up with her father Pat to find Maggie. Pat is way ahead on his own enquiries and tells PJ that the forc
13End of the RoadJack scores a place on the Mudlarks football team when its star player is killed in a suspicious road accident. It's not quite the way he planned to earn his guernsey. PJ recalls the dead boy was a troublemaker and suspects he was drunk at the time. However, Senior Constable Robyn Taylor from Melbourne's accident investigation squad has sharper ideas and gives PJ a run for his money on the investigation. He's feeling pretty poorly without Maggie around. Whether PJ likes it or not, Robyn will be his partner in crime until Maggie returns from the witness protection program. She's just moved to Mt. Thomas with her husband, Jeff, and baby daughter, Lucy. After a quiet wake for the Mudlarks' star player, Jack and a few of the team head off to enjoy a more appropriate celebration. The drinking gets out of control and Jack's new mate, Matt, entertains the group with some dangerous driving. Afraid someone will get hurt, Jack brings them into line, but pulling rank on mates only earns him their
14Lies and WhispersDash's career prospects look bright when Inspector Monica Draper arrives for the monthly inspection and recommends she undertake the CIB training program. A McKinley as a detective? Tom has his doubts, and PJ takes Dash on board with reluctant good grace. Dash's first case presses her to overlook good character when $10,000 goes missing from the local Catholic school's safe. The only suspects are the school's new principal, Deborah Williams, and Father Brian. As Dash and PJ investigate, it becomes clear that both principal and priest have opportunity, means and motive to steal the money. Dash's faith in authority figures waivers as she pressures suspects with unshakeable profiles within the Mt. Thomas community. The scales tip in Father Brian's favour when the Heelers learn that the financially strapped Deborah is also being blackmailedâ€”ten grand or her career is over. How would St. Brigid's Catholic School like to know it has a lesbian as its principal? Trapped and looking guilty, Deb
15Jack of HeartsWhen Jack and Dash are called out to the local high school, Jack becomes the victim of a schoolgirl prank. It seems that some of the girls have a large crush on Mt. Thomas's most handsome constable. Determined to make more than his professional acquaintance, the girls misconstrue Jack's awkward attempts to fend them off as the shy response of a sincere copper. Unluckily for Jack, he's even more adorable than they imagined. While PJ and Ben enjoy ribbing the new ""Don Juan"" of Mt. Thomas, the Boss sees trouble brewing. As a father, Tom knows how unchecked fantasies can turn the minds of teenage girls, and Lawson must learn to wear the uniform without his heart on his sleeve. With Tom's disapproval apparent, Jack turns to the newly arrived recruit, Constable Greg Mason, for advice. Mason is a former teacher with a degree in schoolyard psychology, and he warns Jack to stay well clear of schoolgirl affections. The advice comes too late for Jack, who has unwittingly become the man to lean
16The Grace of GodWritten by Jenny Lewis, Directed by Grant Brown Seven a.m. The phone rings. One by one the Heelers receive a devastating wake-up call. One of their own lies shot dead on a country road. Half an hour earlier, Constable Greg Mason took a bullet through the head. By the looks of the crime scene, he never had a chance. It is a crisp day and Jack enjoys an early morning horse ride until he finds Greg sprawled across the front seat of his vehicle, gun safely in its holster and the letters P.E. penned on his blood-spattered clipboard. The scene is enough to make the young constable sick to his heart and to his stomach. PJ and Robyn Taylor arrive to relieve a shaken Jack but Robyn cannot hide her emotionâ€¦ This was supposed to be her shift. She pressured Greg into a swap the night before. Guilt overwhelms Robyn as the Boss tries to piece her back together. PJ handles initial enquiries with purpose and directs a willing but sombre team. A robbery of $20,000 reported the same morning and a loca
17The StagJack's deer hunting plans go happily awry when his girlfriend arrives unexpectedly in Mt. Thomas with his cousin. Jack and Craig have made plans to go hunting but Molly has come as a surprise. Since Jack left Molly behind in Swift's Creek, the long-distance relationship has taken its toll on her. Jack doesn't realise this yet, but he's about to find out. As deer season arrives, the Heelers go on alert. The blood sport always brings a squadron of men to town with an armoury of weapons. It seems inevitable that trouble is nigh. When two deer go missing from a hobby farm, the urbane owner claims he's become an easy target for unsuccessful hunters seeking trophies. One of the animals is a prize stag worth $25,000. While the Heelers' evidence points to a nearby farmer, town prejudice prefers to prey on stray hunters. In particular, Dash can't bear the high-spirited machismo that follows a day's deer stalking. The Imperial seems to be full of men with more bravado than brains as Jack collars
