Packed to the Rafters

7.5
2008 Drama , Comedy

Packed to the Rafters is an Australian family-oriented television series which premiered on the Seven Network on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 8:30 pm. The show has continued on Tuesdays in this timeslot for its entire run. The drama series features a mix of lighthearted comedy woven through the plot. It revolves around the Rafter family facing work pressures and life issues, whilst also tackling serious social issues. The Logie award winning series was the highest rating to screen on the Seven Network in 2008, and the show has consistently been among the top 5 shows of the year throughout its run in Australia. It was announced in TV Week that the sixth season of Packed to the Rafters would be the last, with Hugh Sheridan stating: "It's emotional letting go of Rafters – for all of us. It was such an amazing chapter in Aussie TV. I'm really proud we all came back together to send it off." The two-hour series finale of Rafters aired on 2 July 2013, which saw the return of Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, Ryan Corr, Jessica McNamee and James Stewart. Rebecca Gibney said, "The cast, writers and producers have always said that we wanted to keep Rafters as one of the most-watched shows on TV. If we ever felt like we were losing too many cast members, we needed to end it on a high. We can say season six winds up an aspect of the Rafter family and there is a sense of finality to it."

  • Cast:
    Rebecca Gibney , Michael Caton , Erik Thomson , Zoe Ventoura , Angus McLaren , Hugh Sheridan , Jessica Marais
Episode 22 : Nativity Play
November. 24,2009
Julie faces her greatest challenge yet – the birth of her fourth and final child without husband Dave at her side. After Dave leaves for his vasectomy, Julie begins to have contractions, and though she thinks they’re probably Braxton Hicks, Melissa and Ben insist on getting her to a hospital. Once in hospital, Julie’s obstetrician Sandra Marsh observes that the signs of labour have disappeared – but now that Julie is in hospital, she’s not allowed to leave until she gives birth. Julie reluctantly gives in – and tells Ben not to worry Dave as he will undoubtedly call them once his procedure is over. However Julie’s labour pains start up again – this time for real. Ben leaves frantic voice messages for Dave, realising they don’t know the name of the clinic where his vasectomy is taking place. Will Dave make it to the hospital in time? Meanwhile, Jake invites her to lunch with his family – at his mother’s Grace’s insistence. When Rachel expresses surprise, Jake admits that he has told Grace that she is going to be in his life long term. Rachel is taken aback – what kind of commitment is Jake talking about? However, the family lunch takes a dark turn when Jake begins to fit, collapsing on the floor. Meanwhile, Nathan surprises Sammy with a cheque for $14,000. He took some spare chips back to the casino and won – enough for them to pay off the remainder of their debt and put down bond on an apartment. They’re finally able to move out of the Rafter house. Despite their good fortune, Nathan can’t help but think what he and Sammy could do if they had more money – maybe even put down a deposit on a place. So instead of taking the cheque to the bank…Nathan heads back to the casino. Will he come up trumps or lose the lot?
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Episode 21 : Unlimited Options
November. 17,2009
Nathan has decided he has no possible job options left. But in a way he feels liberated – he’s free to consider impossible options. The world opens up to him again – he’ll become an event manager, or a personal trainer! Sammy is trying to be supportive but it’s wearing her out. Determined to do something useful, Nathan secretly tracks down an address for Dave’s father, Tom Jenkins, and drives into the country to suss him out. He meets his cousin, Coby, who seems to be a rough-head compo cheat. He also learns that his grandfather Tom is a notorious local crook, doing time in jail for car rebirthing. Nathan is rocked by the murky gene pool they all share. Is it any wonder his life seems to be falling to pieces? Julie is still effectively confined to bed, and Rachel is feeling the pressure organising a baby shower that will be fun for Julie and her friends. To complicate matters Chrissy texts to warn she won’t be coming, but sends her love. Rachel can’t understand how Julie’s best friend can miss the party. Julie is clearly hurt, but makes excuses for Chrissy, knowing the real reason she’s kept away. Warney is in a funk over Trish and is worse company than usual. Ben and Melissa want him out. Carbo appeals to Sammy – is there any chance she can help get Warney and Trish back together? Sammy can’t think of anything worse, except perhaps the relationship her mother is in now, with her aging rich boss, Andrew Malouf.
