The BEST episodes written by Bill Garner
#1 - Piece of Cake
Blue Heelers - Season 5 - Episode 5
When a review team arrives in Mt. Thomas to decide if the station should be down-graded, the Heelers are thrown into a panic. It doesn't help matters that Nick is the subject of a ""Day in the Life Of"" by Tony Timms, and is doing his best to show that the life of a cop is a dull one. But then a woman goes missing and Tony starts to think that Nick is having an affair with her. Maybe Tony will get a nice, juicy article out of all of this... with Nick as the subject!
Watch Now:Amazon#2 - Working Lunch
Blue Heelers - Season 4 - Episode 3
Dash discovers that her penchant for gossip may very well get her, and other people into hot water when she and Adam, overhear the Shire President, Roger Payne, having lunch with a woman who is definitely not his wife. While out on a surveillance operation to catch an extortionist who's been threatening to blow up a restaurant, the pair, bored with three days of sitting in the car with nothing to do except listen, finally hear something interesting. Unfortunately, while Adam and Dash are preoccupied, the real extortionists manage to get away, much to PJ's chagrin. PJ appeals to Tom to hold the investigation over longer, but the matter is out of Tom's hands-the surveillance equipment and manpower belong to another unit and he can't retain them without very good reason. PJ's worried-he's given his word that he'd solve the case, to Bluey, the frightened restaurateur, and now he may not be able to keep it. Dash is still obsessed with finding out who the mystery woman is, but is thwarted
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - Poetic Justice
Blue Heelers - Season 4 - Episode 21
It's time for the annual ""Make a Wish"" Talent Quest and Nick has a vision for the Heelers... Mt. Thomas is about to enjoy the rustic poetry of Banjo Paterson in a way they'll never forget. On patrol, Adam and Dash encounter Errol the Feral walking into town with a box full of organic produce for sale. The main purpose of Erol's trip to town is to make a court appearance, on marijuana possession charges. Erol had actually turned up at the police station previously to report his marijuana plants stolen! An interstate truckdriver heading for the New South Wales border enters Mt. Thomas police station with some alarming news—his truck has been stolen along with a load of cigarettes worth nearly a million dollars. PJ is interviewing the truckdriver when Colin Ducker enters—a slick, mobile-phone-wielding Senior Investigator from the security division of the cigarette company, Fletcher-Rolfe International. Colin Ducker is there to catch the thief of the missing load pronto and insists that he
Watch Now:Amazon#4 - Collateral Damage
Blue Heelers - Season 4 - Episode 37
During a routine school locker search for stolen money, the Heelers find a foil of heroin in a fourteen year old girl's locker. She says she was given it at a party and PJ immediately concludes it is a free sample, handed out by someone determined to expand their drug business in Mt. Thomas. Maggie is particularly concerned because of her brother Robbie's previous addiction, but is determined to believe that he is still clean in spite of his admission that he did ""borrow"" Dash's CD player. When Maggie demands it back, he first says he has lent it to his girlfriend, Anise, and then admits that she pawned it, probably to pay for drugs. Maggie is convinced Anise is a bad influence on him, and urges him to break off with her. Then Maggie finds Anise shooting up in her living room, and promptly arrests her, dragging her down to the station. PJ, however, is determined to catch suppliers, not just users, and does a deal with Anise; in return for not being charged, she is to lead them straight
Watch Now:Amazon#5 - A Bit of a Biff
Blue Heelers - Season 5 - Episode 15
A visiting troupe of boxers at the annual Mount Thomas Show causes headaches for the Heelers with brawling and a rash of pick-pocketing incidents. The boxers and their matriarchal manager, Bonnie Crossing, aren't the easiest people to get along with, or the most helpful. The Heelers just have to sit it out till the troupes move on. But it isn't that simple. When Adam and Dash go to talk to the boxers about the latest pick-pocketing incident, they are met with stirring and resistance. The situation culminates in Adam accepting a challenge from one of the boxers, Jimmy Cutlass, in what amounts to a grudge match. Tom is furious and forbids it. Dash and Nick, who both abhor boxing and see it as senseless and dangerous also strongly disapprove. But Maggie, PJ, Zoe and Chris can't see anything wrong with it, especially if it can be turned into a charity match to raise money for new mats for the local Blue Light Gym. Adam decides to go ahead with the match. Tom is goaded into giving it the re
#6 - Little Monsters
Blue Heelers - Season 5 - Episode 27
Mt. Thomas is in the grip of fear as a serial killer stalks the area. But as police from around the state work to bring the man down in an organised sting, Adam notices a bystander behaving strangely and, acting on his instincts, brings the man into custody. In one swift move Adam ends the manhunt and makes himself a hero. As the Heelers review the event, the discussion turns to the new technique of ""profiling."" Maggie has recently learnt about it in a seminar and Adam is fascinated with its capabilities. But Nick maintain that it was old-fashioned policing that had captured the killer the day before, and it'll be the same thing that catches another killer tomorrow. Adam's interest in the issue stays keen as he helps to investigate a quick succession of fires at the local primary school. According to the rules of profiling, an adult psychopath usually displays three behaviours as a child—arson, bed-wetting and animal mutilation. When Dash and Maggie are called to the home of a local te
#7 - Like Father Like Son
Blue Heelers - Season 5 - Episode 34
