The show begins with Belinda Bain (Charlotte Lucas) and young Robbie Lawson (Kai Lewins) frolicking in the pool. Young Kate Lawson (Jade Potts) poses in her bikini for young Steve Dokic (Joshua Brennen).

Robbie Lawson (Oscar Redding) opens another beer before setting down Detective Sam Chedid (Louisa Mignone). She informs him that Judge Muir (James Lugton) has banned any mention of Steve Dokic and Belinda Bain. He assures her it’s to be expected.

Jamie Merrick (Hamish Michael) treats Georgina Merrick (Brooke Satchwell) to breakfast in bed. He apologizes before professing his love for her.

Alexi Menelaus (Damien Strouthos) is with Corrie D’Souza (Pallavi Sharda) when Flip Menelaus (Ben Mingay) arrives to pick him up. Corrie reads Alexi’s text message with the name Carla Alvez (Paula Garcia) and her address. When Corrie mentions Carla, Alexi asks if she looked at his phone. Shocked, she assures him it was nothing more than a reflex. He finds Flip’s drugs in his truck.

Flip and Alexi meet Carla, and her daughter (Mia Cortez) and toddler (Isla Raza). Alexi tells her that they worked with her husband before giving her a bundle of money. Carla who can’t speak English becomes up. When she orders them to take their “blood money” and go, two Brazilian men (Lucas Garcia and Juan Ruiz) grab the money. Flip punches one of the men and a fight ensues. After grabbing the money, they flee the apartment building.

In a police reenactment, Claire Spears (Coco Jack Gillies), wrapped in a tarp, is pushed out on a gurney. Brett Colby (Sam Neill) complains to Muir that the video is a “docudrama.” Muir asks Lucy Bloom (Marta Dusseldorp) to provide the court with an explanation of the demonstration. When Muir bans the video, she asks for a judicial review. Colby looks concerned when Muir agrees to hear the prosecution review after lunch.

Ezekiel Aku (Mandela Mathia) explains to Kate Lawson (Kate Mulvany) the route the jury will take from her house to the jetty. Colby tells her it was either the walk-through or the ridiculous police reenactment.

Farrad Jassim (Hazem Shammas) suggests Alexi give up soccer. Garry Thorne (Brendan Cowell) teases him about his injury. Alexi tells Jarrod Saunders (Ngali Shaw) it was a clash of heads. Corrie asks if he is going to tell her the truth. He assures her the injury happened during soccer training.

Bloom asks Harmon (Josh Quong Tart) where his boat is stored. He tells the jury that it is stored in a jetty shed. She asks if Kate has access to his boat. He says Kate was always with Claire. She asks if he was utilizing the boat on September 15, 2019, between 4 and 6am. He denies utilizing the vessel between those hours.

Diane Spears (Jenni Baird) greets Robbie. Sam warns them to not discuss the case. Diane tells her it has been 8 years since they last saw each other. He suggests she not hold back to tell everything.

Colby asks Harmon how far Kate could’ve taken his boat if she left at 4am and returned at 6am. Harmon tells the jury that Kate could’ve possibly reached the Roseville Bridge before returning to his jetty. Colby asks if Kate could’ve reached open water in two hours. He says probably not since the tank didn’t need refilling. Colby asks if it would be possible for Kate to hoist any equipment into the boat. He assures him that Kate couldn’t lift it over the gunnels without help.

Jenny Raison (Amy Kersey) suggests Harmon lied about everything. Bloom assures her that Harmon would lie more if he was reexamined.

Simon Cavanaugh (Nicholas Cassim) and Margaret Brown (Gennie Nevinson) discuss the case. Peter Brodsky (Daniel Mitchell) tells them it is possible Kate buried Claire’s body. Garry asks Alexi for his opinion. Alexi says Kate would’ve needed some type of equipment to dig through mud.

Mr. Isaacs (Cramer Cain) tells the jury that he saw Kate take a tender out to a motorboat at 4am and returned at 6am.

Farrad speaks with Neil Macklin (Cramer Cain) while Hope Saunders (Ursula Yovich) and Jarrad discuss police brutality.

Muir tells Colby and Bloom that Kate’s restraints will be removed before the jury see her.

Sam speaks with Sam Dokic about Belinda Bain’s murder. Dokic informs her of a group of women seeking the attention of convicted murderers. When she asks why the women are reaching out to Robbie, he reminds her of how he was imprisoned because of Kate.

In a flashback, it is dark when Kate pulls a dingy to shore. When she asks Claire to help, she complains of being cold to help.