18The Good LifeThe Heelers provide protection for the local vet, who orders inspections of all sheep properties after an outbreak of a highly infectious disease. Johne's disease threatens to kill every sheep in Mt. Thomas, and ""Dr Death""â€”as the vet becomes knownâ€”is not popular. Farmers demand a scapegoat as they succumb to the inspections. Somebody must be responsible for carrying this blight to the district, and the only new sheep in town belong to Senior Constable Robyn Taylor. Robyn, with her husband Jeff, escaped the city to reap the good life in Mt. Thomas. Jeff decides a few sheep might supplement their income while they establish a vineyard. The local farmers have little respect for these dabblers and immediately suspect the Taylors are responsible for the Johne's outbreak. When one of Robyn's sheep dies, the town's worst fears are confirmed. Ben and PJ investigate and find that Jeff has forged a deed of sale and that he bought the sheep via the Internet. How could he be so gullible? the
19Perfect MatchPaternal instincts and police work conflict for Ben when he is drawn to a sick girl and a hardworking father in trouble. Rosie needs a new kidney and time is running out. When George's car is stolen, Ben offers them a lift to hospital for her weekly treatment. The problem is, George's car was used in an armed robbery. Ben hopes, for Rosie's sake, that her father was not involved. PJ is distracted from the investigation when Maggie returns from six weeks in the safety house program. After the rushed and fractured parting, PJ is desperate to know whether they still have a relationship. With Dash busily organising welcome home drinks and dinners, PJ can barely find a second with his golden girl. And when he does, it is clear that Maggie has doubts about their future together. The Heelers begin to suspect Rosie's father when his ex-wife, Carol, shows up in town and displays some mysterious hold over him. Carol skips the pub without paying her bill and demands that George settle the mat
20Oil & WaterTom and Sally's relationship goes on trial when Sally defends a drunk driver responsible for killing Tom's friend.
21Smoke Gets in Your EyesTom's day brightens when he learns his favourite actress is in town visiting relatives. A woman to be reckoned with, Audrey Roper wastes no time in introducing herself to Mt. Thomas's most senior police member. Tom is chuffed to make Audrey's acquaintance as she as she demands he reprimand and punish her 17-year-old grand-daughter for buying cigarettes. The Heelers are policing a crackdown on under-age smoking in conjunction with the council. Dissatisfied with their progress, the militant Audrey intends to supervise their operation personally. Maggie learns that Audrey is on a crusade to save her grand-daughterâ€”and all who come in contact with herâ€”from the ills of smoking. Tom and Maggie wonder whether her end justifies her means. The law presents no boundaries to this woman whose protests keep the Heelers and cigarette retailers of Mt. Thomas on their toes. Maggie takes a liking to the feisty older woman and offers counsel to Audrey's grand-daughter. In spite of Maggie's attempts
22King of the KidsDash treads a thin line when social worker Tim Ryan convinces her the overloaded welfare system can no longer protect abused children. The Heelers and Department of Human Services take a dim view of Tim's attitude. His obvious frustration in applying band-aid solutions to violent domestic situations is bound to lead to trouble. Trouble begins when Dash arrives to break up a violent argument between old family friends. The father appears to be strangling his son, who retaliates by stabbing him. While in hospital, the boy confides that his father regularly bashes him. Soon after he returns home, the boy disappears and the Heelers struggle to find a lead. Dash suspects Tim knows more about the boy's disappearance than he is willing to divulge when two missing children are found in his care. Tim passionately defends his actions. Someone's got to look after these kids when the system fails them! Dash admires Tim's determination to put their welfare before his own, even if it does mean b
23Full CircleFor months Dash has shadowed PJ on the job to prove she is worthy detective material, and her efforts are rewarded when she makes the short list for a job in Criminal Investigation in Melbourne. Dash is hurt to learn that, while Tom supports her endeavours, he does not believe she is ready for the job. PJ certainly never took her seriously. At least her mother, Beth, believes in her and accompanies Dash to Melbourne for the final interview and a spot of shopping. They have a close relationship and Dash's promotion is a proud moment for her hard-working mother. The moment is all too brief, however. When Dash returns to Mt. Thomas, she and Ben are called out to a hit and run accident. On the road nearby is a clutch of shopping bags belonging to the victim. Dash recognises them, and in one afternoon her dreams of a new start are shattered. The victim is Beth. The Heelers close ranks around their distraught mate, but Dash shifts into auto and works maniacally to ward off the grief th
24Behind the BadgeAn overnight trip to Melbourne turns stormy for Maggie and Chris when they stumble into an armed holdup at a service station. Prison escapees, the McKenzie brothers, are on the run when they confront Chris paying for petrol with Maggie's purse. Maggie returns from the bathroom and manages to raise the alarm but receives a bashing for her trouble. Tyrone starts to squeeze the trigger as the Heelers arrive, raised by the alarm. Maggie is overwhelmed with guilt and blames herself for the incident as she watches Chris breakdown, unable to cope. Maggie attempts to overcome her own trauma by throwing herself into the investigation. Under the watchful eye of Tom and PJ, she struggles to maintain her facade and stubbornly refuses to take time off in spite of a bad head injury. The only person privy to Maggie's distress is her father Pat who arrives as soon as he hears the news. Pat loves his daughter above all else but offers more cause for concern when Maggie realises he has a drinking pr
