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 42-episode season concluded 28 November 2001. The main cast returned from season 7 barring the departure of Lisa McCune as Maggie Doyle and with the introduction of Ditch Davey as Evan 'Jonesy' Jones. Like preceding seasons, the eighth season was released on DVD both as a two part set and a complete set, on 1 October 2008.
Casting
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2008)
Jack is beginning to get the hang of his legs again after the 5% operation was a success. Tess begins to have feelings for Jack up to a point where they start a secret relationship in the episode "Manly Art". Their relationship is going somewhere until a case comes up about an old time drug dealer who just got out of prison. 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 Killing the drug dealer. Tess says one of them should get a transfer to St Davids because they could never work together if they can't trust one another. Jack then admits he could have saved the guy but instead watched him fall to his death. Jack is charged and 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. New probationary Constable Jones has arrived with a secret plot to find out what really happened in his father's death. Tess and Jo quickly take a liking to 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 knows not to mix work with play. Jonesy suspects a local building contractor, Les Anderson, of murdering his father. After a DDT poisoning is connected to Anderson, Jonesy inserts himself into the investigation. Commander Jones, Jonesy's adoptive father, halts the investigation as Jonesy realizes there's been a coverup in his father's case. Anderson is then implicated in a death on his building site and later he's found very seriously assaulted. Before he dies, he confesses privately to Jonesy that he did kill Jonesy's father. By the time the team has solid evidence of the crime, Anderson has died and Jonesy has to decide if he will stay in the police force. Tess finds a child from a troubled home has slept in overnight in her car. More trauma touches the family when Tess makes an error in professional judgement, and when things don't go well for the child in her new placement, Tess adopts her. Tom starts a relationship with Grace Curtis, the new Anglican minister, but her son's bad behavior is too great a strain on the relationship.
Reception
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2008)
Ratings in the 8th season began to decline slowly, with many fans disliking Maggie's absence, or the absence of the so-called "McCune-Factor".[1]
A woman rushes into the station claiming a man has kidnapped her children, and Ben's work starts to mirror his private life.
296
2
"The Blame Game (2)"
Declan Eames
Bill Garner and Harriet Smith
28 February 2001 (2001-02-28)
The father of the children appears in court with a bomb stapped to his body and abducts Ben.
297
3
"Deadly Fascination"
Kevin Carlin
David Boutland
7 March 2001 (2001-03-07)
A crime fiction writer is asking a lot of questions about the death of a baby 25 years ago.
298
4
"Letter of the Law"
Chris Langman
Tony Morphett
14 March 2001 (2001-03-14)
Tess and Tom must choose a new policeman for nearby Widgeree.
299
5
"A Bit on the Side"
Grant Brown
Dave Worthington
21 March 2001 (2001-03-21)
PJ is faced with the opportunity to move back to the city when two detectives turn up.
300
6
"Tough Nut"
Declan Eames
Cassandra Carter
28 March 2001 (2001-03-28)
Tess takes on more than her job demands when she tries to help the three children of a local woman.
301
7
"The Fine Print"
Raymond Quint
Peter Dick
4 April 2001 (2001-04-04)
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?
302
8
"Family Reserve"
Kevin Carlin
Jo Merle and John Banas
11 April 2001 (2001-04-11)
Jo is under pressure when her parents arrive in town to find their "princess" another career.
303
9
"Chop Chop"
Chris Langman
David Allen
18 April 2001 (2001-04-18)
PJ's plans for an illegal tobacco raid are blown.
304
10
"Blood"
Roger Hodgman
Deborah Parsons
25 April 2001 (2001-04-25)
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.
305
11
"They Don't Make Them Like They Used To"
Raymond Quint
Chris Corbett
2 May 2001 (2001-05-02)
Jo takes on a case involving Mount Thomas' only cinema which goes back 30 years.
306
12
"Love and Money"
Graham Thorburn
David Boutland
9 May 2001 (2001-05-09)
Arnie Briggs is out of prison and Jack is after him dragging Tess into a highly volatile situation.
