Ep 1. Conduct Unbecoming

In the season 2 premiere of Blue Heelers, titled "Conduct Unbecoming," the small Australian town of Mount Thomas is rocked by scandal when Sergeant Tom Croydon (John Wood) is accused of sexual harassment by a young policewoman named Kelly O'Rourke (Tasma Walton).

The episode begins with Tom returning from a conference in Melbourne, where he meets Kelly for the first time. Immediately, there is tension between them as Kelly makes it known that she thinks Tom is old-fashioned and out of touch with modern policing methods. When they return to Mount Thomas, Kelly files a formal complaint against Tom, claiming that he made unwanted advances towards her.

The complaint sets off a chain of events that forces the police department to confront issues of gender, power dynamics, and accountability. Senior Sergeant Bill Peters (William McInnes) is put in charge of the investigation, and he takes the matter very seriously. He interviews everyone involved, including Tom, Kelly, and their colleagues.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that there are differing opinions about what actually happened between Tom and Kelly. Some people believe that Tom is innocent and that Kelly misinterpreted his actions. Others believe that Tom is guilty of misconduct and that he needs to be held accountable.

The tension comes to a head when Kelly decides to take the matter to the media. A news crew from the city comes to Mount Thomas to cover the story, and the whole town is thrown into upheaval. The police department is criticized for their handling of the situation, and there is a growing sense of disunity among the officers.

Meanwhile, Tom is struggling to come to terms with the accusations against him. He is hurt and confused, and he begins to question whether he is really the kind of person that Kelly is making him out to be. He tries to clear his name by recalling the events leading up to Kelly's complaint, but he is met with skepticism.

Throughout the episode, we see the toll that the investigation takes on everyone involved. There are heated arguments, tears, and moments of grace. We see the characters grappling with issues of trust, loyalty, and integrity. We see them making tough decisions about what is right and what is wrong.

By the end of the episode, the tension has been somewhat resolved, but there are still lingering questions about what really happened between Tom and Kelly. We are left with a sense that the fallout from this issue will have repercussions for a long time to come.

Overall, "Conduct Unbecoming" is a thoughtful and impactful episode that deals with issues of gender dynamics and abuse of power in a sensitive and nuanced way. It is a strong start to the second season of Blue Heelers, and it sets the tone for what is to come.