Ep 5. Waiting for Apples

In Blue Heelers season 1 episode 5, titled "Waiting for Apples," the residents of Mount Thomas are excited for the annual Apple Festival. Sergeant Tom Croydon (John Wood) feels nostalgic about his childhood memories of the festival and takes an interest in it despite being busy with work. Meanwhile, Constable Maggie Doyle (Lisa McCune) feels increasingly frustrated by the sexist attitudes of some of the town's male residents.

The episode opens with the town preparing for the Apple Festival, where vendors from the surrounding areas come to sell their fresh produce. Among them is a new farmer named Johnno (Simon Westaway), who is selling his apples at the festival for the first time. Maggie is immediately drawn to Johnno, who is handsome and charming, but soon realizes that he is no different from the other men in town when he makes a condescending remark about her abilities as a police officer.

At the station, Tom and his team are dealing with a series of crimes that occur in the lead up to the festival. The bakery is robbed, and a man is caught stealing apples from one of the orchards. When the police question the man, he reveals that he was stealing apples to help pay for his sick child's medical bills. The man's plight touches Tom, and he decides to help the man and his family out.

As the festival draws near, tensions rise in the town as the men and women prepare for their annual tug-of-war competition. Maggie, fed up with the sexist attitudes she has to deal with every day, decides to enter the competition with a team of other women. Her team ends up winning, much to the surprise and dismay of the male competitors.

However, the celebrations are cut short when the police receive a report of a missing child. Tom and the team launch a search for the child, and Johnno offers to help as he knows the area well. The group eventually finds the child, safe and sound, and Tom is relieved to have been able to use his skills to help the community.

As the episode ends, Tom reflects on the values that he holds dear - family, community, and helping those in need. Maggie, too, is reminded of the good that she can do as a police officer, despite the obstacles she faces. The Apple Festival may be over, but the lessons learned from it will stay with the residents of Mount Thomas for a long time to come.

Overall, Blue Heelers season 1 episode 5 is a heartwarming tale of community spirit and the importance of overcoming gender stereotypes. The episode touches on themes of family, relationships, and what it means to be a part of a close-knit community. Through its engaging storyline and strong characters, it brings to life the trials and tribulations of life in a small town and reminds us of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity.