So this is the one that started it all.
'Blue Heelers' was shown here in the United Kingdom by various ITV regions on various weekday afternoons. It was one of those bizarre cases where each region would give it it's own time slot and be at totally different points in the series (the London region ran much of it on Monday afternoons, but went through phases of cutting episodes in half as two parters over several days). I didn't discover it until mid/late second series, but recently have got the first season DVD and worked backwards watching episodes I had originally missed. I'm planning to work my way through the entire series, as episodes were often trimmed for their afternoon slot (for both time and content), and stopped abruptly a couple of years ago (miles from the end of the series) when all of the ITV regions joined up as one.
This first episode is very fair in that it introduces all of the characters and sets the scene for the series.
As I found with a lot of 'Blue Heelers', the plots themselves aren't always the hook (in fact - dare I say - at times, they could be rather so-so), but it is the wonderful characters and their interaction that really makes things work.
Lisa McCune plays Maggie Doyle, who serves in this episode as introducing us viewers to Mount Thomas and the current crop of officers at the Police station. McCune plays the part very well, and deservedly became a favourite actress in Australia.
Tom Wood (who I only recently found out wrote several episodes of another Aussie favourite, 'Prisoner: Cell Block H') is perfect as the irascible Sergeant Tom Croydon. He has a gruff exterior but, of course, a heart of gold. Other constable Wayne Patterson (and civilian wife Roz), Nick Schultz, and Senior Detective P.J. Hasham, as well as Chris Reilly, who runs the local drinking hole, are also introduced with varying degrees of emphasis, and would all be put in the spotlight at varios times as time went on.
For a first episode, I might have hoped for a bigger, more solid storyline, but in a way that goes back to what I said much of 'Blue Heelers'' appeal was its characters as much (maybe even more) than the actual cases they solved. It can be quite funny at times, and very dramatic at others. This is more a case of a show finding its feet than coming in with a bang but when that bang hit, it made for some great television.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
The new constable Maggie Doyle arrives in Mt. Thomas. She is faced with not only rampant chauvinism but the fact that she is stationed with ex-boyfriend Constable Wayne Patterson who has recently moved there with his wife Roz. But despite all this she is determined to get on with the job. Local girl Sally-Anne is raped by her boyfriend Bruce McLaren. She makes a formal complaint but when Bruce pressures her she attempts to withdraw it. When Sally-Anne discovers that this isn't possible she tries to commit suicide. Maggie and Nick find her and revive her. Maggie and Wayne go to speak to farmer Mick Doherty about his parking fines. When his dog breaks it's chains a scared Maggie shoots her. Mick then starts firing at them. Tom is forced to go out and have a "yarn" with Mick and with the help of PJ gets Mick a new dog.moreless
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GUEST STAR
Richard Moss -
GUEST STAR
Keith Eden -
GUEST STAR
Radha MitchellSally Anne
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Grant Bowler
Constable Wayne Patterson (1994 - 1996)
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Ann Burbrook
Roz Patterson (1994, recurring 1996)
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Martin Sacks
Senior Detective Patrick Joseph "PJ" Hasham (1994 - 2005)
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John Wood
Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon
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Julie Nihill
Christine "Chris" Reilly
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Lisa McCune
Senior Constable Margaret "Maggie" Doyle (1994 - 2000)
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (1)
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Maggie Doyle parks illegally when she first arrives at The Imperial Hotel. There is one parallel parking spot outside the front entrance, which is being used, and she pulls front-in against the kerb behind it, sticking out into the street. Later she makes numerous speeches about wanting to be a "good cop".
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QUOTES (8)
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Maggie: This is a real fun town, this. PJ: Yes, it is! So, cheers!
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Maggie: I just had this conversation with your wife! Wayne: Which conversation? Maggie: This conversation!
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PJ: I'll er, I'll take this one Nick. Nick: Well make sure she's not married this time, mate.
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Tom: Look girl I didn't want a woman, but since your here I won't call you girly if you don't call me Sergeant.
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Maggie: I want to be a very good cop and sometimes I push too hard.
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PJ: You want respect, well you show me you can get a women without going knuckle on her.
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Maggie: Don't bullshit me Wayne, its a boy's club!
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Tom Croydon: Out here police work is about people.
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NOTES (2)
ADD NOTES-
The first episode was shot in Castlemaine, they have rarely returned there to do filming. Also at Castlemaine is the Imperial Pub.
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The show started out on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
ADD ALLUSIONS- ADD ALLUSIONS from this episode.
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Elimination Game!
06/07/10161
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Favourite character
02/26/101
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Does anyone know if they're going to (or when) release series nine plus on DVD?
09/29/093
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Favourite Episode(s) ever
03/13/0918
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season 7 dvd
07/28/085
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 45
Damage Control
Ep 44
Luck of The Draw
Ep 43
Skin Deep
Ep 42
The First Stone
Ep 41
Family Matters
Ep 40
Without Intent
Ep 39
Suspicion
Ep 38
Face Value
Ep 37
The Folly of Youth
Ep 36
Adverse Possession
Ep 35
Escape Route
Ep 34
Labour of Love
Ep 33
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Ep 32
Crazy like a fox
Ep 31
Bitter Harvest
Ep 30
Necessary Force
Ep 29
A Matter of Trust
Ep 28
Consequences
Ep 27
Nowhere to Run
Ep 26
Day In Court
Ep 25
Missing
Ep 24
A Bird in the Hand
Ep 23
Men in Her Life
Ep 22
Sex, Lies and Videotapes
Ep 21
Payback
Ep 20
The Final Season
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