Season 4, Episode 33: "Pride and prejudice" (original air date: February 28, 2003)

When Eric votes to grant resource consent for the Youth Correctional Facility, there is an uproar in the council chamber, leading to an attack. Kieran comes under suspicion when there is a suspicious fire outside the iwi authority. Nicky is determined to be the voice of reason - but finds this difficult since both sides seem beyond reasonable thought.

Helen uses her injured ankle as licence to be glued to the couch, and is thrilled to get a visit from an aggrieved Eric, bearing gifts of smallgoods.

Dana, after much hassling from Ken, tells Todd that she wants her money out of the house. She is surprised when he is pleasant and conciliatory, and is annoyed when Ken doubts Todd's motives.

Manu and Cliff go to Kieran in an effort to make peace over lunch, without success. When Manu becomes ill, he is convinced been poisoned - and wants proof. Nicky isn't inclined to take this seriously, but realises that it wouldn't be impossible for Kieran to act so recklessly. Kieran denies any responsibility, but is entirely unrepentant. Nicky counsels him against this, but he is far too proud to listen.

When there's a backlog in testing at the lab, Alistair offers to do the tests at work - partly because science is his first love - and also as a way of spending more time with Nicky. The tests clears Kieran - but Manu, still angry at being insulted, is still determined to use his political clout to take this further.

Meanwhile, William samples some of Eric's smallgood platter and becomes ill. Alistair realises the connection - and also that Helen has not told him of Eric's visit. All claims of impartiality vanish. He is delighted to discover that the source of the food poisoning is Beckhoven's prosciutto. As a result, Todd loses his job - and can no longer buy Dana out.

When there is another suspicious fire, this time at Beckhoven's, Ken is amazed to see Todd is the newest member of the volunteer fire brigade. Both Ken and Dana are unaware of Todd's motives.

Despite the truth about the food poisoning, bad publicity has done damage and Kieran's financial prospects worsen. Kieran realises that he has no one to blame but himself. Even though she can only agree, Nicky realises that she is not as impartial as she has claimed either.