Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

Rachel wrestles with the potentially relationship-wrecking pitfalls of getting everything you want - particularly when truth is number one on the wish-list. Guilt-ridden about invading Coby's private garage space, Rachel compounds her sin by inadvertently offering his artwork as part of an advertising campaign. Under the pump from pushy boss Paul (MARTIN LYNES), Rachel is forced to admit to Coby the truth - she's seen his art. Feeling betrayed, Coby immediately sets about destroying it as Rachel understands how deeply she's hurt him. Hiding his hurt behind forced party-mode, Coby organises an impromptu birthday bash for himself, inviting the Rafter regulars and his bogan mates from Coolong and generally regressing all around. But Rachel suspects Coby's act is actually a mask for his pain. Will she ever be able to regain his trust again? Rachel's also having honesty issues with Jake, who's being vague about his reasons for quitting rugby. Things come to a head at Coby's party, when the police come to take Jake away for questioning. Upon his return, Jake reveals he's been charged with attempted sexual assault, strongly asserting his innocence. Rachel is reeling. Why would Jake have kept the dramatic events of his rugby weekend a secret so long? And how can their relationship survive such a grievous breach of trust? Meanwhile, Carbo and Retta continue to suffer as Rita (DINA PANOZZO) descends further into loneliness, driving her neighbours mad with dirge-like Greek folk music. Nathan can't bear it, spending the majority of his time complaining to Dave and Julie about his living conditions. At wit's end, Retta turns to Julie for advice, unwittingly sending Rita on a brief foray into the world of internet dating - much to Carbo's horror. Eventually a heart to heart with Julie helps Rita move beyond her impasse and relative peace returns to the Karandonis house. A vacancy at the local child care centre sends Ruby's baby-sitters Ben and Ted into a spin, and they become locked in a comic competition to prove their baby-sitting worth. Julie's torn, and Dave reminds his wife she's always wanted more time on their hands - but is this another case of being 'careful what you wish for...'?

With an expanding business, new premises and a new employee, Dave has high hopes indeed. But it seems what Dave considers chivalry, Frankie considers sexism. Coby too is having trouble adjusting to his new workmate. But is his disapproval masking deeper feelings? Despite his increasingly close relationship with Emma, Ben still hasnt invited her to stay the night - another bridge to cross in his grieving process for Mel. But an unexpected event helps to give him a push.But in the morning Ben doesnt feel the peace he was hoping for, prompting him to come up with a new solution.

Rachel's doubts are intensified as she visits Jake to invite him to her farewell dinner. One thing leads to another and the invitation inevitably turns into a moment of good-bye passion. With Rachel now confused, Nathan convinces her she's made the right decision and she'll regret it forever if she doesn't go. Dave's father, Tom, announces his parole has come through and he's looking forward to spending more time with the family. Rachel tearfully farewells her family and sets off overseas, but Jake takes off in pursuit, determined to catch her, resulting in an emotional roadside exchange between the two lovers.

Everybody is up in arms about Tom's disappearance with the insurance money. Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies.

Dave's increasingly exhausted as the demands of his new job take their toll, and for the first time in his life he forgets his anniversary. Julie convinces Dave that his exhaustion is a sign...

Rachel gets back into the dating game. Encouraged by her best friend Libby, Rachel reluctantly agrees to be set up on a blind date. After they literally run into a gorgeous, crude rugby player – Jake – at the park, Rachel is even more determined to date the perfect man, and gives Libby an impossible checklist of necessary qualities her date must possess. Libby comes up with the goods in the form of handsome, successful, well travelled Marcus but the date is a disaster. Rachel’s mood isn’t helped by constantly running into the crude Jake. Undeterred, Libby tries again with the charming, fun and cute Ritchie – but he comes with his own set of issues. It’s a case of third time lucky when Libby persuades Rachel to date one more guy – Max – who turns out to be short, overweight…and fascinating. However, Rachel gets a shock when Max turns her down gently – he only wants to date girls with red hair! Realising that she is being taught a lesson, Rachel decides to embrace whatever the universe offers her – no more lists. But the last thing she expects to discover is that Jake is Dave’s new electrician. What is the universe offering Rachel and will she take it? Ben’s determined to win the job of manager at the boat club. He goes to the interview and meets Fergus, his rival for the position. Derek their boss gives them a challenge – one slow night each to turn a decent profit. Who’ll get the job? Nathan has started his new job as a suburban real estate agent. However, he’s stunned when his boss Tim relegates him to a very junior role. All his attempts to prove himself fall on dead ears – so Nathan decides to take a gamble on a client without telling Tim. Will Nathan blow it?