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Episode 15 : It's My Party
October. 06,2009
Dave is determined to give Ben and Melissa the engagement party that he and Julie never had. But his focus is sidetracked by the accidental discovery that Chel’s increasingly regular hospital visits are in fact to the Renal Ward. Melissa surmises that Chel’s kidneys might be failing after more than 20 years on HIV medication. Dave confides in Julie his willingness to be tested as a potential donor. Melissa is disappointed when her mother calls, explaining that has father has an important board meeting and can’t make the party. However, when Dermott, Melissa’s older, womanising brother arrives, he breaks the news that Melissa’s father had no such meeting. Her dad cynically believes she will once more get cold feet and that the wedding will never happen. Melissa is crushed. Seeing her devastation, Ben tells Dave she might not be attending the party. A stand-off ensues. Ben accuses Dave of being more concerned with his own party agenda than with what he and Melissa might want. Melissa finally breaks the impasse and agrees to go. However, at the party, Dave is unable to resist telling Chel about his decision to test as a donor. He think she will be delighted but she disappears from the party…and their lives, without leaving any contact details. Nathan is nervous when he hears Steve Wilson is returning from overseas to attend the engagement party. Having slept with Layla, Nathan is terrified that Steve, and more importantly, Sammy could find out.
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Episode 13 : Blurring the Lines
September. 22,2009
A shame-faced Nathan wakes up from an erotic dream initially about Sammy who then turns into Layla. Sammy’s father Tony is facing the first hearing of his trial tomorrow, and she has to go along as moral support for her mother Trish. She’s given a boost when Nathan insists he’ll take the day off work and accompany her– a seemingly generous act, although he’s really doing it as much to avoid Layla after their cocaine-fuelled kiss as to help his wife. After the first hearing, Nathan is called back to work, where Layla notices his fixation on her – so she subtly strokes the flames. This leads to Nathan having another erotic dream – and when he guiltily ‘takes care’ of his urge in the bathroom, Sammy catches him out. Having previously refused sex with her, Sammy is understandably concerned. Nathan waves off her worries, determined to keep himself under control – until Layla makes a brazen suggestion. She knows he’s interested, his work is being affected – so why not sleep together? Nathan is shocked. What will he do now his fantasy has the chance to become reality? Over at the Karandonis house, Artie is preparing for her first day of work at the boat club with Ben. Carbo, who’s aware of his romantic feelings for her, is happy with her choice of job – after all, how much trouble can she get into under the watchful eye of Ben? But he hasn’t met her co-worker Lexi, a cheeky young trouble maker, yet. The pair strike up a friendship and it isn’t long before Lexi leads Artie astray much to Carbo’s dismay. Chrissy finds herself having a surprising and unwelcome fantasy of her own... about Dave. And an unexpected romance blossoms between Warney and Trish.
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Episode 9 : Naked Visions
August. 25,2009
Ben’s troubles begin when he inadvertently stumbles on Rachel taking artistic pregnancy photos of a naked Julie. Given the mainly positive reactions to the photos, Julie decides to celebrate her changing body by putting an enormous copy of a nude photo smack bang in the middle of the lounge-room. Dave’s growing attachment to Ben and Melissa’s dog continues to puzzle those around him. Only Julie knows the truth: the dog has provoked the recollection of a traumatic incident in his past. So when the dog is badly injured in a car accident, Dave breaks down in front of Ben. However the dog proves not to be the only link to his past when Dave’s original birth certificate finally arrives – is Dave ready for the answers he’s been seeking? Rachel and Jake take their newfound relationship a step further when Jake shares a family dinner with the Rafters. Ted and Dave assume that Jake won’t be able to cope with the naked photo of Julie – but Jake scores himself major brownie points by admiring the artwork. Encouraged by his maturity, Rachel tells Jakes some home truths about her past – including her sex tape. Will it scare him off? Meanwhile, Ben’s relationship with Melissa is put to the test when a series of misunderstandings causes him to think she is cheating on him. Her anger and betrayal prompts Ben to take a good hard look at their relationship. The result? To propose marriage. But does Melissa want to marry Ben?
