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 - 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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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?
#4 - She Ain't Heavy
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/9/2008
Rachel's growing alcohol dependence sends her family over the edge. Her careless actions could spell the end for one of them. Julie desperately brings the family together for a therapeutic barbecue but simmering tensions erupt. Ben finds himself the unlikely counsellor to both his sister and grandfather Ted as they confront traumatic turning points in their lives. When Ted's humiliating secret is discovered by Rachel, she unwittingly sets him on a path to self-destruction. Narrated by the Rafters' middle child, Ben, tonight's episode focuses on the dramatic and comic repercussions of his move towards independence and responsibility; and the on-going tension for Julie and Dave as they deal with the dark secrets of their family.
#5 - Out of the Comfort Zone
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/24/2010
Ben is forced to step outside his comfort zone when a moral stand clashes with workplace politics. Ben's troubles begin when Melissa reveals she isn't keen on starting a family for years - partially because they can't afford kids. Determined to prove himself as a potential father, Ben asks boss Derek for a pay rise but is turned down. What's worse is being forced to discipline Lexi, friend and employee. Already having trouble giving her a written warning, with Derek on his back, Ben is forced to fire Lexi when she once again arrives late for a shift. However, she reveals her sister is in hospital - and soft hearted Ben agrees to talk to Derek. Ben's aims are thwarted when Ted recognises Derek's daughter Hayley as the leader of the girl gang who assaulted him and Chel. Ted confronts Derek with the unpalatable truth - and is deeply insulted when Derek dismisses him. Unable to let it go, Ted contacts the police, leading to Derek playing personal tit-for-tat and kicking Friend Finders out of the boat club - and ordering Ben to do his dirty work. Torn between keeping his job and standing up for what's morally right, what will Ben decide? Julie steps out of her comfort zone too by joining a local mother's group. Despite Dave's reassurances that the group will be full of normal mothers, all Julie's fears come true when she is welcomed as a senior mum to the group by Stephanie, a young, trim, and highly competitive mother. Despite herself, Julie is drawn into Stephanie's competitive world. However, the presence of Hamish, a charming stay at home dad, helps bring Julie back to earth and politely resolve matters with neurotic Stephanie. After Rachel's refusal to stay at Jake's untidy house, he has been sleeping every night at the Rafter place. The comical Mexican standoff seems destined to continue forever and Jake realises he has to change tack. He jumps at the chance to babysit Ruby, a plan forming to erode Rachel's resistance. However, his plans go awry when Ra
#6 - The Dollhouse
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/15/2011
Nathan doesn't have much luck getting attention for his Parts Exchange website, so he makes up some flyers to distribute around the town, with Ben's help - help Ben is all too willing to give when he realises Nathan's business name "Parts Exchange" reads as "Part Sex Change" when run together as a domain name. Nathan is bemused when he receives dodgy emails and phone calls and when he finally realises his mistake, is comically furious with Ben for letting him embarrass himself. Jake risks everything by returning to the scene of the alleged attempted rape to confront Jodi (SARAH SNOOK), hoping he can convince her he is innocent of the charge. Has Jake made the right decision, or will the confrontation land him in more hot water?
#7 - Perfect Bubble
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 11/2/2010
Certain perfect bubbles in the Rafter world all burst in the most unexpected and confronting ways. Newly unemployed Rachel is seeing the world in a new light - as her oyster. But first what she'd love more than anything is a holiday with Jake. Unbeknownst to her, Jake takes the hint and organises time off - but before he can spring the surprise, Rachel gets a phone call from former boss Paul Morgan offering her job back with better perks and more money. For Rachel, the choice is simple - but for Jake, it's a disappointing slap in the face. The world isn't their oyster, it's Rachel's. If their relationship is going to survive, she needs to start considering his future, too. Still resisting any suggestion of depression, Dave throws himself into normality, suggesting a Rafter family dinner and offering Coby an apprenticeship, which Coby is hesitant but touched to accept. However, when it's revealed that the police have finally arrested a fence connected to the site robberies, Coby is forced to face the fact that his involvement will soon be disclosed and the truth and his self-hate emerge drunkenly over dinner. Dave explodes with anger, even scaring Julie with his unhinged vehemence. As Coby tries to own his guilt by turning himself into the police, Dave is forced to confront his own truth - he has a real problem, possibly the depression Julie has mentioned. But is he willing he do anything about it? After proving his "swimmers" are perfectly sound, Ben is even more determined to start a family with beloved wife Melissa, but his world is about to be turned upside down.
