Archive for May, 2011

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with John Batchelor (Charge)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

This year’s funniest experience was doing more boardings in four days than I’d done in the previous four years. On one of the boardings the RHIB almost went on its side because of the swell. Some might think that’s scary, but for us adrenaline junkies it was good fun!

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

It’s hard to draw the line between scary and fun, but I’ve never dived head-first into water before and never from any height. This year I did it twice – from about 7 or 8 foot, I think. The second time I had to jump/dive over iron bars; if I hit the bars I would break my knees. That was scary to think about, but when I was in mid-air heading to the water, the smile on my face was ten feet wide.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

Sad at first. I love Aussie drama and I hate to see one leave the screens that is so popular with the viewers and not be replaced with another show straight away. I think Hal and Di have done so much for Australian TV though and I’m sure they, like us, are proud of what we’ve all achieved in 5 years.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

There have been many challenges over the five years. Psychologically speaking, I like being in control of what I’m doing and this show has helped me lose that control – which can be a good thing for an actor. Physically, diving into the ocean off a moving Patrol Boat over steel bars at thigh-height was massive. I just held my breath and did it.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

(a) I’ll treasure my relationship with Russell Bacon and his camera team. They are all amazing people with so much patience and skill. They help me every day with little offers of advice to better my performance.

(b) Personally I will treasure the fact that I got to share this with my family. My son has had every birthday of his life in Mission Beach. I hope he’ll be okay when he turns 5 and we’re not there.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I would love Sea Patrol to be remembered as the show that kick-started Australia’s need for money to be spent on local content. Before Sea Patrol hit the screens there was very little local production on TV. There was a lot of reality TV, which doesn’t cost a lot compared to drama or comedy. When Sea Patrol came along, with its multi-million dollar budget, I think it kicked up the idea that not only should we be watching local stories but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend some money on them. After Sea Patrol hit the screens, there has been an abundance of local TV. Before there was a dearth. It may have just been good timing, or, as I believe, a timely reminder to take care of our own.

Categories: Interviews

Troubled Waters

By Carolyn Stewart
TV Week
June 4, 2011

This week’s heart-stopping instalment sees one of our seafaring favourites facing death at every turn!

The Hammersley team is surprised to stumble across a yellow mini submarine carrying a young woman who’s frantically waving and calling for assistance.

Tracey (Pia Miranda) and colleague Jack (Nicholas Bell) have been on a government-sponsored research expedition, but ran out of luck when their sub fell victim to electrical failures.

Heroic sparky 2Dads (Nikolai Nikolaeff) boards the vessel….only to have it sink to the bottom of the sea with both him and Jack inside!
“It’s quite a powerful episode because 2Dads is trapped away from the rest of the crew”, Nikolai says “It’s beautiful in that no matter what the other’s feelings are – and some crew mightn’t think too highly of 2Dad’s – they all band together to get him out of this situation”

As the team work out how best to rescue the pair, Jack rises to the surface with the devastating news that there was an explosion and he believes 2Dads is dead!

Is it really too late to save their stricken shipmate?

Categories: Articles - General (2011)

Series 5 – Review: Episode 7: ‘Black Flights’

Episode 7, ‘Black Flights’, starts off as a normal day aboard Hammersley. Our crew finds a young man named Leigh on a drifting boat. He is trying to fix mechanical issues caused by a lightning strike. Unable to resolve the problem, Hammersley tows him back to his local port in the small coastal town of Winston.

As contemporaries of Leigh’s, Ryan and Bird hit it off with him from the start and the trio quickly forms a firm friendship. Mike orders some R&R for the crew whilst anchored near Winston. As usual, 2Dads is up to no good and sniffs out a poker game happening just outside of town. One thing leads to another and 2Dads ends up alone in the middle of the bush.

“Sea Patrol” seems to turn a bit “The X Files” here, with a bright light blinding 2Dads as he passes out. After waking up the next morning, still in the bush, 2Dads manages to make his way back to the boat. An unimpressed Kate dresses him down and becomes even more annoyed when he tries to tell her of the ‘UFO’ he saw.