After turning up at the Rafter house and disappearing without so much as a word, Rachel 'Chel' Warne uses an electrical ruse to lure Dave to the shop where she is working. Although the meeting is awkward, Dave invites her to lunch the next day. The whole family is nervous about the encounter, but Chel soon charms them all - apart from Dave. Will the pain of his past prevent him from embracing a future with his mother? Jake and Rachel's worlds collide when Jake invites himself to her launch of 'Rampant', a men's body spray. Jake feels like a fish out of water at the launch, but when the sound system blows, who else can save the day but an electrician? However, Rachel and Jake's romantic night together at a hotel is interrupted by a phone call from Jake's overprotective mum Grace, trying to emotionally blackmail him into coming home early. Rachel has had enough and confronts Grace... which Jake witnesses. Whose side will Jake be forced to take? Narrated by: Rachel Rafter

Julie's new friendship with Donna is tested when she discovers that Donna suffers from OCD

Coby is particularly gutted, secretly blaming himself for not being honest with the Rafters about Tom's part in the worksite robberies.

Ted resolves to take a leap of faith and seize life with both hands. But as his best-laid plans are put to waste, is his leap destined to become a stumble? Ben agrees to go to the movies with Emma, but asks Nathan and Coby to join them to relieve the pressure of the evening feeling like a date; however, Coby's terrible cinema etiquette and embarrassing antics causes Ben to eject the boys. Now all alone, will Ben and Emma finally succumb to their brewing feelings? Meanwhile, Dave is struggling to take his own leap of faith and accept his brother Matt.

Dave and Julie discover how one inexplicable chain of events can almost end in disaster. Dave is alone with Ruby when he gets a call requiring his presence back on site. With no babysitter, Dave takes Ruby with him and enlists Coby to look after her. For a brief moment Coby takes his eyes off Ruby and she wanders into the building site. Panic sets in when Dave discovers she's locked herself in a room with a dangerous drop. Will they get to her before it's too late? Meanwhile, Ben is doing his best to take things slowly with Emma, but Carbo makes his disapproval known after having witnessed Ben and Emma's kiss.

Julie receives a surprise invitation from the charming editor of a local paper Adam Goodman - an offer that will ultimately send her into uncharted waters but is she ready to say yes? After interviewing two male sparkies, Dave is stunned when an attractive woman arrives for the interview. Coby arrives home from overseas, having cut short his trip, only to discover in his absence that Matt has moved into the house with Jake. Meanwhile, Ted continues to bond with Cooper. But a disturbing encounter jeopardises not only their relationship, but Teds reputation. Meanwhile, Emma takes tentative steps to claim more of a place for herself in her relationship with Ben, and is relieved when he finally removes his wedding ring. But how much has Ben really moved on?

Tension remains high in the Rafter house as Julie and Dave struggle to forgive each other. Ted is caught in the middle and is sick of having to hide the real reason behind their squabbles from Ben.

Julie has high hopes as she prepares for Nathan's homecoming - but Ted's worsening condition threatens to burst her bubble.

Dave reluctantly bonds with Warney and discovers the beginnings of a surprising friendship. Meanwhile, Julie cramps Rachel's style when she signs up for the same yoga class.

What a difference a year makes! It has been a year in TV land according to the Packed to the Rafters show, and therefore two special anniversaries are marked in the lives of the Rafter family. The first one is that of Nathan and Sammy's marriage. The second anniversary is that of the death of Louise, Ted's wife and Julie's mother.

