Sweet ‘N’ Sour Dingo – The episode deep in the Outback at Hugo Drivas’s (Darren Gilshenana) last resting place. Sergeant Geraldine Walters (Katrina Milosevic) and Rory (Ethan Goassatti) spend several minutes debating the cause of death. When he learns there wasn’t any money found with the body, Andy Pruden (Ben Feldman) has a childhood memory. The memory suggests that Hugo has been swindling Andy (Alastair Bradman) out of his money from a very young age.

When the memory ends, Andy is back at the bar among the locals where Pastor Jimmy James (Tony Briggs) fails to offer comfort using the Bible story of “Jonah and The Whale.” The very vocal arrival of Gareth Biggins (Chai Hansen) soon draws everyone’s attention. Cassie (Perry Mooney) appears to notice his wad of cash as he picks up several packages from Valerie Hogarth (Genevieve Lemon). He notices her just as Leon Croydman (Rick Donald) takes the initiative and invites everyone back to his house to continue the festivities in Hugo’s honor.

Cassie barges into Andy’s room to tell him about Leon’s party and suggests it as being an opportunity to uncover more about Hugo and the money. Although Andy isn’t interested in the party or her partnership, she vows to go on her own in search of answers. As she departs, Andy receives a call from Dom (Christopher Kirby) who offers his condolences but is quick to remind Andy that “they” will still want payment. After rushing off the phone, Andy inadvertently what appears to be a bug or tracker of some sort hidden under the protective case.

Leon prepares for the party, Gareth sets out to get better acquainted with Cassie, and Andy decides to attend the party after all, in search of Noel (Stephen Curry). Instead, he finds Valerie who insists he join her shots in honor of Hugo. He tries to subtly ask her if Hugo ever mentioned anything about a large sum of cash. She claims he never did but does note how weird it is that Hugo never mentioned him.

Not much later Andy joins the others on the patio by the barbecue. After overhearing Cedric allude that Hugo was selfish, Andy confronts him about the snowboard he caught him stealing in the first episode. After some convincing, Andy leverages him into admitting that the snowboard was payment for something he helped Hugo find. He even promises to share the discovery with Andy the following morning.

Andy’s subsequent run-in with Shoshanna (Karis Oka) not only reveals her to be the alien, but Hugo paid her to dress the part for the benefit of the tourists. Trevor (Steve Le Marquand) debates the possibility that Hugo’s death was a suicide while Andy’s search for Noel leads to a run-in with Leon. Although Leon is unable to provide any insight into Noel’s whereabouts, he has plenty to offer about alien existence on Earth. Leon’s focus immediately shifts when Audrey (Emily Taheny) shows up.

Gareth continues his attempts to impress Cassie with his plans of opening his own diving business in Indonesia while she tries to uncover how he’s financing the adventure. Leon soon interrupts and draws Gareth away with the request to help set the oven for Audrey’s pies.

When Andy catches Cassie snooping around Gareth’s room, she doesn’t waste any time filling him in on her suspicions. He in turn tells her about his suspicions that Noel bugged his phone. Almost instantly after sharing his claims, Andy sees Noel outside. Cassie resumes her search of Gareth’s room as Andy races outside where a quick run-in with Gareth causes him to lose track of Noel again. In the meantime, Cassie discovers a clear vial of Xylazine under Gareth’s bed and witnesses an argument between Trevor and Jimmy.

When Leon and Audrey treat the guests to pie, Andy’s frustration leads to him inadvertently revealing Audrey’s secret ingredient, roadkill. Audrey storms off and after Leon goes after her they end up making out.

Much later that evening, Andy finally gets his chance to confront Noel, which leads to an awkward fight. Throughout, Noel never denies bugging Andy but he does maintain the fact that he didn’t kill Hugo. The fight and party are soon broken up by Sergeant Geraldine’s announcement that Hugo’s death was officially ruled a murder. After advising everyone to stay put, Cassie tells Andy that something strange is going on with Gareth and Leon. Despite her attempts to help, he apparently does not want to hear it and sulks back to the pub. Gareth tries to get Cassie to stay at the party. Instead, she goes after Andy. The episode ends with the revelation it was Cassie who bugged Andy’s phone.

 

Population 11 Review

Not a bad episode, although it did feel like a lot of feeler. Thank god for the shorter run time! Cassie’s involvement opens all kinds of new possibilities and the arrival of Gareth is certainly interesting as well. The locals only continue to get stranger as the story heats up. Very much looking forward to the next episode and for that, I’d have to give the episode at least a 5 out of 10.

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