Blue Heelers (season 8)

Blue Heelers (season 8)
Country of origin	Australia
No. of episodes	42
Release
Original network	Seven Network
Original release	21 February – 28 November 2001

The eighth season of the Australian police-drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 21 February 2001 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 41-episode season concluded 28 November 2001.

Casting

Main cast for this season consisted of:

• John Wood as Sergeant Tom Croydon [full season]
• Julie Nihill as Christine 'Chris' Riley [full season]
• Martin Sacks as Detective Senior Constable Patrick Joseph 'P.J.' Hasham [full season]
• Paul Bishop as Senior Constable Benjamin 'Ben' Stewart [full season]
• Rupert Reid as Constable Jack Lawson [until Episode 313]
• Jane Allsop as Constable Jo Parrish [full season]
• Ditch Davey as Constable Evan 'Jonesy' Jones [from Episode 316]
• Caroline Craig as Sergeant Tess Gallagher [full season]

Notable guest actors who appeared in this season included Carol Burns, Richard Cawthorne, Norman Yemm, Val Lehman, David Clencie, Simon Burke, Terry Gill, Alethea McGrath, Gary Sweet, Rhys Muldoon, Gary Day, Lisa Crittenden, Julia Blake, Alan Hopgood, Gerard Kennedy, Lesley Baker and Kirsty Child.

Plot

Jack beginning to get the hang of his legs again after the 5% operation became a Success! and Tess begins to have feelings for Jack up to a point where they start a Secret Relationship in episode Manly Art. Their relationship was going somewhere until a case comes up about an old time drug dealer who just got out of prison and Jack begins to put his Emotions in front of the job and will do anything to get his own justice.Jack is suspect for murder by Killy the drug dealer he recalls scum and Tess says one of them should get a Transfer to st Davids because they could never work together if they can't trust one and other. Jack then admits he could have saved the guy but instead watched him slowly fall to his death Jack is then charged and is quickly Dismissed from the force while Tess is feeling sad the members are disappointed by the fact he did kill the guy and didn't admit the truth earlier. his last episode the Falling pt2. New probationary Constable Jones has arrived with a secret plot to find out what really happened to his father's death. and Tess&Jo quickly takes a likeness into him but Tess remembers what happened to her last secret Relationship with Jack and doesn't want to relive that moment so she keeps it to herself and gets on with her job as a sergeant. after all Tess noes not to mix work with play.

Reception

Ratings in the 8th season began to decline ever so slowly, with many fans feeling that Maggie's absence, or the absence of the so-called "McCune-Factor",^[1] (as well as the absence of several other popular characters) and the slightly repetitive storylines were getting in the way of the show's feel.

