McLeod's Daughters

(singer vocalizing) (dramatic music) (helicopter chuffing) (dramatic music) Hey, get on up there! Go on, get on up! C'mon! (upbeat music) Come on! (upbeat music) (singer vocalizing) (upbeat rock music) (laughing) I know, I know. It's unbelievable. Yeah, yeah, tell everyone. Okay. Ray's at 10. On me. Yep, okay. Bye! I am rich. I am fabulously wealthy. Woo! (country music) Whoa, come on! Yeah, get in there. Hey! (country music) (chain clanging) Thanks, guys. We'll draft them up after lunch and then have a few beers. (gentle music) (woman laughs) In the middle of the CWA meeting! (laughs) Oh, it's too true! (woman laughing) Lunch is on the table. Thanks. G'day, Terry. G'day. What's it this week? Fence down, bull on the loose? Oh, Harry just wants to know if you, erm, picked up any of his cattle in your herd. Ah. Gee, you'd think a man who owned a helicopter would have a phone. Hmm. Geez, you could have done better than that. Well, what's the point? Well, Claire might know, but my daughter doesn't. (both laughing) The CWA? -

Terry

Yeah. -

Woman

Did she have anything on underneath? -

Terry

Oh, she had a slip on. -

Woman

Oh! -

Terry

She's a big girl, all right? (laughs) I'll tell you what. (gentle music) A twinkle in the eye looking heavenwards. 10 letters. (clock ticking) (car rumbling) (clock ticking) (car door bangs shut) (knocks on door) Who'd be using the front door? (knocking at door) Two guesses. Real estate vultures! I've told you people I'm not selling! (Claire groans) I'm sorry? The door's stuck! Go 'round the side. Oh, which way? Forget it, I'm coming around. (scoffs) No, I can probably open it. Just wait there. (door bangs open) Oh! Hello? Hello? Claire. It's me, Tess. (gentle music) Tess? You look like your mother. Hi. (birds chirping) Should we go inside? It's so gorgeous. The house and the trees and the hills. Straight out of a painting, isn't it? It's much bigger than I remembered. Can't believe I own half of it now. (gentle music) (Tess inhales) I remember that smell. That smell of, um... Wood? Mold. (chuckles) It's a moldy smell. You know, it's a good mold. It's a dry, country sort of mustiness. It's always cool and dark in here. I remember running in on really hot days and... And this was Jack's room, wasn't it? This was Jack's study. Can I get you a cool drink? Yeah, thanks. (glasses clink) (water running) Tess? Meg? I can't believe it! Oh! (both laughing) What a surprise! Oh, you're the spitting image of your mum. Oh, don't hold that against me. Where is Ruth? Erm, she died. Two months ago. A week before our father. It's sort of romantic, eh? Excuse me. (water running) Do we have any real water? Oh, here, let me. (water running) Anyway, that's probably why I didn't get the letter for so long, from the solicitor. When Mum couldn't work anymore, thank you, we moved to a smaller place. And ever since she died, I guess I've been moving around a bit. So I guess we need to talk about what we're going to do with the property. I've got to get back to work. Sure, I just thought, erm... Over lunch? I had it. I've got to get back to the cattle. Just make yourself comfortable. (gentle music) (Tess sighs) (drovers chattering) Better get moving. Jack always let us have an hour for lunch. I'm the boss now. Come on. You think she heard? Nah. (gentle music) Oh, I wouldn't go in there. That's Jack's room. I'm Jodi. You know, you don't look like Claire at all. Do you want me to show you around? Sure. Do you work here? No, I live here. Well, not here, over at the cottage with mum. Meg. I mean, I don't really live here. I've been at boarding school for like, ages and I'm just here waiting for my exam results. And then I'm going to go to Tate in the city and-- That was my room. I don't think so. Yeah, it was. It's got flowered wallpaper and curtains to match. It's been the storeroom ever since I can remember. Come on. (Claire shooing cattle) Get up, move on. Come on, get in there. Hey, go easy on 'em, mate! You're working for the cow whisperer now, remember? (laughs) Stressed out cattle don't get a good price, which means I don't make the money, which means you're out of a job. (shooing cattle) (gentle music) Come on, move it! (shooing cattle) (helicopter chuffing) Finish drafting them, will you, and then put 'em out to water. (gentle music) (helicopter chuffing) (gentle music) The cattle are looking good. Beat yours on the scale tomorrow. Righto. Put your money where your mouth is. The usual? You're on. (Claire laughs) (gentle music) Who is this? Hi. Tess Silverman. Hello. I'm Alex. And you're? Jack's daughter. Love your entrance. Have we got one of those? You've got a sister? Sure and the Rolls Royce is in being serviced. Half sister. Dad's second marriage. Uh-huh? You staying here long? I don't know, I'm sort of her to talk about some stuff with Claire. I'll probably stay at the pub. That's too far. Look, if Claire won't put you up, there's always a bed at our place. So what time are