#8 - Rites of Passage
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/10/2010
Nathan is forced to question his motives for wanting to donate a kidney, triggering a crisis of confidence. Will he be able to put his demons to rest and in doing so, save Chel's life? Although he passes all the physical tests, Nathan is thrown into doubt when the transplant co-ordinator seeks answers on his true motivations for donating a kidney to Chel. When Sammy praises Nathan over the transplant, his feeling of pride seems only to confirm he is donating his kidney for self-serving reasons. While Ben and Rachel have no doubt Nathan is made of the right stuff, their younger brother can't seem to find the words to convince the co-ordinator or himself and he's terrified his failure will spell the end for Chel. With Chel's health on the decline, Julie and Dave decide there's no time like the present to hold Ruby's Naming Day ceremony. After a disastrous interview with a comically self-absorbed celebrant, the Rafters plans instead a much more laid-back gathering at the park and ask Rachel, Ben and Nathan to be Ruby's guardians. Baby Ruby's welcomed to the world by those that love and care for her. And perhaps something in the speech Dave makes gives Nathan the answer he's been looking for. Meanwhile, there are problems at the Barton house, with Alex struggling to accept his mother's new relationship. Alex goes out on a bender and when Grace returns from her date and finds Alex still gone, she flies into a panic. She and Jake lock horns over the whole issue, with Grace feeling that she should be more mindful of Alex's feelings and Jake insisting that she's entitled to live her life. Jake decides it's time both he and his brother stood on their own two feet and comes to a surprising solution to their joint need to cut the apron strings. Carbo struggles with his own rite of passage when he discovers some grey hairs – and not just on his head!
#9 - Spark Of Life
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 10/12/2010
Ted returns from with renewed spark from a rejuvenating break, only to find all is not well with his family. Due to work and money pressures, Julie and Dave are snapping at each other and Julie seeks respite in light conversation with Hamish, one of her friends from mothers' group. Concerned by Julie's fond talk of Hamish and Dave's solitary midnight visits to his shed, Ted reminds Dave not to forget the important things in life. Next morning, Dave acts on Ted's advice, and he and Julie set off together for a much-needed afternoon off. But their time together is cut short by a call from the police, investigating a second robbery at Dave's work-site. Although Dave is not accused of anything, the coincidence persuades his builder boss to let him go, and Dave takes his pent-up frustration out on Coby, pretty much accusing him of being the thief on the basis of Ted's revelation that Coby's been lying about where he's been living. Nathan, however, is able to assure Dave that Coby was hanging at the Karandonis house with him the previous night. But alone with Coby, Nathan can't help but wonder whether Coby's arrival with beers was merely to create an alibi. His lack of trust, and Coby's growing guilt, cause Coby to lash out - will the Rafters ever give him a break? However, just as Hamish declares his feelings for Julie, both she, and Coby, are given a timely wake-up call. Dave, working too hard, micro-sleeps at the wheel of his van. Shaken by Dave's near-miss, Coby visits Tom in prison to tell him he no longer wants to exploit the Rafters' goodwill. However, Tom isn't going to let Coby off the hook that easily and turns up the heat. Will Coby buckle to Tom's will? Meanwhile, to the consternation of his flatmates, Carbo is totally besotted by the irrepressible Retta and valiantly trying to go along with her no-sex rule. Driven spare by their comic antics, Ben takes Carbo aside and tells him he has to make a decision about their future together. Carbo agrees
#10 - When Worlds Collide
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 10/5/2010
Rachel's relationship with Jake is pushed to breaking point when her work and personal lives collide. For Rachel, work is a world of pain. Colleague Liam is undercutting her at every turn, and Rachel doesn't know how to counter it. After some advice from Medusa, Rachel manages a temporary victory over him - but Liam turns the tables by schmoozing the client around to his idea. But the worst part? Her conflict with Liam is starting to affect her relationship with Jake, who advises her to be direct and take charge. Dave's money and work woes are stressing him out, so Julie offers to help the business by doing accounts, freeing Nathan up to do some light labouring. Busy Julie has a lot on her mind - especially when Ruby decides to stop breastfeeding - and she can't help making mistakes. Calls are missed, bookings lost - and Dave finally explodes, leading him to realise he and Julie need to work as a team to keep the business - and the family - working. Carbo has failed to talk his mother out of selling the house. As real estate agent Penny Malory and potential buyers rock around, Carbo puts on a desperate show, hoping to scare everyone away, but even Coby's bogan antics fail to discourage one couple, determined to buy. Will the happy Karandonis household be split apart - or will a last appeal to family history and sentiment win the day? When bathroom fittings go missing from their work-site, Coby pleads with Nathan to believe he is innocent. Nathan learns that Coby has trouble with reading and writing. He offers to help him out, and it seems their relationship is at last improving.
