The BEST episodes of Packed to the Rafters
Every episode of Packed to the Rafters ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Packed to the Rafters!
Centres around Dave and Julie Rafter and their three children Rachel, Ben and Nathan. On the eve of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary the couple thinks that they are finally about to have the house to themselves. But home is a very welcome refuge for their children and when unforeseen problems loom, they return like a boomerang.
#1 - Life's Surprises
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/2013
Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.
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#2 - Playing a Googly
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/2/2008
An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital. When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them? An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked. Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil. Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.
#3 - Packed to the Rafters
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/26/2008
Happily married couple, Julie and Dave Rafter are over the moon when Ben, their last child, finally decides to leave home. After raising three kids, the couple are free! It's a chance for them to do what they want, when they want and on their own terms. However, less than 48 hours after Ben moves next door, all dreams of freedom are completely upended — their three kids think being with their parents is a lot more comfortable than being out on their own, and they're returning with the same sure instinct of homing pigeons.
#4 - That Heady Rush
Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/12/2013
Frankie is caught up in that heady rush a new relationship brings. She seems to be coping pretty well. But can she contain the tsunami that is Coby? Dave is riding a heady rush of his own when Duncan offers the Rafter Electrical team a big contract. But celebratory drinks take a sour turn, and Frankie's forced to rebuff a drunken pass. She assumes it's over and done with. Little does she know, the moment will come back to haunt her.
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#5 - What's in a Name?
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2009
The stray mutt which Ben and Melissa found a week ago still has no name, despite all their efforts. If Carbo has his way, the dog may not be around long enough to need a name. After barking all day and night and chewing his mum’s shoes, Carbo delivers an ultimatum to his housemates – find the dog’s owner or it’s off to the pound. Meanwhile, the dog seems to have developed an obsession with Dave. Dave’s instinct is to back away from the dog’s affection – but it’s the all night howling which triggers a deeply subconscious reaction in Dave. He begins to have a recurring dream – one he had many times as a child – of a dog barking and scratching at a closed door. But is it just a dream or a distant and traumatic memory from his own childhood? A week into Trish’s stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Worse still, Trish unthinkingly reveals Julie’s pregnancy – information Julie was deliberately withholding. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical. Rachel isn’t convinced but agrees to go along to Ladies Day at his rugby club. Plunging headfirst into Jake’s world, will Rachel like what she sees?
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#6 - Rewriting History
Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/16/2013
As Dave and Julie's 30th wedding anniversary approaches, thoughts naturally turn to family and history. But Julie's view of the past is rocked by a surprise admission from Ted. Meanwhile, Julie also assumes their celebration will be a small affair, but little does she realise, Ben and Nathan have returned for the occasion! Coby is finding it hard to adjust to life in Remand, hiding his pain behind a veneer of black humour. Can he rise to Dave's challenge and put the time to good use?
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#7 - Packing Up the Rafters
Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/2/2013
Everyone makes a video diary to tell Julie and Dave how much they mean to them. Donna realises that she wants to be with the cook and they start a relationship. Eleanor tells Julie she will look after Ted and they will play Battleships. Sammy, Nathan and Ben all decide to raise baby Edward and move into their own unit. Coby and Frankie begin a relationship and together, with Matt, they continue Rafter Electrical. Matt gets signed onto a record label with the help of Molly Meldrum. Carbo gets a job as a manager at a car sales place and he and Retta get assurance that the baby they are expecting is perfectly healthy. Rachel and Jake are happy in New York together and Jake proposes to Rachel. After long consideration, Julie and Dave decide to take their kombi and go for a trip around Australia. We hope you're as happy as we have been. Love Dave and Julie Rafter
#10 - Got What It Takes
Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/19/2013
Dave is determined to take his business to the next level, beginning with his new contract with Duncan. But when Duncan's wandering eye puts him on a collision course with Coby, does Dave have what it takes to stop the impact? Meanwhile, Frankie's not impressed with Coby's seeming lack of maturity, starting with his inability to let go of his rage over Duncan's pass at her. How much more will Frankie be able to put up with?
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#13 - The Great Escape
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/29/2012
Ben is being driven quietly crazy by the baby-obsessed Carbo and Retta. Feeling edged out of the world they are creating, Emma suggests that the two of them get out of town for a few days, a large step forward in their relationship for Ben. But once you've found escape, the trouble comes returning from it. After being romantically shunned by Frankie, Coby does his best to avoid her at work. However, when the awkwardness becomes too much to bear, Frankie makes a proposal. Meanwhile, Julie begins life as the 'new kid' at the local newspaper and her new lease on life inspires Dave to move forward with his own business plans, leading to frustrations between the couple. Will venturing into a new future drive a wedge between Dave and Julie?
