The episode opens with Tess (Jodie Whittaker) reading from a novel, “One Night, as random flashbacks appear on the screen. Simone (Nicole Da Silva) discusses her “One Night” novel with Andrew Sharma (Chum Ehelepola) and Lindy (Helen Thomson). Ruth (Nat Buchanan) admits to loving the book before placing an unsigned page from the contract. Andrew explains the purpose of the Warranty and Indemnity. Simone assures them that the novel is original before signing the document.

Simone – Hat (Yael Stone) calls Simone to ask her to check up on Mark (Damien Strouthos) because he lied about being with the kids. Driving by the café, Simone sees Mark talking to a waitress. She says he is just having coffee before pulling up in front of Don’s (William Zappa) house. At the Bowlo, Simone informs Hat of her novel being published. Hat admits to being proud of her. Hat says Tess will be moving back to Sydney. She admits to giving Tess her email address. Simone reminds her of their 17-year hiatus.

A bad dream keeps Tess awake. Vicki (Kat Stewart) asks her to find somewhere else to be awake. Tess questions her decision to move back to Sydney. Vicki reminds her that she took a 1-year leave from work. Tess says what if she doesn’t like it. Vicki assures her that she will be okay. Tess finds photos of her with Simone and Hat. They share the same tattoo. In a flashback, young Tess (Ikaela Binns-Rorke) admits to getting sad when thinking of young Simone’s (Bridgette Armstrong) mum. Simone assures her that she is sad but can’t cry. Snuggling up to her, Tess vows to protect her. They profess to love each other. Back to the present, Simone leaves Andrew a voicemail to request they speak before her novel is sent to Frankfurt. She finds a confused Don outside. She suggests it is possums in heat. He believes she is Cathy. When he heads back toward the house, she stares into the woods.

Arthur “Art” (Jude Hyland) and his Lily (Jillian Nguyen) complain about Sydney. Vicki asks Tess when will they visit her mum. Tess says when she is ready before informing Vicki of her lunch date with Hat. In the bathroom, Tess has a minor mental breakdown. Simone emerges from the water to find a voicemail from Tess who requests a meeting.

Simone is surprised to learn Tess is married to Vicki. She asks Tess if she gave birth to Art and Lily. Tess says Vicki is their birth mother but she was there. Vicki informs her of Tess’s new job. Simone has a flashback of an intimate dance with Tess. Back to the present, she gulps down more wine when she sees Tess and Vicki kiss. Tess boasts of being sober for eight years. Hat tells Tess and Vicki that Simone’s novel is being published. Simone claims the publicist decided he didn’t want it. Hat stresses the need to know the terms of the contract. Intoxicated, Simone says psychological thrillers are not popular because they keep people awake at night. Walking away, she texts Andrew to withdraw her novel until further notice. Tess questions why Simone agreed to come if she didn’t want to see her. Someone points out that she consumed a lot of wine. Simone ignores Andrew’s call.

Andrew tries to convince Simone to publish her article. She confesses to writing the novel about her life. He asks if the book is based on her life in a novel. She says it truly happened to her. He assures her that a novel based on a true story will sell. He warns that breaching the contract will cost her dearly. He suggests they compromise but she refuses. Later, she has sex with Anthony.

Don breaks a glass. Simone rushes in to clean it up. He stresses the need for a lock on the gate because a car was there last night. She suggests getting help. He escorts her outside to show her tire tracks and cigarette butts. She picks up a cigarette butt to get a closer look.

Simone apologizes to Hat for getting intoxicated. Hat suggests being nice to Tess. Simone admits to feeling like Tess saw her as a “lost cause.” Hat urges her to try again without the alcohol and find a new publisher. Simone vows to never write again. Hat accuses her of pretending to write a book. Simone leaves.

Joey Calley (George Mason) confronts Simone at the beach. She admits to detesting him for what he did. After a stern warning, he tells her that he has his kids to protect. She curses his kids before asking who protected them. He flicks his cigarette at her. She dials Andrew while picking up the cigarette butt.

