Season 9

2002 · 40 episodes

The ninth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 13 February 2002 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 pm. The 41-episode season concluded 20 November 2002.

1Breaking Point (1)Tess worries for Hayley's safety when one of the girl's new friends is accused of attacking a girl at school. Tom's daughter, Susan, who has just moved back to Mt Thomas, teaches the accused boy and has faith in his innocence. When it is discovered that the boy has killed his classmate 2 years before, opinion is divided. He was too young to be charged, but could he snap again!? When the boy's father arrives in town, it sets off a chain of events that put Tom and Susan's life in danger
2Breaking Point (2)Tom discovers his daughter is pregnant when she becomes the victim of a hit and run. The accident leaves her unconscious and internally injured and Tom is faced with a terrible dilemma. If he saves his daughter's child he risks losing his own. Would Susan forgive him? Could Tom forgive himself? As Tom seeks justice, Tess fights for Hayley's love. Hayley's mother's prison release draws near as Tess struggles to understand why Hayley is pushing her away. Tom and Tess risk losing the people they love in their desire to protect them. At the end of the day, Tom gets to keep Susan but loses her daughter, and Tess ulitmately loses Hayley to the girl's family.
3If It ain't Hurtin'(from tv guide): Jonesy gets itchy feet when a hack wrestling troupe he once worked for comes to town. Meg, the owner, is an old flame and she makes her interest in Jonesy clear. The troupe is struggling to stay afloat and the theft of a valuable wrestling belt places their future under threat. Meg's plans for the troupe are unpopular with the older wrestlers. Did one of them steal the belt in an effort to protect their history? A pyrotechnics accident leaves one old wrestler badly burnt and Meg leans on Jonesy for support. Jonesy is disbelieving as evidence mounts against his old girlfriend. Would she risk someone's life to get her own way? Tess thinks so. As the troupe continues to splinter, Tess questions Jonesy's objectivity. Jonesy is torn when Meg asks him to leave the Force and join her and the troupe. Does he know her as well as he thought? Where is his future?
4Down in the Forestfrom TV Guide{}:Ben is already miserable with flu when he falls down a mantrap in the State Forest. PJ is disbelieving when Ben accuses a fairy of stealing vegetables from his garden. Has his fever made him delirious? An old prospector is questioned about the mantrap. He claims to have found a dead body but the Heelers can find no evidence of it. Was the body moved or is the prospector pretending to imagine things to disguise his guilt? Ben's determined efforts to catch the winged culprit leads him to a a neighboring farmhouse and he is taken as hostage by three children. Is there a connection between them and the missing dead man? Ben must earn their trust to unravel the mystery
5The Real ThingJo's new romance is firing up with her fencing tutor - world class athlete, silver medal winner and sports journalist Guy Merrin and the Heelers are impressed. PJ and Jo are called when a 17 year old athlete named Callum Stiles collapses on the track and dies. Jo finds syringes in his bag. His mother tells them Callum was under a lot of stress over winning the games but she wouldn't have given him drugs, she was once an athlete in a scandal herself. Jonesy suspects a drug called EPO which increases oxygen flow and might not be detected in regular drug tests. Guy soon comes to the station looking for information after he heard a rumour that drugs were involved. Tom and PJ are worried Jo's personal life is getting in the way, but she is also intrigued as to these ""rumours"". Neither Assistant Coach Dan Reed or runner Fiona Bartram believe that Callum was using drugs, and Dan is publicly against them. Callum's world class coach Frank Jarvis is also known to have spoke out against drugs,
6Rainy Night BluesChris has finaly pulled through and got the first Mount Thomas Blues Festival up and running. There are thousands of tourists in town but the predictions are for heavy rain. The festival may be ruined and Chris has been pushing her hardest for months to get this thing going. Jo is not excited at the prospect of Blues, but Jonesy and Tess certainly are. Among the singers are legends Charlie Bell and Butch Jordan who was Tess's favourite singer as a child. Jo is even more angry when Ben injures himself at basketball and she must take over his shift, missing out on her weekend off. Farmer Roy Haiseman begins firing at a trespasser whom Jonesy soon discovers is Butch Jordan himself. One of only two roads to the festival goes through Roy's property and Roy is against the idea. Or, as Tom puts it, Roy is against the idea that Chris beat him in the council election. At the same time, festival organiser Erin William's hit Roy's mare which escaped after Butch left the gate open. Luckily, the th
7Jack & JillWhen PJ's mother arrives in town with Stefan, her boyfriend, PJ takes an instant dislike to him. A scandal erupts when three generations of a family begin fighting over the eldest woman's pottery collection ,especially two expensive pieces named 'Jack' and 'Jill' but when forgery and theft become part of the case, the Heelers are baffled. Meanwhile, Helena is torn between her son and her lover and when she sends Stefan away and decides to stay with PJ he questions why. Then he learns the truth - she has been diagnosed with cancer and has 2, maybe 3, months to live.
