The episode opens amid a news report about the Doull Power Supplies strike. The passenger, Judy Bissett (Radha Mitchell) switches to a radio station playing music. Tony Bissett (Jesse Spencer) laughs. She suggests taking a trip to Margaret River when she notices the writing on his picketing sign is misspelled. He assures her that Wayne Doull (Sam Delich) will get it. She complains about spending six months on the picket line. He says it sets a good example for their girls. A brick smashes through the windshield. Tony veers to avoid traffic until stopping on the side of the road. They look back to see a note – “Strike Breaking Bitch” – attached to the brick. Judy has a laceration on her forehead.

Tilly (Mackenzie Mazur) and Johnno (Aidan Du Chiem) present their detailed career plan that will help them reach the moon to Mr. Bertrude (Duncan Gagg). He urges Mia to focus on a traditional career and marriage and Johnno a career in physics. Johnno complains about people wasting away their great ideas like his father who slaved away in a food truck. Bertrude gives Tilly a Boans Department Store brochure. On the picket line, Tony confronts Gary “Gazza” Cullis) about the brick smashing his windshield. Looking around, he tells his co-workers that they are fighting for better pay, not each other and their wives. Inside the building, Francesca “Fran” Perrone (Dina Panozzo) notices Judy is feeling down, pulls out her flask, and fills two glasses. Wayne sarcastically asks Judy if she is back from the dead. Fran scolds him. Judy tells Fran that she is considering picking up extra shifts. Fran says Pete’s general manager position is available. Judy reminds her that she is a bookkeeper. Fran urges her to go for it.

Mia (Emily Grant) invites Tilly to jam with her to a song. Tilly tells her that she has homework. Mia calls her the teacher’s pet. Tilly says it is better than being a beach moll. Mia stops, stares at her, and walks away. Tony and a few guys are watching a sports event on TV while Judy and Bob Foden (Iain Glen) wash dishes. She reminds him that her mother would have been 65. A guy retrieves beer from the fridge. Bob considers throwing a brick at them. Judy complains about how Wayne keeps threatening to shut down the factory and never thanks them. He thanks and kisses her on the head. Tilly announces her plan to visit Eileen Wilberforce (Deborah Mailman). Judy confronts her about what she said to Mia. Tilly claims Mia nagged her about studying and admits she was wrong. The guys are getting into the event when the power goes out. Judy hands Tilly a flashlight before she heads out the door. Mia copies from Tilly’s homework. Tilly watches Eileen and Bob holding hands. Bob leaves them to stargaze. Tilly tells her that Johnno has backed out of going to space and she doesn’t want to go alone. Eileen urges her to talk to him and reminds her of John Glenn’s space mission. She says the sun, “Ngangk,” is life and power. The moon, “Miyak,” is a cheeky bloke that Tilly needs to straighten out. Tilly agrees to go with or without Johnno. Elsewhere, Mia vandalizes Tilly’s astronaut poster.

Upon arrival at the beach, Mia sees Bob on his surfboard. A group of surfers admire Bob’s talent. Mia says there was a great break off the north this morning. A surfer dude (Xavier Molyneux) responds with a snide remark. Determined, she cuts him off, causing him to fall into the water. Bob warns her about cutting in on someone’s wave and being late for school. Holding up a copy of “Lady Chattery’s Lover,” he asks if she read it. She boasts of getting a B+ on her review and races off to school. At a luncheon, Rosemary Gilliberto (Ana Maria Belo) and a group of women look through an Avon catalog. Judy looks at her reflection in a cake slicer. Poppy Gilliberto (Lola Bond) is impressed with how well Judy furnished the luncheon on a budget. Rosemary gives Judy a cosmetic pack to conceal the laceration on her forehead. They briefly discuss the impending Miss Universe pageant. Rosemary warns them that it will canceled if Tony doesn’t manage to end the strike. Ripley’s Repos stops by to repo Judy and Tony’s TV. Eileen leaves to get ready for her teaching job. Judy delays the repo by giving the repo men (Paul Jenkins) some beer.

Lam (Vico Thai) acts silly while setting up to sell fish and chips. Sandy Bui (Linh-Dan Pham) folds tablecloths. Johnno tells Lam about his argument with Tilly. Lam says he will be too preoccupied with being a surgeon. Johnno walks away without responding. In a caravan by the beach, Bob tells Eileen that they are getting serious. Not wanting to discuss it, she walks out the door and returns to embrace him. They roll around on the bed. Elsewhere, Judy alters Tilly’s debutant ball gown. Mia complains about having to pose in Steph Reith’s gown. Judy says they need the money. Tony announces his plan to go out with Mick Bissett (George Mason). Judy and Tilly ask for a TV. He compliments Tilly and Mia before leaving. Mia offers to drop out of school and get a job. Judy insists it is Tony’s responsibility to provide for them and the workers need to settle the strike. Judy gets weepy. At a pub, Mick urges Tony to work for him. Tony stresses the importance of the workers fighting for their rights. Mick says it is a waste of time and assures him that the TV will be in high demand in the 80s. Tony declines his job offer and asks for a TV if he has one to spare.

Over dinner, Eileen tries to carry on a conversation with Bilya (Thomas Weatherall) and Djinda “Mary” (Shareena Clanton). Djinda says they will be leaving in the morning. Upset, Eileen drops a dish and walks away. The next day, Francesca tells Judy that her bank called to verify her and Tony’s employment. Their mortgage is in arrears. Judy assures her that she has it under control. Wayne makes a sarcastic comment about Francesca and Judy taking notes from the big boys in front of Brian (Jack Campbell) who is applying for the general manager position. Judy interrupts the interview to point out some facts about their most crucial employees. Wayne sends Brian away and compliments Judy. Elsewhere, Tilly tries to convince Johnno to change his mind about going to space. He urges her to chase her dream but he isn’t going to space.

Djinda rushes Bilya to get ready because they have a long drive to Esperance. Eileen asks what is in Esperance. Djinda says they need help with the MP. Eileen says Bilya needs an education. He looks out the window to see Poppy sitting on the ground. Djinda reminds her that Bilya is her son. He offers to stay with Eileen. Elsewhere, Tilly catches Mia smoking. She turns the channel to a news broadcast about the vacant Skylab space station. Judy stares at her reflection in the mirror. Bob reads the newspaper. Eileen cleans up with Bilya eats. At a pub, Mick makes eye contact with a young bloke (Aidan Gillett) across the bar. Tony, Gazza, and several workers wait to meet with Wayne. Outside the pub, the young bloke attacks Mick when he tries to kiss him. A fight ensues and ends with Mick kneeing him several times. Mick admits to being a “poof.” Tilly sees Mia kissing a guy. Wayne introduces their new general manager, Judy. Tony stares at her in shock. While Francesca hands out documents, Judy says Wayne wants to remodel and the employees want higher wages. She insists they start working on it now. The episode ends.

 

Last Days Of The Space Age Review

The writing is juvenile and at times, corny. The series is loosely based on the events surrounding the 1979 NASA Skylab space station crash. The Doull Power Supplies strike is fictional and added for dramatic purposes.

The cast doesn’t fit Perth’s 1979 population. It’s difficult to take the series seriously when its premise is laden with modern agendas. Void the strike and it would have made a charming kid show.

The series was filmed in Sydney and New South Wales, not Perth.

I was truly disappointed to see Ian Glenn’s name on the cast list. Glenn is a talented actor and should play roles as such. Bob is a minor role that will not make a dent in his career. The episode deserves a 4 out of 10.

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