Packed to the Rafters

8:30pm – Tuesday, March 13 on Seven

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, when Carbo begins sleepwalking due to wedding stress, Ben must truly become the Best Man and save the day – but in the process realises he’s been sleepwalking himself by ignoring his true feelings for Emma.

When Ben and Retta discover Carbo sleepwalking, they decide enough is enough – he’s got to tell his parents he’s already married before he hurts himself! But before he can, Carbo receives an unwelcome surprise: Rita (guest star DINA PANOZZA) and Theo (guest star GEORGE SPARTELS) arrive a day early… and suddenly admitting the truth isn’t easy, especially when it’s face-to-face. So Carbo makes everyone promise to continue the charade, leaving Ben only hours to prepare a fake buck’s party. Will they be able to deceive Rita and Theo, or will the lie unravel?

In the midst of all this, Ben finds his affections for Emma growing despite himself. When they have their first argument, Ben is forced to confront his feelings. But will he finally be able to tell Emma how he really feels about her, or will he continue to sleepwalk through life?

Meanwhile, Ted is finding it difficult to engage a shy Cooper (guest star JARIN TOWNEY) in conversation, but is pleasantly surprised when Donna quickly breaks through the boy’s shell and discovers he has a talent for playing pool. Donna and Ted seem to be becoming fast friends. But when Donna overhears Ted reading a bedtime story to Ruby she begins to feel pangs of attraction for Ted… is this the beginnings of a crush on Mr Taylor?!

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings, HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri, MERRIDY EASTMAN as Donna Mackey, ZOE CRAMOND as Emma Mackey, JACOB ALLAN as Matt Jennings and CAMILLE KEENAN as Bree Jennings.

Butterfly Wings narrated by Julie Rafter.

Beginning of episode Julie & Dave standing over Ruby’s cot, Dave saying she is okay now. So we know that whatever happens to Ruby in this episode she is fine.

One tiny broken nail had started it all.

Julie & Donna were walking past the cinema and Donna noticed her faveourite movie was on and Julie hadn’t seen it so Donna asked her to come to the movies with her. Julie left Ruby with Dave who was home early from the site. Only Jake called Dave to say there was a problem at the site and he had to come down. Dave rang Ted’s phone except he had left it at home when he took Cooper to the park. So Dave ran next door but Carbo & Retta weren’t home due to Julie giving Retta a voucher for a wedding hair specialist and they felt they had to use it even though they are already married. So Dave took Ruby to the site even though he knew that was a bad idea.

Ted is nervous about being a great mate to Cooper. Ted, Julie and Dave meet Cooper but he doesn’t talk at all at the start or during the episode when they are at the park he does sit down on the bench with Ted.

Dave doesn’t like that Matt isn’t pulling his weight in the job site. He thinks that he is making up lies but he realised that he was telling the truth.

Bree & Coby had a talk about their mother and what she was like.

Dave took Ruby to the job site and left her with Coby to be looked after who stupidly leaves her alone for one second and she wanders off into the site and runs into the room with the hole in the ground. Dave, Nathan, Coby, Jake and Matt tried to get through the closed door as we saw her standing close to the hole.  Matt & Nathan ran the other way, Matt jumped off the ledge and broke his shoulder but rescued Ruby. They then went back to the beginning scene with Julie looking into Ruby’s crib and Dave saying she’s okay now.

Nathan told Ben, Carbo & Retta what had happened to Ruby and after Nathan & Retta went to bed Ben started to think about his chain of events that lead to Mel’s death like what if he had picked her up that day, or what if he hadn’t texted her. Then Carbo said what if Retta hadn’t started to paint which is what made Mel & Ben leave the house that day in the first place. Carbo apologised for making fun of Emma to Ben during that day, Ben said the same about the wedding.

Matt came around to the Rafters and asked how Ruby was. Dave told him she was fine and invited him for a drink. Matt has a broken shoulder after the fall and can’t play guitar for awhile but asked Dave when his shoulder is fine if he would join him on stage and Dave agreed.

