Rake

How we wish we could write that, since we last met our hero he has found the road to Damascus instead of the road to perdition; that he has learned to love wisely instead of too often, and that going another 25 grand into debt to back a 'sure thing' roughie at Moonee Valley paid off. The nag didn't even finish the race. Sadly, that epicentre of chaos otherwise known as Cleaver Greene has learned nothing in this time and hasn't changed one whit. If anything, he's a little worse. Like any genuine addict, Cleaver is on a constant search for higher highs and faster rushes. When we first re-discover Cleaver, he is in the back of a limo with a woman he really, really shouldn't be with. When her husband finds out about their affair, he resolves to make it his life's work to destroy our hapless hero. But for Cleaver, foes are a dime a dozen. The Shadow Attorney-General (none other than Harry-Sorry-David Potter) still has Cleaver firmly in his sights and, of course, Cleaver can't help but give David ample opportunities to gun him down. Money for Cleaver is, as ever, too tight to mention. Fortunately for him, his biggest creditor, Kirsty Corella (imprisoned crime boss Mick Corella's wife), has taken a bit of a shine to Cleaver and is more than happy to cut a generous deal... This isn't entirely convenient as his ex-wife, Wendy, has been reluctantly entertaining the odd romantic thought about him. Cleaver occasionally wonders if Missy is entertaining similar thoughts. But he doesn't have a clue where she is. She could be anywhere on the planet by now. And with anyone. Meanwhile, Barney and Scarlet are throwing all their might (maybe a little too much) into resurrecting their marriage and becoming perfect parents. Of course, for Scarlet, this means they have to have a life without Cleaver... which proves to be a little difficult for everyone. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)