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#15 - Sweet Sorrow
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/23/2011
Rachel's doubts are intensified as she visits Jake to invite him to her farewell dinner. One thing leads to another and the invitation inevitably turns into a moment of good-bye passion. With Rachel now confused, Nathan convinces her she's made the right decision and she'll regret it forever if she doesn't go. Dave's father, Tom, announces his parole has come through and he's looking forward to spending more time with the family. Rachel tearfully farewells her family and sets off overseas, but Jake takes off in pursuit, determined to catch her, resulting in an emotional roadside exchange between the two lovers.
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#18 - The Male Communication Handbook
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/30/2011
Dave relishes finally having a relationship with his dad, Tom, despite Julie's reservations about her recently paroled father-in-law. Julie raises concerns that Tom may not have reformed his crooked ways. Next door there is tension in the air between the boys, stemming from Carbo's hurt feelings at having not been asked to be a part of Nathan's fledgling car spares business. Meanwhile, Jake and Coby are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Alex, returned from New Zealand. Alex is cagey about what happened overseas, leaving Jake wondering what really happened over in New Zealand.
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#19 - Swimming in the Gene Pool
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/20/2011
Grace tells her sons Jake and Alex that she's engaged, and both boys are happy for her until they find out that she has never actually divorced their father. Things become complicated when Grace meets with her ex-husband, as Alex is adamant he never wants to see his father again but Jake's curiosity is restless. Tom is recovering in hospital when he gets a visit from his granddaughter, Bree, but Coby is less than thrilled with the arrival of his feisty sister. Tom encourages them to make amends, but Coby struggles to mend bridges with his sister.
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#20 - Leap of Faith
Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/28/2012
Ted resolves to take a leap of faith and seize life with both hands. But as his best-laid plans are put to waste, is his leap destined to become a stumble? Ben agrees to go to the movies with Emma, but asks Nathan and Coby to join them to relieve the pressure of the evening feeling like a date; however, Coby's terrible cinema etiquette and embarrassing antics causes Ben to eject the boys. Now all alone, will Ben and Emma finally succumb to their brewing feelings? Meanwhile, Dave is struggling to take his own leap of faith and accept his brother Matt.
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#21 - Centre of the Universe
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/2/2013
Julie and Dave knuckle down to the stressful task of buying a house in Sydney on a tight budget. After thirty years in the same house, they discover they are out of their depth when it comes to real estate. Julie is also struggling with the fact that Ted (MICHAEL CATON) is having difficulty settling into life at the nursing home, and she seems to be the problem. After some advice from Eleanor (FIONA SPENCE), Julie makes the difficult decision to give Ted space to adjust to his new surroundings. It’s yet another reminder that she is no longer the hub of her family’s world, and the realization is both unsettling and liberating. But one thing is crystal clear – Julie and Dave will always be the centre of each other’s world. The return of Ben rattles Emma (ZOE CRAMOND) and Buzz (BEN MINGAY). Emma worries that seeing Ben will stir up old feelings. And when it becomes apparent that Ben still holds a candle for Emma, could the old flames of romance be rekindled? Nathan’s (ANGUS McLAREN) cheered by Sammy’s reappearance in his life. Sammy extends a personal invitation from Trish (SARAH CHADWICK) to a party, where they discover Trish has been very much changed by her time spent in a self-improvement cult! But amongst the fun, Nathan receives news that ex-wife Saskia wants to see baby Edward. Worried about the future, Nathan’s sure of one thing – he’s not going to give up his son without a fight. Coby’s released from prison and his presence has a huge impact on Frankie (BROOKE SATCHWELL) – something that doesn’t escape Matt’s (JACOB ALLAN) attention. He makes a selfless decision, allowing Frankie and Coby to fall into bed together. All’s well until Frankie freaks out. Can she overcome her insecurities enough to be with Coby?
#23 - Keeping Step
Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/5/2013
Julie feels at odds with both Ted and Dave over the severity of Ted's condition - and falling back into step is going to be easier said than done. Meanwhile, despite having rejected Coby's initial interest in her, Frankie is finally letting her guard down. But can she open herself up enough to admit her true feelings for Coby, or are they destined to never quite fall into lock step?
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#25 - Big Kids
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/13/2011
Julie finds herself out of her comfort zone when she attends a burlesque dance class with new friend Donna. Dave comes across some lingerie that Julie has bought for her performance, but when she doesn't wear it, he is left feeling jealous and insecure about her relationship with Hamish. Meanwhile, Ted is avoiding house guest Tom at every opportunity, and makes it clear to Nathan he doesn't trust Tom at all. Then, Nathan sees Tom entering a pub when he's supposed to be working, and finds himself in a tricky predicament when Tom denies having been there.
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