1 сезон -1985 год
Episode title: 0001
Australian airdate: 18/03/85
UK airdate: 27/10/86
UK Gold: 02/11/92
Writer: Reg Watson
Director: Mark Joffe
Guests:
Lorraine Kingham: Antoinette Byron
Mrs. Kingham: Christine Kanan
Mr. Kingham: James Taylor
Dr. Lawson: Andrew Gilmour
Music:
Summary/Images by: Pete & Sal/Sayaka
Ramsay Street
Some ominous music plays, and a tree is blown by the wind to reveal an orange sun behind it. A bright glare fills the screen, and the camera pulls back to reveal that it's the headlights of a car. It is now dark and Max Ramsay steps out of the car, looking stern, and slams the door shut.
Another car starts its engine, and its headlights turn on. A shirtless - and very sweaty - Danny Ramsay turns at the noise and looks fearful. Another set of headlights come on and Maria Ramsay gets out of the car and starts to laugh.
Danny continues to look really troubled as another car comes into view, and Julie and Paul Robinson step out of it. They both start laughing. Danny turns again, and sees Scott Robinson and Helen Daniels emerge from cars and join in the laughter.
They all continue to laugh at Danny, apart from Maria, who looks slightly concerned. We can now see that Danny is only wearing his pyjama bottoms. He goes over to Max who initially laughs in his face, and then grabs him roughly around his throat. Danny pushes his hand away and runs off. Max laughs as he watches Danny leave.
Danny sprints down Ramsay Street as the residents close on him. He appears to float towards the end of the street, and Danny looks into the sky.
DANNY: Shane?!
Shane - who is wearing only swimming trunks and is stood atop a diving board - waves at Danny and smiles. Shane dives and Danny screams at him.
DANNY: Shane! NO! SHANE!
Number 24
Danny sits upright in bed, screaming, "No!" He calms down as he realises that he's in his room and that he'd been having a nightmare, although his face is still covered in sweat. He unhappily lies back down.
Doctor's Surgery
Danny is being examined by the doctor. The doctor tells him that everything seems ok, and quizzes him over how his family life is. Danny seems a bit surprised and says that everything is fine. The doctor presses on, wondering how his school life is. Danny insists that that is fine too.
DOCTOR: What about nightmares?
DANNY: So that's it. I thought this was just a check up?
DOCTOR: This *is* just a check up. And you're a very healthy young fella. But your father's worried about those nightmares.
DANNY: He's only worried because I yell a bit in my sleep and wake *him* up!
Danny dismisses the nightmares as just dreams - and everyone dreams. The doctor asks if he can recall them, but Danny tells him that he can't. The doctor asks if he has any other problems.
DANNY: Yeah. My father doesn't understand me(!)
The doctor laughs and lets Danny leave.
Ramsay Street
The credits start - Danny rides into shot and surveys the street. He rides around the street, and passes Des Clarke and Paul Robinson as they unload groceries from the car outside Number 28. Danny bikes over to Number 26 where Scott Robinson is sitting outside.
SCOTT: Where have you been?
DANNY: Doctor.
SCOTT: Why, are you sick or something?
Danny tells him it was just a check up. He asks why Scott is sitting outside, and apparently, he's waiting for Julie to give him a lift into town.
Number 26
Julie Robinson emerges from the bedrooms of the house and calls goodbye to her grandma. Helen Daniels walks in from the kitchen with a dress covered in dry cleaning plastic. She tells Julie not to crush it, and to run an iron over it in the morning. Julie kisses Helen goodbye, and says she'll see her after the wedding.
HELEN: Tell Lorraine I'm sure she'll be a beautiful bride.
JULIE: Yes, she will, won't she? Des is a lucky man!
Julie leaves. Helen shuts the door, leans against it and exhales loudly!
Ramsay Street
Des and Paul continue to unload the car and are talking about Lorraine's fears about Number 28 being messed up due to the buck's night. Paul thinks her fears are unfounded, but Des decides to ring her as he won't get chance once the boys all arrive.
