The episode opens with Bryan Harris (Geoff Morrell) finding disemboweled cattle on his property. A short time later, he tells Sergeant Whitford (Leah Purcell) that the four dead cows are part of his prime-breeding stock. She questions if dingoes are responsible. He refutes the idea. She asks if he gives Nash Mason (Nathaniel Dean) and Liam Mason (Jamie Timony) what meat is left over from sales. He says yes but rules out they are responsible. Back at the police station, she researches mutilated animals when Damien Stark (Henry Nixon) arrives to give her a sketch from his vision. Pointing at what appears to be an “H,” he says it stands for Harris and insists Claire Harris (Rosie Traynor) is dead. He expresses his gratitude for her taking his visions seriously before leaving. She compares Damien’s “H” to the Harris cattle brand.

Andrea shows Sam Dryson (Ian McElhinney) photos of Harris’ mutilated cattle. She reminds him of how he advised her against bringing Damien in on the case. Tammy Samson (Leah Vandenberg) informs them of Rachel Griggs (Jess Harris) not showing up to her cleaning job. Putting Rachel’s absence out of his mind, Sam stresses the importance of convincing Damien to say how Claire died. A short time later, Andrea arrives home to find Helen Hartley (Sara Wiseman) packing a bag for a weekend at The Farm. Helen invites Andrea to go with her to the cabin. Rose De Vigny (Linda Cropper) greets them. At the cabin, Andrea is surprised to learn Helen is painting a self-portrait. Helen reminds her that she never asked. Andrea says the subject is “beautiful” before kissing her. At dinner, Rose toasts Helen’s courage to reawaken her creative spirit. Andrea tells Rose that Kirra (Pez Warner) set Damien’s caravan on fire and she is taking part in a community service program. Helen assures him that they will do whatever is necessary to get him back on his feet. He says her helping to prove his innocence is far enough.

Andrea gives Damien a watch, claiming it belongs to Claire. Holding it in his hands, he expresses a deep sadness and grief in his chest. He struggles to breathe when Helen approaches. Andrea demands he tell her how Claire died. Struggling to breathe, he says, “I can’t.” Helen tells her that he is choking. Andrea jerks the watch out of his hand. Once alone, Helen asks why she gave Damien her watch. Andrea explains how she was trying to get him to say how Claire died. Helen accuses her of not coming to The Farm to support her but to question Damien. She points out that Damien expressed her suffering, not Claire’s. Andrea assures her that Damien is putting on. Helen asks her to leave. En route home, Andrea believes she sees a woman standing beside the room. She gets out of the vehicle to have a better look when a white dingo appears. She races back to her vehicle and speeds away.

Constable Reza Bohrani (Matt Domingo) warns Bryan that Maddie Harris (Annie Chiswell) is facing a firearm charge. Maddie watches them from inside the house. Stopping Bryan from shutting the door, he says she needs to apply for a gun license. Bryan slams the door in his face. Reza calls him a “prick” under his breath. Bryan tells Maddie that she was their “miracle baby” and he needs her.

Sam is working on a fishing lure when he receives a call from Lindsay at Delatite Reality about an offer on the property that belongs to Deb. Sam claims to be waiting to find proper housing for Deb’s horse. Lindsay says it has been two years and the deadline for the offer is 24 hours.

Andrea enters the police station as Maddie is applying for a gun license. Damien is waiting to tell her that Claire may be at Mitchell’s Spur where he and his wife used to go. He claims it came to him in a dream before leaving. Brett Sweet (Luke McKenzie) points to Mitchell’s Spur on a map. She tells him that she is going there to follow up on a lead. He offers to go with her but she refuses. She and Archie are en route to Mitchell’s Spur when she finds a vehicle hidden in brush and a dead kangaroo nearby. Snapping a photo of the Hyundai logo, she tries the satellite phone but there is no signal.

Sam arrives at Deb’s house. After a short visit with Solomon, he goes inside the house. Brett calls him concerned about Andrea visiting Mitchell’s Spur with bad weather approaching. Sam assures him that she will cover her tracks and keep him updated. Kirra tries to call Andrea but only gets her voicemail. Ben Cooper (Pedrea Jackson) sends her a text. A short time later, she visits him at his place. They are sitting in a car when a woman calls for him. They duck down to keep from being seen.

