Packed to the Rafters Season 5, Episode 17: Keeping Step

1

Answering the Call

Julie receives a surprise invitation from the charming editor of a local paper Adam Goodman - an offer that will ultimately send her into uncharted waters but is she ready to say yes? After interviewing two male sparkies, Dave is stunned when an attractive woman arrives for the interview. Coby arrives home from overseas, having cut short his trip, only to discover in his absence that Matt has moved into the house with Jake. Meanwhile, Ted continues to bond with Cooper. But a disturbing encounter jeopardises not only their relationship, but Teds reputation. Meanwhile, Emma takes tentative steps to claim more of a place for herself in her relationship with Ben, and is relieved when he finally removes his wedding ring. But how much has Ben really moved on?

2

Great Expectations

With an expanding business, new premises and a new employee, Dave has high hopes indeed. But it seems what Dave considers chivalry, Frankie considers sexism. Coby too is having trouble adjusting to his new workmate. But is his disapproval masking deeper feelings? Despite his increasingly close relationship with Emma, Ben still hasnt invited her to stay the night - another bridge to cross in his grieving process for Mel. But an unexpected event helps to give him a push.But in the morning Ben doesnt feel the peace he was hoping for, prompting him to come up with a new solution.

3

The Power of Words

Its Valentines Day, and matters of the heart are front and centre. Ben and Emma try to dodge the pressure by doing a shift at the Boat Club. Donna is still carrying a candle for Ted and Julie is unimpressed when Ben encourages Donna to invite Ted to a romantic dinner. It gets off to a rocky start, with Ted turning up at the wrong venue, but Ben rushes to the rescue - and Emma's even more smitten than before. But pressure returns in spades when those three little words are uttered - and someone misses the moment to reciprocate. Meanwhile, Matt decides to play a joke on his flatmates by surprising them both with anonymous Valentines Day cards.

4

The Things We Do For Love

Oblivious to the knowing smiles of Dave and Jake, Coby finds himself falling for Frankie

5

Judgement Day

When Jake receives a surprise phone call from his estranged father, he is unable to forgive him for abandoning his family

6

Secret Fears

Dave struggles with his secret fear that his relationship with Jake is permanently damaged and that Julie's relationship with Adam might turn out to be more than just professional.

7

The Great Escape

Ben is being driven quietly crazy by the baby-obsessed Carbo and Retta. Feeling edged out of the world they are creating, Emma suggests that the two of them get out of town for a few days, a large step forward in their relationship for Ben. But once you've found escape, the trouble comes returning from it. After being romantically shunned by Frankie, Coby does his best to avoid her at work. However, when the awkwardness becomes too much to bear, Frankie makes a proposal. Meanwhile, Julie begins life as the 'new kid' at the local newspaper and her new lease on life inspires Dave to move forward with his own business plans, leading to frustrations between the couple. Will venturing into a new future drive a wedge between Dave and Julie?

8

UnWritten Rules

When the rules of relationships are broken, who decides the punishment?

9

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss

Following an awkward moment, Frankie announces she's going to quit and with a niggling feeling of guilt, Julie tells Dave about Adam's visit.

10

Letting Go

Tension remains high in the Rafter house as Julie and Dave struggle to forgive each other. Ted is caught in the middle and is sick of having to hide the real reason behind their squabbles from Ben.

11

The Right Time

For Ben, it finally feels like the right time to move on from Mel and start a new chapter with Emma, beginning with the purchase of their country cottage. Emma is prepared to put aside her misgivings about the rapid pace at which this is all happening and she and Ben excitedly book an appointment with the bank to set up a loan. But when Ben lends his support to Carbo and Retta by taking them to the hospital for an ultrasound appointment, he begins to reminisce about Mel and the surprising intensity of his feelings throws Ben into a tailspin.

12

Life's Surprises

Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.

13

Filling the Void

Julie tries to find ways to fill the void left by her absent kids, while the calamitous return of Alex sees Jake’s life fuller than ever before...

14

Bad Habits

Dave bets Julie that she can't refrain from giving advice.

15

Moment Of Clarity

In light of his ongoing tests, Ted isn't sure whether he should reveal his health concerns to his family. When he suffers a mild stroke he resolves to keep the tests to himself.

16

Displacement

Julie is in denial about Ted's health and Dave carefully voices his concerns but Julie doesn't want to discuss it. Meanwhile, Jake is still having issues with Alex who's partying too hard.

17

Keeping Step

Julie feels at odds with both Ted and Dave over the severity of Ted's condition - and falling back into step is going to be easier said than done. Meanwhile, despite having rejected Coby's initial interest in her, Frankie is finally letting her guard down.

18

That Heady Rush

Frankie is caught up in that heady rush a new relationship brings. She seems to be coping pretty well. But can she contain the tsunami that is Coby? Dave is riding a heady rush of his own when Duncan offers the Rafter Electrical team a big contract. But celebratory drinks take a sour turn, and Frankie's forced to rebuff a drunken pass. She assumes it's over and done with. Little does she know, the moment will come back to haunt her.

19

Got What It Takes

Dave is determined to take his business to the next level, beginning with his new contract with Duncan. But when Duncan's wandering eye puts him on a collision course with Coby, does Dave have what it takes to stop the impact? Meanwhile, Frankie's not impressed with Coby's seeming lack of maturity, starting with his inability to let go of his rage over Duncan's pass at her.

20

Weathering the Storm

Torrential rain and bad luck descends as Jake realises the old adage is true: it never rains but it pours.

21

Free to Choose

Hours have passed since Coby took off and he's not answering his phone. Dave is feeling privately guilty over having not stopped Coby from leaving when he had the chance. So when he learns that a drunken Coby recently accosted Duncan and tried to get him to drop the assault charges, he calls the troops into action. But time is short, as now they aren't the only ones looking for Coby — the police now have a warrant for his arrest.

22

Rewriting History

As Dave and Julie's 30th wedding anniversary approaches, thoughts naturally turn to family and history. But Julie's view of the past is rocked by a surprise admission from Ted. Meanwhile, Julie also assumes their celebration will be a small affair, but little does she realise, Ben and Nathan have returned for the occasion! Coby is finding it hard to adjust to life in Remand, hiding his pain behind a veneer of black humour.