Last week saw a huge surprise bestowed on Dave and Julie. With three grown up kids, and the youngest being born 21 years ago, just how will Dave and Julie cope? What with the nappies, school runs and the lack of sleep and time; let alone the actual delivery? Dave and Julie have some serious life changing decisions to make, that not only have ramifications for themselves as individuals and a couple, but may shake the very foundation of the family.

Steve Wilson makes Nathan an unexpected offer. Nathan’s life is finally back on track. He’s on the verge of pushing through a major sales coup and his boss Tim raises the possibility of a future partnership in the business. However, a spanner is thrown in the works when Dave’s ex-bandmate and close friend Steve Wilson returns from touring to announce that he’s launching a new publishing and composing division of his label with a party to which all the Rafters are invited. The party is a glamour-affair of champagne and celebrities like Kate Ceberano, David Campbell and So You Think You Can Dance’s RHYS BOBRIDGE. During the festivities, Layla - Steve’s attractive and dynamic new business-partner and girlfriend - takes an intense interest in Nathan. She and Steve approach Nathan to join their new venture in a sales capacity. Both Dave and Sammy express reservations. Steve’s company has not yet opened for business and nobody knows whether it will succeed. Nathan is forced to choose between the glamour of the music industry and the security of real estate – what will he decide? Nathan flirts with Layla, which puts a strain on his and Sammy's relationship Nathan is impressed with Steve's attr Nathan flirts with Layla, Steve's attractive new business-partner and girlfriend Layla Rachel meanwhile continues to rise to the bait of Jake’s brazen teasing flirtation. Julie strongly suspects Rachel is protesting too much when Rachel accuses him of being a Neanderthal bogan. This character analysis Jake challengingly puts to the test when he crashes a market research group Rachel and her colleagues have organised for a men’s body spray. Will she interestedfall for his rough charms? Ben meanwhile runs into Melissa and her new boyfriend Luke at the movies. She admits to missing him but wants to be just friends. Ben refuses, giving Melissa an ultimatum – it’s all or nothing for him. Who will Melissa choose? Will it be enough to bring them back together?

Ted’s burgeoning relationship with Marjorie appears to be going romantic gangbusters until he meets her daughter Susannah and her pregnant partner Abby, who’ve left the Gold Coast to live with her. Conservative Ted is taken aback when he discovers the couple’s baby has been fathered by Susannah’s brother. Ted is however determined to try to be friends – but Susannah rejects every attempt. The situation is made more difficult when Ted decides that Susannah is taking her mother for granted. When he makes the mistake of sharing his concerns with Marjorie, Marjorie not unnaturally sides with her daughter. Will their blossoming relationship be over before it’s even had the chance to begin? Attempting to get back on the horse after his breakup with Melissa, Ben gives into the flirtation of a young woman Elly, at the boatclub. However when they go back to the Karandonis house, Elly passes out. Ben and Carbo rush her to hospital where she recovers – but accuses Ben of spiking her drink. How will Ben prove his innocence? Rachel is determined to hate gorgeous tradie Jake - but the true colours of her interest emerge when they are inadvertently locked together in a building site overnight... and temptation proves too much to resist

Trish returns from Europe, seemingly in high spirits, and invites the entire Rafter family to lunch at an exclusive restaurant. When her daughter Sammy wonders who exactly is paying the bills, Trish waves off Sammy’s concerns - she’s meeting with estranged husband Tony tomorrow to sort out finances. To her shock, Sammy realises that Trish hopes she will get back with Tony. Sammy goes along to their meeting for moral support. To Trish’s surprise, Tony fails to show, sending instead his lawyer, Simon Radic. Trish’s hopes of reconciliation are destroyed, as are her credit cards, when Simon cuts them in half as per Tony’s instructions. Sammy brings a devastated Trish to the Rafter house – the only sanctuary she knows – where Trish has a mental collapse. Ben is struggling with his recent break-up with Melissa. Despite having insisted they can’t be just friends, Ben is missing her desperately. To his surprise, Melissa turns up unexpectedly at the Karandonis house with her bags – but is she back for good? Meanwhile, Rachel is fighting her attraction to Jake after their night of passion. A night watching rugby brings out the competitive streak in both of them – and Rachel can’t help but give in again to Jake’s charms. But is there romance on the cards?

