| Blue Heelers | |
|---|---|
| Season 4 | |
| No. of episodes | 42 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Seven Network |
| Original release | 10 February – 25 November 1997 |
| Season chronology | |
The fourth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 10 February 1997 and aired on Tuesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 25 November 1997. The main cast was the same as the previous season, except without Grant Bowler as Constable Wayne Patterson. Like previous seasons, the fourth season was released on DVD as a two part set and as a complete set, both on 6 April 2006.
In the episode, "Fool For Love", Jane Allsop guest starred. She impressed the producers so much that they would later invite her back to the show in a main role as Jo Parrish.
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
The 1997 season was the highest rated for the show, and was the number one show on Australian television for that year, averaging 2,441,000 viewers in the five cities for the year.[ citation needed ]
Two of the most popular episodes remain the two-parter "Gold" and "Fool's Gold", in which PJ and Maggie are trapped down a mine shaft and release their sexual tension.[ citation needed ]
| | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Australian air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 | 1 | "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" | Richard Sarell | Ysabelle Dean | 10 February 1997 | |
The inhabitants of Mount Thomas have a suspected outbreak of "Mad Cow Disease" and people do not seem to be coping, especially when they suspect it was Mad Cow Disease that tragically killed Gina and threatens to take Maggie's life. | ||||||
| 130 | 2 | "Under Siege" | Chris Langman | Susan Hore | 10 February 1997 | |
Nick, having been left in charge of the station, is trapped in the station with Adam and Dash with no way of outside contact while P.J is desperately searching for a way to save Maggie's life and to find the cause of her mystery illness. | ||||||
| 131 | 3 | "Working Lunch" | Kevin Carlin | Bill Garner | 11 February 1997 | |
An extortionist threatens to blow up Bluey's Indian restaurant and a bullet hole is found in Katrina Hagen's window where she works with Shire President Roger Payne. Meanwhile, Dash's love of gossip threatens to get her into hot water on a surveillance operation. | ||||||
| 132 | 4 | "Immaculate Misconception" | Grant Brown | John Wood | 18 February 1997 | |
Clancy is accused of rape which he happily admits to. Leonie says she doesn't feel well and is taken to the doctor to be told she is pregnant. Tom has to contend with Chris' emotional cousin Domenic and Adam declares his feelings for Dash but doesn't get the response he hoped for. | ||||||
| 133 | 5 | "Reports of Damage and Loss" | Richard Sarell | John Banas | 25 February 1997 | |
The weather is terrible, it is pouring rain and Mount Thomas are suffering thunderstorms they have rarely seen, nobody would want to be outside in this weather; unfortunately there are children out and Nick and Adam are sent to save them. But, when Nick and Adam arrive back at the station hours later to fill out a Report of Damage and Loss, they are cold, soaking wet and both have broken spirits. | ||||||
| 134 | 6 | "Fowl Play" | Chris Langman | Peter Dick | 4 March 1997 | |
Nick is astonished to find the shooter of a young protester is Zoe Hamilton. Ken Norse accuses Matthew Prentice of stealing one of his ducks. Norse later falls seriously ill after eating a specially prepared duck at the Imperial. Lead poisoning is the result and his two children become the main suspects and admit to hating him but not killing him. | ||||||
| 135 | 7 | "The Luck of the Irish" | Kevin Carlin | Cassandra Carter | 11 March 1997 | |
Chris' new love Sean is found murdered in the cemetery. and Tom finds there is no record of him or his teenage son Conor entering Australia. | ||||||
| 136 | 8 | "Bloodstained Angels" | Grant Brown | David Phillips | 18 March 1997 | |
The Heelers must determine whether they are looking for a publicity stunt, an avenging father or an adoring fan after one of the station's vehicles is defaced, and a car is torched in the car park of the Commercial when a heavy metal band arrives in Mount Thomas. | ||||||
