The death of Melissa Rafter
The Rafters bubble has burst. Melissa Rafter (Zoe Ventoura) was killed in a car accident in the hit Seven drama, Packed to the Rafters.
- Published by David Knox
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The Rafters bubble has burst.
Melissa Rafter (Zoe Ventoura) was killed in a car accident in tonight’s episode of the hit Seven drama, Packed to the Rafters.
In an emotional episode narrated by the voice of Ben (Hugh Sheridan), the perfect world of the young couple came crashing down when it was least expected.
Everything had been rosy for the young couple, both planning a baby together. Tonight, while Ben was organising a romantic evening at a hotel for his wife, Melissa was stuck at work.
Meanwhile back at the Rafters household, a family dinner was underway.
The fatal moment happened as she drove from the hospital to the hotel, distracted by a phone message from Ben. Another car from the other direction collided with hers.
But the real drama was saved for a sensitive family scene in which a stony-faced Ben attended the hospital surrounded by a tearful family.
Captured in slow motion with a song, it was a powerful scene.
The tragedy followed network promos teasing the “death of a young Rafter,” but her fate became clear within the first 15 minutes when farewelling Ben as she head off to work.
“If I had known my bubble was about to burst,” said Ben, “I would never have let her go.”
Melissa (nee Bannon) married into the family only a year ago, in a picture perfect soapie wedding.
The death of Melissa is the first major death since the show has begun. In the final weeks of the ratings season, viewers will now be compelled to watch how television’s favourite family come to terms with the tragedy.
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136 Responses
I’m only an occasional PTTR viewer, but I watched last night’s episode. Kudos to all involved, it was very well done indeed. I could have lived without the slow motion hospital morgue sequence and the montage, but they are minor quibbles in what was a very well written and acted episode. I see from next week’s funeral episode preview that Melissa visits Ben as a ghostly apparition – a somewhat cliched soapie plot device, I hope they aren’t tempted to overplay it. I wouldn’t be surprised if last night’s episode receives Logie consideration. Do they still give out Logies for best episode of a locally made TV show? They used to years ago. It would have been better if the excruciatingly dreadful Carbo was killed off (perhaps a rogue cluster bomb could hit his McMansion) but I can always live in hope.
last night was the first time i had ever watch PTTR but even i knew from about the last 20 minutes who it was and i totally agree they should not have let it slip they should have made it a total shock
I’d like to know how someone dies from a minor side on impact to the drivers side back door.
@ dc totally agree the death in s1 love my way was one of the best so well written and executed made me cry buckets
wooh im back from the dead wooooo
Jokes. I am very sad that Mel died, I could not sleep!!!
I haven’t watched the episode yet since I’ve just got back from overseas so I didn’t even know the hype so didn’t even think there would be a problem checking TV Tonight!
I’m not complaining. I’m sure I’ll still enjoy the episode once I catch up (only 3 behind). I guess it’s just the way things are these days.
I thought it was very powerful – I was trying not to cry, it was well shot. We all knew it would be Mel so the suspense wasn’t there. At least they didn’t drag out the death.
I hope all who watched yesterday took the message about driving and being distracted by phones – it can happen so easily but that small distraction can be deadly.
A trully incredible hour of television drama. Australians should be proud.
To top if off with reference to the greatest song ever made… Coldplay – Fix You… was just… perfect.
Great acting, well done to all.
“and I will try… to fix you.”
I gave up on this show, too many dramas and people having a hard time. I enjoyed the first season and recently gave up after the break up of Nathan
Agree totally with JB – exactly my thoughts.
The only thing I feel the need to add is all you people who complain about being spoilered have only yourselves to blame. Don’t go looking on the internet at TV related sites or read twitter updates if you don’t want to be spoilered. I waited to watch the episode an hour later in QLD, then came online to read other viewers comments here at the place that I knew I would find it, and if you had any common sense, you should have done the same. Serves you right. I applaud TV Tonight’s up-to-the-minute news, and for giving us a place to share it immediately. Thank you.
it was a sad show. but like usual 7s over flogging it like a dead horse nearly ruined it for everyone
I wish they promoted the episode without telling us that someone was going to die. Like that part of the storyline was unknown. It would have made the episode so much more better. It was obvious, like David sad, from the beginning that Melissa was going to die.
