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Phoenix is an Australian police drama television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992 and 1993. The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bombing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing. It was aided by extensive research into police techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance and forensics, as well as having an involving storyline. The series was notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence and language. It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases. The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD as a 4 DVD box set.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 Top Quality CrimsNext upFeb 13, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Jock Brennan, Inspector of the Major Crime Squad, is pursuing a vicious armed robber who has stolen police service pistols. Ian Cochrane, public servant and scientist, is in charge of collecting the forensic evidence. These two men argue heatedly at the crime scene. Forensic is not Jock's priority. His attempt to dismiss Ian from the scene results in a stand up fight. In court, Ian is cross examined relentlessly. He's stunned at the attack on his personal integrity. Jock is stunned when they actually win the case. The two men's antagonism comes to an abrupt halt when the Police Club's annual party is bombed.
Guest stars: Joy Hruby (Fat Alice), Simon Wilton (Barry Fletcher), Don Bridges (Dave Turner), Christopher Stevenson (Johnny Mercer), Denis Moore (Prosecutor), Patrick Moffat (Magistrate), Bob Stevenson (Judge), Geoff Wallis (Taffy)
- E2 Christmas In JulyFeb 13, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
In the chaotic remains after the Police Club bombing, over the grim task of sorting through the pieces, Ian and Jock are forced to work together. With the death toll mounting, the only leads come from within the police force itself. One is the shell shocked young constable who is Jock's only eye witness. The other is a disgruntled policeman who may well have set off the bomb. The police find themselves doing what they dread most, investigating one of their own.
Guest stars: Carole Yelland (Faye Anderson), Cathy McMorrow (Const. Julie Briggs), Simon Wilson (Const. Barry Fletcher), Tom Coltraine (David Rogers), Kirsty Grant (Emma Rogers), Rob Constable (Inspector Simpson), Laine Lamont (Mrs Briggs), Anthony Evans (Mr Briggs)
- E3 A Bunch of Big GirlsFeb 20, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Megan, an analyst, is the first woman to join the all male world of the Major Crime Squad. She has a hard time of it, initially being shut out by their prejudice. It's not until she starts making headway with the thousands of pieces of information flooding in to the bombing investigation team that she gains some grudging acceptance. It is Megan who helps save Jock from making a disastrous error with a likely suspect.
Guest stars: Douglas Hedge (Charlie), Esme Melville (Mrs Butler), Bill McLorinan (Syd), Tibor Gyapjas (Gino Martinelli), Luigi Villani (Mario), Peter J. Williams (BCI Sergeant), Richard Cordner (Drug Squad Detective 1), Ian Swan (Drug Squad Detective 2)
- E4 On the EdgeFeb 27, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Laz is an undercover cop coming in the from the cold. He's a social outcast and a rebel who has been on the streets too long. His return to the traditional police force - and to the bombing investigation team - has explosive results. Laz doesn't rejoin the human race easily. But he proves his value beyond question when he provides the hard-pressed team with their first solid lead - a stolen car garage that worked on the bomb car. But concealing the truth of who you are is a hard habit to break.
Guest stars: Burt Cooper (Denton), Steve Hardman (Terry Martin), Dennis Lees (Skin), Brett Swain (Tattoo), David Kemp (Gig), Robin Wade (Crim), Mitch Ambrose (Youth), Nicholas Politis (Bomber)
- E5 A Dog's LifeFeb 27, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
In a raid on the stolen car garage, Nick - one of the bombers - is caught in their net. A relentless round of interrogations go on into the night. Nick keeps a very low profile. He manages to wriggle free, unsuspected. There's not a shred of evidence to connect him. He walks into the night, laughing at the police.
Guest stars: Tiriel Mora (Gaspar Balcescu), Jeff Kovski (Thomasz Balcescu), Nico Lathouris (Lenny Ryan), Paul Dawber (Snapper), John Arthurs (Larry), Felice Arena (Uniform Constable), Dominic McDonald (Roy Lindsay), Dominic Sweeney (Wheels)
- E6 Out In the ColdMar 12, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
The last vestiges of Laz's undercover persona are blown when Jock orders him to start acting like a detective. He can no longer work the streets without risking his life from the criminals he once lived amongst. It's a terrible loss of identity which leads to a violent outburst. Defending his Senior Sergeant, he assaults a member of the public. This brings him under the cold hard scrutiny of the Internal Investigations. Before it's over, Laz could be charged with a criminal offence.
Guest stars: Brian McDermott (Roy Gamble), Nick Waters (Clive Wilson), Robyn Gibbes (Sandra), Jay Jay Bailey (Francine), Peter Crossley (Jim Martin), Terry Brittingham (Flash), David Cotter (Thomas Norton), Tony Horton (Uniform Const. 1)
- E7 Old Rules, New GamesMar 19, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
With the bombing investigation stalled for lack of hard evidence, Jock seeks out an old trusted informant. Tiny, a professional safebreaker, is Jock's direct link to criminals who handle explosives. But Tiny, needing cash, double crosses Jock and decides to blow a safe. Things go wrong when the car he steals to transport his gear has a sleeping baby in the back seat. Jock gets a frantic call for help from the panicked Tiny. His much needed informant is about to go to jail for a long time.
