Loose Cannons
Episode 4.15 (143)
May 20, 1997
Written by David Marsh
Directed by Steve Mann
Shane Thompson is a professional shooter with a volatile temper and his return to Mt. Thomas creates a rift between Tom and Nick. Tom is concerned that his return spells trouble for Shane's wife and young family while Nick has been Shane's sponsor, getting him out of town following the breakdown of his marriage, finding him work as a shooter, and facilitating the exchange of letters between Shane and his eldest son. Shane is desperate to return to his family and reconcile with his estranged wife. Unfortunately, she now has a new boyfriend and will not have him back.
To Tom's dismay, Nick takes a close personal interest in the situation and offers Shane temporary accommodation at the Watchhouse Keeper's residence, his box of guns stored for safe keeping in a corner of Nick's living room. When Zoo Hamilton's gun goes missing, the culprit turns out to be Shane's son, angered by his father's broken promise to buy him a gun and disturbed by the tension and conflict between his parents. The new boyfriend also earns his living with firearms and fosters the boy's interest in guns. As he is showing the boy his weapons, one of them accidentally goes off and puts a hole in the ceiling of the Imperial. Nick decides enough is enough and confiscates the boyfriend's guns, leaving himself open to accusations of favouritism towards his friend Shane. Already doubting Nick's judgment, Tom wonders whether the boyfriend might have right on his side.
The boyfriend is returning to Queensland and Shane's wife accepts a long standing offer to go with him and take the kids. Naturally, Shane reacts angrily to the news and Nick has to work desperately to defuse the situation. He thinks that he has succeeded, only to find that Shane has gone behind his back and ended up at the Imperial, drunk as a skunk. Nick decides that it's time for Shane to head back to New South Wales and enlists the support of a local truckie mate to make sure he gets there. Unfortunately, Shane has other ideas and comes back to wreak revenge and take his kids back.
If Nick has any doubt he should feel responsible for the abduction of the children, Shane's wife soon dispels it. Nick makes a solemn promise — he'll get her children back. He thinks he knows where Shane has taken them, but must disobey a direct order form Tom to get to them. In this he enlists the help of a most unusual ally.
Guest Starring: Francis Greenslade as Shane Thompson, Fiona Todd as Janet Thompson, Luke Lennox as Danny Thompson, Cherise Donovan as Cassie Thompson, Steve Adams as Max "Colt" Corrigan, Karen Davitt as Dr. Zoe Hamilton, Chris Bidlo as Ernie Rudge, Axl Taylor as Barman Len
(encoded with Handbrake - Blue Heelers - from Complete Fourth Season DVD - the early years)
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Aspect ratio: 4:3 standard
Audio: linear hi-fi/stereo
Size: 417MB
Video format: MPEG-4 (MP4)
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