you finished loading up the truck tomorrow? Seven, 7:30, as always. Yeah, right. Catch you later, Tess. See ya. Put it away, mate. Get outta here. I'm a man, she's a woman. (scoffs) Thanks, what does that make me? Well, you're a... You're a Claire. (truck rumbling) I'm gonna give her a hand. Just stay right here. (drover whistles) Hello, darling. Hey, Becky. You got the time, I've got the equipment. Go on, Beck, share a round, eh? (drovers laughing) Yeah, Becks! Take a good look, boys, 'cause that's all you're gonna get. (playful music) Can I help you? Do you need a hand? No, I'm the delivery girl. So? I'm Tess. Claire's sister. I'm Becky. You don't look like Claire. Same dad, different mums. You know, the usual dysfunctional family. (both laugh) Has she talked to you? About what she wants? I think she's been trying to talk to you about that. I don't know what to say to her. Well, look, for a start you could ask her if she'd like to stay. (gentle music) Am I interrupting? No, no. Actually, Claire was just wondering if you'd like to stay the night. Yep, I'd love to. Mm. Good. I've got to have a shower. She doesn't want me here, does she? She'll be all right. (crickets chirping) There's a gecko in my room. I've got nothing against him personally, but does he have to be there? How do you feel about mozzies? Uh, it's a love/hate thing. They love me, I... Why? You have to decide. Whether to be eaten alive by mozzies or ravaged by a feral gecko. What are you going to drink? Uh, water, thanks. Are the others coming? They have their own place. So you eat by yourself? Now I do. Have a seat. (silverware clinking) (crickets chirping) It's funny how they died so close together. Maybe Mum called to Jack. Maybe she came along to tell him it was time to go. It was a heart attack. Well, sure, in practical terms, but they were crazy about each other. It was never going to work, but while it did it was passionate. Makes sense that when Mum died she called to him. Jack died because he loved her. Dad died because... It was a heart attack. Dinner. Ah, thanks, Meg. Hope you left enough for everyone else. (laughs) Enjoy. (crickets chirping) (tense music) (silverware scraping) What are we going to do, Claire? We have to talk about this. We both own a half share of the property. I spoke to a solicitor and according to him we have three options. One, we sell the place and split the money, only I figure you want to stay here. The second is we split the place in half, because technically either one of us can sell our share without permission of the other. Only I figured that'd freak you out too. So the third option is you buy me out. You know, you pay me for my half share. So, erm, we should get a valuation. This is my place. Mine! Well, yeah, but, erm, Jack left half-- You left us. You and Ruth. Dad and I worked this place for 20 years and not one word from you. You left us. (dramatic music) (rock music playing nearby) Trust Jack. Dead and buried and he's still trying to get his way. I would so spew if I had to share my inheritance with anyone. Do you think Dad'll leave us anything when he dies? Ex-husband's don't die, Jod, they just keep running up debt. No, but do you reckon he might? It'd be great if he struck it rich on the pokeys and left it to me. What about me? What would you need it for? ("Love You, Hate You" by Rebecca Lavelle) Hate you love you want you when I Can you turn it up a bit? I love this one. Ha, ha. Night-night. 'Night. Need you want you (crickets chirping) I thought that was Jack's room. It's the master bedroom, so it's mine now. Claire. I don't want to railroad you. I'm going to bed. It's half past eight. We go to bed early here. You don't have to. Oh, no, no, no, I'm a morning person. 'Night. (door thuds shut) 'Night. (Claire inhales deeply) ("Am I Crazy?" by Rebecca Lavelle) (zipper zips) Maybe I was wrong Maybe I'm to blame I thought I'd see you and it'd be the same When I look at you Wonder who I see Oh! Go eat mozzies. Is it someone new or just a memory Make yourself useful. Days drift by Sometimes I cry I never really understood it I always thought that you'd be there Was I crazy Crazy Sometimes It's so unfair (crickets chirping) Don't know where I am Don't know where is home Don't know much at all but it ain't much fun alone Guess I'll work it out What else can you do Maybe life goes on with one instead of two Days drift by Sometimes I cry I never really understood it I always thought that you'd be there And was I crazy Crazy Sometimes It's so unfair And was I crazy Crazy Sometimes It's so unfair (crickets chirping) (dramatic music) Hi, Tess. I'm so glad you've come. Welcome home. (somber music) (man grunting) (birds squawking) What's going on? The cattle are out. What time is it? Five. Five? Five a.m.? You said you were a morning person. Yeah, but this isn't morning! Morning's what happening in New Zealand right now. Claire. I was here last night about eight o'clock. The gate was shut, they were fine. -

