Chapter Four: Romance – As the fourth episode of Faraway Downs begins, Sylvia tells Cath Carney (Essie Davis) and Gloria that all of them died in the Never-Never tragedy. Cath reads the headline that says Lady Ashley is rumored to be among the dead. King Carney (Bryan Brown) talks to Captain Dutton (Ben Mendelsohn) about Lady Ashley’s possible passing. Dutton supposed it isn’t a real war unless someone is making a profit. Carney calls Neil Fletcher (David Wenham) to see if he has them ready to load because he believes Dutton is going to put pen to paper. Cath sees a calf outside the window as Dutton signs the paperwork.

Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) rides through town with her cattle. She tells King Carney and Captain Dutton that she is Sarah Ashley, the owner of Faraway Downs. She explains that they’re making delivery of 1,500 head of prime F.D. branded shorthorns. Although she wants a hold yard, King Carney tells her they’re full. Emmett Dutton tells Sarah he is the officer in charge of livestock purchases. Sarah offers to accept 20% less than what the Carney Cattle Company is offering. Captain Dutton reminds Carney that the contract is binding until the cattle are loaded. Carney begins rushing to get his cattle loaded while The Drover (Hugh Jackman) and Sarah try to get theirs loaded first. Drover believes he can stop Carney’s cattle at the ship.

Myrtle Allsop (Kerry Walker) and Administrator Allsop (Barry Otto) watch them. The Administrator says they have a bit of competition back in the meat business. Nullah (Brandon Walters) helps Sarah with the cattle. They manage to load their cattle before Carney can load his. When they go to the pub to celebrate, Ivan (Jacek Koman) tells Sarah that the ladies’ lounge is next door. A drunk says she is no lady because she just drove cattle across the Never-Never. Sarah drinks with Drover. Carney calls Neil to claim that’s what happens when you send a boy to do a man’s job. Nullah says everyone is happy because they all got what they wanted. Later, Sarah walks outside where she tells Drover she has agreed to be patroness at the Ball at Government House tomorrow night.

She claims she is going to finish what Maitland started and bring Faraway Downs back to life. Sarah would like Drover to be her manager. When she asks if he wants to go to the ball, Drover says he is as good as black to the mob up there. Sarah argues it doesn’t have to be that way. She gives him his check. Daisy tells Nulla that he and the Chinaman are going to take her to the pictures. The Chinese man says he can’t take half-caste to the picture shows. If the coppers catch him, they’ll take him away. Daisy says he won’t be half-caste because they can use magic. While he goes to the picture show, the Administrator greets Sarah. Captain Dutton comes over to speak to Sarah. Women gossip about her nearby. Sarah tells Dutton she is eager to speak to Dr. Baker.

Dutton warns her that adopting an aboriginal child is much more complicated. Cath tells Neil she wants to talk to Lady Ashley. Before long, the auction for the first dance begins. Baker tells Sarah that the mixed-race children must be separated from the primitive full-blood aborigine. He asks how they’ll breed the black out of them otherwise. Sarah suggests they ask their fathers since they’re right there in the room. Carney bids 500 quid. As he dances with Sarah, he says he was sorry to hear of her husband’s death at the hands of the wild savage. Sarah doesn’t think her husband was killed by an aborigine before saying he should ask Mr. Fletcher. Carney says a cattle station is like a country and she has no one to look after it. He can offer protection to every man, woman, and child.

Sarah asks if he’ll let him stay. Carney says he’ll put it in the contract to prove he’ll keep his word. Later, he tells her that the last flying boat leaves tomorrow because of the war. Sarah tells him to inform his lawyer to draw up a contract. Everyone is surprised when Drover arrives in a suit. Sarah changes her mind and tells Carney to inform his lawyer that Faraway Downs is no longer for sale. Drover changes with Sarah before they talk to Dutton. Fletcher asks if Sarah is going to pay him for this part of the job as well. At one point, Fletcher punches Dutton. Drover knocks him down and Fletcher begins laughing. Later, Sarah and Drover talk about Faraway Downs. He warns her that he’ll be gone droving in the dry. They end up kissing. When it begins raiding, everyone at the picture show leaves. Nulla remains to finish The Wizard of Oz.

Drover and Sarah make out while Fletcher flops around in the rain. Carney approaches Fletcher and mentions Maitland’s death before calling Fletcher an idiot. Drover and Sarah have sex. Before long, Nulla celebrates Christmas for the first time. When Drover goes droving, Nulla helps Ashley with all the work. One day, Carney goes hunting with Fletcher and says Ashley can have Faraway Downs. Fletcher reminds him that his old man gave his life for that property. Carney says the Carney Cattle Company will always remain in Cath’s name. If anything happens to her, Fletcher will be out on his own. Fletcher hits him from behind and lets an alligator or croc finish him off. Then, he begins coming up with a story.

 

Faraway Downs Review

The fourth episode of Faraway Downs wasn’t spectacular for a number of reasons. The story drags at a snail’s pace with lots of scenery scenes that just prolong the episode. The action scene earlier in the episode didn’t look all that spectacular even though it served its purpose. The episode had a lot of corny moments that made this feel like a sappy soap opera or a Hallmark movie.

Much of the episode was very predictable with Sarah coming out on top and Drover arriving at the ball in a suit. The death of Carney wasn’t surprising either although it felt a bit out of place and rushed. Some scenes were eye-rolling. Fletcher was flopping around in the rain for minutes while Drover and Sarah were in a heavy make-out session that would make modern porno producers proud.

More importantly, the series doesn’t have any heart and really lacks enthusiasm. None of the characters are strong enough to force viewers to get up and cheer. It’s just going through the motions and waiting to find out what happens even though most already know. The episode scores a 5.5. Recaps of Faraway Downs can be found on Reel Mockery here.

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