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14 FEBRUARY 2002 Cop That Sergeant! Hats off to the producers for an excellent start to the season. A lot of controversy, secrets revealed, and tempers were running high. Sgt Gallagher’s decision to apply for adoption of Hayley was a big step for her life, and she seems naturally concerned about her well being. This decision was brought on when Tess found out that Rolo (boyfriend of Hayley’s mother, Tina Fulton) has returned to town to take Hayley, her brother and Tina to Townsville. This is not hampered by Tina’s parole conditions, as the parole officer has given the ok to Rolo to do so. (Tina is due for release from prison in the near future. If my memory serves correct, she is doing time for drug related charges). Naturally, Hayley does not want to leave her brother and her mum alone with Rolo, as she feels that she has to look after them. Tess is worried about this, because Rolo has a history of violence against the Fulton’s. She tries everything to try and change Hayley’s mind, but she won’t have a bar of it. It comes to the point where Hayley embarrasses Tess in front of the entire town at the local high school Talent Night, by writing an essay of how Tess’ parents were alcoholics and didn’t look after their daughter. In response to this, Tess goes after Hayley to try and get an understanding as to why she decided to change her essay. After a heated argument, Tess looses control and slaps Hayley across the face. Only moments later, Tess realises what she has just done and tries to apologize to Hayley, but does not prevail. I feel that Tess has done her dash with the adoption plan now. I agree with the statement S/Sgt Tom Croydon made when Tess told him about her plans: “The courts will certainly give custody to the natural mother”. This fact, and with the minor assault Hayley could claim in next week's episode will more than likely destroy Tess’ dreams with Hayley. Next week’s episode looks set to leave you on the edge of your seats right throughout the episode. Tom will have to choose between the lives of his daughter, or the life of his unborn grandchild, resulting from the hit and run accident that finished the series lead episode. Once again, hats off to the producers! This is SA Ranger, signing off for the first time in 2002. See you next week! Heartfelt Return
For Heelers
The young boy, Jamie Riggs, who happened to be Hayley Fulton's new friend, had allegedly been displaying violent tendancies towards kids who had teased him. To discover that Jamie Riggs was really Trent Gould - a boy from Perth who at nine years old killed another student - only escalated community hysteria. In true Mt Thomas style, we saw plenty of vigilante action, falsified evidence, raised tempers, and a bit of nosying around from Chris Riley. Not to mention an input of humour, when the lovable Jonesy offered to team up with Ben out of uniform to "biff" Rolo out of town! In an effort not to simply re-hash the entire episode, (but of course we all know that every second deserves a mention), this reporter wishes to address the dramas surrounding two Mt Thomas members - Tom Croydon and Tess Gallagher. TOM IN TURMOIL… Despite struggling with the dilemna of protecting young Jamie and his father while at the same time satisfying the town's need for protection, by the climax of the episode at the school talent night, viewers simply could not question Tom Croydon's sense of integrity. In an emotional show down of words with the leader of the "concerned parents", again we saw just how greatly the town of Mt Thomas trust and respect their Senior Sergeant. With his daughter back in town, Tom also had to deal with mending family relationships. In a dramatic end to the episode, both Susan Croydon and Tom are hit down by a car. The drama for Tom will only increase next week when he discovers that Susan is pregnant, and that he may have to make a choice between his daughter's life, and that of his unborn grandchild. THE PAST CATCHES UP WITH TESS… Tess was hurt deeply by Hayley in this tear-jerker of a sub-plot. At the start of the episode, all seemed well for Tess and Hayley - the only thing they had to deal with was that Hayley would soon return to her mother. The issue complicated itself however, when Tina Fulton's old boyfriend Rolo (?) showed his ugly face at the Imperial. The latest plan was now that Hayley returned to her mother and the abusive Rolo, and on top of that, move to Townsville! Believing that she could provide Hayley with a safer upbringing, Tess began to toss around idea of adoption. In an emotional landmark for lonely Tess Gallagher, she told Hayley that she loved her. Does Tess really feel this way?- or does she just want to be able to love Hayley in order to protect her from a miserable childhood? This reporter feels that Tess is determined to protect Hayley not only for Hayley's sake, but for her own. Perhaps protecting Hayley will help Tess deal with her own troubled past. The character of Teresa Gallagher has certainly grown since her arrival in Mt Thomas. As she is pushed to breaking point over the next few weeks, and battles inwardly with her past, we can only wonder - Will Tess Gallagher ever love, or truly be loved…? |
Credit
must go to the writers of the first 'Blue Heelers' episode of 2002. It was a
fabulous, yet anguishing hour of drama, as we saw both Tom Croydon and Tess
Gallagher pushed to breaking point when a troubled teen emerged at the centre of
community outrage at Mt Thomas High.