And as for Mel dying, i think thats just stupid! Why did they have to kill her off? Urgh!! Next week is going to be so sad, i don’t know how i’ll be able to manage. sigh!
Thanks for that Brady. Coldplay ‘Fix You’, I just couldn’t name the some.
So with the Ghost, will there be a potting wheel scene next week 🙂
David Knox – Sorry for missing all your previous posts that I should have read. House full of sick kids keeps me away from computer. I still think the main headline shouldn’t expose the dead person’s name. Sorry for having an opinion and missing your articles. I’m just reacting to one Twitter headline, thats all.
Jerome – As I stated in my original post, I follow 170+ persons on Twitter and lucky me, not one of them exposed the dead person on PTTR until “TvTonight” around 8.45pm QLD time. Truly, I don’t give a stuff about spoilers … I knew Mel was The one anyway courtesy of parenthood websites tonight. Stupidly I was thinking of others and I just mentioned maybe the subject line could have changed just slightly but I am wrong again.
May u all live happily in your Rafter World ….
They used Sia’s song beautifully. It’s good to see them support Australian talent.
According to the Herald Sun, “The episode was filmed in September after actress Zoe Ventoura decided to move to Los Angeles to further her career.”
Hopefully this causes a change in Ben, because the way the writers were portraying him was Very annoying. He was constantly rude to Retta, and generally acted like a stuck-up assh*le.
Channel 7 definitely dropped the ball on the promo. And Ben’s line, which ruined the surprise, was also really stupid. Why did the writers include that?
I wish people outside EDST would stop complaining. David gave fare warning for those who visit the site regularly and those in other states should avoid the www when shows like this air if they don’t want to be spoiled.
Fix u by coldplay
@Craig – I’m pretty sure the song on the radio at the time of the crash was the same one Ben “dedicated” to Mel that morning when their alarm went off – ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay.
That episode was by far the saddest ever! especially when he hads to view her body 🙁
but she comes back next week as a ghost
The eps was somewhat predictable but still enjoyable, next weeks looks just as good as they deal with the death.
Songs – Okay thanks for the info but what was the one playing on the car radio at the time of the crash. I know it but I just can’t name it.
@Belinda: tonight’s episode will be posted on Yahoo!7 website on Wednesday morning.
The last scene was extremely moving, but right from the start as soon as Ben started talking I knew it was Mel. And claims it will happen when you least expect. Well it happened exactly when i expected it and exactly how i expected it. I knew she’d get in a car and die that way, i thought it might be Coby getting in the car pissed who did it, but you saw it coming anyway.
Not happy that killed off Mel. There were plenty of issues the shows could have dealt with now like Dave’s depression, and now the issue with Coby. Sad to see her go. Hope this doesn’t mean more screen time for Retta. Terrible and annoying character.
@PerthViewer The time difference to WA is not a new innovation, it’s been around forever. There has been sufficient warning that the story is going to be being reported here in line with EDST. But even the PerthNow news website thought it fit to report the “spoiler” before the show has even gone to air in WA!
perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/car-crash-death-of-mel-delivers-shock-value-to-packed-to-the-rafters/story-e6frg30l-1225946946727
A link to the article appears on the main page of PerthNow with a picture and spoiler published.
well done it shows how shock and trauma go hand in hand having dealt with more than my fair share of trauma it can really change a person life and those around them and with out proper support and even with it depression can really somtimes destroy a persons whole outlook on life i do hope the writers delve into that side of things one thing they should make a point of is that ‘you never get over it you just have to learn to live with it’
That was a very powerful ending… So sad. Gathered it in the first 15 minutes when she left for work. I can’t remember who asked but she left the show as she wanted to pursue a career in America. It was very sad. I cried when nath came to bens hotel room… I’m a sucker I know lol.