Ep 8. The Shaft

The Shaft is the eighth episode of the popular Australian police procedural Water Rats. This episode was first aired on June 18, 1996, on Network Ten, Australia.

The Shaft begins with the Water Rats team receiving a call about a disturbance at a high-rise building in Sydney's CBD. The team arrives at the scene to find a group of workers trapped in the lift, suspended between two floors. Frank Holloway (Colin Friels) leads the rescue mission.

The team soon discovers that the lift's failure was due to vandalism by a group of environmental protesters who are fighting against the construction of a new shopping center that is proposed to be built in the heart of the city. The incident attracts the attention of the media, and the Water Rats team is soon in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, during the protest outside the building, Rachel Goldstein (Catherine McClements), a detective attached to the homicide squad, is investigating a murder that took place in the same building years ago. Rachel's investigation leads her to a man named George (played by John Waters), who worked in the building at the time of the murder. George is now employed as a cleaner for the building and is considered the prime suspect in the investigation.

As the investigation unfolds, the police discover that George has a long-standing grudge against the deceased. As the evidence mounts against George, he becomes the prime suspect in the case.

The Water Rats team is still trying to rescue the trapped workers in the lift, and time is running out. Frank and his team use all of their training and expertise to navigate through various obstacles to reach the workers and bring them to safety.

In the meantime, Rachel also faces her own obstacles and has to fight against corruption within her department to save a life. She is put into a life-threatening situation, and Frank and the team are called on to rescue her.

As the episode ends, the Water Rats team is celebrated for their bravery and expertise in rescuing the workers from the lift. Rachel solves the murder case and George is arrested for the murder.

Overall, the Shaft is an intense and thrilling episode that showcases the skills and bravery of the Water Rats team. Additionally, this episode also highlights the challenges that law enforcement personnel face as they balance their jobs and personal lives. This episode will keep you on the edge of your seats and leave you wanting more.