Claire

What time is the truck due? Truck'll be here at eight, Claire. Well, that gives us two hours. Meg, you take the ute and check near the road. You two check up near Baldy Hill-- Erm, Claire? Bruce, Gary, come with me. We'll see if any have headed down the river. Don't understand it, how'd they get out in the first place? Claire, I think it might've been, possibly, well, me. I went for a walk last night, but I closed the gate behind me, I swear. (drovers chuckling) Did you put the snap hook on? The snap hook? No. (dramatic music) Okay, let's go. Where's Ian? Ah, he took the ute to town. No one knew the cattle was gonna be out. (gentle music) (cattle lowing) (punk rock) Don't be loud next time you hear me raise my voice What I wanna do (ute rumbling) Hey, Meg, can I go with you? (ute rumbling) I don't get why the chain needs a clip as well. What are these cows, locksmiths? When a heavy steer leans against it, it can come undone. I'm such an idiot. This is all my fault. I just hope we find them in time to make the truck for the sales. I know it's bad not to make the sale, but can't Claire take the cattle to the next one? Cattle prices are up now. Next month, who knows? Lots of bills to pay before then. Is the farm in trouble? Financially? Claire was really counting on this sale. (rock music) We'll survive oh yes we did yeah (radio static buzzes) (cattle lowing) (tense music) (explosion blasts) (tense music) (Ian grunting) (tense music) (barrels blasting) (horses clopping) Whoa! (tense music) Dad. Alex. (tense music) What'd burn like that? I don't know. Nothing good. Has the truck left yet? Just gone. You get this lot up to the tall trees, we'll take a look. Righto, Brett, move 'em out! Hey, Gary, follow us! (dramatic music) Are you okay? Yeah, I've just busted my shoulder, I think. (groans) Take it easy, Ian. (cattle lowing) (dramatic music) Whoa. Oh, my god. Round up the other cattle as quick as you can. (tense music) You'll be all right. I'll just get this bandage on. (tense music) Ian? Ah, Claire, I'm sorry, they, I dunno, I come out of the rise and this is all my fault. -

Tess

Is he gonna be all right? -

Meg

Yeah, I think he's broken his collarbone. I'll take care of him. Be careful no more of those petrol drums blow. That's an awful lot of petrol there, Ian. How did that get there? Ah, yeah, I... Yeah, I was just dumping 'em. Yeah, right. (Ian groans) Claire, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to... (somber music) Should we call the vet? Too late for the vet. (somber music) No, maybe, erm... Maybe we could help them or do something. Its back is broken. (gun clicks) (gun fires) (Tess gasps) (gun clicks) Now we have to move 'em. What do we have to do? -

Clair

We'll tie their back legs together, we rope 'em to the back of the ute, and we drag 'em down the road. That's awful. That's farming. You all right, Claire? -

Claire

Yeah. Anyone else in the vehicle? No, Ian was driving. What the hell happened here? I don't know. Smells of petrol. A lot of petrol. You all right? Oh, yeah, mate, yeah I'm all right. Can you walk, mate? Yeah. Yeah, I reckon. (groans) You all right, mate? (Ian groans) Watch his shoulder. Gary, call the CFS, get a crew down here. Yeah, righto. You all right, mate? How'd the cattle get out? Doesn't matter now. (somber music) -

Alex

Doesn't look like you're gonna make the truck, does it? No. Pity. Would've been good to see you top the market. Oh, we both know it would have been me. (dramatic music) (Tess crying) (birds chirping) I mean, who'd be dumb enough to leave the gate open? Oh, she didn't know. Bet Claire was pissed. (laughs) -

Tess

Sure was. Have you got a toolbox? Laundry. Thanks. (quietly) Oops. (upbeat rock music) You stupid, pathetic, dumb... Ah! (door creaks open) Good door. (bangs barrel) (tense music) Ian's been stealing fuel. You're kidding? Terry thought they were up to something. Um, Claire? I don't think it was just Ian. I saw them filling the drums last night. It was all of them. I didn't know what it meant. What are you going to do? Yeah, you gonna call the-- Don't say another word. (cattle lowing) We've got most of them. Still have 50 or so missing. We'll head straight up after. Don't bother. Pack up your things and get off the property. Excuse me? You're fired, the lot of you. (laughs) Wait, is this some sort of joke, is it, Claire? Stealing my fuel? I'm not laughing. Oh, look if Ian was up to something-- You were all in on it. Hey, Jack used to let us fill our fuel tanks up as a bonus. You would never have tried this on my father and you're not getting it past me. You're fired, that's it! You can't do that. We've got rules here now. You've got to give us three warnings and one of those has got to be in writing. You want to play by the rules now? Yeah. No problem. I'll call Senior Constable Cook. I'm sure he'd be really interested in your side of the story. (tense music) You can't run this place without us. Watch me. (dramatic music) I'm sorry, Miss McLeod. (dramatic music) -

