Downsizing
Episode 6.26 (237)
Wednesday, August 04, 1999
Written by Dave Marsh
Directed by Richard Sarell
Tom can't believe his eyes when his old mate Max Arnold arrives at the bank with a hefty cheque written on the side of a cow. It's legal tender, snorts Max, and if the bank is so determined to milk him for mortgage payments, well let them learn how — milk this!
Country life has changed. There was a time when a bank manager would cut some slack to catch up on a missed payment. Not any more. Tom goes to see bank manager Kevin Sutton to discuss Max's difficulty but Sutton remains steadfast.
Tom returns to find the station empty and the phone ringing. It is a struggle coping one member down and no replacement for Dash in sight. When the Heelers learn from St David's that staffing levels are under review, tempers become short. Are they really expected to continue like this?
More bad news when Chris arrives to see Tom. Has he heard that the Vic Bank is closing down? What are they to do without a bank? Tom wonders whether his beloved Mt. Thomas is about to suffer the same downward spiral that has ruined so many rural communities. One by one, the commercial resources are plucked away until prospering towns wither and fade.
Unnerved by the bank's closure and noticing the Heelers under pressure, Chris spreads word that the station may be in danger of shutting down. Well-meaning locals keep the Heelers busy with a spate of false crime reports, hoping St David's will reconsider its drastic proposal if the town is ravaged by crime. But the ploy takes a tragic turn when Leila's urgent call of assistance sits on the pile. Her partner Merv cannot be found and, they discover, has had a bad accident. Where were they?
Kevin Sutton is having the same trouble. Everyone wants to open a new bank account but no matter how much business they bring it's too late. The bank will close, and with it Max Arnold's farm. Unbeknownst to the town, Sutton tells Tom he has tried to save the branch but the locals' anger is fierce and he bears the brunt of their jibes with a heavy heart.
Tom learns the town has misjudged Sutton as Max walks into the bank with a shotgun. Now there are two lives at stake: Max's life on the farm and Sutton's life. Which is it to be?
Guest Starring: Terry Norris as Max Arnold, Peter Aanensen as Merv Poole, Marie Trevor as Leila Clegg, Sapidah Kian as Dr Jasmin Farah, Neil Melville as Kevin Sutton, Genevieve Morris as Judy Ballard, Stig Wemyss as Geoff Hird, Norman Yemm as Dan Ballard, Andy McPhee as Arnie, Ed Rosser as Doug Roberts
(encoded with Handbrake - Blue Heelers - from Complete Seventh Season DVD - the early years)
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Aspect ratio: 4:3 standard
Audio: linear hi-fi/stereo
Size: 502MB
Video format: MPEG-4 (MP4)
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