Julie shouts over from the driveway of Number 26, and asks if he has any last minute messages for Lorraine. Des says he's about to ring her, and Julie warns him not to drink too much. Des tells her not to worry, and Julie gives her dress to Scott, ready to leave.
Paul shouts over to Danny, and tells him to tell Shane to get a move on. Danny agrees and cycles up the path of Number 24.
Number 24
Shane Ramsay is on the phone. On the bookcase behind him, we can see photos of him winning trophies by a swimming pool, and some of the trophies on display. Shane asks if the caller is Daphne. When it is, he tells her that he's having a buck's party for a mate and wants to know if she's available. Daphne asks what it entails. Shane says it's just dancing, but Daphne thinks that it's short notice so she can only make it after midnight. Shane says that's fine.
Danny enters and tells Shane that Paul wants him. Maria Ramsay asks Danny if he went to the doctor. He says yes, and goes towards his bedroom. Shane smiles and hangs up the phone. Maria follows Danny.
Number 24 - Danny's Bedroom
Danny walks into his room and lies on his bed. Maria asks what the doctor said. Danny is annoyed that the doctor asked about his nightmares, and thinks that it was out of order that Max told the doctor about them. Danny insists that there's nothing wrong with him.
Shane saunters in, eating a sandwich. He says he's off, but Maria thinks he should take the time to eat a decent meal. Shane tells her that buck's parties take a lot of organising, as it's got to be something that Des'll remember for the rest of his married life.
MARIA: Yes, but why in this street? You know what your father's like about noise.
SHANE: We'll be so quiet, Mum, you won't even know we're in there! I promise!
Ramsay Street
Loud stripper music blares from Number 28 and multi-coloured lights flash through every window.
Number 28
Inside, a stripper is performing a strip act, whilst a group of men are all drinking beer and enjoying the show - including Des, Paul (who is definitely getting into it!) and Shane.
Lorraine's House
Lorraine and Julie are preparing for bed, and Lorraine's wedding dress is on a mannequin, ready to be worn the next day. Lorraine's mother - Mrs Kingham - enters and tells them to sleep and not to stay chatting through until midnight. Julie assures Mrs Kingham that they'll get to bed.
LORRAINE: How's Daddy?
MRS KINGHAM: Still sulking.
JULIE: (breezily) Oh well, Lorraine is his only daughter.
MRS KINGHAM: Yes, never mind. He'll get used to her being married.
Mrs Kingham leaves. Lorraine files her nails and Julie tells her to perk up.
JULIE: Come on! Tomorrow is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, remember?
LORRAINE: I just wished Daddy liked him, that's all.
JULIE: The thing is that you love him - that's all that matters! You know, Lorraine, I really admire you. Nothing your father can say can change your mind - you love Des. And look, *so* many girls get married and y'know, they're not really sure. Look at us - when I was going out with Des, y'know, I just knew. I just knew he was not right for me. And then you started at the bank, and you just knew.
LORRAINE: Why wasn't he right for you?
JULIE: Oh. Oh, I don't know. Um, I don't know. Well, he isn't really a spunk, is he? I mean, y'know, he's nice. He's ordinary. Um, he'll make a great father, for sure. He's a little bit set in his ways and um, I suppose that's a good thing. Although...
LORRAINE: Although what?
JULIE: (smiling) Lorraine! Look what we're both doing! We're picking our poor old Des to pieces the night before the wedding. No, no, no, no, no! You love him! I mean, he's one of my best friends. You're going to be our neighbours and we're going to live happily ever after.
LORRAINE: Yeah. Daddy hates him, y'know.
JULIE: Mmm, I know. Oh well, he isn't the one that has to love, honour and obey him, is he? You know, Lorraine, I just hope that when I get married that I love my guy as much as you must love Des.
LORRAINE: (unconvincingly) Yeah.
Lorraine's House - later
Lorraine is on the phone. She tells Julie that it's still engaged. Julie tells Lorraine that it's 2am, but Lorraine is desperate to talk to Des. Julie suggests that he's taken the phone off the hook so that he can get a really good sleep. Lorraine dials again.
