Hero’s Life – The show begins with Tyson Walker (Rob Collins) tied up inside the bloodsucker tunnel. He talks to the Vampire King (Callan Mulvey) and bloodsucker, Lucas (Sam Dugmore), saying this is a “shit party.” He says can we have some snacks or a six pack before asking Shanika “Neeks” (Shantae Barnes-Cowan) if she would like something. Lucas threatens to cut his tongue, pointing his knife in his direction. Tyson says that wasn’t very nice. When Scarlett (Alice Scheid) and a male vampire appear, Tyson asks which one is the good copy. The male vampire removes his jacket, asking if he is ready to talk. He hits Tyson in the face. Tyson admits he deserved to be hit for hitting on his girlfriend before the man hits him again. They want to know if they were working with Eleona (Yael Stone). With every hit, Shanika flinches. He demands what Eleona promised them.

Kitty Sinclair (Ngaire Pigram) is at the community, where Jalingbirri’s semi-truck is parked. She unsuccessfully tries to call Tyson, pleading with him to pick up. Aunty Maria (Tessa Rose) pleads with the community members to not leave, promising them protection against the bloodsuckers. A woman (Melanie Koolmatrie) refuses to accept the offer, ordering Tessa to get in the car. Tessa apologizes to Aunty Maria before getting in the car.

Smokey (Greg Tait) is searching through blood hunter Jalingbirri’s (Kelton Pell) weaponry. Kitty asks what he is doing. He says Tyson doesn’t care, agreeing to get the job done himself. He gets in his truck, with Kitty in tow. He orders her to get out of the vehicle. She refuses to obey. They head out toward the bloodsucker tunnel.

Eleona is screaming to be set free.  She screams at the Vampire King approaches a woman and baby. Tyson spitting out blood asks if that is all he has to offer. The Vampire King approaches Shanika, assuming all the blood hunters were dead. He asks Shanika to tell him more about herself. Looking him directly in the eye, she says I am the blackfella who is going to kill you. She calls the bloodsuckers “monsters” for kidnapping her mum, Rona (Natasha Wanganeen). He describes her mom as “tasty,” asking Scarlett to confirm his comment. Shanika orders Scarlett to get away from Rona. She blurts out the deal they made with Eleona. Her mum to kill him. He gradually stands, screaming, “Bring them down.” The Vampire King opens the door to find Eleona on the floor. She pleads with him to free her.

Kitty tries to talk some sense into Smokey. She offers to buy him a drink, but he refuses. Smokey talks to Spud about getting dynamite. Spud suggests a place in town. He wants to buy it now, off the books. Spud tells him it will be a special price. Smokey pulls out a large fire opal, laying it on the bar. Spud accesses it carefully before directing him to a room behind the bar. From the room, they enter a door that leads to a tunnel. Spud tells about how his granddad broke ground there in 1923. He built the tunnels to conceal his grog operation from law enforcement.

Kitty asks Spud if he has seen Tyson. He denies seeing him in days, showing them a box of dynamite. He says the box of dynamite will go boom. Kitty says she will be the judge of that because her uncle was a miner. She says, “It looks pretty sweaty to me,” denying it would blow up an anthill. He angrily asks if she is calling him a liar. She denies calling him a liar, accusing him of being a racist for trying to scam them because of their skin color. She refutes his story about his granddad building the tunnels. Chained blackfellas built it while Spud’s granddad raked in the profit. He orders her to get out. She spots an empty blood bag on the floor on her way out. Smokey drives away as she tries to tell him about the blood bag.

Kitty tries Tyson’s car, but it is locked. She picks up a rock, smashing out the passenger side window. Spud is working when Kitty returns with a gun. Pointing the gun at him, she demands to know where Tyson and Shanika are at. She asks if he knows about the things that bite at night. He seems confused but agrees to take her. She follows him to a large door, taking his flashlight, she enters the tunnel. When she enters, he shoves her down, locking the door behind her. Kitty slowly makes her way through the tunnel.

Eleona, Shanika, and Tyson are brought in front of the bloodsuckers. Tyson attempts to fight them off until he is shoved back to the floor. Tyson calls the Vampire King “handsome,” telling him to remove his chains. He walks over the Eleona, saying I made you. He says without me you would be nothing, ordering her to say it. When she refuses, he slaps her across the room. She says I am nothing. He agrees with her, ordering her to kneel and show him her face. When she refuses, he turns to look at Shanika. Tyson dares him to look at Shanika. The Vampire King walks over to Shanika as Lucas grabs Tyson around the neck. He chokes Shanika while demanding Eleona to show the monster inside her.

