Bevan Lee
Director
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
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, espec
Released Aug. 26, 2008
17+
Keywords: imdb.scolding, imdb.rascal, imdb.oceania, imdb.mother-son-relationship, imdb.mother-daughter-relationship, imdb.husband-wife-relationship, imdb.father-son-relationship + 7 more, imdb.father-daughter-relationship, imdb.family-relationships, imdb.brother-sister-relationship, imdb.brother-brother-relationship, mdblist.ext.2k-blu-ray, imdb.coming-of-age-drama, imdb.sitcom-comedy
Watch Providers: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, ReveelAmazon Prime Video with Ads
Production Companies: Spectrum Films
Network: Seven Network
7.0
S4E1 - What Lies Beneath
It's been three months since Ben and Nathan left on their road trip around Australia. Bearded and tanned, Ben returns without Nathan and smooths over his family's concern with a plausible excuse. He believes that if he wants to fit back in with his family, he has to be the fun loving guy he was before Melissa died.
At home much has happened. Coby has moved in with Jake and started his apprenticeship with Dave. Ruby has started walking and the house has been baby-proofed. Carbo and Retta's engagement party is fast approaching but it's the anticipated arrival of Rita – and what she'll say about the new relationship – which is causing nervous diarrhoea for Carbo and dry-retching for Retta.
As the family and the Karandonis clan celebrate his return, Ben is upbeat. Even the sight of the cheque for Mel's life insurance doesn't seem to faze him – but a visit back to his old room in the Karandonis house proves how much emotion he's really hiding. Unwilling to worry his family, Ben manages to
Feb. 8, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E2 - In With The New
It's a time for new beginnings as Dave learns the truth about underlying tensions between Ben and the recently returned Nathan and urges his sons to start afresh.
As Council Clean-Up Days looms Dave gets the clean-out bug, chucking stuff out from the big and small sheds. He's distracted, however, by Nathan's return from the big road trip. Dave soon picks up on an underlying tension between Nathan and Ben, although neither brother is willing to admit to it. Nathan and Ben have a private talk, alluding to serious issues that took place on the road trip. Ben assures him he's a changed man since he came home and Nathan wants to believe him. But when Dave presses Ben for more information, a defensive Ben nearly steps into the path of an oncoming car. What happened on the road trip and why has it affected both brothers so badly?
Jake and Coby head off for a rugby weekend and Rachel is left to enjoy the house alone. She can't help herself and launches into a major rearrangement of furniture
Feb. 15, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E3 - Careful What You Wish For
Rachel wrestles with the potentially relationship-wrecking pitfalls of getting everything you want - particularly when truth is number one on the wish-list.
Guilt-ridden about invading Coby's private garage space, Rachel compounds her sin by inadvertently offering his artwork as part of an advertising campaign. Under the pump from pushy boss Paul (MARTIN LYNES), Rachel is forced to admit to Coby the truth - she's seen his art. Feeling betrayed, Coby immediately sets about destroying it as Rachel understands how deeply she's hurt him. Hiding his hurt behind forced party-mode, Coby organises an impromptu birthday bash for himself, inviting the Rafter regulars and his bogan mates from Coolong and generally regressing all around. But Rachel suspects Coby's act is actually a mask for his pain. Will she ever be able to regain his trust again?
Rachel's also having honesty issues with Jake, who's being vague about his reasons for quitting rugby. Things come to a head at Coby's party, when th
Feb. 22, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E4 - Other People's Eyes
The aftermath of Jake's ill-fated rugby weekend is fully felt as Julie realises how much perception and misperception can affect the lives of her family and friends.
Rachel is determined to support Jake in light of his charges of attempted sexual assault - if only he'd let her. Jake has gone to ground, reeling from the momentary doubt he felt he saw in Rachel's eyes. And when Rachel forces him to talk to her, assuring him of her love and belief, it's clear that Rachel, unlike resigned Jake, is unlikely to wait patiently for a court to reach its verdict. When it comes to light that it is in fact Camel who is truly to blame - not only for the charges but also for not sticking up for Jake - a furious Rachel goes to confront him. But is she only making the situation worse for Jake?
Rachel's woes are compounded when her boss, Paul Morgan (guest star MARTIN LYNES) tells her he expects her to deliver a contract signed by Coby as the main artist for their new alcopop campaign. However, Coby
March 1, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E5 - The Taste of Freedom
Nathan examines what it means to be free as he receives potentially upsetting news - his divorce from Sammy is final.
The Rafter family have all witnessed Nathan's heartbreak over the end of the marriage and there is reasonable concern that Nathan could suffer an emotional setback over this. However Nathan takes this potential hurdle and turns it into a springboard for a new and better tomorrow. He successfully packs up the remnants of his time with Sammy, cuts himself free from some family ties, and launches himself into a new business, a new attitude, a new future.
Jake and Rachel have been skirting around each other for days, both of them unsure how to bridge the divide that's grown between them. Finally they reach out to each other and reaffirm their love, but secretly both of them are afraid love might not be enough.
Coby is also grappling with the issue of freedom as the day of his sentencing hearing arrives. Having promised to vouch for Coby in court, Dave is initially casual
March 8, 2011, midnight
8.0
S4E6 - The Dollhouse
Nathan doesn't have much luck getting attention for his Parts Exchange website, so he makes up some flyers to distribute around the town, with Ben's help - help Ben is all too willing to give when he realises Nathan's business name "Parts Exchange" reads as "Part Sex Change" when run together as a domain name.
Nathan is bemused when he receives dodgy emails and phone calls and when he finally realises his mistake, is comically furious with Ben for letting him embarrass himself.
