Blue Heelers

A backback with a mysterious metal object is spotted in the station; no-one knows where it came from. There's a frantic evactuation as they wait for the bomb squad to arrive. They're all on edge, but Ben especially, who makes a last-minute run for the station keys, despite the threat of the bomb. His actions are stupid, and illuststrate his unravelling frame of mind. Paul Bishop was especialy good in this - his last - story arc.



The 'bomb' turns out to be a thormos of tomato soup executed by a copycatter who wants money, but the experience only serves to put everyone even more on edge (if that were possible).



Chris lies for Tom, saying that Barry Baxter started their brawl. She's angry at Tom for putting him in that position, especially when Tom is brooding and uncommicative. Great dynamic between Julie Nihill and Tom Woods - both terrific actors who's developed quite a chemistry in the last eleven years. I could feel Chris's frustration and Tom's bitterness in their scenes together.



The Heelers continue to pursue Cal Mallic, thinking he was responsible for the bomb that killed Jo and Clany. He's also in trouble for 'stalking' his daughter, and becoming increasingly unstable.



His instability ends with him kidnapping his daughter, and gassing them both to death in his car. Ben and Susie arrive too late to save them, with Ben dragging Dimity out of the car and breaking down. It illustrated his unravelling stability - he never had the best judgement or most stable life, and the last few month's events have pushed him further over the edge - and I thought Paul Bishop was absolutely amazing in that scene.



Later on, when they're talking about what drove Cal to it, Ben leaves. Susie finds him crying in another room, and comfort to him.The end up kiising just in time for Jonsey to walk in on them.



This triangle is going to end badly for Ben. I really felt for him - he could never find a woman who he could be happy with. His wife, Maggie, Felcity, the SA Captain, now Susie. But I do think Bishop did a brilliant job of playing Ben as he unravells, although it was obvious to me watching the first time around that he didn't have much time left in Mt. Thomas.



A really good episode.