8Sons & MothersPJ, unwanting and unwilling to deal with his mother's imminent death, throws himself into the murder of a convicted kidnapper whilst serving life. Jo and Ben set about the task of convincing him to talk to his mother about it. But he refuses and throws himself further into his work, which pays off when he discovers there is something suspicious about both the kidnapping and the murder and Jo has to agree there are too many coincidences. But when PJ solves the case and sees a son and mother reunited he decides to be with his mother until the end and to share her pain.
9Say His NameAs Helena moves closer to her end, PJ is desperate for her to continue living. While he seeks out alternative treatments when she refuses the radio-therapy, Chris, Tom and all his friends try to convince him it is time for his mother to die. Helena just wants him to accept Death. He is conflicted more as she turns to religion, something he doesn't believe in. But she is praying more for him and to help him sort out his life. Meanwhile, Benny Matthews' latest love affair with a 15 year old is not going down well with her father, who demands action be taken. When PJ tells Benny to stop seeing the girl it just makes her angrier and she moves in with him. The Heelers and Kimberley's father are worried Benny will get the girl onto drugs. Helena gives Ben a note to give to PJ when she is dying. It tells him to let her die in peace and not to prolong her life. He continues to seek treatments for her even when she tells him not to. He begins to feel worse after he realises that for a moment he
10The Perfect LifeA depressed PJ returns to work following Helena's death. Although all the Heelers want him to take more time off he is sure that he is fine and it won't affect his work. Meanwhile a well-off builder's wife goes missing. Her car is found near the river, but she's not. Gary Parker seemingly had the perfect life with the perfect family - wife Catriona and two small children. But it seems not. The Heelers think it may be suicide but PJ thinks the husband might be involved. They discover that she filled up her petrol and had her hair and nails done just before she disappeared and PJ thinks this disputes the suicide theory, as does the fact it is almost her son's birthday and she wouldn't kill herself just then? There is no evidence to suggest she was depressed. Jo and PJ investigate their expensive house where they begin to unravel the story that life with the Parkers isn't perfect, Catriona's hairdresser Chloe, her only true confidante, agrees. While the river brings up nothing, one of he
11FlushedThere are troubles at the Mt Thomas Police Station - the toilet is acting up and the only plumber available is the incompetent Charlie Clarke. But he already has his own set of troubles - his wife is fighting with the new au pair, who it doesn't seem Charlie is paying. But she is clearly not attracted to him so what is her purpose in town? Soon she is linked to a man convicted for fraud who now does sketches, and a murderer on the run and soon lives are at risk. But how can the Heelers prevent anything from happening? It seems that the answers all lie in the station's pipes...
