With a name like ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ you know that Episode 12 is going to be full of action, and this episode does not disappoint.

Many episodes of ‘Sea Patrol’ focus on only one or two crew members. But this episode allows more characters to shine and the show feels more balanced for it.

Hammersley is tasked with supplying medical aid to islands near Papua New Guinea. The humour we always enjoy is present as the episode opens but soon we are led to serious scenes that are vaguely reminiscent of the coup from Series 2.

Swain is front and centre in this episode, with his medical skills being put to the test yet again. He is forced to rely on every medical, naval and interpersonal skill he possesses as he earnestly works with Dutchy to keep a little boy alive. They are required to transport the child through the jungle for a rendezvous with Hammersley.

Dutchy again steps into the action role with ease, but he also shows a softer side and proves he has learned some tolerance. Cooler heads prevail, and it’s nice to see that Dutchy, like much of the crew, is evolving. That said, if you step out of line, Dutchy is a force to be reckoned with.

Bird falls ill after returning from a medical drop on an island and Bomber, in Swain’s absence, must use all her medical skills to keep the ‘gap girl’ alive. This job, however, proves too critical for Bomber. The HMAS Hammersley sets sail for a rendezvous with HMAS Newcastle in order to utilise the services of its Doctor. But still no one is the wiser as to the nature, or source, of Bird’s serious malady. It’s a race against time to save Bird from the mystery illness. The Navy pulls out all stops to help Bird.

Remote Area Nurse (RAN) Sarah played by Sara Gleeson (City Homicide, Blue Heelers) causes problems for Swain. Despite what I’m guessing is a bad attempt at some form of (non)accent (it sounds like a mish-mash of Aussie, English and South African), she actually plays a good character and I love the drama she creates for Swain.

Some people object to most episodes putting a crew member in jeopardy, but it nevertheless makes for solid drama. And this episode raises the jeopardy stakes for more than one crew member.

2Dads may have crucial information to help save Bird’s life. But is it already too late? In this we see a more mature 2Dads; it seems his last few run ins with Kate may have actually had a positive impact on him.

Although this episode has some negative aspects, for the most part it maintains the overall quality we’ve been enjoying this series.

Conrad, Matt and Nikolai give strong performances, which really show up some of the below par guest performances.

With a good balance of action and character drama, everyone should find a good episode with ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.

Episode 10, ‘Rawhide’, has a few too many coincidences for me. That said, coincidence is often the tool used to drive good drama. When considered in this regard – and taking into account the many necessary dramatic moments in this episode – I was happier looking past the coincidences with which I felt uncomfortable on first viewing.

The Hammersley is tasked with assisting a remote community after a flood. Some light humour is present as the crew loads the ship with supplies. Since the Kate and Dutchy ‘thing’ has been resolved, it seems Kate might be eyeing Dutchy off.

A May Day call sees Hammersley embroiled with cattle rustlers. As they rescue survivors from the water, it becomes apparent that all is not well with RO and the result is Bomber almost losing her life (again!).

RO is reprimanded for not being a team player. Bomber tells RO he should be more like Dutchy. This leads poor RO on something of a crusade to prove he is a team player. RO seems a bit out of character in this episode, however Kristian’s performance stays of high quality, thus making the story seem more plausible.

2Dads is up to his old tricks, playing pranks on poor Bird. After Bird turns the tables on him, he takes his pranking to the next level. This lands 2Dads in serious trouble with Kate. It seems it may just be time for him to grow up.

In the local port Bird runs into her ex-boyfriend. It seems they did not part on the best of terms. This episode gives Danielle Horvat the chance to step up her performance. Unlike most of our seasoned actors, it has taken Danielle longer to warm to her character.

Danielle’s Bird has left many people unimpressed, but in this episode she is provided with one saving grace: an emotional dialogue with Kate. Danielle does fantastic work in a beautiful, sensitive scene, and plays well off industry veteran Lisa McCune.

While many are quick to criticise Bird, I think we need to remember that she is only a ‘Gap Girl’ recruit. She’s trying her best and I think she just needs a fair-go. I’m sure when most people start in the Navy they have a hard time fitting in and learning the ropes.

Since Kate and Dutchy have sorted their differences, Mike and Kate return to the spotlight. They attempt to discuss their future – which is not easy with the crew never far away. I did find the Mike and Kate scenes a bit too rushed; a lot of important issues are resolved very quickly. But it has been a while since we have had some decent Kate and Mike interaction.

This episode continues to deliver in the action stakes. With Bird’s life in danger, RO is led on a nail-biting boat chase.

‘Rawhide’ is not the strongest episode to date but overall it does work – even in spite of the coincidences. It’s also an episode Danielle Horvat desperately needs so she can demonstrate more emotional depth and prove her character has a third dimension.

Kristian Schmid’s performance also makes ‘Rawhide’ enjoyable viewing. We continue to see parts of Dutchy’s backstory surface too.

A little revelation at a time makes for far better storytelling than a character arriving and just blurting out their life history. The character of Dutchy is a perfect case in point.