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Episode 5 : Brave New World
July. 28,2009
Painful memories surface for Dave as he and Julie confront the potentially heartbreaking results of tests on their unborn child. Pregnant late in life, the chances of Julie and Dave’s child having Down Syndrome are already high – but the results of preliminary ultrasound indicates those chances are even higher. Although they must wait for blood tests to confirm, Julie and Dave find themselves contemplating a likely future as parents of a child with a disability. Julie, though rattled, reminds Dave they have already made their decision about the baby – as far as she’s concerned, they’re having the child, no matter what. Julie wants to start researching Down Syndrome so they can plan for the future. But Dave’s response stuns her. He doesn’t want to research anything until the results are confirmed - and worse of all, he’s not sure they should have the child if it turns out to have the disability. As his marriage comes under strain, Dave is forced to examine his reasons for not wanting the child. He digs into previously buried memories – and finally realises that his reaction to the baby is based on fear...fear that his child will suffer the same rejection and isolation Dave suffered as a child. Nathan begins his first day at Steve Wilson’s music firm. Excited by the glamour of the music industry, Nathan is on a constant high – and Sammy can’t help feeling slightly jealous. Her feelings aren’t helped when Nathan’s new job proves to involve late nights and offering lonely hears advice to his needy new colleague, Steve’s girlfriend Layla. Carbo falls into a surprising physical relationship with a lonely customer, married 40ish cougar Toni – but may have bitten off more than he can chew when Toni starts stalking him.
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Episode 4 : Glittering Prizes
July. 21,2009
Steve Wilson makes Nathan an unexpected offer. Nathan’s life is finally back on track. He’s on the verge of pushing through a major sales coup and his boss Tim raises the possibility of a future partnership in the business. However, a spanner is thrown in the works when Dave’s ex-bandmate and close friend Steve Wilson returns from touring to announce that he’s launching a new publishing and composing division of his label with a party to which all the Rafters are invited. The party is a glamour-affair of champagne and celebrities like Kate Ceberano, David Campbell and So You Think You Can Dance’s RHYS BOBRIDGE. During the festivities, Layla - Steve’s attractive and dynamic new business-partner and girlfriend - takes an intense interest in Nathan. She and Steve approach Nathan to join their new venture in a sales capacity. Both Dave and Sammy express reservations. Steve’s company has not yet opened for business and nobody knows whether it will succeed. Nathan is forced to choose between the glamour of the music industry and the security of real estate – what will he decide? Nathan flirts with Layla, which puts a strain on his and Sammy's relationship Nathan is impressed with Steve's attr Nathan flirts with Layla, Steve's attractive new business-partner and girlfriend Layla Rachel meanwhile continues to rise to the bait of Jake’s brazen teasing flirtation. Julie strongly suspects Rachel is protesting too much when Rachel accuses him of being a Neanderthal bogan. This character analysis Jake challengingly puts to the test when he crashes a market research group Rachel and her colleagues have organised for a men’s body spray. Will she interestedfall for his rough charms? Ben meanwhile runs into Melissa and her new boyfriend Luke at the movies. She admits to missing him but wants to be just friends. Ben refuses, giving Melissa an ultimatum – it’s all or nothing for him. Who will Melissa choose? Will it be enough to bring them back together?
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Episode 3 : Living by the List
July. 14,2009
Rachel gets back into the dating game. Encouraged by her best friend Libby, Rachel reluctantly agrees to be set up on a blind date. After they literally run into a gorgeous, crude rugby player – Jake – at the park, Rachel is even more determined to date the perfect man, and gives Libby an impossible checklist of necessary qualities her date must possess. Libby comes up with the goods in the form of handsome, successful, well travelled Marcus but the date is a disaster. Rachel’s mood isn’t helped by constantly running into the crude Jake. Undeterred, Libby tries again with the charming, fun and cute Ritchie – but he comes with his own set of issues. It’s a case of third time lucky when Libby persuades Rachel to date one more guy – Max – who turns out to be short, overweight…and fascinating. However, Rachel gets a shock when Max turns her down gently – he only wants to date girls with red hair! Realising that she is being taught a lesson, Rachel decides to embrace whatever the universe offers her – no more lists. But the last thing she expects to discover is that Jake is Dave’s new electrician. What is the universe offering Rachel and will she take it? Ben’s determined to win the job of manager at the boat club. He goes to the interview and meets Fergus, his rival for the position. Derek their boss gives them a challenge – one slow night each to turn a decent profit. Who’ll get the job? Nathan has started his new job as a suburban real estate agent. However, he’s stunned when his boss Tim relegates him to a very junior role. All his attempts to prove himself fall on dead ears – so Nathan decides to take a gamble on a client without telling Tim. Will Nathan blow it?
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Seasons

Season 6
The sixth and final season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian television drama series, premiered on 23 April 2013 on the Seven Network. The series will be made up of 12 episodes. The reduction of episodes is due to the series making way for Winners & Losers later in the year.
Season 6 2013
Season 5
The fifth season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian drama television series premiered on 17 April 2012 on the Seven Network. 22 episodes have been ordered for Season five. The Seven network put the series on hiatus again on June 19, 2012 after 10 episodes, despite previously promising that viewers would see a full season run. The show returned on 29 January 2013 with episode 11, accompanied by an increase in viewers compared to previous episodes of the season.
