The BEST episodes written by James Griffin
#1 - Tontine
The Brokenwood Mysteries - Season 5 - Episode 3
Cycling is very de rigour around the globe and no less in Brokenwood. When one such MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra) Lester Nyman reaches the top of a local mountain after a gruelling ride and suffers a massive coronary it doesn’t seem suspicious. But then Gina reveals his toxicology showed astronomical levels of caffeine in his system and Mike starts to look more closely. It transpires Lester was one of ten people inheriting shares in a substantial local farm. The will, left by Lester’s father Karl, is legally known as a Tontine. Curiously four members of this Tontine have recently died from natural causes or unfortunate accidents and as such their shares are absorbed by the remaining members. Lester’s brother Trevor is helpful in their enquiries but not so much his lawyer Madison Mathers. She sees her professional responsibility to execute the will to the best of her ability making sure everyone gets their fair share. And why is Reverend Greene part of the tontine? It was no secret Karl didn’t believe in the church. Was it simply that he wanted to goad the good Reverend into putting capitalist values above his service to the Lord? The further Mike and his team delve it appears this was all a grand and malevolent plan by Karl Nyman to let his friends and family tear themselves apart in a feeding frenzy of greed and avarice.
#2 - Playing the Lie
The Brokenwood Mysteries - Season 1 - Episode 3
A group of erstwhile members of the Brokenwood Golf Club, committee members no less, have gathered for their regular Wednesday morning round. They are playing their approaches to the first green when a zombie-like figure lurches from the early-morning gloom, coming towards them. It takes the golfers a moment or two (apparently) to realise this is actually Adele Stone, the Club owner - her face red and blistering; gasping desperately for breath. Then she falls from sight, into a greenside bunker. By the time the guys get to her, Ms Stone is very much dead. And so Mike and Kristin are called to investigate what appears to be homicide by poisoning.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#3 - Every Good Quest Has a Sacrifice
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 10
The time has finally come for Axl Johnson and his brothers to man up and be the Gods they truly are.
Watch Now:Amazon
#5 - Goddesses, Axl, Come In All Forms
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 6
It's hammer time, as a road trip to follow a falling star takes the God boys into uncharted territory; to a heartland of darkness where the usual rules no longer apply. The paths of the gods and goddesses cross at a rural funeral and both groups encounter the current incarnation of Thor. But will Axl mate with Derek/Thor's daughter, Delphine? Meanwhile, Olaf and Ingrid bond, and Anders and Michele spar with one another.
Watch Now:Amazon
#7 - Hunting Reindeer On Slippery Rocks
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 9
What if the one you're with isn't necessarily the one you love? And what if the one you love, you love her so much it is dangerous to her health?
Watch Now:Amazon
#8 - Episode 7
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 7
Laura's one year anniversary approaches. George and the family prepare to leave for Sydney.
#10 - Episode 8
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 8
George tries to convince Shay to stay in Weld. The Women of Weld question the motive behind Jan's arrival. Katie organises a camp-in to protest against the proposed development.
#11 - Bad Things Happen
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 7
Two nights out drinking lead to two different forms of temptation - both of which could end very badly for the parties concerned.
Watch Now:Amazon
#13 - Episode 6
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 6
After a jet-ski injures a local, George is appalled that you don't need a licence to drive a jet-ski in New Zealand and wants them all banned. He discovers Twitter and opens fire on jet-skiers.
#15 - Episode 10
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 10
George and Fiona put the heat on their new relationship with a dinner party. However, if they're to survive as a couple, there are many dramas to overcome both in and out of the kitchen.
#17 - Episode 16
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 16
The fallout from George's savage article is immediate. Terry's true colours are revealed much to Hannah's horror, and a triple tragedy strikes Weld.
#19 - Episode 2
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 2
George rapidly becomes the most unpopular new Aussie in town after calling Weld a 'dead end town' in his column. Shay and Arlo also feel the fallout from their father's faux pas at their new school.
#20 - Episode 6
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 6
George longs for solitude but his plan to get rid of his unwanted guests backfires. Woody's relationship with Tracey is on the rocks whilst struggling in his new unexpected role.
#21 - Episode 13
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 13
Jan's pregnancy sparks a crisis between George and Fiona. Katie unwillingly gets Shay involved in an art scam. Arlo struggles with a long distance relationship.
#23 - Episode 7
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 7
George struggles with the realisation that while he was looking the other way this whole other world was going on - a world he is so not qualified to deal with.
#24 - Episode 5
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 5
George's first date with Katie is the only news in Weld, while Constable Tom and Big Mac clash over the invasion of the freedom campers.
#25 - Episode 9
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 9
George gets an unexpected visitor after making his big decision. Arlo tries to navigate the Lindsay situation and Monty surprises everybody when he hooks up with Ngahuia again.