It’s not long before the Hammersley crew starts to unleash UFO pranks around the boat. Even RO partakes in the joking, and this adds to the amusement of the situation. The only person who seems to believe 2Dads’ UFO story is his good buddy Charge. However Charge is having troubles of his own; he has been experiencing chest pains but ignores 2Dads’ advice to consult Swain about it.

When Charge and 2Dads head off to find the source of the mysterious light, they get chased down by men with guns and end up on the trail of a bigger mystery. As is his nature, Charge believes the conspiracy theories; Mike and the rest of the crew aren’t impressed.

The relationship between Ryan, Bird and Leigh takes an unexpected turn and this leads to some interesting developments in Winston.

The acting from Dominic Deutscher (Ryan) and Danielle Horvat (Bird) has really picked up, and they both seem more at ease with their characters. They are also interacting well with the other actors, including the guest artists. An honourable mention must go to Brenton Thwaites as Leigh, who complements Dominic and Danielle’a acting very well.

The relationship between 2Dads and Charge continues to evolve. Nikolai and John are always strongest when given the opportunity to play off each other and ‘Black Flights’ seizes upon this opportunity to deliver really enjoyable drama. It is also nice to take an occasional break from the romantic (or potentially romantic) relationships amongst the crew.

Charge takes command of much of the action later in the episode and Ian Stenlake fans will also be happy to hear that Mike also gets in on some of the action in this episode.

Although I’ve previously talked about improvements with the shooting and editing in Series 5, they are even more evident in this episode. For instance, the most simplistic ‘establishing beach shot’ seems to be done with greater effect than in the past.

This episode displays a good balance of action and mystery. Whilst some of the story seems a tad predictable at first, the eventuating twists and turns make it very interesting and I consider it to be one of the stronger episodes to date.

It’s sad to note that the double episode seen in most states this week marks the halfway point of the final series. I’m confident that the second half of the series will continue to strengthen “Sea Patrol’s” place in Australian drama history and see the series go out on a high.

Categories: Exclusive Reviews

Series 5 – Review: Episode 6: ‘The Stinger’

Episode 6, ‘The Stinger’, opens with Ryan learning the ropes on the bridge. He spots a possible FFV. When a boarding party is sent to investigate, they discover an unexpected face on board – that of SAS Captain Jim Roth. Dutchy reacts without thinking and potentially blows Jim’s cover. Kate is not impressed but tries to remain professional.

Dutchy later tells Mike that Jim would have called off the operation if he thought his identity had been compromised. Kate isn’t so sure. ASIO orders Hammersley to shadow the FFV to monitor Jim’s safety. Dutchy tries to make peace with Kate but she is not forthcoming with forgiveness. When Dutchy spots two people struggling on board the FFV, Kate ensures that Hammersley acts swiftly.

Upon boarding the FFV they find a pool of blood and Jim, semi-conscious, nursing a serious head wound. The concern and panic in Kate’s voice cannot hide her lingering feelings for Jim. Lisa steps up her acting here and exposes fierce emotion that our Kate from Series 1 would not have made so conspicuous.

When Jim fully regains consciousness, Dutchy instantly becomes the object of Jim’s wrath. Although the crew picked up every suspect from the FFV, the leader, Meers is nowhere to be found. The arms deal Jim was setting up is off the cards and a terrorist is on the loose.

There is something awkward about Ditch’s acting here. Is he displaying the unpredictability of someone with a head injury, or is he attempting to demonstrate Jim’s heightened emotional state by shouting his lines? Either way, the moment seems too forced to translate effectively. Fortunately, this is a minor quibble.

Mike gets permission from Maxine to follow Meers into a foreign port. On a personal level, Maxine wants to speak with Mike face-to-face about a paternity test for Ryan.

