Redfern Now: Nov 8

Of the three episodes I have seen so far of Redfern Now, this week’s is the strongest episode.

Excellent performances here….

In her mid fifties, Coral’s (Tessa Rose) work brings her into contact with victims of abuse, which leads her to the mistaken conclusion that her daughter Rosie’s bruised face is the result of domestic violence. So they don’t talk.

On her way home from the local shops, Coral is knocked down by some teenage boys in a stolen car. One of them, Danny (Rhimi Johnson Page), – who hadn’t wanted to joyride anyway, stays to call an ambulance, but leaves before it arrives. The police trace the call back to his mobile, but Danny won’t grass his mates and is sent to juvenile detention.

Released from hospital, Coral begins to have dizzy spells. She reluctantly lets her granddaughter Julie (Shari Sebbens) come to stay, but complains that Rosie – Julie’s mother – didn’t offer to come. All Julie wants is for them to forgive and forget. When the spells get worse, Coral is re-admitted to hospital and Julie agrees to stay on to look after the house.

Newly released from detention, Danny arrives with some stolen birdseed as an apology to Coral, but meets Julie instead. Properly smitten, he pretends he’s from the pet shop. A romance slowly develops until Coral reveals that Danny was one of the kids who hit her. Julie refuses to see Danny, but he’s determined to convince Julie and Coral of his innocence.

8:30pm Thursday ABC1.