25The Angel CruiseMaddie's school fees are due, she needs a new flute and Ben's pay cheque falls short. As Ben's ex-wife begins her new life with another man, Ben feels doubly under pressure to fulfil his duties as a father and provider for his children. Aware of his financial problems, the Heelers become concerned when Ben shows interest in a pyramid game that has surfaced in Mt. Thomas. Leila Clegg has won $16,000 on the Angel Cruise and the citizens of Mt. Thomas are keen to clamber aboard the next ship to set sail. Before Tom has a chance to make inquiries, the assertive organiser of the game, Natalie Roberts, pays him a visit. Mt. Thomas has nothing to fear from Angel Cruise, a forthright Natalie explains. The game is perfectly legal and has been vetted by a Queen's Counsel. Tom can lay his fears to rest, she insists. Ben tries to keep an open mind about Angel Cruise. What's wrong with taking the gamble if it is legal? Sure, some people lose, but some people win and that's the name of any game,
26DownsizingTom can't believe his eyes when his old mate Max Arnold arrives at the bank with a hefty cheque written on the side of a cow. It's legal tender, snorts Max, and if the bank is so determined to milk him for mortgage payments, well let them learn howâ€”milk this! Country life has changed. There was a time when a bank manager would cut some slack to catch up on a missed payment. Not any more. Tom goes to see bank manager Kevin Sutton to discuss Max's difficulty but Sutton remains steadfast. Tom returns to find the station empty and the phone ringing. It is a struggle coping one member down and no replacement for Dash in sight. When the Heelers learn from St David's that staffing levels are under review, tempers become short. Are they really expected to continue like this? More bad news when Chris arrives to see Tom. Has he heard that the Vic Bank is closing down? What are they to do without a bank? Tom wonders whether his beloved Mt. Thomas is about to suffer the same downward spiral
27The Deepest CutBen becomes the victim of anti-gay slurs when his hairdresser friend, Tony, arrives in town. Prejudice builds however, when Tony's popularity wilts the opposition and happy clients confide their closest secrets to him. Someone it seems, confided too much, and Ben finds Tony dead in the salon stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors.
28Hello GoodbyeTrouble magnet, Constable Jo Parrish, lands in Mt. Thomas, provoking both a civil suit and a stalker.
29Whip Crack AwayJo oversteps the line when she protects a charming gypsy who operates on the wrong side of the law.
30The Price of SilenceMaggie threatens her career when she charges a pro-police politician with assault.
31Without JudgementThe Heelers are drawn into a hostile domestic situation when a distraught man arrives in Mt. Thomas to find his missing lover, who is terminally ill. Robert is sure his long-time partner, Peter Jones, has returned to make amends with his parents, whom he hasn't seen for 8 years. As Peter is not officially missing, Jack can do nothing to help him and is assaulted by an overwrought Robert. Behind the station counter, emotions are on a short leash as Ben and Maggie struggle to come to terms with their impassioned kiss at Ben's birthday bash. A few drinks, some silly games, a fine time had by all and then, somehow, it just happened. What now? Ben longs to pursue the matter with Maggie, who avoids him, unable to admit her true feelings. Although he seems genuine, Robert skirts some incriminating details of his relationship with Peter. The Heelers learn that theirs was a tumultuous household and that Peter has a history of prostitution. Could Peter be hiding from a violent domestic situa
32Smoke Without FireTom joins Chris on a board of upstanding citizens preparing to set up the new community bank. His position is compromised, however, when both he and Pat Doyle are named in a parliamentary committee investigating bent coppers. The Heelers rally round to support Tom but Jo finds herself on the outer when she suggests Tom might well have been on the take. Small gratuities, a little cash on the sideâ€”it was the way things were done back then. Though concerned for Tom, Maggie breathes a small sigh of relief. At least her father is retired and unlikely to suffer any fallout from the inquiry. At first, Tom refuses to worryâ€”his conscience is clear. But word spreads throughout the town and the bank board requests his immediate resignation. The citizens of Mt. Thomas have lost confidence in their Senior Sergeant. After her contrary attitude to Tom's dilemma, Jo is left grappling for allies when her own friend, school teacher Selina Harvey, is accused of supplying dope to, and having a sexual
33Starry Starry NightA mystery unfolds on night patrol when Jack and Jo stumble across a troubled stranger who carries a message for the Heelers that they won't forget. When Jack and Jo draw the short straw, night patrol finds them embroiled in a case that involves an abandoned suitcase and a mysterious stranger. Throughout the night, each of the Heelers stumble across the stranger at different times, but when dawn arrives, he reveals a reason for his visit that deeply affects them all.