307
13
"Fowl Play"
Peter Sharp
Bill Garner
16 May 2001 (2001-05-16)
Jo takes on a case as an amusing diversion from paperwork, only to find it could have life threatening consequences for the people of Mount Thomas.
308
14
"Fooling Around"
Kevin Carlin
Michaeley O'Brien
23 May 2001 (2001-05-23)
Ben's love of drink and woman lead him into dangerous terrain - both personally and professionally.
309
15
"Death By Flight"
Chris Langman
David Worthington
30 May 2001 (2001-05-30)
A plane crashes into a farmhouse, killing three people, and P.J. and Ben face emotional barriers while investigating a complex case.
310
16
"A Friend Indeed"
Richard jasek
Yuki Asano and Caroline Stanton
6 June 2001 (2001-06-06)
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 ideas of friendship and betrayal.
311
17
"The Manly Art"
Kevin Carlin
Caroline Stanton
13 June 2001 (2001-06-13)
P.J. plays cupid in helping Jack form a romantic bond with Tess.
312
18
"Falling Part 1"
Peter Sharp
Tony Morphett
20 June 2001 (2001-06-20)
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.
313
19
"Falling Part 2"
Grant Brown
John Banas
20 June 2001 (2001-06-20)
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
314
20
"Winners And Losers"
Aarne Neeme
David Allen
27 June 2001 (2001-06-27)
Tess must put Jack out of her mind when her attempts to rescue a kidnapped boy placing her own life in danger.
315
21
"No Place Like Home"
Riccardo Pelizzeri
Deborah Parsons and David Allen
11 July 2001 (2001-07-11)
P.J. must confront his deepest beliefs when a desperate young man needs his help.
316
22
"Dragged"
Peter Sharp
Bill Garner
18 July 2001 (2001-07-18)
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
317
23
"Baby Love"
Steve Mann
Cliff Green
25 July 2001 (2001-07-25)
Jonesy's preconceptions about the sanctity of parenthood are challenged when he befriends a young mother in trouble.
318
24
"An Inspector Calls"
Roger Hodgman
Dave Worthington
1 August 2001 (2001-08-01)
Jo and Falcon-Price have no choice but to work as a team when both their lives are threatened.
319
25
"Dinosaurs"
Steve Mann
Chris Corbett
8 August 2001 (2001-08-08)
Tom is faced with one of the toughest decisions of his career when two old friends are suspected of theft.
320
26
"Charming"
Esben Storm
Cassandra Carter
15 August 2001 (2001-08-15)
Ben's protective instincts threaten to overcome him as he races to save a young girl from certain harm.
321
27
"The Sins of the Father"
Fiona Banks
Carol Williams
22 August 2001 (2001-08-22)
Jo must confront her prejudices when a local politician dies under suspicious circumstances.
322
28
"Poisoned Fruit Part 1"
Denny Lawrence
Tony Morphett
29 August 2001 (2001-08-29)
Jonesy risks everything to avenge his father's death.
323
29
"Poisoned Fruit Part 2"
Roger Hodgman
Tony Morphett
5 September 2001 (2001-09-05)
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?
324
30
"Fifteen Minutes"
Fiona Banks
Abe Pogos
19 September 2001 (2001-09-19)
Jo's vanity threatens to undermine her ability to do her job.
325
31
"Copping The Flak"
Declan Eames
Caroline Stanton
26 September 2001 (2001-09-26)
Ben and Jonesy's essential differences threaten to complicate an investigation.
326
32
"Strays"
Chris Langman
Philip Dalkin
3 October 2001 (2001-10-03)
Tess questions her own happiness when that of a little girl is threatened.
327
33
"The Lord Giveth"
Declan Eames
John Banas
10 October 2001 (2001-10-10)
An investigation into a nobly motivated burglar leads Tom to discover the identity of a mysterious and attractive woman.
328
34
"Credit Limit"
Daina Reid
Dave Worthington
17 October 2001 (2001-10-17)
Jonesy's inexperience and good intentions place lives at risk.
