The episode opens with Sergeant Andrea Whitford’s (Leah Purcell) dream. She sees Deb and several other girls standing on a ridge. Deb holds out her and Andrea takes a few steps forward before waking. Helen Hartley’s (Sara Wiseman) side of the bed is empty.

Fairhaven Hospital – Andrea learns there is no record of her birth at Fairhaven. Liz Whitford (Melissa Jaffer) was a patient at the hospital. Andrea asks the clerk if Dr. Philips falsified her birth certificate. The clerk reluctantly suggests the information is inaccurate. Helen is at The Farm when she ignores a call from Andrea.

Detective Nico Dracos (Alex Andreas) shows Andrea a video of Rachel Griggs (Jess Harris) leaving Patrick Haber’s office. He believes Rachel blackmailed him because she was not his patient. He says Haber paid her 15 grand over a three-month period. Andrea tells him that Rachel had nearly twice that much and suggests it is linked to Artemis. Elsewhere, Damien Stark (Henry Nixon) gives Helen a reading. Holding her hands between his own, he urges her to leave The Farm without explanation.

Mansfield Private Hospital – Brett Sweet (Luke McKenzie) informs Andrea that Rachel told Shane Griggs (Kenneth Radley) that she gave birth to a stillborn 15 years ago. Andrea asks Liz about her birth. Looking at an older family photo, Liz recognizes her. Liz explains how happy she and John Whitford (Glenn Pelegrin) were when Jean Grierson brought baby Andrea to their house. Andrea asks if Jean identified her biological mother. Liz becomes distant and quiet. A short time later, Andrea looks in on Sam Dyson (Ian McElhinney). Nurse Ron (Mark Slater) says the doctor is concerned about Sam’s heart rhythm. A short distance away, Damien watches Andrea leave.

Andrea shows Bryan Harris (Geoff Morrell) a video of Claire Harris (Rosie Traynor) and Judge David Miers (Dave Metzenthen) at a shop near Darwin. She says they staged their deaths to escape Artemis, a straw company utilized to funnel money from a “trafficking” scheme. She adds that 35 babies, including Rachel’s, were trafficked and put up for adoption.

At the hospital, Sam wakes up to find Damien sitting in a chair. Damien assures him that he could have easily killed him if he were a killer. After accusing Sam of making his life miserable, Damien says he will not find whoever killed Luke Samson before he dies. He refuses to forgive him and warns that he is going to hell. Sam promises to save him a seat.

At the police station, Andrea questions Liam Mason (Jamie Timony) and Nash Mason (Nathaniel Dean) about Dr. Novak’s disappearance and Jean Grierson’s murder. Brett says their knife was utilized to kill Jean. Nash claims Lachian “Lachie” Francis (Eddie Baroo) let them use his Hyundai and remind her that they sell knives. Refusing to talk, Andrea is forced to release them.

Andrea enters Rose De Vigny’s (Linda Cropper) without being invited in. Rose informs her that Kirra (Pez Warner) and Helen left for Melbourne two hours before. She says Helen is scheduled to meet Benedict Roland at the Richmond Gallery. Andrea asks if she is after Helen’s commission. Claiming to respect Helen’s artistic skill, Rose accuses Andrea of controlling Helen with the tragic death of her son. Upon leaving, Andrea spots Helen’s “Artemis Goddess of the Hunt” painting on the wall. Inside the cabin, Helen watches Andrea leave.

Tammy Samson (Leah Vandenberg) brings out boxes of papers from the Historical Society. Andrea tells her that she is looking for information on The Farm which may be connected to Jean’s murder. At the cabin, Helen is awakened by Sophie’s (Shannon Berry) crying. Sophie breaks down sobbing while talking about her premature baby. Helen assures her that she has a good support system. Sophie says Claire told her that The Farm was a safe place for her to give birth. She claims Rose took her baby before she got to see him.

Tammy and Andrea find a 1974 Brokenridge Gazette article about The Farm when it was a haven for artists. A photo of young Rose is on the front page. Greg Summers, Max Phillips, and Sheila Mills were mentioned in the article.

Andrea has a dream about an indigenous mother and baby. At The Farm, Helen passes Liam out on her way to the house. She enters as Nash is asking Rose why she wanted Liam to mow Rachel down on the road. Rose sees Helen in the mirror and follows her to the cabin. Trying to play it cool, Helen claims to have been looking for Kirra when she hears her scream. Restraining Kirra, Liam threatens to break her neck. Rose orders them to put Kirra and Helen in the car. Nash reluctantly does as she asks to keep Liam out of prison.

Andrea tells Sam that Artemis Fidelity Holdings acquired The Farm in 1982, to utilize it for baby trafficking. She says Claire and Miers tried to get away before the police found out about it. He partially blames himself for not seeing it and urges her to be careful. Upon leaving, Andrea receives a call from Damien saying Helen and Kirra are with Liam and Nash. Questioning his claim, she says they are in Melbourne. He offers to send her a photo of Helen’s car at The Farm. A short time later, Andrea arrives at the Mason farm to find Rachel’s body in a barrel. Brett and Reza arrive. Upon arriving at a cabin, Kirra tries to escape but Liam catches her, disturbing a flock of birds. Andrea sees the birds from the Masson’s farm. Refusing to commit murder, Nash tells Liam that someone will find Helen and Kirra after they are gone. Liam draws his gun. Nash punches him. Liam accuses him of letting their father beat him to protect himself when the police arrive. Andrea orders them to release Helen and Kirra. Liam refuses to give himself up. Nash warns that a hostage situation will get them 30 years in prison.

Grabbing Kirra, Liam makes his way outside and threatens to kill her if they don’t put their guns away. Andrea orders Brett and Reza to lower their guns. Liam warns them against following them when more sirens can be heard a short distance away. Kirra manages to break free of Liam. Andrea shoots him. Nash races out of the barn toward Liam but Brett restrains him. Kirra runs to Andrea.

At the hospital, Kirra is taken into x-ray. Nurse Ron informs Andrea that Sam left the hospital. Upon arriving at The Farm, Andrea finds Sam and Rose walking up a hill. Rose assures Sam that Artemis helped mothers who didn’t have the means to care for their babies. He accuses her of taking his and Deb’s baby. She reminds him that Deb was 17 and pregnant. He blames her for Deb’s suicide and demands she jump to her death out of shame and guilt. When she refuses, he grabs her and pulls her toward the cliff. Armed, Andrea orders him to release Rose. Sam pleads with Andrea to leave. Once free, Rose accuses Sam of killing Jean and Novak and trying to kill her. He says Deb told him that the Wirrk Wirrk (Rose) took their baby. Giving her a photo of Deb, he tells Andrea that she was that baby. Rose grabs Sam’s gun and shoots him before he shoves her over the cliff.

Sam is taken away in an ambulance. Senior Sergeant Cripps (Nicholas Bell) questions why Sam was with Rose. Later, Andrea shows Helen a photo of her parents, Deb and Sam. Andrea receives another visit from the dingo.

 

High Country Finale Review

The season ends on a cliffhanger after a half-dozen plot twists are introduced. Miers and Claire’s fake deaths came out of left field. Rose’s involvement in the Artemis scheme has been obvious since she unearthed a hidden box of cash.

While I always felt Sam had something to do with Luke’s death and the missing people, I didn’t expect he was Andrea’s father. Andrea’s reluctance to identify him as Jean’s killer, I also never expected. Luke’s death is left unsolved. Damien has been the prime suspect which means he is doubtful the killer.

After 35 minutes of filler, viewers are left with a rushed, unfulfilling ending. The finale deserves a 4.5 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 TV shows, movies, and sports.