A Caravan In The Nullarbor – The episode opens with Graham (Nicholas Bell) trying to help Ben familiarize himself with his new alias, Robert “Bob” Regis. He warns that a slip-up will alert every bikie that he testified against. Ben suggests he deserves to be killed for ratting on them. Graham asks him to pick out a name that he can remember. Ben says, “Tarquin” because it is his first victim’s name. Graham officially calls him Tarquin (Ben Knight). Complaining of the hot weather, Tarquin admits to preferring a cold, wet climate. Graham asks why he chose Bali before escorting him to a door that reads Tasmania.

Stella Heikkinen/Annika Van Cleef (Marta Dusseldorp) struggles against her restraints as Frankie McLeish (Kerry Fox) explains how they lived trouble-free until she arrived in town. Frankie questions why Stella moved to Tasmania and the role she will play in the town’s future. CCTV footage shows Jeremiah (Toby Leonard Moore) dropping Stella, Iris Heikkinen (Ava Caryofyllis), and Otis Heikkinen (Imi Mbedla) off in town. Frankie says a Department of Finance agent, Robin (Yael Stone) arrived in town asking questions about them, utilizing their real names. She suggests Robin and Stella are in cahoots because Stella helped her escape.

Joseph Gurvan (Tony Barry) and Graham are playing cards when Iris arrives looking for volunteers to help save Stella. Joseph calls Jeremiah as Graham hits a mailbox en route to Frankie’s. Elsewhere, Frankie asks the locals if Stella is a threat. Magda (Pamela Rabe) reminds her of Stella being a mother. Frankie vows to take care of Iris and Otis. Drago (Peter Sammak) demands to hear what Stella has to say. Tarquin jerks the sack off Stella’s head. Stella asks how Frankie’s drug operation is keeping the townspeople safe. Tarquin points out that it supplies everyone with money. Frankie boasts of being devoted to protecting the locals. After discovering everyone is in witness protection, Stella claims to be part of the program. Tarquin secures a plastic bag over Stella’s head. Several locals demand the execution stop when a gunshot rings out. Graham asks Tarquin to remove the bag before assuring them Stella does not pose a threat to anyone. Stella offers to devise a more secure financial system that the government cannot detect. Arthur (Oscar Redding) says Frankie pays them $372 each month with their government dole. Stella vows to double that amount in a fortnight. Frankie gives her two weeks to prove her value.

Jeremiah tells Stella that she is no different than Joseph. Stella questions if she is part of Frankie’s lynch mob. He reminds her of the chaos she has caused. She apologizes for burning the marijuana before promising to repay him. He questions where she will get $20,832 in two weeks. She reluctantly says she can make it work before assuring him that she is a good person. Outside she is greeted by Iris. At the bus stop, Manfred (Anthony J. Sharpe) tries to convince Otis to hop aboard when Iris and Stella approach. As the bus pulls away, Stella sings “Happy Birthday” to Otis.

Airini (Rachel House) and Bhvana (Jennifer Rani) guess the passcode for Kumar’s (Nikhil Singh) USB stick. Kumar claims corrupt “ProsperAus” hacked into his computer, put a freeze on his credit card and tracked him.

Stella, Graham, and Iris visit the Brandon Plateau. Graham says the witness protection program is comprised of a spy and a whistleblower as well as criminals, and innocent bystanders. He tells Stella that he is a former WitSec officer delegated to keeping everyone safe. He says glaucoma is why he stayed, now he loves the town.

Frankie complains about the people turning on her for Stella. Brony (Emily Milledge) assures her that the people still love her. Frankie warns that Stella is not one of them. Arthur offers to sing her song but she refuses. Jack (Michem Everett) informs her of his missing the bus. Brony suggests some of the townspeople are upset that she killed Francis Pike (Stephen Curry). Frankie demands names. Tarquin says Magda and Heather (Roz Hammond). Drago adds Connor (Bob Franklin) to the list. Stretch (Jalen Sutdliffe) tells her that Jeremiah, Graham, and Joseph are angry. Drago says they need to be dealt with. Tarquin vows to not touch Graham but agrees to take care of Arthur.

In a video conference, Johann (Nikolai Nikolaeff) claims Ruslan (Paul Roukchan) and Yakov (Vanya Essin) cannot speak English. Airini says they speak Russian and one of them speaks English. She is forced to delay the questioning until an interpreter is available. Later, she receives a call from Stella who describes her near-killing while the entire town watches. Stella demands to be moved today. Airini says they need another place to go. Stella assures her that a “Caravan in the Nullarbor” will suffice. Airini reminds her that they agreed to not kill her for two weeks.

