At the start of the episode, Gareth Morrow (William McInnes) speaks with the press. We learn that Greg Peters has already lost his spot as Prime Minister. Cleaver (Richard Roxburgh) is not impressed with what he hears. Cleaver shuts off the television before getting an email from PPH Bank. A half nude Glenda (Jennifer Hagan) interrupts and Cleave accidentally clicks on the link. Glenda wants to talk about their feelings. She explains that she wants to have intercourse with him. Cleaver makes an excuse to escape. He finds out that the toilet is stopped up. With one flush, it begins overflowing. Glenda ends up covered in human feces. Glenda tries to get Cleaver to come to the hospital with her. He refuses before she is loaded into the ambulance. Cleaver speaks with the plumber. He asks him how something like that could come out of someone so thin.

The plumber explains that the thin ones are deceptive. They bottle it all up. He says that the fat ones are more evenly spread. Then, he recognizes Cleaver. Cleaver learns that something mysterious went on. It might not have been a terrorist attack after all. Jakub (Jacek Koman) arrives and warns Cleaver that he is going to be late for his Sydney meeting. In return for money, Jakub wants a favor from Cleaver. Cleaver drives himself. Jakub sits in the back with his cat. Gareth and Joe (Mark Mitchinson) call moments later. Joe offers Cleaver assistance with his plumbing problems. They want to know who the plumber was. Cleaver lets them know it was Jake (Brendan Donoghue) and Gordy (Ben Bordeau). Cleaver makes it clear that he heard nothing. After the call, Jakub insists it is strange times. He reminds Cleaver of Brian Oakley the Defense Minister.

He didn’t die of poison gas. He died on the job with the Education Minister. They wonder what it could have to do with plumbing. Joe and Gareth try to counter the problem. They’re worried about going to prison. Cleaver arrives at the office. Nicole (Kate Box) introduces Cleaver to her sister Nadia (Celia Pacquola). While arguing with Maria (Marta Kaczmarek), Cleaver learns that Penny (Jane Turner) has visited him. Penny wants to settle for 100,000. Cleaver writes her an imaginary check. Cleaver is ready to take it to court. Penny thinks it is an insult for Cleaver to hold office. Cleaver tells Nicole that he needs Roy (Michael Denkha). Unfortunately, he owes him too. He tells her about the website that he opened by accident. That resulted in Cleaver’s pay being sent to an account he cannot access. He calls on Jakub. Cleaver begs him for $500. Jakub agrees but explains it’ll be another 10 points.

Cal (Damien Garvey) visits Wendy (Caroline Brazier). Cal ridicules her. Then, Wendy turns the conversation to Cal and his half-brother. Soon, Cal is crying and tells her about the painting. Before too long, the other politicians begin using Wendy’s service too. Later that night, Jakub has dinner with Cleaver and the others. Cleaver learns that Roy wants cash. Jakub agrees to help. Soon, Nadia and Jakub leave together. They begin making out. He tries to stop her because he has a wife and two mistresses. Jakub leaves the house a short time later. Nadia ends up sleeping with Cleaver. Cleaver tells her all about Jakub. Cleaver learns that Jakub has four homes with no mortgage. Maria goes off on Cleaver in front of Nicole. She tells Nicole that she is not her father’s daughter. Meanwhile, Nadia keeps rambling on about Jakub.

Nicole barges in saying that she is a Plimpton. Later that night, Cleaver hears Nadia arguing with her family. Cleaver wants to know more about the Plimpton. Maria said his name was George. Cleaver recognizes the name. He explains that he is an incredible journalist. Maria also confesses to meeting with Ali. Cal speaks to his lawyer Francis (Brian Meegan) about the painting. Francis tries to convince him to drop the case. He tells Cal to stop it because he doesn’t want to take any more of his money. Cal tells him to terminate the matter. Cleaver sees Nicole in a different way in the morning. Melissa (Adrienne Pickering) runs into Gareth. He recognizes her. He eventually puts everything together.

He takes Missy to his office and gives her a seat. Gareth thanks Melissa for not putting him in the book. She tells him about her relationship with Fuzz. Gareth gets a good laugh out of that. Gareth offers to let her work for him the Prime Minister. He’ll even let her pick her own title. She asks him about the stories about him and Caitlin. He doesn’t answer. Melissa tells Gareth not to take down Cleaver. David Potter (Matt Day) speaks about the blue tarp. After a few curse words, the Senate President (Roy Billing) bans Potter from the chamber for the rest of the day. Cleaver believes that Wendy is teaching David to be him. Then, he meets up with Roy. Roy seems willing to read the jury. Cleaver speaks with Penny in the courtroom. She has a team full of lawyers. Cleaver doesn’t seem too worried.

Penny is given the chance to speak. Penny uses Cleaver’s past and her shoulder to gain sympathy. Cleaver finally chimes in. Penny admits she believes Cleaver paid for her assassination attempt. Cleaver gets himself into a little trouble. Roy admits that they’re screwed. Penny finishes. Cleaver tells the court about Penny trapping him into these circumstances. Afterwards, Roy tells Cleaver that the jury hates him. Jakub offers up another choice. Jakub suggests balancing the argument. Cleaver wants to wipe the shooting off the table. He suggests getting himself shot. He tells Roy to hire a shooter. Jakub says he knows someone who will do it for ten. He is an Olympian. Roy knows someone from the Commonwealth Games and he is cheaper. Cleaver wants to be shot with the same gun Penny was.

Wendy works with David Potter. He claims that Wendy set him free. They agree to have a drink. During the date, they speak about movies. Wendy ignores a call from Cleaver. Meanwhile, Cleaver runs into Nicole. She asks why she was kicked out of the meeting with Roy and Jakub. She knows that Cleaver is up to something stupid. He calls her Nadia by mistake. The next day, Cleaver heads to court ready to be shot. He pushes Nicole and barely gets nicked on the ear. Cleaver ridicules Col Mancusi (Steve Le Marquand) in the hospital. Nicole is injured more seriously. Col doesn’t want to talk about Kirsty. He knows who shot penny. He claims that she ordered it herself. Cleaver wonders what kind of a scumbag orders a hit on themselves. Cleaver pretends to be seriously hurt. He enters the courtroom without saying anything to the media.

He tells Penny he wants her to withdraw the action and resign from Parliament for health reasons. He tells her he knows who shot her and who organized it. He wants her to walk away or she’ll go to prison. Penny steps down from Parliament. Cleaver celebrates during the press conference. Cal meets with Joe and tells him he is withdrawing his claim on the painting. Cal wants to rebuild their relationship for the nation. Cal tells him to keep the painting. They both agree that it is horrible. Cal says that they can be unstoppable. When Joe isn’t looking, Cal steals the painting. Joe gives chase. Cleaver returns home. He finds Glenda there waiting for him.

 

Rake Review

This was by far the funniest episode of Rake this season. It brought old characters back into the fold and the main characters returned to their old selves. Cleaver came up with a silly scheme to get rid of Penny and it worked out somehow. The one liners were excellent here. This was really Rake at its best. This episode makes it even sadder that the end is right around the corner. At least Rake is going out on a high note. This episode scores a solid 9 out of 10. Catch up with previous Rake recaps before you leave.