-
-
-
Packed to the Rafters : Season 4
-
Air date: 08 Feb '11 - 22 episodesThe 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
-
-
List of Episodes (22)
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
1. What Lies Beneath
08 Feb '11It'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 engag
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
2. In With The New
15 Feb '11It'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, al
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
3. Careful What You Wish For
22 Feb '11Rachel 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 Rache
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
4. Other People's Eyes
01 Mar '11The 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
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
5. The Taste of Freedom
08 Mar '11Nathan 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 tie
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
6. The Dollhouse
15 Mar '11Nathan 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 ever
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
7. Sweet Sorrow
23 Aug '11Rachel'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 J
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
8. The Male Communication Handbook
30 Aug '11Dave 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
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
9. From Little Things
06 Sep '11The 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.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
10. Big Kids
13 Sep '11Julie 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
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
11. Swimming in the Gene Pool
20 Sep '11Grace 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,
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
12. You've Got To Have Friends
04 Oct '11Julie's new friendship with Donna is tested when she discovers that Donna suffers from OCD
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
13. Tipping Point
11 Oct '11Dave 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.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
14. Trust Issues
18 Oct '11Ben opens up to Emma about Melissa's death, and the cathartic experience enables him to finally get some closure.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
15. Risky Business
25 Oct '11Ben 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
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
16. Second Chance
14 Feb '12Everybody 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.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
17. Small World
14 Feb '12Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
18. Sign of the Times
21 Feb '12Dave'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...
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
19. Leap of Faith
28 Feb '12Ted 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
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
20. Butterfly's Wings
06 Mar '12Dave 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 be
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
21. Sleepwalking
13 Mar '12When 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.
-
Packed to the Rafters (2008)
-
22. Endings and Beginnings
20 Mar '12Ben 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.
-