In the foreign port Jim is keen to track down Meers but in his fragile state Kate refuses to let him go alone. Dutchy accompanies them in what appears to be a desperate attempt to make amends for his earlier mistake. With Jim having difficulty keeping steady on his feet, Kate takes him back to the ship. Dutchy is left to his own devices and, in the course of investigating a lead, stumbles upon ASIO’s Madelaine Cruise.

There is a sexual spark between the pair and when Madelaine is attacked in her hotel room, Dutchy heroically comes to her aid – only to stuff up once again. The sudden romantic interaction is slightly perplexing but overall Conrad and Renai exude an appropriate level of chemistry. Conrad is also very skilled at extracting our empathy as Dutchy continuously – and innocently – gets his colleagues off-side. Dutchy doesn’t complain much, but his exasperation is palpable.

Mike, after eavesdropping on a personal conversation between Kate and Jim, confronts Kate to ask whether Jim is the reason she broke up with him. This scene stands out for several reasons. It is the first time in five seasons that we’ve seen Mike in the galley for more than a few seconds and a late night assignation in an environment usually abuzz and filled with light gives the place a rare solemnity. It is also the first time Mike and Kate have discussed matters of the heart in a public part of the ship for longer than a minute. It is a serious and somewhat heavy-hearted exchange underscored by mutual respect.

I felt a thick air of sadness hovering over this scene; we feel Mike’s pain but, perhaps strangely, we also ache for Kate. The musical score probably contributes to this mood but other viewers may take something else away from it. There is a refreshing directness and honesty about the conversation – as if Mike and Kate are too old now to be playing games – yet there is still evasiveness and unanswered questions. Ian and Lisa delve deep to execute a poignant scene which allows us to reflect on what might have been. To me, it is an unpretentious yet defining moment for these characters, delivered flawlessly by both actors.

Jim tries to convince Madelaine that his cover isn’t blown, and tells her he wants to continue with the arms deal. Jim is still in no condition to lead the team so Dutchy fills in. However, it seems ASIO might be withholding some important information from Dutchy which proves perilous when it matters most.

The action in the second half of the episode really picks up pace. With the seemingly indestructible Jim out of action due to injury, our heroes are once more given the chance to prove their mettle.

Categories: Exclusive Reviews

TV Soap Article June 8th 2011

Sometimes, a reputation can be dangerous thing – and Dutchy certainly has one hell of a reputation to live up to. The Petty Officer on the Hammersley is handsome, charming, intelligent and successful, and has a way with women that earned him a notorious reputation in every quarter of the Australian Navy. But that reputation is about to catch up with Dutchy (Conrad Coleby) in both his professional and personal life, thanks to Navcom officer Madelaine Cruise (Renai Caruso). She has heard all about Dutchy and his activities both on and off the ship, and she makes it clear – he is in her target. Madelaine makes no secret that she is unimpressed by what she has heard, on upcoming eps of Sea Patrol, and believes the naval officer is a threat to national security. But away from the ship, Dutchy quickly realises he is a target of a very different kind with Madelaine. Her sexy approach and seductive come-on leaves nothing to the imagination!

Dutchy is stunned by Madelaine’s hot and cold behaviour. He is incensed by her bold professional attacks on his character, but the truth is, he also finds her dangerously attractive. “There is such frfriction around them, and there is so much to-ing and fro-ing, and he really has no idea what is going on,” Conrad Coleby says from the Sea Patrol set. “Every way he turns, he finds nothing but confusion when it comes to this women. There is a real trust issue for both of them in everything that they do. He eventually has to stop and ask why she is being so difficult towards him?”

But the fractured relations between the pair reach an unusual new level when Mike (Ian Stenlake) instructs Dutchy to attend a meeting with Madelaine in her hotel room. From the moment she opens the door, it is very clear Madelaine has something on her mind, and it is nothing to do with the Hammersley crew’s latest mission. Every word she says and every look she gives him lets Dutchy know their relationship is about to enter a much more physical and very sexy new chapter – and he falls for it. But just as things are about to get very hot and steamy, Madelaine receives a top secret message from navy headquarters about an undercover mission, which is about to turn into a disaster.