During a phone conversation, Simone apologizes for getting intoxicated. Tess tells her that she is done running. She asks if they can get together this weekend when Andrew calls to inform her of the novel being sold.

Tess leads Vicki, Lily, and Art to the “dark, damp valley” of her nightmares. She points out that the bridge wasn’t always there. Passing “The Overview Hotel,” Lily and Art plead with Tess to stop for food but she refuses. They arrive at Hat and Mark’s house. Tess, Simone, and Hat reminisce about their teenage years. Lily reminds Tess of what she said about their mums not being there for them. Upset, Simone takes a bottle of wine to the bathroom. Tess follows her and apologizes for Lily’s comment. Simone suggests they led each other. Tess claims to have been judging herself. Simone assures her that she is entitled to her own opinion. Tess invites her for coffee tomorrow. Simone declines the offer.

Vicki, Art, and Lily greet Helen (Tina Bursill) while Tess stares at the scenery. Helen informs Tess of the police returning her uncollected property. She says the police station is closed. When Helen embraces her, she rolls her eyes before jerking away. Later, Tess opens the package to find a red dress. In a flashback, a battered young Tess is wearing the dress.

Simone asks Don if he will be okay while she goes to Sydney to launch her book. She tells him that she got a lock for the gate. He boasts of writing a book. She admits to being proud of him.

Thirroul Service Station – Simone demands Joey never threaten her or Don again. He is on the phone with an inmate, Trevor (Erroll Shand) when she claims to know what he did.

Hat arrives at Don’s house to find his dogs devouring a dead possum. Don tells her that Simone is at a party in Sydney. In Simone’s bedroom, she finds an invitation to the Sydney Launch of “One Night.”

In a flashback, Simone enters a room to see young Joey Calley (David Howell) kneeling over an unconscious Tess lying on the floor. Young Trevor (Shane Osborne) and another guy are there as well. Joey forces her out of the room. Tess questions what happened last night when the episode ends.

 

One Night Cast

• Tess (Jodie Whittaker)
• Young Tess (Ikaela Binns-Rorke)
• Simone (Nicole Da Silva)
• Young Simone (Bridgette Armstrong)
• Andrew Sharma (Chum Ehelepola)
• Hat (Yael Stone)
• Young Hat (Bella Ridgway)
• Mark (Damien Strouthos)
• Vicki (Kat Stewart)
• Lily (Jillian Nguyen)
• Arthur “Art” (Jude Hyland)
• Joey Calley (George Mason)
• Young Joey Calley (David Howell)
• Trevor (Erroll Shand)
• Young Trevor (Shane Osborne)

One Night Synopsis

Simone writes a novel but conceals its true nature. While labeled a psychological thriller, the book is actually based on her and Tess’ harrowing “One Night” experience. She lives with her father, Don who has dementia. After leaving Sydney, Tess marries and has two children. After a 17-year hiatus, she returns to Sydney. Simone is envious of Tess being able to move on while she doesn’t have a career and still lives with Don. Tess appears to suffer in silence to protect her family.

Simone tells Andrew that the novel is based on her life. The label is changed to “based on a true story” before it lands in Frankfurt. It lasts 24 hours before a publishing company snatches it up.

The details of what happened are vague. A flashback shows Joey, Trevor, and another guy with a battered, unconscious Tess. Another flashback shows her awake

One Night Review

The show is a bit too secretive for my liking. The details of what happened to Tess and Simone are scant at best. The pace is slow, unbearably slow at times. The poor editing hinders the flow of the story.

The series has an amazing main cast with a powerful female lead, Nicole Da Silva. The acting is spot-on as expected.

To keep viewers coming back, a lot more details need to be released sooner than later. If the suspense is going to be drawn out over the entire series, hopefully, the revelation will live up to the hype. Otherwise, viewers will feel it was a waste of time.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more One Night recaps here. Support our independent site by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.