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Clip description
The title sequence is followed by a recap of the first episode, The Crash, in which Alice Henderson (Diane Craig) holds firm against an approach by Mr Wheeler (Peter Whitford) to buy the family property at Haven Bay. The fact that that the town is ‘dying’ is revealed through a conversation between café owner Pat (Antoinette Byron) and Mike (Nicholas Eadie). Prompted by Wheeler’s offer, Alice decides to take her teenage children Steve (Paul Smith) and Tam (Nadine Garner) to Haven Bay for the school holidays, despite their lack of enthusiasm. But she is accidentally killed while selflessly rescuing a toddler from an approaching truck.
Curator’s notes
The opening titles set up the busy city world of the Henderson kids (both sporting ’80s short shorts and haircuts) in contrast with the small sleepy seaside town of Haven Bay. Looking out at the view from their property at Haven Bay, watched by a smiling Mike (Nicholas Eadie) and accompanied by an upbeat title track, the titles hint at better times ahead. This sequence also introduces the local gang, which includes teenage actors Ben Mendelsohn and Kylie Minogue.
The dramatic mood of the opening sequence contrasts strongly with the recap of the previous episode. The selected scenes establish main characters, their relationships and attitudes as well as hinting at some of the central themes of the series to follow.