He walks over to her, lowers his voice, and asks if she remembers her daughter’s taste and her screams. Gradually, Eleona turns into a bloodsucker. She stands up, screaming you made me this. She kicks him across the room. They continue fighting until she gets the best of him. She says, “I’m fu**ing free” as she cuts his throat. He clutches his throat as blood gushes out. She returns to her human form. The other bloodsuckers begin to scamper about.

Kitty continues making her way through the tunnel. She shoots at an approaching bloodsucker who runs directly past her without stopping.

Uncle Hector (John Clark) tells the kids to knock it off as Smokey approaches. He wants him to tell him where the vampire lair is located. He denies knowing where it is at. Smokey tells him he wants to blow it up. Aunty Maria comes outside just in time for Jalingbirri’s truck to drive by. She demands to know what is going on.

Tyson tells Lucas Eleona has major anger issues, calling her crazy. Eleona tosses the Vampire King into the dungeon, telling him he is wrong because he would be dead if she were a monster. Shanika asks Tyson if they are going to die. He assures her he can’t die because of his car. He promises to take her up north and fishing when they get out. She doesn’t like to fish. He guarantees she will like it. A few seconds later, she asks what type of fish. With a bit of tugging, their hands are free. She scolds Rona for just sitting there and doing nothing. As they try to reach each other, Rona tilts her chair over, gradually crawling toward them. She frees them.

Smokey finds what looks like a bomb detonator. He picks up the barrel, carrying it outside.

Tyson and Shanika begin fighting their way to freedom. They pick Rona up.

Aunty Maria arrives just in time for Smokey to bring the barrel out of the truck. She demands to know what he is doing. He asks if she wants to end this or not. She informs him about Tyson and Shanika being in the tunnel. He sets the detonator to 60 seconds, ordering her to stay away. Shanika and Tyson continue making their way to the tunnel exit. Smokey scolds Aunty Maria for not telling them about Shanika and Tyson. She admits to being wrong, suggesting they tell the community about the bloodsuckers. Kitty catches up with Shanika and Tyson who declares his love for her. She shrugs it off. With nine seconds left on the detonator, Smokey tosses the barrel into the tunnel, yelling run.

The bomb blows up, causing an avalanche of rocks to fall, blocking the entrance. Shanika suggests they turn around. Tyson climbs on top of the rocks to clear a passage. She doesn’t know if Rona has enough strength to climb over the pile of rocks. They grab Rona by the arms to assist her over the rocks. Bloodsuckers can be heard deep in the tunnel. Tyson recommends they keep going, so he can stay behind to fight off the bloodsuckers. Shanika refuses to leave without him but eventually gives in. Tyson fights off the bloodsuckers she the girls continue toward the entrance. Eleona walks in as Tyson is under attack by the bloodsuckers. He is severely injured. She offers to save him, biting his neck. Shanika begins to scream. Kitty pleads with her to come with them.

They make it out of the tunnel to Jalingbirri’s truck. Aunty Maria rushes over to them, yelling for Smokey to bring them water. She asks about Tyson, questioning if he is with them. Shanika says no. Kitty says they need to get Rona to the hospital. Shanika refuses to go with them. She has a flashback of Tyson telling her to kill a firebite, stab a stake in the heart. She gathers weapons as Aunty Maria walks in. Aunty Maria suggests she stay put. She refuses to listen, saying Tyson wants her to do. They all would have escaped the tunnel if it weren’t for the explosion. Aunty Maria tells her about Smokey and the explosion. She walks over to Smokey, punching him in the face. Kitty is shocked by her behavior. Shanika points the gun at Smokey. He claims to have known they were in the tunnel. It had to be done to protect the community.

Shanika orders them to take Rona to the hospital. She returns to the tunnel, looking for Tyson. His body is not where she left him. She finds his gun and boomerang. In a flashback, Tyson says you must make difficult decisions. She agrees to kill firebite quickly. Laughing can be heard deeper in the tunnel. Shanika gets a closer look, finding Scarlett lying on the ground. She demands to know where they went. When she refuses to answer, Shanika stabs her in the heart multiple times. She yells at Tyson to let him know she is coming. Tyson has transitioned into a vampire. He suddenly sets up, jerking violently as the episode comes to an end.

 

Firebite Review

The episode could have been the best of the season. Unfortunately, the dialogue fell short. Kitty’s comment about racism was astonishing. It is like they were urged to subtly sprinkle in liberal propaganda when the opportunity arose. The show is already struggling in the ratings, this decision will not rein in more viewers, with the finale around the corner.

It is good to see that Shanika grew up some since the previous episode. Throughout the season, her selfish demeanor has made her really unlikeable. The audience is finally given an opportunity to see her display concern for Tyson.

A major improvement is noted in the lighting and camerawork. Why they waited so long to make this improvement is questionable. Even the tunnel scenes were visible for a change.

The episode deserves a 7. Get more firebite recaps here. Support ReelMockery by clicking the link.