Elysha (Mackenzie Grant) gives Otis a cupcake for his birthday. Elsewhere, Stella informs Constable Jason (Andre De Vanny) of the locals trying to kill her. He confesses to already knowing when he sees Brony. She asks how long he has known Brony. He tells her that Frankie took them in around the time. He warns that Frankie won’t wait two weeks to kill her. Kerry (Elle Mandalis) asks Heather and Magda if Stella will come up with the money. Magda says probably since she is from “old money.” After Kerry walks away, Heather suggests she will run. Magda agrees.

Jeremiah works on his boat while Iris picks through the rubbish. When Frankie pulls up, Iris tells him that she is going to retrieve her bow and arrow to shoot Frankie. He says a good idea. Frankie reminds Jeremiah of when they were close. He says it was before his brother disappeared. She tells him that rumors have it Stella burnt his marijuana crop. She offers to cut him in on a deal that could set him up but he refuses. Iris shoots an arrow at Frankie as she walks away.

Airini explains how money was funneled out of ProperAus to support the Russian mafia. Judge George (Sandy Gore) asks why the intel is not being delivered through the proper channels. Airini admits to not trusting anyone before requesting a closed-court hearing. George warns that the available intel can easily be argued. Airini claims ProperAus’ former CEO can confirm the intel. George asks if Annika is safe.

Stella and Iris say happy birthday when Otis arrives home. Stella informs him of their leaving Tasmania soon. He asks if they are returning home. She says not yet. A verbal dispute ends with him going to his room. Iris tries to make Stella feel better by complimenting her meal.

Otis convinces Elysha to leave her cross-country run to go with him. Elsewhere, Jack joins Charlie (Scott Wells) at the pier. Back to the woods, Otis leads Elysha through a tunnel filled with glow worms. When he grabs her hand, she warns that it is forbidden unless the boy is one of them. He suggests making him an honorary member when Thaddeus (Matt Nable) approaches. They flee to safety when she kisses him.

Airini is informed of Yakov and Ruslan being released. Johann forces Ruslan to get rid of the dog (Olive). He gives the dog to a passerby. Elsewhere, Arthur orders Tarquin to dig a hole and fill it with barbed wire. Graham can be seen walking in the area. Joseph catches Arthur and Stretch setting Jeremiah’s boat on fire.

Tarquin tells Connor that Frankie has concerns abouthim abandoning her. Connor vows to apologize to her. Tarquin cuts one of Connor’s fingers off with a pair of scissors. Elsewhere, Hearing Heather screaming, Magda rushes outside to see their dead pet.

Airini tells Stella that a plan will be waiting for her at Junna’s Crossing at 5:30pm. She suggests switching vehicles before giving her a password. Believing it is almost over, Stella thanks her. Later, Stella arrives at Connor’s garage to see him nursing his finger. She drives her car to the school to pick up Iris and Otis before driving to Junna’s Crossing. Airini enters a restaurant where she meets Brendan (Paul Callegja. She looks around to see Ruslan, Yakov, and Johann. Stella arrives at Junna’s crossing to meet a pilot. Once the password is cleared, Otis asks where they are headed. The pilot claims “they” never told him. Giving Brendan a manila envelope, Airini asks him to post it before going to the restroom to alert Stella of the trip being a trip. Ruslan and Yakov enter the restroom.

On the plane, Otis tells Stella the pilot has a gun. Stella stabs the pilot in the face when the plane comes to a stop. She drives away from Junna’s Crossing as the episode ends.

 

Bay Of Fires Review

A majority town vote supports Frankie killing Stella. Tarquin is in the process of suffocating her with a plastic bag when Graham fires his weapon into the ceiling. Stella assures the locals that she can restructure their financial system, so it cannot be detected by the government. Frankie gives her two weeks to produce $20,832. Jason warns Stella that Frankie will never wait two weeks. In the meantime, Frankie’s men are making life difficult for everyone who she feels has betrayed her.

Kumar’s USB stick provides intel regarding ProperAus’ corruption scheme. Airini believes someone higher up is caught up in the criminal enterprise. As she is set to question Ruslan and Yakov, an interpreter is not available. After the meeting is aborted, she later finds out that they have been released. She contacts Christiana Stalberg to set up transport for Stella and her children.

Stella meets a pilot at Junna’s Crossing. Airini passes documents to Brendan to be posted. She rushes to the restroom to alert Stella of the flight being a trap. Yakov and Ruslan follow her to the restroom. Stella stabs the pilot before they flee.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Bay of Fires recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness, click the link to learn more.