Awards

Episodes

DVD Season #	Episode #	Title	Director(s)	Writer(s)	Original airdate (Aust.)
8.2	295	"The Blame Game (1)"	TBA	TBA	21 February 2001
A woman rushes into the station claiming a man has kidnapped her children, and Ben's work starts to mirror his private life
8.2	296	"The Blame Game (2)"	TBA	TBA	28 February 2001
The father of the children appears in court with a bomb stapped to his body and abducts Ben
8.2	297	"Deadly Fascination"	TBA	TBA	7 March 2001
A crime fiction writer is asking a lot of questions about the death of a baby 25 years ago
8.2	298	"Letter of the Law"	TBA	TBA	14 March 2001
Tess and Tom must choose a new policeman for nearby Widgeree
8.2	299	"A Bit on the Side"	TBA	TBA	21 March 2001
PJ is faced with the opportunity to move back to the city when two detectives turn up
8.2	300	"Tough Nut"	TBA	TBA	28 March 2001
Tess takes on more than her job demands when she tries to help the three children of a local woman
8.2	301	"The Fine Print"	TBA	TBA	4 April 2001
PJ's mother comes to stay and trouble quickly follows. Can he keep a professional distance while allowing his mother to play a vital role in solving the case?
8.2	302	"Family Reserve"	TBA	TBA	11 April 2001
Jo is under pressure when her parents arrive in town to find their "princess" another career
8.2	303	"Chop Chop"	TBA	TBA	18 April 2001
PJ's plans for an illegal tobacco raid are blown
8.2	304	"Blood"	TBA	TBA	25 April 2001
Mick Boyce has just finished doing time. What is he doing in Mount Thomas? Jack decides to make him feel unwelcome and Tess tires of his apologies and begins to doubt him as an objective member of the team
8.2	305	"They Don't Make Them Like They Used To"	TBA	TBA	2 May 2001
Jo takes on a case involving Mount Thomas' only cinema which goes back 30 years
8.2	306	"On the Run"	TBA	TBA	9 May 2001
Arnie Briggs is out of prison and Jack is after him dragging Tess into a highly volitaile situation
9.1	307	"Fowl Play"	TBA	TBA	16 May 2001
Jo takes on a case as an amusing diversion from paperwork, onlt to find it could have life threatening consequences for the people of Mount Thomas.
9.1	308	"Fooling Around"	TBA	TBA	23 May 2001
Ben's love of drink and woman lead him into dangerous terrain - both personally and professionally.
9.1	309	"Death By Flight"	TBA	TBA	30 May 2001
A plane crashes into a farmhouse, killing three people, and P.J. and Ben face emotional barriers while investigating a complex case.
9.1	310	"A Friend Indeed"	TBA	TBA	6 June 2001
Jo defends a simple young man who appears manipulated by so called friends, willing to let him be the fall guy, and in the process questions her own idea of friendship and betrayal.
9.1	311	"The Manly Art"	TBA	TBA	13 June 2001
P.J. plays cupid in helping Jack form a romantic bond with Tess.
9.1	312	"Falling Part 1"	TBA	TBA	20 June 2001
Tess is forced to confront her worst fears - that Jack will do anything, even lie to her, in order to carry out his own version of justice.
9.1	313	"Falling Part 2"	TBA	TBA	20 June 2001
Jack's and Tess' romance is on full throttle, but neither of them are aware of what lies ahead professionally, and how far Jack is prepared to go in order to see his own version of justice done. Final Appearance of Constable Jack Lawson
9.1	314	"Winners And Losers"	TBA	TBA	27 June 2001
Tess must put Jack out of her mind when her attempts to rescue a kidnapped boy place her own life in danger.
9.1	315	"No Place Like Home"	TBA	TBA	11 July 2001
P.J. must confront his deepest beliefs when a desperate young man needs his help.
9.1	316	"Dragged"	TBA	TBA	18 July 2001
Tess must accept the help of Jonesy, the rebellious new constable, when a young suspect becomes bent on revenge First Appearance of Constable Evan Jones
9.1	317	"Baby Love"	TBA	TBA	25 July 2001
Jonesy's preconceptions about the sanctity of parenthood are challenged when he befriends a young mother in trouble.
9.1	318	"An Inspector Calls"	TBA	TBA	1 August 2001
Jo and Falcon-Price have no choice but to work as a team when both their lives are threatened.
9.1	319	"Dinosaurs"	TBA	TBA	8 August 2001
Tom is faced with one of the toughest decisions of his career when two old friends are suspected of theft.
9.1	320	"Charming"	TBA	TBA	15 August 2001
Ben's protective instincts threaten to overcome him as he races to save a young girl from certain harm.
9.1	321	"The Sins of the Father"	TBA	TBA	22 August 2001
Jo must confront her prejudices when a local politician dies under suspicious circumstances.
9.1	322	"Poisoned Fruit Part 1"	TBA	TBA	29 August 2001
Jonesy risks everything to avenge his father's death.
9.1	323	"Poisoned Fruit Part 2"	TBA	TBA	5 September 2001
As Jonesy fights to discover the truth, the Commander's reputation is placed against the wall. Have his protective instincts allowed a murderer to walk free?
9.1	324	"Fifteen Minutes"	TBA	TBA	19 September 2001
Jo's vanity threatens to undermine her ability to do her job.
9.1	325	"Copping The Flak"	TBA	TBA	26 September 2001
Ben and Jonesy's essential differences threaten to complicate an investigation.
9.1	326	"Strays"	TBA	TBA	3 October 2001
Tess questions her own happiness when that of a little girl is threatened.
9.1	327	"The Lord Giveth"	TBA	TBA	10 October 2001
An investigation into a nobly motivated burglar leads Tom to discover the identity of a mysterious and attractive woman.
9.1	328	"Credit Limit"	TBA	TBA	17 October 2001
Jonesy's inexperience and good intentions place lives at risk.
9.1	329	"A Hard Call"	TBA	TBA	17 October 2001
Tess' actions are placed under scrutiny when she makes a life and death decision.
9.1	330	"Role Model"	TBA	TBA	24 October 2001
Tom questions the role of a mentor when a burglar's bid to impress leads to a serious crime.
9.2	331	"A Safe Bet"	TBA	TBA	31 October 2001
Jo fights to help a young man when he lacks the strength to help himself.
9.2	332	"A Matter Of Faith"	TBA	TBA	7 November 2001
Jo marvels at the human capacity for forgiveness when a faith healer is assaulted.
9.2	333	"Who Can You Trust?"	TBA	TBA	11 November 2001
Jonesy risks Tess' trust when she suspects him of influencing a witness to suit his own prejudice.
9.2	334	"Best Eaten Cold"	TBA	TBA	21 November 2001
Jonesy must reevaluate his place on the force when he learns the truth about his father's death.
9.2	335	"The Real Santa"	TBA	TBA	28 November 2001
Does Ben's hunger for the perfect Christmas place his children's happiness at risk?
9.2	336	"Dreaming Of A White Christmas"	TBA	TBA	28 November 2001
It's Christmas and everyone celebrates it or avoids it in their own way.

DVD release

Similarly to the release of Blue Heelers' seventh season, the eight season has also been postponed due to the contractual negotiations but everything has been finalised for a 1 October 2008^[2] release. Like the seventh season, "The Complete Eight Season" will be released as a complete boxset.

The Complete Eighth Season: Part 1
	Set Details			Special Features
	22 Episodes (970 Mins.) Episodes 266-287 6-Disc Set Full Frame English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)			Photo Gallery (12 Pics)
	Release Dates
	Australia
	1 October 2008[2]

The Complete Eighth Season: Part 2
	Set Details			Special Features
	19 Episodes (842 Mins.) Episodes 288-306 5-Disc Set Full Frame English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)			Photo Gallery (20 Pics)
	Release Dates
	Australia
	1 October 2008[2]

The Complete Eighth Season
	Set Details			Special Features
	41 Episodes (1812 Mins.) Episodes 266-306 11-Disc Set Full Frame English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)			Photo Gallery
	Release Dates
	Australia
	1 October 2008[2]

References

General

• Zuk, T. Blue Heelers: 2001 episode guide, Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
• TV.com editors. Blue Heelers Episode Guide - Season 8, TV.com. Retrieved 1 August 2007.

Specific

1. Johnston, Peter. "Wood fears the axe, The Herald Sun, 25 January 2004.
2. Editors. Blue Heelers: Season 8, Part 1 DVD Archived 14 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.. EzyDVD.com. Retrieved 14 July 2008.