Wanting to impress Madelaine and win her respect, he volunteers for the dangerous task of going undercover in a terrorist cell. But this could turn out to be the most dangerous decision of his life, as he will later wonder whether she was setting him up all along. “Madelaine thinks he can not be trusted, and she also accusses him of being indiscreet,” Coleby adds. “So he puts himself on the line to prove himself, but Dutchy soon realises she has sent him into real danger and his life is on the line – and there is much more to this than he was lead to believe. He soon discovers she has not done all she can do to protect him when he is on the job. So he wonders if that is just a very bad mistake, or if she was using him all along?”

The standoff and double dealing between the pair will take them into a dangerours territory – both of the work variety, as well as the human heart. But the sexual tension between the pair will continue to simmer until it reaches a boiling point, which could end up burning both of them. It will be another dangerous mission, however, that will change the dynamic between the star-crossed lovers. Dutchy will once again be forced to wonder if she has put his life on the line all in the name of getting the job done. But just when he is certain of his suspicions, Madelaine has another revelation involving a brutal murder that will drop an even more explosive bombshell on their fledgling affair. “This all comes out of trust, and that is one of the things I love about Dutchy – there is always some mystery to him,” Coleby says. ” You still have no idea what he is feeling half the time, and what he does tell, he tells in his own time.”

Categories: Articles - General (2011)

Series 5 – Review: Episode 5: ‘Dead Zone’

Episode 5, ‘Dead Zone’, is a return to mystery for the series. We open with a psycho reminiscent of a young Hannibal Lecter. This ‘monster’ tries to take a chunk out of Kate’s ear, apparently his preferred delicacy. He’s been terrorising the locals on Stokes Island.

Hammersley has been tasked to transfer the ‘Stokes Island monster’ to the mainland for psychiatric assessment and treatment. I was expecting him to break loose and the episode turn into ‘Red Sky Morning’ Mark II on board Hammersley. While that is a storyline I would love to see, the narrative at hand quickly takes a dramatic and unfortunate turn when Swain finds the prisoner dead.

Back at Navcom Maxine ‘Knocker’ White is fuming. She doesn’t want to see Navy ‘death in custody’ headlines and orders Hammersley back to Stokes Island for a goodwill visit. Mike stays back after this stern interaction, completely changes the atmosphere and asks Maxine out for a drink. He has something he needs to discuss…

Dutchy runs into ASIO spook, Madelaine Cruise (Renai Caruso) – He wants to know why she thinks he is a ‘security risk’. The scene here is quite humorous, and Conrad does a good job of keeping their exchange flowing and interesting despite the one-sidedness of the ‘conversation’. Renai plays the silent type well, ensuring that the scene does not belong to Conrad alone.

Mike and Maxine meet up for a drink, where Mike lets her know about the bone marrow results. Maxine expresses surprise as she tells Mike there is no way he can be Ryan’s father. It is refreshing to see Tammy more involved this season and it is enjoyable to see her out of Navcom and in civvies. I also think the ‘paternity’ storyline is being handled with greater respect, tact and care than most people are crediting it with. The way it is unfolding, the ‘soap’ label, I believe, is unwarranted. Viewers, however, will make up their own minds.

In a Mission Impossible-esque scene between Dutchy and RO, Dutchy asks RO to hack into ASIO’s computers to find out what they have on him, and learn a bit more about Ms Cruise. Kristian is in fine form as usual, and he and Conrad seem a bit like the new odd couple. Following on from this is a pretty funny and perfectly-timed scene between Mike, 2Dads, Ryan and Charge. It is a credit to the director (Steve Mann) and the actors that casual scenes like this just gel; that magic moment when everyone is on top of their game and the team work is so evident.

