The Tree – As the fifth episode of Plum begins, viewers are shown Forbes, NSW in 1984. A young Plum (Will Cottle) enters a restaurant and waits. Eventually, Albert Lum (Nicholas Cassim) arrives and suspects his son didn’t think he’d come. Peter tells him it’s too late because he won’t make the bus. He takes the money and runs to see if he can catch the bus. In the present, Peter prepares to leave with Charmayne (Maria Duplaa) and Gavin (Vincent Miller). He convinces Charmayne to drive. They stop at one point and Gavin begins scratching his tattoo. Peter returns and they continue. Dana Hanlon (Jenni Baird) speaks to a doctor who tells her more about CTE. She claims they’re just ignoring what’s happening to them. Dana agrees to donate her father’s brain to the center. Once they arrive, Peter tells Gavin to keep his tattoo covered. Sarah Lum (Susie Porter) rushes outside to greet them.

Later, Peter hangs out with Doug (Matthew Dale) who tempts him with a beer. Peter yells at Gavin to keep his pants on. Sarah claims he’s always been so good with the kids. Gavin says that’s only true when it’s someone else’s kids. Gavin tells the others about the game while Peter slowly spirals. Sarah thinks they should go check out their tree. As they walk toward the tree, Peter tells Sarah he hasn’t been drinking and he’s on his fourth day. He’s been thinking about a lot of things, including how she worked hard to earn money so he can play reps and be discovered. He apologizes because he knows how annoying it must’ve been for him to get all the attention. Sarah says they need to talk about their mom who needs proper care. She’s found a place where she might be happy, but they need to sell the house to pay for her. Peter doesn’t want to put her in a home or sell the house. When they reach the tree, they find out that someone cut it down.

Peter helps Gavin set up a tent so she can sleep in the backyard. Later, he asks Charmayne if it’s weird that there are no pictures of him and Sarah in the house. Peter says his doctor told him to give drinking a break for his health. He has trouble sleeping that night. Peter ends up riding a small bicycle around. He remembers pieces from his past. Peter gets mad at his father and peddles faster. He ends up carrying the bike back wrecked. Peter tells Sarah he’ll buy her a new one. Sarah complains it was Maya’s first bike. She yells that he never owns his own crap and never says sorry. Their mom comes outside and shouts for them to be quiet. Gavin hangs out with Charmayne. She urges him to respond to his mother. They talk about Peter and whether something is wrong with him. Charmayne tells Gavin to ask him and be direct because Peter needs to start talking to someone. Charmayne ends up telling Peter that she’s pregnant. They keep it secret when Gwynne (Deborah Kennedy) and the others join them.

Larry (Josh Quong Tart) finally arrives and says he spends a lot of time with Gwynne. Peter still tries to avoid drinking. He talks to Sarah and Doug about Larry possibly being after Gwynne’s money. Peter goes with Larry who says Gwynne took him under his wing. Peter believes he can smell beer coming out of his pores. He tells him about Charmayne being pregnant as well. Miles walks by dressed as Banjo Paterson. He pokes fun at Peter before continuing. Before everyone eats, Larry stands up and says grace. Then, Gwynne thanks everyone. She thanks Sarah for always being there. Gwynne ends up calling Charmayne Renee. She also talks about Larry. Sarah asks her about Plum who says he’s glad to be there. Gwynne remembers when his dad gave him all that money so he could go off and have a football career. Gwynne claims he was lucky to have a father who cared so much. Peter tries to tell her that was her and Sarah. Gavin goes for a swim alone.

He calls Ainslee (Talijah Blackman-Corowa) who learns he’s in Forbes for his nan’s birthday. Gavin says he didn’t get any other offers including nothing from the Sharks. He did get an offer from the Storm though. Ainslee points out the team is in Melbourne. She thinks they should take a break for a bit. Plum and the others play a game inside. Peter finds out more about himself during the game. Larry lets it slip that Charmayne is pregnant. Charmayne doesn’t want anything to do with Peter later that night. Peter checks on Gavin in the tent. Gavin asks if he has cancer because he knows he’s not telling him stuff. Peter insists there’s nothing to tell. Gavin says he’s going to share a bunk with Charmayne. He goes inside and joins her. Charmayne admits she’s pregnant. Gavin asks if that means they’re getting back together. Charmayne says maybe. Peter has trouble sleeping in the tent. Dana finds articles about Peter Lum and his downfall.

Dave (Matt Nable) speaks on television and mentions Peter’s relationship with alcohol and drugs. Dana calls him a parasite. Peter approaches his mom to say it was her and Sarah that raised the money. He says he nearly missed the bus that day. His dad had a new family in the car when he turned up. Peter says you can’t rewrite the past. When Gavin enters, Gwynne sees the tattoo which she calls a lovely picture. Gwynne knows that Sarah wants to put her in a home. She tells them to get out. Gavin shows Peter the video of him punching the man. Gavin admits everyone has already seen it. Once they arrive at the event, Sarah wonders if she should mention why no one has shown up. Larry tells her to give Peter the papers. Peter finds a private place to read the news. Sarah checks on him and gives him the information about Corner View. Peter agrees that she needs to go. Then, he gives lessons to a small group.

Dana visits Dave and curses him. She suggests he’d rather destroy a friend than have anything out there about CTE. Dana insists the kids who want to play the game need to know the truth. She says there’s no support because Dave keeps denying it. Dave tells her that her dad would be embarrassed. Dana gets upset and tells his wife that she slept with him several times. Charmayne tells Peter that she can’t be his nurse. She wants to know if he’s going to say anything about the epilepsy or the airport. Charmayne admits the baby is her priority now. Peter thinks it’s his baby too until he figures out she slept with someone else. Gavin blurts out that Peter slept with Renee with Melbourne. Peter is left alone. He recites a poem about simpler times while walking alone.

 

Plum Review

The fifth episode of Plum was okay although it sometimes felt like another side story. At the very least, Charmayne and Gavin know what is going on with Peter now. That may or may not make the finale more effective. Truthfully though, the whole series would’ve been better if Peter had confronted his demons much earlier.

This episode just pushed Peter down a bit further in his downward spiral so he can emerge from it at the end of the series. How much of that are we going to get to see? Has the series been watered down to avoid touching on the emotional side of the story too much?

There is a risk that this will be the case once the finale has concluded. It’s understandable since many viewers prefer sillier and less serious topics, but this seemed to be going against the grain earlier in the season. Then, it spent three or more episodes doing the same without really digging into those bleak topics.

The finale may very well piece everything together and create a memorable experience. It’s just a shame it took this long to get to that point. The fifth episode was at least on target a bit more than some of the earlier ones. It scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Plum can be found here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link.

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