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.
CreatorsAlison Nisselle, Tony McDonald
Top Quality Crims
Feb 13, 1992
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.
Christmas In July
Feb 13, 1992
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.
A Bunch of Big Girls
Feb 20, 1992
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.
On the Edge
Feb 27, 1992
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.
A Dog's Life
Feb 27, 1992
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.
Out In the Cold
Mar 12, 1992
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.
Old Rules, New Games
Mar 19, 1992
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.
Fond Memories
Mar 26, 1992
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.
Shaking the Tree
Apr 2, 1992
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.
Blessed are the Peace Makers
Apr 9, 1992
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.
Hair of the Dog
Apr 16, 1992
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.
Paradise Tomorrow
Apr 23, 1992
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.
Hard Ball
Apr 30, 1992
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.