Back on the island, Kate and Swain are tasked with delivering medical supplies to the local GP, Dr John Wallace (played by Australian Idol judge Mark Holden – more than a ‘personality’, he is a legitimate actor). Holden’s transformation into a struggling, burnt-out GP is convincing. There are a few questionable moments of acting, but these pass quickly and on the whole Holden takes admirable command of a role that could easily be overplayed.

A sick girl and the medical reasons behind the ‘Stokes Island Monster’s’ death seem to point to something fishy going on. Dr John Wallace tells Kate of his water contamination theory, but Kate – having dismissed him as a drunk – is suspicious of his motives. A large fishing vessel might just point to the truth.

Kate is committed to the plight of the island. The mystery takes some unusual twists and turns, with explosions, and attacks on RHIBS along the way. The action in this episode really picks up from Episodes 3 and 4 up and the mystery is engaging. As we’ve become accustomed to lately, there is a revelation in the closing moments.

The acting is smooth, enabling the episode to achieve a good pace, and this results in a densely-packed 43 minutes. The guest acting is again at a high level – watch out for the perfectly subdued performance of Meganne West as one very sick little girl. Fans will enjoy the dynamics and quality of ‘Dead Zone’. It has all the ingredients that make for a deftly-balanced episode: humour, emotion and action!

Categories: Exclusive Reviews

Exclusive Interview with Hal and Di (18 May 2011)

1. How do you feel about the coverage of “Sea Patrol: Damage Control” in recent articles?

We’d always like more coverage and needless to say, we’d always prefer positive coverage. But…… Life ain’t like that. There’s tremendous competition from over 100 channels, all vying for attention from the media. The result is journalists/publications shrink their commentary (to make room for more variety) and tend to focus on just what the journalist/editors believe their readers want. The big impact stuff – not the crucial detail. So TV Week focusses on soap – no surprise there.

2. This season we have seen historical character relationships re-emerge, resulting in some seemingly out of character reactions or incongruous progressions for our long-standing favourites. Should fans be concerned?

Life would be very boring if it was straightforward. And of course in life everything changes all the time. To survive our characters have to roll with the punches and deal with the cards that life deals them. This makes for good drama. But no – the fans should not be concerned they should just enjoy the journey. Just wait and see.

3. Maxine can be seen as a role model for female sailors aspiring to achieve leadership positions in what is still predominantly a man’s world. Do you think upcoming storylines will change this?

No. Maxine is a terrific character who is played by a terrific actor (Tammy MacIntosh). Everyone has multiple sides to their character – public/private/interior/exterior. Tammy manages the challenge of juggling the need to reveal with the need to hide or protect. The fact that her character can manage all this at the same time as being a good and professional leader is, we think, makes for a worthwhile role model.

4. Many people are interested to know why Ryan returned? Was it due to fan reaction, or just to suit a bigger storyline?

It’s true to say that the impact that prior familial relationships have on present and future generations, has been a subject of drama for literally thousands of years. No man is truly an island as is demonstrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s astonishing confirmation of the reasons his 25 year marriage ended. In families amazing ‘stuff’ happens. The continuance of the Ryan character arose as a result of the number of people who commented on how he looked so much like a young Mike. So, as storytellers, we thought – what if!!!

5. Mike and Kate have been on-again and off-again for a couple of years now. What do you say to fans who may be tiring of the see-sawing and just want a resolution – one way or another? Will there be any sort of resolution to this relationship by the end of Season 5?

Will there will be a resolution – yes! Will it be easy? No.

6. What can you say to fans to allay fears that “Sea Patrol” is descending into soapie territory?

As storytellers we face pressure from every direction. There are those that just want bang bang boom – nothing else. Against those that want character. We try to achieve a balance between those two extremes. Some in the media say ‘no sex equals boring’, or respectful Navy style conversation (Yes Sir, No Mam) equals wooden dialogue. Some push for more sizzle. Some compare our action scenes to American movies and say – fail! What to do? Try and invest the material with truthfulness and reliability. For that you really have to look at the whole episode, not just focus on the promo highlights or magazine headlines. Of the 50-60 scenes we shoot per episode, there would be no more than 10% devoted to continuing character storylines (which we’re guessing is what you call soap). 90% is about a day in the life of HMAS Hammersley. That’s the big picture.