When Ben and Dash visit a farm to enquire about a spate of thefts in the district, they discover that those pillars of the community, the Frasers, are involved in a violent argument. Ben tries to resolve the dispute between father and son but is hampered by the Frasers' belief that what happens in the family should stay in the family. When Ben spots a black eye on Mrs Fraser he fears the situation may be more serious than he first thought. However, Tom refuses to believe that Mr Fraser would be capable of beating his wife. The conflict over this issue creates a tense situation for Ben and Tom as they begin to clash over issues of operational responsibility and initiative. As the war of words continues, Nick, as Sergeant, is brought into the argument. Ben wonders why many of Nick's jobs are done by Tom—does the Boss have reservations about Nick's competence or is he just holding onto the reins too tightly? While Nick is glad for Tom to deal with some of the dull paperwork, his conversat
#8 - Dancing with the Devil (1)
Blue Heelers - Season 6 - Episode 1
Adam 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
#9 - The Stag
Blue Heelers - Season 6 - Episode 17
Jack'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
#10 - The Angel Cruise
Blue Heelers - Season 6 - Episode 25
Maddie'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,
#11 - Paradise Lost
Blue Heelers - Season 6 - Episode 34
Maggie 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 inhabitants—three women, a cluster of kids and a charismatic, gentle man called Rod Cathcart—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
#12 - Be Prepared
Blue Heelers - Season 6 - Episode 42
With 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
#13 - Dragged
Blue Heelers - Season 8 - Episode 22
Tess narrowly escapes being knocked down by a speeding car the same day the new Constable, Evan ""Jonesy"" Jones, arrives in town. Jonesy is rebellious and charismatic and under Tess' skin from the moment he arrives. They couldn't be more different, but together they investigate a young drag racing gang. Tess is determined to put a stop to it before someone gets hurt. Tess and Jonesy discover a link between members of the gang and a separate case involving stolen car engines. Jonesy is concerned when a lead suspect threatens to get revenge on Tess, but Tess is dismissive. Jonesy fights to rescue Tess when her life is endangered. Will he get there in time and will Tess be able to accept his help?
#14 - A Hard Call
Blue Heelers - Season 8 - Episode 35
What do you do when lives are in danger and you have only seconds to make a decision? Tess is off duty when she and Hayley, the girl she plans to adopt (last seen in ""Strays""), discover a serious car accident on the edge of town. The female driver is trapped and the gas run car catches fire. Is there enough time to extinguish the fire and get away safely? Tess decides there isn't and the woman is killed when the car explodes. Her husband blames Tess and she is also scrutinised by the Ethical Standards Department and even begins to doubt her decision. Was she responsible for the death of the woman? Tess' application to foster Hayley is threatened. Is she capable of keeping Hayley safe from harm? Jo and Jonesy question the victim's family and fight to clear Tess' name. Even if Tess' decision was justified, has her chance to foster Hayley been lost?
#15 - If It ain't Hurtin'
Blue Heelers - Season 9 - Episode 3
(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?
#16 - Dancing on the Edge
Blue Heelers - Season 9 - Episode 12
The 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
#17 - Deep Water
Blue Heelers - Season 9 - Episode 34
Ben 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 so she doesn't have to walk and she throws herself at him. He resists her but when he arrives back at the station - her mother Maria is filing a sexual assault charge against him. Chloe says she had to fight Ben off but he had his way with her. Although the Heelers are on Ben's side, they have to uphold the law and the situation doesn't look good. Inspector Falcon-Price is called in and is not happy to have another sex scandal among the police, he doesn't want this to have to go as far as the higher police, including Draper. He suggests they find some dirt on Chloe but Tess refuses. PJ, Jo and Evan help Ben to try and clear his name and at the same time they are surprised to see a woman who is at the station regarding a lost mobile phone, kiss Ben. He explains she is Angela, his first wife from a three week teenage marriage. Her parents forced the
#18 - Excuses, Excuses
Blue Heelers - Season 10 - Episode 4
Ben, out on patrol, pulls over Inspector Falcon-Price'ss wife. The media find out about the incident and the Inspector is not impressed. Tom has to deal with Compo Hayes who smashed into Tom's car. Tess's husband gets offered a job in Melbourne, and decides to take it. The road patrol uncovers a grisly homicide.
#19 - End of Innocence
Blue Heelers - Season 11 - Episode 22
After an old lady is mugged, tension builds in Mt. Thomas. Thanks to Clancy, an eye-witness of the event, suspicion rests on a new family in town: the Baxters. The adult children, Matt, Troy and Tarni are brought in but nothing can be proven. Their father Barry, a softly controlling man, comes to bail them out and shortly afterward, Clancy is bashed. The cops link it back to the Baxters and end up arresting Troy when a brick is thrown through Tom's window. However, at the same time, an old war veteran named 'Rocket' Turnbull who served with Tom is in town, and has publicly threatened Tom. Meanwhile, Ben is attempting to play relationship advisor with Jo and PJ, until she confesses to him that the reason they split is because of Maggie. PJ thinks they can still work together, but Jo has asked for a transfer. A new day dawns in Mt. Thomas. Grace and Jo are distraught when Cal Millic, a man who they were helping in a custody battle, loses, and refuses to give his daughter back. Jo is forc
#20 - Only The Lonely
Blue Heelers - Season 13 - Episode 1
Tom, who is not well and is trying to hide it from his colleagues, meets an old friend who has been caught shoplifting and discovers that he was trying to please his ten-year-old daughter who is dying from leukaemia. Tom continues to refuse to see a doctor. Alex is struggling with the idea of being a father, and is further discouraged when his son, Rory, goes missing and is feared kidnapped by gunmen who've been taking shots at uniformed police officers. Finally, the Heelers find that the gunman was taking revenge on the police for the death of his son.