Number 28
The phone is off the hook, but the party is still in full swing. The boys whoop and cheer at the stripper.
Ramsay Street
Number 28 is still brightly lit up. Number 26 is in darkness, and then the living room light snaps on.
Number 24 - Danny's Bedroom
Danny is asleep, and clearly having another nightmare. We see flashes of the dream, which involve Shane falling. Danny starts yelling, "No, no don't!" The lights come on and Max storms in, followed by Maria. He shakes Danny awake and orders him to cut it out.
MAX: Get back to sleep, will ya? And shut up, for pete's sake - it's two in the flamin' morning!
Max leaves and Maria comforts Danny. In the silence, Danny hears music playing and wonders what it is. Maria tells him that it's the buck's party and Max is intending to break it up. Danny thinks that Max should leave the party goers alone. Maria has sympathy for them, but thinks that they should've turned it down after midnight. She asks if he can recall what he was dreaming about. Danny says that he can't.
Number 24 - Living Room
Max is annoyed about the buck's party. He picks up the phone and dials.
MAX: It's Max. Now listen - what are you going to do about them bloody neighbours of yours?
Number 26
Inside 26, we see that Jim Robinson has answered the phone.
JIM: Oh, come on, mate. It's the poor guy's last night of freedom. They'll pack it in soon.
Helen walks past with some drinks.
Number 24
Max continues to rant.
MAX: Oh, they'll pack it in all right! If you don't tell them to belt up, I'll be in there myself!
Number 26
Jim tells Max to leave it to him and puts the phone down. Helen peers through the window and wonders what a girl is doing at the buck's party. Jim thinks that it's probably a stripper. A loud wolf howl can be heard.
HELEN: That sounds like your son again. I hope he doesn't remember that tomorrow(!)
Helen wonders if the stripper really leaps out of a cake but Jim tells her that only happens in Hollywood! Helen asks how Max was and Jim tells her that he said he'd sort it. He thinks that if they don't stop soon, Max will be over there like a wild bull.
Lucy Robinson emerges from the bedrooms, saying that she can't sleep. Jim tells her it will be over soon. Lucy dobs Paul in to Helen for telling dirty jokes, but Helen says they're not dirty - just silly.
Scott comes through the door and closes it really quietly. He looks around and is surprised to see Helen.
SCOTT: Grandma, what are you doing up?
JIM: (sternly) More to the point, what are you?
SCOTT: Dad. Lucy.
Jim thought that Scott was in bed asleep. Helen wonders if he's been next door, but Scott insists he wasn't. He's worried that they were waiting up for him, but Helen tells him that they can't sleep due to the noise of the buck's party. Scott tells them there are lights on at 24 too. He tries to sneak off to bed, but Jim calls him back.
JIM: You were supposed to be in by midnight. Where have you been?
The phone rings and Scott quickly grabs it.
SCOTT: Hello?
MAX: Who's that?
SCOTT: It's Scott.
MAX: Put your old man on.
Scott gives the phone to Jim and goes to bed. Jim says he'll talk to him in the morning. The phone cuts between Jim in 26 and...
Number 24
Max asks how Jim fared.
JIM: Give them another fifteen minutes, mate.
MAX: Like hell I will! Some of us have got to work in the morning, remember?
JIM: (sighing) Tomorrow's Saturday, Max!
A dog starts to bark.
MAX: Cripes! Even the flamin' dogs are at it now! Ok, ok. I'll stop it myself!
He hangs up.
Number 26
Jim realises that Max has hung up. He turns to Helen.
JIM: Sometimes I'm very grateful for Max Ramsay and that temper of his!
Ramsay Street
Max leaves 24 and storms over to 28. A dog starts barking and fussing around him, which Max shoos off.
Number 28 - outside
Max bangs angrily on the door.
Number 28 - inside
Daphne - the stripper - puts her coat on and storms over to the door. She opens it and Max starts ranting and raving. Daphne is already ranting at Des, telling him that they've picked the wrong girl.
