Season 6, Episode 54: "The company of pigs" (original air date: February 13, 2004)

Alistair helps a neighbour and makes a pact with the devil. Dana helps a friend and causes a furore.

Alistair is expecting a visit from the Germans, or rather, Gunther, his old research partner. John is very anxious about the prospect, since Gunther's arrival is the opportunity to discuss funding the next phase, their laboratory. Liz is now on the wagon, but Alistair insists he has no problem with his dope habit. Unfortunately, this turns out not to be true. He is still getting free supplies from Bruce, who is having worries of his own. He can't fix the house truck, and is suffering from sinus and shoulder problems. But when he comes to Alistair angling for codeine and a sickness benefit, Alistair starts to feel he may have made a deal with the devil. Particularly when Bruce 'loses' his pills and wants another prescription. Alistair agrees, despite his misgivings. But then Bruce tries to get Wendy to fill the scrip. Never Alistair's biggest fan (especially after his appalling treatment of Michelle) she smells a very large rat, and wants Ken to investigate.

Ken reluctantly warns Alistair off, much to John's horror. He fears that any blemish to their reputation may put off the Germans. Alistair tries to avoid the problem, but Bruce won't be deterred and is angry when Alistair refuses to stump up with more pills. Alistair now feels between a rock and a hard place - sure that Bruce wants the drugs for unlawful purposes, and worried that Wendy will report him. And it's too late to cancel Gunther's visit, because he's already on the plane. Alistair fronts Bruce, and Bruce confesses how he has got in over his head with a drug dealer who he is meant to supply, who could get very heavy. Alistair sees only one way out, but worries it won't be enough. But at least Nicky seems to care.

When Ken pays a visit to Bruce, under duress from Wendy, he finds the house truck has vanished, with a small gift left behind for Alistair. But as Gunther arrives for the all-important visit, Ken has deduced what has happened. There was no drug dealer; and Bruce was never going to sell the pills. It was all a ruse to get Alistair to stump up the money to get the truck going again. Alistair realises he has been had - but at least he has his grand dreams. Unfortunately not. Gunther is there to tell him that there will be no laboratory, the Germans only really want Alistair for his clean bloodlines and pig sperm. John is furious. Alistair is left alone and disappointed, his dreams in tatters. There is only one thing left to do. Have a joint.

Dana meanwhile finds that her friend Tracy is upset because she can't afford to send her daughter on school camp. Dana's annoyed, especially when Tracy's ex, Tipene, has just had a big, tax-free bonus for work at the prison site. Dana tries to get him to stump up the money. Angry at her interference, he takes it badly. Dana takes revenge by suggesting another team member investigate his liable parent contributions. Little does she realise that this will cause a major investigation into the prison site, and her small act for justice results in recriminations from Arlene, Chad and Tipene. Dana feels bad, but it's too late to stop the investigation. But Arlene decides on her own revenge. Since Dana is so interested in doing good works, Arlene signs her up for the school board of trustees.