Guest stars: Bill Hunter (Tiny), Shane Connor (Manny), Shauna McEwan (Surveillance Cop), George Fairfax (Commissioner), Niall O'Donnell (Axle), Rick Elliot (Detective), Margaret Peerman (Mother), Charmaine Clements (Policewoman 2)
- E8 Fond MemoriesMar 26, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Megan, the analyst, takes off on a tangent of her own. She decides to pursue the bombers by assuming they require large amounts of money to finance the bomb and their continuing silence. She uncovers a possible suspect whose very distinctive description leads her to the world of sexual offences. She discovers Kelly, an angry rape victim who is disillusioned with the police force's inability to convict offenders. Megan has to batter her way through Kelly's defences to get a photo-fit of her vicious attacker .. and a possible lead to the identity of one of the bombers.
Guest stars: Leverne McDonnell (Kelly), Chris Waters (Det. Don Roberts), Jason Blake (Toby the Toolman), Carol Davis (Gus Leaman), Ruth Yaffe (Ruth Leaman), Barbara Wold (Female Clerk), Lance Anderson (Quarryman), Jasper Bagg (Con (VOI))
- E9 Shaking the TreeApr 2, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Pursuing another line in the bombing investigation, the team raid known drug dealers with the hope of shaking out much needed information. One raid goes wrong when Lochie, the Senior Sergeant, is nearly shot by a terrified dealer. During questioning, it's discovered the frightened man was robbed - and his young sister assaulted - by some very dangerous men. It all points to the bombers but the dealer will not talk - no matter what. He's scared to death of the men. It's a frustrating dead end for the team.
Guest stars: Doug Bowles (Fergy), John Brumpton (Gonzo), Olivia Harkin (Jacquie), Richard Moss (Julian Gledhill), Lisa Chambers (Leanne), David Le Page (Dicko), Miki Mato (Maori Dealer), Rod Densley (George)
- E10 Blessed are the Peace MakersApr 9, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
Knowing that they are facing very heavy villains, Jock allows a member of the crack Special Operations Group to be assigned to the bombing investigation team. Although Blazo is the epitome of a black suited 'headkicker', it soon becomes clear that Blazo is not a thug but a thinking policeman. The small boy in Ian falls 'helplessly in love' with the Special Operations cowboys. Bags of high explosives are recovered from a river - a sure indication that bombers maybe getting ready to do a runner - getting rid of the evidenc. Time may be running out for the investigation if the bombers decide to head out of the state.
Guest stars: Dominic Sweeney (Wheels), Jonathan Kernutt (Anton Kastelanic), Alex Menglet (Ivan Kastelanic), Scott Bowie (Gary), Valentina Levkowicz (Mrs Kastelanic), Jasper Bagg (Paul), Dale Stevens (Rhonda), Beverley Evans (Trish)
- E11 Hair of the DogApr 16, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
With the forensic evidence largely tagged and ready, Carol becomes increasingly cut off from Ian and the lab. Now that she has returned to work - abandoning her maternity leave - her entry into the team rearranges alliances at a critical moment. Other crimes are drawing much needed resources from the investigation. Jock takes too long to discover his team is close to disintegrating.
Guest stars: Stephen Leeder (Inspector Glidden), Terry Serio (Barney), George Fairfax (Dep. Commissioner), Denis Moore (Jimmy Farrel), Matthew King (Arch (Pathologist)), Jim Daly (Inspector Flynn), Nico Lathouris (Lenny), Christopher Barry (Larry)
- E12 Paradise TomorrowApr 23, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
For the first time we close in on the bombers and confirm how dangerous and renegade are their personalities. We see why the bombing investigation has battled for every slim lead. Even the criminal underworld is afraid of them. But, under increasing pressure from the police, they are beginning to make their first real mistakes.
Guest stars: Christopher Barry (Trevor), Stan Harrington (Store Asst), Bob Halsall (Reporter 1), Christopher Bird (Reporter 2), George Vidalis (Mick), Nell Feeney (Megan), Tony Poli (Laz), Nicholas Politis (Nick)
- E13 Hard BallApr 30, 1992 · 50 min
Synopsis
The final curtain. The investigation team know they are dealing with mad dogs who are unlikely to come in quietly. The raid, then the interrogations have to come off with lightning precision as they race against time to charge the bombers.
Guest stars: David Bradshaw (Fluff), Kevin Summers (Toohey), George Vidalis (Mick), Nell Feeney (Megan), Tony Poli (Laz), Nicholas Politis (Nick), Todd Telford (Dennis), Patrick Ward (Blazo)
Cast & crew
Created by Alison Nisselle, Tony McDonald
Sean Scully
Simon Westaway
Peter Cummins
Keith Agius
Peter McCauley
David Roberts