Sam tries to call Andrea but only gets her voicemail. Rose asks Helen if she stays with her until the storm is over. Helen says yes. Rose tells her that Damien is battening down the hatches at the shop. Sam sets Solomon free but he refuses to leave. Andrea leads Archie through the dark woods when she hears a strange noise. The satellite phone still has no signal. She draws her gun and aims it in the direction of the noise. Something startles Archie. She tries to calm him but he runs away. Sam asks to be struck by lightning. Andrea pursues Archie through the woods when she encounters a bright light. A short time later, she comes to while at the Hiker’s hut with Owen Cooper(Aaron Pedersen). He claims Sam sent him to Mitchel’s Spur to look for her and she ran out of the woods into his pickup. He offers to treat her head wound. She tells him that she was looking for Archie after he got spooked.

Kirra asks Ben why he lives with Owen, not his mum. He claims to not want to live in Melbourne. She tells him that her father is occupied with a new family. At the cabin, Rose poses nude for Helen. Owen warns Andrea against venturing out in the storm to look for Archie. She suggests a Yowie spooked Archie. He believes dreams are lessons or warnings. She thanks him for finding her and asks about the dingoes in the High Country. He says dingoes are protectors.

The next morning, Owen and Andrea find Archie with a fractured rear leg. She tells him that he is good, apologizes, and shoots him. She breaks down sobbing. At the cabin, Helen shows Rose her painting. In the woods, Andrea orders the Hyundai hauled in and the VIN ran. Brett tells her that he will get Scooter (Syd Brisbane) on it. She informs Sam that Damien said Claire may be at Mitchel’s Spur. He suggests Damien lured her up there. She says Archie had to be put down after he fractured his leg. She calls Helen to see if Damien is at The Farm. Helen says he never returned from the shop. A short time later, Andrea finds Damien cleaning in front of the Brokenridge Bait & Tackle. Angry, she accuses him of leading her on a wild goose chase and asks if he killed the kangaroo and Bryan’s cattle. He denies any knowledge of dead cattle and accuses her of trying to trap him but she is no better than Sam. As she walks away, he calls her a “fu**ing pig.”

Mansfield Private Hospital – Andrea visits Liz Whitford (Melissa Jaffer) to find her full of complaints. While embracing Andrea, Liz looks at her confused and turns to the TV. At home, Andrea asks Kirra for a hug. Kirra tells her that she is spending the night at Lily’s. A short time later, she meets Ben who has a tent set up near a creek.

Damien accuses Helen of concluding with Andrea to set him up. She denies the allegation and claims to believe in his gift. She tells him that the watch belongs to her, not Claire. She says her son, Charlie had an asthma attack and died.

Sam gives Solomon to Andrea. She promises to take good care of him. Weeping, she questions if she is cut out for the High Country. He assures her that if he is cut out for it, she is as well.

Someone burns Rachel’s bag and work pass in a campfire as the episode ends.

 

High Country Review

Sam and Andrea’s scheme to trap Damien into telling them where Claire Harris’s body is backfires. Andrea gives him Helen’s watch, claiming it is Claire’s. Holding the watch, he has a vision of someone grieving and struggling to breathe. He later accuses Helen of being involved in their scheme. Helen tells him that the watch is hers and his suffering is hers and her son, Charlie who died from an asthma attack.

Helen and Andrea draw further apart while Helen gets closer to Rose. Andrea is forced to put Archie out of his misery after he suffers a leg fracture. Sam sells Deb’s house and gives her horse, Solomon to Andrea.

Rachel’s disappearance is yet to raise any eyebrows. She failed to show up to clean for Tammy but nothing came of it.

 

The story continues the same trend – Damien is still the main suspect in the missing person cases, Andrea and Helen grow further apart, Sam continues to harass Damien, Andrea’s investigation is virtually stagnant, and the serial killer claims more victims.

The story is progressing at a snail’s pace. Ten episodes make for a boring season. The episode deserves a 5.5 out of 10. Get more High Country recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new and classic movies and TV shows, Japanese wrestling, crime, and more.