7. The terrorism throughline has essentially been absent from the last couple of episodes. How much further is this explored? Will it mean more action for the Hammersley?

The network insists we try to achieve twin goals. Firstly to make a stand alone story for every episode so that any ‘new’ viewer can enjoy without having seen anything before. Secondly to tell an engaging continuing story that hooks people into coming back each week. So of course these two requests collide. Of course we also need a multi episode connecting storyline to qualify as a mini series. That’s why the so called ‘terrorism’ storyline plays out over 13 episodes But it may not feature in every episode as we don’t want to alienate new viewers. So – yes – there’s heaps more action to come.

8. What more can you share about the remainder of the series?

Just like boats at sea, our characters bounce around a lot. Sometimes colliding, sometimes just missing each other. Meanwhile big events are unfolding – so there’s storm clouds on the horizon and lots of squalls in between.

One thing to remember. The network chose to put the show in a very competitive slot, which has resulted in lower ratings than in our previous timeslot. That’s not a comment on the quality of the show, it’s just the result of intense competition. It’s warfare out there in television land. Our ratings actually increased last night, so fingers crossed they keep doing so for the next episodes.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with Matthew Holmes (Swain)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

At the end of the day it will be a myriad of memories of doing endless Bridge scenes and having Stenlake and Schmid entertaining all with out-take improvisations. If only they were caught on tape…

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

The fight scenes are always pretty terrifying. Not for your own safety, but more the responsibility of having to ensure the safety of the other actors and trying to make the fight look believable. That always scares me.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

At first it was a sad realisation that it was coming to an end. But if we had been told at the start that we would get five series, we would’ve been ecstatic.

4. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

(a) Professionally – The opportunity to work consistently with such a talented crew and cast is probably a once in a lifetime experience. What I have garnered from this will hopefully set a platform to go from in the future.

(b) Personally – The friendships that have been formed over 5 years are some of the strongest I have. And although the show is ending, those friendships will go on.

5. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I guess my perspective is as an actor. When the first series began, there was barely any Australian dramas on TV. Certainly no new ones! Over the five years we have seen the Australian voice become more prevalent. We have also seen the Australian pubic demand more Aussie drama on their TV screens. In some way it feels like Sea Patrol was a catalyst for this movement.

It was also a bold move on behalf of the producers to create such a visually ‘big’ show. Big budgets, big seas, big boats. I believe this show has raised the expectations of the Aussie audience. No longer are big production values the sole domain of American TV shows!

Categories: Interviews

Drowning in guilt

By Carolyn Stewart
TV Week
May 21 2011

This week, there’s yet another setback for viewers who want seafaring couple Mike and Kate to sort out their problems and live happily ever, as Mike goes out with Maxine. Nooooo!

Still hurting after Kate (Lisa McCune) called things off, Mike (Ian Stenlake) is also reeling from last week’s shock development that brought his romantic past with Maxine (Tammy MacIntosh) roaring back into the present.

“There are also some pretty emotionally charged situations that Mike must face,” reveals Ian of his character’s predicament. “Again these are things from their past, 20 years in his past, that come back to haunt him.”

Mike continues to carry a mountain of guilt, and shares his anxiety over the issue with Maxine… which sees them end up between the sheets together! “Obviously they’re very good friends and he’s the godfather to her son. They kind of rekindle things,” Ian explains.

Elsewhere, keep an eye out for former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden, who pops up as a drunken doctor named John Wallace. Despite his high levels of intoxication, the medic gives Kate plenty of food for thought and makes this episode a must-see.

