Faraway Downs Series 1 Episode 6 Recap
Chapter Six: War – The episode opens with Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) arriving in Darwin and checking into a hotel. From Mission Island’s radio base, Father Benedict (Arthur Dignam) provides headquarters with a clear visibility report while Nullah (Brandon Walters) catches the audience up on the past two months. When he reports that The Drover (Hugh Jackman) has traveled to an unknown faraway destination, he is shown in camp with Magarri (David Ngoombujarra). Magarri upsets The Drover when he attempts to get him to discuss his feelings about Sarah by mentioning her new job with the army. This leads The Drover to reveal that Nullah’s walkabout was the reason for their split. Magarri agrees with Sarah’s stance that The Drover should have stopped him from going but says the problem is that The Drover has walled off his heart out of fear of getting hurt again. Their attention is soon drawn to a nearby passing army unit that The Drover identifies as Yanks.
Over the phone, Neil Fletcher (David Wenham) promises Sarah a reunion with Nullah once she signs a contract. As Sarah leaves her room in a festive mood, she shares the good news with Ivan (Jacek Koman). On her way out, she tells him that they’ll be leaving Territory tomorrow. He pretends he won’t be affected by her absence by claiming he needs the room anyway.
King George (David Gulpilil) is shown in a cell as planes race by overhead. Seconds later, those same planes fly over Nullah and the Mission. Sarah uses her conversation with Fletcher as an excuse for her late arrival as she takes over for Cath (Essie Davis) at the army headquarters. When Cath excitedly expresses that she has an idea for Nullah, fighter planes open fire on the Mission. Father Benedict gets the children indoors and then races to the Island’s communication base to alert HQ. Fletcher crosses out his name from the “Order To Purchase” contract while Captain Dutton (Ben Mendelsohn) yells out orders to someone over the phone. Everyone’s attention is soon drawn to the skies as the fighter planes lay waste to the Island.
Night falls and buildings are still burning when The Drover and Magarri learn from Goolaj (Angus Pilakui) that Sarah was at HQ during the attack. The Drover becomes frantic, and combative, and has to be restrained when he discovers the building a shell of what it once was. In a daze, he eventually makes his way to The Territory where survivors are gathered inside and out. He nearly gets into a fight with Ivan over his refusal to serve Magarri. Once Ivan gives, he mentions how happy Sarah was this morning when she learned she was going to get Nullah back. The Drover immediately becomes hopeful when he learns that Bother Frank (Matthew Whittet) not only has a boat but has been trying to return to the mission against the Army’s wishes. Seconds later, Frank is shown pleading with Bull (Eddie Baroo) to release his boat so he can return to the Mission. The Drover settles the argument by knocking Bull out and stealing the keys.
As soldiers work on collecting and identifying corpses Dutton becomes frantic when he overhears Sarah’s name. It turns out to be a misidentification and he identifies the deceased as Cath Fletcher. Sarah finally shows up in a panicked state with concern for Nullah. This only increases when she learns of Cath’s demise. She pleads with him to visit the Mission where Nullah was staying, but he claims it is inaccessible.
The Drover, Magarri, and Brother Frank cautiously make their way around the Island before locating the boys. The happy reunion is spoiled when they spot Japanese forces closing in on them. Their escape is nearly thwarted when The Drover realizes most of the children can’t swim. As he uses a wooden pallet like a flotation device, Magarri takes cover behind a dock post to prevent the Japanese from following. Once his rifle jams, he takes off running on along the shoreline to give the other more time to escape. The Drover has to watch helplessly from the boat while he is wounded and then executed.
Freed during the bombing, King George covers his face in ash while the locals continue to work on containing fires. Captain Dutton arrives and orders an evacuation of the island. He authorizes a Sergeant (John Jarratt) to use force if anyone resists. Sergeant, Callahan (Tony Barry) tells Fletcher about Cath’s death which Fletcher blames on Sarah. Dutton tries to convince Sarah to leave the island and possibly abandon Nullah.
While The Drover works on lowering the sails of Frank’s ship, Nullah tells the audience that the smoke has dulled his magic. Then out of nowhere, he spots King George on top of the town’s water tower covered in ashes. Once he takes out the harmonica and begins playing “Over The Rainbow,” Frank and George accompany him with vocals. As the music plays Dutton quickly ushers the last of the loiterers in the trucks. He becomes slightly frustrated when Sarah refuses to get in the truck, claiming that she can hear children singing. He says he doesn’t hear anything as she begins making her towards the water. She is soon reunited with both Nullah and The Drover.
As Fletcher prepares to leave the Island, he spots Nullah and Sarah walking in the distance. An excited Nullah races ahead towards the hotel, as Fletcher takes a rifle from an approaching soldier and attempts to shoot Nullah. King George, The Drover, and Sarah see him. King George manages to free a piece of the water tower to use as a spear. He throws it perfectly through Fletcher as The Drover races to shield Nullah. While he slowly dies, he makes Nullah promise to take care of Sarah. He professes his love to Sarah while also sharing his real identity as Jack Clancy.
Sometime later, Sarah and Nullah are shown driving to an unidentified location when they stop to build a fire. While collecting firewood, they notice King George standing in the distance. Nullah says it is time for him to return home. The episode ends.
Faraway Down Review
Really slow for a finale, although not entirely unsatisfying. I felt the teasing death scenes during the bombing were in poor taste. It wasn’t that they were poorly shot or edited, but it was obvious that Nullah and Lady Sarah would survive that they weren’t nearly worth the effort. Somehow, The Drover’s death felt fulfilling.
Although the ending was a bit confusing, I always appreciate the mysticism around such endings. Surprisingly, I find it more fulfilling when endings are left open-ended, giving the viewers to draw their own conclusions. I’m sure the writer has his or her meaning, but for me, it felt like there was some emphasis on the aboriginal’s connection to their motherland. It was almost as if King George’s character was a link between the Aboriginals and the old customs. Or, perhaps he was a euphemism for the land itself.
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