Next week on Rafters – Carbo & Retta’s wedding day has arrived, Rita finally finds out that they are already married, Ben says there is a change of plans, Who will be married? And was that a return of Sammy or just a flashback?

8:30pm – Tuesday, March 6 on Seven

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Julie explores how an inexplicable chain of events can almost end in disaster.

A simple torn nail leads Julie to a manicure with Donna, resulting in the two of them finding a flyer for a retro movie house showing “Thelma and Louise.” Julie confesses she’s never seen it and Donna talks her into going the next evening.

At home, Ted awaits the arrival of a case worker for the Great Mate organisation. Their meeting will determine whether Ted’s suitable to be a mentor to a socially deprived young boy. Ted is given the tick of approval and despite his first meeting with Cooper being tomorrow, he assures Julie that he will be able to babysit Ruby when Julie goes to the movies. Dave meanwhile stresses to Julie that he’s unsure of about Matt’s ability to be a disciplined worker. Julie counsels, all working relationships take time to develop- even when the workers involved are brothers.

The following day Ted has difficulty forging a friendship with a taciturn Cooper. But his persistence pays off when he’s finally rewarded with a tacit desire to stay a little longer, giving Ted finally a glimmer of hope that the two of them will be able to communicate.

At the Rafter house, Dave is alone with Ruby when he gets a call from Jake. There’s an urgent problem that requires Dave’s presence back on site. With no one answering their phones, Dave takes Ruby with him and has Coby look after her while he attends to the problem. For a brief moment Coby takes his eyes off Ruby and she wanders into the building site. Panic sets in when Dave discovers that Ruby has locked herself in a room with a dangerous drop on one side.

Ben is doing his best to take things slowly with Emma. Carbo, having witnessed Ben and Emma’s kiss last week, makes his disapproval known. Ben gets his own back by winding Carbo up about his impending wedding, in particular the fact that Carbo still hasn’t told his mum he’s married.

Despite Bree’s insistence that she just wants to be friends with Jake, he begins to suspect otherwise and tries to maintain his distance from her.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings, HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri, MERRIDY EASTMAN as Donna Mackey, ZOE CRAMOND as Emma Mackey, JACOB ALLAN as Matt Jennings and CAMILLE KEENAN as Bree Jennings.

I’m going to call it now – Seven will win 2012 ratings year in total people.

The third week of 2012 ratings survey is done and now it is already clear that Seven will win the year. With My Kitchen Rules nudging 2 million viewers on some nights, Revenge settling around the 1.8 million mark in overnight (5 city metro) ratings figures and Packed to the Rafters – while down on its glory days – is still reaching up to 1.5 million, Seven are winning most nights ratings. So far the network has all three weeks of the 2012 ratings survey convincingly. Even Seven’s Sunday night line up is outrating the cricket on Nine, and easily doing better than Ten’s Super Sunday.

Seven’s two digital channels 7TWO and 7mate regularly lead over their commercial opposition. Both channels have clear and distinct programming that does not overlap or eat into the main channel’s audeince – unlike Nine and Ten’s offerings. Even on a night that My Kitchen Rules pulls close to two million viewers, 7TWO and 7mate can both independently reach channel shares of over 5% each.

Obviously, winning the first three weeks is no guarantee that Seven can or will win the year – but if you look at what is coming up on Seven, compared to Nine and Ten, then the outcome is clear. I would even go so far as saying Seven would win 2012 if the weeks that the Olympic Games air were counted towards the year’s end result.

Three weeks from now, My Kitchen Rules will reach its finals week, then it is straight into the AFL season where Seven will air four games a week, including live games on Friday and Saturday nights.

After Easter, Australia’s Got Talent – a ratings power house last year – will return to Seven, as will Dancing with the Stars to its traditional Sunday night timeslot. Last year’s unexpected smash Downton Abbey will play out its second season, while Amazing Race Australia is back most likely in May. Then there is still Packed to the Rafters, Winners & Losers, and imports like the popular Criminal Minds still to come.

Looking further into the year, The X Factor is back, with auditions now well under way. New shows Good Christain Bitches and Once Upon A Time will also come to Seven soon.