| 137 | 9 | "Charity Begins at Home" | Richard Sarell | Annie Beach | 8 April 1997 | |
Joanne Mason accuses her husband of deliberately pushing her out of their car. Dash moves in with Maggie, and throws out Maggie's favourite jumper by mistake. Mrs Mason moves in with Dash and Maggie. Clothes are stolen from a Salvation Army bin and money and the clothes are found in Capt. Ingrid Perry's Possession who is targeted for attempted murder. | ||||||
| 138 | 10 | "Fool for Love" | Richard Jasek | Emma Honey | 15 April 1997 | |
Adam has a surprise announcement, but a crisis involving a phony dating agency nearly overshadows his special day. Adam and Stacey wed. | ||||||
| 139 | 11 | "There Last Night" | Raymond Quint | David Boutland | 22 April 1997 | |
Tom becomes personally involved in the lives of a Vietnam veteran and his son, with tragic consequences. | ||||||
| 140 | 12 | "Gold" | Chris Langman | Ysabelle Dean | 29 April 1997 | |
Maggie and P.J, in one of Blue Heelers' most popular episodes, find themselves trapped underground in a collapsed mineshaft and find themselves thinking, 'Will we make it out alive?' | ||||||
| 141 | 13 | "Fool's Gold" | Gary Conway | Tony Morphett | 6 May 1997 | |
The question of whether Maggie and P.J will make it out alive plagues Mount Thomas. | ||||||
| 142 | 14 | "Grave Matters" | Kevin Carlin | David Allen | 13 May 1997 | |
Tom struggles with confronting relationships from the past, present, and future when the headstone of late wife, Nell, is vandalised. | ||||||
| 143 | 15 | "Loose Cannons" | Steve Mann | David Marsh | 20 May 1997 | |
Tom and Nick fall out when a professional shooter attempts to reconcile with his wife leads to a violent confrontation. | ||||||
| 144 | 16 | "Lean on Me" | Gary Conway | Kathie Armstrong | 27 May 1997 | |
Amphetamines are being home-made in Mount Thomas – with tragic consequences. | ||||||
| 145 | 17 | "Random Breath" | Chris Langman | Susan Hore | 3 June 1997 | |
Dash is accused of illegally waving her new boyfriend through a breath test station and finds herself in hot water with the new inspector. | ||||||
| 146 | 18 | "Close Encounters" | Kevin Carlin | Stephen Measday | 10 June 1997 | |
A baby disappears in suspicious circumstances, but only Adam believes the mother's story. | ||||||
| 147 | 19 | "Buckley's Chance" | Steve Mann | Rick Held | 17 June 1997 | |
An Oz Lotto ticket goes missing and Adam's wife suffers a miscarriage. Adam finds out that the baby wasn't his. | ||||||
| 148 | 20 | "No Means No" | Raymond Quint | Michael Winter | 24 June 1997 | |
Nick goes out on a limb to help an ex-prostitute rape victim, while Maggie and P.J suspect her of being an obsessed admirer. Inspector Monica Draper arrives to investigate complaints against Nick. | ||||||
| 149 | 21 | "Poetic Justice" | Fiona Banks | Bill Garner | 1 July 1997 | |
P.J finds himself dealing with an innocent feral, a Russian barber, and a truckload of cigarettes | ||||||
| 150 | 22 | "Left in Trust" | Kevin Carlin | Beverley Evans | 8 July 1997 | |
Maggie befriends a Polish woman who is looking for her missing exchange student daughter. | ||||||
| 151 | 23 | "Sick Puppy" | Steve Mann | Peter Dick | 15 July 1997 | |
Tom's daughter heads into mortal danger when she befriends a suspected murderer. | ||||||
| 152 | 24 | "Sisterly Love" | Fiona Banks | Jenny Lewis | 22 July 1997 | |
When P.J and Maggie can't agree over a spate of serial burglaries, lives are put in danger. Meanwhile, P.J investigates the school where Susan, Tom's daughter is working as a relief teacher. | ||||||
| 153 | 25 | "Can't Take a Joke" | Grant Brown | Roger Dunn | 29 July 1997 | |
Adam's career is at risk after a violent confrontation caused by the return of Stacey's old boyfriend. | ||||||
| 154 | 26 | "Every Contact Leaves Its Trace" | Graham Thorburn | Cassandra Carter | 5 August 1997 | |
A bungled suicide or attempted murder? As Adam Cooper lies near death in hospital, Dash sets out to solve the mystery. | ||||||
| 155 | 27 | "Playing Games" | Chris Langman | David Allen | 12 August 1997 | |
A Murder Mystery Weekend reveals more than anyone bargained for when a property development is vandalised, Chris' life is threatened, and Maggie and P.J confront the passion that promises to draw them together. | ||||||