12Dancing on the EdgeThe police are invited to an old-time charity dance. Ben takes a St. Davids Officer, Shelley Piper. However her separated husband, Peter Baynes, a sergeant and Inspector Falcon-Price's ""golden boy"" believes he has ownership of his ex-wife and, when he is very drunk, starts a fight with Ben. Tom and Falcon-Price find Ben in the toilets having just punched Baynes. Falcon-Price naturally believes Baynes and Ben knows that his past history of violence (e.g. when he punched an officer and got demoted) is not working in his favour. Baynes agrees to not press charges but Ben knows that Falcon-Price thinks he should be suspended. Tom, Jo and the rest believe Ben however, who says he was just defending himself. Shelley tells Ben that all Baynes wants is to continously be seen as the good guy in the Inspector's eyes. Ben discovers that Baynes may have a psychological problem. He often parks outside the house Shelley lives in with her father for hours, or spies on her. Ben asks Shelley to call hi
13Those That TrespassSam Baxter, a troubled 15 year old girl, is found breaking in to her mother's store. Her mother, who is tired of this, wants her to be charged. Jo thinks she just wants attention and begins to believe everything Sam says, including that it is her parent's fault. Her criminal father arrives in town and her mother doesn't want anything to do with him but Sam likes him. Instead of being charged, Sam is let off with a warning and has to help an elderly member of Grace's parish, Olive Hemmings, with her housework. Surprisingly the two hit it off and Jo's faith in the girl is restored. But when Olive doesn't turn up at church, she is found bleeding in her house. Someone broke in and stole $2000. A young female called the ambulance and they soon find out it is Sam, staying at her adult boyfriend's house. Sam pushed her over cause she was ""in the way"". Her mother is sure she is ending up like her father. Jo can't believe that the girl she trusted did this. Meanwhile, Jo's parents arrive in tow
14ReflectionThere is celebration in Mt. Thomas as Tom gets a service medal for 30 years in the force. But the celebrations are marred when a young Aboriginal woman injures Grace and claims Tom stole her from her family as a child. The Heelers soon discover that when Tom was new to the force, in 1973, he was involved in helping the government remove some Aboriginal children from their families. Where he lived as a child, out near Lake End Mission, was the scene of his removing Kim Cook and her two brothers from their violent father. Kim's life was destroyed in foster homes and her brothers both died (one of drugs and one of suicide). Tess, Evan and PJ stand by the boss but Jo believes it is more his fault for taking the children. Meanwhile, Chris believes Kim is responsible for stealing some money at the pub that the town had pooled to buy Tom an antique mirror for his 30 years. Kim denies it and her alibi seems to check out, but when they discover she has a boy in the room with her, they think he
15BuddiesJo is convinced by Jonesy to cut a speeding fine after he discovers the perpertrator is an old best friend, Ian Bolger. Meanwhile, Jo is surprised when she sees a man who she suspects is a burglar from years ago and takes him to the station, where he is promptly released. PJ, Tom and Tess won't tell her why, or who the strange visitors at the station are. Tess is angry when she discovers Jonesy let his friend off the hook but that is nothing compared to her anger when Jonesy unknowingly blows a major undercover operation. It turns out that Jim Deakin, who Jo took to the station, is in fact a diamond thief and is involved in a major heist and the Heelers were assisting Undercover. Jonesy, bringing a tyre to the same mechanic that Deakin was to meet his accomplice at, blew the entire operation and the Heelers discover money for the operation was found inside the tyre. Jonesy knows Bolger asked him to take the tyre but Bolger says it was the other way round. Jonesy is temporarily placed
16Broken DreamsAn aspiring ballerina is injured in a car crash and Jo seeks justice. However, the young driver of the other car, who is also wanted on theft, is determined to go free and not have a blemish on his reputation as he is studying law.
17An Old Fashioned ManIt is an interesting time in Mt Thomas for couples - together and not together. While PJ and Liz enjoy a secret romance, Tom and Grace enjoy their not-so-secret romance and Tess and Jonesy struggle to hold back their all too obvious feelings for each other. An Elvis auction brings out ""Gossie"" Goss (last seen in 8x25 ""Dinosaurs""), a fellow copper and friend of Tom's. When he buys a $6000 scarf which he can't afford, all for his girlfriend Barbara, Tom is worried. Barbara has no money either and is spending all her time doing some heavy petting with Gossie while her disgusted teenage daughter Laura pays the bill.
18Of Middle Eastern AppearanceA friend of Jo's, science teacher Deniz Gulmez, is accused of hurting Rufus Sedgwick, a boy in her class. The two witnesses - Emily Larson and Jason McKendry, hate each other so it seems neither of them would be working toeghter. Even the principal, Mrs. Ellis believes them. Jo thinks this is because she is a racist bigot.