Both Nine and Ten, like in 2011, have gotten off to a bad start in 2012. While Ten had some early success with Super Sunday, the night is now easily outrated by Seven. Ten have already made significant programming changes – most notably on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and double episodes of shows llike Homeland seem to randomly pop up unexpectedly. 

The Biggest Loser this year seems to be building, but it lags well behind Seven’s Kitchen. After Easter, Masterchef will return for its fourth season, but, given the drop in figures last year, Masterchef is not likley to draw the crowds it used to.  New reality series The Living Room, and Being Lara Bingle won’t set the ratings world on fire.

To Ten’s digitals, ELEVEN is doing well, usually amongst the highest rating digital channels, while ONE is yet to find an identity, lagging behind the other commercial digitals on most nights.

Nine have already started the year with a flop in the failed launch of Excess Baggage now airing on GO! to less than 100,000 viewers over its four nights on air. New series Alcatraz isn’t doing anywhere near the figures Revenge on Seven is doing while the One Day Cricket Series is perhaps now suffering from fatigue with audeinces now not reaching a million. Thankfully, finals week is here next week, while the NRL season is now underway.

Earthflight hasn’t done well, CSI is doing OK, 2 Broke Girls has settled around the 800,000 mark while Two and a Half Men and new episodes Top Gear are tanking.

Nine’s only real hit so far is new episodes of The Big Bang Theory, with some of the repeats being pulled up as a result. The show, however still airs up to 15 times a week between Nine and GO!.

Coming up on Nine – looking like after Easter now – will be either The Block or Celebrity Apprentice Australia stripped to 7pm. So far, there is no indication as to which will return first. New series Tricky Business – looking more and more like Nine’s attempt at a Rafter’s style show should premiere after Easter as well while The Voice is in production as well.

Then, of course, there are the 2012 Olympics – but they don’t count to the years’ rating result. After the Olympics comes Big Brother – which will either be a spectacular flop or a surprise success for Nine.

The program guide for GO! these days is less than inspiring – with the channel loaded mostly with sitcom and movie repeats – the once number one digital channel still manages to find an audeince though, but is now not the most watched digital channel on most nights. As for GEM – it needs as much of a make over as Ten’s ONE does.

It appears that Nine and Ten will have alot of work to do if they are going to be able to come close to Seven in 2012. Nine may manage one of the younger demographics, but, comparing the three commercial broacasters in both content currently on air and programming to come later, Seven are already clearly in front, and will stay that way in 2012.

[Any ratings figures quoted are OzTam 5 city metro figures.]

This weeks episode is narrated by Ted Taylor.

Ted wants to feel useful as its 10 years since he has retired and wants to do his bucket list which includes making homemade brew, jumping out of a airplane. Ted asked Donna for a job at the Boatclub but was turned down he then decided he wanted to work for Dave and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Later on Julie & Dave were talking in their room about Ted wanting to work for Dave and were talking about the negatives, that he is an older person and labouring is better for younger people. They didn’t know it but Ted had overheard them and made up an excuse saying that he had a cold and sore throat so he wouldn’t go with Dave. He eventually told Julie the truth that he had overheard them talking she was very apologetic and felt guilty about it but Ted told her not to worry. Julie & Dave got Ted a ticket to go Skydiving since Ted told Julie he wanted to do it… but will he?

Retta got free tickets to the movies from her BFF Tina but the night before they were supposed to go she got sick from eating the seafood buffet that she and Carbo went to. She said to Ben that he and Emma could still go. But Ben is worried about his feelings for Emma and thinks its too soon after Mel. So he forced Nathan & Coby to go with them. But Coby talked on his phone and made things uncomfortable so Ben forced them to leave. During the movie Ben and Emma held hands.

Ted managed to get Dave to Matt’s gig where all the Rafters (minus Julie & Ruby), Jennings, Carbo & Retta, Emma and Jake were hanging out. Matt invited Dave up on stage to sing but he declined… maybe next time? They did end up having a drink together though which is a good step.

Ben kissed Emma at Matt’s gig, then ran away saying that’s how Mel and him got official at a gig. They talked and agreed to be friends.

