Ep 2. Doing It Tough

In Blue Heelers season 1 episode 2, titled "Doing It Tough," we see the police officers of Mount Thomas dealing with the aftermath of a cyclone that has hit the region. The episode opens with Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon (John Wood) surveying the damage caused by the storm with his team of officers. They have their hands full with fallen trees, damaged buildings, and power outages.

All hands are on deck to help the town cope with the aftermath of the storm, and the episode follows different storylines as the officers go about their duties. One of the plots focuses on Constable Maggie Doyle (Lisa McCune), who tries to help out the family of a young boy with Down syndrome after their house is destroyed in the cyclone. She takes the boy, Simon, and his mother to the police station where they can stay temporarily.

Meanwhile, Tom and Senior Constable Nick Schultz (William McInnes) are trying to deal with the chaos caused by the power outage. They have to manage traffic and assist people who are trapped in elevators. Nick also has to respond to a call from a woman who needs her insulin refrigerated. Without power, Nick comes up with an unusual way to keep the insulin cool, which highlights the resourcefulness of the police officers.

The episode also follows the romantic relationship between Constable Wayne Patterson (Grant Bowler) and the local vet, Claire Bonacci (Joanna Hunt-Prokhovnik). Wayne is struggling to ask Claire out on a date, but with the town in chaos, it seems like the worst possible time to try and start a new relationship. However, the two eventually find a moment of peace and share a kiss during a quiet moment in the storm.

As the day draws to a close, the police officers are exhausted but proud of their efforts to help during the storm. Despite the challenges they faced, they managed to keep the town safe and assist those in need.

Overall, "Doing It Tough" is an episode that showcases the resilience of the people in Mount Thomas and the dedication of the town's police force. While the storm poses plenty of challenges, the Blue Heelers rise above them with grace and determination. The episode also sets the tone for the show's focus on community and the importance of the police officers' relationships with the people they serve.