| 156 | 28 | "Counting Chickens" | Fiona Banks | John Banas | 19 August 1997 | |
Nick and Dash find that a dispute over a chicken farm inheritance leads to more than broken eggs. | ||||||
| 157 | 29 | "Drag Line" | Grant Brown | Tony Morphett | 26 August 1997 | |
Bert Cole is campaigning for a youth curfew in Mount Thomas, until he is found dead-wearing women's clothing. | ||||||
| 158 | 30 | "Closing Ranks" | Steve Mann | Rick Held | 2 September 1997 | |
Nick and Zoe are held hostage at the hospital by a bereaved father after a baby dies under suspicious circumstances. | ||||||
| 159 | 31 | "Off the Air" | Peter Sharp | David Marsh | 9 September 1997 | |
Tom is forced to step in when a talkback radio announcer creates hysteria over a supposed crime wave. | ||||||
| 160 | 32 | "The Scarecrow" | Russell Burton | David Boutland | 16 September 1997 | |
When Maggie makes an enemy of an infamous local farmer, Dash's nightmares are realised. Maggie's brother, Robbie, returns. | ||||||
| 161 | 33 | "Safe as Houses" | Richard Sarell | Craig Wilkins | 23 September 1997 | |
Dash thinks her sympathy may have been misplaced after she organises assistance for friends evicted from their farm by the bank. | ||||||
| 162 | 34 | "Our Patch" | Fiona Banks | Anthony Ellis | 30 September 1997 | |
Tom looks like he is going soft when he protects a bunch of drunken louts harassing Chris at the pub. | ||||||
| 163 | 35 | "The All Seeing Eye" | Raymond Quint | Cassandra Carter | 7 October 1997 | |
Maggie and P.J. solve a two-year-old kidnapping case – with a little help from a witch and a gypsy. Maggie discovers her brother, Robbie, is still using drugs. | ||||||
| 164 | 36 | "Playing Possum" | Russel Burton | David Allen and Judith Colquoun | 14 October 1997 | |
When Maggie helps her brother Robbie kick his heroin addiction, her work and relationships suffer. Could Maggie really be shifting evidence? She calls her father Pat for help. | ||||||
| 165 | 37 | "Collateral Damage" | Karl Steinberg | Bill Garner | 21 October 1997 | |
The Heelers attempts to bust the drug trade in Mount Thomas are complicated. | ||||||
| 166 | 38 | "The Big Picture" | Richard Sarell | Russell Winter | 28 October 1997 | |
P.J. is determined to prove that Maggie has not been leaking information to drug dealers. | ||||||
| 167 | 39 | "Settlement Postponed" | Richard Jasek | Tony Morphett | 4 November 1997 | |
The Heelers are on the trail of an illegal SP bookie and Nick feels responsible when the main suspect goes missing. | ||||||
| 168 | 40 | "Containing the Rage" | Karl Steinberg | Paul Davies | 11 November 1997 | |
Dash realises a friend of hers has an anger management problem and this is a girl with a past and with a truck load of secrets. | ||||||
| 169 | 41 | "The Civil Dead" | Raymond Quint | Susan Hore | 18 November 1997 | |
P.J's past comes back to haunt him when Luke Darcy's trial is deferred and he ends up back on the street. | ||||||
| 170 | 42 | "Possession" | Russell Burton | David Boutland | 25 November 1997 | |
Maggie is tempted to suppress evidence that Robbie was involved in the theft of some paintings and she and P.J finally get together. Maggie makes the heartbreaking choice to turn her brother in. | ||||||
| The Complete Fourth Season: Part 1 | ||||
 | Set Details | Special Features | ||
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| Release Dates | ||||
 Australia | ||||
| 6 April 2006 [1] | ||||
| The Complete Fourth Season: Part 2 | ||||
 | Set Details | Special Features | ||
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| Release Dates | ||||
| Australia | ||||
| 6 April 2006 [1] | ||||
| The Complete Fourth Season | ||||
| Set Details | Special Features | |||
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| Release Dates | ||||
| Australia | ||||
| 6 April 2006 [1] | ||||
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series that was produced by Southern Star Group and ran for twelve years on the Seven Network, from 1994 to 2006. Although based around the policing of the town, the series generally depicted the everyday lives and relationships of the residents of Mount Thomas, a fictional small town in Victoria.