Jake tells Bree that he just wants to be friends and this has nothing to do with Alex, he says he is not in that place right now.

Ted dreams that he was skydiving only that his parachute was still in the plane after he took off. Looks like he won’t be skydiving after all.

Next week on Rafters….. OMG Ruby wonders off alone on the job site…. Can they find her in time or will tragedy strike?? Heartbreaking Rafters at its best… A moment they will never forget. (Please let her be alright!)

8:30pm – Tuesday, February 28 on Seven

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Ted resolves to take a leap of faith and seize life with both hands – but as his best laid plans are laid to waste, is his leap destined to become a stumble?

Ted is trying to find the new purpose in his life. He decides to do all the things he’s always wanted to do, but has never had the time: home-brewing, volunteer work, finding a job – even skydiving. But when Donna declines his request for a job at the Boat Club, Ted is dealt the first of many blows to his confidence. When he then offers his services to Dave as a worksite labourer, Dave and Julie reluctantly agree. But when they privately discuss their reservations about Ted’s abilities to hold his own physically on site, Ted overhears and his confidence is shattered. Will Ted plans be shelved for good, or can he get his mojo back?

Meanwhile, Ben agrees to go to the movies with Emma, knowing that so long as other friends go with them, there’s no pressure of the evening feeling like a date. But when Retta gets food poisoning and can’t go, and Carbo refuses to leave his wife’s side, it means that for Ben, the pressure is back on: it’s now a date. At the last minute Ben enlists Nathan and Coby to take the spare tickets and they all head off together. However, Coby’s terrible cinema etiquette leaves much to be desired and unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, Ben ejects Coby and Nathan. Now all alone, will Ben and Emma finally fall into each other’s arms?

Dave is struggling to take his own leap of faith and accept his brother Matt. The Jennings family has caused enough trouble as far as Dave’s concerned and he’s happy to leave well enough alone. But when Ted challenges Dave to take a chance, Dave is left considering his options: should he embrace his brother or close his door to new family?

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings, HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri, MERRIDY EASTMAN as Donna Mackey, ZOE CRAMOND as Emma Mackey, JACOB ALLAN as Matt Jennings and CAMILLE KEENAN as Bree Jennings.

This weeks episode was narrated by Dave Rafter.

- Dave started dreaming that Julie & him were on a vacation in a resort and he was getting a massage. Then he woke up and realised it was a dream. The same dream over and over again. Is this a sign? Should he continue to work these long, long, long hours?

- Retta wants Carbo to call Rita to tell her that they are already married. But Carbo doesn’t have the heart to tell her. Rita keeps on calling them so they take the phone off the hook but she calls Julie and Julie tells Carbo that he must call Rita.

- Dave forgot their anniversary… but with Bonnie & Nathan’s help he eventually remembered. – Nathan, Coby, Jake, Bree and Matt were hanging out together at Jake & Coby’s place. Nathan & Matt were getting to know each other after realising that they are related. Matt was surprised to find out that Dave wrote the lyrics to Suburban Boy.

- Retta called a physic named Simon. He said that the wedding will go well but not as they expected. He said to Emma that Donna is worried about her sickness but to tell her not to worry as the worst is behind her. He then asked does anyone know a Mel. Ben went silent but asked him what about Mel. Simon said that he has to follow his heart and its time to move on. Ben later admits to Nathan that he is falling for Emma… but is it too soon after Mel? – Rita & Theo lost alot of the wedding money, so now they the wedding has to be scaled down even though Carbo & Retta are already married but his parents don’t know that. – Rachel, Ben and Nathan gave Julie & Dave a weekend away in Kiama for their anniversary.

- Ben hasn’t told Emma his feelings…. yet. – At Kiama, the episode ended with what was almost exactly happening in Dave’s dreams. Julie & Dave relaxing by the pool and Dave getting a massage.