After telling Isaacs that Claire disappeared on September 14, Colby asks when he spoke to the police. Isaacs tells the jury that it was on November 2 after seeing a news bulletin that Claire’s body may be in Sidney Harbour. Colby asks if he’s positive it was September 14. Isaacs shows the jury his selfie of a kingfish from that morning.

Ava Cavanaugh (Olivia Allen) catches Simon looking at her tattoo portfolio. She explains the process utilized to make the tattoos. When he tells her it’s “nice,” she grabs the portfolio out of his hands. He explains how important it is to him for her to attend the university. She informs him that her tattoo designs earn money. He offers to increase her allowance but she refuses.

Ezekiel collects Kate’s photos when Robbie asks if he is trying to remove her “shameful past.” Robbie asks if he should try to get his share of the house before it turns into attorney fees.

Sam explains to the jurors what Isaacs saw on the night Claire went missing. Colby questions the need of binoculars since Isaacs is an older gentleman. Muir bans the binoculars. The jury is escorted to the jetty. Garry asks Sam what the killer utilized to weigh the body down. When Sam doesn’t have an answer, the demonstration is ended. Garry responds to Alexi’s snide comment by saying, “It isn’t my business where you get your dick wet.”  Alexi and Corrie walk away from the group when Kate asks the Court Sheriff (Lee Robinson) to escort her to the art studio. Alexi and Corrie enter Claire’s room. While looking at Belinda’s photo, Kate has a flashback of taking it. She screams before tearing down her photos. Alexi and Corrie watch from a short distance away as Kate has a meltdown.

The jurors look at Kate’s photos of Claire.

Claire spots Robbie before getting in the police cruiser.

Gabby (Rhondda Findleton) informs Georgina that Jamie utilized her laptop to obtain her personal file. Georgina denies utilizing her laptop for weeks. Gabby offers to support her if she files a police report.

Jarrod visits the Bald Rock Hotel where he meets Yvette (Brenna Harding).

Corrie meets with Michael Sleiman (Richard Brancatisano) to discuss the sale of her home. He informs her of his recent engagement. While pouring a glass of wine, she sends Alexi a text, “What you doing.” Alexi ignores the text.

Georgina informs Jamie that she was terminated for hacking. He assures her it’s for the best. She asks how they will cover the bills.

Zeta (Kaya Jarrett) and Yvette encourage Jarrad to file an extension.

Alexi pulls up in front of Corrie’s house just as Michael emerges through the door.

Diane veers into the parking garage just as Simon rides his bike into the front of her car. He screams at her until he realizes it is her. She voices her concern about not having anyone to pick up her children after school. Garry suggests Simon ask Ava to do it. Simon promises to talk to her about it.

Bloom asks Robbie to tell the jury what type of contact he had with Claire before her disappearance. Robbie tells the jury that Claire was interested in the family dynamics. Bloom asks who Claire referred to as “crazy bit**.” Robbie claims Kate was trying to entice Claire into masturbating on camera. Dokic demands he tell the truth. As two officers pull him out of the courtroom, he screams at Kate. Robbie has a flashback of frolicking in the pool with Belinda when Kate orders her out of the pool. He watches as Belinda and Kate leave with Dokic. Belinda is hesitant to get in the car while Kate utilizes her hand to cover her smirk. Robbie floats in the water as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Twelve Review

The trial continues to hold my interest. As far as the jurors go, Diane captures my attention even though she’s the typical wife abuse story. Jarrad who comes off as entitled is handed a free college scholarship, but still can’t seem to make it to class or complete homework assignments before deadlines. When his scholarship is suspended for plagiarism, he has the audacity to ask his instructor to fix it.

Vanessa and Zoe’s relationship is typical of a couple trying to have a baby, nothing interesting here. Viewers are given a sneak peek into Margaret and Peter’s lives, nothing more or nothing less.

Alexi is a man-child with a big ego who somehow thinks he’s better than his brother. In all actuality, he’s worse. Garry is selling information to cover his gambling debt. Simon is an ordinary overconcerned father.

The show is borderline child grooming. Not only is the evidence uncompelling but also the incompetent jurors. There is enough going on outside the courtroom the judge could’ve declared a mistrial 10 times. I’m not saying jurors are all competent, just not incompetent at this magnitude.

All the irrelevant nonsense explains the 10-episode season. There isn’t one TV series deserving of 10 episodes. The slow pace and continuous diversion from the courtroom is a disaster.

The cinematography is amateurish as well as the editing. Since this is a courtroom drama, it’s vital that viewers have clear visibility of evidence and witnesses. The courtroom TV feels miles away while characters are shown from a side view.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more The Twelve recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.