34Paradise LostMaggie takes Ben's daughter Emma off his hands for a day on a mushrooming expedition, but the event has nasty repercussions for Emma when they come across a tourist who dies from eating field mushrooms. Ben and Maggie head out to inform the local community of the potential danger of mushrooming and come across an idyll commune called Paradise. The inhabitantsâ€”three women, a cluster of kids and a charismatic, gentle man called Rod Cathcartâ€”present an alternative lifestyle that appeals to them both. Enchanted by the mood of the place, Ben and Maggie find themselves drawn to each other once again. Rod invites Maggie and Ben to return for lunch the following day, but their rapturous account of Paradise makes PJ resentful of their common fondness for a country lifestyle, PJ is also wary of Emma's open scheming to bring Ben and Maggie together. Conscious of PJ's annoyance, Ben tries to placate PJ by pulling out of the lunch date. Tom detects the growing tension between PJ, Ben and Ma
35The GameIt's Grand Final week in Mt. Thomas and the money is on Awesome Lawson to win the cupâ€”and the town's honourâ€”from the St. Davids football team. Jack finds it hard to focus on work with footy fever upon him, until Marnie Sommers yanks him to attention with yet another incident of petty crime. Jack is tiring of Marnie's brushes with the law and her open antagonism toward him. Marnie resents the blind worship the town affords footy players like Jack and her husband, Harro, who is serving time for armed robbery. As far as Marnie's concerned, footy heroes are all the sameâ€”good for nothing. When Marnie's husband returns to town, she demands an intervention order against him, claiming he is violent, but her troublesome reputation makes the Heelers wonder if Harro is a threat at all. He seems a nice enough bloke to Jack. Besides, he's a fellow footy player! Harro's done his time, now he just wants his wife and his kids back. When a report of stolen CD players comes in, Jack suspects Marni
36Miracle at Rabbit CreekTom pursues a local troublemaker in a high-speed chase when the boy's car veers off the road, crashing into Rabbit Creek. It's a devastating scene for Tom who has known Tim Sullivan all his life. As he watches the boy slip away, Tom prays to God to absolve Tim of his sins. Ten minutes later, the ambulance arrives to take the body away. But before Tom can cover the boy's face, Tim coughs and sits bolt upright; he's alive! At first, the Heelers enjoy a few jokes at Tom's expense, but for Catholics, Tom and Maggie, the event inspires a deep questioning of their faith and is a cause for spiritual upheaval. They deal with life and death every day, but this time it is Tom who has been God's servant. John's declaration that Tom has performed a miracle has the town's faithful out in search of answers and the sacred site. Is their Senior Sergeant blessed? Falcon Price, would certainly like to know. Young Tim has had a hard time coping with his second chance. It feels more like a sentence
37Second ChanceJo's blossoming romance with out-of-towner Travis Williams is cut short when PJ reveals Travis is a dangerous criminal put way for murdering his girlfriends. The vicious crime haunts PJ who arrested Travis and is immediately suspicious of his return to Mt. Thomas. Tom warns Jo to dump the romance before she becomes too involved and jeopardises her job. He can't have a constable going out with a criminal, even if he is reformed. When a spate of vicious armed robberies against women are reported, PJ believes Travis is involved. Mindful of Jo's broken heart, Maggie provides a shoulder but counsels Jo to leave him. The promise of a new love never felt so lonely. PJ keeps tabs on Travis who seems contrite and is certainly cooperative. He has returned to Mt. Thomas to start afresh and find work but PJ makes it clearâ€”he expects Travis to leave town. Tom becomes uneasy with PJ's relentless pursuit of Travis and warns him to go by the book. Jo struggles with her decision. She wants to bel
38The Price of FriendshipThe prospect of the Racing Club Carnival dance has the Heelers in a frenzy to find partners.There is little to celebrate when an armed robbery of the race takings leaves a security guard seriously wounded. The only clues, a Mudlark's Grand Final Pin is found at the scene of the crime. Could one of Jack's fellow football team be responsible? The Heelers call in football coach, Ian Waldron, to find out which Mudlarks's players have pins but the carnival atmosphere fades for all when Ian tells them that his son Matt, Jack's good friend, is dying from a brain tumour. Ian has spent his company's fortune trying trying to find a cure for Matt in Brazil and must close his factory. There is little chance Matt will survive to see his wife deliver their first child. Jack finds it difficult to confirm the alibis of his football buddies for the time of the robbery and is puzzled by the behaviour of his mate Scott who has been acting strangely since Matt returned from Brazil. Jack is certain som