#11 - Don't Go There!
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/28/2010
Ben begins to feel like the victim in a horror film who always goes where the audience knows he shouldn't as he begins to question Melissa's commitment to being a parent. Don't go there! When Melissa feels queasy during dinner, Ben immediately assumes she is pregnant and is beside himself with excitement. But Melissa seems hesitant and confused by the possibility, putting off using the pregnancy test kit until the morning and rebuffing Ben's attempts to open up about her feelings. Next door there's little rest and relaxation for Dave who is working extra long hours, saving up for a holiday to Fiji. But his plans cop a setback when an unexpected tax bill lobs on the doorstep. Rachel marches off to an important pitch meeting buoyed by Jake's encouragement. Inexplicably, the client rejects all of Rachel's ideas. What she hasn't yet realised is that oily colleague Liam is sabotaging her efforts. Will Rachel unmask Liam's duplicity? Or will he get the better of her? Meanwhile, Carbo's diet of horror movies has primed him for his own supernatural encounter, and he becomes convinced Mrs. Luscombe's sad, empty house is haunted. His nervous reaction is gold for Nathan who mercilessly revs Carbo up. But the final reveal of "the ghost" next door takes everyone by surprise! Carbo's relationship with Retta continues to bloom, and he hosts a dinner party in an effort to bond her with his housemates. After a painfully hilarious evening, the night ends with a startling announcement from the lovesick pair – one that sends Ben into meltdown. To top it all off, Carbo's mum rings with news that plunges the whole household into uncertainty about the future – she is selling the Karandonis house!
#12 - Know Yourself
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 9/21/2010
Dave struggles with unfamiliar emotions that threaten to engulf the easy-going father and husband he has always been. Dave Rafter prides himself on being easy going and uncomplicated. He knows himself and life is going well - or so he thought. In rapid succession, life teaches him that no human ever has total control of things - and Dave's easy going ability to roll with the punches starts to fail him. He assumes Chel will stay with them to convalesce after her operation, but instead she's heading north to Ballina, to stay with an old friend. Nathan assumes the guest room Dave has prepared for Chel is for him and rejects the imagined offer. Rachel gets emotional about not being able to spend the night with Jake - and Dave takes it personally, thinking that yet another of his children doesn't want to sleep under his roof. Rebuff three. And then his beloved Ruby starts suffering separation anxiety and only wants her mother. It's enough to make Dave feel redundant in his own home. Rachel is trying to settle into her new job at EMB agency but her first day proves disconcertingly frustrating when the scheduled conference with boss Paul Morgan fails to eventuate and she is left all day to her own devices. New colleague Liam seems friendly on the surface but when he supplies her the wrong time for an important meeting the next day, is he friend or foe? And can Rachel really fulfill the demands of her new position? Carbo's wife-hunting on internet dating sites brings immediate success in the form of Loretta. It's love at first sight, despite warnings from Ben and Melissa that things are moving way too fast. Having secured a job in Dave's business, Coby is behaving suspiciously. Does he have a secret agenda and will this come as another blow to Dave if and when he finds out?