Jake risks everything by returning to the scene of the alleged attempted rape to confront Jodi (SARAH SNOOK), hoping he can convince her he is innocent of the charge. Has Jake made the right decision, or will the confrontation land him in more hot water?
March 15, 2011, midnight
8.0
S4E7 - Sweet Sorrow
Rachel's doubts are intensified as she visits Jake to invite him to her farewell dinner. One thing leads to another and the invitation inevitably turns into a moment of good-bye passion. With Rachel now confused, Nathan convinces her she's made the right decision and she'll regret it forever if she doesn't go. Dave's father, Tom, announces his parole has come through and he's looking forward to spending more time with the family. Rachel tearfully farewells her family and sets off overseas, but Jake takes off in pursuit, determined to catch her, resulting in an emotional roadside exchange between the two lovers.
Aug. 23, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E8 - The Male Communication Handbook
Dave relishes finally having a relationship with his dad, Tom, despite Julie's reservations about her recently paroled father-in-law. Julie raises concerns that Tom may not have reformed his crooked ways. Next door there is tension in the air between the boys, stemming from Carbo's hurt feelings at having not been asked to be a part of Nathan's fledgling car spares business. Meanwhile, Jake and Coby are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Alex, returned from New Zealand. Alex is cagey about what happened overseas, leaving Jake wondering what really happened over in New Zealand.
Aug. 30, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E9 - From Little Things
The comic rivalry between Ted and Tom continues. Ted's convinced Tom isn't looking for work at all, instead sneaking off to spend time with an unknown lady friend.
Sept. 6, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E10 - Big Kids
Julie finds herself out of her comfort zone when she attends a burlesque dance class with new friend Donna. Dave comes across some lingerie that Julie has bought for her performance, but when she doesn't wear it, he is left feeling jealous and insecure about her relationship with Hamish. Meanwhile, Ted is avoiding house guest Tom at every opportunity, and makes it clear to Nathan he doesn't trust Tom at all. Then, Nathan sees Tom entering a pub when he's supposed to be working, and finds himself in a tricky predicament when Tom denies having been there.
Sept. 13, 2011, midnight
7.0
S4E11 - Swimming in the Gene Pool
Grace tells her sons Jake and Alex that she's engaged, and both boys are happy for her until they find out that she has never actually divorced their father. Things become complicated when Grace meets with her ex-husband, as Alex is adamant he never wants to see his father again but Jake's curiosity is restless. Tom is recovering in hospital when he gets a visit from his granddaughter, Bree, but Coby is less than thrilled with the arrival of his feisty sister. Tom encourages them to make amends, but Coby struggles to mend bridges with his sister.
Sept. 20, 2011, midnight
S4E12 - You've Got To Have Friends
Julie's new friendship with Donna is tested when she discovers that Donna suffers from OCD
Oct. 4, 2011, midnight
S4E13 - Tipping Point
Dave leaps at the chance when his successful friend Warney, offers him a shot at the contract for a big office rewiring job. Ben is encouraged by Tom to consider opening up his own bar and Tom offers to help him organise the finances, but Coby immediately becomes suspicious of Tom's motives. Retta begins to feel the pressure of wedding preparations, but things get worse when Carbo brings his livewire cousin Voula, in to help. Meanwhile, Jake trys to hide his attraction to Bree in front of Alex.
Oct. 11, 2011, midnight
S4E14 - Trust Issues
Ben opens up to Emma about Melissa's death, and the cathartic experience enables him to finally get some closure.
Oct. 18, 2011, midnight
S4E15 - Risky Business
Ben initiates a night on the town with the boys, and everyone is impressed by the up-market nightclub who's owner is courting Ben as a potential investor in his next business venture, causing alarm bells to immediately sound for Nathan. Meanwhile, Carbo and Retta reassess their own sex but a return to the club prompts them to take their own risks, which, funnily enough, become a little too public
Oct. 25, 2011, midnight
S4E16 - Second Chance
Everybody is up in arms about Tom's disappearance with the insurance money. Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies.
Feb. 14, 2012, midnight
S4E17 - Small World
Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies.
Feb. 14, 2012, midnight
S4E18 - Sign of the Times
Dave's increasingly exhausted as the demands of his new job take their toll, and for the first time in his life he forgets his anniversary. Julie convinces Dave that his exhaustion is a sign...
Feb. 21, 2012, midnight
S4E19 - Leap of Faith
Ted resolves to take a leap of faith and seize life with both hands. But as his best-laid plans are put to waste, is his leap destined to become a stumble? Ben agrees to go to the movies with Emma, but asks Nathan and Coby to join them to relieve the pressure of the evening feeling like a date; however, Coby's terrible cinema etiquette and embarrassing antics causes Ben to eject the boys. Now all alone, will Ben and Emma finally succumb to their brewing feelings? Meanwhile, Dave is struggling to take his own leap of faith and accept his brother Matt.
Feb. 28, 2012, midnight
S4E20 - Butterfly's Wings
Dave and Julie discover how one inexplicable chain of events can almost end in disaster. Dave is alone with Ruby when he gets a call requiring his presence back on site. With no babysitter, Dave takes Ruby with him and enlists Coby to look after her. For a brief moment Coby takes his eyes off Ruby and she wanders into the building site. Panic sets in when Dave discovers she's locked herself in a room with a dangerous drop. Will they get to her before it's too late? Meanwhile, Ben is doing his best to take things slowly with Emma, but Carbo makes his disapproval known after having witnessed Ben and Emma's kiss.
March 6, 2012, midnight
S4E21 - Sleepwalking
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.
March 13, 2012, midnight
S4E22 - Endings and Beginnings
Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.
March 20, 2012, midnight
Network: Seven Network
Released: Aug. 26, 2008
Last Air Date: July 2, 2013, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR / 17+
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