19The Best ManA domestic at the church finds Jonesy's mate's wedding coming to a standstill. Geoff Vincent and Charmian Blakeney are planning to get married the following day but her father Ned is fighting with his ex-wife Hilary and her young lover Damian. To add to this, the best man - Wolfie Schmidt is having serious troubles. The wedding rings are missing, one of which was Ned's mother's. Sleazy jeweller Harold Craig has no idea where they are either, and although the Heelers have suspicions, he can't help them.
20Wednesday's ChildJonesy's honest handling of a paternity claim against him and the claims by two women for the possession of a ten year old girl, expose more of Tess' feelings about Jonesy, as well as her own insecurities.
21Finders KeepersWhen the victim of a motor accident claims his good Samaritan is trying to kill him, and two local farmers who have lost their mother suddenly come into money and their life changes, Tess and Jonesy have to learn to work together again when a dangerous situation occurs. Meanwhile, Liz is endangered and PJ has to come to terms with how serious he is about her, but she decides to go back to Melbourne. However there is definitely some unfinished business between these two... And Jo studies for her upcoming Senior Constable exam, will she get it?
22Burning DesireJo invites herself to live in PJ's house, but fails to let him know. While PJ tries to persuade her to move out, a decision made by Jo in good faith has unforeseen and very serious consequences when an intellectually disabled man is accused of burning down a sheltered workshop. Jo refuses to believe the accusation, but her fight to prove his innocence and return him to his home places further pressure on his mother with tragic results. Jo is distraught, and PJ's efforts to comfort her turn into something neither of them expected.
23Naked LadyA private school teacher is found dead on the outskirts of town of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. But Jo suspects something more and believes it was murder. Meanwhile she and PJ have to face each other after waking up in bed together, both uncomfortable over what has happened. When the discovery of a drug Belladonna, or ""Naked Lady"" is found in his system, Jo persists to find out the secrets behind this man's life and who killed him and her persistence is what ends up finding the real killer. She also recieves an award for saving Falcon-Price in 8x24 An Inspector Calls. However she is worried PJ doesn't feel anything after what they did. They finally discuss it and realise that working and living together is enough and that a relationship would ruin their friendship.
24Private LivesBen is personally affected by the tragic death of an infant in a motor accident. He believes he's found the drunken culprit but the suspect has a different tale to tell. As Ben tries to get to the truth, he uncovers a scandal involving Grace's congregation. Grace finds herself under attack from a mystery assailant, but resists Tom's attempts to protect her. She also rejects a proposal of marriage made for all the wrong reasons forcing Tom to examine his true feelings for her.
25Inside, OutsidePJ finds himself at loggerheads with Jo over her sympathy for a woman on work release from prison. The arrival in town of her son and defacto husband leads PJ to suspect that the woman is still involved in their criminal activities. His views seem to be confirmed when she escapes from prison, but Jo discovers she has a different motivation, and together she and PJ must try to save her son's life. After agreeing to be 'just good friend' PJ naturally assumes Jo will now be moving out of his house, but Jo has different ideas.
26The Last JarTess and Jonesy clash when a man accuses his estranged wife of trying to kill his girlfriend by poisoning her breakfast jam. When they question the wife, she counter-accuses her husband of product tampering and extortion. Tess empathises with the wife, who is an independent woman like herself, running her own jam making business. Jonesy, on the other hand, feels the husband is misunderstood. Despite a product recall, the Heelers realise there is a second jar of poisoned jam out there somewhere which must be found before someone dies
27Stewart vs StewartBen takes on the job of prosecuting a teenager accused of the heart-breaking robbery of a grieving widower
28Fishing for DummiesJonesy is rushed into hospital by Tess, Ben and an anxious family. The previous day, Jonesy is out fly fishing with his book on "Fishing For Dummies". He calls Tess and she tells him they aren't concerned about two missing backpackers, they are more than likely just enjoying themselves.
