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A best-selling, but recently cancelled, children's author has a meltdown when approached by Austin, a neurodivergent 20-something claiming to be his son. He then realises that embracing the young man may be the path to redemption.
Austin grapples with sudden literary fame when his novel is picked up by an international publisher. Meanwhile his previously estranged father Julian and stepmother Ingrid, sell their beloved Big Bear series to Australian TV.
Julian is dropped from Big Bear's TV deal due to his "reputation", while Ingrid is named creative lead. Austin searches for a British backstory worthy of a book deal.
Austin thinks he's on a date. Greta thinks it's a meeting. Julian goes rogue at the publisher's office, and Ingrid quietly edges toward a Big Bear deal without him.
Austin fakes pop culture tastes to sell books. Ingrid starts her job as creative director of the new show and is confronted by the star, Rodger Corser wanting to change things. Julian bonds with Rodger and ruins everything.
Austin bombs his press conference and book signing, Mel's romance is vetted by the government, and Julian's secret identity as a young queer bee-saving writer is exposed.
After appearing on a controversial podcast and getting Haley fired, Austin faces a family intervention. Meanwhile, Ingrid is auditioning the whole of Canberra to find an actor to play Big Bear before she loses the show.
Austin follows a rom-com manual to woo Haley, Ingrid flirts with Big Bear, and a kiss leads to disaster when the bear head comes off - literally.
Ingrid quits Big Bear, Austin cancels fame, Mel races to stop a resignation, and Haley might be The One. All roads lead to Thunder Thursday - and one gloriously chaotic Canberra bus ride.
