With the bridge about to re-open, the powers that be decide to close the Pearl Bay court and transfer all the cases to the new Port Deakin legal complex. The town embarks on a civil disobedience campaign to increase the case load and save the court at Pearl Bay. The courtroom is suddenly full of locals and their misdemeanors, and although Laura is touched, she feels they are wasting their time protesting against the harsh realities of centralisation and economic rationalism. She's decided to accept the writing on the wall and is making inquiries about a job at her old law firm. Miranda and Rupert are not convinced about the planned move back to the city and Max is horrified Laura is going to give in without any sort of resistance. What they need, he decides, is publicity. The trouble is, no one outside Pearl Bay is remotely interested.
With the promise of great personal glory, Bob has formed an unholy alliance with his old enemy - the Port Deakin Council. Amalgamation of the Pearl Bay council into Port Deakin threatens the very existence of Pearl Bay. Desperate to make the world understand the town's plight, a distraught Meredith grabs a gun and heads for the courtroom.
Some quick-thinking by Max sets up a most unlikely siege. Police and media attention is suddenly focused on the Pearl Bay court - where a mad gunwoman has Max, Meredith, Heather, Karen, Angus, Kevin, Phrani, Harold and Laura hostage. Locked in her chambers, Laura is convinced the gunwoman is seeking revenge for a jail sentence handed down by Laura some time ago. Inside the body of the courtroom, conspiracy and camaraderie reign during the long night of the siege. Karen and Angus spend precious last moments together; Heather, Meredith and Harold unite as a family unit; and Kevin and Phrani discover more secrets of the Karma Sutra.
Outside the court, experts decide how to deal with the gunwoman's demands while Trudi announces to Laura and the world that she needs Laura's forgiveness before her baby is born - which will be any minute now. As if this and being held captive in her chambers isn't enough for Laura, her old law firm calls to say they no longer have room for her as a partner. Max gets news that his novel has been rejected by the publishers. Laura and Max bond over their disappointments and a bottle of peach brandy.
Bob's anguish over Heather being held hostage intensifies when he realises the truth behind the council amalgamation. He devises a plan to save Pearl Bay ...
Tense moments during the seigeThe siege ends leaving the authorities bewildered, Sergeant Grey suspicious and the hostages safe and sound. Trudi's baby is born - with a surprising outcome, and Bob's plan to save the town looks like it might have worked. After a confession from Max, Laura decides staying in Pearl Bay might not be the worst option for her.