Season 5 2012
Season 4
The fourth season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian drama television series, began on 8 February 2011 on the Seven Network. The season concluded on 20 March 2012 after 22 episodes. Season four traces the family's fortunes as they attempt to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Melissa's death. Strong family bonds ensure that traumatised Ben receives warm support as he takes his first steps back into the work-force. Slowly he learns to smile again, embracing a newfound interest in gardening and a growing friendship with his boss's daughter Emma, which might hold the promise of something more. There are further love issues in the Karandonis household, with Carbo and Retta choosing to elope rather than face the comic extravagance of a Karandonis wedding. Julie and Dave, meanwhile, are forced to deal with the consequences for Rachel and Jake of a dangerous accusation flung at him by a drunken woman on a rugby weekend away. Rachel's feelings for Jake are tested to the limit, especially when her boss throws into the confusing mix the chance of a lifetime to work in New York. The Rafters also wrestle with the unexpected arrival of new family members, not the least being the release from prison of Dave's father, Tom. Tom's never quite predictable manipulations ultimately force Dave to take a heart-breaking stand, and cause him to initially misjudge the intentions of his half-brother, Matt. Julie meanwhile finds a new best friend in Donna, though their initial exchanges are hilariously unpromising. Meanwhile Nathan is searching for new direction in his life and his desire to travel forces Julie and Dave to undertake some soul-searching of their own. Ted is also keen to find a greater purpose, mentoring a troubled twelve-year-old boy.
Season 4 2011
Season 3
The third season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian drama television series, began airing on 29 June 2010 on the Seven Network. The season concluded on 16 November 2010 after 22 episodes. The third season aired Tuesdays at 8:30 pm in Australia and averaged 1,894,000 viewers. The season was released on DVD as a six disc set under the title of Packed to the Rafters: The Complete Season 3 on 20 April 2011. The third season follows the Rafters as they adjust to life with a new baby and face their toughest test yet, the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. For Julie and Dave, there's the financial stress of being a one-income family, the sense of being pulled in a hundred directions by the needs of their adult children, and the strain placed on their marriage as the stress and exhaustion of caring for a baby takes hold. Rachel, the eldest Rafter child, struggles to find balance between her high-flying new job and her relationship with Jake; Ben, recently and blissfully married to Melissa, is trying for kids until a heartbreaking accident shatters his world; and Nathan is agonisingly estranged and ultimately divorced from his wife Sammy. Add to the mix, new family members Coby and Dave's father, Tom, and life for the Rafters has never been more packed.
Season 3 2010
Season 2
The second season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian drama television series, began airing on 30 June 2009 on the Seven Network. The season concluded on 24 November 2009 after 22 episodes. The second season aired Tuesdays at 8:30 pm in Australia and averaged 1,881,000 viewers. The season was released on DVD as a six disc set under the title of Packed to the Rafters: The Complete Season 2 on 3 November 2010. The second season follows Julie and Dave Rafter through comic highs and soul-searching lows as they prepare for the unplanned but no-less welcome addition to their family of their new baby. We also explore the heart warming arrival into the Rafters world of Dave's birth mother Chel, opening in the process the door to further family revelations. We follow the tumultuous upheavals in the lives of all three Rafter children. Rachel embarks on a promising if-at-first feisty relationship with the cute young electrician who's begun working with her dad. Ben continues his determined pursuit of housemate Melissa's hand in marriage. Nathan, in seeking new career challenges in the music business, struggles to resist strong temptations that may well signal the end of his young marriage.
Season 2 2009
Season 1
The first season of Packed to the Rafters, an Australian drama television series, began airing on 26 August 2008 on the Seven Network. The season concluded on 24 March 2009 after 22 episodes. The first season aired Tuesdays at 8:30 pm in Australia and averaged 1,904,364 viewers. The season was released on DVD as a six disc set under the title of Packed to the Rafters: The Complete Season 1 on 2 December 2009. The first season begins as Julie and Dave Rafter are over the moon when their last remaining child finally leaves home. But what happens when the rest of the family suddenly returns to the next? Less than 48 hours after their middle son Ben moves himself next door, all dreams of freedom are put on hold as one by one their youngest son Nathan and his princess wife Sammy, their troubled eldest daughter Rachel, and Julie's emotionally vulnerable father Ted all return to the family home. Plenty of drama, lots of laughs and a few tears ensue as the Rafters must learn to live under the same roof once again.
Season 1 2008