329
35
"A Hard Call"
Aarne Neeme
Bill Garner
17 October 2001 (2001-10-17)
Tess' actions are placed under scrutiny when she makes a life and death decision.
330
36
"Role Model"
Chris Langman
David Allen
24 October 2001 (2001-10-24)
Tom questions the role of a mentor when a burglar's bid to impress leads to a serious crime.
331
37
"A Safe Bet"
Declan Eames
John Banas and Karen Altman
31 October 2001 (2001-10-31)
Jo fights to help a young man when he lacks the strength to help himself.
332
38
"A Matter of Faith"
Riccardo Pellizzeri
Ysabella Dean
7 November 2001 (2001-11-07)
Jo marvels at the human capacity for forgiveness when a faith healer is assaulted.
333
39
"Who Can You Trust?"
Fiona Banks
Caroline Stanton and Piers Hobson
11 November 2001 (2001-11-11)
Jonesy risks Tess' trust when she suspects him of influencing a witness to suit his own prejudice.
334
40
"Best Eaten Cold"
Chris Langman
Tony Morphett
21 November 2001 (2001-11-21)
Jonesy must reevaluate his place on the force when he learns the truth about his father's death.
335
41
"The Real Santa"
Steve Mann
Caroline Stanton
28 November 2001 (2001-11-28)
Does Ben's hunger for the perfect Christmas place his children's happiness at risk?
336
42
"Dreaming of a White Christmas"
Roger Hodgman
Michaeley O'Brien
28 November 2001 (2001-11-28)
It's Christmas and everyone celebrates it or avoids it in their own way.
Weakest Link Special Episode
On 9 August 2001, a special episode of The Weakest Link featuring the actors from Blue Heelers went to air.[6] The results were as follows:
Main Rounds
Final Round
Round:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Final
Voted Out:
Peta 5/9 Votes
Caroline1 3/8 Votes
Paul 4/7 Votes
Jane 4/6 Votes
Suzi2 2/5 Votes
Jeremy 3/4 Votes
Ditch 2/3 Votes
–
John (Winner) Neil (Runner-up)
Money Banked:
$7,500
$5,500
$3,500
$0
$3,200
$4,000
$1,200
$3,500 x 3
$35,400 TOTAL
Contestant
Votes
John
Peta
Caroline
Paul
Jane
Suzi
Jeremy
Ditch
Won
Neil
Peta
Caroline
Ditch
Jane
Suzi
Jeremy
Ditch
Lost
Ditch
Peta
Jeremy
Paul
Jane
Jeremy
Jeremy
John
Jeremy
Peta
Suzi
Paul
Jane
Neil Suzi2
John
Suzi
Peta
Ditch
Jeremy
Jeremy
Jeremy
Jane
Jeremy
Caroline
Paul
John
Paul
Jeremy
Jeremy
John
Caroline
Jane
Jeremy
Peta
Jane
Note that the following are regarding the contestant, not the contestant the contestant votes against:
Red indicates the contestant was the weakest link
Lime indicates the contestant was the strongest link
1 Jeremy and Caroline tied with three votes each, but as Neil was the strongest link, he opted to vote Caroline off.
2 Jeremy and Suzi tied with two votes each, but as Jeremy was the strongest link, and could not vote himself off, he opted to vote Suzi off, though he originally voted for Neil who was not part of the tie.
Peta was first eliminated for not answering enough questions correctly. Caroline was next on a countback also for not answering enough questions correctly. Paul followed for being too big a threat to the team. Jane was voted out for not answering any questions correctly. Suzi was eliminated on a countback for not answering enough questions correctly. Jeremy was next also for not answering enough questions correctly. Ditch was voted out for not banking anything nor answering any questions correctly. In the end, John defeated Neil in the head-to-head round.
The final total won was $35,400, which John donated to the Red Cross Australia.
DVD release
Similarly to the release of Blue Heelers' seventh season, the eight season was also postponed due to the contractual negotiations. However, everything was finalised for a 1 October 2008 release.[7] Like the seventh season, "The Complete Eight Season" will be released as a complete boxset.
![[icon]](File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