Ben’s troubles begin when he inadvertently stumbles on Rachel taking artistic pregnancy photos of a naked Julie. Given the mainly positive reactions to the photos, Julie decides to celebrate her changing body by putting an enormous copy of a nude photo smack bang in the middle of the lounge-room. Dave’s growing attachment to Ben and Melissa’s dog continues to puzzle those around him. Only Julie knows the truth: the dog has provoked the recollection of a traumatic incident in his past. So when the dog is badly injured in a car accident, Dave breaks down in front of Ben. However the dog proves not to be the only link to his past when Dave’s original birth certificate finally arrives – is Dave ready for the answers he’s been seeking? Rachel and Jake take their newfound relationship a step further when Jake shares a family dinner with the Rafters. Ted and Dave assume that Jake won’t be able to cope with the naked photo of Julie – but Jake scores himself major brownie points by admiring the artwork. Encouraged by his maturity, Rachel tells Jakes some home truths about her past – including her sex tape. Will it scare him off? Meanwhile, Ben’s relationship with Melissa is put to the test when a series of misunderstandings causes him to think she is cheating on him. Her anger and betrayal prompts Ben to take a good hard look at their relationship. The result? To propose marriage. But does Melissa want to marry Ben?

A shame-faced Nathan wakes up from an erotic dream initially about Sammy who then turns into Layla. Sammy’s father Tony is facing the first hearing of his trial tomorrow, and she has to go along as moral support for her mother Trish. She’s given a boost when Nathan insists he’ll take the day off work and accompany her– a seemingly generous act, although he’s really doing it as much to avoid Layla after their cocaine-fuelled kiss as to help his wife. After the first hearing, Nathan is called back to work, where Layla notices his fixation on her – so she subtly strokes the flames. This leads to Nathan having another erotic dream – and when he guiltily ‘takes care’ of his urge in the bathroom, Sammy catches him out. Having previously refused sex with her, Sammy is understandably concerned. Nathan waves off her worries, determined to keep himself under control – until Layla makes a brazen suggestion. She knows he’s interested, his work is being affected – so why not sleep together? Nathan is shocked. What will he do now his fantasy has the chance to become reality? Over at the Karandonis house, Artie is preparing for her first day of work at the boat club with Ben. Carbo, who’s aware of his romantic feelings for her, is happy with her choice of job – after all, how much trouble can she get into under the watchful eye of Ben? But he hasn’t met her co-worker Lexi, a cheeky young trouble maker, yet. The pair strike up a friendship and it isn’t long before Lexi leads Artie astray much to Carbo’s dismay. Chrissy finds herself having a surprising and unwelcome fantasy of her own... about Dave. And an unexpected romance blossoms between Warney and Trish.

Ben begins to bow under pressure as his wedding day fast approaches, thanks to a chance meeting with Kat and the arrival of Melissa’s overbearing parents. At the bucks night, Ben is having a fantastic time until the stripper Carbo has organised arrives. It turns out to be Kat, the woman he slept with and who came between him and Melissa. She questions why Melissa would want to marry someone who’s just the manager of a Boat Club – something that, deep down, Ben has often wondered himself. Ben is shaken by her words. His feeling of pressure increases with the surprise early arrival of Melissa parents, Linda and Pat. It becomes increasingly clear that Pat thinks Ben isn’t good enough for his daughter – he has no ambition, no drive, no plans for the future. Ben panics and, on the morning of their wedding day, disappears. The Rafters throw themselves into finding Ben and hiding the news from Melissa. Will they be able to track him down before the bride finds out?

When Carbo begins sleepwalking due to wedding stress, Ben must truly become the Best Man and save the day - but in the process realises he's been sleepwalking himself by ignoring his true feelings for Emma.