MAX: I want a word with youse lot!
DAPHNE: Drop dead!
Daphne storms off, and Des greets, "Mr Ramsay". Max storms into the living room and yells at the boys.
MAX: ALL RIGHT, YOU LOT, THE PARTY'S OVER! I WANT YOUSE ALL OUT RIGHT NOW AND WHEN I SAY RIGHT NOW, I MEAN RIGHT NOW!
Number 26
Jim, Helen and Lucy look rather amused as they can hear Max's diatribe.
MAX: IT'S ME OR THE COPS, SO MAKE YOUR MIND UP!
Jim sends Lucy to bed. Helen says that she feels sorry for Des, as he did ask if they minded him having a party. Jim reminds her that Des said it'd be all over by 1am, and by the sounds of it, it could've carried on until it was time to go to Church! They wish each other goodnight.
A loud, persistent banging gets them to return. Jim opens the front door and is greeted by Max holding up Paul, who is completely drunk - and is dressed in a nappy, bib and bonnet.
MAX: I believe the best man lives here.
Helen looks shocked.
PAUL: Hi, Dad. Great party.
He falls out of Max's arms and into Jim's! Jim laughs.
Ramsay Street
Max walks down the stairs in his pyjamas and dressing gown. He sets out across Ramsay Street and is attacked by a small dog, which he kicks off.
Swimming Pool
Max is waiting by the pool. Scott and Danny arrive, and ask where Shane is. Max tells them that he's getting changed, but he's acting like an old woman due to the party! Max thinks that it's going to have harmed his training. Shane asks where the girls are. Max is confused, and Shane explains that Scott and Danny have come to look at girls - not to watch him train!
Scott asks what the matter is with Danny. Scott wonders if he's sick, but Danny tells him he's fine.
Shane gets up on the 10 metre diving board. Danny looks up, but he sees the image of Shane in his nightmare. He looks concerned. Max yells up at Shane.
MAX: Take your time now.
DANNY: (panicked) SHANE!
SHANE: Yeah?
DANNY: Be careful, ok?
MAX: (furious) LOOK, WHAT ARE YA?!
Danny looks rattled and apologises. Shane dives into the pool. There's a tense moment before he resurfaces.
SHANE: (grinning) That was better, eh?
Danny tells Scott that he's going home. Scott follows him.
Number 26 - Kitchen
Jim shouts Paul up. Paul replies that he's up already. Jim tells Helen that he's probably suffering. Helen thinks Des is in a similar position, as there's been no sign of life from next door. Jim says that Paul's the best man, so Des is his responsibility. He thinks they'll be holding each other up at the wedding!
Paul walks in looking awful. Helen offers him eggs and bacon, but he's not keen! Paul settles at the counter, holding his head and Jim gets him a mug of coffee. He deliberately bangs an empty mug on the counter, making Paul jump. He hunts for the coffee, picks up two saucepans and bangs them together next to Paul's head.
HELEN: Leave it, Jim! I'll do it.
JIM: Thanks, Mum.
The phone rings.
JIM: Oh, that'll be the phone.
He leans over to Paul and shouts down his ear.
JIM: NO, DON'T WORRY, I'LL GO!
Jim goes to answer the phone and Helen pours Paul a coffee.
PAUL: He's really enjoying himself, isn't he?
HELEN: He certainly is!
Number 26 - Living Room
Jim answers the phone to Des. The scene cuts between Number 26 and the bedroom of Number 28, where Des is looking worse for wear.
Jim cheerfully winds him up about leaping the fence and joining them for breakfast. When Des says he wants to speak to Paul, Jim deliberately yells for Paul down the earpiece of the phone, which makes Des recoil.
Des and Paul talk about Jim's sadistic streak. Des tells Paul that something is wrong - Lorraine called and she's coming over with her parents. Apparently they all want to talk to him, but he doesn't know what about.
