Packed to the Rafters

Seasons

2008

7.5

Meet Dave and Julie Rafter: just your average Australians with three adult children. On the eve of their 25th wedding anniversary it seems that they're about to have their house to themselves at long last.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Pilot

Happily-married couple Julie and Dave are over the moon when their youngest child, Bn, finally decides to leave home. After raising three kids, the couple are free. It's a chance for them to do what they want, on their own terms.

S1 • E2

Playing a Googly

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital.

S1 • E3

She Ain't Heavy

Rachel's growing alcohol dependence sends her family over the edge, and her careless actions could spell the end for one of them. Julie desperately brings the family together for a therapeutic barbecue, but simmering tensions erupt.

S1 • E4

How Did We Get Here?

Sammy and Nathan's marriage is in crisis when she can no longer keep secret the reason they moved back in with Nathan's parents. This leaves Nathan with no option but to count on the family he's always taken for granted.

S1 • E5

Lines of Communication

Ben finds himself in uncomfortable possession of a devastating secret which could blow his family apart; with Dave's freelance career failing to take off, Julie makes a tough decision which tests the strength of their marriage.

S1 • E6

Facing Demons

Rachel faces up to her shameful past. In flashbacks, she tells how she met, fell in love and eventually left Daniel, the man responsible for emailing their private video. Ted decides to move back home but what is he hiding?

S1 • E7

Self Made Man

Nathan's world is turned upside down as Julie and Dave make a splash at his father-in-law's 50th birthday party. Nathan learns a valuable lesson about wealth and happiness when the life he has and the life he wants collide.

S1 • E8

Taking the Lead

A drunken one-night stand turns Ben's world upside-down; Dave must face up to the secrets of his past; Carbo strikes up a surprising friendship with unexpectedly romantic results.

S1 • E9

Suburban Boy

Dave reconnects with his foster brother, '80s rock star Steve Wilson, leading to an offer he can't refuse. Meanwhile, after a risky gamble with his boss's money, Nathan races the clock to save his job.

S1 • E10

All in the Planning

Rachel is faced with a terrible decision; Ben gets the wrong idea when he stumbles upon a secret in Melissa's handbag; Sammy is offered the possibility of a glamorous job in London--but will she leave Nathan behind?

S1 • E11

Away from It All

Julie forces her dispirited family to the beach for a restorative weekend away--that leads to everyone feeling restored but Julie herself; Ted receives advice from beyond the grave.

S1 • E12

Removing the Block

Ted steps back into the weird, wonderful world of dating. His journey begins when, encouraged by Louise's letter to the future, he attends a meeting of Friend Finders, a social-networking group for people over 50.

S1 • E13

Smiling Through the Pain

Dave's birthday end in disaster after a fight breaks out in a pole-dancing club. Forced to take on extra work to pay some unexpected bills, Dave reluctantly bonds with Warney - and discovers the beginnings of a surprising friendship.

S1 • E14

A Mother's Radar

Julie struggles with the realisation that her "mother's radar" about her children's problems isn't always so exact. Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with Vishnu a secret from the family, but is he all that he seems?

S1 • E15

Natural Justice

Ben willingly takes on a call to jury duty where he meets Kat, a massage therapist with a refreshing perspective. Meanwhile, Dave's fledgling business is struggling under the weight of too much work until he gets a helping hand.

S1 • E16

Having It All

Looking for direction and focus, Rachel throws herself into a new chapter in her life. This includes an embarrassing night of speed-dating and also the nerve-wracking experience of applying for a job far above her level of experience.

S1 • E17

Changes

Dave sees red when he learns that the man Rachel is seeing is an old cricket friend from many years ago: he remembers Rob as a tireless Lothario.

S1 • E18

House of Cards

After a drunken one-night-stand with Kat, Ben faces a gut-wrenching dilemma. Should he tell Melissa the truth?

S1 • E19

Over the Moon

The full moon inspires erratic and crazy behaviour among the Rafter clan.

S1 • E20

Losing the Touch

Julie fears that as she heads into menopause she's losing the "mojo" that has always enabled her to dispense sound wisdom to family and friends.

S1 • E21

What a Difference a Year Makes

The first anniversary of her mother's death finds Julie also struggling to adjust to what she believes is the onset of menopause--and then to what it actually turns out to be.

Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone

S1 • E22

Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone

Julie and Dave wrestle with a life-changing decision that will shake the family's foundations. Meanwhile, Rachel reveals a secret, and Ben fears the worst when Melissa's ex-fiance' turns up at his door.