Episode 3 of "Last Days of the Space Age," entitled "We'll Take A Moment," kicks off with an exhilarating escapade as Mia, Jono, Bilya, and Poppy sneak out of their respective abodes, their hearts pounding with anticipation, to embark on a clandestine adventure to a pulsating nightclub. The foursome arrives at the club, their entrance igniting a flurry of excitement and chaos, leaving quite a memorable impression.
Meanwhile, Mick finds himself amidst a different scene, sharing the same nightclub space with Svetlana and the other pageant hopefuls. Amidst the revelry, his gaze inadvertently locks onto Mia as she hastily exits the venue, pursued by security. Jono chivalrously offers her a ride home, where Mia, avoiding detection, slides gracefully through the window into her abode. Little does she know, her sister Tilly, feeling left in the shadows, overhears their whispered conversation, her heart filled with a mixture of longing and resentment.
Dawn breaks, ushering in a new day, and Eileen and Judy rouse their children from slumber, preparing them for the rigors of school. Judy, mindful of her culinary masterpiece, sternly warns Mia and Tilly to steer clear of the cake destined for the evening's street party. For Jono, a different surprise awaits as he awakens to discover his father's decision to shutter their food stall in favor of preparing a feast for the community gathering.
At the power supply factory, tensions run high as Fran implores Judy to ensure the timely dispatch of crucial forms, vital to maintaining the uninterrupted flow of energy. Wayne, adding fuel to the fire, casually mentions Mia's late-night foray into the nightclub, leaving Judy stunned and abruptly abandoning her duties to confront her daughter.
Elsewhere, Tony, who's been taking refuge with Mick after their recent altercation, awakens to find his brother contemplating a hotel stay. But their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Judy's stormy arrival, her voice laced with anger as she accuses Mick of withholding the truth about Mia's nightclub escapade from her and Tony. Tony, caught off guard, struggles to process the revelation, while Judy, her frustration boiling over, chastises him for failing to live up to his self-proclaimed role as the family patriarch and protector.
She subsequently ventures to the seashore, where Mia is avidly surfing the waves, and escorts her home, delivering a stern lecture for her clandestine escapade. Mia, unrepentant, retaliates by leveling an accusation at Judy, revealing her own unconventional family circumstances with Tilly, her out-of-wedlock child. Tony's arrival signals an end to Mia's defiance as he promptly disciplines her for her disrespect towards Judy. The village's ladies, uninvited, burst into the house, seizing the cake Judy had meticulously crafted for the evening's festivities.
At the soirée, Eileen can't help but notice Bilya's overt warmth towards Poppy, their camaraderie a striking contrast to the evening's backdrop. Yvgeny, ever the gentleman, accompanies Svetlana and two other pageant hopefuls to the street party, only to have their revelry dampened by a sudden downpour. Amidst the chaos, Mick valiantly attempts to capture the essence of the beauty pageant despite the adverse conditions. Svetlana, unlike her competitors who appear indifferent to the Perth locals, exudes warmth and kindness.
Jono's mother confides in Bob about a distressing phone call from a refugee camp, and he promptly offers his assistance in reconnecting her with her son. Eileen and Bob, their own conversation a secret, sneak through the crowded party to steal a moment of intimacy.
Meanwhile, Tilly's heart is filled with sorrow upon learning of Svetlana's unfulfilled dream of becoming an astronaut. Svetlana's revelation that women were barred from space exploration due to the unforgiving physical demands it imposed, pierces Tilly's soul, leaving her deeply moved and disheartened.
Inspector Rocoa's arrival at the party, fashionably late, coincided with Poppy's father making a grand entrance. Yvgeny, eager for conversation, cornered Rocoa only to uncover a tawdry secret—the inspector was embroiled in an illicit affair. With a mischievous grin, he taunted the officer about his marital indiscretions.
Up on the rooftop, Tilly observed Jono and Mia intimately, her jealousy boiling over. In a fit of rage, she nudged the ladder away, trapping them above. Mia, undaunted, leaped from the roof, confronting Tilly head-on. Judy, unaware of the sibling drama, tasked Mia with fetching the cake, but Tilly, hot on her heels, accused Mia of stealing everything from her—her homework, possessions, even her dearest friend, Jono. Mia, stung by the accusations, sought solace in Bob's caravan, leaving Judy furious at her behavior and retreating indoors.
Elsewhere, Mick was preoccupied with Svetlana, who charmed the children while the other pageant contestants indulged in their snooty antics. Judy's patience finally snapped, and she vented her frustration by plunging her fist into the center of the cake, tearing off a chunk and devouring it messily. The party's lights flickered and died as Judy collapsed onto her bed, exhausted.
Tony arrived with a bottle of alcohol, intending to share a moment of respite with Judy, but the festivities were abruptly cut short. Tilly, consumed by anger, set fire to her cherished spaceship posters, reducing them to ashes. At the beach, Mia's earlier altercation with a boy escalated when he snatched her surfboard, goading her further. Enraged, she chased after him, only to find Jono by his car. Without hesitation, Mia, despite her lack of driving skills, climbed into the driver's seat, and in a reckless display, crashed the car into a nearby tree.
As the final scene of Last Days of the Space Age Episode 3 unfolds, the Bissett family's phone rings incessantly, its shrill tone echoing through the house, while Tony and Judy lie entwined in bed, oblivious to the chaos that has engulfed their world.