Maggie Doyle is a fictional character in the long-running Australian police drama Blue Heelers, portrayed by Lisa McCune. A feisty young constable from a policing family, Maggie arrived in Mount Thomas during the first episode, which follows her as she meets each of her colleagues in turn. The first female constable to join the station, she is faced with the prospect of not only learning how policing is a little bit different in a country town, but also with overcoming the chauvinism of some of the locals, and of some of her colleagues. She remained with the show for exactly half of its run, departing during the second episode of the seventh season, and was the fifth-longest serving character, appearing in 250 of the 510 episodes to air.
Thomas Arthur "Tom" Croydon is a fictional character in the long-running Australian police drama Blue Heelers, portrayed by John Wood. A long-serving member of the police force, Tom has decades of experience of being a police officer in a small country town, and an attitude which earns him the respect, trust and even affection of his subordinates. As the most senior officer in the country town of Mount Thomas, he frequently acts as a mentor and father figure to the junior members of the station, but eventually a series of personal tragedies put him into a downward spiral which threatens both his personal and professional lives. He is one of two characters, along with Chris Riley, to appear in all thirteen seasons of the show, and is the only character to appear in all 510 episodes to air.
Patrick Joseph "P. J." Hasham is a fictional character in the long-running Australian police drama Blue Heelers, portrayed by Martin Sacks. An experienced detective, P. J. served on major task forces and crime squads in Melbourne before the gaming squad he was attached to was disbanded due to corruption and he was transferred to the small country town of Mount Thomas as the only criminal investigator at the local station. Despite his stated preference for staying out of "uniformed matters", he worked far closer with his uniformed colleagues than many visiting detectives, and also preferred to dress down compared to the business dress usually favoured by other detectives. He was the last member of the original cast to leave the show, doing so midway through the twelfth season, and was the third-longest serving character, appearing in 483 of the 510 episodes to air.
Benjamin 'Ben' Stewart was a fictional character in the long-running Australian police series Blue Heelers. He was portrayed by Paul Bishop.
Deirdre Elaine "Dash" McKinley is a fictional character from the Australian drama series Blue Heelers, played by Tasma Walton. She made her first appearance in "The Kremin Factor", which was broadcast on 18 June 1996. One of her major storylines occurred during the 1998 season, when she was diagnosed with cancer. Dash was the youngest of nine children. She had a kind personality but a big mouth. She and her family always seemed to be the first to know the town's gossip and everyone's business. The character departed on 28 July 1999. She is the eleventh longest serving character after Tom Croydon, Chris Riley, P.J. Hasham, Maggie Doyle, Ben Stewart, Nick Schultz, Jo Parrish, Evan Jones, Adam Cooper and Tess Gallagher.
