Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) is in detention following his arrest and was immediately sent to a remand centre due to his criminal past. As the Paratas come to terms with the fact that they can’t fly,
Even though Ari is out on bail and faces a life term in prison, the family begins to disintegrate. Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) is enraged, Chloe (Sam Barrett) is traumatised, Mia (Anna Samson) is bereft, and Tane (Ethan Browne) is powerless.
Mia tries to help Ari’s case by giving a statement about her relationship with Matthew (James Sweeny), but Ari is dead set on taking the blame for Chloe and won’t let anyone else get involved. Mia becomes increasingly overwhelmed as the news spreads and she sees Ari’s face on the front page of the newspaper everywhere she looks.
Meanwhile, Dean (Patrick O’Connor) is dubious of the newspaper right away. He shared a prison cell with Ari when they were both imprisoned, and he believes Ari has changed and will never murder again. He declared that he would never return to prison! He chats with Mia and expresses his belief that Ari’s confession is a ruse. Mia, on the other hand, is incarcerated with the rest of the Paratas and flatly refuses to tell him even a fraction of the truth.
Knowing he only has a few tools at his disposal, Dean offers Mia some counsel based on what he knows about Ari: she must keep her cool for him. His stay inside will be more bearable if he thinks the Paratas are happy. But it’s evident that Nikau and Chloe are still emotional wrecks, so will she be able to pull it off?
Mia and Tane try to clear the air with everyone at home, but the results are devastating. Mia persists and organises a group visit to meet Ari the next weekend. However, she receives a letter from Ari’s lawyer, informing her that Ari has agreed to sign over his part of the gym to Tane. She interprets it as an omen of Ari’s impending defeat. He’s surrendering and putting his affairs in order in order to prepare for a life in prison…