10:00am – Thursday, January 1 on Seven

This week on PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Dave has been having recurring dreams that even a hardened sceptic can’t ignore…

Dave’s increasingly exhausted as the demands of the new job take their toll – and, for the first time in his life, he forgets his anniversary. A chance meeting with Scottish psychic Bonnie (guest star DENISE ROBERTS) at the worksite jogs Dave’s memory. He races home to spoil Julie with some flowers and some “afternoon delight”, only to suffer his first case of performance anxiety. Embarrassed, Dave buys a herbal supplement after work but Ted interrupts before he can take one. Dave enters the house to discover the romantic candle lit dinner that Julie has prepared – and sees his previously drooping tulips now erect! Dave takes it as a positive sign his libido has returned…

That night Nathan has gone back to Jake and Coby’s place for a drink when Matt and Bree turn up. It’s the first chance Nathan has had to spend time with his new uncle and is suitably charmed. Typically, Matt keeps him there till the early hours of the morning.

The morning after Dave’s romantic evening is a return to drudgery and routine. However, when Dave opens Ben and Nathan’s anniversary gift, a two night stay at a swish holiday resort, Julie convinces him that his tiredness and forgetfulness and his dreams are all a sign that he ought to get away for a few days. So he takes the hint, heading off for a much needed mini-break, unaware that Matt has been roped in as a replacement worker in his absence. How will Dave cope with his half-brother’s forays into the Rafter world?

Meanwhile Carbo finally tells Ben he’s already married and brainstorms how best to break the news to his mother. Retta suggests they consult a phone psychic. Ben and Carbo are suitably sceptical – until Ben receives a chilling message that freaks everyone out. It prompts him to finally admit to Nathan that he’s falling for Emma – but it’s way too soon for Ben’s liking.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS stars REBECCA GIBNEY as Julie Rafter, ERIK THOMSON as Dave Rafter, MICHAEL CATON as Ted Taylor, HUGH SHERIDAN as Ben Rafter, ANGUS McLAREN as Nathan Rafter, GEORGE HOUVARDAS as Nick ‘Carbo’ Karandonis, JAMES STEWART as Jake Barton, RYAN CORR as Coby Jennings, HANNAH MARSHALL as Retta Schembri, MERRIDY EASTMAN as Donna Mackey, ZOE CRAMOND as Emma Mackey, JACOB ALLAN as Matt Jennings and CAMILLE KEENAN as Bree Jennings.

If you missed the big premieres this week on Seven and Nine, both networks are offering encores so viewers can catch up or watch again if they chose.

Seven will replay Revenge at 2pm this Monday Feb 20, while the Tuesday’s Packed to the Rafters double episode season return will be replayed at midday on Tuesday Feb 21.

Nine are replaying Alcatraz after the Cricket on Friday night Feb 17 – which means it could start anything from 10pm to 11pm – be sure to add at least an hour if recording – while Sherlock will be replayed on GEM in HD from 9.30pm the same night. The 2 Broke Girls pilot is on GO! tonight at 8pm.

New episodes of Revenge air on Seven Monday nights at 8.30pm, Packed to the Rafters Tuesdays 8.30pm. On Nine, new Alcatraz airs at 8.30pm Mondays, while Sherlock is played Wednesday nights at 8.30pm.

- Starts with Julie & Donna having lunch at the boat club. The girls get a taxi back home, a guy called Matt was the taxi driver and is in a band, the next scene we see him hugging Bree.

- Nathan & Ben tell Carbo & Retta that they are in their only little world, Carboretta. Carbo thinks that is fine but Retta thinks that she should have more friends as she currently only has Tina.  So she decides to organise a dinner party.

 - At the mechanics/electrician party Dave is surprised to see Warnie.  Dave is finding it tough networking. Coby is excited for the free drinks and shows up in a green suit.

- Retta has the dinner party only Tina can’t make it and also burns the dinner. Emma suggests they all play the game sherrades. Retta admits she sucks at it… but is happy when Emma says they are friends. They later go out to the roller derby (which is not shown on air).

 - Dave got a huge job offer from the night before and he learns that the Taxi driver, Matt is Coby & Bree’s uncle but with his experience with Tom he is hesitant to see him and wants to concentrate on work.

Next week on Rafters: Julie & Dave’s anniversary.