The Price Of Silence
Episode 6.30 (241)
Wednesday, September 01, 1999
Written by Cassandra Carter
Directed by Richard Sarell
A pro-police politician campaigning in Mt. Thomas gets the Heelers offside when he indecently assaults Maggie in the station. Shocked by his audacity, Maggie tells the Boss of her ordeal but asks him to keep it quiet — she will deal with Powers herself. When Inspector Falcon Price hears of Maggie's encounter, however, he casts doubt on her ability to judge these situations. After all, didn't she once misinterpret his interest in her career as personal? Falcon Price will not look upon her favourably if she makes a formal complaint and impresses upon Maggie the importance of Mark Powers winning his seat.
Powers promises to bring vast improvements to the police force and Falcon Price expects the Heelers to support his every endeavour while in town. As Powers presses the flesh at a public gathering, it is easy to see that he has a penchant for the ladies, particularly his branch secretary, Kerry Barron, and a journalist covering his tour. Powers' growing profile is called into question when a heckler punches him square in the nose during a speech. Bill Stockton refuses to tell the Heelers the reason behind his beef with Powers but it is strong enough to want to damage him. Powers refuses to press charges, raising Maggie and Jo's suspicions that he hides a past. Jo decides to dig further.
When the Heelers receive a report of a disturbance at Kerry Barron's place, Maggie and Ben arrive to find her traumatised by an attempted rape. Severely sight-impaired, Kerry claims to have no idea who attacked her, but Maggie is sure she is covering for Powers. There is no sign of forced entry and Kerry had the party faithful over for a few too many drinks.
Jo lets slip to Ben and PJ that Powers assaulted Maggie, giving them a mission to nab him, but under tough scrutiny Powers professes wide-eyed innocence. He admits he loves women, perhaps a little too much, but he'd never force one into a sexual encounter. PJ understands Maggie's need to handle the situation herself but the incidents angers Ben and deepens his ardour for Maggie. He wants to protect her.
Jo finds the incriminating history she's been looking for: Powers got Bill Stockton's young daughter pregnant years ago and she committed suicide. In the face of Falcon Price's avid disapproval, Maggie lays a charge against Powers, hoping it will encourage Kerry to give him up, but when Maggie learns Kerry has landed a job in Melbourne working with him, she is certain Kerry is paying a high price for the opportunity and her silence.
Guest Starring: Andrew McFarlane as Mark Powers, Paul English as Steve Parker, Neil Pigot as Inspector Falcon Price, Fiona MacLeod as Kerry Barron, Barry Friedlander as Bill Stockton, Leah Vanderberg as Helene Lee, Jeremy Kewley as Tony Timms
(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: 441MB
Video format: MPEG-4 (MP4)
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