Chapter One: The Land – The episode opens in September 1939, with Nullah (Brandon Walters) narrating about learning the “black fella way” from his grandfather, King George (David Gulpilil). He describes herself as “mixed-blood” (half-caste). King George becomes angry with white men and their cattle trespassing on Carney land. King George warns that the white fella is a “bad spirit” and needs to be driven from Australia.

England – Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) demands her husband sell Faraway Downs. Reminding her of the estate being the size of Belgium, Ramsden (Ray Barrett) says King Carney’s (Bryan Brown) offer was 1/6^th of the land value. She tells him that €10,000 is all she needs to save her horses and house. She vows to sell the cattle station and bring Lord Maitland Ashley home before jumping her horse over a rock wall.

Aboard a plane, Sarah reads Maitland’s telegraph warning her to not travel to Australia with the looming threat of war. She sends a telegraph, noting his concern. In another telegraph, he assures her that there is no need to sell the cattle station to King Carney. In her response, she says the contract of sale will be ready by the time she arrives in Australia. In his response, he informs her that The Drover (Hugh Jackman) will meet her in Darwin.

Darwin – The Drover punches Bull (Eddie Baroo) for calling him a “boong lover”. He challenges the county boys. An old drunk (Max Cullen) accepts his challenge when Magarri (David Ngoombujarra) approaches alerting The Dover of an incoming plane. Denying Magarri access, Ivan (Jacek Koman) tells The Dover that he may as well be Black because he sleeps, works, and eats with him. Magarri tries to convince The Dover to let it go but he refuses.

Government House Darwin – Administrator Allsop (Barry Otto) spies on Sarah through a telescope as she emerges from the plane. A Soldier (Sean Hall) reminds Allsop of his responsibilities and the war. Allsop describes her as “quite a looker”. Looking through the telescope, the Soldier agrees with him. When they set off fireworks, the Flying Boat Steward (Matthew Hills) announces that they are aware of her arrival. He sarcastically says the women love Lord Ashley. Allsop tells Soldier that Lord Ashley owns the only cattle station outside of King Carney’s.

Carney Cattle Co – King Carney questions if Sarah’s arrival in Australia is a sign that Faraway Downs will not be sold to him. Neil Fletcher (David Wenham) assures him that Sarah will not last long in the Outback. Back on the Flying Boat, Sarah tells Skipper that she is meeting Maitland’s trusted man, The Drover who is embroiled in a fight at the pub. While Sarah deals with her luggage, a man escorts a group of half-caste kids onto a ferry. Skipper says they are white but their hearts a black. A porter (Jamie Gulpill) informs Sarah of The Dover being at the pub but urges her to not go there. Magarri waves his hat in the air. Frightened, Sarah takes off with her entourage and luggage when she encounters Myrtle Allsop (Kerry Walker), Cath Carney (Essie Davis), and Gloria Carney (Sandy Gore). Cath introduces herself as Neil Fletcher’s fiancé. Myrtle invites Sarah to be patroness for the impending Women’s Auxiliary Ball. Declining the offer, Sarah explains her plan to divorce Maitland and return to London next week.

King Carney voices concern about Sarah competing for the Army contract if she decides to stay and breed cattle at Faraway Downs. At the Government House, Soldier urges Allsop to do something about King Carney’s cattle station monopoly before it interferes with the troops’ beef supply. Neil boasts of setting Sarah up on an Outback tour with The Drover. Looking through binoculars, King Carney sees The Drover fighting with Bull. Sarah enters the pub asking for The Drover. Ivan informs her that no women are permitted in the pub. She attributes the rules to the pub being empty before walking outside to see her luggage open and lingerie flying through the air. The Drover smashes Bull’s head with a suitcase before looking up to see Magarri pointing at a distraught Sarah.

Driving through the Outback, The Drover assures Sarah that looser clothing would be more comfortable. She demands he focus on the road, not her when Goolaj (Angus Pilakui) catches up with them. Frightened, she grabs The Drover’s arm. He says it is just Goolaj. She questions Maitland’s judge of character. He claims Maitland offered him a drove of 1,500 head of cattle to pick her up in Darwin and drive her to Faraway Downs. She rants about Maitland’s love for adventures until she breaks down sobbing. While trying to force her to drink water, the truck nearly topples over. The kangaroos cheer her up until she sees blood streaming down the windshield and a kangaroo paw. Goolaj happily enjoys a smoke with his kangaroo carcass.

Sarah stares out her tent at The Drover pouring a bucket of water over his head. She voices concern about having only one tent. He says it gets cold in the Outback and prefers bunking together. Goolaj and Magarri pretend to be freezing. He assures her that they are only joking. She assures him that she is just as capable as any man. The next morning, they meet up with Kipling Flynn (Jack Thompson), Sarah’s accountant. The Drover brings the truck to a stop outside Faraway Downs amidst of smoke. He finds dead cattle on the ground. Sarah rushes into the house to find Maitland deceased. Nullah is intrigued by Sarah.