#13 - Live and Let Live
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/14/2010
Julie explores the principle of "live and let live" as she and others struggle to implement the philosophy in various areas of their lives. A possum has taken up residence in the Rafter roof, keeping the family up at night with its nocturnal activities. Julie finds herself caught between gung-ho Ted, keen to move the blighter on, and softy Rachel, who reminds everyone that the possum was actually here before they were. Julie's more interested in the idea of "sleep and let sleep" and finds her intolerance towards the unwanted guest increases in direct response to her sleep deprivation. Meanwhile, Nathan and Chel are both enjoying a new lease of life, despite still being in hospital. Freed of dialysis, Chel's ready to embrace life to the full, and Nathan encourages her to go travelling again when she's fully recovered. But Ted reacts strongly to Chel's plans, only to get a scalding dose of "live and let live" from irate Nathan. Chel's newfound energy and willingness to start afresh encourage Dave to examine his unfinished business with his father. He visits Tom in prison, taking Julie and Ruby along to meet him. Julie is thrown by the experience and she and Tom get off on the wrong foot. Her suspicions aren't helped when Tom asks a favour of Dave, asking him to check out any employment opportunities for grandson Coby. When Jake offers his resignation, feeling like a burden on the business, Dave comes up with a surprising solution - one that not only serves Tom's requests, resolves Jake's issues, but gives Coby a chance at a job working with Dave as Jake's driver. Julie is forced to put aside her suspicions for now. Meanwhile, Rachel is enjoying the last few days of freedom before starting her new job at EMB. But her heart sinks when she's asked to come up with a few ideas for a new account prior to starting work - for another men's deodorant! Suffering major brain-freeze, Rachel procrastinates by badgering Dave to arrange a visit to meet Tom, dragging Ben
#14 - Moments of Truth
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/7/2010
Nathan faces a life-changing moment of truth - the operation to donate a kidney to beloved grandmother Chel. With only three days to go until the transplant procedure, Chel's need to put her affairs in order inspires Nathan to write letters to his family, in case he does not survive the operation. However when it comes to writing to grandfather Tom, Nathan struggles to find the words - and resolves to visit him in prison against Dave's wishes. Meanwhile, Ben reacts badly to Nathan's letter writing scheme - anxiety and concern for his brother manifesting as irritation. Melissa calls Ben on this behaviour, and Ben makes his peace with Nathan before the big operation. Despite his fears, the operation proves successful for Nathan and Chel - and he asks Ben to destroy the letters he wrote for the family - but not before Rachel sneakily reads hers and is deeply touched by the sentiment. Dave likewise is touched by the revelation of flowers sent from Tom for Nathan and Chel - and he vows to give his father a second chance. Meanwhile Carbo's "twitching" date with Solar Panel agent Amy proves to be a disaster. Undaunted he vows to continue the hunt for a wife.
#15 - Lessons in Happiness
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/31/2010
Rachel rides the ups and downs of happiness, struggling to find it in the frenetic pace of life. But will her choices have future repercussions for her relationship with her family and Jake? At the start of the episode, Rachel's on a high given her graphic designs have just scored CBM a major new client. But then things take a downward turn when an anonymous office worker farts in the crowded lift. To make matters worse, all her hard work comes to naught when CBM fails to hold the client. Rachel's fortunes once again change for the better when she's called in for a secret interview with Paul Morgan at the more prestigious EMB agency - a global player and competitor to CBM. But Rachel is sure she bombed out at the interview and things seemingly go from bad to worse when her boss calls her into his office for a talk, having heard she met with Paul. But instead of being fired, Rachel's offered a promotion to Creative Director - and then is offered the same position at EMB! Rachel's not sure what to do, and turns to Julie for advice. Tension arises when Rachel perceives her mother's reservations as a lack of support. But when Jake has a medical emergency, Rachel's given a painful reminder of what's important in life. Meanwhile Ben and Melissa are happy with their decision to have a baby and are all over each other at any opportunity - much to Nathan's and Carbo's chagrin. Over the moon at the prospect of a grandchild, Julie unwittingly puts pressure on them by giving them a cook book. Ben and Melissa each try preparing something from the book and both attempts are disasters. But these culinary setbacks are nothing compared to the problems that arise (or don't arise!) every time Ben and Melissa try to have baby-making sex. How can Ben and Melissa relieve the pressure and rediscover the fun of sex without the pressure to conceive?