Jo Parrish is a fictional character from the Australian television police drama Blue Heelers, played by Jane Allsop. She made her first appearance during the sixth season episode "Hello Goodbye", broadcast on 18 August 1999. The character left in the eleventh season on 6 July 2004, after being killed in an explosion. She was the seventh longest serving character behind Tom Croydon, Chris Riley, P.J. Hasham, Ben Stewart, Maggie Doyle and Nick Schultz
The thirteenth and final season of the Australian police drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 1 April 2006 and aired on Saturday nights at 8:30 pm. The 11-episode season concluded 4 June 2006, due to its cancellation by the Seven Network as a result of its sharp decline in ratings. When, in late 2005, the time came to renew Blue Heelers, Seven commissioned eleven further episodes to be produced, but its future after this was still undecided.
The first season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 10 September 1993 and aired on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM. The 45-episode season concluded on 22 November 1994. It had an average rating of 2.5 million and going to 3.5 million at its peak.
The second season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 21 February 1995 and aired on Tuesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 41-episode season concluded 21 November 1995. The cast for this season was the same as that of the preceding season, without Ann Burbrook as Roz Patterson, and with the introduction of Damian Walshe-Howling as Adam Cooper to take her place. This season of Blue Heelers was released on DVD on 1 December 2005 and was released in a two-part release; and later as a complete set.
The third season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 12 February 1996 and aired on Monday nights, and later, Tuesday nights, at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 26 November 1996. All main cast members from the previous season returned. Tasma Walton was introduced in episode 107 as Dash McKinley.
The fifth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 24 February 1998 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 41-episode season concluded 25 November 1998. The 41-episode fifth season saw the show move to Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM, making way for All Saints on Tuesdays at 8.30 PM.
The sixth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 10 February 1999 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 24 November 1999. The main cast was mostly the same as the previous season with the departure of William McInnes as Nick Schultz and Damian Walshe-Howling as Adam Cooper, and the introductions of Rupert Reid as Jack Lawson and Jane Allsop as Jo Parrish, the latter having previously guest starred in season 4 episode "Fool for Love". As with previous seasons, the sixth season was released on DVD as both a two part and complete set, both on 10 August 2006.
The seventh season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 9 February 2000 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 pm. The 41-episode season concluded 22 November 2000. The main cast was the same as the previous season except without Tasma Walton as Dash McKinley, and introducing Caroline Craig as Tess Gallagher. This season was released on DVD in a two part set on 31 July 2008.
The eighth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 21 February 2001 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 28 November 2001. The main cast returned from season 7 barring the departure of Lisa McCune as Maggie Doyle and with the introduction of Ditch Davey as Evan 'Jonesy' Jones. Like preceding seasons, the eighth season was released on DVD both as a two part set and a complete set, on 1 October 2008.
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 40-episode season concluded 20 November 2002. The main cast was unchanged frm the previous season but for the departure of Rupert Reid as Jack Lawson. Similar to previous seasons, the ninth season was released on DVD as a two part set and as a complete set, both released on 3 November 2009.
The tenth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 12 February 2003 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded 26 November 2003. The main cast was the same as the previous season. Simone McAullay was introduced in episode 409 as Susie Raynor. The tenth season was released on DVD as a two part combination set on 4 May 2010.
The eleventh season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 4 February 2004 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 39-episode season concluded 5 November 2004. The core of the main cast remained from previous seasons, with only Caroline Craig as Tess Gallagher departing. There were also several new additions to the main cast, with Geoff Morrell as Mark Jacobs, Rachel Gordon as Amy Fox, Samantha Tolj as Kelly O'Rourke, and Danny Raco as Joss Peroni all being introduced. Like the previous season, the eleventh season was released on DVD as a two part combination set on 5 August 2010.
The twelfth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 2 February 2005 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 42-episode season concluded on 16 November 2005 with a double episode. The main cast saw the departure of Paul Bishop as Ben Stewart and Jane Allsop as Jo Parrish, and the introduction of Charlie Clausen as Alex Kirby and Matt Holmes as Matt Graham. The twelfth season was released on DVD as a complete set on 4 November 2010.