At a graveyard, Neil assures Sarah that King George will be brought to justice. Kinsley plays a harmonica. Neil says as soon as she finishes her business with King Carney, she can be on her way home. She questions what Maitland saw in Faraway Downs. He claims there has been no water since the bore dried up. The Drover confronts Sarah about Maitland’s promise to drive 1,500 head of cattle to Darwin. While packing Sarah’s luggage into his jeep, Neil says they are returning to Darwin. The Drover asks if she would be willing to stay for an additional €10,000. Stunned, she asks if he said €10,000. Neil warns her of the dangers lurking out there. The Drover points out that it is safe enough for him. Neil reminds him that Sarah is a woman. Claiming to need the money, Sarah agrees to stay to muster the cattle. Nullah overhears Neil warning Daisy (Ursula Yovich) that Sarah will send him to Mission Island. He stresses the importance of Sarah leaving Faraway Downs no later than tomorrow.

Sarah stares at a piece of beef. Sing Song (Wah Yuen) announces that dinner is over. Bandy Legs (Lillian Crombie) takes Sarah’s place while Sing Song locks the doors and windows. He demands she leave now. Later, Sarah is startled away by Nullah’s singing. After looking around outside, she returns to her room to find Nullah sitting in a chair. He warns that Neil curses the land. Utilizing his finger, Nullah traces out the route of the cattleman. Sarah suggests the information got Maitland killed. Daisy bursts into the room pleading with Sarah to not let the police take Nullah. He claims Neil told Daisy that she would send him to Mission Island. Hearing footsteps, they hide.

Sarah asks Neil about the cattle at Billabong. He denies driving cattle across the Marmont River. She says Nullah claims to have seen them. He demands Nullah tell him what he saw. When Nullah approaches, Neil threatens to beat Daisy if he says anything else about the cattle. Daisy assures him that the cattle belong to King Carney. Sing Song tries to pull Nullah away but he breaks free. From the top of a windmill, he denies being a liar. Back on the ground, he calls Neil a liar. Neil chases him through the yard. Bandy Legs and Daisy try to intervene but Neil shoves them away and beats Nullah. Sarah slaps him across the face with her crop. Daisy comforts a sobbing Daisy. Sarah fires Neil and orders him to vacate her property. Flynn refuses to go with him. Nullah says they call her Missus Boss as the episode ends.

 

Faraway Downs Cast

• Kipling Flynn (Jack Thompson)
• Nullah (Brandon Walters)
• Magarri (David Ngoombujarra)
• Goolaj (Angus Pilakui)
• Ramsden (Ray Barrett)
• Sergeant Callahan (Tony Barry)
• King Carney (Bryan Brown)
• Bandy Legs (Lillian Crombie)
• Cath Carney (Essie Davis)
• Gloria Carney (Sandy Gore)
• King George (David Gulpilil)
• The Drover (Hugh Jackson)
• Lady Sarah Ashley (Nichole Kidman)
• Sing Song (Wah Yuen)
• Neil Fletcher (David Wenham)
• Daisy (Ursula Yovich)

Faraway Downs Synopsis

Faraway Downs is the cattle station in the Outback. The property belongs to Sarah and Maitland Ashley. Sarah is set on selling the property to save her home and horses in London. Maitland, on the other hand, wants to wait until the cattle are mustered. Refusing to wait, she takes a plane to Darwin, Australia, where she is supposed to meet Maitland’s trusted man, The Dover. Maitland offered The Dover 1,500 cattle to drive into Darwin.

Sarah arrives at Faraway Downs to find Maitland dead. Neil has her convinced to sell the land to King Carney until The Dover says there is more money in the cattle. Nullah tells her about the fat cattle pushed across the Marmont River to Billabong. Neil denies any cattle crossed the river. She tells him that Nullah claims to have witnessed. Neil threatens to beat Daisy if Nullah doesn’t tell Sarah that he lied. Nullah refuses to be called a liar. Neil beats him until Sarah intervenes and fires him.

Faraway Downs Review

The plot sounds promising but the execution is fairly poor. The story progresses very slowly. Some scenes are nothing but filler. The cast did a good job bringing their characters to life. Nicole Kidman’s acting was not always believable. Her mannerisms were somehow off, especially when she acted shocked or frightened.

The pilot episode fails to impress and dissolves into an average story with little substance. The cast is oversaturated with mostly forgettable characters. When it comes down to it, only a handful of the characters will matter.

Get more Faraway Downs recaps here. Support our independent Reel Mockery site by donating. Our onsite advertising is a great way to start building online awareness, reach our staff here. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest releases and celebrity happenings.