39Under FireJack receives unsettling news when his ex-girlfriend Molly calls with plans to visit Mt. Thomas to try and repair their broken relationship. Jack is not sure whether he is ready or willing to recover his shredded emotions after Molly's infidelity. The Heelers investigate the death of a drug dealer whose burnt body is found in the ashen remains of a house used for the manufacture of amphetamines. They believe a man called Graeme Palmer is involved and when Maggie and Ben spy Palmer's car on the road they give chase. Ben reports to Tom via radio that the pursuit is reaching dangerous speeds and they are about to terminate, when Ben yells a warning to Maggie and the radio cuts dead. The Heelers are left hanging until a shaken Maggie calls to say both vehicles are trashed and a passenger bus that swerved to avoid collision has crashed on its side. The situation is serious. The Heelers and emergency services arrive to a scene of confusion and devastation. They break into the bus to fi
40Fifty-FiftyBen is troubled to learn that his daughter's tutor, Amy Fordham, is struggling through the maelstrom of her parents' marriage breakdown. Concerned for her welfare, Ben drops Amy off at home, arriving in the middle of an explosive fight during which Amy gets hurt. Unwilling to leave Amy to deal with the aftermath of their anger, Ben brings her back to the Watchhouse, determined to alert the department of Human Services to Amy's plight. Tom cautions him to attempt a reconciliation with the parents fist. The Fordhams agree to behave themselves and though Ben is not convinced, he sends Amy home and promises her that she can depend on him at all times. Ben's troubles multiply when Maggie returns shaken from an internal enquiry into a bus crash. Although the enquiry clears her of reckless driving, it leaves her overwhelmed with remorse for those killed. She finds comfort in Ben's arms... and PJ walks in on the moment. PJ's patience for their intimate friendship is waning but both he and
41KidsBen's divorce finally comes through, but it's hard news for his daughter Emma who must return to her mother in Melbourne. In anger and frustration, Emma trashes the station. Tom has patiently watched Ben struggle with single parenthood and his duties as a cop but warns him that this interference with work must stop. The Heelers discover $20.00 missing from petty cash and Emma seems the likely suspect, but Ben's troubles boil over when he learns Emma has run away and a teacher confides that she frequently skips school with a friend. Ben finds Emma at her friend's grandmother's house. They seem to be in good hands and after reassurance from Nanny Nora, Ben realises his daughter has found comfort he has been unable to provide. Back at the station, the Heelers puzzle over a series of house burglaries in which odd trinkets of valuable electrical goods are stolen. The crimes seem unrelated but are taking place in the same area. Jo and Ben attend a report at an older woman's home and fi
42Be PreparedWith the turn of the millennium just weeks away, Inspector Falcon Price pulls an impromptu blackout at the station to test the Heelers' preparedness for potential Year 2000 problems. There can be no cause for alarm if the police force and emergency services are ready for every situation. Jack finds Gary Scully dangling in a net up a tree on the Janssen property, the victim of a crude but effective man trap and saves him. Ben's daughter Emma returns to the Watchhouse after a stint in hospital but her presence is a painful reminder for PJ of Ben and Maggie's vigil over Emma's sickbed. They make a picture perfect family. PJ tells Ben he can no longer stand in the way of Maggie's happiness and asks her to consider Ben as her future partner. Now Maggie must choose between her troublesome love for PJ and growing intimacy with Ben. The Heelers talk to the Jenssens about the mantrap and learn the family has been zealous in their Y2K preparations. The family expects the worst case scenari

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