#16 - The Price Of Parenthood
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/17/2010
Someone's watching the Rafter House - and the surprise culprit leads to Dave and Nathan meeting Dave's dad Tom in prison for the first time. There's a strange noise in the night and Dave, feeling protective of his brood, gets up to investigate. It appears his misgivings are justified when he finds the living room doors left open. Exhausted Julie can't remember if she shut the doors and Dave feels uncomfortable about the perceived threat. Julie is also ill at ease - spending all her time with Ruby is leaving her desperate for adult conversation. Realising his daughter's suffering from cabin fever, Ted suggests she do something for herself and Ruby - join a mothers' group. Dave pops round to visit Chel after his run. Wanting to put her affairs in order and lay to rest some demons before the transplant, Chel admits that she's reconsidering meeting Tom in prison. The revelation gives Dave himself pause for thought. Meanwhile, Carbo's stalker Georgia tells Julie that a man was watching their house. In light of Dave's concerns the previous night, Julie decides to play it safe and calls the police. However, with no evidence of a break-in, and no definitive description of the man in question, Julie's left feeling somewhat silly. Georgia refuses to give up and eventually gets a photo of the man in question to the Rafters - and they're shocked to realise none other than Coby Jennings has been scoping their house. Dave's first instinct is to bury his head in the sand but a series of unexpected events conspire to propel Dave, with Nathan as support, to visit his father in prison for the first time. Will facing his father give Dave the answers he's always wanted? And Chel the closure she needs? Meanwhile, Rachel is shocked to find that Jake and Alex's domestic standards in their new bachelor pad are far from ideal, forcing her to make an ultimatum - unless Jake lifts his game, she's not stepping foot in his house
#17 - The Right Time
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/29/2013
For Ben, it finally feels like the right time to move on from Mel and start a new chapter with Emma, beginning with the purchase of their country cottage. Emma is prepared to put aside her misgivings about the rapid pace at which this is all happening and she and Ben excitedly book an appointment with the bank to set up a loan. But when Ben lends his support to Carbo and Retta by taking them to the hospital for an ultrasound appointment, he begins to reminisce about Mel and the surprising intensity of his feelings throws Ben into a tailspin. Will he be able to put the past behind him for good, or is now simply not the right time to move on?
#18 - You've Got To Have Friends
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/4/2011
Julie's new friendship with Donna is tested when she discovers that Donna suffers from OCD
#19 - Tipping Point
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/11/2011
Dave leaps at the chance when his successful friend Warney, offers him a shot at the contract for a big office rewiring job. Ben is encouraged by Tom to consider opening up his own bar and Tom offers to help him organise the finances, but Coby immediately becomes suspicious of Tom's motives. Retta begins to feel the pressure of wedding preparations, but things get worse when Carbo brings his livewire cousin Voula, in to help. Meanwhile, Jake trys to hide his attraction to Bree in front of Alex.
#20 - Trust Issues
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 10/18/2011
Ben opens up to Emma about Melissa's death, and the cathartic experience enables him to finally get some closure.
#21 - Risky Business
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 10/25/2011
Ben initiates a night on the town with the boys, and everyone is impressed by the up-market nightclub who's owner is courting Ben as a potential investor in his next business venture, causing alarm bells to immediately sound for Nathan. Meanwhile, Carbo and Retta reassess their own sex but a return to the club prompts them to take their own risks, which, funnily enough, become a little too public
#22 - Sleepwalking
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/13/2012
When Carbo begins sleepwalking due to wedding stress, Ben must truly become the Best Man and save the day - but in the process realises he's been sleepwalking himself by ignoring his true feelings for Emma.
#23 - The Power of Words
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/1/2012
Its Valentines Day, and matters of the heart are front and centre. Ben and Emma try to dodge the pressure by doing a shift at the Boat Club. Donna is still carrying a candle for Ted and Julie is unimpressed when Ben encourages Donna to invite Ted to a romantic dinner. It gets off to a rocky start, with Ted turning up at the wrong venue, but Ben rushes to the rescue - and Emma's even more smitten than before. But pressure returns in spades when those three little words are uttered - and someone misses the moment to reciprocate. Meanwhile, Matt decides to play a joke on his flatmates by surprising them both with anonymous Valentines Day cards.
#24 - Weathering the Storm
Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/26/2013
Torrential rain and bad luck descends as Jake realises the old adage is true: it never rains but it pours.
#25 - Secret Women's Business
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/14/2013
Having found a place to rent, Nathan's done all he can to prepare for his wife and baby's arrival. But when he gets to the airport, all the planning in the world could not prepare him for what he finds.