Des asks if Julie has said anything, but Paul tells him that she's still at Lorraine's - doing the bridesmaid thing. Des and Paul think that Lorraine coming over is a bit strange, not to mention bad luck. Julie walks in the door and Paul starts to tell her about Lorraine and her parents.
Number 24
Before Julie can shed any light on the situation, Des has to hang up because he's heard a car pulling up.
Number 26
Jim and Helen go into the living room.
PAUL: Julie..!
They ask her what's going on and Julie insists that she doesn't want to talk about it.
Number 28
Des opens the door and Daphne is on the doorstep.
DAPHNE: (cheerfully) Hi!
DES: Yeah?
DAPHNE: You don't remember me? I'm Daphne.
DES: Daphne?
DAPHNE: The stripper. From last night!
DES: Oh yeah, I didn't recognise you.
DAPHNE: With clothes on, yeah, I know! Do you mind if I come in?
Daphne walks in without Des saying a word! Des doesn't look too unhappy about it though!
Number 28
Daphne marches into Des's messy bedroom looking for her watch that she left last night. She reckons it means everything to her. Des tells her to keep looking for it, but as he's expecting visitors, he's going to start cleaning up the living room.
Number 26
Paul is furious at Julie. He's very annoyed that his best friend is due to get married and yet, the bridesmaid doesn't know why the wedding is off.
HELEN: *Why* did Lorraine change her mind, Julie?
JULIE: (in a small voice) I don't know.
She raises her voice and says that after Lorraine's parents went to bed, she and Lorraine got talking about men and love, and then Lorraine woke her at midnight to tell Julie that she wasn't sure if she loved Des. Julie says that she told Lorraine not to be so stupid as she wouldn't be getting married today if she didn't love him.
PAUL: Ah yeah, and then what did you say?
JULIE: Oh now, look, don't you go blaming me for this, Paul! All I said was with me, right, WITH ME, it'd be love or nothing. Like it was with Mum and Dad.
HELEN: And then what happened?
JULIE: (almost triumphantly) Well, then about 2 o'clock she woke me up to tell me I was right. She was marrying Des for all the wrong reasons. And ever since I haven't had a wink of sleep(!)
PAUL: She's done it again!
JULIE: Done what? What have I done?
PAUL: You're always telling other people how to run their lives!
JULIE: I am not! She asked me for my opinion - I gave it!
JIM: Is that all you said?
JULIE: Well, no. I mean, once she had decided the wedding was cancelled-
Jim and Helen smile wryly at each other.
JULIE: -the obvious thing to do was reason with her, isn't it?
PAUL: Oh and give your opinion?!
JULIE: Oh, well, you tell me, Paul! *How* do you reason with someone without giving your opinion?
PAUL: I'll tell you how to reason with someo-
JULIE: (interrupting) No! Everything I said, I sincerely believe to be right. And there's Des to consider - remember that.
JIM: Yes. There is poor old Des to consider.
Number 28
Des is tidying up, although the place still looks a mess, especially with the sofas on their backs! There's a knock at the door and Des answers it. Lorraine and her parents enter, and Lorraine is horrified when she sees the state of the living room.
LORRAINE: Oh no! What have you done to our home? My furniture!
DES: It'll be all right, Lorraine.
MR KINGHAM: Perhaps this'll help you realise you made the right decision this morning.
DES: (surprised) What's going on here?
Lorraine starts to speak, but her father silences her, saying that they agreed that he would do the talking.
MR KINGHAM: Lorraine isn't going to marry you. I can't say I'm sorry. In fact, I'm *delighted*. For all our sakes.
DES: Will you just hold on a minut-
MR KINGHAM: No, please, let me finish. This family's always been prepared to face up to things. That's why the three of us are here this morning.
Daphne emerges from the bedroom, clutching a black blow up doll, clad in a wedding dress.
DAPHNE: Hey, look where I found it!
Mr Kingham looks at her in shock.
DAPHNE: Mr Kingham!
MR KINGHAM: Daphne!
Lorraine and Mrs Kingham look at him and Des in horror.
MR KINGHAM: What are you doing here?
Des looks at everyone and is speechless.