Packed To The Rafters

Julie has high hopes as she prepares for Nathan's homecoming - but Ted's worsening condition threatens to burst her bubble. Dave has high hopes for his new employee - Buzz - who despite running late, quickly proves himself a capable sparky and an easy-going guy. But things are never what they seem.

Nathan is working hard to build a solid base for Saskia and Edward in Australia and accepts a job offer despite its obvious shortfalls. Saskia is excited to be joining him, but little does Nathan know, for the first time in their married life, Saskia is keeping something from him. Meanwhile, Emma is quietly giddy at the prospect of her blossoming romance with Craig.

When new employee Buzz brings his wayward son Jackson onto site, Dave begins to suspect his good nature is being taken advantage of. Meanwhile, Donna is mortified when she learns that both she and Emma have been played by Craig. Donna tries to avoid telling Emma, but she can't hide the truth forever, setting up an impending confrontation like no other...

Rocked after confronting escort Craig over his duplicitous ways, Donna calls on Julie for support, and the two women admit they're not coping as well as they pretend. Meanwhile, having found a place to rent, Nathan's done all he can to prepare for his wife and baby's arrival. But when he gets to the airport, all the planning in the world could not prepare him for what he finds.

An exhausted Nathan arrives in London looking for Saskia and baby Edward, desperate to find out why his wife never arrived in Sydney as planned...and the answer changes his life forever. Back in Sydney, Julie's concern for Nathan is exacerbated by Ted's continuing decline - which is clearly accelerating when Julie witnesses him confusing Eleanor for her mother.

Ted continues to drift between present day and his memories of the past, forcing both him and his family to come to terms with their new reality. Meanwhile, Julie's grateful for the distraction of helping sleep-deprived Nathan, who's floundering as a single dad with a tough sales job. But Julie's gentle intrusions bother Nathan, who wants to parent his own way.

Carbo is happy with where his life is and all he wants for his birthday is a romantic night with Retta - just the two of them. But Retta has been making plans to throw a giant surprise party. And when Carbo discovers she's been lying to him over something as fundamental as having a child, it's shaping up to be one hell of a party...

Dave's enduring belief that nothing is beyond repair is put to the test when a crisis envelops the Rafter family. Frankie visits Coby in prison and after some initial awkwardness, they fall back into their usual, easy banter. But any hope Frankie has about their future is sidelined when she discovers that someone else has feelings for her.

Julie and Dave raise the difficult topic of nursing homes with Ted, and while he initially digs his heels in, a potentially serious accident forces him to acknowledge that he's becoming a danger to himself and others. Frankie is juggling a visit from older sister Carla and once again, unresolved family issues loom large. After an intense build-up, Buzz and Emma finally get together.

It's a matter of head versus heart as Julie and Dave wrestle with their decision to sell their beloved family home. When push comes to shove will they be able to go through with it? Jackson, miserable living with his mum and her new boyfriend, fishes to move in with Buzz. Matt, in the middle of a drought, has a lucky break - an invite to record some songs with a band.

Ben, Coby and Sammy all return to the Rafter fold. But with the Rafter house already sold and Julie and Dave unable to decide on another house to buy, it's obvious the centre of the Rafter universe has shifted. The return of Ben rattles Emma as she worries that seeing Ben will stir up old feelings.

Concerned by the lack of enthusiasm Julie has for their new rental place, Dave suggests they put their stuff in storage and take Ruby and go travelling instead - however Julie is not ready to leave Ted. An impromptu party is organised, with everyone gathered to farewell the house during which Ted gives Julie a priceless gift, allowing her to move on.