Ep 20. Off The Air

In Blue Heelers season 5 episode 20, titled "Off The Air," the police of Mount Thomas are dealt with the task of investigating incidents of theft in the town. The episode opens with a news reporter named Sarah arriving in town to cover stories that are taking place there. Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon, who is in charge of investigating the theft incidents, is initially annoyed by Sarah's presence and tells her not to interfere with their investigations.

However, when the police find out that the thief is targeting radio and television broadcasting equipment, Sarah's knowledge in the field becomes useful to them, and she is invited to assist in the investigation. As the investigation progresses, the police discover that the thief, who is believed to be a local resident, has been using stolen broadcasting equipment to set up their own pirate radio station that covers Mount Thomas.

Meanwhile, Senior Constable Nick Schultz is trying to make the most of his time off and decides to go fishing at a nearby lake. His plans are interrupted when he meets a young boy named Joel, who insists that Nick takes him fishing with him. Initially, Nick is reluctant to accept the young boy's company, but he eventually gives in and takes Joel along.

During the fishing trip, Nick learns that Joel is a victim of cyberbullying and is too afraid to attend school because of it. Nick tries to assure Joel that he is not alone in his struggles and advises him to speak to someone about it. As the two continue to fish, they are suddenly attacked by a group of local teenagers, who destroy their fishing equipment and throw them into the lake.

Back on the investigation front, Sarah continues to help the police with their inquiries, which leads them to a suspect, William 'Billy' Walker. Billy is a young man who is struggling to make ends meet and has been stealing broadcasting equipment to set up his pirate radio station. When the police show up at his house, Billy is caught in the act of trying to steal more equipment. He confesses to the thefts and is arrested by the police.

In the last scene of the episode, Nick and Joel return to town, both feeling better after their fishing trip together. Nick advises Joel to seek help regarding his cyberbullying issues, and Joel agrees to do so. The episode ends with the police handing over the stolen equipment to its rightful owners and Sarah preparing to leave town.

Overall, the episode "Off The Air" deals with important themes such as cyberbullying, theft, and the power of community radio. The episode also shines a light on the challenges faced by small-town communities and the important role that police and media can play in helping them overcome these challenges. The performances by the cast, the direction, and the writing are all top-notch, making "Off The Air" a must-watch episode for fans of Blue Heelers.