Categories: Articles - General (2011)

Series 5 – Review: Episode 4: ‘Spoils of War’

Episode 4, ‘Spoils of War’, is a heartfelt episode that explores the continuing problem of ‘boat people’. As promised, Hal and Di steer clear of political debate, instead focusing on the human side of this very tragic issue.

I really like Swain, and am always excited when he is central to a story. This storyline is by far one of the best Swain episodes of the series and I’m glad they left it until now to tackle.

As Hammersley prepares to board a suspected people smuggling boat, they see smoke in the distance. They arrive to find bodies in the water; their job becomes a recovery rather than rescue operation. Swain feels the full impact of the disaster when he checks a young girl’s body for life. Swain must endure the heartbreaking job of tagging the bodies and looking for personal affects to try and identify the dead.

Mike briefs the crew and reminds them that this is a major ‘interest story’ and not to talk to the media. With little dialogue, it is clearly evident that the tragedy has affected many of the crew personally; especially Swain, a man known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Whilst preparing for leave, Mike tries to reach out to Kate after her decision to break off their relationship. She doesn’t want to discuss it; as far as she is concerned it’s over between them. I found this scene very stilted and a bit out-of-sync with what we’ve seen in earlier episodes. However, it might just be Kate trying to avoiding the awkwardness of the situation.

Outside the front gates of the Cairns Base, Swain is confronted by a small group eager for information about the people on the boat that sank. As per his orders, Swain distances himself from them.

Back at Junior Sailors’ accommodation, 2Dads runs into Ryan who is planning to ask Bird out on a date. But before he has the chance, Ryan receives a letter posting him to HMAS Hammersley. As soon as he reports to his new CO, none other than his Godfather Mike Flynn, the initiation pranks begin!

Back at sea, Hammersley discovers a boat at the exact location that the people smuggling boat went down. Upon investigation, a lone man is found on board and claims to be the father of the young girl Swain pulled from the water. In a moment of weakness, Swain tells the man the girl is dead. In some quite moving moments, we see the pain of a father’s loss.

When RO finds out that the girl’s real father has already claimed the body from the mortuary, suspicion falls on the man they found at sea who has now disappeared.

A blast from the past, Stuart White (Ryan’s father), calls Mike Flynn and they meet up at a local pub. Mike learns that Stuart needs help and that help needs to come from Ryan. Father and son are not on speaking terms and Stuart asks Mike to plead his case.

Mike notices Kate nearby having lunch with SAS Captain Jim Roth. We see a glimpse of jealously from Mike as he catches a few sparks flying between the reunited pair.

When Mike talks to Ryan on Stuart’s behalf, he finds that Ryan wants nothing to do with his father. Mike seeks out Kate for her advice on how he can convince Ryan to help his father. This scene feels more like the scenes we’ve come to expect. The underlying tension is still present but Mike and Kate conduct themselves with maturity and professionalism.

Swain tracks down the real father of the dead girl and tries to learn more about the people smuggling ring. When the father does a runner, Hammersley sails to track him down. The crew soon comes across another people smuggling vessel. After boarding, an explosion rips through the boat and the full, sinister truth is exposed.

Like Episode 2, a big surprise is revealed in the final few seconds.

Matt Holmes again delivers a great performance. The pain he shows through his facial expressions and body language is real and raw. He is captivating but heartbreaking to watch. I feel Matt’s skill and his character are under-used; but this just makes “Sea Patrol” all the more enjoyable when he does get the spotlight.

The guest performances in this episode are high quality. The emotion they display throughout really brings the story home and I think the casting was spot-on.

The overall narrative of ‘Spoils of War’ is very moving and, frankly, necessary. In the midst of fierce political debate and scare-mongering, many people lose sight of the human reality of refugee and asylum-seeker issues. Although not as fast-paced as Episode 1 or 2, the rhythm is well-measured. I am glad we are able to see an episode like this before the series ends; I feel it needed to be made. It is a credit to the producers and the cast.

Categories: Exclusive Reviews