Meg

Good on ya. -

Jodi

Fantastic. You were great. I'm stuffed. Gary's right. (dramatic music) (water running) (somber music) Claire? I'm really sorry. It's all my fault. You know, if the cattle hadn't have got out, the accident, everything. I stuffed up. Look, if they hadn't got out, I wouldn't have realized the men were stealing from me. That's a very generous way of looking at it. Hey. You don't have to worry about that. I fixed it. (scoffs) Thanks. Thank Jack. "Things don't get done..." "Just by looking at 'em." (dramatic music) (dog barking) Here, boy. Hello. That's Roy. Oh, he likes you. Named after the big O, is he? I like that song, "Pretty Woman." Oh, no, no, he's named after an ex-boyfriend who turned out to be a mongrel. Oh. But I like that song, too. (gentle music) Big shock. Come on. Come on. Get out, get out. (laughs) -

Man

What, so she fired the lot of them? Yeah, the whole town's talking about it. Good on her. How's she gonna run the place on her own? Well, she can't, of course, but you know, top marks for trying. Yeah, well, maybe I should get over there, see if I can give them a hand, eh? Oh, I think Meg can cope, Terry. Yeah. All right, well, uh, I'll get the feed off the ute. Poor Claire, eh? Geez, she's having a bit of a rough trot. Well, there's nothing we can do. She'd never ask for help. Might bring her closer to selling, though. You could never accused of being a soft touch, could you, Dad? It's called business, Alex. Yeah, righto. Tell Jed to invoice me for the new amount. I'll pay it then. They're a bunch of pricks, you know, you did the right thing. We'll see. There's a beer in the fridge when you're finished. Ta. Oh, sorry. Look, this isn't such a great time. I'll see what I can sort out with the solicitor and get back to you. You probably want to go home. Home, yeah, sure. Yep. What's the problem? I was looking for somewhere after Mum died, but, er, then I got the solicitor's letter and I thought, well, I haven't seen you for a while, so... I'm just not quite sure where home is right now. Oh. Well... (gentle music) (scoffs) It just doesn't stop at geckos, you know? Pardon me? Well, there are spiders everywhere and when it gets hot there's the occasional snake in the loo. The hot water runs out really fast, the telly's on the blink. We're up at dawn, we're back at night, and I don't have time to look after you. (gentle music) Well, sis, I've managed this far by myself. I've had jobs since I was 12. One of them was in a bakery and there were heaps of mice. Alive or dead? Ah, they were, erm, alive-ish. And I put myself through uni and I bought my own car, which hardly ever breaks down, and when it does, I can fix it. Erm, sometimes. You don't have to worry about me if you were, erm, asking me to stay. Here, that is. I am. But it might take weeks to sort out what's going to happen to Drovers Run. Oh, that's okay. I erm, I packed a few pairs of undies. (gentle music) Right, then. Well, I'll go get these cattle. By yourself? Oh, there's only about 50. Jodi and I can give you a hand. I'm in no rush to get back to town, if you've got a spare horse. Sure. Erm... I can ride. Okay. (clears throat) Great. Well, we'll find a horse for you. Jodi, break Oscar out of retirement, will you? (gentle music) Please, Oscar. Please be good. (Oscar nickers) (gentle music) Please just let me do this one thing right. (gentle music) Right! Let's go! (gentle music) (Claire laughs) Pony Club. - Pony Club. Wait till she has to gallop. Come on! (clicks tongue) (upbeat music) How's your bum? Fine. (both laughing) (upbeat music) So all this is yours? Its ours, I suppose. (upbeat music) Hyah! Hyah! ("I Reach Out" by Naomi Star) I've been right And I've been wrong I've been weak And I've been strong I've been bought And I've been sold I've been brave And I've been bold But I've never ever been like this So let me talk Please try to hear If you reach out I will run away So let me talk Please try to hear If you reach out I will run away Don't run away Please understand Don't run away 'Cause this is our time Don't run away 'Cause you can stay with me You let me talk But you cannot hear I'll reach out But you walk away You let me talk But you cannot hear I reach out But you walk away oh You let me talk But you cannot hear I reach out But you walk away You let me talk But you cannot hear I reach out But you walk away You let me talk ooh You cannot hear I reach out (lightning crashing) (electronic bleeping) (bright music) (dramatic music)