#26 - Episode 7
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 7
George enjoys having the house to himself and declares war on punctuation.
#27 - Episode 6
Westside - Season 3 - Episode 6
Bert is deceived and destroyed. Rita proves there's no fury like a woman scorned, and Wolf ups his game.
#28 - Is't Far You Ride?
Westside - Season 1 - Episode 2
Ted confronts his great white whale, as Rita battles boredom. And a war with the Dallies turns up unexpected opportunities.
#29 - Episode 6
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 6
George throws himself into solving the mystery of Sir Frederick Weld's missing head - when he should be solving a whole other mystery, one much closer to home.
#30 - This Is Not Washing Powder, My Friend
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 5
When something seems too good to be true, this is inevitably because it is too good to be true. And this is a lesson Axl Johnson is about to learn - big time.
Watch Now:Amazon
#31 - Dire Combustion
Westside - Season 1 - Episode 5
The biggest job yet has explosive consequences for the Wests. Oh, and Wolf has a girlfriend.
#32 - Episode 15
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 15
George fears that Weld is losing its innocence. Brother Terry goes all out to prove his love for Hannah, and there's a surprise visit from a very pregnant Jan.
#33 - Episode 4
Westside - Season 2 - Episode 4
Rita's ambitious career path for Wolf hits some bumps. Ngaire has a dangerous liaison and Bert and Falani take on the Springboks alongside the protestors.
#35 - Episode 4
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 4
George gets an unlikely message from beyond the grave whilst Woody's top secret divorce plan unravels. Meanwhile, Hannah has a challenge convincing Constable Tom she'd be a top cop.
#36 - It's Kind of a Birthday Present
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 1
It is Axl Johnson's 21st birthday - which explains the fire in the sky; the Waitemata Harbour being the colour of blood; the various women who seem to want to kill him; and the sudden need for a family ceremony in a forest.
Watch Now:Amazon
#37 - Episode 12
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 12
Arlo two-times Lindsay and Poppy and suffers the fallout. George struggles in the parenting department and worries he's causing Billy's stress problem. Shay gets an unlikely visitor.
#38 - Episode 9
Westside - Season 4 - Episode 9
Ngaire encounters a familiar face at Cheryl's hen's party while Wolf is lead astray by an old flame at his stag do. Phineas and Bert fight for Carol.
#39 - Episode 3
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 3
Questions are raised over Laura's death, and the Weld rumour mill goes into overdrive. George goes on an epic manhunt through the local populous to learn the source of the scandalous gossip.
#40 - Episode 3
800 Words - Season 3 - Episode 3
George is recruited as a reluctant accomplice in a secret mission involving Woody's past. Shay goes to the dark side after suffering from a broken heart and Katie resurrects a teaching career.
#41 - Episode 1
800 Words - Season 2 - Episode 1
George and Arlo implement a cunning plan to bring Shay back from Sydney. George and Jan's seek advice from the women of Weld about their relationship.
#42 - Episode 6
Westside - Season 2 - Episode 6
Times are changing for Ted. Rita wants to expand her business and keep the peace between father and son. Wolf mixes business with pleasure.
#43 - The Secrets of My Prison House
Outrageous Fortune - Season 2 - Episode 3
Wolf feels violated; Pascalle's new boyfriend has the hots for an entirely different member of the family; and Loretta and Grandpa repair a few fences and crack a safe.
Watch Now:Amazon
#44 - Money Changes Everything
The Blue Rose - Season 1 - Episode 7
Jane finds Linda has secrets, as Simon wants her to go away with him. For work, or something more? Linda is appalled to find Grant is going for a DNA test to get custody of Nina, and wants to contest the will.
Watch Now:Amazon
#45 - Her Grave, While I'm Dancing on it
Westside - Season 6 - Episode 1
Wolf has a problem he cannot solve, but 'help' is the hardest word; meanwhile, for Rita and Ted, the return of an old friend spells bad news.
#46 - Episode 4
800 Words - Season 1 - Episode 4
As he gets to grips with his status as the new ladies' man about town George is dragged into a celebration (or not) of Weld's x-rated history.
#48 - This Is Where Duty Starts
The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 - Episode 2
Axl Johnson learns very quickly that when you're on a quest to find one woman among millions, your heart is not necessarily the part of your anatomy you should be following.
Watch Now:Amazon
#49 - Well That’s Not Creepy
Westside - Season 6 - Episode 4
As Wolf deals with failure, Cheryl takes some time out in a place that is like Fiji but not; meanwhile Falani finds an old friend living under a bridge.
#50 - Episode 9
Westside - Season 2 - Episode 9
Rita's in charge of her first big job and the stakes have never been higher, but can she rely on those closest to her?