29Salvation (1)Tom's wedding plans are thrown into disarray when Grace's ex husband, Simon, arrives in town. It soon becomes apparent that Simon will use any means to come between Tom and Grace and disrupt their marriage plans. An unfortunate caricature on the wall of the police station seems to be the work of Grace's son, but turns out to reveal the darker motives of Simon. Tom finds himself up against a very devious mind as he desperately tries to keep his marriage plans on track. Soon Tom finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation when Grace's ex husband is found dead under suspicious circumstances
30Salvation (2)Tom seems to be his own worst enemy when he admits to a violent confrontation with Simon shortly before his death. It takes the best efforts of the Heelers to clear Tom's name so that his wedding to Grace can finally go ahead. But there is another mystery to be solved before his colleagues can attend the nuptials.
31In Another PlaceAs Ben and Jo wrestle with the problems of an immigrant family new to Mt Thomas, they discover there are deeper reasons for their troublesome behaviour. While they do their best for the family, they find the scars left by their experiences as asylum seekers in detention are not so easily healed. When the father has to commit the mother to psychiatric care, Ben is forced to put his life on the line to deal with an explosive situation involving their teenage son. Meanwhile Tom finally starts his new life in the rectory with Grace.
32ParenthoodTom finds parenthood is no easier the second time around. First his younger stepson is injured in an anti-abortion rally, then the older one admits to having caused the pregnancy of a local girl. To cap it off, his daughter gets defensive because her flatmate is a suspect in the brutal attack of the local doctor, who is running a controversial women's clinic. Tom recognises that his elder stepson isn't a kid any more and an unexpected bond forms between them.
33Boys Will Be BoysTess and Jonesy disagree about how to deal with a gang of troublesome teenage boys who seem to be beyond the reach of the law. The situation becomes complicated when a group of concerned citizens decides to take the law into their own hands. An injury to an old woman leads to retaliation with serious consequences for one of the youngsters. When Jonesy finally realises the source of Tess' intolerance, he helps her experience the childhood she never had.
34Deep WaterBen is coaching a school swimming team and is surprised when one of the girls, Chloe, develops a crush on him. That night he drives her home and she throws herself at him. When he arrives back at the station, her mother is filing a sexual assault charge against him.
35Nothing PersonalBen's re-involvement with his first wife Angela is complicated by the appearance of her jealous husband. By taking responsibility for the finances of an elderly and vulnerable female neighbour, Ben himself falls prey to exploitation by Angela's husband. Ben's police colleagues fear he is too much in love with Angela to see what is happening.
36TeamworkAfter Jonesy crashes a police vehicle, Tess decides he needs to learn something about teamwork. And when a local panel beater is found robbed and assaulted, it seems the perfect chance to test his teamwork skills. But confusion takes hold when the cops discover that they have entered a web of lies and intrigue where everyone has a motive, but who exactly is doing what? With so many different crimes taking place, and so many suspects, it takes the collective efforts of all the police force to put it together.
37Stable MatesJo is attending a counselling session, after shooting a man in the previous episode. She returns to Mt. Thomas and is not happy because she didn't want to attend the session. She overhears PJ saying she isn't as strong as she makes out and is not impressed. Does everyone think she did something wrong?
38Some Days
39Body of EvidenceJo and PJ heal their rift as they find themselves investigating a bizarre case involving empty graves, bikers and missing bodies. PJ finds himself admiring Jo's compassionate side when she fights to organise a proper funeral for a homeless man, only to discover that all is not as it should be at the local funeral home. Jonesy is encouraged in his pursuit of Tess even though she is dating the handsome Dr. Josh At the end of the day, PJ and Jo have a new understanding of each other while Jonesy can't stand the fact that Tess may be interested in Josh after all.
40All You Need Is LovePJ is thrown for a loop when Jo announces she is in love with him. The investigation into a mystery involving two brothers, one woman and obsessive love confirms PJ's belief that passion is dangerous and love only leads to heartache. As the war between the brothers escalates PJ, Jo, Ben and Tom are drawn into who is lying and who is telling the truth.

Episodes